tagged w/ Current News UK
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The home secretary is to review the case of Iranian homosexual teenager Mehdi Kazemi, who has said he will be executed if forced to return to Iran.The home secretary is to review the case of Iranian homosexual teenager Mehdi Kazemi,... more
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The violent winds howl, announcing the arrival of the twister.
Grapefruit-sized hailstones rain down and the huge funnel of the tornado swings menacingly on the horizon.
These are the most violent storms on earth, wreaking havoc wherever they whirl.
For most, the sight of an approaching "twister" is a vision of hell on earth.
But for a few, experiencing a tornado in full flow is their idea of heaven.
Scroll down for more... The violent winds howl, announcing the arrival of the twister.
Grapefruit-sized... more
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Many countries are considering BANNING the photoshopping of models on magazine covers saying it does HUGE harm to the average person's body image. True? I think so. Many countries are considering BANNING the photoshopping of models on magazine covers... more
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There were reports coming out of Zimbabwe of negotiations going on over how Mugabe could stand down as President. They said representatives of Mr Mugabe, military chiefs and the opposition held meetings chaired by South Africa since Saturday's elections but
the opposition have now denied that a deal has been reached.
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change says it won Saturday's general elections, but results have been slow to emerge, they are now expected to wait until Wednesday to declare their results.
Under the proposed deal, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai would be declared the winner of the presidential race after Mr Mugabe had stepped down.There were reports coming out of Zimbabwe of negotiations going on over how Mugabe... more
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Scientists at Newcastle University have successfully created human-cow hybrid embryos that grew for three days. This achievement, they believe, forms a crucial first step towards being able to supply stem cells for research into untreatable conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The embryos are 99.9% human and 0/1% cow. Their goal is to grow such embryos for six days and then extract stem cells for research. They used cow eggs because of the scarcity of human eggs for research, and they insist that the embryos would never be implanted in a woman.
This achievement comes just days after fierce condemnation from religious groups that forced Gordon Brown to give MPs a vote on the human fertilization and embryology bill. Scientists at Newcastle University have successfully created human-cow hybrid embryos... more
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Hackers in Germany have published thousands of copies of the fingerprints of German minister Wolfgang Schauble, a loud advocate of fingerprint biometrics. Hackers from the Chaos Computer Club lifted a fingerprint from the Interior Minister, printed it on plastic, and distributed it by the thousands with their magazine for anyone who wants to impersonate the Minister at a biometric checkpoint. Short of amputation, a biometric identifier can't be revoked or changed. Schauble is a big proponent of the use of fingerprints in passports but is not the CCC's only target. The group has called for help in obtaining the prints of other German officials, including Chancellor Angela Merkel. The CCC's publication of the fingerprint coincides this week with the presentation of a security researcher who demonstrated a biometric keylogger that can capture digital fingerprints and other digital biometric data as it's transmitted from a scanning device to the server where the information is processed. The hacker can then analyze and re-use the data to subvert biometric systems and gain entry to secured buildings. Hackers in Germany have published thousands of copies of the fingerprints of German... more
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The Zimbabwe Election Commission has announced that Mugabe's party has lost its majority in the parliament, although they've not yet announced who will be President.
I get the impression that behind the scenes they aren't just counting votes, but trying to reduce the violence that could erupt either way. I wouldn't like to be in charge of that negotiation... The Zimbabwe Election Commission has announced that Mugabe's party has lost its... more
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The economy is in bad enough shape right now without this unnecessary attack on standard business practices.
In this article from the Independent Katherine Rake, The Fawcett Society director, said: "Within a business context, women's bodies being exposed is demeaning and degrading.
I say if a guy needs a little adult entertainment to close a deal what is the harm? It's hard enough these days as it is. Why didn't the feminist group start this campaign during better economic times?The economy is in bad enough shape right now without this unnecessary attack on... more
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"A leading police chief has given notice his force would not pursue "misleading" Whitehall targets, but allow officers to better prioritise their time. In a move which is apparently backed by three other constabularies, the head of Surrey Police said he wanted to return to "common sense policing".
Acting chief constable Mark Rowley admitted that his force - currently joint top of the police force league table - would slide down the rankings as a result. But he said it was not always "sensible" to spend time recording, or issuing penalty notices for the most minor offences.
Instead a return to "common sense" and "discretion" for officers was required he said.
"Quite simply, local people's safety, confidence in police and their satisfaction when they call us for help are more important than misleading targets," he said. Mr Rowley's comments come after years of concern that centrally formulated targets and red tape were preventing police concentrating on the priorities of the public. Reports said that other forces backing his stance this weekend would be the Staffordshire, Leicestershire and the West Midlands constabularies.
It has been claimed that police are targeting law-abiding people for minor misdemeanours because it makes it easier to meet government targets. A pamphlet from right-wing think-tank Civitas said police and the Government risked alienating the public by concentrating on "easy-to-deal-with offending"."
About time!"A leading police chief has given notice his force would not pursue... more
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Britain's most expensive credit card, which carries an interest rate of 227 per cent, is being promoted as a solution for hardpressed families this Christmas.
The Easy Shop card is linked to Argos and offers one possible solution to parents who do not have the cash to buy presents for the children.
However, MPs and debt experts last night condemned the extortionate charges as 'wicked' and warned struggling shoppers to reject the card.
Argos chiefs revealed last week that the company's sales are running around 9 per cent down on this time last year.
The firm apparently believes that the Easy Shop card will help its bottom line in the crucial festive trading period.
A customer borrowing £100 on the card and repaying it over 27 weeks at £5 a week would pay a total of £135, which equates to an APR - annual percentage rate - of 227 per cent.
more...Britain's most expensive credit card, which carries an interest rate of 227 per... more
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Hundreds of Chinese students gathered at Independence Square to cheer for the Olympic flame as it began its four-hour relay through Kuala Lumpur today.
Following the tension that has surrounded the torch's global journey, heavy security was in place to protect the 80 runners carrying the Olympic torch along the 10-mile route through the Malaysian capital.
One protester wearing a "Free Tibet" shirt and holding a pro-Tibet sign, was allegedly mobbed by Chinese spectators who then began hitting her with small Chinese flags before she was carried away unhurt by a photographer.
"As soon as spectators saw what she was doing, they immediately mobbed her, hitting her with flags," said Brad Kesler, an American tourist who was there to watch the start of the relay.
It is reported that the Chinese Embassy drafted in 500 Chinese students who are studying in Maylasia to attend the event, with them also receiving transportation to the procession.Hundreds of Chinese students gathered at Independence Square to cheer for the Olympic... more
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