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<title>BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition</title><description>Visit BBC News for up-to-the-minute news, breaking news, video, audio and feature stories. BBC News provides trusted World and UK news as well as local and regional perspectives. Also entertainment, business, science, technology and health news.</description><link>http://192.168.254.26/myfeed/blog/default/worldnews_UK - headline</link><language>en-gb</language><copyright>Copyright: (C) British Broadcasting Corporation, see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/help/rss/4498287.stm for terms and conditions of reuse</copyright><lastBuildDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:40:57 GMT</lastBuildDate><docs>http://www.bbc.co.uk/syndication/</docs><ttl>15</ttl><image><title>BBC News</title><url>http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/img/bbc_news_120x60.gif</url><link>http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/default.stm</link></image><item>
<title>Salford student murder accused appears in court</title><description><![CDATA[Man accused of killing Indian student Anuj Bidve gives his name as 'Psycho' and is remanded in custody for 24 hours The man accused of murdering an Indian student in Salford on Boxing Day has appeared in court and given his name as "Psycho Stapleton". Anuj Bidve, 23, described as a "promising and clever" student, was shot once in the head at around 1.30am on 26 December. He died a short time later in hospital. He was with a group of fellow Indian students visiting Manchester for Christmas when he was murdered. On Monday, Kiaran Stapleton, 20, from Ordsall, Salford, was remanded in custody for 24 hours at City of Manchester magistrates court. Shortly before the hearing began, four armed officers dressed in black stood in each corner of the court. Stapleton, who was handcuffed, was then brought into the dock and asked for his name. He replied: "Psycho. Psycho Stapleton." The defendant, wearing a grey T-shirt and grey jogging bottoms and flanked by two police officers, then confirmed his date of birth. Ben Southam, prosecuting, said: "He appears charged with murder. That's a matter that can only be dealt with at the crown court by a judge under section 115 of the Coroners and Justice Act." He added: "He will be sent to Manchester crown court in due course." There was no application for bail. Bidve was studying for a micro-electronics postgraduate qualification at Lancaster University. The student arrived in the UK in September after completing an electronics degree at Pune University. The killing generated national and international shock, especially in the victim's home country. His father, Subhash Bidve, has been critical of the way the British and Indian authorities have handled the case. He found out about his son's death on Facebook at home in Pune, India, before police in the UK could contact him. Two officers from Greater Manchester police have since flown to India to meet the Bidve family. Hundreds of people plan to attend a ...]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[The man accused of murdering an Indian student in Salford on Boxing Day has appeared in court and given his name as "Psycho Stapleton". Anuj Bidve, 23, described as a "promising and clever" student, was shot once in the head at around 1.30am on 26 December. He died a short time later in hospital. He was with a group of fellow Indian students visiting Manchester for Christmas when he was murdered. On Monday, Kiaran Stapleton, 20, from Ordsall, Salford, was remanded in custody for 24 hours at City of Manchester magistrates court. Shortly before the hearing began, four armed officers dressed in black stood in each corner of the court. Stapleton, who was handcuffed, was then brought into the dock and asked for his name. He replied: "Psycho. Psycho Stapleton." The defendant, wearing a grey T-shirt and grey jogging bottoms and flanked by two police officers, then confirmed his date of birth. Ben Southam, prosecuting, said: "He appears charged with murder. That's a matter that can only be dealt with at the crown court by a judge under section 115 of the Coroners and Justice Act." He added: "He will be sent to Manchester crown court in due course." There was no application for bail. Bidve was studying for a micro-electronics postgraduate qualification at Lancaster University. The student arrived in the UK in September after completing an electronics degree at Pune University. The killing generated national and international shock, especially in the victim's home country. His father, Subhash Bidve, has been critical of the way the British and Indian authorities have handled the case. He found out about his son's death on Facebook at home in Pune, India, before police in the UK could contact him. Two officers from Greater Manchester police have since flown to India to meet the Bidve family. Hundreds of people plan to attend a candlelit memorial service for the student in Ordsall Lane, Salford, at 6pm on Monday, while hundreds more are expected at a peace ...]]></content:encoded><link>http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jan/02/ukcrime</link><guid>http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jan/02/ukcrime</guid><author>Sam Jones</author><pubDate>Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:45:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2012/1/2/1325506680279/Anuj-Bidve-007.jpg"/><enclosure length="2" type="EVENTS" url="Boxing Day"/><enclosure length="5" type="COUNTRIES_WORLD" url="England"/><enclosure length="2" type="CITY_WORLD" url="New Delhi"/><source url="http://feeds.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/rss">The Guardian</source></item>
