Thousands of women brave brutal police in Tahrir Square to protest at one of their own being stripped to bra and beaten by troops

Up to 10,000 women took to the streets of Cairo yesterday to protest against the horrific abuse by soldiers.

They were surrounded by a cordon of male protesters as they marched through the centre of Egypt’s capital.

And their actions forced an apology from the military regime behind the violence of the past five days.

Many carried shocking pictures of women being dragged by the hair, kicked and stripped – including the ‘girl in the blue bra’ who was kicked and beaten with metal bars.

‘They say they are here to protect us, but they are stripping us naked,’ the marchers chanted. Even before the demonstration was over, the military council governing the country issued an apology for what it called ‘violations’. Read More

Thousands of British women told to 'have breast implants removed if you're worried' as French authorities issue cancer alert

The French government is to foot the bill for tens of thousands of women to have their breast implants removed, amid fears they are at a heightened risk of cancer.

But a similar number of British women who also have the controversial implants face hefty surgical bills for the same treatment.

The row comes amid growing concern about the safety of the French-made implants, filled with a silicone gel believed to have been made for mattresses.

Yesterday the French government told all women with the implants to have them taken out. It also said it would foot the entire bill in up to 30,000 cases.

But the lack of any similar scheme in the UK has led to accusations that British women, including breast cancer survivors, are being left in limbo.

Up to 50,000 women in this country have the Poly Implant Protheses, or PIPs, which were among the cheapest on the market and widely used in cosmetic clinics both here and abroad. Read More

Ministers claim victory over pensions... then unions pull out of the deal

A landmark deal to resolve the bitter public sector pensions dispute descended into shambles last night – just hours after ministers declared victory.

Unions representing local government workers pulled out of an agreement on pension reform following a controversial intervention by the Communities Secretary Eric Pickles.

Union leaders were furious after Mr Pickles allegedly inserted new conditions into a carefully-worded deal agreed with the Treasury that would have capped employer contributions to workers’ pensions.

The three main local government unions said they had decided to ‘suspend our agreement’ with the Government and seek talks to ‘restore trust and confidence urgently’.

The GMB union said any new conditions would be a ‘deal-breaker’. Read More

Joshua Jones, 2, beaten to death by violent stepfather a month after police and social services hand him BACK to abusive parents - 21st Dec 2011

A toddler was beaten to death a month after he returned home to the parents whose abuse led to him being in hospital.

Two-year-old Joshua Jones, from Runcorn, Cheshire, died on November 6, 2007.

His mother’s boyfriend, Wayne Davenport, was jailed for six years in 2009 after he was convicted of manslaughter.

Davenport’s trial heard that he spent months punishing the toddler and unleashing a horrific catalogue of abuse on the boy.

Joshua’s mother, Nichola Bowman, was convicted of causing or allowing her son’s death and was given a suspended sentence.

Following a five-day inquest at Warrington Town Hall, the coroner for Cheshire, Nicholas Rheinberg, today recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.

He said Joshua's death 'probably would have been avoided' if Warrington and District General Hospital, Cheshire Police and Halton Borough Council had preventerd him from returning to an 'unsafe environment'.

He said: 'Joshua’s death probably would have been avoided if the three agencies concerned with his safety had taken steps which did not involve returning him to an unsafe environment.' Read More

Osborne rocked by warning that Britain could be stripped of AAA credit rating due to 'formidable challenges'

Note: Sounds to me they have found a way to force the UK to hand over Billions AGAIN for the Euro Bailout Fund.

George Osborne was last night rocked by a warning that Britain could be stripped of its gold-plated credit rating due to the crisis in the eurozone.

Leading ratings agency Moody’s said the UK’s coveted AAA score was safe for now with a ‘stable’ outlook – unlike many countries in the single currency bloc.

But it said Britain faces ‘formidable and rising challenges’ and the rating was ‘sensitive to future developments in the euro area’s debt crisis’.

The report said the ‘significant’ deterioration of the nation’s finances since 2008 ‘has eroded its ability to absorb further shocks’.

The warning came as Bank of England deputy governor Charlie Bean revealed ‘temporary’ loans would be made available to struggling UK lenders in the event of the break-up of the single currency.

He also said the Bank was ready to print even more money to kick-start Britain’s faltering recovery.

