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Global temperatures 'to decrease'

2008-04-04T08:56:00.001+01:00

Global temperatures this year will be lower than in 2007 due to the cooling effect of the La Nina current in the Pacific, UN meteorologists have said.

The World Meteorological Organisation's secretary-general, Michel Jarraud, told the BBC it was likely that La Nina would continue into the summer.

This would mean global temperatures have not risen since 1998, prompting some to question climate change theory.

But experts have also forecast a record high temperature within five years.

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News Global Warming Weather Meteorology

Men 'planned airliner explosions' across the atlantic to US and Canada

2008-04-03T16:56:00.002+01:00

Eight men planned to detonate bombs aboard flights from London across the Atlantic to create deaths on an almost unprecedented scale, a court has heard.

Homemade devices were to be smuggled on to passenger aircraft and detonated mid-flight, Woolwich Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Peter Wright QC said the victims of the suicide attacks would have been unwitting civilians.

The eight men all deny conspiring to murder others and endangering aircraft bound for the US and Canada in 2006.

Mr Wright said the men planned to inflict heavy casualties, "all in the name of Islam".

The seven daily flights highlighted from Heathrow's Terminal 3 were:

1415 United Airlines Flight 931 to San Francisco
1500 Air Canada Flight 849 to Toronto
1515 Air Canada Flight 865 to Montreal
1540 United Airlines Flight 959 to Chicago
1620 United Airlines Flight 925 to Washington
1635 American Airlines Flight 131 to New York
1650 American Airlines Flight 91 to Chicago

Mr Wright said there was evidence that the men planned to bring down more planes than just those seven.

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News Terrorism Islam Bombing

Burma cyber-dissidents crack censorship

2007-09-26T14:37:00.000+01:00

Burma's bloggers are using the internet to beat censorship, and tell the world what is happening under the military junta's veil of secrecy.

Protests are visible via pictures posted by bloggers like Ko Htike

Images of saffron-robed monks leading throngs of people along the streets of Rangoon have been seeping out of a country famed for its totalitarian regime and repressive control of information.

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Mass Dalit (untouchables) conversions to Buddhism in Mumbai

2007-05-28T10:26:00.000+01:00

Several thousand tribal and Dalit Hindus in India have converted en masse to Buddhism at a ceremony in Mumbai.

The ceremony was billed as the largest religious conversion in modern India, but far fewer converted than had been predicted by the organisers.

The converts hope to escape the rigid caste system in which their status is the lowest.

Right-wing Hindus have often opposed conversion, pushing some Indian states to restrict legal changes of faith.

Read full story - Mass Dalit conversions in Mumbai via bbc news

Religion and Ethics - Hinduism

Escaping caste

In Pictures - Escaping caste

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Internet curbs for India's top students

2007-03-17T09:15:00.000Z

The authorities in India's premier engineering institute, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Bombay (Mumbai), have cut off internet access to students in hostels at night.
They feel that 24-hour internet access is hampering students' academic performance and overall personality development.

Students have unlimited free access to the internet in their hostel rooms to help with coursework and research but many of them use it to download movies, play games and chat online instead.

The press relations officer for IIT Bombay, Aruna Thosar-Dixit, told the BBC website this was having an adverse effect on their academics and social habits.

The ban was an attempt at correcting that, she said.

Students say while the reasons for doing so maybe right, the way they are going about it is wrong and the move is proving to be counter-productive.

Read full story - Internet curbs for India's top students via bbc news

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News India Globalisation IT IIT Internet Education

US and Israel agree boycott plan

2007-02-18T10:46:00.000Z

The US and Israel will not work with a new Palestinian unity government unless it recognises Israel, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says.
He was speaking as US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice prepares for talks with Mr Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Mr Olmert says he and President Bush agreed on their position on Friday.

Hamas, the largest group in the proposed Palestinian unity government, refuses to recognise Israel.

US and Israel agree boycott plan - via bbc news > Palestinians desperate for deal to work

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Globalisation shakes the world

2007-01-22T11:50:00.000Z

Globalisation is a word that is on everyone's lips these days, from politicians to businessmen. BBC News is launching a major examination of the subject.

Few places in the world have seen the dramatic effects of globalisation more than Bangalore, the Silicon Valley of India, which is experiencing an unprecedented IT boom that is transforming the prospects of the Indian economy.

Globalisation is blamed for many of the ills of the modern world, but it is also praised for bringing unprecedented prosperity.

But what is globalisation, and what are the forces that are shaping it?

Read full story - Globalisation shakes the world via bbc news

Previously reported - India warning on globalisation via bbc news

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News India Globalisation China Trade

Shetty fears Big Brother 'racism'

2007-01-18T11:08:00.000Z

Shilpa Shetty may benefit from the row, say critics

Celebrity Big Brother housemate Shilpa Shetty has spoken for the first time of fears that she is a victim of racism.
Fellow contestant Jade Goody told the actress: "Go back to the slums" in a row that erupted over stock cubes.

Shetty later told housemate Cleo Rocos that she feared she was being targeted because of her race.