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<title>Liverpool and Everton favourite Gary Ablett dies after 16-month battle against cancer</title><description><![CDATA[  Former Liverpool and Everton defender Gary Ablett has died after a long battle against cancer. He was 46. Ablett lost his 16-month fight against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma on Sunday night.Passed: Gary Ablett has died after 16-month cancer battle]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[Last updated at 12:42 PM on 2nd January 2012 Former Liverpool and Everton defender Gary Ablett has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 46. Ablett, the only player to win the FA Cup with both Liverpool and Everton, lost his 16-month fight with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma last night, the League Managers Association announced. During his career Ablett made more than 100 appearances for each of the Merseyside clubs. He later had a long spell at Birmingham, and was manager of Stockport County during the 2009-10 season. 'On behalf of Gary Ablett's family the LMA has today confirmed that Gary passed away peacefully last night following a hard fought 16-month battle against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma,' said an LMA statement. 'Respected throughout the game by players, coaches and managers alike Gary will be sadly missed. 'The LMA's thoughts and condolences are with Gary's wife Jacqueline and children.' Ablett was a Liverpool apprentice before making his debut for the club in 1986 during current boss Kenny Dalglish's first spell in charge. Under Dalglish, he helped a dominant side win the League title in 1988 and 1990 and the FA Cup in 1989. He was sold to arch-rivals Everton for £750,000 in January 1992 and went on to lift the FA Cup with them in 1995 after a Wembley win over Manchester United. Ex-Liverpool striker Ian Rush paid tribute to his former team-mate. Scroll down for video 'Gary was a really versatile player, somebody who would play anywhere the manager asked him,' Rush told BBC Sport. 'The fact he played for both Liverpool and Everton says something about how good he was as a player. 'He summed up what Liverpool people are all about. He gave 100% to the team and my favourite memory of him was after the 1989 FA Cup final - he was so proud to win something for the team. 'Off the pitch, he was the perfect gentleman. He had a lovely family, which he brought up really well, and he was such a respectable person. If he could help you ...]]></content:encoded><link>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2081249/Liverpool-Everton-favourite-Gary-Ablett-dies-16-month-battle-cancer.html?ITO=1490</link><guid>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2081249/Liverpool-Everton-favourite-Gary-Ablett-dies-16-month-battle-cancer.html?ITO=1490</guid><author></author><pubDate>Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:43:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-2081249-0F51544100000578-410_233x485.jpg"/><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-2081249-0F51551100000578-71_468x441.jpg"/><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-2081249-0F516D7900000578-356_224x550.jpg"/><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-2081249-0E3A5ACE00000578-88_224x550.jpg"/><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-2081222-0F515CF700000578-567_468x286.jpg"/><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-2081249-000FF2C500000258-587_468x642.jpg"/><enclosure length="13" type="CITY_WORLD" url="Liverpool"/><enclosure length="1" type="SPORTS" url="Football"/><source url="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/index.rss">Daily Mail</source></item>
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<title>Met Police corruption: Officers allowed to resign</title><description><![CDATA[More than 130 of London's police officers were allowed to resign rather than face misconducts panels over the last year, figures show.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[More than 130 Metropolitan Police (Met) officers were allowed to resign rather than facing misconducts panels over the last year, figures have shown. Another 43 were sacked over the same period, the Press Association found. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) previously said forces failed to respond to "far too many" complaints about officers. However, the head of Scotland Yard standards said it was actually more practical to let some people quit. Commander Peter Spindler, who heads the force's directorate of professional standards, also said complaints about Met officers had fallen by 9% in a year. This was the result of "a lot of hard work", he added. Mr Spindler said he hoped people understood that with more than 50,000 employees, there would be corruption in the force. "We don't live in a perfect world," he said. In many cases "it's actually more pragmatic to let them resign", Mr Spindler added. In October, a PC who worked as an emergency phone operator was sacked for failing to respond to 141 "potentially dangerous" calls, while another officer indecently assaulted a "vulnerable" teenager. Last month, two officers were dismissed for beating up three men after a car chase, and a trainee detective was sacked after sexually assaulting a vulnerable woman. A centralised unit has been created in Earls Court, west London, to investigate staff suspected of wrongdoing. But the disciplinary process was "slow" and officers awaiting hearings were "sitting there" at the taxpayers' expense in the meantime, said Det Ch Supt Richard Heselden, another anti-corruption detective. "It's cheaper and quicker to get them out of the force," he said.]]></content:encoded><link>http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-england-london-16383331</link><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-16383331</guid><author></author><pubDate>Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:43:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/57652000/jpg/_57652005_spindler_met.jpg"/><enclosure length="1" type="COUNTRIES_WORLD" url="Scotland"/><enclosure length="2" type="CITY_WORLD" url="London"/><enclosure length="3" type="PEOPLE_FAMOUS" url="Police"/><enclosure length="1" type="PEOPLE_POLITICS" url="Independent"/><source url="http://newsrss.bbc.co.uk/rss/newsonline_uk_edition/front_page/rss.xml">BBC</source></item>
