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Unhealthy lifestyle behind more than 4 in 10 cancers

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According to British experts, more than 4 in 10 cancers could be prevented if people led healthier lives.

Latest figures from Cancer Research UK show smoking is the biggest avoidable risk factor, followed by unhealthy diets.

The charity is urging people to consider their health when making New Year resolutions.

Limiting alcohol intake and doing regular exercise is also good advice.

According to the figures spanning five years from 2007 to 2011, more than 300,000 cases of cancer recorded were linked to smoking.

A further 145,000 were linked to unhealthy diets containing too much processed food.Unhealthy lifestyle and cancer risk

Obesity contributed to 88,000 cases and alcohol to 62,200.

Sun damage to the skin and physical inactivity were also contributing factors.

Prof Max Parkin, a Cancer Research UK statistician based at Queen Mary University of London, said: “There’s now little doubt that certain lifestyle choices can have a big impact on cancer risk, with research around the world all pointing to the same key risk factors.

“Of course everyone enjoys some extra treats during the Christmas holidays so we don’t want to ban mince pies and wine but it’s a good time to think about taking up some healthy habits for 2015.

“Leading a healthy lifestyle can’t guarantee someone won’t get cancer but we can stack the odds in our favor by taking positive steps now that will help decrease our cancer risk in future.”

Public Health England says a healthy lifestyle can play a vital role in reducing cancer risk.

Sweden: Eskilstuna mosque set on fire on Christmas Day

A mosque has been set on fire in the Swedish town of Eskilstuna on Christmas Day, injuring five people, police said.

About 15 to 20 people were attending midday prayers in the mosque, located in the ground floor of a residential building, when the fire broke out on December 25.

Local media footage showed smoke and flames billowing from the windows before firefighters put the blaze out.

The incident comes amid a fierce debate in Sweden over immigration policies.

The far right wants to cut the number of asylum seekers allowed into Sweden by 90%, while mainstream parties are intent on preserving the country’s liberal policy.Eskilstuna mosque set on fire

“A witness saw somebody throw an object through the window of the building, which serves as a mosque, after which a violent fire began,” police spokesman Lars Franzell told reporters.

He said five people were taken to hospital for treatment of injuries ranging from smoke inhalation to lacerations.

Police are treating the incident as arson but no arrests have been made so far, Lars Franzell added.

Eskilstuna, which has a large immigrant population, was the scene of clashes involving neo-Nazi groups opposed to Sweden’s immigration policy earlier this year.

Earlier this month, the Sweden Democrats – a populist party with a strongly anti-immigration agenda – brought down the minority governing coalition after it had been in power for just two-and-a-half months, by refusing to support its budget plans.

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Xbox and PlayStation services attacked by hackers

Xbox and PlayStation online services have been disabled after being attacked by hackers.

Microsoft and Sony – the companies which make the games consoles – have told customers they are aware of issues affecting their online services.

A hacking group called Lizard Squad is claiming to have caused the problems.

Microsoft and Sony have not commented on the claim, but both said they were fixing the issues.Xbox and PlayStation hack attack

Last night, PlayStation’s official Twitter account posted: “We are still looking into the PSN (PlayStation Network) issues reported earlier. Thanks again for your continued patience today.”

A message on Xbox’s website says: “Hi Xbox members. Are you having a rough time signing in to Xbox Live? We’re working to get this figured out right away.

“Keep trying to sign in when you get a chance. We’re grateful for your patience, and we’ll be sure to loop you in on our progress in 30 minutes.”

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Turkish student arrested for insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

A Turkish teenager has been arrested on charges of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to local media.

The 16-year-old high-school student was arrested on December 24 after criticizing Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AK Party during a speech at a student protest in the central Anatolian city of Konya.

The boy could face up to 4 years in prison if found guilty.

PM Ahmet Davutoglu defended the arrest, saying the presidential office “needs to be shown respect”.

Turkey’s penal code makes it a crime to insult the president.

The student’s speech, given to commemorate the killing of a Turkish soldier by Islamists in the 1920s, was recorded on video and broadcast by Dogan News Agency.

In it, he defends secularism and the principles of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the modern Turkish republic.

The student also singled out Recep Tayyip Erdogan for criticism over recent corruption allegations, as the crowd chanted “everywhere is bribery, everywhere is corruption”.

Hurriyet newspaper said the boy was believed to be a member of a leftist organization, but he denies having links with any political party.

