Mohammed Now London's Most Popular Boys Name

'Oliver' tops official list

(NEWSER) - Mohammed is now the most popular name for baby boys in England, according to some calculations. Official figures released this week reveal that Oliver is now the country's most popular boy's name—ending Jack's 14-year-reign—but some publications have noted that if the various spellings of the prophet's name were counted as a single name, it would be top with a total of 7,549 newborn boys given the name last year, ABC News reports. More»

(NEWSER) - A London man was beaten, stabbed, and forced to drink acid in what police believe was an "honor attack," the Daily Mail reports. The victim lost his tongue in the attack and remains in critical condition. Police believe the man, who was originally Danish, was attacked because he was suspected of having an affair with a married Muslim woman from Pakistan. Two men have been charged with attempted murder, and sources say the woman's brother is among the suspects. Police have warned her that her life may be in danger. More»

Man arrested in apparent suicide bombing attempt

(NEWSER) - A man has been arrested in an apparent hostage situation in central London that prompted an evacuation and the closing of a major thoroughfare. Police were called to Tottenham Court Road after office equipment was hurled from the fifth floor of an office building, the BBC reports. A man carrying explosives had reportedly entered the building and taken four hostages. He ordered workers to "throw computers from the window," according to an official email. More»

20 arrested in eviction

(NEWSER) - Occupy London's campsite outside historic St. Paul's Cathedral has been evacuated by police, marking an end to one of the longest-running sites in the Occupy movement. Some 20 people were arrested in the dismantling of the encampment, which began in October, the AP reports. A former church leader who resigned in support of Occupiers called it "a sad day for the church." Members of the London movement had challenged an eviction order, but the effort was struck down by Britain's High Court. More»

British officials call him a threat to national security

(AP) - Abu Qatada, a radical Muslim cleric whom British officials say is an al-Qaeda figurehead and a threat to national security, was freed from an English prison into virtual house arrest late today, British media reported. Judicial officials acknowledged earlier in the day that the 51-year-old extremist preacher's release from Long Lartin jail was imminent, but declined to comment on the reports from the BBC and Sky News , citing operational concerns. More»