But any downgrade would be a major embarrassment for the Chancellor who has staked his political and economic reputation on protecting the UK from the storm raging in the eurozone. Read More

4.7 Magnitude Earthquake IZU ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION - 21st Dec 2011

A magnitude 4.7 earthquake has struck the Izu Islands, Japan Region at a depth of 33.3 km (20.7 miles), the quake hit at 03:04:06 UTC Wednesday 21st December 2011.
The epicenter was 214 km (132 miles) Southeast of Hachijo-Jima, Izu Islands, Japan
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Injuries or Damage at this time

4.7 Magnitude Earthquake EASTERN HONSHU, JAPAN - 21st Dec 2011

A magnitude 4.7 earthquake has struck Eastern Honshu, Japan at a depth of 62.5 km (38.8 miles), the quake hit at 02:06:53 UTC Wednesday 21st December 2011.
The epicenter was 73 km (45 miles) East of Morioka, Honshu, Japan
No Reports of Injuries or Damage at this time

4.9 Magnitude Earthquake KERMADEC ISLANDS REGION - 20th Dec 2011

A magnitude 4.9 earthquake has struck the Kermadec Islands Region at a depth of just 1 km (0.6 miles - Poorly Constrained), the quake hit at 23:37:56 UTC Tuesday 20th December 2011.
The epicenter was 107 km (66 miles) ENE of Raoul Island, Kermadec Islands
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Injuries or Damage at this time

4.5 Magnitude Earthquake OFFSHORE EL SALVADOR - 20th Dec 2011

A magnitude 4.5 earthquake has struck offshore El Salvador at a depth of 63.1 km (39.2 miles), the quake hit at 22:53:01 UTC Tuesday 20th December 2011.
The epicenter was 73 km (45 miles) SSE of Acajutla, El Salvador
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Injuries or Damage at this time

Five dead - including two children - after plane plummets into middle of busy New Jersey highway - 20th Dec 2011

Five people, including two children, perished when a small plane plummeted into the middle of one of New Jersey's busiest highways, exploding violently as it crashed to the ground.

Jeffrey Buckalew, 45, and Rakesh Chawla, 36 - heads of a New York City investment firm - died when the aircraft spiraled out of control and crashed on Route 287 in the town of Harding, New Jersey.

Mr Buckalew's wife, Corinne, and their two children, Jackson and Meriwether, were also on board the plane that was seen losing a wing before it crashed. Read More

Taylor Giresi Brutally Beat a Homeless Man after wishing him Merry Christmas, while his friend filmed it for youtube - 20th Dec 2011

A pair of cruel youths wished a bloody homeless man 'Merry Christmas' after brutally beating him and stealing his bicycle near the New Jersey shore.

Police tracked down and arrested 20-year-old Taylor Giresi and his 17-year-old cameraman after the boys posted a video of their crimes in two videos on YouTube.

The footage shows Giresi stalking through the woods in Wall Township, New Jersey, after declaring: 'About to go beat up this bum.'

'About to be a knockout,' the 17-year-old responds with a laugh, according to an account by the Asbury Park Press.

When they find 50-year-old David Ivins, Giresi pushes him down and then runs away. Read More

5.0 Magnitude Earthquake KEPULAUAN BARAT DAYA, INDONESIA - 20th Dec 2011

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake has struck Kepulauan Barat Daya, Indonesia at a depth of 266.6 km (165.7 miles), the quake hit at 18:45:35 UTC Tuesday 20th December 2011.
The epicenter was 265 km (165 miles) Northeast of Dili, East Timor
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Injuries or Damage at this time

Nasa space telescope finds 'twin' of Earth orbiting a distant Sun-like star - 20th Dec 2011

A rocky planet the same size as the Earth has been discovered orbiting a star like our sun.

It is the first time a planet of this size has been detected in another solar system. Scientists have hailed the technical achievement of detecting Earth sized ‘exoplanets’ - the technical term for planets outside the solar system - as it increases the chances of finding life-bearing worlds.

Although the planet, Kepler-20f could have a thick water-vapour atmosphere, its surface is believed to be too hot for life.

A second planet in the same system, Kepler-20e, is only slightly smaller than Earth and even hotter.

Both worlds circle their parent star closely with 'years' that last just nine and sixteen days respectively.

Dr Francois Fressin, one of the astronomers from the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics in Cambridge, US, said: ‘It is the first time humanity has been able to discover an object similar to the Earth around a star, so maybe we will be able to find others.

‘This could be an important milestone. I think 10 years or maybe even 100 years from now people will look back and ask when was the first Earth-sized planet found. It is very exciting.’ Read More

Sick joyrider mows down and kills 15 pregnant sheep in barbaric 4x4 rampage, Wrotham Hill, Kent, England - 20th Dec 2011

This is the scene of carnage left in the wake of a sick joyrider who deliberately ploughed his 4x4 into a flock of heavily-pregnant sheep.

Devastated farmer Chris Sargent, 29, found the mangled bodies of 15 ewes lying dead or dying in his field in Wrotham Hill, Kent.

The farmer today said he believes his animals were targeted by twisted thrill-seekers playing a game to hit as many of the livestock as possible.

A number of ewes were left with missing limbs after they were hit with such force the car’s bumper fell off.

Mr Sargent, who had a flock of 80 sheep before the attack, said the killing of 15 ewes and up to 25 unborn lambs was 'utterly barbaric'.