Speaking to prosecutors, the student said: “I’ve made the statement in question. I have no intent to insult.”

The teenager has pleaded not guilty and his lawyers have lodged an appeal against the charges.

The arrest sparked fierce criticism of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with Attila Kart, a member of opposition party CHP, saying the president was creating “an environment of fear, oppression and threat”.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was elected president in August after serving as prime minister for 11 years, has faced several corruption allegations in recent years.

He insists they are baseless and part of a “dark plot” to oust him from power by influential cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is in self-imposed exile in the US.

Earlier this month, police arrested more than 20 journalists working for media outlets thought to be sympathetic to the Gulen movement.

A Turkish court has also issued an arrest warrant for Fethullah Gulen himself, but correspondents say it is considered to be largely symbolic and unlikely to be acted upon.

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Pope Francis delivers Urbi et Orbi Christmas message 2014

Pope Francis has delivered his second “Urbi et Orbi” – to the city and the world – Christmas message, highlighting the plight of victims of conflict in Syria and Iraq.

The pontiff has denounced the “brutal persecution” of religious and ethnic minorities, in his traditional Christmas Day address.

“Too many people are being held hostage or massacred” in Nigeria, he added.

Pope Francis also urged dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians and condemned Taliban attacks in Pakistan.

Tens of thousands of people turned out on St Peter’s Square to hear Pope Francis deliver his annual message.

He said Christians in Iraq and Syria had endured conflict for too long, and “together with those belonging to other ethnic and religious groups, are suffering a brutal persecution”.

Photo AP
Photo AP

“May Christmas bring them hope, as indeed also to the many displaced persons, exiles and refugees, children, adults and elderly, from this region and from the whole world,” the Pope said.

In his Christmas Day address, Pope Francis also asked for peace in Ukraine, Nigeria, in Libya, South Sudan and other parts of Africa.

He called for comfort for the families of the 132 children killed in a Taliban attack in Pakistan last week – and for the victims of the Ebola epidemic.

On Christmas Eve Pope Francis made a surprise telephone call to refugees in a camp near Irbil, in Iraq’s northern Kurdistan region.

“You are like Jesus on Christmas night. There was no room for him either,” Pope Francis told them.

Advances in Iraq by Islamic State (ISIS) militants have forced tens of thousands of Christians and people from other religious minorities to flee.

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Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter split up after 13 years

Tim Burton and his long-term partner, actress Helena Bonham Carter, have split up after 13 years of relationship.

The film director and actress, who never married, have a son aged 11 and a 7-year-old daughter.

The couple first met when Tim Burton, 56, directed Helena Bonham Carter, 48, in 2001’s Planet of the Apes.Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter split up

A representative for Helena Bonham Carter told People Magazine that they “separated amicably earlier this year and have continued to be friends and co-parent their children.”

“We would ask that you respect their privacy and that of their children during this time.”

Since working together on Planet of the Apes, Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter have teamed up on several blockbusters, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sweeney Todd, Alice in Wonderland and Dark Shadows.

Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter together earlier this week at Cats the Musical at London Palladium.

For years the film director and actress lived in separate homes right next door to each other, something Helena Bonham Carter said worked well for them.

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The Interview opens in some US theaters and online

The Interview has opened in some US theaters and online, after a cyber-attack on Sony Pictures Entertainment and threats to moviegoers over its release.

Sony Pictures had originally pulled The Interview, a movie about a fictional plot to kill North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, but it reconsidered after critics – including President Barack Obama.

The studio said freedom of expression was under threat.

Some movie theaters organized midnight showings for Americans determined to see The Interview on the big screen.

Several hundred independent theaters across the US have come forward offering to show the title after larger cinemas decided not to screen it following threats.

Lee Peterson, manager of Cinema Village in New York, told Reuters news agency it was a matter of principle to show the film.

“Obviously we would like to make money from the movie, as we would with any movie, but it’s important to take a stand about freedom, freedom of speech, freedom to see movies.”

Photo Canadian Press
Photo Canadian Press

The film is also being offered through a dedicated website and via Google services YouTube and Play, and Microsoft’s Xbox Video platform, but only in the US.

Sony Pictures initially pulled the film after suffering an unprecedented hacking attack at the hands of a group calling itself the Guardians of Peace.

Last week, the FBI said its analysis pointed the finger at North Korea. However, many cybersecurity experts have come forward to dispute this assertion.