Reports say Shetty and Goody are to go head-to-head in the next Celebrity Big Brother evictions, with Goody 1-5 favourite to get the boot.

Shetty fears Big Brother 'racism' - via bbc news Who is Shilpa? - Profile: Shilpa Shetty

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Bush steps up battle for Baghdad

2007-01-11T11:43:00.001Z

US President George Bush is to send thousands more troops to Iraq to help secure Baghdad's streets as part of a new strategy to tackle the conflict.
Mr Bush said 80% of violence in Iraq happened within a 30-mile (48km) radius of the city and that the extra troops would help to secure the capital.

He said the situation in Iraq was unacceptable, and that responsibility for mistakes rested with him.

The troop announcement brought immediate criticism from Democrats.

Bush steps up battle for Baghdad - via bbc news Can Bush's new way forward work?

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Bill Gates hails 'digital decade'

2007-01-08T09:35:00.000Z

Microsoft boss Bill Gates has outlined his vision of the connected future, telling experts in Las Vegas: "The digital decade is happening."

Mr Gates was speaking on the eve of the world's largest hi-tech conference, the Consumer Electronics Show.

He told delegates that "connected experiences" were now the most important part of new technologies.

"Young people spend more time with their Windows PC than watching TV," he said.

Bill Gates hails 'digital decade' - via bbc news Rivals battle for connected world

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Irwin death video given to wife

2007-01-04T14:51:00.000Z

Australian officials have handed over the only video of "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin's fatal encounter with a stingray to his wife, Terri.
All other copies of the footage have been destroyed to prevent it ever being shown in public, officials said.

The well-known naturalist died on 4 September last year when a stingray barb pierced his heart as he was filming an underwater documentary.

His wife said last year that footage of his death should not be broadcast.

Mr Irwin was famous for his work with native Australian wildlife, and his death sparked mourning across Australia.

Irwin death video given to wife via bbc news

Animal Planet's challenge: Find next 'Croc Hunter' via cnn news

Australians wear Irwin's Khaki via bbc news

Irwin was given stingray warning on the eve of his death via yahoo news

Watch wildlife shows 2 mins video - play it close to the edge Irwin's death strikes a chord

Watch the Stingray video-Steve Irwin Irwin's dad: 'I lost my best mate' - watch the video

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Romania and Bulgaria join the EU

2007-01-01T10:15:00.000Z

Huge celebrations have been held in Romania and Bulgaria to mark their accession to the European Union, 17 years after the fall of Communism.
Tens of thousands attended concerts in the two capitals, Bucharest and Sofia.

The Romanian president said EU entry was an "enormous chance for future generations", while Bulgaria's leader said it was a "heavenly moment".

Their accession means the EU now has 27 members and half a billion people, and stretches as far east as the Black Sea.

Romania and Bulgaria join the EU - via bbc news New EU citizens 'will benefit UK'

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Saddam Hussein executed in Iraq

2006-12-30T09:50:00.000Z

Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has been executed by hanging at a secure facility in northern Baghdad for crimes against humanity.
Iraqi TV said the execution took place just before 0600 local time (0300GMT). A representative of the prime minister and a Sunni Muslim cleric were present.

Footage of him being led to the gallows was later shown on Iraqi state TV.

Saddam Hussein executed in Iraq Obituary: Saddam Hussein

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Saddam team 'to take belongings' as his hanging could be imminent

2006-12-29T09:15:00.000Z

Lawyers for former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein have confirmed to the BBC that they have been asked to pick up his personal effects.
There are reports he has been handed from US to Iraqi custody, according to Reuters news agency. However, an Iraqi official has denied the move.

Saddam team 'to take belongings' Saddam sees death as 'sacrifice'

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Number 10 Downing Street opens its doors online

2006-12-28T16:13:00.000Z

Number 10 Downing Street has opened its famous front door to the public after more than 270 years, with a virtual tour for web users.
Visitors can look at rooms, find out historical information and click on objects such as paintings and furniture for extra details.

Tony Blair told the BBC the tour was "an excellent way of showing the tremendous history of this building".

Number 10 has been used as a home by prime ministers since the 1730s.

Number 10 opens its doors online - via bbc news No 10 virtual tour

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Did Poland host CIA "black site"?

2006-12-28T08:33:00.000Z

In September 2006, President Bush admitted what had been suspected for a long time - that the CIA had been running a special programme to transport and interrogate leading members of Al-Qaeda, away from the public spotlight.

Hunt for CIA 'black site' in Poland - read full report by By Nick Hawton
BBC News, Szymany, Poland
MEPs probe Poland rendition claim

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New American Century Project

2006-12-23T08:55:00.000Z

The 1997 statement (written during the administration of President Bill Clinton) said:

"We seem to have forgotten the essential elements of the Reagan Administration's success: a military that is strong and ready to meet both present and future challenges; a foreign policy that boldly and purposefully promotes American principles abroad; and national leadership that accepts the United States' global responsibilities."

The ambitions proclaimed when the neo-cons' mission statement "The Project for the New American Century" was declared in 1997 have turned into disappointment and recriminations as the crisis in Iraq has grown.

