Infozone Breaking World News

The opening race of the 2011 Formula One Championship in Bahrain has been postponed after anti-government protests in the country. The race, which was due to on March 13th was in doubt for weeks because of protests and civil unrest and the Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa said, “We must focus on immediate issues of national interest and leave the hosting to a later date”.

He also added, “After the events of the past week, our nation’s priority is on overcoming tragedy, healing divisions and rediscovering the fabric that draws this country together; reminding the world of the very best that Bahrain is capable of as a nation once again united”.

The race could be scheduled for later on in the season, but race organisers released a statement that a decision hadn’t been reached yet. F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone commented on the situation by saying, “It is sad that Bahrain has had to withdraw from the race, we wish the whole nation well as they begin to heal their country,”

Adding, “The hospitality and warmth of the people of Bahrain is a hallmark of the race there, as anyone who has been at a Bahrain Grand Prix will testify. We look forward to being back in Bahrain soon”.

The opening race of the season will now be the Australian Grand Prix between the 25th and 27th March.

Royal Mail has revealed that its workers use 2 million rubber bands a day to bundle letters together. In the past 5 years, Royal Mail has spent an estimated £5 million on 4 billion red rubber bands prompting Keep Britain Tidy to call for a reduction because of the dangers to wild animals.

A spokesman from Keep Britain Tidy said, “We accept that dropping an elastic band is hardly the worst littering offence in the world, but none-the-less it is litter.” Adding that, “The bands look terrible strewn on the floor and pose a choking danger to pets and wildlife”.

A Royal Mail representative responded by saying, “Royal Mail regularly reminds postmen and women about the importance of avoiding litter,” and that, “The vast majority of rubber bands are re-used by our people in delivery offices and mail centres across the UK”.

The figures were released under the Freedom of Information Act and also states that the amount spent on rubber bands has increased by 40% over the past 5 years. The Royal Mail says that the rubber bands are a necessity and they only use biodegradable ones.

The Bank of England has kept interest rates at 0.5% and also unveiled its new quantitative easing (QE) plans. Analysts had predicted this outcome, but the level of division between the Monetary Policy Committee won’t be clear until the official minutes of the meeting are announced.

The MPC has been under pressure to raise interest rates to help bring back inflation levels, but an unexpected 0.5% contraction in GDP over the last 3 months of 2010 meant that the rates stayed low.

Latest figures suggest that the Consumer Price Index rose to 3.7% in December 2010, better than the expected target of 2% largely due to fuel and food prices.

The Bank of England’s interest rates have now been at an all time low of 0.5% since March 2009.

Christina Aguilera sang the wrong word to the American national anthem during the opening of the Super Bowl in Texas it has emerged. The 30 year old singer sang the words “What so proudly we watched at the twilight’s last gleaming” instead of “O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming” during her performance of the Star-Spangled banner in front of hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide.

The singer’s mistake was quickly picked up by social networks including Twitter and Facebook as fans were left shocked by the mistake.

The Green Bay Packers eventually won the Super Bowl by beating the Pittsburgh Steelers by 31 points to 25, but Christina Aguilera’s fluffed lines has grabbed much of the headlines.

New York City councillors have approved plans to ban smoking in public parks, beaches and Times Square. The ban will make it illegal to smoke in any of the city’s 1700 parks and along 14 miles of coast line near and around the city.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said, “This summer, New Yorkers who go to our parks and beaches for some fresh air and fun will be able to breathe even cleaner air and sit on a beach not littered with cigarette butts,” after the 36-12 vote was cast in favour of the ban.

The city’s Parks Department will be given the power to impose fines of up to $100 for those caught smoking in public parks or on beaches.

Those opposing the ban have branded the measures an infringement of human rights.