North Korea denied being behind the attack but described it as a “righteous deed”.

The hackers threatened to carry out a terrorist attack on theaters showed the film on its scheduled release date of Christmas Day. After many cinemas pulled out, Sony cancelled the release.

That move was described by President Barack Obama as a mistake.

Sony Chairman Michael Lynton said digital distribution had now been chosen to reverse some of that damage.

“It was essential for our studio to release this movie, especially given the assault upon our business and our employees by those who wanted to stop free speech.

“We chose the path of digital distribution first so as to reach as many people as possible on opening day, and we continue to seek other partners and platforms to further expand the release.”

The Interview features James Franco and Seth Rogen as two journalists granted an audience with Kim Jong-un. The CIA then enlists the pair to assassinate the North Korean leader.

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Ebola outbreak: Sierra Leone imposes mandatory lockdown

In an attempt to contain the Ebola epidemic, Sierra Leone has declared lockdown of at least three days in the north of the country.

Shops, markets and non-Ebola related travel services will be shut down, officials said.

Sierra Leone has already banned many public Christmas celebrations.

More than 7,500 people have died from the outbreak in West Africa so far, the World Health Organization (WHO) says, with Sierra Leone the worst hit.

Sierra Leone has the highest number of Ebola cases in West Africa, with more than 9,000 cases and more than 2,400 deaths since the start of the outbreak.Sierra Leone Ebola lockdown

The other countries at the centre of the outbreak are Liberia and Guinea.

Alie Kamara, resident minister for the Northern Region, told AFP news agency that most public gatherings would be cancelled.

“Muslims and Christians are not allowed to hold services in mosques and churches throughout the lockdown except for Christians on Christmas Day,” he said.

No unauthorized vehicles would be allowed to operate “except those officially assigned to Ebola-related assignments” he added.

The lockdown would operate for at least three days but this could be extended if deemed necessary, officials said.

Sierra Leone has been in a state of emergency since July.

The Ebola outbreak began in Guinea in 2013, but only gained international attention in early 2014.

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Vladimir Putin orders freeze on Russian vodka prices amid economic crisis

President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Russian government to curb rising vodka prices.

Vladimir Putin, who has been hit by increasing economic woes, said that high prices encouraged the consumption of illegal and possibly unsafe alcohol.

Russia’s currency, the ruble, has lost value recently due to falling oil prices and Western sanctions.

The country’s former finance minister warned that Russia would enter recession in 2015.Russian vodka rising prices

Vladimir Putin, who promotes a healthy lifestyle, asked “relevant agencies” to think about what he said, adding that the government should fight against the illegal trafficking of alcohol.

According to a leading university study last year, 25% of Russian men die before reaching their mid-50s, Reuters reports.

Alcohol was found to be a contributing factor in some of these early deaths.

Since 2013, the Russian government-regulated minimum price of half a liter (17 oz) of vodka has increased by around 30% to 220 rubles ($4.10), Reuters adds.

Annual inflation in Russia currently stands at 9.4%.

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Christmas Eve Mass held in Bethlehem

A Christmas Eve Mass has been held by in Bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of Jesus.

Christian pilgrims from across the world came to Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of our Lord.

In a homily, Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal called on Jews, Muslims and Christians to “live together as equals”.

Referring to violence in Gaza and Jerusalem, Patriarch Fouad Twal said he hoped 2015 “would be better than this difficult year”.

Thousands of pilgrims earlier crowded into Manger Square to watch a procession led by Patriarch Fouad Twal.

The midnight Mass took place in the Church of the Nativity which marks the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born in the West Bank town.

Patriarch Fouad Twal, the most senior Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, said the region had become “a land of conflict”.Christmas Eve Mass Bethlehem 2014

“I hope next year there will be no separation wall and I hope we will have bridges of peace instead,” he said, referring to the barrier Israel is building in and around the West Bank, which separates Bethlehem from Jerusalem. Israel says the barrier is necessary to prevent attacks by militants.

“Peace comes from justice and we have a cause which we hope will be solved soon,” the Patriarch added.

His sentiment was echoed by Palestinian Tourism Minister Rula Maayah.

“Our message this Christmas is a message of peace like every year, but what we added this year is that all we want from Christmas is justice,” the minister said.

“Justice for our people, justice for our case and the right to live like all other people in the world in our independent state without the occupation.”