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<title>Here come the gales! Britain to be battered by storms as temperatures plummet after balmy New Year</title><description><![CDATA[  The end of the holidays will coincide with winds of up to 80mph over the next few days, including potentially damaging gusts, and several inches of rain.Water world: A car makes its way through a flooded a road in Essex after heavy rain hit the region last night. Gale force winds of up to 80mph are expected to batter Britain over the next few days]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[Last updated at 12:41 PM on 2nd January 2012 Britain is braced for a stormy start to 2012 after the second warmest year on record. While mild conditions welcomed in the New Year, yesterday was very much the lull before the storm. The end of the holidays will coincide with winds of up to 80mph over the next few days, and potentially damaging gusts. The Met Office issued a warning that western hills and coasts will be battered by an Atlantic storm that will also dump several inches of rain on much of the country. There might also be sleet and even snow in parts today. The change in conditions was already affecting southern England yesterday which experienced its first deluge for some weeks. Temperatures had peaked at 15C (59F) on New Year’s Eve, ending a year which has been the warmest apart from 2006. The average temperature over last year was 9.62C (49.3F) and the UK enjoyed its warmest April and spring on record, the second warmest autumn and the warmest October day. Temperatures peaked at 33.1C (91.5F) at Gravesend in Kent on June 27. Weather experts predict a marked drop in temperature from today, with the unusually mild conditions over Christmas and the New Year making way for more seasonal mercury readings. Temperatures are expected to reach around 8C (46F) in London. Despite the milder conditions over Christmas, average temperatures for last month are likely to be close to average. John Prior, national climate manager at the Met Office, said: ‘While it may have felt mild for many so far this December, temperatures overall have been close to what we would expect. ‘It may be that the stark change from last year, which was the coldest December on record for the UK, has led many to think it has been unseasonably warm.’ Issuing a yellow warning for strong winds and heavy rain, the Met Office added: 'A spell of wet and very windy weather will affect the UK during Tuesday. 'The public should be aware of the possibility of disruption, including to travel, due to strong winds on Tuesday morning in most ...]]></content:encoded><link>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2081141/UK-weather-Britain-battered-storms-temperatures-plummet.html?ITO=1490</link><guid>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2081141/UK-weather-Britain-battered-storms-temperatures-plummet.html?ITO=1490</guid><author></author><pubDate>Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:38:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-2081141-0F51534300000578-140_634x398.jpg"/><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-0-0F504E2200000578-456_634x414.jpg"/><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-2081141-0F50D5A800000578-473_306x231.jpg"/><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-2081141-004B221000000258-676_634x416.jpg"/><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/01/article-2080996-0F4FE05C00000578-342_634x449.jpg"/><enclosure length="1" type="COUNTRIES_WORLD" url="Scotland"/><enclosure length="1" type="CITY_WORLD" url="London"/><enclosure length="4" type="COUNTRIES_WORLD" url="England"/><source url="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/index.rss">Daily Mail</source></item>
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<title>UK album sales fell in 2011 but digital downloads rose</title><description><![CDATA[Album sales continue to fall despite a 24% rise in digital album downloads in 2011, against "a backdrop of chronic piracy", says the BPI.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[Digital music sales continued to rise in the UK in 2011, but not by enough to prevent an overall decline in album sales, according to the BPI. The music industry body said that 26.6 million digital albums were sold, a 24% rise on the previous year. However, CD album sales fell by 13% to 86.2 million discs. Overall, 6% fewer albums were sold than in 2010. The BPI blamed the decline on piracy and accused the government of taking too long to tackle the problem. Digital downloads have recorded rapid growth over recent years. In 2007, only 6.2 million albums were bought as files over the internet according to The Official Charts Company. The year 2011's tally was more than four times that amount. Fifteen albums sold more than 100,000 digital copies, with Adele's 21 proving the most popular. However, shoppers still showed a preference for CDs, buying more than three times the number of albums on disc than downloads. The BPI said that "physical ownership" still played an important role, but said "a backdrop of chronic piracy" posed risks to the music industry. "While other countries take positive steps to protect their creative sector, our government is taking too long to act on piracy, while weakening copyright to the benefit of the US tech giants," said Geoff Taylor, the BPI's chief executive. "The UK has already fallen behind Germany as a music market. Unless decisive action is taken in 2012, investment in music could fall again - a creative crunch that will destroy jobs." The government is pursuing a plan that would involve rights holders sending lists of internet addresses suspected of illegal downloads to internet service providers (ISPs). The ISPs would then send a letter to suspected account holders, saying that their account had been identified as being used to download copyright infringing material. They would offer advice on how to prevent such illegal activity, but would not make demands for money or threaten disconnection. By contrast, ...]]></content:encoded><link>http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/technology-16382648</link><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16382648</guid><author></author><pubDate>Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:38:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/57652000/jpg/_57652053_adele.jpg"/><enclosure length="1" type="COUNTRIES_WORLD" url="Germany"/><enclosure length="2" type="COUNTRIES_WORLD" url="United States of America"/><enclosure length="5" type="COUNTRIES_WORLD" url="England"/><source url="http://newsrss.bbc.co.uk/rss/newsonline_uk_edition/front_page/rss.xml">BBC</source></item>
