News article:

Egyptian protesters chant slogans and wave national flags in Tahrir Square, the focal point of Egyptian uprising, in Cairo Sunday, June 30, 2013. Thousands of opponents and supporters of Egypt's Islamist... (Associated Press)

 Tens of thousands of opponents of Egypt's Islamist president massed in Cairo's Tahrir Square and in cities around the country Sunday, launching an all-out push to force Mohammed Morsi from office on the one-year anniversary of his inauguration. Fears of violence were high, with Morsi's Islamist supporters vowing to defend him.

 Waving Egyptian flags, crowds packed Tahrir, the birthplace of the 2011 uprising that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak, and chants of "erhal!", or "leave!" rang out.

 On the other side of Cairo, thousands of Islamists gathered in a show of support for Morsi outside the Rabia al-Adawiya Mosque near the Ittihadiya presidential palace, which the opposition planned to march on in the evening. Some Morsi backers wore homemade body armor and construction helmets and carried shields and clubs _ precautions, they said, against possible violence.

 There is a sense among opponents and supporters of Morsi that Sunday is a make-or-break day, hiking worries that the two camps will come to blows, even as each side insists it won't start violence. Already at least seven people, including an American, have been killed in clashes the past week, mainly in Nile Delta cities and the coastal city of Alexandria.

 The demonstrations are the culmination of polarization and instability that have been building since Morsi's June 30, 2012 inauguration as Egypt's first freely elected leader. The past year has seen multiple political crises, bouts of bloody clashes and a steadily worsening economy, with power outages, fuel shortages, rising prices and persistent lawlessness and crime.

 In one camp are the president and his Islamist allies, including the Muslim Brotherhood and more hard-line groups. They say street demonstrations cannot be allowed to remove a leader who won a legitimate election, and they accuse Mubarak loyalists of being behind the campaign in a bid to return to power. They have argued that for the past year remnants of the old regime have been sabotaging Morsi's attempts to deal with the nation's woes and bring reforms.

 Hard-liners among them have also given the confrontation a sharply religious tone, denouncing Morsi's opponents as "enemies of God" and infidels.

 On the other side is an array of secular and liberal Egyptians, moderate Muslims, Christians _ and what the opposition says is a broad sector of the general public that has turned against the Islamists. They say the Islamists have negated their election mandate by trying to monopolize power, infusing government with their supporters, forcing through a constitution they largely wrote and giving religious extremists a free hand, all while failing to manage the country.

 The opposition believes that with sheer numbers in the street, it can pressure Morsi to step down _ perhaps with the added weight of the powerful military if it signals the president should go.

 "Today is the Brotherhood's last day in power," predicted Suliman Mohammed, a manager of a seafood company who was protesting at Tahrir, where crowds neared 100,000 by early afternoon.

 "I came here today because Morsi did not accomplish any of the (2011) revolution's goals. I don't need anything for myself, but the needs of the poor were not met."

 Another Tahrir protester, 21-year-old Mohammed Abdel-Salam, said he came out because he wanted early presidential elections. "If he is so sure of his popularity why doesn't he want to organize early elections? If he wins it, we will tell the opposition to shut up."

 Underlining the potential for deadly violence, a flurry of police reports on Sunday spoke of the seizure of firearms, explosives and even artillery shells in various locations of the country, including Alexandria and the outskirts of Cairo. Sunday afternoon, two offices belonging to the Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice party, were attacked and ransacked Sunday by protesters in the city of Bani Suef, south of Cairo.

 In an interview published Sunday in The Guardian, Morsi _ who has three years left in his term _ said he had no plans to meet the protesters' demand for an early presidential election.

 "If we changed someone in office who (was elected) according to constitutional legitimacy _ well, there will (be) people or opponents opposing the new president too, and a week or a month later, they will ask him to step down," Morsi told the British daily.

 "There is no room for any talk against this constitutional legitimacy," he said.

 Traffic in Cairo's normally clogged streets was light at midday as many residents chose to stay home for fear of violence or a wave of crime similar to the one that swept Egypt during the 18-day, anti-Mubarak uprising. Banks were closing early and most government departments were either closed for the day or were thinly staffed. Most schools and colleges are already closed for the summer holidays.

 The opposition protests emerge from a petition campaign by a youth activist group known as Tamarod, Arabic for "Rebel." For several months, the group has been collecting signatures on a call for Morsi to step down.

 On Saturday the group announced it had more than 22 million signatures _ proof, it claims, that a broad sector of the public no longer wants Morsi in office.

 It was not possible to verify the claim. If true, it would be nearly twice the around 13 million people who voted for Morsi in last year's presidential run-off election, which he won with around 52 percent of the vote. Tamarod organizers said they discarded about 100,000 signed forms because they were duplicates.

 Morsi's supporters have questioned the authenticity and validity of the signatures, but have produced no evidence of fraud.

 Adding to his troubles, eight lawmakers from the country's interim legislature announced their resignation Saturday to protest Morsi's policies. The 270-seat chamber was elected early last year by less than 10 percent of Egypt's eligible voters, and is dominated by Islamists.

 A legal adviser to Morsi also announced his resignation late Saturday in protest of what he said was Morsi's insult of judges in his latest speech on Wednesday.

 A week ago, with the public sense of worry growing over the upcoming confrontation, Defense Minister Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi last week gave the president and his opponents a week to reach a compromise. He warned that the military would intervene to prevent the nation from entering a "dark tunnel."

 Army troops backed by armored vehicles were deployed Sunday in some of Cairo's suburbs, with soldiers, some in combat gear, stood at traffic lights and major intersections. Army helicopters flew over Cairo on several occasions on Sunday, adding to the day's sense of foreboding.

 Morsi had called for national reconciliation talks in a Wednesday speech but offered no specifics. Opposition leaders dismissed the call as cosmetics.

 Asked by The Guardian whether he was confident that the army would not intervene if the country becomes ungovernable, Morsi replied, "Very."

 The Egyptian leader, however, said he did not know in advance of el-Sissi's comments last week.

 ____

 Associated Press reporter Tony G. Gabriel contributed to this report. ||||| Millions of Egyptians filled streets across Egypt on Sunday calling for the departure of Mohamed Morsi on Sunday, hours after the president told the Guardian he would not resign.

 A year to the day after Morsi's inauguration as Egypt's first democratically elected president, up to 500,000 protesters swelled Cairo's Tahrir Square calling for Morsi's removal. They then headed to Itahadiya, the presidential palace in the north-east of the city in the evening.

 Security sources said that at least seven people were killed and more than 600 wounded in clashes between Morsi's supporters and opponents.

 Five of the dead were shot in towns south of Cairo, one each in Beni Suef and Fayoum and three in Assiut.

 Two more were killed by gunfire during an attack on the national headquarters of Mursi's Muslim Brotherhood in a suburb of the capital, medical sources said.

 Hundreds of people throwing petrol bombs and rocks attacked the building, which caught fire as guards and Brotherhood members inside the building exchanged gunfire with attackers.

 State news agency MENA reported that 11 were treated in hospital for birdshot wounds, and across the country, the health ministry said, 613 people were injured as a result of factional fighting in the streets.

 In Alexandria, Egypt's second city, 100,000 rallied in the centre, with similar rallies reported in dozens of other Egyptian cities. The headquarters of the Muslim Brotherhood, Morsi's Islamist group, came under attack as night fell.

 A spokesman for Morsi said that the president knew he had made mistakes and was working to fix them. Omar Amer added that Morsi was serious in his repeated calls for national dialogue.

 "(Morsi) announced to all of Egypt's people that he made mistakes and that he is in the process of fixing these mistakes," Amer told a late-night news conference.

 He said Morsi had "extended his hand" for dialogue and wanted to listen to everyone, repeating the president's previous calls for national dialogue, which the opposition has rebuffed as not serious.

 "I want to confirm one truth, if there is a total lack of response to this initiative, no listening to it, no interest in it from any side, what do you think the presidency can do?" the president's spokesman said. "The presidency is now waiting for a reaction, no matter how small, so it can build on it." The scale of the protests – which took place on the first day of the Egyptian working week – surpassed predictions made by presidential aides, who had expected only 150,000 people to take part nationwide.

 A military source told Reuters that as many as 14 million people in the country of 84 million took part in the demonstrations. There was no independent way of verifying that estimate, though the armed forces used helicopters to monitor the crowds.

 "The scenes of protests are unprecedented in size and scope, and seemingly surpass those during the 18-day uprising that toppled Mubarak," said Michael Hanna, a fellow at the Century Foundation and a longtime Egypt analyst.

 The scale of protests were even more remarkable, Hanna said, because they were "a bottom-up, grassroots effort and not directed by political opposition leaders. In a sense, they have latched on to this expanding current. While the organisers were diligent and creative, while lacking organisation and funding, this breadth of mass mobilisation could not have transpired unless the protest movement was tapping into deep and growing frustration and disenchantment with the current course of the country and its leadership."

 Some senior members of the Muslim Brotherhood spent the day travelling, fearing for their safety. Morsi himself moved from Itahadiya to the Quba palace, a state building in a safer part of Cairo.

 "Egyptians are doing it again," said Ahmed Said, a leader of the largest opposition coalition, the National Salvation Front (NSF).

