Europe Intelligence Wire articles from October 2009

Europe Intelligence Wire archives from October 2009

Where in the world would you rather be this weekend?
October 31, 2009... (From Aberdeen Evening Express) Byline: ruth.warrander I would love to go back to South Africa because my husband and I used to live there. It was lovely and sunny. Katrin Corris, 40, accountant, Newburgh I would prefer to be in...

... Rowetta Satchell.
October 31, 2009... (From Guardian Unlimited) Rowetta bursts into the Showing Off... studio on her way to a Reveal magazine party, full of life and twice as rude. You can hear her a few seconds before she even arrives. She just bumped into Terry Christian at...

... Baaba Maal.
October 31, 2009... (From Guardian Unlimited) I might be dreaming this, but I was at an awards ceremony recently, the Gold Badge Awards , handed out by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors for service to the music industry beyond the call...

... Steve Brookstein.
October 31, 2009... (From Guardian Unlimited) Steve Brookstein, winner of the very first X Factor in 2004, and his wife Eileen Hunter are busying themselves one early afternoon in the 606 club in Chelsea, west London. It's a venue they often perform at, and it's...

... Pete Waterman.
October 31, 2009... (From Guardian Unlimited) The Pete Waterman Studios are part of County Hall, behind the London Eye on the banks of the river Thames. There's a large plaque outside that brazenly announces that inside the building there are the Pete Waterman...

... Stuart Murdoch.
October 31, 2009... (From Guardian Unlimited) ' and then in a gentler, quieter part of the pop world, Stuart Murdoch. I had originally hoped to put Stuart in a room with Pete Waterman, just to see what would happen and what kind of connection there might be...

... Myleene Klass.
October 31, 2009... (From Guardian Unlimited) My next Showing Off... guest, generously attempting to help me deal with my Simon Cowell troubles, can be summed up by the following:' M&SA white bikiniKym Marsh and Suzanne Shaw"a refreshing collection of...

... the X Factor.
October 31, 2009... (From Guardian Unlimited) I don't know about you, but I decided that I would not watch this particular series of The X Factor, because I thought, I'll get worked up, and possibly along the way very sad, depressed and paranoid. I won't watch...

Book corner.
October 31, 2009... (From Guardian Unlimited) No 50 Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery (1908) Mark Twain was my hero when I was nine because that was when I discovered Tom Sawyer (whose adventures have already been hymned here ). But even at the height of...

Problem solved: my mother irritates me.
October 31, 2009... (From Guardian Unlimited) My father left mum and us five children when I was 16 (I'm 34 now) and eventually married one of the women he was having an affair with, and to whom he is still happily married. I bear no animosity towards him or his...

Pick the right credit card and it could be a rewarding experience.
October 31, 2009... (From Guardian Unlimited) If you're among the six out of 10 credit card holders who pay off their card balance in full each month, avoiding interest charges, you should be making the most of the rewards schemes on offer. Dozens of credit...

David Bentley's prayer on the road to redemption.
October 31, 2009... (From Guardian Unlimited) Harry Redknapp has often likened David Bentley's frustration at Tottenham to that of a man stumbling in the dark. "He just hasn't been able to see a light at the end of the tunnel," the manager has said, on more than...

X Factor twins John and Edward pin victory hope on talent for publicity.
October 31, 2009... (From Guardian Unlimited) Simon Cowell described them as "vile little creatures who would step on their mother's head to have a hit" and vowed to leave the country and sulk for six months if they won. Cheryl Cole said they could neither sing...

Payment Services Regulations mean better treatment for bank customers.
October 31, 2009... (From Guardian Unlimited) New rules to make banks and building societies treat their customers more fairly will come into force on Sunday when the Financial Services Authority (FSA) takes over the regulation of their day-to-day dealings with...

English and Bulgarian grandmasters continue feud during European Team Championship.
October 31, 2009... (From Guardian Unlimited) There is history between English and Bulgarian grandmasters. Four years ago when Nigel Short was a commentator at the world championship in San Luis, Argentina, some players told him of suspicions that Veselin...