Patriarch Fouad Twal urged Christians not to forget the residents of Gaza, where up to 19,600 families displaced by the 50-day conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants are still in need of medium- and long-term shelter, and the people of Syria and Iraq, who are struggling to cope with a civil war and the advance of jihadist militants from Islamic State (ISIS).

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NORAD Tracks Santa 2014

NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), have tracked Santa’s flight.

The tradition of Santa’s flight tracking began in 1955 after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. advertisement misprinted the telephone number for children to call Santa. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief’s operations “hotline.” NORAD Snta Tracker 2014

The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, had his staff check the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Children who called were given updates on his location, and a tradition was born.

Since that time, NORAD men, women, family and friends have selflessly volunteered their time to personally respond to phone calls and emails from children all around the world. In addition, we now track Santa using the internet. Millions of people who want to know Santa’s whereabouts now visit the NORAD Tracks Santa® website.

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The Interview full movie released online through dedicated website

The Interview has been released online after Sony cyber-attack and a row over its release.

The Sony Pictures movie is being offered through a dedicated website – seetheinterview.com – as well as via Google and Microsoft but is only available in the US.

Sony had previously pulled the film, whose plot centers on a plan to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The cancellation had been criticized by President Barack Obama.

Since then, several hundred independent cinemas across the US have come forward offering to show the title.

The digital deal means the film is available through Google services YouTube and Play, and Microsoft’s Xbox Video platform.

The film costs $5.99 to rent, or $14.99 to buy, Sony said.The Interview released online

“It has always been Sony’s intention to have a national platform on which to release this film,” said Michael Lynton, chairman and chie executive of Sony Entertainment, in a statement.

A Sony spokesman said the release was US-only “at this point”.

Shortly after going live, the seetheinterview.com website was rendered inaccessible, most likely due to heavy traffic.

Sony Pictures had suffered an unprecedented hacking attack at the hands of a group calling itself the Guardians of Peace.

Last week, the FBI said its analysis pointed the finger at North Korea. However, many cybersecurity experts have come forward to dispute this assertion.

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3 Ways to Stay Healthy While at Work

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You may have to work for a living, but that doesn’t mean you need to let your work get the best of your health. From stress to dining out for lunch to sitting at a desk all day, there are many ways that your job can be creating an unhealthy lifestyle for you.

Obviously, nobody wants their job to be the reason for their demise, so instead of allowing your job to make you overweight and unhappy, use the following information to learn how to stay healthy while at work.

Make healthier lunchtime and snacking decisions.

You get hungry while at work, and that’s perfectly normal. After all, nobody expects you to go eight or more hours without eating. However, it’s important that you make smarter and healthier lunchtime and snacking decisions. While it may be easier on you to break away from the office to grab a bite to eat with your coworkers, you may want to think twice. Not only do most fast food options have higher levels of fat and sodium, but studies have also found that regularly eating fast food can damage your liver as much as hepatitis. Obviously, this is not something you want to endure. Instead of eating fast food every day, try bringing a healthier lunch from home. And if you do ever want to get out of the office with your coworkers, try to choose a healthier dining option than fast food.

3 Ways to Stay Healthy While at Work
3 Ways to Stay Healthy While at Work

Take a walk.

If your job requires you to sit at a desk for long periods of time, you could be doing some major damage to your body. Extending sitting has many disadvantages for your health. First, it slows your body’s metabolism. This means that your body has a harder time burning off fat and calories, which leads to weight gain. This can also cause more cholesterol in your body, which in turn can lead to heart disease. In order to stay healthy while at work, take a walk every now and then. Get up from your desk and take a walk around the office, or use your lunch break to get in some exercise. You can even take some time to just stand at your desk while working instead of sitting at your desk. The more you can stand and move around while at work, the better it will be for your health.

Practice workplace safety.

Sometimes your daily routine can put you in harm’s way, which is why it’s extremely important that you practice workplace safety every day. For example, if you work with heavy machinery, it’s very important that you always wear the right protective gear and never try to operate the machinery while drowsy or on certain medications. You should also ensure that all power sources are shut down on machinery before performing any maintenance on any workplace essentials.

It’s also important that you keep your workspace clean and safe from harm. Wet or icy conditions can result in slip and fall injuries, and this could be extremely detrimental to your health and your future in the workforce. According to Laws and Demers PLLC, “While a slip and fall injury may not seem too devastating at first; many injuries lead to pain that worsens the next day, or even days later. If a victim is elderly or already has a disability, any kind of slip and fall injury can lead to further health problems or aggravation of a previous condition.” Don’t let a slip and fall accident deter your health, so always keep your area clean and pay close attention to areas where you work.