 "They insist on regaining their hijacked revolution. We have revolted to reclaim our dignity, and reclaim our dignity we will."

 But Morsi was defiant in the face of such dissent. "If we changed someone in office who [was elected] according to constitutional legitimacy – well, there will be people opposing the new president too, and a week or a month later they will ask him to step down," Morsi told the Guardian in an exclusive interview.While Morsi was elected in free elections, his opponents believe he has failed to uphold the democratic values on which a well-rounded democracy depends. In particular, he has been criticised for using a presidential decree to force through an Islamist-slanted constitution, viewed by many as the act of a dictator.

 Among many other complaints, Morsi has been accused of presiding over the oppression of activists and journalists, and a marked drop in living standards.

 Once a consensus candidate for Islamist and secular voters, critics say he has alienated secular politicians and failed to achieve the unity he was elected to build. Morsi blames the opposition for failing to meet him halfway.

 "Morsi got elected in a democratic way," said one government critic, businessman Hassan Shanab. "But since he took over, everything's been polarised. All of a sudden, we see ourselves part of an Islamic regime like Iran. Morsi's answerable to the Brotherhood, but they are not answerable to us." As Shanab spoke, a crowd of protesters nearby started pelting a giant poster of Morsi with stones.

 The president still has a vocal support base, 20,000 of whom have been camped in east Cairo since Friday in a show of support for his regime and for its democratic legitimacy. Many of them saw the protests elsewhere as counter-revolutionary and some claimed they had been started by forces loyal to former dictator Hosni Mubarak. "I'm here to defend my vote, and to defend a revolution I was part of," said Shaima Abdel-Hamid, a teacher and Morsi supporter.

 "We chose a president and now they want to get rid of him when he's dealing with 30 years of corruption. And they want to get rid of him after only a year."

 "Seculars will not rule Egypt again," chanted one crowd of Morsi backers, who come not just from the Muslim Brotherhood, but from other Islamist groups such as Gamaa Islamiya, a Salafi movement.

 A senior Brotherhood politician, Essam El-Erian, denounced the protests as a "coup attempt". In a statement on the group's website, he challenged the opposition to test public opinion in parliamentary elections instead of "simply massing people in violent demonstrations, thuggery or shedding the precious blood of Egyptians".

 Yet many in Tahrir Square emphasised their religiosity, while rejecting what they perceived as the Brotherhood's attempts to run the Egyptian state along religious lines and to arbitrate on the correct interpretation of Islam. "I voted for him," said Haga Zeinab, a niqab-wearing protester in Tahrir. "But it turns out he only thinks his own people can be Muslims."

 Anti-regime protesters created a carnival atmosphere in the square, with many setting off fireworks. At Itahadiya, they bobbed to patriotic songs played from a soundsystem resting on a first-floor balcony.

 But at the Islamist rally, the mood was tetchy, particularly after several Brotherhood offices were attacked this week, and one former Brotherhood MP was killed. Many donned cycle helmets and builders' hard hats, and held shields and sticks in case of attack, waiting in defensive mode behind six lines of security checks. Some carried homemade shields emblazoned with the slogan: "Legitimacy is a red line" – a reference to Morsi's democratic mandate.

 But with senior Muslim clerics warning of the prospect of civil war this week, many of the Islamists promised to act if the presidential palace came under attack from anti-Morsi protesters, and the police or the army fail to defend it.

 The police have historically been no friend of the Brotherhood; across Egypt there were isolated accounts of policemen expressing support for anti-Morsi protesters.

 "Now we're seeing the revolution being threatened," said Mohamed Sherif Abdeen, an IT teacher and member of the Muslim Brotherhood. He was carrying a stick and wearing a hard hat – for self-defence, he said. "We won't do anything if the army and police do their job. But, if not, and they don't protect the presidential palace, we will protect it with our chests."

 At Itahadiya, medics were taking precautions, anticipating night-time attacks from Islamist forces or state officials. Tahrir Doctors, who tend to the injured at most Cairo protests, set up three field hospitals, staffed by about 30 medics. "If we get any injured from any side, we will treat them equally," said Dr Amr Shebaita, the group's head.

 Egypt has been rife with speculation about what will happen next. Two of Egypt's best-known opposition leaders – leftist Hamdeen Sabbahy and liberal Mohamed Baradei – were photographed marching arm in arm towards Itahadiya on Sunday. Should Morsi fall, both are considered potential key players in any transition scenario. Among Morsi's opponents, the most popular and startling choice of successor – at least in the interim – may be the head of the armed forces, General Abdel Fattah Sisi.

 There is widespread support for an army coup, particularly after Sisi hinted at the possibility of military intervention last week. "Come on Sisi," chanted protesters outside the presidential palace on Sunday. "My president is not Morsi."

 Demonstrators camped outside Cairo's defence ministry – in yet another protest – shouted: "The people and the army are one hand."

 Others feel uncomfortable with such sentiment. The Tamarrod campaign, a new protest movement that spearheaded Sunday's protests, issued a statement rejecting support for Ahmed Shafiq, the former air force chief defeated at the ballot box by Morsi last year. But such arguments may be unnecessary. Allies of the president believe protests will dissipate if he can hang on until the start of Ramadan in ten10nine days' time.

 Additional reporting by Mowaffaq Safadi ||||| Opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi protest outside the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, June 30, 2013. Hundreds of thousands of opponents of Egypt's Islamist president... (Associated Press)

 Egyptian protesters chant slogans and wave national flags in Tahrir Square, the focal point of Egyptian uprising, in Cairo Sunday, June 30, 2013. Thousands of opponents and supporters of Egypt's Islamist... (Associated Press)

 Opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi gather for noon prayers in Tahrir Square, the focal point of Egyptian uprising, in Cairo Sunday, June 30, 2013. Organizers of a mass protest against... (Associated Press)

 Egyptian protesters chant slogans and hold anti-Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi poster during a rally in Tahrir Square, the focal point of Egyptian uprising, in Cairo Sunday, June 30, 2013.... (Associated Press)

 Supporters of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi rally in Nasser City, Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, June 30, 2013. Hundreds of thousands of opponents of Egypt's Islamist president poured out onto the... (Associated Press)

 Supporters of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi stand in formation with sticks as they prepare to protect the presidential palace with protective equipment in Nasser City, Cairo, Egypt, Sunday,... (Associated Press)

 Opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi protest outside the presidential palace, in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, June 30, 2013. Hundreds of thousands of opponents of Egypt's Islamist president... (Associated Press)

 Opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi protest near the presidential palace, in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, June 30, 2013. Hundreds of thousands of opponents of Egypt's Islamist president poured... (Associated Press)

 An opponent of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi holds an umbrella as he protests outside the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, June 30, 2013. Organizers of a mass protest against Morsi... (Associated Press)

 An opponent of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi holds a shoe against a poster with Arabic that reads, "Huge year strike," during a protest outside the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday,... (Associated Press)

 Egyptian protesters chant slogans against Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, during a rally in Tahrir Square, the focal point of Egyptian uprising, in Cairo Sunday, June 30, 2013. Thousands of... (Associated Press)

 Opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi rest under shade outside the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, June 30, 2013. Thousands of Egyptians demanding the ouster of Egypt's Islamist... (Associated Press)

 An Egyptian anti-President Mohammed Morsi protester raises a red card with Arabic words saying, "Leave" during a rally in Minya, Egypt, Sunday, June 30, 2013. Thousands of opponents and supporters of... (Associated Press)

 An Egyptian protester watches an Apache army helicopter is it flies over Tahrir Square, the focal point of Egyptian uprising, in Cairo Sunday, June 30, 2013. Organizers of a mass protest against Egyptian... (Associated Press)

 An Egyptian protester wearing a headband reading "leave," chants slogans against Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi during a rally in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Sunday, June 30, 2013. Thousands of... (Associated Press)

 Opponents of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi hold a large Egyptian national flag during a protest outside the presidential palace, in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, June 30, 2013. Thousands of Egyptians demanding... (Associated Press)

 Opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi protest outside the presidential palace, at left, in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, June 30, 2013. Thousands of Egyptians demanding the ouster of Morsi are... (Associated Press)

 Supporters of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi chant slogans and dance with sticks during a rally in Nasser City, Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, June 30, 2013. Thousands of opponents and supporters of... (Associated Press)

 A supporters of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi dances with a stick during a rally in Nasser City, Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, June 30, 2013. Hundreds of thousands of opponents of Egypt's Islamist... (Associated Press)

 Supporters of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi hold sticks and shields as they rally in Nasser City, Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, June 30, 2013. Hundreds of thousands of opponents of Egypt's Islamist... (Associated Press)

 Opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi march towards the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, June 30, 2013. Hundreds of thousands of opponents of Egypt's Islamist president poured... (Associated Press)

 Opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi protest outside the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, June 30, 2013. Hundreds of thousands of opponents of Egypt's Islamist president... (Associated Press)

 An Egyptian protester waves a national flag as Egyptians gather in Tahrir Square during a demonstration against President Mohammed Morsi in Cairo, Sunday, June 30, 2013. Hundreds of thousands of opponents... (Associated Press)

 Opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi protest outside the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, June 30, 2013. Hundreds of thousands of opponents of Egypt's Islamist president... (Associated Press)