He said: 'What sort of a person can deliberately mow down a flock of sheep in the middle of the night? It’s utterly barbaric. Total cruelty.

'They have been out here for some time. It is not just a two-minute attack.'

A stunned walker discovered the carnage at 9am on Monday and called the police. Read More

Terror Fear As Scientists Create Mutated Killer Bird Flu...Has it Already got Out? - 20th Dec 2011

A Dutch laboratory claiming to have developed a deadly strain of bird flu wants to publish its research, sparking fears that terrorists could use the information.

Scientists at the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam say they have been able to mutate the H5N1 virus so that it can be transmitted through the air.

Until now it was thought it could be transmitted between humans only via close physical contact.

The Netherlands team, led by virologist Ron Fouchier, carried out the research to find out how easy it is to genetically mutate the virus into a highly-infectious airborne human flu.

Mr Fouchier said in a statement they discovered that transmission of the virus was possible between humans "and can be carried out more easily than we thought".

"In a laboratory, it was possible to change the H5N1 into a virus... that can easily be spread through the air. This process could also happen naturally," he said.

Mr Fouchier argues that any knowledge gained could be vital in the development of new vaccines. Read More

Syrian forces accused of machine-gunning hundreds of deserting soldiers..Why would they do this when Inspectors are coming?

Syrian forces have been accused of perpetrating one of the deadliest massacres of the country's nine-month uprising after scores of soldiers were mown down by machine-gun fire as they attempted a mass desertion. (can this be verified by a Group that isn't UK-Based?)

The dramatic breakout from an army base in northern Syria could have been a pivotal moment in the growing rebellion against Bashar al-Assad, the country's president. Instead it ended in disaster and bloodshed.

Throwing down an unprecedented challenge to his regime, hundreds of soldiers at an encampment in Idlib province made a desperate scramble for freedom on Monday. Their intention, according to opposition forces, was to make a dash for the Turkish border to join the Syrian Free Army, a rebel force made up of fellow defectors.

But the plan was either ill-judged or loyalist forces too well prepared.

As they ran, volley after volley of machinegun fire was aimed at their retreating backs. At least 60 were killed.

Those who managed to escape were mercilessly hunted down yesterday.

Loyalist soldiers surrounded the deserters in the countryside between two villages, picking them off one by one in an intense firefight that raged for much of the day.

"After clashes that broke out this morning with the regular army, 100 deserters were besieged then killed or wounded between the villages of Kafruwed and al-Fatira," the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported. Read More

Note: Of course they "The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights" should know seeing they are based in London.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights is a UK-based group opposed to the rule of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

Terror Suspect Held At Birmingham Airport

A 22-year-old man has been arrested at Birmingham Airport on suspicion of a terrorism offence.

The Pakistani national was detained by counter terrorism officers on Monday evening after arriving on a flight from Dubai.

Detectives say the man was arrested on suspicion of being in possession of a document likely to be of use to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.

The document in question was found in the man's possession.

The man is still being questioned by police.

He was entering the UK on a student visa, and studying at a fully accredited institution, although the police refused to name it.

More follows...

4.1 Magnitude Earthquake OFF THE COAST OF OREGON - 20th Dec 2011

A magnitude 4.1 earthquake has struck off the Coast of Oregon at a depth of 10.2 km (6.3 miles), the quake hit at 16:06:46 UTC Tuesday 20th December 2011.
The epicenter was 364 km (226 miles) WNW of Barview, Oregon
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Injuries or Damage at this time

HM Revenue Bending rules to do favours for Big Firms.....Only Applicable to Major Companies who want to be let off paying Multi-Million Pound Tax Bill

SO NOW EVEN OUR TAX OFFICE IS ON THE TAKE!, ANYONE LEFT NOT ON THE TAKE?

Tax bosses have been lambasted by MPs for bending rules to do favours for big firms at a cost of millions to the taxpayer - then hiding the details.

The public accounts committee warned millions more were at risk unless procedures were tightened and said senior officials should face punishment for a series of costly failures.

Its report called for safeguards to be put in place to avoid the impression that HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) enjoyed an "unduly cosy" relationship with major companies.

And the MPs demanded explanations as to why officials wrongly claimed they could not discuss deals with the committee and gave "imprecise, inconsistent and potentially misleading" answers.

Richard Murphy, founder of Tax Justice Network, told Sky News: "I think the MPs are right; there is very clear evidence that there has been a bias in the way that the tax system has been operated.

"Large companies have had a very cosy deal with the HMRC, but small businesses and individuals have had a bad deal in comparison to those. Read More

Cannibal Stunt by Dutch TV Presenters to Provoke outrage - 20th Dec 2011

While cannibalism is not against Dutch law, there could be legal difficulties for the surgeon.

