This week's UK news: 3 April 2009
3 April 2009


Money talks

London was the venue for this week's G20 financial summit. World leaders from 20 countries came to discuss the world financial crisis. The result was a major agreement, which some leaders believe will end the world recession early.

They agreed on a $1.1 trillion package to stimulate the world economy. This money can be lent to countries that need it. There has also been agreement on tax havens and bankers' pay.

The world leader who attracted most attention was President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, on their first visit to London. It was the first chance for many world leaders to meet the US president. The Queen and Michelle Obama also broke Royal rules by putting their arms around each other.

Countries represented at the G20 Summit were: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union.

Sisters are good for you

If you grew up in a family with a sister, you are more likely to be happy and balanced, researchers in Northern Ireland have found.

Daughters make families more open and willing to discuss their feelings. Sons seem to make families less open and willing to discuss their feelings.

If your family has problems, perhaps because parents have divorced, the good impact of sisters has even more effect.

Professor Tony Cassidy of Ulster University said:"Sisters appear to encourage more open communication and cohesion in families.

"However, brothers seemed to have the alternative effect."

At the same conference, researchers presented evidence that eating chocolate can help the brain's ability to do maths. Chocolate can also stop you feeling tired and could be useful when preparing for exams.

Beer and babies

The story that a pregnant woman was ordered to leave a pub has caused a lot of debate.

Caroline Williams, who is 23 weeks pregnant, says she felt humiliated when she and her friends were asked to leave. Ms Williams had drunk a pint of beer and a friend had not been allowed to buy her another half-pint of beer. Bar staff asked them to leave the pub when Ms Williams was seen sipping her friend's drink.

The pub manageress said: "I asked them to leave because I didn't want her friends buying drinks for her and something happening to her or her unborn baby."

Some people think the bar staff were right to refuse Ms Williams any more alcohol as she was pregnant. Other people think she was treated badly.

No pictures!

Google's Street View service has been controversial since it started in the UK last month. The photos have caused trouble for some people, such as the man photographed being sick on a pavement.

Now rich people living in a village in the South of England have blocked the road to prevent the Google camera van from taking pictures. The people said the pictures would help burglars.

 

by Susan Young - susan@englishuk.com

 

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