British MPs approve new nuclear missile system

British Prime Minister Tony Blair won a crucial vote to approve a new nuclear missile system Wednesday. Blair's plan to replace Britain's fleet of four nuclear-armed submarines at a cost of about 20 billion pounds (US$40 billion; €30 billion) survived a rebellion by lawmakers in his own party. In all, 409 voted for the program, and 161 against. Blair's Labour Party has a majority of 67 in the House of Commons.