Is it all right for Andre Agassi to hate tennis?
October 31, 2009... (From Guardian Unlimited) This week Andre Agassi caused a stir by revealing he once took crystal meth -- or "gack" -- with a man called "Slim". This led to a failed drugs test, which Agassi explained away by saying he had mistakenly drunk one...

Chris Latham predicts an Australian renaissance on their visit to Britain.
October 31, 2009... (From Guardian Unlimited) The Wallabies arrive in England tomorrow to commence their first grand slam tour of Britain and Ireland since 1984. It must be a strangely dislocated experience for Chris Latham, once a green and gold stalwart but...

Sam Allardyce learns from the master Sir Alex Ferguson.
October 31, 2009... (From Guardian Unlimited) Roberto Martinez may be squirming with embarrassment over what he is reported to have said about Sir Alex Ferguson and his friends within the Premier League, though in implying Sam Allardyce will be having a...

Professor Nutt's sacking shows how toxic the drugs debate has become.
October 31, 2009... (From Guardian Unlimited) The sacking of Professor David Nutt as the government's chief drugs adviser again underlines the sheer toxicity surrounding even the very debate surround the reclassification of illegal substances -- an issue that...

Send more troops to Afghanistan now, army chiefs urge.
October 31, 2009... (From Guardian Unlimited) Defence chiefs are growing increasingly concerned about evidence of public opposition to the war in Afghanistan and want to see more troops deployed before it becomes politically impossible. "It is a tipping point,"...

The property week.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) North leads in recovery NORTHUMBERLAND, Tyne & Wear and Stockton are leading the way in the regional housing market recovery, according to the latest Land Registry figures. Full story: page 4 First-timers fuelling...

bargain of the week.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) WAS: pounds 129,000 NOW: pounds 115,000 THIS mid-terraced cottage is set in a picturesque village location in Northumberland and would make an ideal weekend retreat or holiday let. The traditional property includes a...

HALLOWE'EN already - which means [.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) Byline: Karen Overbury HALLOWE'EN already - which means that tomorrow brings the start of November - and the real start of the WITCH season. With only eight weeks until families and friends flock together for festive...

splendour.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) Byline: Francesca Craggs IT'S not every day you find a North East property with the pedigree to stand up to Arctic conditions, yet remain cool in the summer. And one that's eco-friendly yet stylish. Jacqui and Paul...

Cottage boasts views of castle.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) THIS stone-built property is set in a picture-perfect village. The property is well positioned in the centre of the village of Warkworth, close to spectacular beaches on Northumberland's coastline. Accommodation...

Housing market recovery continuing.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) Byline: Karen Wilson NORTHUMBERLAND, Tyne & Wear and Stockton-on-Tees are leading the way in the regional housing market recovery, according to latest Land Registry figures. The Government's report for September...

If you're looking for space but don't want the hassle of renovating, homemaker picks out three already extended homes.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) What: An extended four-bedroom, end-terraced house in Newcastle. Highlights: With three double bedrooms plus a single, as well as an extended kitchen/diner, this home is perfect for family life. Also on the ground floor...

Characterful former hunting lodge.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) THIS beautiful two-acre property is set in peaceful woodland and moors. The former 19th Century hunting lodge has a wealth of period features, including a high-corniced ceiling in the dining room and sash windows. ...

Modern and spacious property for families.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) THIS detached family home is set in an ever-popular area. The executive property is perfect for families with its spacious living area and it boasts modern decor throughout. Living accommodation includes an entrance...

Double up with a spacious semi.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) THIS modern semi in West Denton, Newcastle, is set in mature gardens. The property on Castlewood Close offers contemporary family accommodation, including a lounge with fireplace, dining room with patio doors, cloakroom...

A burning issue for the winter.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) Thinking of opening up your fireplace this winter? Peter Fall offers some expert advice. AS the nights draw in, many home owners turn to the idea of cosy nights around the fire. Unfortunately, thanks to the dash to gas...

