Times | Authors unite against drive for toddler literacy

A powerful lobby of leading authors and educationists accuse the Government today of setting children up for failure.

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Times | Parents to be punished for children’s net piracy

Parents whose children download music and films illegally will be blacklisted and have their internet access curbed under government reforms to fight online piracy.

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Times | Beijing hotels slash rates as visitors stay away from Olympics

Beijing hotels have been forced to slash their rates after struggling to fill their rooms for the Olympics.

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Times | Bears besiege Russian mine after killing guards

Terrified workers at a mining compound in one of Russia’s most isolated regions are refusing to go to work after a pack of giant bears attacked and ate two of their colleagues.

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Times | Arsonists attack Gypsy camp in Rome

An arson attack on a Gypsy camp in Rome reopened Italy’s debate on xenophobia yesterday as the Government of Silvio Berlusconi passed a decree to take tougher measures on street crime and illegal immigration.

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Telegraph | Oil price falls as US gasoline demand wanes

The price of oil looks set to fall further in the coming days despite continued hurricane fears and concern over the political impasse between the United States and Iran.

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NY Times | China Presses Grieving Parents to Take Hush Money

HANWANG, China — The official came for Yu Tingyun in his village one evening last week. He asked Mr. Yu to get into his car. He was clutching the contract and a pen. 

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