How Sweden is preparing for Russia to hack its election

Summary: Russia has been repeatedly accused of interfering in recent elections. But Sweden is determined it won't fall victim to any such meddling - with millions of leaflets being distributed and propaganda-spotting lessons for students.

By Erik Brattberg & Tim MaurerCarnegie Endowment for International Peace As campaigning intensified in the French election, the team of now President Emmanuel Macron said it was a target for "fake news" by Russian media and the victim of "hundreds if not thousands" of cyber-attacks from inside Russia. In Washington, sanctions were recently imposed on 19 Russians accused of interference in the 2016 US election and "destructive" cyber-attacks. While the Kremlin denies interfering in foreign elections - with Vladimir Putin saying there is "nothing to discuss" - concerns remain. With a new prime minister and parliament to be elected in September, Sweden is already working hard to make sure its polls are free from any meddling. If successful, its efforts could serve as a guide for other elections, including the US mid-terms in November. Sweden, a country of 10 million people, has good reason to take action. In 2014, it moved further from its historic position of neutrality to officially become an "enhanced partner" of Nato, which considers Russia's annexation of Crimea to be illegal. Officials have reported an increase in hacking and dissemination of fake news. The aim, they say, is to undermine the stability of Swedish society and spread falsehoods. A study by researchers at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs reported a "wide array" of Russian actions to influence public opinion. It suggested there had been misleading media reports and that fake news was being used to "frame Nato as an aggressor and military threat, the EU as in terminal decline, and Russia as under siege from hostile Western governments". And earlier this year Anders Thornberg, head of Sweden's security service, spoke to the BBC about its fears of foreign political interference, saying: "The biggest threat to our security in that perspective is Russia." Having seen elections elsewhere in the West targeted by cyber-attacks and disinformation, Swedish officials are taking the possibility of Russian meddling seriously. Protecting the democratic system has been placed at the heart of its national security objectives. Sweden's approach involves government working with the private sector, social media companies, broadcasters and newspapers. A "Facebook hotline" has been created to allow officials to quickly report fake Swedish government Facebook pages. Facebook itself has pledged to report suspicious behaviour around the election to Swedish authorities. A nationwide education programme has been launched to teach high school students about propaganda and a leaflet distributed to 4.7 million homes includes tips on spotting such misinformation. Some 7,000 government officials have received basic training in spotting "influence operations" and how they could put the elections at risk. Public awareness has been raised further by the willingness of Swedish officials at all levels of government to discuss openly the threat of interference. Prime Minister Stefan Lofven has called attempts to meddle in the elections "completely unacceptable" and has pledged to expose them "without mercy". Cyber-security is being improved across government and work is under way to raise awareness of the risks of hacking and disinformation. It is not only Sweden that is taking action, with other countries drawing similar conclusions about the possibility of Russian interference. During Europe's "super election year" of 2017, the governments of the Netherlands, France and Germany all made significant efforts to protect themselves. Dutch officials decided to abandon electronic counting of ballots for fears over hacking, for example. The German and French governments are considering new laws to make social media and technology companies responsible for tackling fake news. It could be that such efforts are having an impact. Despite the hack of the German parliament in 2015, no significant attempts to interfere in the country's September 2017 elections were reported. Other countries have warned Russia against election meddling, with UK Prime Minister Theresa May arguing that it was trying to "undermine free societies" by "planting fake stories". Nevertheless, the possibility of Russian interference remains a serious challenge, both in Europe and the US, as well as other parts of the world such as Latin America. Dan Coats, the US director of national intelligence, has warned: "There should be no doubt that Russia perceives its past efforts as successful and views the 2018 US mid-term elections as a potential target." Countries might want to consider sharing best practices and lessons learned if they are to ensure their polls are free and fair. The possibility of Russian interference in elections is likely to remain a serious challenge for some time. The world will be watching to see whether Sweden's tactics work and what can be learned from them. About this piece This analysis piece was commissioned by the BBC from experts working for an outside organisation. Erik Brattberg is director of the Europe Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, while Tim Maurer is co-director of its Cyber Policy Initiative. This article is based on their report "Russian Election Interference: Europe's Counter to Fake News and Cyber Attacks". More details about the work of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace can be found here. Edited by Duncan Walker

रूस पर बार-बार हाल के चुनावों में हस्तक्षेप करने का आरोप लगाया गया है। लेकिन स्वीडन दृढ़ है कि वह इस तरह के किसी भी हस्तक्षेप का शिकार नहीं होगा-लाखों पर्चे वितरित किए जा रहे हैं और छात्रों के लिए प्रचार-स्पॉटिंग सबक।


Work on new Swindon brain injury hospital starts

Summary: Work has started on a hospital for people with brain injuries in Swindon that will cater for patients from the South and the South West of England.

The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust, which is behind the 20-bed facility, hopes it will create up to 70 jobs. The trust said it will serve patients with complex care needs caused by brain injuries, some of whom may be detained under the Mental Health Act. The hospital is due to be completed early next year.

स्विंडन में मस्तिष्क की चोटों वाले लोगों के लिए एक अस्पताल पर काम शुरू हो गया है जो इंग्लैंड के दक्षिण और दक्षिण पश्चिम के रोगियों की जरूरतों को पूरा करेगा।


Are drones dangerous or harmless fun?

Summary: Footage posted online suggests people across the UK are frequently using drone cameras illegally - and incidents reported to police appear to be rising. So why have only three people been prosecuted? And are drones actually dangerous?

By Caroline LowbridgeBBC News YouTube vlogger Stefan Michalak bought a drone camera so he could take breathtaking shots for his videos - but he ended up being questioned by police and threatened with prosecution. "I was flying it in central London, I was getting crazy shots over the Thames, it was just incredible for a while," he says. But one day he was filming outside the Natural History Museum on his birthday when security guards spotted the drone. "I got a four-hour intense interview with the Metropolitan Police," says Mr Michalak, who makes video diaries about family life with his wife Hannah and their young son. "I had to show them our videos to show that I wasn't a terrorist." He said police were not sure about the law themselves, but eventually let him go. He decided to be more careful about where he filmed in future and avoid flying near public buildings. But eventually, he was contacted by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which had seen his videos and warned him he could be prosecuted for breaching Air Navigation Order legislation. He is now training to use the drone safely and legally. "You finish the course and you walk away thinking 'Oh my god I was so irresponsible flying that bloody thing for so long'," he says. "I mean I had one just fall out of the sky once. If somebody was underneath that thing that would have been fatal." He believes someone will inevitably be killed or seriously injured as drones become more popular. "In the industry they call it 'The Incident', and it's an incident that everybody knows is going to happen one day," he says. "Everyone will be looking at the drone industry, saying 'why the hell weren't these regulated more?' There will be such a knee-jerk reaction to it. So people are kind of ready for this to happen." So far, the CAA has prosecuted two people for using drones - Robert Knowles, from Cumbria, who flew one over a nuclear submarine facility, and Mark Spencer, who flew one over Alton Towers. But the CAA is now concentrating on educating people about drones, recently launching its "Dronecode", and will only prosecute in cases when there is a threat to other aviation. Other cases will be dealt with by the police. "The most common sense way is that the police look after the protection of people and property on the ground," says Jonathan Nicholson from the CAA. "They're best placed to do that, they have the skills and the people in place to do that, and we look after the aviation education side and the regulation of commercial users who need a licence from us to actually use a drone for commercial use." Nigel Wilson from Nottinghamshire is the first drone pilot to be prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service following a police-led operation. The police had evidence of his flights - over football matches and near London landmarks - because he posted videos on YouTube, and he was fined £1,800 in September. But searches through YouTube or Vimeo bring up countless other videos that appear to be breaking the rules. The CAA posts warnings under some of the videos, such as one from 2012 that was filmed from a drone flying close to people and landmarks in London. Drones should not be flown in congested areas like London or within 50m of a person or building, but the drone manufacturer that made the video said its team of drone pilots have a "spotless safety record". Raphael Pirker, CEO of TBS Avionics, based in Hong Kong, told the BBC: "We firmly believe that it is not something dangerous beyond what we accept to be safe, such as driving a bicycle down the road, or driving our car to work every day. "We have never hurt anybody or put anybody in danger throughout our now almost 10 years of operation, with over 50 pilots having flown as part of our squad, in both a recreational and professional capacity." So are regulations needed? What could potentially go wrong? "We've had safety incidents already reported to us by pilots where they think drones have been flown too close to them for safety, and you've seen elsewhere in the world incidents of people being struck by drones and potentially injured," says Mr Nicholson from the CAA. "We don't want people to think they are some kind of menace when actually there's a lot of good that can come from drones, but the underlying message is that people who use them need to use their common sense and do it safely." The Dronecode The Civil Aviation Authority launched its Dronecode to simplify the rules regarding drones. Drones fitted with cameras must not be flown: Sales figures suggest the demand for drones is rising. Maplin alone sold more than 17,000 drones in the UK in the past 12 months - more than double the amount they sold in the previous 12 months. In a parliamentary answer, transport minister Robert Goodwill said the government was "in early discussions with international partners about a drone traffic management system", and is "talking to industry partners about the development of an online application to track and manage small drones". There will also be a public consultation on drones in spring 2016, he said, giving the public a chance to engage on issues regarding drones. Data gathered through Freedom of Information requests suggests the public are already contacting police more about drones as they become increasingly popular. Kent Law School associate lecturer Alan McKenna contacted forces across the UK asking how many calls had been logged relating to drones - and the 34 forces that provided data had logged a total of 441 calls over two years. Dr McKenna has since submitted further requests asking for more recent data, and so far, has discovered what he calls a "massive rise". For example, in Hampshire there were 27 calls between April and August 2015, compared to only two from the equivalent period in 2014. Not all of the incidents are necessarily offences, but many do appear to breach the regulations. The BBC contacted some of the police forces to ask what, if any, action had been taken in response. Hampshire Constabulary - which had reported incidents including a drone crashing into a member of the public and causing injury, a drone crashing in a residential area, and a drone that "crash landed" in a property - said it could not say whether any action had been taken as it does not keep these records. A force spokesperson said: "As part of the national policing framework, we are creating an action plan for drone-related incidents which will be introduced in the future and enable such recordkeeping." Incidents reported in Kent included a drone almost hitting a caller, a drone flying towards Gatwick Airport, a drone falling from the sky and hitting a caller's vehicle, and a drone flying near a school then crashing. "In most reports that Kent Police has received regarding unmanned crafts it has not been possible to identify who was flying them," the force said in a statement. "However, in two instances where the owners were identified advice was given. One related to a professional photographer who was working, and the other was dealt with privately and police involvement declined." Dr McKenna believes a lack of knowledge could also explain why there has only been one police-led prosecution so far. "Every day they receive a whole plethora of documentation covering all sorts of issues and to keep on top of it is impossible," he says. "I think the police are trying to train the officers more widely but it's going to be a difficult task." In fact, Merseyside Police was itself warned by the CAA that it was using a drone without an appropriate licence - and the £13,000 piece of equipment later crashed into the River Mersey during a routine training exercise. Limited resources could also make it difficult for police, according to Dr McKenna. "You've got to identify who's flying the thing," he said. "That's going to take resources and could it be argued they've got far more important things to do? Obviously with the cutbacks it's a difficult one." But prosecution is not necessarily the best way, according to Mr Nicholson from the CAA. "There's lots of things you can do prior to a prosecution," he says. "We've seen a lot of people who actually want to do it properly and actually as part of the condition for not proceeding with any action they've actually taken the steps to become an approved commercial drone operator. "That's going to make them much safer, they are going to know exactly what they are doing and they will be complying with the law. So a prosecution is not the only solution, it's the ultimate solution." Freelance filmmaker Nathaniel Durman and his brother used a drone to film The Shard in December 2014, and nobody questioned it. "No police came over to us or anything, and considering it's a terrorist target it's kind of worrying that we weren't caught in the act," he said. He said he didn't have "much of an understanding of the rules" before he did it, but is "very aware of the regulations now", after the CAA saw his video online and warned him he could prosecuted. However, he is concerned the regulations are "a bit too strict to promote any creativity with the drone". "I just think it's a really great technology that shouldn't be controlled too much," he says. Filmmakers like Mr Durman could go through training so they can fly a drone legally, but he believes the cost is prohibitive. "It's quite an expensive licence to obtain because it's £1,500 or something to go through the training course," he says. "I'll sort of see how it pans out. If it becomes any more stricter than it is I don't think there's much point in getting a licence and pursuing it as a career because you won't be able to do many interesting things with it." Meanwhile, Mr Michalak has completed most of his training and just needs to pass a flight test before he applies to the CAA for permission to use his drone again. "I get why the rules are in place, and I didn't before," he says. "I realise how irresponsible I was and now I'm so happy that I did the course. "As somebody who wants to collect beautiful footage, a drone just opens up so many opportunities to you, which is why I'm desperate to have this thing back."

