And while the scale of the outbreak this time is so far contained - THE EARLY MEASURES TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT MEAN THAT WHATEVER HAPPENS, THIS TIME AROUND THERE WILL BE A HEAVY ECONOMIC IMPACT. An immediate ban on the movement of animals at one stroke halts trade both at home and abroad. Country and market shows scheduled for the weekend will inevitably be cancelled, experts say.

THIS SUDDEN DISRUPTION TO TRADE COMES AS A PARTICULAR BLOW TO CATTLE FARMERS GIVEN THAT EXPORTS OF BRITISH BEEF ONLY RESUMED IN MAY LAST YEAR - HAVING BEEN BANNED IN 1996 AFTER THE DISCOVERY OF A LINK BETWEEN BSE IN CATTLE AND VARIANT CJD IN HUMANS

UK farming contributed £5.6 billion to Britain's economy in 2006, according to Defra figures.

The head of the National Farmers Union in Northumberland, Malcolm Corbett, said that many farmers were just recovering from the impact of the last foot-and-mouth outbreak. "By its nature farming is a long-term business. With the sheep flocks we are just coming out of the after-effects of 2001. This is a real body blow to the livestock industry which is already suffering a minor crisis with the farm gate prices (received for produce)."

THE NEWS COMES AFTER SOME FARMERS' LIVELIHOODS HAVE BEEN DEVASTATED BY JUNE AND JULY FLOODS WHICH HAVE WIPED OUT CROPS.

A three-kilometre protection zone has been put in place around the premises and a UK-wide ban imposed on movement of all cattle and pigs. In accordance with the legislation, all the cattle on the premises will be culled, said a government spokesman. The farm has been under restrictions since late on Thursday when symptoms were reported.

Debby Reynolds, UK Chief Veterinary Officer, has confirmed the outbreak after samples were taken from the farm. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has taken part by telephone in a Cobra meeting, involving top staff at the Cabinet Office. He is returning to London on Saturday from his holiday in Dorset and Environment Secretary Hilary Benn is to break off from his vacation in Italy.

As well as the three Kilometre protection zone, there is also a 10 kilometre surveillance zone where nearby animals are monitored. National Farmers' Union President Peter Kendall said: "This is a matter of grave concern. We have an industry still depressed from low prices.

"We have to ensure this is a small isolated incident. We are working with the government to ensure the right steps are taken."

The repossession rate is now at its highest for eight years, with a series of interest rate rises leaving many homeowners struggling to meet their mortgage repayments. Banks and building societies seized a total of 14,000 properties back from their owners - a 30 per cent increase on the same period a year ago.

The figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders came as separate data showed that personal insolvency levels had fallen. However, financial experts warned that the fall in personal insolvencies should not be seen as a sign that people's finances were improving.

Philip Hammond, shadow chief secretary to the treasury said: "Falling real incomes and higher taxes are causing real hardship for millions of hard working families. Gordon Brown's 10 years as Chancellor have left Britain with record personal debt, rising taxes and falling take-home pay. No wonder he couldn't wait to get out of Number 11."

But these delicate daffodils are the latest victims of Britain's crazy summer and have popped up in Scotland seven months early. And experts are already putting their unseasonal behaviour down to a warm spring and cold summer which convinced the plants it was time to bloom.

Daffodils generally flower at the start of Spring, then die off around June and July. The bulbs then remain in the soil before flowering again the following April. But earlier this year, gardeners around the country were stunned when daffodils began flowering in March, thanks to a mild winter.

Experts wrongly predicted this was a sign that we were set for the warmest summer ever. However, the poor weather seems to have thrown the daffodils into more confusion, and caused them to flower even earlier. The find comes after what can only be described as freak weather in Britain over the last few months. Flooding and even hail stones gave us the wettest July on record.

Britain is set for the hottest weekend of the year, expected to reach 30C on Sunday, but the rise in temperature could also mean "dangerous" pollution levels, Government experts have warned.