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<title>Revealed: The &apos;near criminal&apos; mix of chemicals used in the breast implants affecting 50,000 UK women</title><description><![CDATA[  Jean-Claude Mas (pictured), the 72-year-old founder of Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) which went into liquidation last year is facing manslaughter charges in France. Up to 50,000 women in the UK, including breast cancer survivors, have the implants.Jean-Claude Mas pictured 11 years ago with one of the implants at the plant southern France.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[Last updated at 12:05 PM on 2nd January 2012 The breast implants at the centre of a health scare involving thousands of British women contained a ‘near criminal’ mix of chemicals including a fuel additive, it emerged today. Scientists in France carried out an extensive examination of the ‘secret formula’ used by Poly Implant Prothese (PIP), which went into liquidation last year. Up to 50,000 women in the UK, including breast cancer survivors, have the implants, which until now were thought to be filled with gel meant for mattresses. In fact, chemists commissioned by RTL, the Paris radio station, found a range of potentially hugely harmful components including Baysilone, Silopren and Rhodorsil. Baysilone is used as a fuel additive, while Silopren and Rhodorsil are mainly used in the production of rubber tubing. ‘On the menu, a mixture of products used by industrial companies that have never been clinically tested for their possible harmful effects on the body,’ said a spokesman for RTL, adding: ‘They include a fuel additive’. The spokesman said that Jean-Claude Mas, the 72-year-old founder of PIP who is facing manslaughter charges in France, put all the chemicals together as a part of a ‘secret formula’. It enabled him to sell the implants at a vast discount, so enabling him to become a multi-millionaire. ‘When the chemicals were all mixed with each other, the illusion was complete,’ said the RTL spokesman. ‘All are products unknown to the medical world,’ said toxicologist Andre Picot, who carried out research for RTL, adding the mix was ‘on the verge of criminal’. Philippe Courtois, a lawyer acting for women caught up in the scandal in France, said: ‘We could not believe that the gel could contain a fuel additive.’ Mr Courtois said health authorities across the world, including the NHS, should have ordered a detailed analysis of the gel as soon as women started to complain of feeling ill because of them. Figures show that PIP implants have an 8 per cent chance of rupture – eight times higher than claimed over ...]]></content:encoded><link>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2081234/Revealed-The-near-criminal-mix-chemicals-used-breast-implant-debacle.html?ITO=1490</link><guid>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2081234/Revealed-The-near-criminal-mix-chemicals-used-breast-implant-debacle.html?ITO=1490</guid><author></author><pubDate>Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:33:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-0-0F499EFE00000578-561_468x327.jpg"/><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-0-0F43170B00000578-122_468x286.jpg"/><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-0-0E3B41D900000578-999_233x315.jpg"/><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-0-0F50D97900000578-469_468x446.jpg"/><enclosure length="1" type="CITY_WORLD" url="Paris"/><enclosure length="5" type="COUNTRIES_WORLD" url="England"/><source url="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/index.rss">Daily Mail</source></item>
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<title>BAE Systems sells patrol vessels to Brazil</title><description><![CDATA[BAE Systems signs a deal with the Brazilian Navy to supply it with three patrol vessels, in a contract worth £133m.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[BAE Systems has signed a deal with the Brazilian Navy to supply it with three patrol vessels. The contract is worth £133m. The ocean patrol vessels are already built, having been ordered by the government of Trinidad and Tobago in a contract which was terminated in 2010. Two of the boats were constructed on the Clyde and the other at Portsmouth. The new agreement with Brazil will allow vessels of the same class to be made under licence there. Andrew Davies, the managing director of BAE Systems Maritime business, said: "This is a significant step forward in our relationship with Brazil. "The Ocean Patrol Vessels are highly capable ships and I am sure they will be a tremendous asset to the Brazilian Navy." The boats are capable of speeds in excess of 25 knots and weigh 2,200 tonnes fully loaded. They are armed with a 30mm cannon and two 25mm guns, and are equipped with a helicopter flight deck and a rigid inflatable boat.]]></content:encoded><link>http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-16383765</link><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-16383765</guid><author></author><pubDate>Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:33:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/49499000/jpg/_49499911_b00pbnsx_640_360-1.jpg"/><enclosure length="1" type="COUNTRIES_WORLD" url="Trinidad and Tobago"/><enclosure length="3" type="COUNTRIES_WORLD" url="Brazil"/><source url="http://newsrss.bbc.co.uk/rss/newsonline_uk_edition/front_page/rss.xml">BBC</source></item>
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<title>Afghan girl, 15, tortured by in-laws for resisting prostitution</title><description><![CDATA[Case of Sahar Gul shocks Afghans, but rights activists say serious abuses against females are still common A 15-year-old Afghan girl who was severely tortured for months by her in-laws to force her into prostitution will be sent to India for medical treatment, an Afghan official has said. Sahar Gul's mother-in-law and sister-in-law have been arrested and her husband is being sought, said interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi on Monday. The case has shocked Afghans, though rights activists say serious abuses against women and girls in the conservative society are common. President Hamid Karzai has said that whoever used violence against Gul will be punished. According to officials in north-eastern Baghlan province, Gul's in-laws kept her in a basement for six months, ripped her fingernails out, tortured her with hot irons and broke her fingers. Police freed her last week after her uncle tipped them off. The public health and women's affairs ministers visited Gul, who is now in a Kabul hospital. "It is a violent act that is unacceptable in the 21st century," Sediqi told reporters. "We are thankful [to] Sahar Gul's uncle." He added that "if the police had not arrived in time she may have died". Gul was married about seven months ago. Jawad Basharat, spokesman for the provincial police chief in Baghlan, said an arrest warrant had been issued for her husband, who is serving in the Afghan army. "After police found out about the small girl Sahar Gul they took action and found her in the basement of the house in very bad condition," Basharat said. "Her nails were pulled out, she has injuries in all parts of her body, there are signs of burning on her body, she was suffering from different kinds of injuries." He said that her mother-in-law and other members of the family were reportedly involved in "criminal activities", which he said included prostitution and selling alcohol. According to preliminary reports, Basharat said they tried to ...]