 An Egyptian protester chants slogans during anti-Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi rally in Tahrir Square, the focal point of Egyptian uprising, in Cairo Sunday, June 30, 2013. Organizers of a... (Associated Press)

 An Egyptian girl holds a poster with Arabic that reads, "Heave, Huge year strike," as she chants slogans during a protest against Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi outside the presidential palace,... (Associated Press)

 Opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi hold posters with Arabic that reads, "Leave, the people want the fall of the regime," during a protest outside the presidential palace in Cairo,... (Associated Press)

 Egyptian protesters pray the noon prayer under a national flag during a rally in Tahrir Square, the focal point of Egyptian uprising, in Cairo Sunday, June 30, 2013. Thousands of Egyptians demanding the... (Associated Press)

 An opponent of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi chants slogans as he holds pot covers with Arabic that reads, "leave," during a protest outside the presidential palace, in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday,... (Associated Press)

 An Egyptian anti-President Mohammed Morsi protester sits on a palm tree as he holds a noose and a national flag in Tahrir Square, the focal point of Egyptian uprising, in Cairo Sunday, June 30, 2013.... (Associated Press)

 A woman holds an Egyptian national flag during a protest calling for the ouster of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi outside the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, June 30, 2013. Thousands of... (Associated Press)

 Men in protective gear march from a rally to support Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, seen on poster, as a contingent prepares to protect the presidential palace in Nasser City, Cairo, Sunday, June... (Associated Press)

 Thousands of people gather to support Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi in Nasser City, Cairo, Sunday, June 30, 2013. Thousands of opponents and supporters of Egypt's Islamist president began massing... (Associated Press)

 Women attend a rally to support Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi in Nasser City, Cairo, Sunday, June 30, 2013. Thousands of opponents and supporters of Egypt's Islamist president began massing in city... (Associated Press)

 Supporters of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi stand in formation with sticks as they prepare to protect the presidential palace in Nasser City, Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, June 30, 2013. Thousands... (Associated Press)

 Opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi look at a military helicopter flying over the presidential palace, in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, June 30, 2013. Hundreds of thousands of opponents of... (Associated Press)

 Egyptians wave the national flags from their balconies as they watch opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi protest outside the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, June 30, 2013.... (Associated Press)

 Egyptian protester chants slogans against Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi during a rally in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Sunday, June 30, 2013. Hundreds of thousands of opponents of Egypt's Islamist... (Associated Press)

 Egyptian protesters pray during a demonstration against Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Sunday, June 30, 2013. Hundreds of thousands of opponents of Egypt's Islamist... (Associated Press) |||||
What is a shorter version of the above article?

– Officials say three anti-government protesters have been killed in the southern Egyptian city of Assiut, after suspected Islamists riding a motorbike fired on protesters outside a local government building. One was killed and seven injured, prompting protesters to march on the local office of the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice party, where at least two more were shot by gunmen inside the building, the AP reports. Another protester was killed outside Freedom and Justice party headquarters in Beni Suef. The country is gripped with anti-government protests today, with hundreds of thousands massing in Cairo's Tahrir Square and other cities around the country to call for the removal of President Mohamed Morsi, the AP reports. "Today is the Brotherhood's last day in power," says one protestor at Tahrir. "I came here today because Morsi did not accomplish any of the [2011] revolution's goals ... the needs of the poor were not met." But Morsi, who has three years left in office, remains defiant in the face of growing opposition and calls for an early election. "If we changed someone in office who [was elected] according to constitutional legitimacy—well, there will be people opposing the new president too, and a week or a month later they will ask him to step down," he told the Guardian.


Article:
A body found in a rural field was identified Wednesday as that of a 17-year-old Southern California girl who was likely kidnapped while walking to a friend's home after a summer class.

 Moreno Valley residents wearing T-shirts of missing teen Norma Lopez, react as authorities confirm that a body was identified through dental records as Norma Lopez, during a news conference on Wednesday,... (Associated Press)

 Moreno Valley residents react as authorities confirm that a body was identified through dental records as Norma Lopez, during a news conference on Wednesday, July 21, 2010, in Moreno Valley, Calif. A... (Associated Press)

 FILE - This undated file image provided by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department shows Norma Lopez, who has been missing since July 15, 2010, after failing to return from a summer school class. An... (Associated Press)

 Riverside County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Joseph Borja, at podium, confirms that a body was identified through dental records as Norma Lopez, during a news conference on Wednesday, July 21, 2010, in... (Associated Press)

 An autopsy confirmed the identity of Norma Lopez, but investigators would not release the cause of death.

 "I don't want to believe it's her," family friend Melanie Villarreal, 18, told The Associated Press. "We know she's in a better place."

 Police and the FBI have not identified a suspect and have asked the public for help in the investigation.

 "We do have a few leads that we're still following up ... but I wouldn't say that we're any closer," Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Joseph Borja said.

 About 2,000 people gathered around an athletic field at Lopez's school Wednesday evening for a vigil where 16-year-old friend Moises Michel remembered how Lopez loved dance, especially merengue and salsa.

 "Whenever we were bored we'd just dance with each other, we'd get up and dance," he said. "I'm used to seeing her every day smiling. I'm just in shock because I can't believe it."

 The discovery of the body was reported Tuesday just hours after Lopez's anguished family held a press conference to plead for her return, and authorities said they had no clues and announced a $35,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever abducted her.

 Lopez vanished July 15 after leaving a summer school class at Valley View High School, where she would have been a senior this year. Authorities said she was heading to meet a friend.

 When she didn't show up, her younger sister and a friend went to look for her, found some of her personal items in a field 1 1/2 blocks from the school, and called authorities, Borja said.

 The field, a well-known neighborhood shortcut, is off a street that dead-ends at the base of boulder-studded hills cut with trails. Homes line one side, but in the blazing Wednesday heat the expanse of dirt and dry stubble was deserted.

 Searchers fruitlessly covered the area for several days.

 On Tuesday, a resident driving his tractor-mower on another remote field found the body near a stretch of desert road more than two miles away. The decomposed body, shirtless and clad in jeans, was found face-down in a grove of trees in the agricultural area on the eastern edge of Moreno Valley.

 The mix of suburban-style residential sprawl and large rural areas is common in fast-growing Moreno Valley, a city of 186,000 about 60 miles east of Los Angeles between March Air Reserve Base and a swath of unforgiving, rugged terrain known as The Badlands.

 The teen's disappearance drew wide attention across Southern California, where the high-profile abduction-murders of two other teenage girls in San Diego County _ one jogging alone this year and the other walking to school in 2009 _ led to a sex offender who ultimately admitted the killings and is now imprisoned.

 "I believe this has been made personal because we all have children," Borja said. "It's probably our worst nightmare that our kids can just be taken from a street and killed."

 Borja said it was unknown whether the girl was taken by an acquaintance or a stranger. Her boyfriend had been interviewed several times and was cooperative, Borja said.

 He would not provide details on the items found at the site where Lopez was abducted, explaining that releasing further details could hamper the investigation.

 "We haven't caught the suspect who killed Norma so obviously there is at least a murderer out there, and so I would be vigilant, I would be aware," he said. "If I was a parent I would keep track of my children. I would do everything I could to ensure their safety."

 Valley View High School Principal Kristen Hunter said phone notifications had been made to students' parents urging safety precautions. The school has about 3,000 students, with 400 in summer classes.

 Lopez was taking biology over the summer and was doing well in the class, the principal said.

 Hunter said teachers described the teen as a very good student and a quiet girl who never got into trouble.

 On Wednesday, incoming seniors came and went from campus to have their class pictures taken.

 Jennifer Sanchez, 18, said she knew Lopez through a freshman-year club.

 Lopez was sweet and quiet and mostly spent time at school with her older sister, who graduated last year, her younger sister, and her on-and-off boyfriend, Sanchez said.

 "We called them 'the Lopez sisters' because they were really close to each other," Michel said. "They spent a lot of time together."

 (This version CORRECTS A new approach. Updates with details, community vigil, quotes, scene, area description. Corrects that she was walking to a friend's home, not her home. AP Video.) ||||| Authorities on Wednesday positively identified the partially decomposed body found on the desolate outskirts of Moreno Valley as that of Norma Lopez, the 17-year-old high school student who police suspected was abducted after summer school.

 The Riverside County coroner’s office made the determination after a morning autopsy.

 The body was found Tuesday afternoon by a local resident doing yard work in a remote section of town surrounded by wheat fields, just off the 60 Freeway.

 Exposed to the elements during the recent heat wave, the remains were so decomposed that authorities could not immediately determine the sex of the deceased, let alone whether it was Norma's body, said Riverside County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Joe Borja.

 Borja said investigators still have no suspects in the case, although a newer model green SUV was seen speeding away from the area where Norma disappeared.

 Norma was reported missing about 12:30 p.m. Thursday by her older sister, Sonja, after she failed to return home from a summer biology class at Valley View High School. She was out of class by 10 a.m. and had plans to meet her older sister and a friend, authorities said.

 Investigators said they found some of Norma's belongings, and signs of a struggle, in a vacant field along Cottonwood Avenue, a popular shortcut among students just a few blocks from the school. They are also looking for the driver and passengers of the SUV seen near the field at the time of her disappearance.