The Met Office said rising temperatures this weekend could cause the problem to get worse.

"We have seen rising levels of ozone, which causes smog, across central London," said a Met Office spokesman. He said temperatures could hit 30C before thunderstorms on Sunday evening.

"A combination of air pollution and warm weather is creating high ozone levels across London, effectively trapping the pollution in the air. As the temperatures rise, that could get worse. It will also feel very humid, and I think it could be an uncomfortable weekend for a lot of people."

Ground level ozone is formed when sunlight acts on nitrogen dioxide and other atmospheric substances close to the ground. The pollutants that cause ground level ozone come from a range of sources, including petrol and other fuels. Smog can also contain elevated levels of nitrogen dioxide and breathable dust.

But the fatal failure of the 40-year-old structure may be worse news in the long run for the nation than had it fallen victim to an attack, says Thomas Rooney, president of Insituform Technologies of St. Louis, Mo. "The U.S. Department of Transportation says 100,000 bridges in this country are structurally deficient," he says. "If 1 percent of 1 percent of these dangerous structures collapse, that is not accidental. That is predictable."

As bad as they are, bridges are in better shape than the rest of our infrastructure, says Rooney. The EPA reports 3.5 million people got sick last year from 73,000 sewer pipe breaks around the country. "Maybe some were accidents," he says. "But when something happens 73,000 times, that is no longer accidental. That is negligence."

Water pipes are even worse. In some parts of America, 50 percent of the drinking water leaks from bad pipes after it is treated but before it reaches the home, reports Rooney. "Water officials mistakenly believe that it is cheaper to shove more water through leaky pipes than fix them," he says. Rooney said last month's pipe explosion in Manhattan was also discounted as a mere accident.

"But these catastrophes were not accidents," says Rooney. "Not if the word has any meaning. Immediately following the bridge collapse, Minnesota officials said the same things as their counterparts in Manhattan just a few weeks ago. They had recently inspected the bridge and the pipe. And so it could not have been their fault."

Rooney continues: "As president of the largest sewer, oil and pipe repair company in the world, I've heard that excuse before - 73,000 times last year alone."

About 30 percent of America's nearly 500,000 bridges are categorized as "deficient" and in "urgent need of repair." In 11 Northeastern states, 50 percent of bridges not only need urgent repairs but are not designed to handle current traffic levels. Many of the bridges are 50 years or older - considerably older than the bridge in Minneapolis.

In New York, the Brooklyn Bridge opened in 1883. The George Washington Bridge opened in 1931. It still carries 300,000 vehicles a day. An estimated $1.6 trillion is needed over five years to bring America's infrastructure up to 'safe standards.' "The nation is failing to even maintain the substandard conditions we currently have," said the report card from the American Society of Civil Engineers, "a dangerous trend that is affecting highway safety, as well as the health of the economy."

"Ignoring bad infrastructure and hoping it will do no harm is not an option anymore," says Rooney. "Places that take care of their infrastructure are safer, healthier and more prosperous."

Roads have been washed away and hundreds of villages have been cut off by swollen rivers. A BBC correspondent in the Indian state of Assam says the air force is organising food drops, but they are nowhere near enough. Almost 200 people have died in the floods in the last few days.

THE AFFECTED AREAS
India: 125 people killed and 12 million stranded, mostly in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Assam
Bangladesh: 64 people have been killed and seven million are marooned
Nepal: Thousands of people displaced in the south

There is growing concern among MPs and civil liberties groups about the number of children under 10 and young black men on the database - the biggest in the world. But a number of police forces in England and Wales are backing proposals that would add millions more samples to it.

THE ASSOCIATION OF CHIEF POLICE OFFICERS GAVE A WARNING, HOWEVER, THAT ALLOWING POLICE TO TAKE SAMPLES FOR NON-RECORDABLE OFFENCES - CRIMES FOR WHICH OFFENDERS CANNOT BE IMPRISONED - MIGHT BE PERCEIVED AS INDICATIVE OF "THE INCREASING CRIMINALISATION OF THE GENERALLY LAW-ABIDING PUBLIC."