ऑनलाइन पोस्ट किए गए फुटेज से पता चलता है कि पूरे ब्रिटेन में लोग अक्सर ड्रोन कैमरों का अवैध रूप से उपयोग कर रहे हैं-और पुलिस को रिपोर्ट की गई घटनाएं बढ़ती दिख रही हैं। तो फिर केवल तीन लोगों पर मुकदमा क्यों चलाया गया है? और क्या ड्रोन वास्तव में खतरनाक हैं?


Downward spiral: Nicaragua's worsening crisis

Summary: Hundreds of people have been killed in Nicaragua since 18 April in what has become a popular uprising against the Central American country's president, Daniel Ortega, and his government. BBC News takes a closer look at how the crisis unfolded.

How did it all start? The crisis started rather unexpectedly when pro-government groups violently crushed a small demonstration against reforms to Nicaragua's pension system announced on 18 April. These pro-government groups, popularly known as "grupos de choque" (shock forces) had in the past been used to repress anti-government protests and had discouraged many Nicaraguans disgruntled with President Ortega from taking to the streets. But this time footage of the repression, which was widely shared on social media, caused outrage and triggered more protests which in turn were met with further repression. Three people, among them a police officer, were killed on 19 April amid attempts by the security forces to suppress the demonstrations. What's happened since? Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands injured as the protests have grown and attempts to suppress them intensified. Anger at the government has kept on increasing with rising fatalities. The country is littered with roadblocks and barricades, which the security forces have been trying to clear. There are almost daily reports of clashes turning lethal. Protesters blame the security forces and paramilitary groups loyal to the government for the violence while the authorities have labelled the protesters as "terrorists". How many have been killed? The government has not released any official figures in recent weeks, saying that each and every death has to be investigated thoroughly before accurate numbers can be given. The Inter-American Commission of Human Rights (IACHR) said 264 people had been killed between the start of the protests and 11 July. Human rights groups inside Nicaragua say the figure is now up to more than 300. Why are the protest so deadly? Protesters allege that the security forces employ excessive force, using live bullets and sharpshooters against demonstrators. It is an allegation which has been echoed by a number of human rights groups. Amnesty International said last week that "state repression has reached deplorable levels" in Nicaragua. The United Nations Office for Human Rights has also warned of "the dangerous spiral of violence and impunity" it says Nicaragua is sliding into. The government denies the violence is one-sided and points to the use of home-made mortars by the protesters as evidence that the security forces come under attack. A number of police officers have been among those killed. The government has also pointed to instances in which government supporters have been attacked to back up their claim that the protesters are "terrorists". But most human rights groups agree that the paramilitary groups, or "grupos de choque", have played a particularly deadly role in the conflict. What do the protesters want? With hundreds of thousands taking to the streets, the demands have become much broader than the original protests against changes to the pension system, which were scrapped shortly after the protests began. University students are at the forefront of the protests but the movement prides itself on having the support of Nicaraguans from all walks of life and of all political affiliations. They have also been joined by many in the business sector, who in the past broadly supported President Ortega. They are united in their demand for justice for those killed during the demonstrations. They are also demanding deep democratic reforms, with many believing neither can be achieved if President Ortega - who is on his third consecutive term in office - remains in power. Many are therefore calling for Mr Ortega to step down or at least for early elections to take place, both of which the leader has ruled out arguing that it would go against the constitution. What does the government say? The government has blamed the situation on criminal groups and "opposition political groups with specific political agendas". It says the protesters are "inflicting suffering on Nicaraguan families" by severely disrupting everyday life. In a statement published on 9 July, the government accuses the protesters of killing, torturing and kidnapping hundreds of citizens and of looting and setting alight homes and businesses. The government says it has "the duty to defend the security and peace" of all Nicaraguans, including "the right of people, vehicles and goods to move freely throughout the territory". It has launched an operation dubbed "clean-up" which it says is aimed at restoring order, but protesters accuse the security forces deployed of dragging opposition activists from their homes and illegally detaining them. What might happen next? There has been widespread international condemnation of the Nicaraguan government and calls for the security forces to be reined in but so far to little effect. Businesses have been suffering, especially those in the tourism sector, and with protesters threatening to call further strikes an estimated 85,000 jobs could be lost this year. A "national dialogue" in which protesters sat down with members of the government with the mediation of the Catholic Church has so far achieved very little and stalled repeatedly. With talks stalled, President Ortega ruling out early elections and protesters saying that there is no going back, the crisis seems likely to further escalate.

निकारागुआ में 18 अप्रैल से सैकड़ों लोग मारे गए हैं, जो मध्य अमेरिकी देश के राष्ट्रपति, डैनियल ओर्टेगा और उनकी सरकार के खिलाफ एक लोकप्रिय विद्रोह बन गया है। बीबीसी समाचार इस बात पर करीब से नज़र डालता है कि संकट कैसे सामने आया।


Apple HomePod, Amazon Echo, Google Home and more: We put 7 speakers to the test

Summary: For the last four weeks, I've been living in an Orwellian nightmare. One in which I have to watch every word I say because "they" are always listening. And by "they", I mean Alexa, Siri and Google.

