More things which may have been overlooked - - -
Christina
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'Sarkozy is one of my best friends,' says Brown
French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown stepped up their media charm offensive on Friday morning (11 December), as part of ongoing efforts to bury their recent differences.
"It is a very strong relationship and one that is working today as we examine climate change," said Mr Brown in a joint press conference with the French leader (EU Observer 11/12/09)
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Government accused over 'shabby' pensions move
The Government was today accused of treating pensioners in an "underhand and shabby" manner after it was disclosed that its promised 2.5 per cent rise did not apply to all elements of the state pension...... the uprating would not apply to extras, such as the State Earnings Related Pension (Serps), which will remain frozen.
At the same time, the small earnings-related supplement called graduated pension which is paid to more than 10 million people, and the additional pension of £57.05 paid to 41,000 men who have wives under 60 were also said to have been held at this year's levels. (Independent 12/12/09)
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EU parliament ceiling falls down again
Part of the ceiling in the EU parliament complex in Strasbourg fell down over the weekend, in the second such incident in 18 months.
The cave-in saw three concrete slabs, each measuring 25 square metres, [say 33 feet x 25 feet -cs] in the Pierre Pflimlin office block give way on Saturday (12 December) following heavy rain, - - - - cost €38m - - - -2008 whole complex inspected - - - 2007 alarming levels od asbestos - - - 2008 legionnaires disease fouind - - - 2006 rent overcharged for 25 years - - - etc (EU Observer 14/12/09)
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Local Government:
Is there enough salt to cope with frozen roads?
(Conservative Home - ?! - 14/12/09)
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EU-phemisms
“Van Rompuy’s first weeks have shown he has the answers Europe wanted “
(= translation) “Oui, M. Sarkozy” - - “Non, M. Sarkozy” - - “Trois sacs pleins, M. Sarkozy” (Private Eye 1251)
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BINGO!
The Sunday Express reported that the EU's guidance on 'Gender-Neutral Language' could bring an end to such bingo calls as "Two Fat Ladies, 88, Old Age Pension, 65". A campaign to prevent players being forced to use the language is underway on the internet.
(Sunday Express: Leader 13/12/09)
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Special Pleading
The Mail reports that, amid growing speculation that the Speaker of the House of Commons could be defeated by former UKIP leader Nigel Farage at the next General Election, John Bercow has proposed a new seat for the Speaker, called St Stephen's, with only MPs for constituents. [Ahem - At an election there ARE no MPs, so what does he want - the old lot or the new lot? -cs] [via Open Europe 14.12.09)
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ER - That’s it folks!
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