Antonio Martin shooting: St Louis clashes after white police officer kills another black teenager

Missouri police have clashed with protesters in St Louis after an officer shot dead a black teenager close to where another black youth, Michael Brown, was killed in August sparking national protests.

A crowd of about 100 gathered at the scene in St Louis early on December 24 after scuffles the night before.

Police said the man who was shot, Antonio Martin, 18, had pointed a gun at the police officer.

For weeks there have been widespread protests over alleged police brutality.

Berkeley is about 2 miles from the St Louis suburb of Ferguson, where 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot dead by a white officer.

St Louis County police chief Jon Belmar said a police officer was responding to a call about a theft when he saw Antonio Martin and another man at a petrol station in North Hanley Road and approached them.

He said that Antonio Martin pointed a handgun at the officer, and the officer responded by firing three shots. One of the shots hit Antonio Martin, he said.

Photo AP
Photo AP

The officer “responded with what he thought was commensurate force at the time”, Col. Jon Belmar said, adding that “most of us would feel in imminent danger of losing our lives at that point”.

Col. Jon Belmar described the incident as “a tragedy for everybody”, and said a prosecutor had been assigned to investigate the case.

“Our hearts certainly go out to the family, but bad choices were made,” he added.

“This individual [Antonio Martin] could have complied with the officer; he could have run away; he could have dropped the gun. Things did not have to end with him approaching an officer with a 9mm pistol in his hand.”

Berkeley Mayor Theodore Hoskins said that both the city and St Louis County would hold independent investigations.

The incident could not be compared with the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Theodore Hoskins said, adding: “The video shows that the deceased pointed a gun… at the officer.”

Between 200 and 300 people gathered at the scene after the incident, Col. Jon Belmar said, adding that bricks were thrown at police officers, and three explosive devices set off.

Four people had been arrested for assaulting police officers, he said.

Police are releasing video footage of the run-up to the shooting, and an image of the second man, who fled the scene.

The handgun said to belong to Antonio Martin has been recovered by police.

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The Interview to screen in US movie theaters

North Korea satire The Interview will be screened by a limited number of movie theaters on Christmas Day, Sony Pictures Entertainment has announced.

The move comes just a week after Sony cancelled its release after suffering a devastating cyber attack.

Sony Chairman Michael Lynton said he was “excited” that The Interview, about a plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, would now be seen.

Two movie theaters in Atlanta and Austin have already revealed screenings.

They said via social media that Sony Pictures had authorized them to show the film, which has caused escalating tension between the US and North Korea.

The US has blamed North Korea for the Sony hack, which has led to sensitive data and unreleased film material being leaked.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

In the wake of threats against cinema chains that had planned to screen The Interview, Sony announced that the film’s release would be pulled completely.

Major movie chains in the US are thought unlikely to take part in the release at this stage.

Michael Lynton said: “We are continuing our efforts to secure more platforms and more theatres so this movie can reach the largest possible audience.”

He also said he “hoped it would be the first step of the film’s release”.

Sony has yet to reveal further details of its release plans, but there is also speculation that video on-demand (VOD) will be offered as part of the package.

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Ukraine parliament votes to abandon non-aligned status

Ukraine will abandon its non-aligned status and work towards NATO membership after a vote in the country’s parliament.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called the move “counterproductive” and said it would boost tensions.

It is not clear when Ukraine will apply for NATO membership and many officials see it as a distant prospect.

Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko pledged to seek NATO membership over Russian support for rebels in the east.

Russia, which annexed the Crimean peninsula in March, denies supplying the rebels with weapons. However, it is subject to EU and US sanctions over the crisis.

In a vote in Ukraine’s parliament on December 23, lawmakers overwhelmingly backed the move by 303 to eight.

Speaking before the vote, Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said Ukraine was determined to pivot towards Europe and the West.Ukraine parliament NATO

“This will lead to integration in the European and the Euro-Atlantic space,” he said.

The non-aligned status, which Ukraine adopted in 2010 under Russian pressure, prevents states from joining military alliances.

Addressing foreign ambassadors on Monday night, President Petro Poroshenko said Ukraine’s “fight for its independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty has turned into a decisive factor in our relations with the world”.

Russia has made clear that it opposes Ukraine’s move towards NATO.