By Mark SavageBBC Music reporter It seemed like a good idea - get seven smart speakers and test them in a real house to see how they affected our listening habits and daily routine. At times, they've been pretty helpful. If we're running low on biscuits, one of us can bark, "Hey Siri, add Hob Nobs to the shopping list" and a reminder appears on our phones. During Storm Emma, Google kept me up-to-date on train cancellations, while our kids amused themselves for hours by asking Alexa what noise a cat makes. Thankfully, none of the devices started spontaneously laughing in the middle of the night - but they were all prone to bouts of madness. I once asked Alexa "what's the weather in Yemen" and got the reply: "'Das wetter' is German for 'the weather'." And when I told Google to "play music in the kitchen", it responded by streaming Lee Brice's Songs In The Kitchen to a speaker in the dining room (congratulations, Lee, on your new royalty stream). To find out which smart assistant was the smartest, I put each of the speakers to the test - posing 50 random questions on music, sport and general knowledge. Like all good quiz show hosts, I only accepted their first answer. Alexa fared best, with 37 correct answers, followed by Google on 32, and Siri, which scored a lowly 27. Apple's assistant was hobbled by its lack of integration with other apps - meaning it couldn't read my calendar or look up recipes. When it came to music-related queries, however, Siri had more success. For instance, the HomePod was the only speaker that could parse the command "play the James Bond theme next". Its competitors all tried to find a song called "James Bond Theme Next", failed, and gave up. You can find the full list of questions, and how the speakers responded, here. None of them are perfect (never ask for music by Haim in a Northern Irish accent) but smart speakers look set to replace the smartphone as the tech giants' biggest growth products. Choosing the right one can be tricky. So here's our guide to the speakers, and how they might fit into your lifestyle. Apple HomePod (£319) Apple has arrived late to the smart speaker market, but not through laziness. The HomePod has been in development since 2012, and boasts an unconventional design - with seven tweeters (the speakers that produce treble) arranged in a circle to project music into every nook and cranny of your house. The bass is also punchy and well-balanced, even at low volumes. I found it worked better with acoustic, singer-songwriter material. Playing Regina Spektor's Samson, the HomePod championed the singer's vocals without losing the detail in her piano work. On a busier song like Stevie Wonder's Superstition, however, it struggled to pick out the star's intricate drumming. It's also an incredibly insistent speaker - demanding your attention with a very "forward" soundstage. We found that was great in the hustle and bustle of a family kitchen, but less attractive when listening to music in bed at night. One important note: You can't set up the HomePod unless you have an iPhone or an iPad. The speaker is then tethered to that device and certain functions, like updating your shopping list, only work when they can "see" each other. HomePod is also completely loyal to Apple Music. You can't ask Siri to stream from Spotify or Deezer - although you can access them on your phone and beam them to the speaker. That process can be fiddly, though, and connecting to the speakers via Apple's proprietary AirPlay technology is much slower than pairing your phone with a bluetooth device. Update - October 2018: A new software update means you can pair two HomePods and listen in stereo. The improvement in sound quality is noticeable and impressive, although the speakers I tested sometimes fell out of sync. Best for: Apple enthusiasts; audiophiles Amazon Echo Plus (£139) If you want a speaker that comes with a free light bulb, then Amazon's Echo Plus is your only choice. The speaker aims to be a "home hub", controlling all sorts of connected devices, from your lights to your kettle. I wasn't able to test those abilities, though, as the BBC budget didn't stretch to buying me remote control curtains. As a music player, the Echo Plus is competent but unspectacular - but it'd make an ideal replacement for a kitchen radio. Alexa will happily stream from Spotify and Deezer, as well as Amazon's own Music Unlimited service - which you get at a discount if you purchase an Echo device. It's particularly good at finding the music you want, even if you have a terrible memory. I managed to get Alexa to cue up Girls Aloud's Love Machine by asking, "What's the song that goes, 'Let's go, Eskimo?'" One word of warning: Amazon's streaming service doesn't have a parental filter, so you're stuck with the explicit versions of the songs in their catalogue. And now that Amazon has leased Alexa to other speaker manufacturers, there are better devices in a similar price range. Best for: Casual listening, smart assistant abilities Ultimate Ears Megablast (£199) The Megablast is a long, tall cylinder of fun, available in a range of colours (our review unit was a lurid yellow, which I became weirdly fond of). It gives out a bassy, fulsome sound; which goes up really, really loud without losing any finesse. You can use Alexa to play songs from Amazon Music Unlimited (but not Spotify yet), or simply use it as a bluetooth speaker to stream music directly from your phone. Best of all, you can unplug it and take it to a party, with a generous battery life that means you won't be left tuneless when the clock strikes midnight. And it's waterproof, so it won't go kaput if you spill your drink. On the downside, the microphone is poor at picking up your voice commands - especially when music is playing. And the charging port is awkwardly placed at the bottom of the speaker, meaning it has to be laid on its side when its plugged in, ruining the sound. (Ultimate Ears sells a separate charging dock, pictured above, for £35 if this is a deal-breaker). Best for: Portability, volume Sonos: One (£199) Sonos are masters of multi-room audio, but the One is their first foray into smart speaker territory. There's an intriguing set-up, where you're asked to wave your phone around the room while the unit emits a series of sci-fi bleeps and bloops. This helps the speaker adapt to its environment and, to be fair, it performed admirably in our cluttered bedroom, with a weighty, dynamic delivery that belied its tiny size. Superstition, which confounded Apple's HomePod, sounded bright and lively, with a deep, funky bass and plenty of breathing room for Stevie Wonder's vocals. Best of all, Sonos welcomes all music streaming services - with 49 currently available in the UK, including Apple Music (not all of them can be controlled by Alexa, though). You can also chain two Sonos speakers together to get stereo, while the Sonos app is the only one that allows you to tweak settings like treble and bass to tailor the music to your tastes. And if you buy multiple units, you can scare your family by playing ghost noises in the attic while you're in the kitchen. One small niggle: Sonos has programmed Alexa to speak over the start of your music, so you constantly miss the first five seconds of your favourite album. Best for: Stereo, choice of streaming services, multi-room audio Google Home (£129) It looks like an air freshener. An air freshener on the Starship Enterprise, but an air freshener nonetheless. Still, I was quite enamoured with the Home's sleek, matte white finish and the easygoing, friendly voice of its virtual assistant. It transpires that her dialogue was written by Emma Coats, a former Pixar employee who drew up the film studio's 22 rules of storytelling - which explains why Google feels more engaging than its competitors. There are a few neat touches to the AI, too. When you ask Google to "flip a coin", for example, you hear the sound of a coin being tossed before learning the result. Even better, the Google Home enables you to make voice calls to any UK landline or mobile number - for free. Sadly, though, the device isn't up to much as an actual speaker. It had the worst sound of all the units we tested, and was prone to distorted bass even at low volumes. Best for: Personality, design JBL Link 300 (£249) Luckily, fans of Google's voice assistant have some alternatives. Sonos are promising a Google-enabled speaker later this year and JBL will release their Link 300 in the next couple of weeks. It's a chunky little device that works best on pop and hip-hop, with an eloquent sound that emphasises the low end thanks to a circular resonator on the back that pumps out the bass. One neat feature is a wi-fi light that shows the strength of your internet connection (something I'd like to see on more devices, given the patchy wi-fi in our house). In the end, this became our go-to speaker in the living room and kitchen, despite an infuriating five-minute fight to make it play the Hamilton soundtrack. It turns out you had to say "OK Google, play 'Hamilton: Original Broadway Cast Recording'" - a command that's as intuitive as a lead wetsuit. Best for: Google smarts with better sound. Amazon Echo Show (£199) The Echo Show has a 7-inch screen, which displays song lyrics while you listen. It's a bit of a gimmick, but it was a big hit with our kids. The device also came in handy in the kitchen, where we used it to display recipes and set timers without having to touch the screen with our sticky fingers. All this functionality comes at the cost of sound quality, though. Don't expect anything beyond your average clock radio. Best for: Karaoke night Secret option eight: Don't buy any of them Here's the thing: With the possible exception of Sonos: One, you're not getting true hi-fi sound with any of these devices. If you've already got a good home stereo, it's much cheaper to buy an Amazon Echo Dot (currently £39) and hook it up to your existing set-up with a simple cable. Similarly, if you've got £300 to spend, you can get a decent hi-fi system and an Echo Dot with money to spare. That way, you get all the benefits of voice control and music streaming without breaking the bank. Best for: People who've already got speakers and have privacy concerns about this whole thing. Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.

पिछले चार हफ्तों से, मैं एक ऑरवेलियन दुःस्वप्न में जी रहा हूँ। जिसमें मुझे हर शब्द देखना पड़ता है क्योंकि "वे" हमेशा सुन रहे होते हैं। और "वे" से मेरा मतलब एलेक्सा, सिरी और गूगल है।


What happened at the Bataclan?

Summary: A black Volkswagen Polo pulled up outside the Bataclan concert hall at 21:40 (20:40 GMT) on Friday 13 November, and three heavily armed gunmen got out. Less than three hours later they were dead, having killed 90 people at the venue and critically injured many others. What happened in between?

"It looked like an abattoir," Michael O'Connor, a 30-year-old from South Shields in north-east England who survived the attack, told BBC Radio 5Live. "I was wading through blood. It was a centimetre deep in places. I had to clamber over dead bodies to get out." 21:40 Gunmen enter building The gunmen entered the building through the main entrance about 30-45 minutes after rock group the Eagles of Death Metal had begun their performance. Witnesses reported seeing bodies on the pavement near the doorway. Once in the building, they fired into the crowd. Their first move was to shoot everybody standing at the bar, witnesses Gregoire, Thomas and Nicolas told Liberation newspaper. The trio had been watching the concert from the balcony, and recalled seeing a movement in the crowd below "like a gust of wind through wheat" as people began to realise what was happening and scrambled away from the killers. Another spectator, Fahmi, was in the crowd on the lower level when he heard a noise he took to be firecrackers. "First of all I thought it was part of the show, but then I turned around and saw someone who had just taken a bullet in the eye," he told Liberation. Many people dropped to the ground, but there was little cover in the concert hall. The gunmen shot at random into the mass of people lying down. It seems that at least one of the gunmen climbed the stairs and killed more spectators on the balcony, possibly using this as a vantage point to take shots at others below. Amid the confusion and panic, a security guard shouted for everyone to follow him through an emergency exit to the left of the stage, according to Anthony, another survivor who spoke to Liberation. Many people made it out this way, some badly hurt, their traumatic exits recorded on mobile phone footage recorded from an upper window in an apartment on the opposite side of the street. Julien Pearce, a journalist with Europe 1, a French radio network, lay down on the ground near to the front of the stage for about 10 minutes while the attack continued. During a break in the shooting, as the gunmen reloaded their weapons, he encouraged a group of about 10 people around him to attempt an escape, jumping up onto the stage. "We took refuge in a little room to the right of the stage, but unfortunately it didn't lead anywhere. We were trapped." They waited for another break in the shooting and ran across the stage to the emergency exit on the other side, Mr Pearce lifting a badly injured woman onto his shoulders and carrying her out. According to Gregoire, Thomas and Nicolas, about 50 people found a way up onto the roof, staying there for more than two hours until the police operation had finished. Others hid in offices or locked themselves in toilets, waiting for help to arrive. But many concert-goers had no option but to stay put, amid the dead and injured. "I pulled my girlfriend underneath me and I lay on top of her," Mr O'Connor said. "There was someone on the bottom of my legs, there was someone lying on top of my girlfriend's head - it was a real squash. There were people who were unconscious or terribly injured - I think they were dead." Mr O'Connor feared the worst. "I told my girlfriend that I loved her - what else can you do in that situation?" Theresa Cede told the BBC: "One guy was badly hurt, and moaning, so we tried to say: 'Shh, be quiet, stay alive and don't move,' because every time there was movement somewhere, there were more gunshots." After what Ms Cede said felt like an eternity, the police arrived. A senior officer from the anti-crime branch and his driver were the first to arrive. They shot at one of the gunmen, who blew himself up. The officers then retreated. In the foyer they crossed paths with a team of heavily armed officers making their way to the concert hall. 22:15 Heavily armed police enter concert hall The team from the BRI (Brigades de Recherche et d'Intervention) unit, which specialises in hostage situations, made slow progress. "There were bodies, people hidden in every nook and cranny, phones vibrating, and blood, a lot of blood," one officer recalled, according to RTL. "We got out those we could." Michael O'Connor said: "I could see the entrance to the arena behind us. I saw the door slowly open. I didn't know what was coming through - then I saw torches, flashlights, and I thought: 'It's got to be the police.' "They were behind big bulletproof shields. They didn't say anything, they were motioning us to stay still. They formed a perimeter at the back of the hall and they pointed guns at the balcony, where the terrorists still were." 23:15 Hostage situation An hour after entering the concert hall, BRI officers reached a door on the first floor. A voice behind the door - a concert-goer being held hostage - told them there were two men holding them, each with an explosive vest. "You can thank President Hollande, because it's thanks to him you're going through this," the attackers had been telling the hostages, according to one of those held who spoke to L'Humanite. They were made to stand in front of the doors and windows, and act as go-betweens with the police. The police were passed a mobile number and spoke to the attackers several times before midnight. Negotiators concluded the men intended to massacre their hostages in front of the media, and the order was given to attack. 00:18 Assault Police union spokesman Nicolas Comte said officers entered and advanced behind a metal shield, which was hit by 27 bullets. "The officers realised they had to finish things quickly. They managed to shoot one and soon, as he saw that, the second one blew himself up." The siege was over, but the marathon task of saving the lives of those who had been critically injured was just beginning.