There are almost four million samples on the database, including more than 100 of children aged under 10, even though they have not attained the age of criminal responsibility. A further 883,888 records of children aged between 10 and 17, and 46 records of people aged over 90, are held on the database, which cost more than £300 million. Baroness Scotland of Asthal, QC, the Attorney-General, admitted when she was a Home Office minister that three quarters of the young black male population would soon be on the DNA database.

The Human Genetics Commission, the Government's independent DNA watchdog, yesterday announced the first public inquiry into the database. Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws, QC, chairwoman of the commission, said: "THE POLICE IN ENGLAND AND WALES HAVE POWERS, UNRIVALLED INTERNATIONALLY, TO TAKE A DNA SAMPLE FROM ANY ARRESTED INDIVIDUAL, WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT. WE WANT TO HEAR THE PUBLIC'S VIEWS ON WHETHER STORING THE DNA PROFILES OF VICTIMS AND SUSPECTS WHO ARE LATER NOT CHARGED OR ACQUITTED IS JUSTIFIED BY THE NEED TO FIGHT CRIME."

Lady Kennedy added: "The database has a preponderance of young men, with a third of black males currently on it. And anyone on it is there for life. On the other hand, a steadily increasing number of serious crimes, including murders and rapes, are being solved and criminals brought to book with its help. These are issues that need to be considered and we need to know what the public think."

David Davis, the Shadow Home Secretary, said last night: "IT IS INCONCEIVABLE THAT THE POWERS OF THE POLICE COULD BE EXTENDED WITHOUT A SERIOUS AND SUBSTANTIVE DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT. THEY HAVE ALREADY ENCROACHED ON PEOPLE'S PRIVACY WITHOUT PROPER DEBATE ON THIS MATTER AND THIS CAN GO NO FURTHER."

Home Office spokesman said: "The DNA database has revolutionised the way the police can protect the public through identifying offenders and securing more convictions. The consultation is about maximising police efficiency and ensuring that appropriate and effective safeguards are in place. No decisions have yet been made and any detailed proposals will be subject to a further public consultation next year."

A spokesman for the Iraqi Consensus Front told a press conference that the six ministers who are members of the alliance would submit their resignations, although front member Tariq al-Hashemi would remain as vice-president.

Rafie al-Issawi, a front parliamentarian, said his coalition took the step after the government of Nouri al-Maliki, the Shia prime minister, failed to respond to a series of demands, notably the release of detainees held without charge and the disbandment of militias.

"The government is continuing with its arrogance, refusing to change its stand and has slammed shut the door to any meaningful reform," Mr Issawi said.

The front had issued an ultimatum last week but, given the slow pace of Iraqi decision-making, its demands were almost certain to have been unmet. The group's decision to keep Mr Hashemi as vice-president suggests it wants to keep options open.

You know, the four-letter kind. The one most rap "artists" sprinkle into their lyrics for poetic effect and poise. Perhaps they'd use "tolerance," too, if it weren't for all those syllables. Even with their quick (and foul) mouths, most rappers would have trouble spitting out that word to any kind of rhythm while sounding cool and intimidating at the same time.

But forget about the way the word sounds when rappers use it and think about the way it is used by liberals. IN THEIR WORLD, TOLERANCE IS USED TO JUSTIFY VIRTUALLY EVERY KIND OF DEGENERATE BEHAVIOR YOU CAN IMAGINE, THE KIND OF BEHAVIOR FOUR-LETTER WORDS CUSTOMARILY DESCRIBE.

If a man wants to "marry" another man, tolerate it! If a woman wants to "abort" an inconvenient pregnancy, tolerate it! If homosexual activists want "access" to kids at our schools, tolerate it! Accept it. Celebrate it. Tolerate it. That is, tolerate it - or else! That is how liberals use the word today. It wasn't always like this.

