Free Republic

Worried that Britain is going bankrupt? Cheer up – we’re about to be bought up by the Islamic world. A report by International Financial Services London reveals that Britain’s Islamic banking sector is now bigger than that of Pakistan. The study says that the UK has by far the largest number of banks for Muslims of any western country. The UK now has five fully ‘sharia-compliant’ banks – providing products which prohibit interest payments and investment in alcohol or gambling firms in accordance with Islamic sharia law – while another 17 leading institutions including Barclays, RBS and Lloyds Banking Group...

KATE BURTON, the freed British hostage, yesterday vowed to go straight back to her human rights work among the Palestinian people. Burton, 25, who was held captive with her parents for nearly 60 hours before their release late on Friday, dismissed the abduction as “just one incident” in the chaotic Gaza Strip. She said she was sorry her parents had had such a “desperate experience” during a Christmas visit to see her and that they were tired after their ordeal. But she said she “remains committed and passionate about working alongside the Palestinians to improve their external image”. The Palestinian...