एक काला वोक्सवैगन पोलो शुक्रवार 13 नवंबर को 21:40 (20:40 GMT) पर बटाक्लान कॉन्सर्ट हॉल के बाहर खड़ा हुआ, और तीन भारी हथियारों से लैस बंदूकधारी बाहर निकल आए। तीन घंटे से भी कम समय बाद वे मारे गए, आयोजन स्थल पर 90 लोगों की मौत हो गई और कई अन्य गंभीर रूप से घायल हो गए। बीच में क्या हुआ?


Hungary puts Roma high up EU agenda

Summary: Hungary is getting an early lesson in Brussels politics as it seeks to calm a storm over its new media law and steady the EU ship for the next six months. But President Pal Schmitt is a veteran fighter - a former gold medallist fencer in Hungary's Olympic team in 1968 and 1978. The BBC's Nick Thorpe in Budapest asked him about Hungary's approach to the EU presidency.

Pal Schmitt was a loyal player in the centre-right Fidesz team which won last April's elections overwhelmingly and swiftly set about changing Hungary's political landscape. The Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, calls it a revolution. Critics liken the process to a steamroller, or a bulldozer. Pal Schmitt was elected president in August, exchanging his velvet chair on the Pest side of the Danube for a leather throne in Buda. His predecessor, Laszlo Solyom, antagonised the former Socialist government by returning one law after another to parliament for reconsideration. President Schmitt has not returned a single one since August - but he doesn't completely rule it out. "If a bill is against the constitution, or if it does not serve the public good, or if it is against democracy in general... of course I would refer it back to parliament." Plans to help Roma One of the main themes of Hungary's EU presidency is the integration of the Roma (Gypsies). Following the fury over the French deportations to Romania last summer, Hungary feels a particular responsibility to set a good example. A framework EU convention on Roma integration is due to be presented by Hungary in May. Can he imagine a future Hungarian president of Roma origin - doing for the Roma what Barack Obama did for African Americans? He does not seem surprised by the question. "There are extremely talented people among the Roma. Yes, I can imagine that." Some demographers estimate that by 2050, over half the population of Hungary will be Roma, following current trends. But Mr Schmitt sees that as neither probable, nor as a precondition for a Roma president. "I don't think that more than 50% of the Hungarian population would be of Roma origin. It is not because I do not want that to happen, or that we discourage that... but rather because I believe that sooner or later Hungarians will also find their way back to the sanctity of the family, and there will be larger families, more children born to Hungarian families as well." "There are three key areas where we have to act... everywhere where we live with the Roma. Education needs to be provided... also social and family support are absolutely necessary, and work opportunities must be created for them. "There is is still a very high level of prejudice against the Roma people. And we have to fight that." Media controversy Like Mr Orban, the president is defensive but not unbending on Hungary's media law, which has been fiercely attacked by some European governments and media organisations. "The law is about the protection of various rights... the protection of human dignity, the rights of the youth, restoring public service media. It also takes action against hate speech... my heart was at peace when I signed it." On Friday, Hungary finally presented the law to the EU Media Commissioner, Neelie Kroes. Commission lawyers will now compare its provisions with the Directive on Audio Visual Services and other EU legislation. "If they find anything in it that would be against EU law or the directives, or the EU guidelines... I believe that it is only right if the prime minister reconsiders certain measures in the law," said President Schmitt. The legal examination is likely to take at least several weeks, according to a spokesman for Commissioner Kroes. The sun breaks through the thick cloud over the Danube for the first time in several weeks. We walk out onto the best balcony in Budapest. The city stretches away towards the flat plains of central Hungary, and the river flows towards Serbia, swollen by snow and rain - threatening natural but not political disasters.

हंगरी को ब्रसेल्स की राजनीति में एक प्रारंभिक सबक मिल रहा है क्योंकि वह अपने नए मीडिया कानून पर एक तूफान को शांत करने और अगले छह महीनों के लिए यूरोपीय संघ के जहाज को स्थिर करने का प्रयास कर रहा है। लेकिन राष्ट्रपति पाल श्मिट एक अनुभवी सेनानी हैं-1968 और 1978 में हंगरी की ओलंपिक टीम में एक पूर्व स्वर्ण पदक विजेता तलवारबाज। बुडापेस्ट में बीबीसी के निक थोर्प ने उनसे यूरोपीय संघ की अध्यक्षता के लिए हंगरी के दृष्टिकोण के बारे में पूछा।


Will Big Data lead to Big Brother?

Summary: Many countries are in the throes of a debate about the amount of surveillance a government should be allowed to carry out on its own people. But in other countries, where there are few, if any, checks on the state's powers, a potential dictatorship of data is already on the horizon.