Firmly into the future.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) PERHAPS interior designers have been watching too much Star Trek of late, but the latest news is that futuristic interiors are going to be a huge trend. That means lots of Perspex, plenty of chrome and an abundance of...

Diary.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) KEEP in touch with North East gardening and floral events through this column every Saturday. Monday, November 2 Rosecarpe Horticultural Society, AGM, Civic Centre, Gateshead, 7-9pm. Tuesday, November3 Alnwick &...

Good enough to eat.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) Chicory (Cichorium intybus) THIS salad crop goes well in a bowl of mixed leaves, its bitter taste adding bite, and it is relatively cold and drought-resistant. There are three types: witloof, which grows as a rosette of...

Best of the bunch.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) Miscanthus (Silver grass) THIS ornamental grass creates movement and texture in the autumn garden, and varieties range from 60cm to 3m, so there''s at least one for every garden. It''s not evergreen, but its green colour...

Home cinema and swimming pool.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) THIS impressive executive property has its own home cinema and swimming pool. Situated just off Cromwell Street, Gateshead, the property offers scenic views and spacious living. The detached five-bedroom home includes an...

Country setting for five-bed farmhouse.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) THIS five-bedroom farmhouse is set in two acres of gardens. Accommodation includes an entrance vestibule, kitchen with Aga, a secondary kitchen, larder for food preparation and fridge/freezer, sink and dishwasher. There...

A good slice of rural life.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) THIS farm is perfect for those looking for a slice of rural life. The property comprises a four-bedroom brick Edwardian style farmhouse, farm buildings and 46.08 acres of pasture land which is split into eight fields. ...

Challenging times for landlords.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) BUY-to-let conditions will remain difficult for landlords in 2010, say new figures. By the end of this year, approximately 150,000 tenant evictions will have gone before the courts, and with the economic downturn showing...

Rural bungalow attracting interest.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) THIS two-bedroom detached bungalow is in a sought-after area and has attracted a lot of interest since it came on to the market three weeks ago. The property, in Morpeth, Northumberland, needs a new bathroom, kitchen...

Helping hand.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) WOULD-BE homebuyers needing a helping hand to purchase have a range of options to choose from. One of the latest comes from developers Dysart Residential who are offering a shared ownership deal at their The Chequers...

Move into a new home in time for Christmas.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) A BRAND new home to enjoy with family and friends this Christmas - plus a special festive present. That's the offer from Barratt North East. The developer is ready to play Santa Claus with a pounds 5,000 bonus for people...

Building starts again at cosy Croft.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) BUILDING work is underway again at Keepmoat Homes' attractive The Croft development, where a two-bedroom house can be bought for pounds 81,995. As confidence returns to the market, the next phase of what will be a...

Helping first-timers get a move on.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) ANEW incentive is available to first-time buyers in Tyneside. The deal is available from developers Yuill Homes on their two-bedroom, two-bathroom Vermont home at Queensbury in Longbenton, Newcastle. The housebuilder is...

Townhouses ready for sale in restored estate.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) A NEW townhouse is attracting potential buyers to a development with a difference. The first phase of regeneration of the Axwell Park estate is now complete and The Gardens, a development of contemporary townhouses, now...

Layout ideal for young families.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) AMULTI-FUNCTIONAL layout ideal for young couples should attract visitors to one rural development. The Auden property at Miller Homes' The Meadows development at Framwellgate Moor, County Durham, provides buyers with a...

Old and new in perfect harmony.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) BUYERS seeking a new home with charm, character and a distinct difference should visit Hall Green Manor. The development, in West Boldon, Tyne and Wear, comprises 15 individual properties and the original farmhouse, all...

Books, beautiful books.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) WALL TO WALL Like all the pictures in this feature, this photograph showing superb shelves is from Books Do Furnish A Room by Leslie Geddes-Brown, published by Merrell, pounds 24.95. CLASSIC LOOK The stylish Petworth...

A perfect start for first-time buyers.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) FIRST-time buyers looking for a new-build home have plenty of options. homemaker looks at deals on offer. Keepmoat DEVELOPER Keepmoat Homes is offering homebuyers a helping hand onto the property ladder through its...

