Friday, 30 October 2009

Doors shut at last UK piano maker

The doors are due to shut at the UK's last remaining piano manufacturer after nearly 100 years of production.

Ninety jobs have been axed at Kemble and Co, as a result of its main shareholder Yamaha transferring operations to Asia.

More than 350,000 upright and grand pianos have been made at the Milton Keynes-based firm since 1911.

Article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/beds/bucks/herts/8333215.stm

Internet addresses set for change

The internet regulator has approved plans to allow non-Latin-script web addresses, in a move that is set to transform the online world.

The board of Icann voted at its annual meeting in Seoul to allow domain names in Arabic, Chinese and other scripts.

More than half of the 1.6 billion people who use the internet speak languages with non-Latin scripts.

It is being described as the biggest change to the way the internet works since it was created 40 years ago.

Article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8333194.stm

Wal-Mart starts selling coffins

The world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, now plans to hold on to customers even after they die - by selling coffins.

Prices range from a "Mom" or "Dad Remembered" steel coffin for $895 (£540), to a bronze model at $2,899.

Article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8333198.stm

Saturday, 10 October 2009

Analysis: Barack Obama wins 2009 Nobel peace prize

peace prize

From the moment that President Barack Obama - who has won the Nobel peace prize - entered the Oval Office, he made clear that resolving the conflict in the Middle East would be a key priority of his foreign policy.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/6280293/Analysis-Barack-Obama-wins-2009-Nobel-peace-prize.html

World reacts to Obama peace prize

US President Barack Obama has won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize for his "extraordinary efforts" to build diplomacy and promote nuclear disarmament.

Since coming to office in January, President Obama has pursued an international agenda that includes a push to restart peace talks in the Middle East and negotiations over Iran's controversial nuclear programme.

Here is a round-up of world reaction to the award as reported by news agencies.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8298802.stm

Obama wins 2009 Nobel Peace Prize

US President Barack Obama has been awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

The Nobel Committee said he won it for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between peoples".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8298580.stm


Thursday, 8 October 2009

Nobel prize for literature: German writer Herta Muller wins 2009 award

The Swedish Academy, which decides the winner of the 10 million Swedish crown (£900,000) prize, recognised Muller, 56, for her ability to depict “with the concentration of poetry and the frankness of prose ... the landscape of the dispossessed”.

She is best known for describing the harsh conditions suffered in Romania under the totalitarian rule of the late communist dictator Nicolae Ceaucescu. She began work as a translator but was reportedly sacked after refusing to co-operate with the country’s notorious secret police.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booknews/6271987/Nobel-prize-for-literature-German-writer-Herta-Muller-wins-2009-award.html