england

Sex Writer Says Murdoch Reporter Hacked Her Computer

Adrian Chen · 07/11/11 06:32PM

It's not just murder victims and government officials who have been hacked by Rupert Murdoch's minions. A once-pseudonymous sex writer claims a writer for the Murdoch-owned Sunday Times installed a trojan on her computer in an effort to out her.

Million-Dollar Reagan Statue Unveiled in London

Seth Abramovitch · 07/05/11 12:12AM

Londoners have a 10-foot-tall sculpture of Ronald Reagan to call their own. Unveiled at its permanent home outside the American Embassy, the statue was constructed at a cost of $1 million, paid for by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation "as part of a worldwide effort to promote his legacy" in this, the 100th anniversary of his birth.

World's Worst Sheepdog Is Afraid of Sheep

Matt Cherette · 06/23/11 03:33AM

Border collies are known for their innate ability to herd sheep—in many cases, they're bred specifically for that purpose. Which is why this video of a four-year-old border collie named Ci, whose owner calls him "the worst sheepdog in Britain" since he's afraid of sheep, is so funny/sad. But mostly funny. [Telegraph via Fark]

Sheep Diagnoses Woman With Breast Cancer

Lauri Apple · 06/14/11 04:54AM

Alfie Purl, a sheep who lives in England's Cotswolds, is not the head-butting type. So when he went nuts and started bumping his owner—an archeologist named Emma Turner—in the chest one day, Turner "thought there must be something wrong with him."

Margaret Thatcher Shall Not Hold Court for Sarah Palin

Jim Newell · 06/07/11 11:13AM

Britain's most famous old conservative lady, former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, does not appear to have time in her schedule to take a house call from Sarah Palin. Tut, tut. Whatever else shall Palin do during her upcoming trip to London? Meet with that pretender, David Cameron? One would prefer stay at home.

New Gossiping Twitter Account Puts Britain In a Tizzy

Adrian Chen · 05/31/11 11:53AM

Oh ho ho, what slander! What loathsome gossip! A new anonymous Twitter account has been publishing rumors about British celebs and everyone is freaking out, again. This proves England is not equipped to handle the internet.

Obama Slaps Balls with Prime Minister

Maureen O'Connor · 05/24/11 04:06PM

After time-traveling back to 2008 with the royal family, President Obama visited British Prime Minister David Cameron today. Mostly they hung out with British schoolboys, flicking the youths' tiny white balls to and fro. Obama and Cameron double-teamed the children before a live audience.

Barack Obama Is Living in the Past

Jim Newell · 05/24/11 02:29PM

President Obama has made the most epic gaffe in United States presidential history, just a little while ago. During his visit to Westminster Abbey today, he signed the guest book along with the date "24 May 2008." Not only did he not write "May 24" like a Real American would've, but he was also off by a year or two — at least.

Soccer Player Takes on All of Twitter Over Affair Rumor

Adrian Chen · 05/20/11 03:14PM

Earlier this month, an anonymous Twitter user caused an uproar for tweeting rumors that hadn't surfaced in the press previously because of the gag laws—known as "superinjunctions"—that British celebs use to squash embarrassing stories. Now, a professional soccer player—sorry, "footballer," is suing not just every Twitter user who named him, but the entire company. This should be fun.

British Education Minister Rips Off Wikipedia

Adrian Chen · 05/16/11 09:22AM

John Hayes, Britain's "further education minister," was just busted lifting parts of a speech almost verbatim from Wikipedia. It was probably a lesson to kids in how not to hide their blatant plagiarism?

Princess Diana Death Photo to Debut at Cannes

Maureen O'Connor · 05/10/11 02:58PM

A documentary about the death of Princess Diana will debut next week at the Cannes Film Festival—and will feature a graphic paparazzi photo of the princess as she lay dying after a car crash in Paris.

Facebook Keeps Deleting Kate Middleton's Account

Adrian Chen · 04/27/11 11:42AM

It's got to be a difficult time to be named Kate Middleton, what with the constant royal wedding jokes and people talking to you in fake British accents and stuff. Worse still, Facebook keeps deleting accounts of women who share the name of the Most Important Bride of All Time.

Most Expensive Apartment in the UK Sold for $221 Million

Max Read · 04/17/11 12:38PM

An anonymous Ukranian buyer purchased the most expensive apartment in the United Kingdom in 2007, paying $221 million in cash through an offshore trust to buy the penthouse of the One Hyde Park apartment complex. What does $221 million get you?