Andrei Kelin, Russia’s envoy to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), said on Tuesday: “It’s an unfriendly step towards us. This political vector will only add to nuisances and acuteness in ties.”

In a Facebook post on Monday, Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev warned that Ukraine’s rejection of neutrality would have “negative consequences”.

“In essence, an application for NATO membership will turn Ukraine into a potential military opponent for Russia,” he wrote.

A NATO spokesman in Brussels said on December 23 that any accession to the alliance would probably take years, Reuters reported.

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North Korea’s internet services partially restored

Part of North Korea’s internet services have been restored after an almost unprecedented outage, amid a cyber security row with the US.

Though there has been no comment from the authorities in Pyongyang, US experts reported the restoration.

Some analysts say North Korea’s web access was cut entirely for a time.

Washington said it would launch a proportional response to a cyber-attack on Sony Pictures, which made The Interview comedy about North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Officials would not comment on any US involvement in the current outages.

Meanwhile, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations has called for all sides to avoid an escalation of tension on the Korean Peninsula after the UN Security Council put the North’s human rights record on its agenda.North Korea internet down

Internet services were partially restored after nine hours and 31 minutes of disruption, cyber security company Dyn Research says.

The website for the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and Rodong Sinmun newspaper were back online on December 23.

However, the recovery looked to be partial and potentially unstable with other websites still inaccessible.

Analysts had said technical problems or a cyber-attack could be to blame.

Doug Madory of Dyn Research said they had seen a progressive degradation of North Korea’s connectivity to the outside world until the point at which they were totally offline.

Arbor Networks, an internet technology service, said it had detected denial-of-service attacks against North Korea’s infrastructure beginning on December 20.

Only a small proportion of people have access to the internet in North Korea, one of the world’s most secretive countries.

North Korea’s internet is handled by state-run company Star Joint Ventures, which in turn is routed through Chinese telecommunications firm China Unicom.

Last week, the US government said an FBI investigation had shown that North Korea was behind a hacking attack on Sony, which led to unreleased films and private emails being leaked online. North Korea denied being responsible.

The internet disruption came as the UN Security Council discussed North Korea’s human rights for the first time, despite opposition from China and Russia.

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Belgian PM Charles Michel pelted with fries and mayo by anti-austerity activists

Belgian PM Charles Michel has been attacked with french fries and squirted with mayonnaise by anti-austerity activists.

Michel out, austerity out,” cried the four activists as the 38-year-old was beginning a speech on December 22 in the southern city of Namur, according to several reporters.

French fries with mayonnaise are a Belgian specialty.

The protesters were swiftly tackled by security guards as Charles Michel looked on, smiling in a mayonnaise-stained suit.Blegium PM Charles Michel mayo attack

After the incident, the prime minister restarted his speech apologizing for smelling of mayonnaise.

Charles Michel, 39, who took office in October, leads a coalition that intends to raise the retirement age in Belgium to 67, scrap plans for a usually automatic cost-of-living raise next year and cut public-sector spending.

The plans sparked several rounds of strikes and demonstrations in the past weeks, including a march of more than 100,000 people in Brussels, which ended in violent protests that left dozens of police officers injured.

Food-related protests are a Belgian specialty.

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TripAdvisor fined €500,000 by Italian anti-trust authority

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The Italian anti-trust authority has fined travel website TripAdvisor €500,000 ($625,000) for publishing misleading information in its reviews.

The competition watchdog began a seven-month investigation following a complaint from a consumer group and hotel owners.

TripAdvisor was accused of presenting its reviews as “authentic and genuine” despite not taking measures to avoid contributors publishing false opinions.

The US company said it disagreed with the decision and would appeal.TripAdvisor fined in Italy

TripAdvisor publishes reviews of hotels and restaurants, and other travel information. But there has been criticism that the reviews cannot always be trusted.

The regulator said TripAdvisor and its Italian arm should stop “publishing misleading information about the sources of its reviews”, adding that the practice started in September 2011.

However, the company said in a statement: “Our systems and procedures are extremely efficient in protecting consumers from a small minority of people who try to con our system.

“We firmly believe that TripAdvisor is a force for good, both for consumers and the hospitality industry.”

Dontre Hamilton: Department of Justice to review fatal shooting of Milwaukee black man by white officer

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The Department of Justice will review the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man by white police officer Christopher Manney in April in Milwaukee.

The decision came after a local prosecutor said he would not bring charges against the officer.