By Gordon CoreraSecurity correspondent, BBC News The grey, drab former headquarters of the Stasi - East Germany's Security Service - is famous for its miles of paper files. Those files recorded the detailed information kept on the citizens of the former Communist state, drawn from a wealth of human informers and bugging devices. Parts of the former office complex are now a museum open to the public, but in one corridor normally closed to the public there is a jumble of dated-looking equipment - a primitive computer looking more like a spin-dryer for clothes and old magnetic discs the size of a football, which held a fraction of what you can now fit on a USB stick. This is all that remains of the Stasi's dreams of what computers could do for them. "I think they realised early on that without using technology their ambition of total surveillance could not be achieved, despite all the people they employed," says Stephane Konopatzky - a former dissident, who now tries to untangle these wires of the Stasi's past. The Stasi dreamed of computers combining and cross-referencing all the data they had collected to tease out new information they would otherwise have missed. Computers were faster than humans, more precise "and the mass of data you could deal with was larger", Konopatzky says. In the 1970s and 80s, however, the technology was just not there, and with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 the Stasi was no more. But as we enter a world in which we all produce so much more data and in which computers are able to do more with it - often described as the world of "big data" - what might the Stasis of today or tomorrow be able to do with technology? Find out more Listen to Gordon Corera's report The Dictatorship of Data on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday 17 November at 20:00 GMT. Catch up via the iPlayer after broadcast. A failed coup in the Soviet Union in August 1991 marked the final collapse of communism in Russia. That same month something equally momentous happened - although few understood its significance at the time - the World Wide Web was launched. The web seemed to herald a new era in which the free flow of information would sweep away totalitarianism. But in some places the dreams of the Stasi lived on. "We asked people inside the KGB about technical co-operation between the Stasi and the KGB. All of them told me they were inspired by the Stasi," says Andrei Soldatov, co-author of The Red Web, a book that examines the history of Russia's efforts to control the internet. In 1991, the Russian state was only able to wiretap 300 phone lines simultaneously in Moscow, which was nothing compared with what the Stasi had been able to do. But after initially feeling overwhelmed in the digital world, the Russian authorities have increasingly looked for ways of using technology to their advantage. This has included pioneering techniques in voice sampling and recognition, in which Russia is a world leader, as well as biometric and photographic databases. "I was told many times by officers in the security services that the idea to collect all fingerprints, iris scans and voice recognition from all Russian citizens is very popular within the security service," says Irina Borogan, Soldatov's co-author. One initiative described by the authors involves cameras placed at the exit of Moscow metro stations taking close-up photographs of everyone passing through. These days people are also voluntarily posting huge amounts of data about themselves on the internet. "Social media provides a very easy way to monitor these societies," says Taha Yasseri, an Iranian computer scientist at the Oxford Internet Institute. "The transparency and easy use of social media has made it a very good tool for social activists. But this makes it a very good opportunity for authoritarian states to monitor, and eventually even to predict behaviour." Pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong last year were using social media and messaging platforms to organise. But when some received a message telling them to download a new app to help them, it is believed they actually downloaded a piece of spyware which was able to send the content of their messages and even their physical location back to whoever was behind the app in mainland China. In the past, a state would need to develop its own technology to carry out surveillance. But now much more of the technology has been commercialised. Companies look for vulnerabilities in computer systems and sell them to states to exploit. Additionally, some companies sell the ability to carry out remote surveillance. The Hacking Team might sound like a group of rogue teenagers but in fact it is a company based in Italy that sells its services to law enforcement and governments around the world. Eric Rabe, its chief marketing officer says the company supplies its products to about 50 countries. Typically a piece of software will be surreptitiously placed on one of their target's computers or phones, either by getting hold of the device or remotely, so they can be monitored. "We're providing tools for law enforcement to use in the pursuit of keeping all of us safe," is his answer to accusations levelled against the company. But what is it like being on the receiving end of surveillance technology provided by Western companies? To find out, I visit Tadesse Kersmo, a member of a movement campaigning to remove the Ethiopian government. Kersmo, who was given asylum in the UK after being imprisoned in Ethiopia, says his computer was bugged by FinFisher - software developed by a British-German company similar to that supplied by Hacking Team. "It was a shock," he tells me. It was "as if there was CCTV in my home. You can imagine what my wife felt. People become traumatised, afraid to communicate." We tried to contact Gamma Group - which developed the FinFisher spying software - but there was no response. The Ethiopian Embassy in London said it categorically denied any government involvement in surveillance against opposition politicians based inside or outside Ethiopia, suggesting it had no time for what it called such "futile pursuits". Eric Rabe says Hacking Team once provided services to the Ethiopian government but later suspended its co-operation. He says that because there was no international regulation, the company has had to make its own decisions about who to sell to, and add clauses restricting certain uses. Moves are now afoot to place the trade in surveillance technology on a similar footing to the trade in weapons. But on the assumption that export controls will never entirely stop it, some people are focusing on ways of training people to protect themselves. "We see people making simple mistakes," explains Stephanie Hankey, co-founder of a Berlin-based group called Tactical Tech, which trains activists, journalists and civil society campaigners to become more security aware. "In Syria in the early days of the conflict, people would be pulled in, open their Facebook account and expose everyone they were talking to." She also advises people to be aware that even if the content of their conversations may be encrypted, the metadata about the conversation can reveal much about connections and patterns of activity, especially when different elements of the digital trail we leave behind are cross-referenced and cross-mapped - how we move around a city, pay taxes, cross borders and use our credit cards, as well how we communicate. "If we piece all these things together, this tells everybody about my behaviour," says Hankey. "If you have aggregate information about everybody, you can see who's different. This enables you to see something abnormal, an outlier." The trend in computing is to use this data to find patterns which are in turn predictive. "Even though we think we are very creative in our behaviour, the data suggests that our behaviour has a very predictable and repetitive pattern," argues Taha Yasseri. "Combining the data we produce with sophisticated mathematical models and computer algorithms - all these three could eventually make governments and companies and any kind of organisation able to predict our behaviour." Others in this field are hopeful that new technology - particularly encryption and anonymising tools - will ultimately protect activists and liberty more than it will undermine it. But at London's IP Expo 2015, where all the talk is about the huge and mostly beneficial power of Big Data, veteran cyber security expert Mikko Hypponen, believes we are at the beginning of an enormous social change that carries with it real danger. "We are the first generation that can be tracked from birth to our deathbeds, where we are, what we do, who we communicate with, what are our interests. It's easily trackable and saveable for decades. It feels like we're in a massive experiment done on mankind. Only much later will we realise what it means when all of our thoughts and movements not only can be tracked but are being tracked." So will Big Data lead to Big Brother? Not necessarily - and in some countries we may have the chance to decide. But there are parts of the world where a dictatorship of data - of the type the Stasi could only dream of - may be taking shape. Listen to Gordon Corera's report The Dictatorship of Data on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday 17 November at 20:00 GMT. Catch up via the iPlayer after broadcast. Subscribe to the BBC News Magazine's email newsletter to get articles sent to your inbox.

कई देश इस बात को लेकर बहस में उलझे हुए हैं कि सरकार को अपने लोगों पर कितनी निगरानी रखने की अनुमति दी जानी चाहिए। लेकिन अन्य देशों में, जहां राज्य की शक्तियों पर बहुत कम, यदि कोई हो, जाँच होती है, तो आंकड़ों की एक संभावित तानाशाही पहले से ही क्षितिज पर है।


Shake Shack shares surge 118% on stock market debut

Summary: Shares in US burger firm Shake Shack surged 118% in their US stock market debut, valuing the company at more than $1.8bn (£1.2bn).

Trading under the symbol SHAK on the New York Stock Exchange, investor demand pushed Shake Shack's share price up from $21 to $45.90. Started as a hot dog cart by restaurateur Danny Meyer in New York City, Shake Shack now has 63 restaurants worldwide. Mr Meyer is set to net some $140m. Shake Shack has benefitted from the rise of so-called "fast casual" restaurants, like Chipotle and Panera, which still offer consumers food fast, but put greater emphasis on sustainable ingredients and on-site food preparation. In addition to burgers and concretes - Mr Meyer's term for milkshakes - Shake Shack outlets also offer wine, beer and a rotating offering of seasonal specials.

अमेरिकी बर्गर फर्म शेक शेक के शेयरों में उनकी अमेरिकी शेयर बाजार की शुरुआत में 118% की वृद्धि हुई, जिससे कंपनी का मूल्य $1.8bn (£ 1.2bn) से अधिक हो गया।


Dangerous driving arrest after death of Grimsby pedestrian

Summary: A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing the death of a pedestrian by dangerous driving in Grimsby.

Police were called after a man was found injured on Scartho Road St Martin's, just before midnight on Saturday. He died in hospital. Humberside Police said officers believed he was struck by a red Ford Focus and appealed for dashcam footage. A 31-year-old man is in custody on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. Follow BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk.

ग्रिम्सबी में खतरनाक तरीके से गाड़ी चलाकर एक पैदल यात्री की मौत के संदेह में एक व्यक्ति को गिरफ्तार किया गया है।


Florence + the Machine to release new album in November

Summary: Florence + the Machine are to release their second album on 7 November.

The group, headed by Florence Welch, say the follow-up to 2009's Lungs has no title yet but will be preceded by new single, What The Water Gave Me. The album was produced by Paul Epworth and was recorded over five weeks in Studio 3 at London's Abbey Road. "It's a song for the water because in music and art what I'm really interested in are the things that are overwhelming," Florence Welch said. "The ocean seems to me to be nature's great overwhelmer. "When I was writing this song I was thinking a lot about all those people who've lost their lives in vain attempts to save their loved ones from drowning. "It's about water in all forms and all bodies. "It's about a lot of things; Virginia Woolf creeps into it, and of course Frieda Kahlo, whose painfully beautiful painting gave me the title." Florence + the Machine were nominated for a best new artist Grammy last year but lost out to US jazz artist Esperanza Spalding. They came third in the BBC's Sound of 2009 poll and have won two Brit awards. Their debut album Lungs has sold more than a million copies so far with You've Got the Love making it to number five in the UK singles chart.

फ्लोरेंस + द मशीन 7 नवंबर को अपना दूसरा एल्बम जारी करने वाला है।


Beetle's beer bottle sex wins Ig Nobel Prize

Summary: I'm sorry, run that one past me again.

By Jonathan AmosScience correspondent, BBC News That's right, certain Australian beetles will try to copulate with discarded beer bottles, but they have to be of the right type - brown ones with bobbly bits on them. This fascinating observation made almost 30 years ago has finally landed entomologists Darryl Gwynne and David Rentz with an Ig Nobel Prize. The Igs are the "alternative" version to the rather more sober Nobel awards announced in Sweden next week. Other recipients this year of the prizes run by the science humour magazine Annals of Improbable Research included the mayor of Vilnius in Lithuania, Arturas Zuokas. He was honoured with the Ig Peace Prize for demonstrating that the problem of illegally parked luxury cars could be solved by squashing them with an armoured tank. The Chemistry Prize went to an inventive Japanese team that worked out how to use wasabi (pungent horseradish) in a fire alarm system. The group even has a patent pending on its idea. Understanding why discus throwers get dizzy was the topic of the study that won the Physics Prize. The American awards were handed out on Thursday at Harvard University's Sanders Theatre, in what has become down the years a slightly chaotic but fun event where people throw paper planes and a little girl berates the winners. Being given an Ig is nowadays regarded as something to be proud of, which may explain why seven of the 10 winners this year travelled to the ceremony at their own expense. Receiving their Ig from a real Nobel Laureate - six of them were in attendance - probably added to the sense of achievement. "I'm a great believer in communicating science to non-scientists and I think humour is a good way of doing that; and for that reason I think the Ig Nobels are very positive," Professor Darryl Gwynne told BBC News. His and David Rentz' study of buprestid beetles began by accident one morning on a field expedition in Western Australia when they found the insects trying to mate with brown "stubbies" left by the side of the road. "It was just co-incidental that my area of research was Darwinian sexual selection and how sex differences evolve, and here was a classic example taking place in front of my eyes where males were making mating errors. "It was very obvious the beetles were trying to mate. These beetles have enormous genitalia, and they're large to start with - over two inches long. "The sad thing was that these beetles were dying; they wouldn't leave the bottles alone. They'd fall off them exhausted. "It was almost certainly the visual colour - the bottle looked like a giant female. And also in the reflectance patterns - there were stipples on the bottles that resembled marks on the females' wing covers." The full list of Ig Nobel winners: Physiology Prize: Anna Wilkinson, from the University of Lincoln, and colleagues for their study in the journal Current Zoology titled "No Evidence of Contagious Yawning in the Red-Footed Tortoise". Chemistry Prize: A team led from Shiga University, Japan, that determined the ideal density of airborne wasabi to awaken sleeping people in case of a fire or other emergency, and for applying this knowledge to invent the wasabi alarm. Patent pending. Medicine Prize: Shared by two teams whose independent research jointly established that people make better decisions about some kinds of things, but worse decisions about other kinds of things‚ when they have a strong urge to urinate. Psychology Prize: Karl Halvor Teigen of the University of Oslo, Norway, for trying to understand why, in everyday life, people sigh. Literature Prize: John Perry of Stanford University, US, for his Theory of Structured Procrastination, which says: To be a high achiever, always work on something important, using it as a way to avoid doing something that's even more important. Biology Prize: Darryl Gwynne and David Rentz for discovering that a certain kind of beetle mates with a certain kind of Australian beer bottle. The pair have published two papers on the topic. Physics Prize: Philippe Perrin and colleagues for determining why discus throwers become dizzy, and why hammer throwers don't. Peace Prize: Arturas Zuokas, the mayor of Vilnius, Lithuania, for demonstrating that the problem of illegally parked luxury cars can be solved by running them over with an armoured tank. Public Safety Prize: John Senders of the University of Toronto, Canada, for conducting a series of safety experiments in which a person drives an automobile on a major highway while a visor repeatedly flaps down over his face, blinding him. Mathematics Prize: Shared by a group of doom-mongers for teaching the world to be careful when making mathematical assumptions and calculations - Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk

क्षमा करें, उस एक को फिर से मेरे पास से चलाएं।


Girl, 5, hit by car on Barmouth estate airlifted to hospital

Summary: A five-year-old girl has been taken to hospital after being hit by a car.

