But after years of gentle decline, a movement is under way to try to save Britain's small towns, which are still the homes of much of the country's most attractive architecture, as well as its sense of the past.

ECONOMIST: Small towns

At least one airline has apparently agreed to partner with local, passionate animal advocates who have struggled for years to return these gentle giants to their native land.

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Othman smoked by the window while Laith sat on one of the twin beds. (The names of most of the Iraqis in this story have been changed for their protection.) Othman was a heavyset doctor, twenty-nine years old, with a gentle voice and an unflappable ironic manner.

NEWYORKER: Betrayed

The ITU, gentle readers, has operated largely in obscurity for the last 150 plus years.

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Both leaders looked back to the visit by the late Pope John Paul II 14 years ago, which Pope Benedict said "was like a gentle breeze that gave new strength to the Church in Cuba".

BBC: Pope Benedict calls for open society during Cuba visit

In a gentle swipe at Apple, which has gained market share against Microsoft in recent years, Ballmer said the PC remains the best choice for consumers seeking "value and power" in a computer.

CNN: Microsoft's Ballmer touts 'best version of Windows ever'

The report says UK schools have had 35 years of "piecemeal reforms" and the result has been a "gentle upswing in performance", judged by international benchmarks, but also a "long tail of low achievement".

BBC: CBI complains of 'exam factory' schools