"The Project for the New American Century" has been reduced to a voice-mail box and a ghostly website. A single employee has been left to wrap things up.

The idea of the "Project" was to project American power and influence around the world.

The neo-conservative dream faded in 2006 - full report New American Century Project

Previously reported:
US seeks to steady nerves on Iraq Search for least-worst option in Iraq

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Indian villagers try 'e-policing'

2006-12-21T09:54:00.000Z

India's IT revolution is sometimes thought to benefit only the better off, but developments in Bhanegaon village in Maharashtra state, and 10,000 other Indian villages, suggest that it is slowly taking deeper roots.

Until a few weeks ago the village was on the have-not side of the digital divide.

Now some of its 8,000 inhabitants have used computers, e-mailed scanned documents and above all been part of regular video conferencing between the village and the district police headquarters in Nagpur city.

Read full story - Indian villagers try 'e-policing' via bbc news

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India warning on globalisation

2006-12-20T14:36:00.000Z

A Nobel-prize winning US economist has warned that public services could suffer in countries like India as a result of globalisation.

Professor Joseph Stiglitz told the BBC News website that globalisation had led to lower tariffs, an important source of public revenue.

"A decline in tariff leads to less money for the governments to spend on its people," Professor Stiglitz said.

He won the Nobel Prize in 2001 for his work on the economics of information.

Read full story - India warning on globalisation via bbc news

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PM calls for alliance over Iran

2006-12-20T11:09:00.000Z

Moderate Muslim states must form an "alliance of moderation" to counter Iran and challenge its influence, UK prime minister Tony Blair has urged.
He called on the world to "wake up" to the monumental struggle between the forces of moderation and extremism.
At the end of his Middle East tour, Mr Blair said the ideological battle was the challenge of the 21st Century.
His call comes as he was criticised by Iraq's vice-president on the issue of troop withdrawal from Iraq.

PM calls for alliance over Iran - via bbc news Palestinian groups call new truce

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Bush considers US force expansion

2006-12-20T09:28:00.000Z

US President George W Bush is considering a short-term increase in the size of the US force in Iraq, the White House has confirmed.

In a newspaper interview, Mr Bush also said he planned to expand the size of the military to deal with the broader, long-term fight against terrorism.

The new Defence Secretary Robert Gates has been asked to assess the idea.

On Monday, the Pentagon said Iraq violence was at its highest since 2004, when an interim government was created.

Bush considers US force expansion Freedom Tower's first column laid

Previously reported:
US seeks to steady nerves on Iraq Search for least-worst option in Iraq

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Compulsory HIV tests for couples - New laws in India

2006-12-19T16:56:00.000Z

The government of India's Andhra Pradesh state says a new law will soon make it compulsory for couples to take an HIV test before marriage.
"Those who want their marriage to be registered should get the HIV/Aids test done," said health minister K Rosaiah.

He was speaking as state assembly members underwent public HIV tests to encourage awareness of the virus.

India has the world's highest number of HIV infections, the UN says. Andhra Pradesh is one of its worst-hit states.

Compulsory HIV tests for couples - full story via bbc news India 'overestimates' HIV/Aids

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Libya sentences medics to death over infecting children with HIV

2006-12-19T15:50:00.000Z

A Libyan court has sentenced five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor to death for knowingly infecting hundreds of Libyan children with HIV.
The medics have been in detention since 1999, during which time 52 of the 426 infected children have died of Aids.

The nurses and doctor were sentenced to death in 2004, but the Supreme Court quashed the ruling after protests over the fairness of the trial.

The defendants say they are being made scapegoats for unhygienic hospitals.

Libya sentences medics to death - full story via bbc news Study backs Libya HIV case medics

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Suffolk Killer - Second man held in murder inquiry

2006-12-19T09:10:00.000Z

Police have said a 48-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murders of five women in Suffolk.
He was arrested on suspicion of murdering Gemma Adams, Anneli Alderton, Tania Nicol, Paula Clennell and Annette Nicholls who worked as prostitutes.

Tom Stephens, 37, was arrested on Monday at his home at Trimley St Martin, near Felixstowe.

The second person, who has not been named, was arrested at a property in Ipswich early on Tuesday morning.

Second man held in murder inquiry - full story via bbc news Murder suspect 'sad and lonely'

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Tom Stephens - Suspected Prostitutes killer posted bizarre Web photos

2006-12-18T14:57:00.000Z

A man identified as a suspect arrested in connection with the killing of five prostitutes in eastern England has said in media interviews that he knew some of the women, but he denied involvement in their murders.

A profile of the man, identified in press reports as supermarket worker Tom Stephens, also emerged through a Web site he maintains showing photographs of himself in bizarre poses.

Police have yet to formally name the 37-year-old -- arrested at his home in Trimley, a small village near the port of Felixstowe -- but retail chain Tesco also confirmed one of its employees from a store branch in the nearby town of Martlesham had been taken into custody.

Stephens is a member of networking Web site MySpace, on which users can post details about themselves.

Suspect posted bizarre Web photos - full story via cnn Tom Stephens: "The Bishop" My Space entry

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