Royal Navy 'watched yacht hijack'

Ed: I thought the thing about Nelson's eye was knowing when to turn it. After the Iran hostage navy crisis, this wasn't supposed to happen again. :-(

The crew of a Royal Navy vessel watched as a British couple were taken hostage by Somali pirates but were ordered not to open fire, it has emerged.

The ship did not act for fear of getting the couple killed, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.

Paul and Rachel Chandler, aged 59 and 55, from Kent, were ordered off their yacht by gunmen in the Indian Ocean in the early hours of 23 October.

The Chandlers had been travelling to Tanzania from the Seychelles. Read more
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BNP come close to third place in Glasgow by-election

Ed: The Scottish edition of the Sun seems to be the source most openly recognizing this result.

THE BNP gave Scotland a fright night as they came close to grabbing a shock third place in Glasgow North East.

The far-right party looked to have edged out the Conservatives in the Westminster by-election - which Labour romped.

The British National Party's candidate Charlie Baillie was believed to have nabbed third spot - but was beaten by 62 votes after a recount. Read more
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Archbishop Rowan Williams admits future of Anglicanism is 'chaotic'

The Archbishop of Canterbury has admitted that the future of Anglicanism is “chaotic and uncertain”. One can’t help asking: And whose fault would that be, Your Grace?

Of course, many of the problems of the Anglican Communion are insoluble, by Dr Rowan Williams or anyone else. But his attempts to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds – firmly backing women bishops while pleading with opponents to stay; privately expressing support for gay unions while disciplining churches that bless them – don’t help at all.

Dr Williams was preaching at All Saints, Margaret Street; the sermon, which you can find here, is gentle and reflective. It was also intended, I think, as an appeal to members of an Anglo-Catholic parish to stay in the Church of England. Read more
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Episcopal diocese to bless gay unions

The Episcopal bishop for southern Ohio has announced the diocese will begin blessing gay relationships next year.

The Right Rev. Thomas Breidenthal told delegates to the diocesan convention Friday they should not be surprised since he had written in support of same-sex unions before he was elected bishop in 2006, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported. He said the blessings would begin after Easter in 2010. Read more
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Ministers cancel 'Big Brother' database

Plans to store information about every phone call, email and internet visit in the United Kingdom have in effect been abandoned by the Government.

The Home Office confirmed the "Big Brother" scheme had been delayed until after the election amid protests that it would be intrusive and open to abuse. Although ministers publicly insisted yesterday that they remained committed to the scheme, they have decided not to include the contentious measure in next week's Queen's Speech, the Government's final legislative programme before the election.

The effect of this move could be to kill off the plans for years. The Conservatives have not ruled out reviving the idea but remain sceptical about the practicality of Labour's proposals. Read more
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Tough love 'is good for children'

Children brought up according to "tough love" principles are more successful in life, according to a study.

The think tank Demos says a balance of warmth and discipline improved social skills more than an laissez-faire, authoritarian or disengaged upbringing.

It says children aged five with "tough love" parents were twice as likely to show good character capabilities.

Report author Jen Lexmond said: "It is confidence, warmth and consistent discipline that matter most." Read more
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