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[A 15-year-old Afghan girl who was severely tortured for months by her in-laws to force her into prostitution will be sent to India for medical treatment, an Afghan official has said. Sahar Gul's mother-in-law and sister-in-law have been arrested and her husband is being sought, said interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi on Monday. The case has shocked Afghans, though rights activists say serious abuses against women and girls in the conservative society are common. President Hamid Karzai has said that whoever used violence against Gul will be punished. According to officials in north-eastern Baghlan province, Gul's in-laws kept her in a basement for six months, ripped her fingernails out, tortured her with hot irons and broke her fingers. Police freed her last week after her uncle tipped them off. The public health and women's affairs ministers visited Gul, who is now in a Kabul hospital. "It is a violent act that is unacceptable in the 21st century," Sediqi told reporters. "We are thankful [to] Sahar Gul's uncle." He added that "if the police had not arrived in time she may have died". Gul was married about seven months ago. Jawad Basharat, spokesman for the provincial police chief in Baghlan, said an arrest warrant had been issued for her husband, who is serving in the Afghan army. "After police found out about the small girl Sahar Gul they took action and found her in the basement of the house in very bad condition," Basharat said. "Her nails were pulled out, she has injuries in all parts of her body, there are signs of burning on her body, she was suffering from different kinds of injuries." He said that her mother-in-law and other members of the family were reportedly involved in "criminal activities", which he said included prostitution and selling alcohol. According to preliminary reports, Basharat said they tried to force her into prostitution and she did not agree. "This was one of the reasons that they detained her ...]]></content:encoded><link>http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/02/afghan-girl-tortured-by-inlaws</link><guid>http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/02/afghan-girl-tortured-by-inlaws</guid><author></author><pubDate>Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:59:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2012/1/2/1325504161279/Sahar-Gul-was-rescued-by--007.jpg"/><enclosure length="2" type="WORLD_POLITICS" url="Hamid Karzai"/><enclosure length="2" type="CITY_WORLD" url="Kabul"/><enclosure length="3" type="COUNTRIES_WORLD" url="Afghanistan"/><enclosure length="2" type="PEOPLE_FAMOUS" url="Police"/><source url="http://feeds.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/rss">The Guardian</source></item>
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<title>Cruise&apos;s new Mission stays top of US box office</title><description><![CDATA[Tom Cruise's Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol tops the US box office chart for the second week running, according to studio estimates.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[Tom Cruise's Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol has topped the US box office chart for the second week running, according to studio estimates. The action movie made $31.3m (£20.1m), which brings its US total to $134.1m ($86.5m) since its release. It marks the first $100 million hit with Cruise in the lead role since 2006's Mission: Impossible III. The rest of this weekend's top-three remained unchanged, including Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows second. The Robert Downey Jr film made $22.1m (£14.2m), raising its domestic total to $132.1m (£85.2m). Family film Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, was still at number three. Steven Spielberg's War Horse was fourth. David Fincher's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo rounded out the top five with takings of $16.3 million (£10.5m). "This week was a pleasant surprise," said Hollywood.com analyst Paul Dergarabedian. "Last week, we were really pretty gloom and doom, but this final push at the end of the year was stronger than expected. It's a good way to head into 2012, with at least a little bit of momentum at the box office." But the website also noted that 2011 admissions were down 4.2% on 2010's figures. Big titles coming up in 2010 include The Dark Knight Rises, The Amazing Spider-Man, Men In Black 3, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and the latest Bond film, Skyfall.]]></content:encoded><link>http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/entertainment-arts-16383159</link><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16383159</guid><author></author><pubDate>Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:58:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/57579000/jpg/_57579704_cruisemission464.jpg"/><enclosure length="5" type="COUNTRIES_WORLD" url="United States of America"/><enclosure length="1" type="CITY_WORLD" url="Hollywood"/><enclosure length="2" type="PEOPLE_FAMOUS" url="Tom Cruise"/><enclosure length="1" type="PEOPLE_FAMOUS" url="Steven Spielberg"/><source url="http://newsrss.bbc.co.uk/rss/newsonline_uk_edition/front_page/rss.xml">BBC</source></item>
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<title>Argentine motorcyclist Jorge Boero dies after crashing on first day of Dakar Rally</title><description><![CDATA[  The 38-year-old, who was competing in the event for only the second time, fell during the stage between the Argentine cities of Mar del Plata and Santa Rosa and suffered a cardiac arrest.Tragic: Jorge Martinez Boero died after crashing during the first stage]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[Last updated at 11:14 AM on 2nd January 2012 Argentine motorcyclist Jorge Martinez Boero has died after a crash on the opening stage of the Dakar Rally yesterday. The 38-year-old, who was competing in the event for only the second time, fell during the stage between the Argentine cities of Mar del Plata, in Buenos Aires, and Santa Rosa. A statement on the rally's official website confirmed that medical staff reached him by helicopter five minutes later but Boero died on his way to hospital. The statement concluded: 'The organisers of the rally offer their heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.' Boero crashed near the end of the special section among dunes on the Atlantic coast on his Beta RR450. The son of a former national motor racing champion, he seriously injured his thorax and suffered a cardiac arrest. The rally, which moved from Africa to South America for security reasons four years ago, is notoriously dangerous and has claimed several lives in the past. Ignacio Crotto, race coordinator for the province of Buenos Aires, told TN television news: 'However experienced the racers may be, they know the Dakar is high risk and that unfortunately this [kind of accident] can happen. Any error can cost you your life.' Boero made huge efforts to be able to take part - he even sold his apartment when he had to pull out last year after getting lost on the fifth stage in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. 