The word "tolerance" finds its origins in the English-Common Law tradition. TOLERANCE IN THAT CONTEXT REFERRED TO THE DISCRETIONARY (NOTE THAT - DISCRETIONARY) ACCEPTANCE OF AN OPPOSING RELIGIOUS VIEW. The English Parliament of 1689 passed a law that granted partial freedom of worship to dissenters from the established Church of England. They called it the "Toleration Act."

In that context, the word tolerance DID NOT MEAN TO SANCTION, ENDORSE OR "EMBRACE FOR THE SAKE OF DIVERSITY" the views of those not associated with the Church of England. IT SIMPLY MEANT THAT THEY AGREED TO DISAGREE FOR THE SAKE OF CIVIL PEACE. That is all it meant.

We are told: "Words are what you want them to mean." And tolerance doesn't mean "to discreetly accept with conditions." NO, FOR LIBERALS IT MEANS YOU EITHER ENDORSE THEIR POINT OF VIEW OR SHUT UP.

Nothing demonstrates this more than when a conservative engages the public square on the current social acceptance and promotion of homosexuality. JUST TRY TO EXPRESS AN OPPOSING VIEW ON THE NORMALIZATION OF HOMOSEXUALITY, ONE THAT REFLECTS THE NATURAL ORDER, HUMAN HISTORY AND A HISTORIC CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE, AND YOU'LL QUICKLY DISCOVER JUST HOW "TOLERANT" POST-MODERN LIBERALS REALLY ARE.

You should just read some of the "tolerant" letters I receive on a regular basis. For example, because I believe in the one-man/one-woman covenant union called "marriage," one person ended his diatribe on my so-called lack of tolerance by saying: "You're a pig." Another said, "I wish you'd shut up and die, you @#&!" Such is the sophistication of liberal "tolerance."

They illustrate my point, that tolerance has become the politically correct swearword of choice for secular-liberals. For while they screech on about my so-called lack of "tolerance" for all things lascivious and degenerate, these liberals take great pride in demonizing those of us who believe in the Judeo-Christian foundation of North America and take a stand against their immorality.

"Tolerance" in the secular-liberal world is a one-way street. It is what they want it to mean that matters, not what the word actually means. And if you don't accept THEIR DEFINITION, relative as it is, if you don't endorse, sanction and otherwise acquiesce to them, well then you might as well ...
You know, tolerate it or just "@#&!!!!"

Hojjatollah Ghanimifard, the head of the National Iranian Oil Company, or NIOC, has confirmed the company has asked Japan to open letters of credit in yen in preparation for NOIC issuing oil invoices in Japanese currency. In April, WND reported Iran successfully pressured China to begin paying for Iranian oil in euros, not dollars.

To date, Iran has not followed up on the announcement that it would create an Iranian oil bourse to quote oil in euros, instead of dollars. According to Hojjatollah Ghanimifard, 70 percent of Iran's oil income is now paid in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.

Iran produces approximately 2.3 million barrels of crude oil per day, with approximately 65 percent of that volume headed for Asia, largely to China and Japan.

A new government study is being condemned by the Christian ministry the Barnabas Fund because its proposals WOULD MOVE CLOSER TO IMPOSING ISLAM IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AS "A RELIGION OF STATE."

Among the proposals from the study being considered for implementation is the provision by universities for Islamic studies for all students. The report was initiated by BILL RAMMELL, THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION AND LIFELONG LEARNING, officials said. He appointed Ataullah Siddiqui, senior research fellow at the Islamic Foundation, to write it.

The Barnabas Fund, in an analysis, said the report "signals another step toward the Islamisation of Britain and its education system - SHOULD THIS REPORT BE IMPLEMENTED, EDUCATION WILL BE HANDED OVER MORE AND MORE TO MUSLIMS WHO WILL TRAIN AND SHAPE THE NEXT GENERATION," THE ANALYSIS SAID.

