Two nations divided by a common language

This morning's NPR story on the 2-minute silence in London today contained not one but two howlers that make me wonder about their reporter on the spot (not permanently posted in the UK, apparently -- on July 7th he was reporting on soccer-playing illegal aliens in Turkey). I went and listened to it again on the web because I couldn't believe what I thought I heard him say.

First, there's a reference to the 'National Cathedral' in Trafalgar Square. That would, presumably, be the National Gallery, possibly somewhat conflated with the church next door. Okay, I suppose someone who'd never been to London before might confuse it with St. Paul's Cathedral ...


Then came the reference to Charles Clarke as 'Security Chief' and 'Homeland Secretary'. I suppose there is some overlap between the modern duties of the Home Secretary and those of the US Secretary of Homeland Security, but it's a very old office, mostly concerned with domestic law enforcement.

I hasten to add that I'm sure British reporters -- possibly even the BBC -- can mangle American nuances just as badly, but ... aargh.