Affordable way of home buying.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) THE Governmentbacked HomeBuy Direct scheme is helping many people to afford to buy a home of their own. But the scheme is only available for a limited period, on certain developments and plots. So builders are urging...

Fully furnished and ready to move into.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) from back page purchaser needs to raise 75% of the price while McInerney lends the remaining 25% balance for up to 10 years. The Wyedale development comprises two, three and four-bedroom homes and the showhome is a...

MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) ABRAND new home usually means a blank canvas for a family to make their own mark on the property. But this can be daunting for many people and creating interiors' schemes for all the rooms can prove to be pricey. But a...

What YOU say about United.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) Byline: Dan Warburton NEWCASTLE United's furious fans have given a blunt response to owner Mike Ashley's controversial plans to offer up the naming rights to St James's Park. Around 1,000 supporters logged on to the...

'The moment I told my girls she was dead'.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) ASHLEIGH Hall's mother spoke last night of the heartbreaking moment she told the teenager's three young sisters she was dead. The 17-year-old from Darlington was big sister to Olivia, six, Ellie, four, and Evie, one....

A mother's torment.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) Byline: Tom Wilkinson THE mother of a teenager allegedly killed by a man she met on a social networking site said yesterday her daughter had "made one mistake and has paid for it with her life". Andrea Hall said she...

Leaders pray for Pope to visit the region.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) Byline: Neil McKay ACONCERTED effort is being made to persuade Pope Benedict XVI to make what would be the first ever papal visit to the North East. A top level consortium, spearheaded by the Bishop of Durham, has...

Making Alnwick a 'triple A' location.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) Byline: Karen Dent THE man behind the magic of Disney is coming to Alnwick to spearhead an ambitious bid to turn the Northumberland town into one of the world's top tourist destinations. Former Disneyland Paris boss...

Sell the name and 76% you sell our soul.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) Byline: Dan Warburton MORE than three quarters of fans believe under-fire Newcastle boss Mike Ashley is selling the soul of the club by renaming St James's Park, a Journal survey reveals today. Almost 1,000 supporters...

One-way traffic for owner.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) TROUBLED Mike Ashley's battered reputation reached a new low after two-and-a-half years in the hotseat. In the time since Ashley completed the pounds 55m buy out of Sir John Hall's family, fans have fluctuated in their...

Miliband in position for top Euro job.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) Byline: William Green SOUTH Shields MP David Miliband is a "prime candidate" to become Foreign Minister of Europe, a senior Labour figure in the North East says. North East Euro-MP Stephen Hughes said he would put money...

Awards defended after Prince's 'death' claim.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) ORGANISERS of the Duke of Edinburgh award last night insisted that the scheme has an "exemplary safety record" after the Earl of Wessex suggested the risk of death attracts young people to take part. Prince Edward was...

Threat hangs over our airports as prices take off.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) THE cost of air tickets will rise from today when the first of two increases in Air Passenger Duty (APD) airport departure tax takes effect. It is feared the rises - which are passed on to passengers through ticket...

Early release is condemned.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) MINISTERS were accused of "putting the public at risk" after it was revealed 750 criminals are at large who should have been returned to prison. Paedophiles, murderers and rapists are among the convicts who committed new...

Kidnap victim breaks down in phone call.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) KIDNAPPED Rachel Chandler broke down in tears yesterday during her first contact since being taken hostage by Somali pirates a week ago. Mrs Chandler urged her family not to worry, saying she and husband Paul were...

King will find a new club, says agent.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) DISGRACED footballer Marlon King will be signed by another club when his jail sentence is finished, his agent claims. The former Middlesbrough player was sacked by Wigan Athletic yesterday after being jailed for 18...

Effects of invasion are still devastating.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) SOME people still haven't realised that by attacking Iraq, half the Muslim population of the world was enraged and sought revenge on both the perpetrators and their supporters. They will also endeavour to attack their...

No evidence of bus lanes support.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) CAR drivers in North Newcastle should be alerted to proposals for bus lanes and priorities contained in a report for the council headed Gosforth Transport Improvements. This rather arrogant presumption of improvement is...