'I'm going to give it everything to get to Lima... What doesn't kill [you], strengthens you,' he told friends and family on what was to be his last ever message on his twitter account. More than 20 competitors have lost their lives since the first Paris-Dakar rally in 1979 with Boero the second in Argentina after Frenchman Pascal Henry in 2009. There have also been numerous deaths among spectators, organisers - including race founder Thierry Sabine - and members of the media. During last year's race a man died after his car was hit by another taking ...]]></content:encoded><link>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2081218/Argentine-motorcyclist-Jorge-Boero-dies-crashing-day-Dakar-Rally.html?ITO=1490</link><guid>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2081218/Argentine-motorcyclist-Jorge-Boero-dies-crashing-day-Dakar-Rally.html?ITO=1490</guid><author></author><pubDate>Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:53:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-2081218-0F50885700000578-324_468x407.jpg"/><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-2081218-0F50E10000000578-536_470x353.jpg"/><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-2081218-0F50DC2900000578-413_468x304.jpg"/><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-2081218-0F50902300000578-222_470x546.jpg"/><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-2081218-00089D2200000258-461_470x295.jpg"/><enclosure length="1" type="COUNTRIES_WORLD" url="Peru"/><enclosure length="1" type="CITY_WORLD" url="Paris"/><enclosure length="2" type="CITY_WORLD" url="Buenos Aires"/><enclosure length="2" type="COUNTRIES_WORLD" url="Argentina"/><enclosure length="2" type="COUNTRIES_WORLD" url="America"/><enclosure length="4" type="CITY_WORLD" url="Dakar"/><enclosure length="2" type="CITY_WORLD" url="Lima"/><source url="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/index.rss">Daily Mail</source></item>
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<title>Severn tolls &apos;damaging economy&apos; claim as charges rise</title><description><![CDATA[Tolls on the Severn bridges have gone up again, prompting fresh criticism of their impact on the economy and local residents.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[Tolls on the Severn bridges have gone up again, prompting fresh criticism of their impact on the Welsh economy. Charges are now £6 for cars, £12.10 for vans and £18.10 for lorries, following the annual New Year increase. Some MPs want the UK government to discuss ways of reducing the charges with the private operator but others say it cannot be done. Meanwhile residents of the Forest of Dean have called for discounts for people living near the crossings. Martin Evans from the University of Glamorgan Business School told BBC Radio Wales the charges were having a negative impact on economic activity on the Welsh side of the crossings. "When you have a bridge with a toll across it, it is a restriction on economic activity on both sides," he said. "But in this instance we probably suffer more than the English side do." He said a complicating factor was that although transport and economic development had been devolved to Wales, the UK government had responsibility for the bridges. The crossing are due to pass into public ownership in five years' time. Swansea West Labour MP Geraint Davies believes it is possible to lower the tolls now. He said: "It's a matter of the government sitting around the table. "The bottom line is from 2017 we will be able to reduce the tolls from £6 to around £1 just to cover the operating and maintenance costs." He said there was an incentive for the UK government to do so earlier as increased economic activity would result in higher taxes for the Treasury. "What I think the government should do is firstly announce from 2017 there will be a substantial reduction once it goes into public ownership. "The government could pay up front some of the money to get tolls down in order to reap the rewards sooner rather than later at a time when we urgently need inward investment." Monmouth MP David Davies, who chairs the Welsh Affairs Select Committee, said its members had already made a number of recommendations about future charges. ...]]></content:encoded><link>http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-wales-16382595</link><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-16382595</guid><author></author><pubDate>Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:53:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/49790000/jpg/_49790331__49114065_004293013-1-1.jpg"/><enclosure length="4" type="COUNTRIES_WORLD" url="England"/><source url="http://newsrss.bbc.co.uk/rss/newsonline_uk_edition/front_page/rss.xml">BBC</source></item>