 On Tuesday, the Sheriff’s Department announced a $35,000 reward for information leading to Norma's return or the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for her abduction.

 Investigators from the Sheriff’s Department and the FBI have interviewed dozens of friends and associates, as well as local felons and others who crossed paths with police. Authorities urged anyone with information about the case to call (877) 242-4345, or send an e-mail to findnorma@riversidesheriff.org.

 -- Phil Willon in Moreno Valley

 Top photo: Riverside County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Joe Borja speaks to the media today. Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times. Bottom photo: Norma Lopez

  |||||Summary:

– Remains found in a wheat field near a southern California town have been identified as those of a missing teenage girl police believe was abducted after a summer school program. Norma Lopez, 17, vanished a week ago after a biology class at Valley View High in Moreno Valley. Police have no suspects, but a green SUV was seen speeding from the spot where Lopez tried in vain to fight off her attacker, reports the Los Angeles Times. Investigators found some of Norma's belongings and signs of a struggle just blocks from the school. “We haven’t caught the suspect who killed Norma so obviously there is a murderer out there, so I would be vigilant, I would be aware," said Riverside County Sheriff Sgt. Joseph Barja. "If I were a parent I would keep track of my children. I would do everything to ensure their safety.”


Article:
Despite the highly publicized elevator extravaganza at last year’s Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, Solange Knowles is definitely not shying away from attention this year. Arriving in a printed Giles mini-dress with teensy pleats, Beyoncé’s newlywed kid sister wrote on Instagram, “When @cartier is your date, and Giles is your dress.”

 Larry Busacca/Getty

 Without a regal cape or a bold, monochrome look, we almost didn’t recognize the R&B singer. But then again, who else could pull off a dress this statement-making?

 RELATED PHOTOS: Everything you need to know about the Met Gala!

 The effect looks like two paper fans on top of each other, which isn’t a bad thing—but definitely fits with Solange’s trademark eccentricity. The whole appearance spurs so many questions: Will she upstage her sister, who usually arrives at the eleventh hour? Does she have to hold her arms out like that all night? We’ll have to wait and see.

 What do you think of Solange’s 3-D dress?

 –Isabella Biedenharn ||||| We’re having a hard time with this.

 Because.

 Well.

 Tonight, Beyonce had a misstep. A fashion fail. A … Kardashian-like moment. And it was at the Met Ball. She was two hours late. Her dress could have been a strong contestant in the Kim K/JLo Met Gala Bare Derriere Face-Off. And we are just … depressed. Spare us, Beyhive. ||||| Yes, Sarah Jessica Parker turned heads by donning a flaming headdress at this year’s Met Gala. Heck, her red head burned brighter than the actual red carpet.

 Parker, 50, doesn’t shy away from haute couture and daring looks, and the Met Gala is the place to go big.

 How did the internet react to her Philip Treacy headpiece, though? Well, she was hardly off the carpet before those watching this year’s event had transformed her into a meme.

 It’s actually interesting to find out what different people perceive when they look at SJP’s magnificently otherworldly get-up. It’s like a pop culture Rorschach test.

 People have suggested she reminds them of

 a flame emoji.

 Sarah Jessica Parker wore the fire emoji to the #MetGala. 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/n3ST4GI0ho — Funny Or Die (@funnyordie) May 5, 2015

 Aku, the villain of the cult cartoon series Samurai Jack.

 Aku!! That's what SJP's outfit reminds me of!! Thank you internet. pic.twitter.com/a16mOx167z — SuperSaiyanSam (@THE_SamLao) May 5, 2015

 the Heat Miser from A Year Without Santa Claus.

 SJP over here tryna look like the heat miser #MetGala2015 pic.twitter.com/e3JH7WVU1s — Raquel (@RaquellRosee) May 5, 2015

 Aladdin villain Jafar.

 Darth Maul from Star Wars.

 Clearly SJP takes number one slot: pic.twitter.com/X3S3gJ5vfa — lauren (@laurensaidwhaat) May 5, 2015

 Nintendo character Kirby.

 WWE wrestler Stardust.

 Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers villain Rita Repulsa.

 a representative of the Fire Nation from Avatar: the Last Airbender.

 Sarah Jessica Parker representado a la nación del fuego pic.twitter.com/4BtecyuL3s — Martín (@N0t_Get) May 5, 2015

 Fantastic Four’s Human Torch.

 @MVivant Sarah Jessica Parker en el Casting para los 4 Fantásticos pic.twitter.com/5dSozqclOl — Alejandro Rosas (@arr1910) May 5, 2015

 a Dragon Ball Z character.

 Sarah Jessica Parker think she Super Saiyan God. #MetGala pic.twitter.com/jVspiXBSQ3 — Andrew T. Bondlow (@BondlowPhoto) May 5, 2015

 and, finally, a different emoji.

 https://twitter.com/JoseRodari/status/595371969131974658

 Not that any of these observations would bother Parker in the least. After all, the woman who wears this headdress is absolutely fearless.

 Sarah Jessica Parker: Her Changing Looks ||||| Oof.

 A lot of stars shined at the Met Gala, but others just missed the mark.

 Among the fashion casualties were Maggie Gyllenhaal and Jennifer Connelly, who were going for wonders in white, but instead just fell flat.

 Sorry, ladies, but it's true.

 Jennifer Connelly donned a lace Louis Vuitton sheath dress on this year's red carpet.

 While we appreciate the effort, that leg-of-mutton sleeve made the ensemble look far too big for her tiny frame. And as if that wasn't enough, her hands were practically swallowed up in that dress.

 The Blood Diamond actress ended up looking like a little girl trying on mommy's clothes.

 And poor Maggie!

 She tried in that floor-length Roland Mouret number, we just aren't exactly sure what it was she was trying for.

 From the different-sized straps, to the world's weirdest waist accent, we have no other word's to describe Maggie's red carpet outfit than a hot mess.

 But Jake Gyllenhaal's big sis did succeed at something: reminding us why wearing black and brown together was a fashion faux pas to begin with!

 [Images via Getty Images.]

 Tags: fashion smashion, jennifer connelly, louis vuitton, maggie gyllenhaal, met gala, red carpet, roland mouret ||||| Today is a momentous day for many reasons: It's Audrey Hepburn's birthday, Star Wars Day (because "May the Fourth," geddit?), and, of course, Met Gala day. Thanks to heroes and honorary Jedis Solange Knowles and Anne Hathaway, those last two occasions have been combined in an unexpectedly elegant way, sure to quicken the heart of any mouth-breathing nerd who knows that "Wookiee" has two e's and that Han Solo shot first.Anne Hathaway's Ralph Lauren gown could be mistaken for a luxe take on the Jawas' uniform of choice (albeit in this case, accessorized with a Repossi ear cuff). But, since Hathaway is probably not trying to align herself with a race of Tattoine-dwelling scavenger-demons, we're going to hazard a guess that the iconic Jedi robes are the inspiration instead. |||||

 Jay Z and Beyonce at the 2014 Met Gala. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

 The Met Gala has always been a very elite, very New York City affair, but it sure took a leap into the mainstream last year: Post-gala, security cameras captured singer Solange attacking her brother-in-law, Jay Z, in a hotel elevator while Beyoncé calmly adjusted her dress in the background.

 The annual fashion benefit takes place Monday night, so we’ve got your primer on what to expect, including if anything can possibly top last year’s drama.

 [Beyoncé, Jay Z and Solange speak out about elevator video: ‘Families have problems and we’re no different]

 What exactly is the Met Gala?

 Also known as the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala, the extremely fancy, exclusive event is held every year to raise money for the institute and kick off the new spring exhibit. According to the New York Times, it “has become, over the last decade, the undisputed party of the year on the New York social schedule” and costs roughly $25,000 a ticket.

 What’s this year’s exhibit?

 The 2015 exhibition — also the costume theme for the evening — is called “China: Through the Looking Glass.” According to the museum’s announcement, it “will explore the impact of Chinese aesthetics on Western fashion and how China has fueled the fashionable imagination for centuries.”

 Anna Wintour (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

 Who’s hosting?

 Vogue editor Anna Wintour, who regularly runs the show, and whom the Times credited as “the driving force behind the gala’s transformation from a well-attended dinner for museum donors and patrons into one of the biggest fund-raising events staged by any of the city’s cultural institutions.” Her co-hosts include actresses Jennifer Lawrence and Gong Li; Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer and executive Wendi Murdoch.

 [From Jay Z and Solange to Rep. Vance McAllister, how does security footage get leaked?]

 Who’s invited this year?

 In addition to all the top designers, the full list of celebrities is as overwhelming as ever, including Anne Hathaway; Claire Danes; Colin Firth; Bradley Cooper; Jessica Chastain; Spike Jonze; Julianne Moore; Sarah Jessica Parker; Rita Ora; Reese Witherspoon; Neil Patrick Harris; Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively; and of course, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West?

 Why “of course” Kim and Kanye?

 Because who wouldn’t invite those two back after this fashion statement during the year of the “punk” theme?

 Kim and Kanye (Justin Lane/EPA)

 So what was all the drama last year?