The youngster was airlifted to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, in Liverpool, for treatment after the crash. North Wales Police were called to Pentre Bach estate, in Barmouth, Gwynedd, by the ambulance service at 17:45 BST on Thursday. The force has issued an appeal for witnesses to contact them.

कार की चपेट में आने के बाद एक पांच वर्षीय लड़की को अस्पताल ले जाया गया है।


Skelmersdale fire: Boy, 13, arrested over blaze at derelict building

Summary: A 13-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of arson following a blaze at a derelict building in Lancashire.

Crews tackled the fire on High Street, Skelmersdale, which started at about 19:30 BST on Tuesday. The blaze has been brought under control, but firefighters remained at the scene for the rest of the night. Lancashire Police said the teenager from Skelmersdale was arrested shortly after the fire was reported and remains in custody. Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk

लंकाशायर में एक जर्जर इमारत में आग लगने के बाद आगजनी के संदेह में एक 13 वर्षीय लड़के को गिरफ्तार किया गया है।


Kenyans in fear of police 'death squads'

Summary: The recent killing of human rights lawyer Willie Kimani and two others has once again put the Kenyan police in the spotlight. The police have been accused of running death squads, a claim they deny. The BBC's Tomi Oladipo investigates the growing public mistrust of the police, especially among young men.

"My friend had gone to bathe in the river when he discovered there was a body in the river so he called me". Jackson (not his real name) looks out across the Ol Donyo Sabuk River about an hour-and-a-half outside the centre of Nairobi. He and his friends quickly called the police. It was not the first time they had come across corpses in the river. This time, however it was a more high-profile case. "Shortly after, we saw a sack floating in the water," he continues. "We went to look at it and I noticed the outline of a head so we opened the sack." Days later they found a third body - the three turned to be a missing lawyer, Willie Kimani, his client, Josephat Mwendwa and their taxi driver, Joseph Muiruri. Post-mortem reports have revealed signs that the men suffered severe torture. The case sparked nationwide demonstrations, with protestors accusing the police of being behind the killings because Mr Mwendwa had brought a case against an officer. Campaigners say this highlights a wider trend of unlawful executions by the police. The force has distanced itself from the case of the dead lawyer, describing it as an isolated incident relating to a rogue policeman. Four officers have been arrested but not charged. 'Crime to be a young man' In Nairobi's Mathare valley, brown tin roofs are interspersed with electricity and light poles - the lights were set up to help improve security in this notorious slum. Crime is rife here, fuelled by high unemployment but residents say the police are too heavy-handed in their attempts to maintain order. "It's like it's a crime to be a young man here," says Juliet Wanjira. "Stop Police Executions" says the slogan on her T-shirt. "We are losing our young men," she continues. "We're left with so many wives and mothers looking for their men." Ms Wanjira is a campaigner with the Mathare Social Justice Centre (MSJC) which has been documenting the cases of young men shot by the police, they say unlawfully. Anthony Mburu, another campaigner with MSCJ says he once witnessed four teenagers being shot by police officers. "They were chased by about six policemen. The youths split and ran in different directions but they were each followed by the police," he says. "One ran to a kiosk and he was shot before he could enter. Another one pleaded for mercy but the police shot him in the stomach. He did not die immediately. As he was struggling for life, the policeman shot him twice." 'Fighting terror with terror' One mother lost her son also in Mathare last August. She sent her son to check on his brother who was in police custody but she never heard from him again. After searching for three days, she found his body in a mortuary. Witnesses told her that the police had shot him. "He was shot in both eyes, in his cheek and the left side of his chest," she told me. "We reported it to the police and to the different agencies but I've not got any help. They tell me they'll get back to me but they don't." While she has sought justice, others think they will never find it. Another mother who has lost her son in similar circumstances says she did not bother to report her case. "Here in Kenya, who am I to take the case forward?" she asked. "Look at me. I live in Mathare slum. If big people are killed and their cases just disappear, then what about me? If I speak I'll be killed like a chicken. I've left it all to God." There have been similar cases reported across the country. The non-governmental watchdog Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) says the police killed 97 people in 2015 alone. More recently the group says eight suspected robbers, aged between 15 and 26, were shot at close range in April, either while kneeling or lying on the ground. Police crackdowns in the fight against Islamist militants have targeted predominantly Muslim communities around the country in the aftermath of major attacks. Last year, a report by the Kenya's official rights body described it as "fighting terror with terror" and reported 25 killings. Between 2012 and 2014, three prominent clerics believed to have had links to al-Shabab were killed in the coastal city of Mombasa. Their supporters say police "death squads" killed them. High-profile extrajudicial killings in Kenya: The spokesman for Kenya's Interior Ministry, Mwenda Njoka, told the BBC that the Kenyan government is against extrajudicial killings. "It is against the law and that's a point we don't need to belabour," he said. "We have a legal mechanism through the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and other legal forums to address legal measures employed by security agents." The Mathare campaigners say that of the 40 cases reported to IPOA this year, only one has been dealt with. That adds to the dozens more they say have been unresolved. Kenya's police spokesman Charles Owino dismisses the activists' claims, saying they ignore important facts. "The police are there to protect the common man. So we cannot allow a situation where a group of criminals move around with arms. "These are the people you want to move around with arms and shoot innocent citizens? And then we say there's no law and order?" He says there might be rogue elements within the police, who are then charged and punished, but insists that the force generally abides by the rule of law. Police reforms have been ongoing but even President Uhuru Kenyatta has expressed concerns that the process has been slow. The perceived culture of police impunity has many worried ahead of next year's elections, often a time of increased violence.

मानवाधिकार वकील विली किमानी और दो अन्य लोगों की हालिया हत्या ने एक बार फिर केन्याई पुलिस को सुर्खियों में ला दिया है। पुलिस पर डेथ स्क्वॉड चलाने का आरोप लगाया गया है, इस दावे से वे इनकार करते हैं। बीबीसी के टॉमी ओलादीपो पुलिस के प्रति बढ़ते सार्वजनिक अविश्वास की जांच करते हैं, विशेष रूप से युवाओं के बीच।


English votes for English laws 'fully revived'

Summary: A previous Conservative leader once told me a story. The narrative concerned the stump speech which said leader was deploying at the time. This was, I emphasise, a wee while back.

Brian TaylorPolitical editor, Scotland The speech, as delivered in town halls around England, generally went like this. "We are the party of low taxation". Polite applause. "We intend to be in Europe but not run by Europe". Polite applause with some notable abstentions. "We are the party of English votes for English laws." Loud applause, roof in danger. Said leader tried this repeatedly, with the same result. But said leader also slowly concluded that, at the time, EVEL was perhaps a little too hazardous, too inclined to sow disquiet within the very United Kingdom the Tories were aiming to protect. Every Conservative leader since John Major has entered office, determined to answer the West Lothian question. Every Conservative leader since John Major has subsequently shelved the idea. Until now. 'Irritating question' David Cameron, at first, was no different. Early zeal for reform ended up, not long after he became leader, with a speech in Edinburgh in which he argued: "Better an imperfect Union than a perfect divorce." To be fair, things have changed substantially. In two ways. Firstly, the constitutional arrangements of the UK are different and are about to alter still further. Secondly, the political challenge confronting the Conservatives has shifted materially with the emergence of UKIP. In days gone by, the answer generally given to the West Lothian questions by senior politicians - from Labour and other parties - was: "Would you please stop asking such an irritating question?" Given that this was, in the first instance, aimed at the estimable Tam Dalyell, the erstwhile MP for West Lothian, the chances of success were minimal. Tam, to his enormous and enduring credit, made a career out of asking irritating questions with admirable persistence. Like a dripping tap or a remote drain with a faint, but pungent, aroma, the West Lothian q. has hung around Scottish politics ever since Tam first drew attention to it in the 1970s. It has now been fully revived by the prime minister with a pledge to introduce English Votes for English Laws within 100 days, should he be returned to power. The change would be enforced in time for the 2016 Budget. Bolster the SNP Is David Cameron motivated by electoral reasons? You bet he is. But, then, this is an election. Politicians of every hue are seeking issues which will attract voters to their side - and cause them to shun the other lot. Mr Cameron makes two calculations. One, that an emphasis upon English voting rights may undermine the appeal of UKIP south of the Border. And, two, that spotlighting the constitution might tend to bolster the SNP in Scotland to the disadvantage of the Labour Party. For a Tory leader, what's not to like? Mr Cameron's rivals provide a range of responses. The SNP says that it will still tend to abstain at Westminster on issues which are, genuinely, of relevance to England only. However, it notes the practical difference thereby attached. This is that even a health bill covering England may have an impact upon Scotland - either because it will bring about Barnett spending consequentials or because, by deploying the private sector, it may reduce such associated cash transfers. Plus, of course, the small point that, if the SNP are to play a role in the governance of the UK, then they must be prepared to vote fairly regularly. They would not be much use as partners in the Commons if they constantly abstained. Mature consideration In addition, the SNP accused Mr Cameron of breaching the spirit and the terms of the Smith Commission agreement to the effect that Scottish MPs would continue to vote on UK tax matters. The Tories say MPs from Scotland still will - but at Third Reading, after English scrutiny. The Liberal Democrats, through the person of Danny Alexander, launched a particularly vituperative attack upon Mr Cameron, accusing him of breaching Smith, of seeking Tory advantage in England and of, thereby, jeopardising the UK. And Labour? They face a conundrum. They know that there is an elemental appeal in Mr Cameron's argument that EVEL involves basic fairness for the good and sensible people of England. They know this is seductive. Equally, however, they are reluctant to give ground on a principle which might make it much more difficult for a future Labour Prime Minister to legislate for England, given the division of seats. (The Tories, remember, start this election contest defending but one seat in Scotland.) They deploy two arguments in response. One, that the Tory plan risks creating two categories of MP, potentially damaging the Union. And, two, that this issue should be settled, sensibly, via mature consideration after the election - not as a partisan question during the contest. In my droll moments (yes, they do exist), I was wont to say that the more pressing West Lothian question was: at what point in West Lothian, moving from Glasgow to Edinburgh, do the chip shops stop serving salt and vinegar and start offering salt and sauce? That question, critical though it is, may now have to await further detailed research, perhaps by a team of hungry interns. The real West Lothian question is back. Policy guide: Where the parties stand