He ruled that Christopher Manney had acted in self-defense when confronted in a park by Dontre Hamilton.

The launch of the federal investigation follows protests across the US over the shootings of two other black men.

In both cases grand juries decided not to indict white police officers.

One of the incidents occurred in New York, where Mayor Bill de Blasio has called for the city to heal after the subsequent fatal shooting of two police officers led to controversy over his role.

In Milwaukee, Dontre Hamilton’s family had reacted with anger to the decision by County District Attorney John Chisholm not to charge Christopher Manney, and appealed for peaceful protests.Dontre Hamilton Milwaukee shooting

Dontre Hamilton was shot after workers at a Starbucks cafe called police to complain about him sleeping in a park.

According to Christopher Manney, Dontre Hamilton resisted arrest when he tried to frisk him, and hit him on the neck after the two exchanged punches.

The police officer then shot him 14 times.

Dontre Hamilton’s family said he had suffered from schizophrenia and had recently stopped taking his medicine.

His death triggered a series of protests in Milwaukee and Christopher Manney was dismissed over the incident – a decision the former officer has appealed against.

Explaining his decision in a written statement, John Chisholm said: “Officer Manney’s use of force in this incident was justified self-defense and that defense cannot be reasonably overcome to establish a basis to charge Officer Manney with a crime.”

The federal review will seek to determine whether there was any violation of civil rights law.

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Ebola vaccine: African populations trial shows promising results

The Ebola vaccine trial in Africa shows promising initial results, according to a report in the Lancet medical journal.

Scientists say it is a crucial step as other vaccines have shown lower levels of protection in African populations.

Tests involving Ugandan and American volunteers reveal the vaccine is so far safe and generates an immune response in both populations.

It provides reassurance for other trials currently underway, they say.

The Ebola virus has killed more than 6,900 people in the worst-affected countries of Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea.Ebola vaccine trial

No proven vaccine exists to prevent people from getting the disease, though several trials are underway.

The aim of a successful vaccine is to train the immune systems of healthy people to produce antibodies – proteins capable of fighting off any future infections.

Researchers from the National Institutes of Health tested this experimental vaccine on healthy adults in Uganda, having first trialed it in the US.

Dr. Julie Ledgerwood, the lead researcher, said: “This is the first study to show comparable safety and immune response of an experimental Ebola vaccine in an African population.

“This is particularly encouraging because those at greatest risk of Ebola live primarily in Africa and diminished vaccine protection in African populations has been seen for other diseases.”

According to the study some 57% of people in Uganda who received the Ebola vaccine alone developed antibodies against Ebola in their blood.

However, further tests would be needed to see if the antibodies are strong enough and long-lasting enough to provide adequate protection against the disease.

Pope Francis Christmas speech on Curia: “Vatican is sick with power!”

In a pre-Christmas address to cardinals, Pope Francis has sharply criticized the Vatican bureaucracy, complaining of “spiritual Alzheimer’s” and “the terrorism of gossip”.

The pontiff said the Curia – the administrative pinnacle of the Roman Catholic Church – was suffering from 15 “ailments”, which he wanted cured in the New Year.

Pope Francis – the first Latin American pontiff – also criticized “those who look obsessively at their own image”.

He has demanded reform of the Curia.

There was silence at the end of the Pope’s speech.

Addressing the Curia on December 22, Pope Francis said some power-hungry clerics were guilty of “cold-bloodedly killing the reputation of their own colleagues and brothers”.Pope Francis Christmas speech on Curia

He compared the performance of the church’s civil servants to that of an orchestra playing “out of tune” because they fail to collaborate and have no team spirit.

Before his election in March 2013, Pope Francis encountered internal opposition to some of the reforms he wants to carry out.

He has set up a series of specialist bodies to fight corruption and poor management, appointing a team of advisers.

Pope Francis also launched a clean-up of the Vatican Bank, officially known as the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR). The IOR has long had a poor reputation, after a succession of scandals.

He has also suggested that the Curia’s power – concentrated in Rome for centuries – could be diluted to some extent by giving Catholic bishops around the world a bigger say in Church doctrine.

Pope Francis himself did not work in the Curia before he was elected.

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North Korea human rights record discussed by UN Security Council

North Korea’s human rights record is being discussed by the UN Security Council, despite opposition from China and Russia.

It comes days after the UN General Assembly voted in favor of referring North Korea to the International Criminal Court to face charges of crimes against humanity.