 Solange and Jay Z had some sort of family feud that led to the fight footage seen around the world, thanks to TMZ. They later released an apology statement (“At the end of the day families have problems and we’re no different. We love each other and above all we are family. We’ve put this behind us and hope everyone else will do the same.”) and never really explained what happened, though rumors were rampant.

 [Solange predictably plays down Jay Z elevator fight in new interview]

 Wasn’t there something else that happened in an elevator?

 Well, supermodel Cara Delevingne posted a Instagram video that pictured a group of models and starlets goofing off in an elevator, something mere mortals usually never get to see. The highlight: Reese Witherspoon dispensing baby name advice in a Southern drawl. “The most important thing in a name for a girl? That a man can whisper it in his pillow.” It was unfiltered and hilarious — and obviously pulled from Instagram immediately.

 Can we expect more madness?

 You never know, but probably nothing like last year — security everywhere will likely be under lots of pressure not to let any incriminating footage leak, though it’s hard to control such things. Plus, filmmaker Andrew Rossi will be there filming for a documentary, so stars will be on their best behavior. Though Delevingne is attending again, so maybe she’ll film more entertaining scenes and not cave to peer pressure to delete them.

 READ MORE:

 That Reese Witherspoon Instagram video has already been deleted. Why are stars so afraid to show off their real personalities?

 The Met Gala: One designer’s gowns steal the show

 At the Met Gala, a red carpet like no other |||||Summary:

– The Met Gala was last night, meaning celebrities had a chance to dress up in totally crazy outfits and vie for headlines the next day. Six of the most talked-about costumes: Beyonce showed up—two hours late—in a mostly see-through (with the exception of some well-placed ... confetti?) dress, prompting USA Today to declare, "Beyonce has a rare (but epic) fashion fail," even referring to it as a "Kardashian-like moment." Sarah Jessica Parker wore a headdress that was supposed to look like flames, and People notes that it's already a meme—people are comparing it to a flame emoji, the Human Torch, the hair of the Heat Miser from classic cartoon The Year Without a Santa Claus, and even the hat Jafar wears in Aladdin, among other things. Bey's sister, Solange Knowles, wore her own bizarre dress. It's difficult to describe, but People notes that the printed dress with mini-pleats "looks like two paper fans on top of each other." Vanity Fair declares that Rihanna "won" the red carpet with her insane yellow dress, complete with fur cape dragging an enormous train behind it. "I can’t really walk in it without any help," Rihanna explained. "But it’s so worth it. I love this dress so much!" Jennifer Connelly wore a Louis Vuitton sheath dress with puffy sleeves, and Perez Hilton complained that "that leg-of-mutton sleeve made the ensemble look far too big for her tiny frame. And as if that wasn't enough, her hands were practically swallowed up in that dress," making her look like "a little girl trying on mommy's clothes." As for Anne Hathaway, she looked vaguely like a Star Wars character in her gold, hooded ensemble, a not-uncommon observation. E! also notes that it "somewhat resembles a metallic boxing robe a pro athlete might wear." If you don't fully understand the Met Gala, the Washington Post's amusing FAQ may help. It reminds us, for one thing, that this happened after last year's event.


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 How To Control Giant Hogweed

 The information on this page is available in a more extensive PDF format. View complete Giant hogweed Control Methods (PDF, 500 KB) document.

 Giant hogweed can be controlled manually, mechanically, and with herbicides. In some cases, a giant hogweed infestation is best controlled using several different methods in combination or in succession - in other words, a two, three, or even four-pronged attack plan. The final part to any control method is to plant grasses or other vegetation to provide competition for giant hogweed and decrease soil erosion.

 In order for your control effort to be successful, you will have to ensure that no additional seeds are being introduced to the area. With no influx of seed and a few years of persistent control efforts, giant hogweed plants can be eradicated.

 Before beginning or performing giant hogweed control, be sure to carefully read and follow the Health Hazards & Safety Instructions (this page contains graphic photos)!

 Overall Giant Hogweed Control

 Prevent introduction into new areas Do not move soil contaminated with seed. If removal of contaminated soil is necessary, seedling emergence can be prevented by burying the soil to a minimum depth of 20 inches (50 cm) and covering it with clean soil Sowing and planting giant hogweed is PROHIBITED Since the dispersal of giant hogweed is almost entirely by seeds, it is very important to prevent the plant from setting seed Control new, smaller infestations first before the seed bank has a chance to establish

 Field technician root-cutting hogweed plants. Field technician root-cutting hogweed plants.

 Manual & Mechanical Control

 Methods include root cutting, flower head/seed head removal, cutting and mowing, and cut and cover. Except for root cutting, manual control will not cause immediate death of the plant. All other methods will need two to three treatments per year for several years to deplete the root reserves and kill the plants. All methods will need to occur for multiple years until no new plants grow from the seed bank. Monitor the site for at least three more years to make sure no new seedlings appear.

 a. Root cutting

 This method is ideal for a single plant or small infestations. We have found 400 plants to be a manageable amount for two people to control manually.

 Cut the taproot approximately six inches below ground level using a spade, shovel, or anything with a large sharp edge. In areas with erosion or on steep inclines (where additional soil may be covering the plant base), plants may need to be cut up to ten inches below the soil.

 If possible (for your safety), cut the plants before the leaves are very large.

 The cut part of the plants should be removed from the soil and left out to dry (safest for control person) or bagged and disposed of.

 If the plants do not die, cut them again when they regrow.

 When using the root-cutting method, another attack strategy is to apply herbicide to the cut root remaining in the soil to help ensure no part of the root grows back the following year.

 b. Hogweed flower head/seed head removal & safe disposal

 Cut off the flower heads after the seeds have formed but before they mature. This will prevent the plants from shedding the seeds and from forming new flowers on lower branches.

 Clear trash bags are the best for solarization (a method of using the heat from the sun to destroy the seed viability) but dark bags are suitable as well.

 Seal trash bags tightly.

 If sap has gotten on the outside of the bag, put it inside another trash bag so the outside is safe to handle.

 Place in a secure location where they will be exposed to direct sunlight to give flowers and seeds solarization for at least two weeks.

 Dispose of trash bags in the garbage.

 c. Cutting & mowing

 Start when plants are small and continue mowing throughout season. DO NOT mow if the plants are larger than your mower and NEVER mow if there is a flower or seed head.

 If you choose to use this method, the plants must be cut at least three times during a growing season for several years.

 Repeated mowing is often used for large infested areas and if done consistently and on a regular basis can destroy most of the plants.

 Be careful not to spread the seeds - all flower heads should be removed and carefully disposed of prior to mowing.

 Mowing equipment should be cleaned before using in another area to avoid spreading hogweed seeds.

 d. Cut & cover

 Cut the plants down to ground level and cover the soil with black plastic or landscape fabric with mulch on top.

 Check the following year to make sure seedlings do not poke through.

 After a few years, remove the plastic and re-vegetate the area.

 Herbicide Control

 Giant hogweed is susceptible to systemic herbicides, such as glyphosate and triclopyr. The application of these herbicides is considered effective and cost efficient and can be used for the control of a single plant or large stands of giant hogweed. These systemic herbicides will be absorbed by the leaves and will move into the root to prevent regrowth the following year. Triclopyr is a selective herbicide that acts only on broadleaf plants and will not harm grasses in the area. Glyphosate is non persistent in the soil but is also a non-selective herbicide and will kill any surrounding vegetation it comes in contact with. Some triclopyr and glyphosate products (example: Rodeo) are labeled for use in riparian areas and near water. Areas sprayed with triclopyr can recolonize with grasses and other herbaceous species within the same growing season which helps to suppress giant hogweed seedling growth and decrease soil erosion. Recolonization at sites using glyphosate will probably be slower than sites using triclopyr unless re-seeded.

 Spray giant hogweed leaves with an herbicide containing triclopyr or glyphosate as the active ingredient. Use the recommended manufacturer's dose and follow label instructions - there is no advantage to using a higher dose. Apply the herbicide between March and early June when hogweed leaves are green and actively growing. A follow-up treatment, in July or August, may be needed for the plants that did not die from the first herbicide application. During this follow-up treatment it is strongly recommended to remove any flower heads present to decrease next year's seed source. It is easiest to spray before the plants grow overly tall. Giant hogweed plants can be sprayed later in the season as long as they are still green and not dying back. Another option is to carefully cut the plants above waist height and spray below. To be successful in eradicating giant hogweed, herbicide treatments (or another control method) will have to be repeated for a few years, in order to kill the plants missed the prior year as well as the plants emerging from the seed bank.

 Spray during dry and calm weather. Cover leaf surfaces thoroughly with spray droplets, but do not spray to the point that liquid is dripping off the leaves. Do not apply herbicide to non-target organisms as you want the other plants to live and revegetate the area. It may take plants treated up to one week or more depending on moisture levels before symptoms appear. Do not cut or dig the plant until the top growth has died back. If the leaves remain green several weeks or a month after the initial treatment, spray them with herbicide again.