Labour's barrel of apples has gone bad.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) THROW your minds back 25 years when we were all embroiled in the miners'strike and there was consternation at the measures that the big bad Tories used to break it. We now have a so-called socialist government, for...

'Ghost stations' still have much potential.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) YOUR comment on the Ghost station at Teesside Airport caught my eye (The Journal, October 27). Much nearer home we also have the ghost stations at Blaydon and Dunston, although these are marginally better served. ...

Mike Ashley and all his Fawlty plans.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) YOUR front page article (The Journal, October 28) referred to our beloved owner of Newcastle United, Mike Ashley, coming up with the idea of raising funds by a sponsor having the right to re-name St James's Park. Might I...

Stadium re-naming an act of lunacy.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) DESPITE all the turmoil that has surrounded Newcastle United FC since Mike Ashley's arrival, I have refrained from going public on my personal feelings. However, the latest act of lunacy (The Journal, October 28) has made...

The magic of Alnwick.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) CHRISTIAN Perdrier's vision of Alnwick as a world-class visitor destination may sound like a fairytale straight from the kingdom he used to preside over. But there is no disputing that the town, complete with its castle...

Nation is set to be hit by a tax too far.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) FROM tomorrow, passengers using British airports will begin to pay the price of the new Air Passenger Duty. Its introduction comes amid dire warnings from those in the travel industry about the impact it will have,...

Blair could not sell Europe to Britain.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) Byline: PAUL LINFORD THERE are many reasons why William Hague was not a successful leader of the Conservative Party - the fact that he had the bad luck to come up against Tony Blair at the height of his powers being...

WALL COUNTRY A tree at [.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) VIEW OF WALL COUNTRY A tree at Walltown Craggs, close to Greenhead, stands exposed against a typically dramatic Northumberland sky, in this photograph by reader Joan Thirlaway from nearby Gilsland in Cumbria. about Send...

IN MEMORIAM.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) ARMSTRONG (North Shields). Edith, died 1st November 2008. In loving memory of a special lady. A helping hand for those in need, a heart of gold and love untold, a loving wife, mother and grandma. Always in our thoughts and...

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) HOWITT (East Sleekburn). Ann and family of the late Norman, wish to express sincere thanks for the many cards, letters and emails of condolence which were gratefully received following their recent sad bereavement, also for...

DEATHS.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) ARMSTRONG (Catton). Late of Low Warden. Peacefully in hospital, on 27th October 2009, aged 83 years, John Coulson (Jock), dearest husband of Jean, a much loved dad and grandpa, a loving brother in law of all the family....

Farmer killed in A66 crash.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) Byline: Sophie Doughty AN elderly farmer has died after being thrown from the cab of his tractor in a dramatic pile-up on one of the region's most dangerous roads. Tributes were last night paid to Raymond Handley, who...

Developer knocked back.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) A COMPANY redeveloping the grounds of an historic Northumberland building has been knocked back in its bid to begin demolition before contracts are signed. Developer Lindisfarne Homes has been turned down by...

IMOGEN'S FAVOURITE THINGS ABOUT MONOPOLY.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) COUNTY Durham's worst kept secret was officially revealed yesterday at the unveiling of a new Monopoly game. As widely predicted Durham Cathedral landed the plum top Mayfair space on the board at a "price" of pounds...

US drink ban has brewer fizzing.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) Byline: Linda Richards AUS state has banned the sale of a soft drink made in the North East to anyone who not yet turned 21. Officials in Maine have re-classified Fentimans Victorian Lemonade as "imitation liquor",...

Information or propaganda?
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) NOTHING more than propaganda sheets in the guise of impartial news reporting. A threat to the existence of the only voices which can hold councils to account. That is how the Newspaper Society and other critics see...

Join our festival of food.
October 31, 2009... (From The Journal) Byline: Katharine Capocci BUDDING young Jamies and Nigellas can try their hand at cake icing and decorating at The Journal's big Taste food and drink festival this weekend. The Cool Cooks children's cookery company will...