"It is well known that the Islamic Foundation is an Islamist institute founded by high ranking members of the Pakistani Islamist party, Jama'at-I Islami," the group said. "However, in answer to questions in the House of Commons about possible links between Ataullah Siddiqui and Jama'at-i-Islami, Rammell stated that 'Dr Siddiqui has assured me categorically that he has no links to the Jamaat-e-Islami Party.'"

" THIS REVEALS THAT RAMMELL DOES NOT UNDERSTAND HOW ISLAMISTS USE DISSIMULATION (TAQIYYA) TO HIDE THEIR REAL GOALS WHILE CLAIMING TO BE MODERATE AND LIBERAL," the analysis said.

Among the other recommendations are that UNIVERSITIES SHOULD EMPLOY MUSLIM SCHOLARS TO TEACH ISLAMIC THEOLOGY, ALL UNIVERSITIES MUST EMPLOY MUSLIM CHAPLAINS AND PROVIDE MUSLIM PRAYER ROOMS, ISLAMIC STUDENT SOCIETIES SHOULD BE BETTER RECOGNIZED AND ENCOURAGED, AND UNIVERSITIES SHOULD COOPERATE WITH ISLAMIC SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES TO BREAK DOWN THE DIVISIONS BETWEEN BRITISH SOCIETY AND THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY.

The study also recommended Islamic studies should be linked to job opportunities such as teaching, chaplaincy and Islamic banking, and guidance should be given to all universities on Friday prayers, Ramadan and halal food. The Barnabas Fund said it's simply a demand for a "privileged position for Islam in the universities."

"It's a part of the larger goal," the Barnabas Fund said. "The aim is to expand Islamic domination into all spheres. THE WHOLE SYSTEM OF WESTERN ACADEMIC EDUCATION MUST, SAY THE ISLAMISTS, BE RECAST AND REMOLDED ON ISLAMIC LINES AS IT IS TAINTED BY CHRISTIAN AND PAGAN INFLUENCES."

"Implementing these recommendations, as the British government has promised to do, would be likely to narrow the scope of university Islamic studies and make them more intolerant and radical," the critique said.

According to the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), 141 people died in lightning strikes in July. More than 700 people have died in floods in central China, while millions of others have been hit by drought. "Extreme weather has incurred frequent natural disasters such as rainstorms, floods and droughts across the country this year," CMA chief Zheng Guoguang said on Wednesday.

Elsewhere in China, meteorologists issued their first heatstroke warning of the year. Forecasters said temperatures in southern China and the western Xinjiang region could hit 40 degrees Celsius. They urged residents to try to stay out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day.

The warning came as the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters warned that severe drought had left some 7.53 million people short of drinking water. Millions of hectares of arable land have been affected, the office said.

Experts warned the worst was yet to come, with vegetables such as potatoes, peas and brussels sprouts likely to rise by 20 per cent as a result of many crops being wiped out. Wheat prices have soared by 15 per cent and industry insiders predict the price of an average loaf of bread will increase by between 5p and 10p. Prior to the floods, wheat prices had increased by 65 per cent in the past 12 months.

The flooding, which has covered vast swathes of England, has forced First Milk, Britain's largest dairy co-operative and a supplier to supermarkets north of the Border, to invoke a highly unusual "force majeure" clause. IT EFFECTIVELY TELLS SUPERMARKETS AND SUPPLIERS THAT CIRCUMSTANCES OUTSIDE ITS CONTROL MEAN IT CAN NO LONGER FULFIL ITS CONTRACTS TO SUPPLY THEM.

A source in the brewing industry revealed that beer prices would also be hit. "Barley is one of the key ingredients and crops in the UK have been badly devastated in the floods," he said. "We can import barley from Russia, but it won't make a noticeable difference to what is a major cost," he said.

