Men ‘plotted to blow up jets with liquid bombs’

Eight men plotted to use bombs disguised in drinks containers to blow up planes heading towards the United States in mid-flight in the name of Islam, a British court heard Tuesday. Prosecutors told London’s Woolwich Crown Court the men planned to make the explosives from household objects to resemble drinks bottles, batteries and other items to be carried onto aircraft in hand luggage, the UK’s Press Association reported. The foiling of the alleged plot in August 2006 triggered the imposition of strict new security measures at international airports around the world, restricting the quantity of liquids passengers can carry on to aircraft

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Amid Crisis, Cars Start to Drive Europe Apart

When carmakers outsource most of their components, assemble their products in different countries around the globe, are majority-owned by foreign shareholders and sell mainly overseas, does it still make sense to promote them as national champions? Nicolas Sarkozy thinks so, albeit with some controversial conditions. Just before unveiling an $8 billion loan for French carmakers Renault and PSA Peugeot Citroen last week, the French President suggested the aid should be conditional on them packing up their plants elsewhere in the E.U.

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Big Brother star to wed after terminal cancer confirmed

British Big Brother star Jade Goody is fast-tracking plans to get married after being told doctors cannot cure her cancer. Goody, 27, only has months to live after her cervical cancer spread to her liver, bowel and groin, the British Press Association reported.

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Virgin Atlantic passenger’s "culinary journey of hell"

A six-page rant to Virgin Atlantic’s Sir Richard Branson about a woeful in-flight meal attracted so much attention on the Internet that it was rumored to be a clever marketing stunt. The author was reported to be Oliver Beale, a 29 year old art director who works at a London advertising agency. Both he and Virgin have insisted the letter, described as possibly “the world’s best passenger complaint,” is authentic

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In-flight food: Heaven or hell on a tray?

The "crime scene cookies", "baaji custard" and "sponge shafts" depicted in Oliver Beale’s letter of complaint to Virgin Atlantic struck a chord worldwide. The missive he sent to Virgin chairman Sir Richard Branson about a meal he received on board a Virgin flight from Mumbai to London in December spread across the web and email with a vengeance. Not only was this a complaint letter par excellence, but it hit upon one of the most emotive subjects of long-haul air travel: the in-flight meal

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Sound off: Does ban curb extremism or free speech?

A Dutch lawmaker who made a controversial film about Islam is attempting to beat a ban on entry to Britain where he has been invited to speak in the House of Lords. The UK Home Office said the ban on Geert Wilders, who made the 15-minute film ‘Fitna’ — which paints Islam as a threat to Western society — was in line with its policy to “stop those who want to spread extremism, hatred and violent messages.” We asked what you thought of Britain’s ban on Wilders and here’s a sample

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