England

Washington, D.C. -- May 7, 2008 -- U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and U.S. Representative Peter King (R-NY), Ranking Member of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security, today announced the introduction of the Free Speech Protection Act of 2008.

This bill would protect American journalists from libel suits brought in foreign courts that do not have the same protections for free speech that are found in the U.S. constitution. It mirrors H.R. 5814, legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative King.    » read more »

23 September 2007, Tianjin, China (By Jim Stevenson) -- Top ranked United States and defending champion Germany have advanced to the semifinals of the Women's World Cup football (soccer) tournament in China. VOA's Jim Stevenson reports both teams had similar paths to the semifinal round.

The United States and Germany each faced an opponent that put up a strong fight in the first half of their quarterfinal games Saturday. England held the United States scoreless until the 48th minute    » read more »

18 September 2007, Shanghai, China (By Jim Stevenson) -- The United States has defeated Nigeria, 1-0, to reach the quarterfinal round of the Women's World Cup football tournament in China. VOA's Jim Stevenson was at the game in Shanghai, where the Americans dominated in a soggy and sparsely filled stadium.

As bands of rain periodically drenched the field from the approach of typhoon Wipha, the U.S. women stormed to a quick lead against Nigeria in the opening minute. Midfielder Lori Chalupny easily chipped in a loose ball in front of the goal.    » read more »

17 September 2007, Hangzhou, China (By Jim Stevenson) -- Germany has defeated Japan, 2-0, to reach the quarterfinal round of the Women's World Cup football (soccer) tournament in China. VOA's Jim Stevenson was at the game in Hangzhou, where the defending champions seemed to struggle at times, despite playing a relatively weaker opponent.    » read more »

Sept. 13, 2007 -- Genetic research into athletic ability should be encouraged for its potential benefits in both sport and public health, a leading group of scientists meeting at the University of Bath said today.

However, ethical concerns, such as whether seeking information about differences between ethnic groups could be perceived as racist research, need to be properly addressed, they warn.

Their recommendations are published in a ‘position stand’ on genetic research and testing launched at the British Association of Sport & Exercise Sciences annual meeting today.    » read more »

02 September 2007 (VOA News) -- India has won the fifth one-day international cricket match against host England in Leeds.

Rain Sunday forced play to be scored using the Duckworth/Lewis method. India ended up a 38-run winner to reduce England's lead in the seven-match series to 3-2.

England was initially chasing 325 to win, but lost three wickets for seven runs in 13 balls as it slumped to 104 for four. After rain stopped play midway through the 17th over, England was chasing a revised target of 311 in 45 overs.    » read more »

30 August 2007 -- English football superstar David Beckham is in serious doubt to play for his national team in next month's Euro 2008 qualifying matches against Israel and Russia after injuring his knee.

David Beckham hurt his right knee Wednesday night playing for the Los Angeles Galaxy Major League Soccer team against Pachuca of Mexico in the Super Liga final. Pachuca won 4-3 on penalty kicks in extra time to take the North American championship, and a one-million dollar prize.    » read more »

19 August 2007 -- London's Independent on Sunday newspaper says two senior British generals have told Prime Minister Gordon Brown that Britain has accomplished what it can in southern Iraq and that moves toward a full withdrawal should be made without further delay.    » read more »

(London, August 15, 2007) – The British authorities should not use terrorism powers against protesters at London’s Heathrow airport, Human Rights Watch said today. In a demonstration against global warming, hundreds of protesters have set up a tent camp next to the airport to pressure the government to halt the airport’s planned expansion.    » read more »

08 August 2007 -- For the first time since the confirmation of foot-and-mouth disease in Britain earlier this month, the government has decided to ease restrictions on livestock shipments in areas outside of the affected zone in southern England.    » read more »

09 July 2007 -- It is the beginning of a new era for smokers in England. No more lighting up in closed public places, including in pubs and private clubs. Other parts of Britain already have such bans.

Smokers. They used to be easy to spot -- in pubs, restaurants, offices. But that is changing.

A new smoking ban against lighting up in enclosed public spaces went into effect July 1st. It is part of the government's efforts to reduce smoke-related illnesses and death. Liam Donaldson of the Health Department says the ban will save thousands of lives.    » read more »

02 July 2007 -- Elton John, Rod Stewart, and the English National Ballet were just some of the dozens of performers who paid tribute to Britain's late Princess Diana in London Sunday on what would have been her 46th birthday.

Her sons, Princes WIlliam and Harry, hosted the memorial concert amid high security at Wembley Stadium.

They said the concert celebrated what their mother loved in life - music, dance, charity, and her friends and family.

William said he does not want Diana's charitable activities for victims of AIDS and landmines to be forgotten.    » read more »

06 June 2007 -- David Beckham has returned to international competition and led England to a 3-0 win over Estonia in European Championship qualifying. World Cup finalists Italy and France also won on Wednesday.

Beckham returned to England's national team after 10 months away. He set up two goals at Estonia. England is currently fourth in the Group E standings, with just the top two teams from each seven-team group advancing to next year's Euro 2008 tournament in Austria and Switzerland.    » read more »