• Home

Subscribe

Some obsolete laws that are still prevalent

Among the 328 obsolete laws, one enacted in 1797, forbids people to wear top hats. Even to- day the law is in force and you could get arrested for donning a top hat in London.

Listed below are some of the obsolete laws:

• You can be booked for an act of treason, if you happen to stick a postage stamp.
• If you are a motorist and want to urinate in public, you are required to aim at rear wheel and keep the right hand on his vehicle.
• If you’re asked by a constable to stop on the seashore in Lancashire you not permitted to incite a dog to bark.
• You can get away with murder of a Scotsman within the city’s wall of York provided he is carrying a bow and arrow.
• In 1307, according to a decree, the head of any dead whale found on the British coast became the property of the King, while the tail belonged to the Queen.
• Oliver Cromwell, in the 17th century, banned eating of mince pies on Christmas Day.
• If you wish to be in the vicinity of the reigning monarch, within one hundred yards make sure you are wearing socks.
• A law enacted by George 1 states “The severest penalties will be suffered by any commoner who doth permit his animal to have carnal knowledge of a pet of the Royal house.”
• You are to be a lady working in a tropical fish shop, in Liverpool; you will be exempted from prosecution even if you bare your breasts in public.

Guess how many of present generation are even aware of such laws. You may be able to count them on your finger tips.

Ever wondered why birds sing in spring?

A team of international researchers succeeded in tracing the changes in the bird’s brain.  They believe it is “because of hormonal changes”, during the longer days, birds know to sing during spring.

Prof. Peter Sharp, lead researcher, of the Roslin Institute in the United Kingdom said, “While we knew what area of the brain was affected by seasonal change, until now we did not know the exact mechanism involved. Now we have identified a key element in the process of brain’s activity when spring arrives.”

But for advances in technology this break through would have remained a far cry, as the new technology enabled researchers to scan thousands of genes so to work out, which ones are affected by seasonal changes.

J K Rowling’s Confession

One of the world’s wealthiest and most successful authors, Rowling stunned the world when she revealed that things were so bad after her separation from her her first husband that she was actually contemplating suicide, to end it all.

“Mid twenties life circumstances were poor and I really plummeted,” said the famous author, JK Rowling.

Rowling had earlier said she went through a bout of depression, but this is the first time she has admitted to contemplating sucide. Yet fighting all odds bravely, she gave us Harry Potter, darling of millions of children and adults alike- all over the world.

So when you are depressed with life and wish to end it all, think about Rowling, for success in the battle of death over life.

UK Government plans to levy an annual charge on rich foreigners

UK Government plans to levy an annual charge on rich foreigners who have so far avoided paying tax in Britain, but ‘non-domiciled residents are not covered to pay tax on offshore income or capital gains not brought into the country. However, the idea of annual tax does not cut ice with some rich foreigner groups, who in their criticism of the said move, argued it could entice those individual- and the business they conduct- to move elsewhere, which in turn will harm the country’s reputation as a financial power centre.

Even before the levy of $30,000 (proposed annual tax) is imposed) on foreigners not domiciled in Britain, a research by accountants Grant Thorton said an exodus of talent is on the cards, as almost 42% of South Asian higher earners were set to leave Britain. Alistair Darling, the finance Minister, said the measures outlined were backed by the promise that no further changes in this Parliament or next would be made. This, according to the business groups, should help reassure ‘non-domiciles’.

Michael Snyder, the city of the London’s policy head, said, “The chancellor has clearly listened to the city’s overall concerns, but we need to ensure that the detailed rules do not, even inadvertently, do any further damage.” Incidentally, when presenting his first budget, Darling mentioned and praised the contribution made by the people born outside UK working in the UK.

Gordon Brown achieves breakthrough in Tibet crises

The British Premier clinched a major break through in Tibet crises by way of clinching talks between strained leaders, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and China’s premier. The Chinese have faced worldwide condemnation for their move to repress independence campaigns in the region using force. China’s conditions, revolve around mainly two factors, namely, the spiritual leader abandons the  proposition of independence of Tibet and ceases his separatist activities.

Brown spoke to Wen Jiabao, on Wednesday morning, and revealed that Wen Jiabao has agreed to hold talks with Dalai Lama. Brown would meet the exiled Buddhist leader in Britain this year.

Brown told MP’s about the tough stand he took while talking to premier Wen. He said, “I made it clear there had to be an end to violence in Tibet.” Tibetan campaigners praised Brown agreeing to meet their leader Dalai Lama.

Leader of Opposition David Cameron’s, effort to put Brown on the spot in the