एक पूर्व रूढ़िवादी नेता ने एक बार मुझे एक कहानी सुनाई थी। कहानी स्टंप भाषण से संबंधित थी जिसमें कहा गया था कि नेता उस समय तैनात था। यह, मैं जोर देकर कहता हूं, कुछ समय पहले की बात है।


Sahara migrant survivor: I buried my family

Summary: The bodies of 87 people, thought to be migrants, were discovered in the Sahara desert in the north of Niger on Wednesday. They died of thirst when their vehicles broke down en route to Algeria. Shafa, a 14-year-old girl from Niger, survived and told the BBC's Newsday programme her story:

We were on our way to Algeria to visit family members. There were more than 100 of us in a convoy of two vehicles. Our truck broke down and it took a whole day to fix. In that time we ran out of water. We managed to find a well but there was very little water - one of us climbed down into the well and managed to draw out a tiny amount, but the rest of us went thirsty. The drivers told us to wait while others went to fetch water, but a night and a day later they had not returned. That was when people started dying. Some 15 of us died on that second day without water. We moved on with the dead bodies in the truck. By this time the second vehicle had returned with some water, Alhamdulillah (thanks to God). We came across some Algerian security forces - but the drivers turned around because they didn't want to be caught carrying us since this was illegal. They asked us to hide inside a trench, we spent another night there - so that is three nights in a row without any water. One woman started complaining and one of the drivers used a hose to beat us. Many women and children died. The drivers had some water in jerrycans but kept it for themselves. 'I buried them' From there they took us back into Niger. Our water ran out again. There we were, hungry and sitting amidst corpses in the truck. Once we were in Niger, the drivers removed the bodies from the truck for burial. They laid them out on the ground - mothers first, then their children on top of them. Those of us who were still able to move were told we would be taken back to our village. On the way, we ran out of petrol and they asked us to give them money to buy more. They told us to get out of the car while they went to get the fuel. They never came back. We waited for two days in the desert - no food, no water - before we decided to start walking. Some vehicles passed by, we tried to stop them but no-one would stop. One of the passing cars even knocked down three of our group and killed them. There were eight of us by now, including my mum and my younger sisters. When we got tired, we sat under a tree, and that was where one of my sisters died. We buried her there. Then we continued walking and after a day, my second sister died. Then on the third day my mother died. I buried all of them myself. Rescued None of the vehicles that passed by agreed to stop and pick me up. After a while I found a tree and sat under its shade, almost giving up at that point... then a car came by. I took off my blouse and started waving it wildly. He stopped and asked me what happened and I told him. They gave me some milk, then water and rice cake. I ate a little bit but I couldn't continue, then they made me some tea. It was only then that we carried on travelling towards Arlit, where I was reunited with my grandfather. So here I am - my father died long ago, now my mother is dead, I have no sisters, no brothers. I am living with my aunt. I heard that only myself and a little girl and 18 men survived the journey out of more than 100 of us. Migration routes across the Sahara desert

बुधवार को नाइजर के उत्तर में सहारा रेगिस्तान में प्रवासियों के रूप में माने जाने वाले 87 लोगों के शव पाए गए। अल्जीरिया जाते समय उनके वाहन खराब हो गए और प्यास से उनकी मौत हो गई। नाइजर की 14 वर्षीय लड़की शफा बच गई और उसने बीबीसी के न्यूजडे कार्यक्रम को अपनी कहानी सुनाईः


The unknown Indian woman doctor on Google Doodle

Summary: Google surprised Indians on Wednesday, when it published a Google Doodle of Rakhmabai Raut, one of British India's earliest practising women doctors, to commemorate the 153rd anniversary of her birth.

This had many in India asking who was Rakhmabai Raut? Before the doodle appeared on screens across the country, India's first female doctor was often recognised as Anandibai Joshi. But while Joshi was the first to study medicine, which she did in the United States, she died at 22 before she could formally practise. Raut became a doctor when modern medicine was in its infancy, which is noteworthy. Even in Britain, which established the first medical college for women in 1874, there weren't many women practising doctors at the time. Her life in India was certainly unusual, as women were mostly confined to the home at the time, which makes her achievements all the more striking. Why was Rakhmabai Raut in court? Raut was born in Mumbai (then Bombay) in 1864. Her mother, a widow, got her married at the tender age of 11. But she never went to live with her husband and continued to stay with her mother. Many found this very unusual, and this is reported to have created a huge scandal at the time. Undeterred, Raut took her husband to court, where the two were engaged in a long legal battle over the status of their marriage. When her husband asked the Bombay High Court for "restitution of conjugal rights", she claimed that she couldn't be forced into a marriage that she never consented to because she was so young. Ultimately, the court case resulted in the affirmation of the marriage. But not quite done yet, Raut wrote to Queen Victoria, who overruled the court and dissolved the marriage. The case was extensively followed in Britain, where it attracted press and made appearances in women's magazines. A rather radical turn of events, the publicity from this incident and Raut's petition to dissolve her marriage was a major factor in the enactment of the Age of Consent Act, 1891, which raised the legal age for sex for girls in British India from 10 to 12. Her rebellion against her husband marked Raut as a crusader against child marriage, but it also ostracised her from the larger Indian community around her. It is worth noting that at the time of the court case, it was widely believed that Raut wrote two articles to the Times of India under the pseudonym "A Hindu Lady", which were critical of the roles women were forced to play in Indian society. Where did she study medicine? Raut's mother later remarried, and it was Raut's stepfather, a surgeon named Sakharam Arjun, who encouraged her to pursue further education. "Her stepfather identified her talents and skills early on, challenged societal norms and helped her follow her dreams," said Dr Swapna Patker, a clinical psychologist and producer of a forthcoming film based on Raut's life, called Doctor Rakhmabai. Soon after her marriage was dissolved, Raut enrolled at the London School of Medicine for Women in 1889. After graduating in 1894, she was a qualified doctor and returned to India to practise. But the societal stigma that surrounded her when she left was still there. "Women who knew her and people she had grown up around decided they wouldn't be treated by her," said Dr Patker. She quit her first job at the Cama Hospital in Mumbai, which is still open today, and moved to Surat to continue her work. She eventually returned to Mumbai, and retired around 1930, after practising medicine for a total of 35 years. 'The first Indian rebel' In spite of her many achievements, Raut is a relatively unknown figure in Indian history. Anant Mahadevan, the director of Doctor Rakhmabai, said that he was surprised by how many people had never heard of her. "This is why we decided to make a film on Rakhmabai's life," he told BBC Marathi's Anagha Pathak. "She was the first Indian rebel. Her whole journey is truly inspiring."

गूगल ने बुधवार को भारतीयों को आश्चर्यचकित कर दिया, जब उसने ब्रिटिश भारत की सबसे शुरुआती महिला डॉक्टरों में से एक रखमाबाई राउत की उनकी 153वीं जयंती के उपलक्ष्य में एक गूगल डूडल प्रकाशित किया।


Legal action over Penllergaer protected tree felling

Summary: A council is taking legal action after 70 trees, including a 200-year-old giant redwood, were allegedly felled without permission.

They were cut down last year on land at Penllergaer in Swansea, near a housing development being completed by Enzo's Homes. Court summons have been issued to Enzo's Homes, Fiorenzo Sauro and tree contractor Arwyn Morgan. They have been ordered to appear at Swansea Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. Mark Thomas, Swansea council's cabinet member for environment, said the authority had been investigating for five months. "This case is something we have taken very seriously and it has taken a lot of hard work to get to this stage," he added.

200 साल पुरानी विशाल लाल लकड़ी सहित 70 पेड़ों को कथित तौर पर बिना अनुमति के काटे जाने के बाद एक परिषद कानूनी कार्रवाई कर रही है।


Nigeria at 50: Your views

Summary: Nigeria celebrates 50 years of independence on Friday 1 October.