Tim Mudge, a spokesman for the Processed Vegetable Growers Association, said some two-fifths of this year's pea crop had been wiped out. "Normally at this time of year, we have around 150,000 tonnes of peas for freezing, but we are down to 90,000 tonnes, which means we are six million bags short in the retail sector. It is a huge loss. Unfortunately, we will not be able to plug this gap by importing from overseas."

"The rise in the price of milk is a result of farmers being forced to feed cows silage indoors instead of grass outdoors, meaning the animals produce less milk. And farmers whose winter animal feed is already running low will have to pay more to replace it because of rising grain costs."

James Withers, the deputy chief executive of the National Farmers Union Scotland, said consumers were facing difficulties but not a crisis. "It will be some time before the full effect of the flooding in England is felt," he said. "We're not going to see bare supermarket shelves, but there is no doubt that supplies of basic foods like potatoes, wheat, fruit and vegetables will be reduced. There is likely to be a rise in supermarket prices, but nobody should be pressing the panic button."

STELZER WARNS BROWN THAT REFUSING TO HOLD REFERENDUM IS THE "GREATEST THREAT" TO WINNING NEXT ELECTION.
In an article in the Telegraph Irwin Stelzer argues that Gordon Brown's refusal to hold a referendum on the EU Constitution represents "perhaps the greatest threat to his ability to win the next election. It is not only that Brown's decision to bulldoze ratification through the Parliament will make most of the media line up against him - no matter how problematic they find the PR-dominated candidacy of David Cameron. It is that Brown will with one stroke undermine his reputation as a straight-talking, spin-free politician."
Telegraph

BOLTON: RE-EMERGENCE OF EU CONSTITUTION MEANS BROWN MUST MAKE DECISION ON THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP.
Former US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton has a comment piece in the FT arguing that Gordon Brown must clarify his position on European integration, which he believes will have a fundamental impact on the nature of the US-UK 'special relationship'. HE ARGUES THAT "THE RE-EMERGENCE OF A EUROPEAN 'CONSTITUTION' - UNDER WHATEVER NAME - HAS BROUGHT BRITAIN TO A CLEAR DECISION POINT" ON THE ISSUE.

What is Britain's most important 'relationship'? Does Mr Brown regard the EU as a 'state under construction', as some EU supporters proclaim, or not? The answers to these questions are what Washington really needs to know. WHAT LONDON NEEDS TO KNOW IS THAT ITS ANSWER WILL HAVE CONSEQUENCES." Bolton draws attention to the proposed creation of an EU 'foreign minister' as a key concern in this respect.

On Iran, Bolton writes that "Here the US has followed the EU lead in a failed diplomatic effort to dissuade Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons. If Mr Bush decides that the only way to stop Iran is to use military force, where will Mr Brown come down? Supporting the US or allowing Iran to goose-step towards nuclear weapons? I WILL WAIT FOR ANSWERS TO THESE AND OTHER QUESTIONS BEFORE I DRAW CONCLUSIONS ABOUT 'THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP' UNDER MR BROWN. BUT NOT FOREVER."
FT

EU COMMISSION HOPES NEW TREATY WILL LEAD TO EUROPEAN PUBLIC PROSECUTOR
EUobserver reports that EU Home Affairs Commissioner Franco Frattini is set to pave the way to a single European prosecutor who would have powers to initiate and proceed with the investigation of cross-border crimes.

The new EU treaty explicitly provides for the creation of a European Public Prosecutor (EPP) to be set up. The British government has long opposed the creation of an EPP - even if such a move were subject to unanimity. The new Treaty in fact makes the creation of the post easier, adding on A NEW CLAUSE TO THE TEXT OF THE ORIGINAL EU CONSTITUTION WHICH ALLOWS A GROUP OF AT LEAST NINE MEMBER STATES TO SET UP THE EPP IF UNANIMITY CANNOT BE FOUND. This means the UK would not be able to stop the prosecutor being set up under the new version of the EU Constitution.
Euobserver