Britain’s Royal Mint admits issuing 20-pence coins with no dates in rare mistake

October 10th, 2009 Harvard to digitize 51,000 rare Chinese booksBOSTON — One of the most extensive collections of rare Chinese books outside China will be freely available as Harvard University has agreed to digitize the titles. Representatives from the Harvard College Library and the National Library of China signed a deal Friday to digitize more than 51,000 volumes in the Harvard collection.

June 30th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Leading Hindus are urging the Indian government to honour Michael Jackson posthumously by issuing a postage stamp. Rajan Zed, the President of the Universal Society of Hinduism, said the King of Pop was treated like a God in the sub-continent, reports Contactmusic.

June 30th, 2009 British royal bailout looms as queen's bills growLONDON — The latest financial statements from Britain's royal family suggest that the next British institution needing a taxpayer bailout could well be the monarch herself. Annual accounts analyzed by Britain's press Tuesday show that Queen Elizabeth II took 6 million pounds ($9.9 million) over the past year from her own state-funded reserve account to balance the books at Buckingham Palace and myriad other royal residences.

June 29th, 2009 Queen Elizabeth II's costs risingLONDON — Public funding for Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family cost British taxpayers the equivalent of 69 pence (US$1.14) each last year, according to accounts published Monday. The Queen's office said that the costs incurred by the royal family were 41.5 million pounds ($68.6 million) in the year to March 31, an increase of 1.5 million ($2.48 million) on the previous year.

June 14th, 2009 Michelle Obama, girls get rare London palace tourLONDON — First came the hug, then a guided tour of Buckingham Palace. First Lady Michelle Obama, on a visit to London last week, got permission from Queen Elizabeth II for a guided tour of the palace with her daughters, Sasha and Malia.

June 10th, 2009 LONDON - Britain's Got Talent runner-up Susan Boyle may not perform at all the show's concerts beginning in Birmingham on June 12. The singing sensation, who had sparked health concerns during her four-day stint at a rehab clinic after suffering exhaustion, was said to have begun rehearsals ahead of the tour.

June 5th, 2009 LONDON - If rumours are to be believed, Britney Spears has plans to meet the Queen. Britney, currently in London, opened the European leg of her Circus tour with a performance at the O2 Arena.

June 4th, 2009 Queen marks 500th anniversary of royal guardsLONDON — Queen Elizabeth II has marked the 500th anniversary of a troop of royal bodyguards. The monarch was honoring the Her Majesty's Body Guard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms.

June 3rd, 2009 LONDON - Susan Boyle, who was recently reported to have landed in a rehab clinic following an emotional breakdown, may not perform in the national Britain's Got Talent arena tour. The 48-year-old, who faced a crushing defeat at the show's finals after having been the red hot favourite to bag the title, had been allegedly rushed to the Priory clinic, North London after she passed out following an emotional rant against the show bosses.

May 31st, 2009 LONDON - Susan Boyle, popularly christened Singing Angle, has lost to dance group Diversity in the final of reality show "Britain's Got Talent". Boyle came runner-up to the 10-member group in a shock result following a two-hour final Saturday night, reports mirror.co.uk.

May 31st, 2009 Susan Boyle finishes 2nd on 'Britain's Got Talent'LONDON — She dreamed a dream — and it almost came true. Susan Boyle's reality show journey ended Saturday with a second-place finish to a dance troupe called "Diversity" on the final of the television show "Britain's Got Talent." After the announcement, Boyle curtsied to the audience and gave them her signature hip shake.

May 30th, 2009 Boyle sings in "Britain's Got Talent" finalsLONDON — The lady has sung. But has she won? Susan Boyle faced the music for the final time Saturday, performing in the finals of "Britain's Got Talent." The 48-year-old internet sensation and Scottish church volunteer sang "I Dreamed A Dream" from the musical "Les Miserables," and received a standing ovation from the audience and judges.

May 24th, 2009 LONDON - Scottish singing sensation Susan Boyle has advanced into the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent, putting her one step closer to the title. Boyle, who rose to fame after belting out 'I Dreamed A Dream' from Les Miserables on the programme, was one of 40 acts selected by judges Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden to continue in the competition.

May 13th, 2009 Britain's Prince Harry to visit New YorkLONDON — Prince Harry will travel to New York City this month on a high profile trip that will include a visit to ground zero and a charity polo match. It will be the first time the 24-year-old royal has traveled to the United States since the death of his mother, Princess Diana, in Paris on Aug.

May 12th, 2009 LONDON - Brit singer Steven Morrissey has fuelled rumours regarding his health after he cancelled his London tour. Morrissey, 49, a former 'The Smiths' member, had earlier scrap the first five U.S.