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<title>69 years after hero American war pilot died, family find his lost plane 13,000ft up a Himalayan mountain</title><description><![CDATA[  The wreckage of the C-47 transport aircraft was found 13,400ft up a Himalayan mountain - the final resting place of co-pilot Jimmy Browne.Lost: Co-pilot Jimmy Browne whose plane disappeared in 1942]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[Last updated at 10:52 AM on 2nd January 2012 It took 69 years, but at last a family has ended its grieving for a dead American airman after the discovery of a plane lost over China during World War II. The wreckage of the C-47 transport aircraft was found 13,400ft up a Himalayan mountain - the final resting place of co-pilot Jimmy Browne. For decades, his family had wondered about his fate and whether the plane might ever be found. Browne was just twenty-one when the C-47 was shot down or crashed on a flight between Kunming in China and Dinjan, India, on November 17, 1942. Now thanks to the persistence of Browne's cousin Bob Willett, a retired banker, the search for answers is over. Mr Willett, from Merritt island, Brevard County, Florida, said: 'It could be said that these efforts were like tilting at the windmill. 'But to those involved, it is very personal and emotional.' Browne was with pilot John J. Dean and Chinese radioman K.L. Yang on a mission for the China National Aviation Corp (CNA). during the Japanese occupation of China. They were flying over the intimidating Himalayan mountain range known as 'The Hump' which was the only way of getting supplies to keep China fighting a million Japanese occupying forces. Flight 60 left Kunming where it had dropped off a load of gasoline and ammunition, and was heading back to Dinjan when it disappeared. They were first American CNA casualties. Browne, from Winnetka, Illinois, was not forgotten, but his family could not afford to mount an expedition to find out what happened to him. It wasn’t until Mr Willett met Arizona businessman and adventurer Clayton Kuhles that the hunt became a reality. Mr Kuhles had brought closure to other families through his self-financed searches for American pilots lost and unaccounted for during World War II in China, Burma and India. He led the team which found and identified the wreckage in China’s Yunnan province. It was one of only a few CNA aircraft losses that had never been recovered. The book ...]]></content:encoded><link>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2081198/69-years-hero-American-pilot-died-family-lost-plane-13-000ft-Himalayan-mountain.html?ITO=1490</link><guid>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2081198/69-years-hero-American-pilot-died-family-lost-plane-13-000ft-Himalayan-mountain.html?ITO=1490</guid><author></author><pubDate>Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:48:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-0-0F51310600000578-751_233x423.jpg"/><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-0-0F5130F600000578-248_468x337.jpg"/><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-0-0F51312200000578-546_468x286.jpg"/><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-0-0F51311E00000578-871_468x286.jpg"/><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-0-0F51310A00000578-453_233x390.jpg"/><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-0-0F5130FE00000578-529_468x286.jpg"/><enclosure length="7" type="COUNTRIES_WORLD" url="China"/><source url="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/index.rss">Daily Mail</source></item>
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<title>What a hair-o: Schoolgirl has 19in-long hair cut off to raise funds for cancer victims</title><description><![CDATA[  Inspired by a friend who lost all her hair following treatment for leukaemia, Sam Croombs, 11, from Basingstoke, Hampshire, raised nearly £1,500 by having 19ins chopped off.Sam Croombs had 19 inches of hair chopped off to make wigs for children with cancer]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[Last updated at 10:27 AM on 2nd January 2012 A schoolgirl who has never before had a haircut had 19 inches of her locks chopped off to be used to make wigs for children suffering with cancer. Inspired by a friend who lost all her hair after undergoing treatment for leukaemia, Sam Croombs, 11, from Basingstoke, Hampshire, raised nearly £1,500 for the Little Princess Trust. The charity will use the hair to make wigs for children whose hair has fallen out following treatment for cancer. She said: 'Hopefully, with 19 inches of hair, they will get at least two lengths of hair for the wigs. It feels weird but I'm pleased with how it looks. 'The money will go to children at Basingstoke hospital and I think they will be very happy. I know I am.' Her mother, Jo, said that because Sam had never had her hair cut before she was nervous for a couple of weeks before the big snip. But she added that the money she raised from friends and family had spurred her on to go through with it. On her fundraising page following the event, Sam said: 'It feels really weird but I am so pleased with how it looks and my head feels really light. 'When I move my head my hair tickles the back of my neck and it swishes as I walk.']]></content:encoded><link>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2081197/Schoolgirl-19in-long-hair-cut-raise-funds-cancer-victims.html?ITO=1490</link><guid>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2081197/Schoolgirl-19in-long-hair-cut-raise-funds-cancer-victims.html?ITO=1490</guid><author></author><pubDate>Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:43:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-0-0F4FC8E100000578-691_634x762.jpg"/><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/02/article-0-0F4FC8D900000578-861_634x671.jpg"/><source url="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/index.rss">Daily Mail</source></item>
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<title>Month-long detox to get over alcohol-fuelled Christmas &apos;can do more harm than good&apos;</title><description><![CDATA[  The British Liver Trust says that abstaining from alcohol altogether for a short period creates a false sense of security and can encourage a splurge in February.Doctors say that the so-called 'Janopause' - when drinkers cut out alcohol for only the first month of the year - is 'medically futile' and fails to rejuvenate the liver in the long term]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[Last updated at 10:00 AM on 2nd January 2012 After over-indulging during the festive party season, many go to the other extreme in January to try and clean out their systems. But doctors say that the so-called ‘Janopause’ – when drinkers cut out alcohol for only the first month of the year – is ‘medically futile’ and fails to rejuvenate the liver in the long term. The British Liver Trust says that abstaining from alcohol altogether for a short period instead creates a false sense of security. This can then cause people to consume more from February onwards and lead to more significant harm. And while a month-long break can give the liver a rest, experts warn that it does not heal any damage already caused by regular heavy drinking. A break can actually pile additional pressure on the organ once drinkers resume their old habits. Andrew Langford, chief executive of the British Liver Trust, said: ‘A one-hit, one-month attempt to achieve long-term liver health is not the way to approach it. 