BBC News website readers in Nigeria and those who have moved to other countries share their plans to mark the anniversary. Afam Onyema, Los Angeles, US As a young Nigerian American, I regard this anniversary as an opportunity to challenge people's negative perceptions about Nigeria. Most Americans know very little about Nigeria, and that which they do know is extraordinarily negative. Nigeria is viewed as a nation of corruption, violence in its oil-producing region, and as the source of endless email scams. These anniversary celebrations present an opportunity to get people's attention and tell them about what Nigeria and Nigerians have to offer in the field of the arts, literature and culture and also science and athletics. Nigerians have flourished in the US, and increasingly young Nigerians armed with degrees from schools like Harvard, Princeton and Yale are returning home to help transform our parents' homeland. People love anniversaries and occasions like this - they invite us to look to the future. I think this anniversary will act as a springboard for future projects and encourage us to work towards developing the country's infrastructure. Gillian Nduoma, Lagos, Nigeria I was born after independence, so these celebrations really mean nothing to me. I'll be staying at home on Friday with my children, we'll probably just buy some DVDs and watch TV. Of course I appreciate my nation's independence. However it has become meaningless because we have not made use of our natural and human resources to create a nation where "no man is oppressed." I don't trust the government's motives for spending this money on the celebrations. The average Nigerian would rather the money went towards fixing the bad roads, water supply and so forth. I don't want to sound too negative about Nigeria, some things have changed for the better - like telecommunications. But apart from that, I really feel that the infrastructure of this country is poor. Nigerians aren't difficult people, we just want the basics so we don't have to lead such a stressful life. Hadiza Abdulrahman, Lincolnshire, UK On Friday my family and I will be glued to the Nigerian TV channel, watching the news and celebrations taking place in the country. Although we have cause for celebration, I feel that printing banners and having parties is a waste of money. The common man on the road won't be celebrating, he'll be thinking about basic necessities, like lighting and food. I live in Grantham where there is a small Nigerian community. Most of us feel very helpless about what has gone wrong in our country, but we are determined to help in any way we can. Increasingly I hear of people - friends and family - who are going back to Nigeria to improve things. I myself am trying to set up a school with my sister, who is over there at the moment. Nigerians do believe that things will get better and my generation is determined to make sure it does. Aderinsola Omotola Adebanjo, Lagos, Nigeria I am a journalist, so I will be monitoring the celebrations here in Lagos. There are many activities and ceremonies planned, including banquets and exhibitions. I refuse to be pessimistic about the future of Nigeria. I've been to some developing and developed countries of the world and they all have their issues. I do believe that corruption has affected the country over the years, but I think collectively we can overcome it. We all have to take responsibility - not just the leaders. Those querying the celebrations need to remember how we have survived a civil war and long years of military rule. Not being at war is enough for us to be grateful for - we should be celebrating. However, I do have some reservations about the huge amount of money that has been put into the celebration. It doesn't have to be so expensive to be interesting. Olumide Abimbola, Berlin, Germany I'm from Nigeria but have been living in Germany for four years. I'm not planning to celebrate on Friday, but the website I co-edit, called Nigerians talk, is publishing a series of articles leading up to the anniversary. Fifty years sounds like a landmark, which is something to celebrate. And the fact that we are still a unified country is an achievement. It's difficult to get in the spirit of the celebrations if you're not in Nigeria, but intellectually I think it's a good thing. As to the money spent on the celebrations, it probably would have landed in some politician's account anyway. At least this way it's been spent on public activities. Celebrations are a part of nation-building, that's how people get a sense of togetherness. People tend to focus on the negative in Nigeria, but we've been through a lot, and worse could have happened. I think we are doing well, and I would certainly move back to Nigeria if I could get the right kind of job. Ozo-Eson Omosigho, Abuja, Nigeria I am Nigerian and I live in the capital. I'm not planning to participate in the celebrations but would rather spend a quiet night in. The money that is being spent on the celebrations should really be channelled into addressing some of the challenges and difficulties faced by Nigerians. In some ways I think it's understandable to celebrate. The anniversary is significant because it's a reminder of the change that Nigeria has gone through. But this anniversary should also remind us that we have to get back on track. The people are not feeling overjoyed. Really we should focus on getting rid of the widespread suffering and abject poverty in Nigeria.

नाइजीरिया शुक्रवार 1 अक्टूबर को स्वतंत्रता के 50 साल पूरे होने का जश्न मनाता है।


Walker airlifted after falling ill on hillside near Moffat

Summary: A 71-year-old walker had to be airlifted off a south of Scotland hillside after falling ill.

The incident happened close to the Grey Mare's Tail waterfall near Moffat at about 15:00 on Monday. Police, Moffat Mountain Rescue Team, Scottish Ambulance Service and an HM Coastguard rescue helicopter were involved in the operation. The man was airlifted to a waiting ambulance before being taken to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary for checks. The rescue team was stood down at about 18:00. All images courtesy Moffat Mountain Rescue Team.

एक 71 वर्षीय वॉकर को बीमार पड़ने के बाद स्कॉटलैंड की पहाड़ी के दक्षिण में एयरलिफ्ट करना पड़ा।


Defaming a dog: The ways to get arrested for lese-majeste in Thailand

Summary: A man in Thailand faces up to 15 years in prison for posting images on Facebook of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's favourite dog in a way that mocked the king, a prosecutor in the military court said.

By Jonathan HeadSouth East Asia correspondent, BBC News He was charged under the notoriously sweeping lese-majeste law. After last year's coup, the ultra-royalist military has demanded ever tougher enforcement of it. This has led to many different and sometimes unexpected ways of falling foul of the law. The crime of insulting the monarch dates back in Thailand to the early 19th Century, when the unlucky accused could be punished by beheading, having their ears, hands and feet cut off or, for milder infractions, be imprisoned for a month and made to cut grass for the royal elephants. The modern concept of lese-majeste was incorporated into Thailand's first criminal code in 1908, and in its current form as the notorious Article 112, in 1956. It states that "whoever defames, insults or threatens the king, queen, heir apparent, or regent shall be punished with imprisonment of three to 15 years." No mention there of dogs, or any other royal pets. But ever since the start of Thailand's intractable political crisis in 2006, the number of lese-majeste prosecutions has risen sharply, as has the severity of punishments, and the breadth of interpretation of what constitutes royal defamation. Here are a few examples: Saying anything negative about the monarchy to passengers in a car Last August, a taxi driver was jailed for two and a half years after a passenger recorded his comments on a mobile phone and handed them to the police. Staging a university play featuring a fictional one-eyed king In February, two students were jailed for two and a half years for performing a play called The Wolf's Bride a year earlier, which the court judged to have parodied King Bhumibol, who lost an eye as a young man in a car accident. Writing a novel featuring characters that resemble members of the Thai royal family In August 2008, Australian Harry Nicolaides was arrested at Bangkok airport as he prepared to board a flight. He was unaware of an arrest warrant issued over his self-published novel which had included a fictional crown prince with a dissolute lifestyle. He was sentenced to three years in prison, but quickly pardoned. He says he only sold seven copies of the book. But he did send a copy to the palace to ask for approval, and when he received no reply, assumed he had got it. Sending text messages critical of the monarchy to politicians In November 2011, 63-year-old Ampon Tangnoppakul was jailed for 20 years over text messages sent to the secretary of then Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, despite his poor health and insistence he had not sent the offending texts. He died the following year in prison. 'Liking' anything critical of the monarchy on Facebook Last week, 27-year-old factory worker Thanakorn Siripaiboon - the man who was arrested for mocking the king's dog - was also charged under Article 112 for another alleged offence: clicking the 'like' button on Facebook next to a doctored photo of King Bhumibol. Referring to anything from Thailand's history that could be construed as damaging the monarchy's image In 2007, a local politician was sentenced to two years in prison for talking on a radio programme about slavery during the reign of King Mongkut (1851-1868). In May last year, the Supreme Court upheld the verdict, stating that defaming past monarchs also damaged the present king, despite the fact that slavery did exist in Thailand then. Truth is no defence in Thai defamation cases. Questioning an elephant battle In October last year, two retired military officers filed a complaint of lese-majeste against renowned social critic Sulak Sivaraksa because he cited academic research which questioned whether a famous elephant battle, led by the 16th Century King Naresuan, had actually taken place. The police investigating Sulak have said they believe he has defamed the monarchy. This is the fifth time he has faced a lese-majeste charge. Having a row with your brother In 2012, Yuthapoom Martnok was charged with lese-majeste and jailed after his brother filed a complaint. He was released nearly a year later when it was discovered there were no grounds for the charge, and that the brothers had in fact fallen out over fights between their dogs. This case illustrated two problematic aspects of Article 112. First, that anyone can file a complaint against anyone else, and the police have to start a formal, and often secretive, investigation, no matter how flimsy the evidence. Second, that defendants rarely get bail, so they are jailed awaiting trial, which can take years in Thailand. Many cases are heard in camera, so no reporting of proceedings is possible. Since the coup, most lese-majeste cases are heard in military courts, whose verdicts allow no appeal. Failing to take down offending messages from a website In May 2012, Chiranuch Premchaiporn, editor of the news website Prachathai, was given an eight-month suspended sentence for failing to remove comments from the site quickly enough. She had removed some after 10 days, but others had stayed up for 20. Using the name of Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn to raise funds Over the past year, a slew of lese-majeste charges has been filed against people formerly linked to the heir to the Thai throne. Nine family members of the prince's estranged wife were charged last year with citing his name to extort money, and given long prison sentences. One police officer also involved died mysteriously in custody after apparently falling from a high window. In October this year, three men, including a famous fortune-teller, were charged under Article 112 for using the prince's name to persuade donors to pay for promotional products tied to a bicycle ride honouring the royal family. Two of the three died in custody. Singing satirical songs about the royal family Nithiwat Wannasiri was once a follower of the royalist yellow-shirt movement, but switched to the red-shirt side in 2010, forming a band called Fai Yen, or Cool Fire. They specialised in songs that mocked the lese-majeste law and members of the royal family, performing openly around Bangkok until the coup. Nithiwat has since been charged under article 112, and is living in exile, along with hundreds of other Thais fleeing military rule.

थाईलैंड में एक व्यक्ति को राजा भूमिबोल अदुल्यादेज के पसंदीदा कुत्ते की तस्वीरें फेसबुक पर इस तरह से पोस्ट करने के लिए 15 साल तक की जेल का सामना करना पड़ता है, जो राजा का मजाक उड़ाता है, सैन्य अदालत में एक अभियोजक ने कहा।