 For Licensed Pesticide Applicators

 There are five herbicides that are legal for specific use on giant hogweed due to FIFRA 2(ee) Recommendations:

 Accord XRT II, EPA Reg. No. 62719-556

 Garlon 4 Ultra, EPA Reg. No. 62719-527

 Rodeo, EPA Reg. No. 62719-324

 Roundup ProMax Herbicide, EPA Reg. No. 524-579

 Roundup Pro Concentrate Herbicide, EPA Reg. No. 524-529

 Some of these herbicides are classified as restricted and can only be applied by, or under the supervision of, a certified commercial pesticide applicator. A copy of the FIFRA 2(ee) Recommendation letter as well as a copy of the herbicide label needs to be carried by the applicator when applying herbicides. The 2(ee) recommendations can be downloaded at the NYS Pesticide Product, Ingredient and Manufacturer System (PIMS) database web site (leaves DEC website).

 It may be possible for hogweed seeds to remain viable in the soil for 15 years. For this reason, long-term monitoring is very important. Check the site and surrounding areas for the next several years for the emergence of any hogweed seedlings or regrowth from previous year's plants.

 This step is crucial! After removing giant hogweed plants, you may be left with an area of bare soil vulnerable to soil erosion, giant hogweed seedlings, and introduction of other invasive weeds. Re-establishment of native or non-invasive vegetation (e.g. through sowing grass mixtures) at treated sites may be necessary to help achieve your desired control outcome. This will help to reduce soil erosion and provide competition for giant hogweed seedlings.

 For more information about control of giant hogweed, please see The Best Management Practice Manual (PDF, 2.5 MB). This manual was developed by numerous experts in Europe to control this invasive plant.

  ||||| Officials in Virginia are warning residents to be on the lookout after an invasive plant was found Tuesday in the northern part of the state that can cause third-degree burns and even permanent blindness.

 The Massey Herbarium at Virginia Tech said in a Facebook post that 30 giant hogweed plants were discovered in Clarke County, located between Winchester and Leesburg.

 The plant contains a very toxic sap, that when combined with sun exposure, can cause severe health hazards.

 "In brief, the sap prevents your skin from protecting itself from sunlight, which leads to a very bad sunburn," according to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. "Heat and moisture (sweat or dew) can worsen the skin reaction. The phototoxic reaction can begin as soon as 15 minutes after contact, with sensitivity peak between 30 minutes and two hours after contact."

 The sap can cause painful blisters that can form and become "dark and pigmented," and scars that can last up to six years, according to the NYDEC.

 WARNING: GRAPHIC PHOTOS BELOW

 If the sap gets into the eye, it can even lead to blindness.

 Environmental officials in Virginia said that while there has just been one confirmed case in Clarke County, they are warning residents in other parts of the state to stay alert for potential sightings.

 "There have been reports from VDOT of sightings of Giant Hogweed in the Staunton area and Middlesex County," Isle of Wight County posted to Facebook. "There is a strong possibility that the Giant Hogweed could find its way into the Tidewater/Coastal Virginia area."

 Besides being a threat to humans, giant hogweed can also impact the environment. The plant can grow up to up to 14 feet, creating a lot of shade in the area and inhibiting the growth of native species. The plants have hollow stems that are generally 2 to 4 inches in diameter, with dark purple and red raised spots and bristle-like hairs.

 Environmental officials say that if you want to remove the plant, do not use a weed-whacker, because the plant's sap can splatter and then spread quickly. Eradication should be done by physical removal or using herbicides such as glyphosate or triclopyr, according to the NYDEC.

 "It may be possible for hogweed seeds to remain viable in the soil for 15 years," the agency said. "For this reason, long-term monitoring is very important. Check the site and surrounding areas for the next several years for the emergence of any hogweed seedlings or regrowth from previous year's plants." ||||| These crawls are part of an effort to archive pages as they are created and archive the pages that they refer to. That way, as the pages that are referenced are changed or taken from the web, a link to the version that was live when the page was written will be preserved.Then the Internet Archive hopes that references to these archived pages will be put in place of a link that would be otherwise be broken, or a companion link to allow people to see what was originally intended by a page's authors.The goal is to fix all broken links on the web . Crawls of supported "No More 404" sites. ||||| See more of VT Massey Herbarium on Facebook ||||| Tweet with a location

 You can add location information to your Tweets, such as your city or precise location, from the web and via third-party applications. You always have the option to delete your Tweet location history. Learn more ||||| If Hollywood wanted to make a movie about a horrifying plant invasion, giant hogweeds would make a great candidate for the lead role - they are absolutely massive, incredibly toxic, and readily spread wherever their seeds take root.

 Listed as a noxious weed in at least eight states, last week the giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) was spotted in Virginia for the first time.

 According to reports from the Massey Herbarium at Virginia Tech university, about 30 of these towering plants have been found in Clarke County, and locals are warned to keep an eye out for sightings.

 Today I helped ID VA's first giant hogweed population! Its sap causes severe burns. One plant was found in Clarke County. Report sightings to your extension agent! ID help: https://t.co/VMkYqyaccB Thanks to @herbariumkeeper and @VTAgWeeds for ID help and report! pic.twitter.com/4BM9RhyMem — VT Massey Herbarium (@MasseyHerbarium) June 12, 2018

 Native to the Caucasus region, the statuesque plant looks like a huge mutant version of the benign common hogweed - but it can cause severe skin burns if you so much as brush against the bristles on its stalks.

 Those bristles, along with the rest of the plant, emit a nasty sap that chemically irritates the skin causing phototoxicity - severe damage to the skin through exposure to sunlight and UV rays.

 As a result, one can get huge, oozing blisters that can leave behind scars and photosensitivity for many years (you can see some NSFW photos of giant hogweed-caused blisters here.)

 But unless you're familiar with its nasty secret, you might think the giant hogweed looks cool - these large plants can grow more than 4 metres (14 feet) tall, spreading their huge leaves and producing massive umbrella-shaped clusters of white flowers.

 After Britain first made the mistake in the 19th century, as an "ornamental" garden plant it was also introduced to North America just a few decades later, and since then it's been a battle to stop the flowering monster's march across the continent.

 Hogweed warning sign in Ontario, Canada (Gavin Edmonstone/Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

 Once you have an infestation, it takes a lot of work to control the giant hogweed to prevent its spread, as its seeds - each plant can shed thousands - remain viable in the soil for several years.

 "In some cases, a giant hogweed infestation is best controlled using several different methods in combination or in succession - in other words, a two, three, or even four-pronged attack plan," explains the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC).

 Those methods involve cutting the plant roots, removing seed heads, mowing them down when they're still small, and even dosing the whole thing with herbicide. Of course, going anywhere near a giant hogweed requires protective gear.

 Weirdly enough, H. mantegazzianum isn't even the only horror weed that's come to plague the world from its Caucasus origins.

 The closely related H. sosnowskyi species, discovered in Georgia in the 1930s, was brought into the Soviet Union for growing as cattle feed. These days, it is by far the scariest plant you could find in the Baltic States and Poland, where it's considered highly invasive.

 It's easy to imagine that one day far in the future, when humans are all dead, whole swathes of our planet could be overgrown with this incredibly toxic, fast-growing plant. Movie writers, you're welcome.

 To learn about the identification of giant hogweed and compare it to common look-alikes, check out the NYDEC site here. ||||| Skip to main navigation

 Health Hazards & Safety Instructions for Giant Hogweed (with graphic photos)

 When giant hogweed (GH) sap, which contains photosensitizing furanocoumarins, contacts human skin in conjunction with sunlight, it can cause phytophotodermatitis - a serious skin inflammation. In brief, the sap prevents your skin from protecting itself from sunlight which leads to a very bad sunburn. Heat and moisture (sweat or dew) can worsen the skin reaction. The phototoxic reaction can begin as soon as 15 minutes after contact, with sensitivity peak between 30 minutes and two hours after contact.

 Photo of giant hogweed burn - 5 days to 5 months after initial exposure Photo credit: Bob Kleinberg

 What are the symptoms of exposure to giant hogweed sap?

 Painful blisters that form within 48 hours and become dark and pigmented

 Scars that last up to six years, though typically only last a few months

 Long-term sensitivity to sunlight is common

 Blindness may occur if the sap gets into the eye

 Where is the toxic sap located?

 Sap can be located in all parts of the plant but the following have higher concentrations: the lower part of the hollow stems and petioles; the hollow hairs on the plant; the foliage, stem, flower, or fruit (seed).

 Safety precautions to follow when controlling giant hogweed plants:

 Refer to the How to Control GH webpage which includes a detailed guide

 Do not touch the plant with bare skin

 Do not touch your bare skin with sap covered gloves

 Prevent UV sunlight from reaching skin by:

 wearing long waterproof gloves, long sleeves, pants, boots, and eye protection; synthetic water-resistant materials are best since cotton and linen fibers can soak up the plant sap and be penetrated by plant hairs If controlling plants with multiple people, keep a good distance from one another as the sap can splash three to four feet Apply sun block before beginning to work

 Launder clothes that may have contacted plants

 Wash equipment with water immediately after use

 Limit exposure to sunlight after control OR work around giant hogweed plants after sunset

 DO NOT use a "weed-whacker" or brush cutter - sap may splatter as stems are cut

 Keep water, soap, and eye-wash near work area in case of exposure

 What should you do if you are exposed to giant hogweed sap?

 Wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and COLD water as soon as possible

 Keep exposed area away from sunlight for 48 hours

 If a reaction occurs, topical steroids applied early can reduce the severity of the reaction and ease discomfort

 If sap goes in eyes, rinse them with water and wear sunglasses

 If a reaction has occurred, the area of skin may be sensitive to sunlight for a few years and you may want to apply sun block or keep the affected area covered from the sun when possible

 See a physician if you have a reaction or any questions

  |||||
A summary of this is?

– What ScienceAlert calls a "giant horror plant" has made its way to yet another US state, and people who come in contact with it could feel the pain. Virginia Tech's Massey Herbarium tweeted last week it had IDed a giant hogweed (aka Heracleum mantegazzianum) plant in Clarke County, later updating that count on Facebook to 30 plants. The plant holds what Fox News deems a "toxic sap," which prevents human skin from protecting itself from the sun's rays, leading to severe burns that can be worsened by sweat. New York state's Department of Environmental Conservation lists other hazards that can result from coming in contact with the plant (as well as some photos of terrible burns), including long-term sunlight sensitivity, oozing blisters, scarring, and even permanent blindness if the sap makes its way into one's eyes. And it doesn't take a lot to fall prey to the poison of the giant hogweed, which resembles an umbrella or mushroom made up of white flowers: A simple brush up against its bristles can spur a reaction as soon as 15 minutes later, with "sensitivity peak between 30 minutes and two hours after contact," per the DEC. It's difficult to stop the spreading of the invasive plant, which is native to the Caucasus region near Russia and was introduced to the US sometime in the early 20th century. Virginia environmental officials are warning the plant may have been spotted in other parts of the state and for people who come across it to not let their bare skin make contact. It also offers a guide for very carefully getting rid of the plant. (Giant hogweed has been found in at least a dozen other states.)


– Norm Macdonald posted a very long series of tweets last night about Saturday Night Live's 40th anniversary reunion special, and in it, he explains why Eddie Murphy didn't have a more prominent role on the special. Murphy, who hadn't returned to the SNL studio in more than three decades, only ended up on stage for 70 seconds, and all he did was give thanks for "being remembered for his contribution to the show," People reports. But the writers originally wanted Murphy to play Bill Cosby in a Celebrity Jeopardy sketch that would also feature Macdonald as Burt Reynolds. It was Macdonald's job to convince Murphy, and they talked it over for "a good hour," Macdonald tweeted. The idea was a video Daily Double with the category of "potent potables," Macdonald said, in which "Cosby would be mixing a drink in a video that was taped 6 months ago." So what was the problem? Murphy "knew the laughs would bring the house down. Eddie Murphy knows what will work on SNL better than any one," Macdonald tweeted. But "Eddie decides the laughs are not worth it. He will not kick a man when he is down. Eddie Murphy, I realize, is not like the rest of us. Eddie does not need the laughs." According to the Daily Beast, Cosby responded to the Murphy story by saying, "I am very appreciative of Eddie and I applaud his actions." Over at Salon, Mary Elizabeth Williams scoffs at the idea that Cosby is "down," writing, "You don’t want to do a bit, don’t do a bit, but don’t you dare turn it into an 'Aw, shucks, let’s go easy on the guy. Hasn’t he suffered enough?' moment." The skit did go on, with Kenan Thompson as Cosby. As for Murphy, Mediaite reports that his actual appearance on the show was extremely awkward, and NBC edited it to make it appear less so. Watch Celebrity Jeopardy and the edited version of Murphy's appearance in the gallery.

Expand this summary.

Poor, poor Bill Cosby. A man still able to draw crowds to his live shows, where he casually jokes to "Be careful about drinking around me." A man recently feted with an exhibition at The National Museum of African Art. A millionaire many times over. Poor, poor Bill Cosby. It's so hurtful that more than two dozen women have accused him of sexually assaulting them. What a difficult time this must be for him. How fortunate there are other men in the world with the integrity to not "kick him when he's down."

 In an illuminating glimpse backstage into the recent "SNL 40" celebration, comic Norm McDonald Wednesday described what it was like to hang out with Paul McCartney and Sarah Palin – and revealed the Eddie Murphy Bill Cosby bit that never was. As McDonald recalled it on Twitter, the original idea was to have Murphy part of the "Celebrity Jeopardy!" sketch. As he explained, writer Steve Higgins had "an idea that would blow the show wide open." He said, "The category would be potent potables, a common one on Jeopardy, but one we somehow had never done. And the idea was that it would be a bar set. And the idea was that Cosby would be mixing a drink in a video that was taped 6 months ago…. The iconic doors would open and on to home base would step Eddie Murphy. The audience would know what to do. Why is Eddie wearing a multi-colored sweater? He steps behind the bar, begins mixing a drink. The audience covers the fact he has not spoken. When he speaks, he is Cosby. Eddie Murphy doing a perfect Cosby impression. The audience does not let him finish. The sketch ends." That was the plan, anyway. Eventually, he says, it was "my job to talk [Murphy] into doing Jeopardy. We talk in his dressing room a good hour. When it's over, I'm convinced he'll do it. He doesn't. He knew the laughs would bring the house down. Eddie Murphy knows what will work on SNL better than any one. Eddie decides the laughs are not worth it. He will not kick a man when he is down." It was a sentiment quickly echoed by Piers Morgan, who assented, "Something very admirable, too, about Eddie Murphy not wanting to kick Bill Cosby when he's down - given their history." ||||| When Eddie Murphy first announced that he would return to Saturday Night Live for the first time in more than 30 years, people started speculating wildly about which classic character he would reprise for the show’s 40th anniversary special. Buckwheat? Gumby? Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood?

 So when Murphy finally took the stage last night, following an inspiring and hilarious introduction from Chris Rock, it was more than a little disappointing when he spent less than 60 seconds talking about what the show meant to him without performing any comedy whatsoever.

 The reactions from those watching at home were less than thrilled:

 Eddie Murphy finally shows up at an SNL reunion, is needy, not funny. — Matt Zoller Seitz (@mattzollerseitz) February 16, 2015

 that eddie murphy spot was the norbit of guest spots #snl40 — Oliver Willis (@owillis) February 16, 2015

 So…Eddie Murphy.

 Unwilling or unable? — Bill Weir (@BillWeirCNN) February 16, 2015

 If you're disappointed in Eddie Murphy's cameo on #SNL40, remember that he made Pluto Nash & Norbit. HE DOESN'T GIVE A FUCK WHAT YOU THINK! — Hari Kondabolu (@harikondabolu) February 16, 2015

 Things got even more awkward when the comedian appeared to have lost his way, speaking to the producers off-camera, saying, “I thought you guys were going to — right there you were going to do the — no?” He got out of it by joking, “OK, let’s do it again,” before the show eventually cut abruptly to commercial.

 But while you could chalk up this moment to the magic unpredictability of live TV, NBC apparently wanted to pretend that last hiccup never happened, cutting the clip off before Murphy’s confusion in the versions posted to NBC.com and YouTube Monday morning.

 As presented online by SNL, Eddie Murphy’s appearance still wasn’t funny, but it also was not nearly as painfully awkward.

 Watch the edited video below, via NBC:

 And then watch the unedited clip as it appeared live below, via NBC:

 [Photo via screengrab]

 — —

 >> Follow Matt Wilstein (@TheMattWilstein) on Twitter

 Have a tip we should know? tips@mediaite.com ||||| Focused crawls are collections of frequently-updated webcrawl data from narrow (as opposed to broad or wide) web crawls, often focused on a single domain or subdomain. ||||| According to a long series of tweets from comedian and former Saturday Night Live star Norm Macdonald, Eddie Murphy refused to be part of a skit because he did not want to impersonate Bill Cosby. Macdonald claims he wanted Murphy to impersonate Cosby in a “Celebrity Jeopardy” skit. “He knew the laughs would bring the house down. Eddie Murphy knows what will work on SNL better than anyone,” Macdonald wrote. “Eddie decides the laughs are not worth it. He will not kick a man [Cosby] when he is down." Cosby said Thursday: "I am very appreciative of Eddie and I applaud his actions."

 This is what the world missed, from 1987’s Raw. |||||


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– Is it football season already? It must be, based on President Trump's tweets from Friday morning. After reports filtered out about some NFL players kneeling, raising their fists, and taking part in other forms of protest during preseason games on Thursday evening, Trump once more railed against those who did so. "The NFL players are at it again - taking a knee when they should be standing proudly for the National Anthem," Trump tweeted. "Numerous players, from different teams, wanted to show their 'outrage' at something that most of them are unable to define. They make a fortune doing what they love......" He continued in a second tweet: "Be happy, be cool! A football game, that fans are paying soooo much money to watch and enjoy, is no place to protest. Most of that money goes to the players anyway." And a final warning: "Find another way to protest. Stand proudly for your National Anthem or be Suspended Without Pay!" Politico and the Washington Post take issue with Trump's assertion that the players haven't been able to define what they're protesting, with Politico noting the players are pushing back against "racial injustice and police brutality." The Post goes even deeper, compiling very specific statements from the players themselves. In May, the NFL banned players from sitting or kneeling during the anthem, but that policy was put on hold in July and won't be enforced as the league and players union try to hash things out on the sidelines.

