Today's Newspapers

The dramas in Europe happened too late for today's newspapers. In Europe last night, Prime Minister David Cameron vetoed a treaty change, and has left the United Kingdom 'out in the cold' in the EU. 


Methinks I shan't be losing too much sleep over that particular isolation.


Terry Smith was interviewed on Radio 4's Today programme. His blog is here, and you can read the full transcript of his interview on the blog. Here is a snippet:

JUSTIN WEBB: Presenter
Is it a good result for the euro? The markets, Robert Peston was telling us a few minutes ago, have not been too impressed, at least in their early thoughts. Let’s go to Terry Smith who’s chief executive of Tullett Prebon and Fundsmith, and what do you make of it, Mr Smith?

TERRY SMITH: Chief Executive, Tullett Prebon and Fundsmith
What I make of it? I’m not sure that this leaves Britain isolated, we’re still members of the European Community. But if we are isolated, we might be as isolated as somebody who refused to join the Titanic just before it sailed.

JUSTIN WEBB: 
It’s still the Titanic?

TERRY SMITH: 
Yes, it’s still the Titanic. I mean, there is nothing that guarantees that the euro will survive at all, or in its current form in this. The essentials that would be needed to make that work just aren’t obviously present in the deal that’s being done.

'...as isolated as somebody who refused to join the Titanic 

just before it sailed'

This has got to be the line of the year!

Anyway, onto today's papers.

This wind turbine was caught on camera going on fire in the hurricane winds that tore through Scotland yesterday. Winds of 150mph were recorded in the Cairn Gorms.

This headline follows another item of news earlier in the week which claimed that 40% of cancers could be prevented if people stopped smoking and overeating, limited their alcohol intake and exercised regularly. 

  

The Daily Telegraph reports on an undercover investigation they have been involved in. The Telegraph has recorded this chief examiner boasting about how little content is in the Geography GCSE and how easy it is.

Oops.

And finally...

The Times has a photo from yesterday's strong winds, but leads with more on the Euro crisis. Notice the right-hand side column. "American 'cowboys' blamed for NHS fiasco". Somehow, I don't think it's the Tim Cox type of cowboy of which they talk.

Bin Laden is Dead

So, Osama bin Laden is dead.

We all remember where we were when we began hearing the news on the morning of 11th September 2001. Who of us can ever forget the images of the plane flying into the second tower? The memory of our own emotions will never die.

President Obama says that today is a good day for America and that the world is, today, as safer place.

I want to believe this is true. But the truth is that, despite the fact that Osama is dead, his legacy lives on. I would be amazed if his death does not ignite enthusiasm in many who would follow in his footsteps.

My thoughts are with those who lost loved ones on 9/11. This day may have some satisfaction, but nothing can undo their sorrow. Nothing can bring their loved ones back. Today's news will be bittersweet.

I am also so thankful that no American SEALs were killed in the operation. Without doubt, this was an incredible operation and for them all to return to base safely is such an achievement. 

We now pray for our armed forces, still in Afghanistan and in Iraq. 

We pray for those who are still sorrowing for loved ones killed by terrorists, whether in the USA or on our London streets.

And we pray for our leaders, that they would be wise in the decisions they make.

A Royal Engagement

Congratulations to Prince William and his fiance, Kate Middleton on their engagement.

Prince William - who is next in line to the throne, after his father, Prince Charles - and Kate Middleton plan to marry sometime next year.

I shall await our invitation to the wedding with anticipation. Let's hope the date doesn't clash with any of my other plans. I do, after all, have a very busy schedule.

You know me: lots of dates, and meetings with important people, and functions to attend. Such is life.

Well, over and above everything, I wish God's blessing on them as a couple. I would wish for them to honour God above all else. Prince William is destined, God willing, to be king one day, but the King of kings is worthy of all praise and honour. I pray that in the midst of all their material wealth they would seek the Saviour, and have riches beyond what this world can offer. 

If their marriage was a threesome of God, William and Kate, how blessed their marriage could be. 

Congratulations, Prince William and Kate, and God bless you both.

Death in Afghanistan; Burial in Lewis

Many of you will know of, and have read of, Linda Norgrove, the British Aid Worker, who died in Afghanistan recently.


Her family are not from this island, but they have lived here for many years, and Linda herself spent some years at school with my younger sister. 


Her funeral was held this week in Uig, where her parents have lived for the past number of years. 


A 'Lewis funeral' is worth a post on its own, and someday I will talk about it here.


But for now, you can read about Linda's funeral here.


And for now, we simply express our sadness at the death of this young lady.