'You’re better off making a resolution to take a few days off alcohol a week throughout the entire year than remaining abstinent for January only.’ Dr Mark Wright, consultant hepatologist at Southampton General Hospital, added: ‘Detoxing for just a month is medically futile. It feeds the idea that you can abuse your liver as much as you like and then sort everything out with a quick fix.’ Dr Wright said the liver treats alcohol as a poison that the body needs to evacuate. To break alcohol down, the liver produces chemicals known as enzymes. High levels of enzymes can lead to liver scarring and eventual cirrhosis, which can be fatal. Dr Wright added: ‘The liver is fantastic at detoxing – that’s what it does. But if you think giving it a rest will help, you’re wrong.’ The warnings come as David Cameron is reported to have ordered officials to draw up a scheme to introduce a minimum price for alcohol in a bid to curb binge drinking.]]></content:encoded><link>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2080799/Liver-detox-Month-long-detox-alcohol-fuelled-Christmas-harm-good.html?ITO=1490</link><guid>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2080799/Liver-detox-Month-long-detox-alcohol-fuelled-Christmas-harm-good.html?ITO=1490</guid><author></author><pubDate>Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:38:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/12/31/article-2080799-02AE887F000005DC-76_468x458.jpg"/><source url="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/index.rss">Daily Mail</source></item>
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<title>Problems pile up in Kenya&apos;s election year</title><description><![CDATA[Despite being east Africa's biggest economy, country is accused of failing to deliver on promises at home Karibu Kenya hakuna matata ," – Welcome to Kenya, there are no problems. So goes the traditional greeting for visitors to east Africa's top tourist destination. But Kenyan wags have come up with a new version: " Karibu Kenya, hakuna matata, hakuna maji, hakuna stima, hakuna gas" – Welcome to Kenya, no problems, no water, no electricity, no gas. This sarcastic take on the well-known slogan reveals the frustration felt by many in a country that is flexing its military muscles on the regional stage, but failing to deliver on promises at home ahead of critical elections in 2012. Kenyans will go to the polls, most likely in December, to choose a new president and parliament. The last election in 2007 brought the country to the brink of civil war amid accusations of fraud. Around 1,300 people were killed and hundreds of thousands displaced. Few analysts are willing to take a punt on whether the 2012 polls will be disrupted by the same toxic mix of ethnicity, politics and greed. Kenya is still struggling with these old demons, but also facing new pressures. Recent military incursion into Somalia has compounded a sense of uncertainty and insecurity. Heavy rains have displaced thousands, ruined crops, caused power blackouts and turned Nairobi into a gridlocked quagmire at the tail end of 2011. There was a shortage of water in some places and for weeks, in an unrelated scarcity, cooking gas was unavailable. The rains and floods, coming as drought continued to bite in the north, laid bare the weaknesses of east Africa's biggest economy, which has long been at the mercy of endemic corruption and government lassitude. "The economy has been blinking amber all year," said Aly-Khan Satchu , an independent Nairobi-based analyst. "The current account deficit has crossed 10%, putting us on a par with Greece and Swaziland." The World Bank has revised down growth ...]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[" Karibu Kenya, hakuna matata," – Welcome to Kenya, there are no problems. So goes the traditional greeting for visitors to east Africa's top tourist destination. But Kenyan wags have come up with a new version: " Karibu Kenya, hakuna matata, hakuna maji, hakuna stima, hakuna gas" – Welcome to Kenya, no problems, no water, no electricity, no gas. This sarcastic take on the well-known slogan reveals the frustration felt by many in a country that is flexing its military muscles on the regional stage, but failing to deliver on promises at home ahead of critical elections in 2012. Kenyans will go to the polls, most likely in December, to choose a new president and parliament. The last election in 2007 brought the country to the brink of civil war amid accusations of fraud. Around 1,300 people were killed and hundreds of thousands displaced. Few analysts are willing to take a punt on whether the 2012 polls will be disrupted by the same toxic mix of ethnicity, politics and greed. Kenya is still struggling with these old demons, but also facing new pressures. Recent military incursion into Somalia has compounded a sense of uncertainty and insecurity. Heavy rains have displaced thousands, ruined crops, caused power blackouts and turned Nairobi into a gridlocked quagmire at the tail end of 2011. There was a shortage of water in some places and for weeks, in an unrelated scarcity, cooking gas was unavailable. The rains and floods, coming as drought continued to bite in the north, laid bare the weaknesses of east Africa's biggest economy, which has long been at the mercy of endemic corruption and government lassitude. "The economy has been blinking amber all year," said Aly-Khan Satchu, an independent Nairobi-based analyst. "The current account deficit has crossed 10%, putting us on a par with Greece and Swaziland." The World Bank has revised down growth estimates, and the Kenyan shilling sank to a record low against the dollar in October, pushing food and fuel prices ...]]></content:encoded><link>http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/02/problems-kenya-election-year</link><guid>http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/02/problems-kenya-election-year</guid><author>Clar Ni Chonghaile</author><pubDate>Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:16:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2012/1/2/1325501405543/Children-walk-beside-a-ma-007.jpg"/><enclosure length="2" type="COMPANIES" url="World Bank"/><enclosure length="6" type="CITY_WORLD" url="Nairobi"/><enclosure length="2" type="COUNTRIES_WORLD" url="Swaziland"/><enclosure length="2" type="COUNTRIES_WORLD" url="Greece"/><enclosure length="18" type="COUNTRIES_WORLD" url="Kenya"/><source url="http://feeds.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/rss">The Guardian</source></item>
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