Two Dutch presenters are expected to provoke outrage after with a macabre television stunt in which they eat each other's flesh in front of a studio audience.

Dennis Storm and Valerio Zeno both underwent surgery to have a small piece of muscle tissue removed for the grim stunt.

Mr Zeno had flesh taken from his abdomen, while Mr Storm is understood to have had buttock muscle tissue cut out.

A chef then fried the flesh and the pair ate it in front of the audience.

The stunt features on the BNN television show Proefkonijnen - which means Guinea Pigs.

The pair try to answer "stupid questions" by taking on unusual challenges.

The footage does not actually show the moment they eat the flesh but it does show it being cooked. Read More

It is weird to look into the eyes of a friend when you are chewing on his belly.

Dennis Storm, TV presenter

Camila de Moura Beat her Dog to death in front of her Daughter... Neighbour Films and puts it online after Police refuse to Prosecute - 20th Dec 2011

WARNING VERY GRAPHIC UPSETTING CONTENT

A Brazilian nurse who was caught on camera repeatedly attacking a dog, which later died of its injuries, has gone into hiding after the video was published on YouTube.

The disturbing video of Camila de Moura abusing the Yorkshire Terrier in front of her 18-month-old daughter was taken by a neighbour living in the same apartment block in Formosa, Brazil.

She originally handed it over to the local police, but posted it online after becoming frustrated that the authorities had not arrested de Moura and were not going to pursue the case. Read More

WARNING VERY GRAPHIC UPSETTING CONTENT

4.8 Magnitude Earthquake RYUKYU ISLANDS, JAPAN - 20th Dec 2011

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake has struck the Ryukyu Islands, Japan at a depth of 157.6 km (97.9 miles), the quake hit at 12:26:37 UTC Tuesday 20th December 2011.
The epicenter was 302 km (188 miles) NNE from Naha, Okinawa, Japan
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Injuries or Damage at this time

Tesco and BT among firms 'funding pirate sites with advertising'... but say they're in the dark about where ads appear

A staggering 83 major firms, including Tesco, British Telecom, British Gas and Vauxhall have been indirectly funding pirate film and TV websites through advertising, according to The Federation Against Copyright Theft (Fact).

The watchdog says that websites that allow internet users to download copyrighted material costs the movie and television industries in the UK £200million a year in lost revenue.

Fact has warned all of the firms that their advertising has been appearing on these sites, and therefore generating revenue for law-breakers, but they all argued it’s difficult knowing where ads will appear and do take them down once they’re aware of what’s happened.

Several of the firms, including BT, Tesco and Vauxhall, failed to respond to Fact, according to The Times. Read More

Note: Anyone else would of been caught, quartered and flung into Guantanamo.

Large corporation seem to be having a field day, can get out of paying taxes and now fund Piracy. Ironic thing is The large corporations created piracy and then moaned about it.

Council slammed for awarding £4m bin contract to a GERMAN firm... even though British bid was £250,000 cheaper

A council has been attacked for awarding a £4million wheelie bin contract to a German company - despite a British bid that was £250,000 cheaper.

Durham County Council will buy 225,000 'twin bins' from the overseas supplier, allowing it to reduce collections to fortnightly next year.

The move has infuriated families and workers in the region, which has been one of the worst hit areas in the country during the financial crisis.

Cancellations of weekly collections elsewhere in the UK have led to chaotic scenes, with bins overflowing and unsightly rubbish strewn across roads.

Campaigners said taxpayers' money was being squandered instead of vital cash being injected into local businesses.

With the Labour-run council trying to save around £150m, the £250,000 could have been used to improve roads and youth services, or reduce the 1,600 job cuts being made by the authority.

The decision was also called a 'kick in the teeth for British manufacturers' who have lost out on the quarter-of-a-million-pound deal.

But the council insisted price alone was not the deciding issue, and that European rules meant it could not favour a UK supplier. Read More

Note: Was wondering when the Great EU Rules would show up in a sentence.

Increased Threat of Tropical Cyclone forming in the Top End of the Northern Territory on Friday, Australia - 20th Dec 2011

The weather bureau says there is an increased threat of a tropical cyclone forming in the Top End of the Northern Territory on Friday.

The chance of a cyclone forming is now listed as a 50 per cent to 100 per cent possibility.

A monsoon trough off the north coast is expected to develop into a tropical low tomorrow.

Bureau forecaster Angeline Prasad says the system has caused heavy rains of up to 100 millimetres in some parts of the Territory.

"We are expecting the system to form in the Arafura Sea in the next 12 to 24 hours," she said.

"Once the low pressure system forms, it is expected to remain slow moving over the next few days and gradually intensify.

"We have got a moderate chance of development on Thursday and a high chance of it becoming a tropical cyclone on Friday."

The Northern Territory Emergency Service says people should start preparing in case a Cyclone Watch is declared later this week. Read More