We have done a good job of cracking down on off-label use of many medicines, and on limiting the overselling of new drugs.

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But because of the Academies Bill's timetable, "we have the spectacle of ministers who have already told us they will accept no amendment, period, and the sight of whips new and old cracking their knuckles off-stage and perfecting basilisk-like stares in the mirror" to prevent MPs voting for any changes, he said.

BBC: MP accuses government of intimidating backbenchers

There were two cracking cover-drives off Harmison and Liam Plunkett in the morning and at that point it was clear that Monty Panesar was likely to prove a tougher opponent.

BBC: Lord's Test ends in low-key draw

Hackett had qualified third fastest in Friday's heats but stamped his authority on the final from the start, setting off at a cracking pace.

CNN: Records tumble at last day in pool

And with that, I'm shuffling over towards the door, just underneath that dim exit sign that keeps blinking on and off, its fluorescent bulbs cracking with some syncopated rhythm all their own.

ENGADGET: Hello, I must be going

But their title ambitions were dealt a damaging blow as early as the seventh minute when James Forrest, back from his automatic one-game suspension for his sending off against Hamilton, blasted a cracking shot past Marian Kello.

BBC: Jim Jefferies puzzled by Hearts' defensive 'shambles'

After a four-month lay-off, he is keen to get cracking again.

BBC: Inzamam hungry again

Dinesh Karthik steered his second ball to extra-cover to give Stuart Broad a wicket but Dravid responded stylishly to the mini-crisis, cracking three boundaries in an over from Broad as he got to 50 off 51 balls.

BBC: Inspired England take series lead

But that launch too was less than perfect, with technicians during the final days before liftoff deciding to trim off four feet of rocket-motor nozzle extensions with metal shears to address an unexpected problem with cracking.

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