LONDON (Reuters) – After 100 years of haggling, the government aims to drag parliament’s unelected upper house into democracy, laying out bold plans on Wednesday that could shake the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition to its core.

The Lords, where more than 800 aristocrats, political appointees and clergy flock to pore politely over new laws, stands as a relic from an age where power came from privilege, preserved only by disagreement on how to reform it.

LONDON (Reuters) – After 100 years of haggling, Britain’s government aims to drag parliament’s unelected upper house into democracy, laying out bold plans on Wednesday that could shake the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition to its core.

The House of Lords, where more than 800 aristocrats, political appointees and clergy flock to pore politely over new laws, stands as a relic from an age where power came from privilege, preserved only by disagreement on how to reform it.

LONDON (Reuters) – It’s one of the most famous names in the world, up there with the Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty – but now London’s Big Ben clock tower is to be renamed Elizabeth Tower to mark the queen’s 60th year on the British throne.

The announcement on Tuesday followed four days of celebrations earlier this month to mark 86-year-old Queen’s Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee.

LONDON, June 26 (Reuters) – It’s one of the most famous
names in the world, up there with the Eiffel Tower and Statue of
Liberty – but now London’s Big Ben clock tower is to be renamed
Elizabeth Tower to mark the queen’s 60th year on the British
throne.

The announcement on Tuesday followed four days of
celebrations earlier this month to mark 86-year-old Queen’s
Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee.

LONDON (Reuters) – Keen to rally his party’s rebellious right wing and mollify an increasingly hostile press, prime minister threatened on Monday to reduce benefits for poor families with too many children as part of proposals to slash social spending.

Welfare is Britain’s single biggest expense – 207 billion pounds this year – making it one of the most sensitive issues as the government struggles to fill a gaping budget hole, revive an ailing economy and counter public discontent over tough austerity measures.

LONDON (Reuters) – Myanmar democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi became the first non-head of state to address both houses of Britain’s parliament on Thursday in a rare honour she used to ask for help in bringing democracy to the former British colony.

Cutting a tiny figure in parliament’s cavernous and historic Westminster Hall, the 67-year-old Nobel Peace laureate and opposition leader received a standing ovation on arrival, introduced as “the conscience of a country and a heroine for humanity”.

LONDON (Reuters) – Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi became only the second woman after Queen Elizabeth to address both houses of Britain’s parliament on Thursday, a rare honor she used to ask for help in a once in a generation opportunity to bring democracy to her country.

Cutting a tiny figure in parliament’s cavernous and historic Westminster Hall, the 67-year-old Nobel laureate received a standing ovation on arrival, introduced as “the conscience of a country and a heroine for humanity”.

LONDON (Reuters) – U.S. technologies that may include a mobile phone “panic button” and an “internet suitcase” are being used by activists in Syria and other authoritarian countries to override government communications controls, a U.S. official said on Thursday.

Alec Ross, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s senior adviser for innovation, said the United States was working on between 10 and 20 classified technologies that could be used by protesters and others facing communications curbs.

LONDON (Reuters) – Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said on Wednesday resuming talks with China on his homeland’s future was futile unless it adopted a “realistic” stance, adding it was useless trying to convince Beijing he was not seeking full independence.

In comments likely to enrage a Chinese leadership already angry over his trip to Britain, the Dalai Lama also said a shift towards democracy and better human rights in China was inevitable and the Chinese people “really want change”.

LONDON (Reuters) – Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said on Wednesday resuming talks with China on his homeland’s future was futile unless it adopted a “realistic” stance, adding it was useless trying to convince Beijing he was not seeking full independence.

In comments likely to enrage a Chinese leadership already angry over his trip to Britain, the Dalai Lama also said a shift towards democracy and better human rights in China was inevitable and the Chinese people “really want change”.