North Korea has meanwhile reportedly suffered a large-scale internet outage.

Last week, the US said North Korea was behind a cyber attack on Sony Pictures.

It is the first time the UN Security Council has discussed the country’s human rights record.

US envoy Samantha Power described North Korea as “a living nightmare”, and said a UN report showed the country’s brutality.North Korea human rights UN Security Council

The report by a UN human rights inquiry in February said that ordinary North Koreans faced “unspeakable atrocities”, including “deliberate starvation, forced labor, executions, torture” and political repression.

North Korea refused to co-operate with the report and condemned its findings. It is not attending the Security Council meeting.

Speaking on December 22, North Korean envoy Kim Song told AFP: “We cannot recognize the Security Council meeting. Its mandate is not human rights.”

China and Russia also attempted to block the subject from being discussed at the Security Council. However, they were overruled by other members.

Meanwhile, a US-based Internet performance company said that North Korea was experiencing severe internet outages.

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Joe Cocker dies from lung cancer at 70

Joe Cocker has died from pulmonary cancer at the age of 70.

The Sheffield-born singer had a career lasting more than 40 years, with hits including You Are So Beautiful and Up Where We Belong.

Joe Cocker’s agent, Barrie Marshall, said the singer, who died after battling lung cancer, was “simply unique”.

Known for his gritty voice, Joe Cocker – a former gas fitter – began his singing career in the pubs and clubs of Sheffield in the 1960s before hitting the big time.

He was propelled to pop stardom when his version of With A Little Help From My Friends reached number one in 1968.

He performed the song at the famous Woodstock Festival in New York state a year later.Joe Cocker dead at 70

Joe Cocker was also well-known for his Mad Dogs and Englishmen Tour of 1970, which visited 48 cities across the US.

His duet with Jennifer Warnes, Up Where We Belong – from An Officer And A Gentleman – hit number one and went on to win both a Grammy and an Academy Award in 1983. He was made an OBE in 2011.

Joe Cocker, who recorded 23 studio albums and 40 albums, lived in Colorado, in the US.

Barrie Marshall said it was with “the heaviest hearts we heard that our beloved Joe Cocker passed away last night”.

He continued: “He was without the doubt the greatest rock/soul voice ever to come out of Britain and remained the same man throughout his life.”

Barrie Marshall described Cocker as a “true star” who was also “a kind and humble man who loved to perform.

Tunisia elections 2014: Beji Caid Essebsi wins first free presidential poll

Beji Caid Essebsi has been confirmed as winner of Tunisia’s first free presidential poll.

The veteran politician secured 55.68% of the vote in Sunday’s run-off, defeating caretaker president Moncef Marzouki (44.32%), the head of the electoral commission said.

Moncef Marzouki, a 67-year-old former exile, earlier refused to admit defeat.

Beji Caid Essebsi, 88, has urged all Tunisians to “work together” for stability but critics say his win marks the return of a discredited establishment.

They point out that he served under President Zine el-Abedine Ben Ali, who was ousted in 2011 after the Arab Spring revolution triggered uprisings across the region.

Beji Caid Essebsi was also in the cabinet of Tunisia’s first post-independence leader, Habib Bourguiba.Beji Caid Essebsi wins Tunisia elections 2014

Earlier on Monday, police fired tear gas in the southern city of Hamma to disperse hundreds of demonstrators who burned tires in protest at Beji Caid Essebsi’s victory.

The results of the run-off vote were announced by the head of the electoral commission, Chafik Sarsar, who was visibly emotional.

It is the first time Tunisians have been able to vote freely for their president since independence from France in 1956.

Moncef Marzouki earlier criticized Beji Caid Essebsi for declaring victory based on exit polls.

“The announcement of victory is undemocratic and we should wait if we want to be a state that respects the rule of law,” he told supporters.

Moncef Marzouki has been interim president since 2011 and is more popular in the conservative, poorer south.

He was thought likely to attract support from the moderate Islamist Ennahda party, which has played a key role in Tunisian politics since the Arab Spring but did not field a candidate.

On December 21, Beji Caid Essebsi appeared on television after polls closed: “I dedicate my victory to the martyrs of Tunisia.”

“I thank Marzouki, and now we should work together without excluding anyone,” he added.

Supporters danced and let off fireworks outside the headquarters of Beji Caid Essebsi’s secular-leaning Nidaa Tounes party.

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