Tweet with a location

 You can add location information to your Tweets, such as your city or precise location, from the web and via third-party applications. You always have the option to delete your Tweet location history. Learn more ||||| Philadelphia Eagles' Chris Long (56), Malcolm Jenkins (27) and Rodney McLeod (23) hold their fists up during the National Anthem before an NFL football game in November 2017. Jenkins did the same in Thursday night's game. | Matt Rourke/AP Photo Trump blasts NFL players for kneeling at preseason games

 President Donald Trump blasted NFL players on Friday morning for protesting during the national anthem at preseason games, accusing them of being "unable to define" what they are protesting and suggesting the athletes should instead "be happy" and "be cool."

 "The NFL players are at it again - taking a knee when they should be standing proudly for the national anthem. Numerous players, from different teams, wanted to show their “outrage” at something that most of them are unable to define. They make a fortune doing what they love," Trump said in a tweet.

 Story Continued Below

 Trump's tweets came after some football players kneeled or showed other signs of protest during the national anthem at several preseason NFL games Thursday night.

 "Be happy, be cool! A football game, that fans are paying soooo much money to watch and enjoy, is no place to protest. Most of that money goes to the players anyway. Find another way to protest. Stand proudly for your National Anthem or be Suspended Without Pay!" Trump said on Twitter.

 Contrary to the president's claim, the NFL players who kneel for the national anthem have been vocal and specific about their protests, which began two seasons ago in opposition to racial injustice and police brutality. Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins and some of his teammates wore t-shirts Thursday that said “more than 60% of prison populations are people of color” on the front and “nearly 5,000 kids are in adults prisons and jails” on the back, according to NBC Sports.

 The NFL Players Association did not immediately return a request for comment.

 The protests, which have grown over the past two seasons, sparked controversy and led NFL owners to approve a new policy in May that allows teams to fine players and other personnel who fail to stand during the national anthem. Players have the option to stay in the locker room during the song. Enforcement of that policy has been put on hold as the league negotiates with its players over the controversy.

 Critics of the protest say players are disrespecting the American flag and national anthem when they protest during the song. But many protesting NFL players have argued that it is important to use their national platform to speak out against injustice, and that they have a right to free speech.

 Jenkins and Eagles cornerback De'Vante Bausby raised their fists for the Star Spangled Banner Thursday night, according to the Associated Press. Miami Dolphins wide receivers Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson kneeled for the anthem before their game.

 Protests during the national anthem as an NFL-wide trend began years ago, sparked by then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's refusal to stand for the anthem. The 30-year-old athlete took a knee in 2016 to protest racial injustice in the U.S., including police brutality.

 The president drew attention to the issue last year at a rally in Alabama, collectively labeling kneeling players as a "son of a bitch" and suggesting they be thrown out of the league. Trump's attention to the issue prompted significantly more players to protest, metastasizing the issue from a sports debate to a nationwide controversy.

 Such protests also caught fire among other NFL players, and even college and high school athletes across the country. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who once conspicuously kept a "Make America Great Again" hat in his locker and who the president has joked could have been his son-in-law, praised the protests in an interview with Oprah Winfrey during the offseason, breaking with the president on the issue.

 Kaepernick, a free agent who went unsigned and did not play in the league last season, tweeted his support for the players who protested on Thursday night.

 “My brother @kstills continued his protest of systemic oppression tonight by taking a knee,” Kaepernick said. “Albert Wilson joined him in protest. Stay strong brothers!” ||||| .....Be happy, be cool! A football game, that fans are paying soooo much money to watch and enjoy, is no place to protest. Most of that money goes to the players anyway. Find another way to protest. Stand proudly for your National Anthem or be Suspended Without Pay! ||||| Tweet with a location

 You can add location information to your Tweets, such as your city or precise location, from the web and via third-party applications. You always have the option to delete your Tweet location history. Learn more ||||| Tweet with a location

 You can add location information to your Tweets, such as your city or precise location, from the web and via third-party applications. You always have the option to delete your Tweet location history. Learn more |||||


Image copyright IS video

 Islamic State militants have released a video, featuring a man and young boy speaking with British accents, purportedly showing the killing of five men who it says were spying for the UK.

 In the 10-minute film, the man threatens attacks in the UK and says this is a message for David Cameron.

 A boy later appears in the video, which has not been independently verified, talking about killing "unbelievers".

 The UK Foreign Office said it was examining the video's content.

 'Extraordinary duress'

 In the new video, the masked jihadi militant, who is holding a gun, mocks Mr Cameron for daring to "challenge the might" of the extremist group before he makes a threat to British people to "invade your land".

 The five men, wearing jumpsuits, are seen purportedly being shot in the back of the head in a desert location, after making what is claimed to be their confessions.

 But BBC World Service Middle East editor Alan Johnston says they appear to be "speaking under the most extraordinary duress" and "may be entirely innocent".

 Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption A section of audio taken from the 10-minute film, in which the man threatens attacks in the UK

 One of the men says he had been asked to provide information about the location of IS militants, including two Britons, apparently to help target them with air strikes.

 Some of the five men say that they are from Raqqa in Syria while another says he is from Benghazi, Libya, but none that they are from the UK.

 After the apparent killings, the young boy, who seems to be aged around six or seven years old, is seen pointing into the distance, wearing military-style clothing.

 IS has repeatedly used children in its propaganda videos.

 Analysis

 By Gordon Corera, BBC security correspondent

 It is less than two months since British IS propagandist Mohammed Emwazi, the man known as Jihadi John, was killed by a drone strike in Syria.

 This latest video by IS seems to show another man trying to take up his mantle.

 The identity of the masked man is so far unknown but authorities will be trying to identify him and confirm if he is British.

 Emwazi was killed after intelligence - most likely from informers - located him in a vehicle in Raqqa, Syria.

 The fact that this latest video shows the killing of alleged spies indicates the extent to which IS is trying to track down those who might be providing information.

 Children also regularly feature in IS propaganda videos and the brief appearance of a child - apparently with a British accent - at the end of the video will also most likely be of interest to the authorities.

 Alan Johnston says the release of the video comes in the aftermath of a "major military setback for IS" after it recently lost control of much of the Iraqi city of Ramadi.

 He adds: "It's possible this is aimed at distracting attention from that defeat - an effort to shock watching Westerners and shift their focus."

 Following the death of Mohammed Emwazi, the Briton who became known as Jihadi John, this new video shows "something of a replacement" for him, says our correspondent.

 "That masked militant becomes the new masked face of the Islamic State, at least for British viewers."

 Jonathan Russell, head of policy at the Quilliam Foundation think tank, said it was "shocking" to hear British voices and to see a child in the video, but that both were being used "to reinforce the IS brand".

 "These symbols are really reinforcing its terror - this is terrorism in its truest sense," he told the BBC News Channel.

 "And what we've got to be very careful to do is not simply reinforce this terror but to debunk it and to say, look, it's projecting falsehoods, it's showing definitely not the reality on the ground in Iraq and Syria at the moment and it doesn't offer anything to potential recruits here in the West." ||||| Skip Ad x Embed x Share A new execution video released by the Islamic State features a familiar figure and threat. VPC

 An image taken from a video published by the media branch of the Islamic State group in the Raqqa province on Jan. 3, 2016. The video purportedly shows an English-speaking fighter at an undisclosed location speaking to the camera before executing, along with four other jihadists, five men from the Syrian city of Raqqa. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

 LONDON — The Islamic State released a new video purporting to show the killing of five hostages who the militant group said were spying for Britain in Syria.

 In the footage released online Sunday, a masked man with a British accent calls British Prime Minister David Cameron a "slave of the White House," and "mule of the Jews."

 "Only an imbecile would dare to wage war against a land where the law of Allah reigns supreme," he says. "The Islamic State, our country, is here to stay. And we will continue to wage jihad, break borders, and one day invade your land, where we will rule by the Shariah."

 One hostage says he was asked to locate two British members of the extremist group, also known as ISIL or ISIS, and photograph a building being used by the militants as a courthouse. Britain began launching airstrikes against ISIL positions in Syria last month. France, Russia and the United States are also bombing militants in Syria.

 One of the condemned men appeals to other so-called spies to turn themselves in, saying "the door to repentance is open." Another hostage says "Don't let them fool you like they fooled us."

 The video, which cannot be independently verified by USA TODAY, then shows the hostages, wearing orange jumpsuits, being shot in the head by masked militants.

 An English-speaking young boy wearing military-style clothes points into the distance and says: "We are going to go kill the kafir (unbelievers) over there."

 The video bears similarities to previous ISIL execution videos featuring Mohammed Emwazi, a London-raised militant also known as "Jihadi John," who beheaded Western hostages. Emwazi was killed by a U.S. drone strike in Syria in November.

 Some media are calling the militant in the latest video, who is holding a gun, "the new Jihadi John."

 British Prime Minister David Cameron said: “It’s desperate stuff from an organization that really does do the most utterly despicable and ghastly acts and people can see that again today.

 “But this is an organization that’s losing territory, it’s losing ground, it’s, I think, increasingly losing anybody’s sympathy, and this again shows what an appalling organization we’re up against.”

 Britain's Foreign Office said it is aware of the video and is examining its content.

 Tomorrow's Daily Telegraph front page: "Hunt for the new Jihadi John." pic.twitter.com/tR5SVbzm04 — The Telegraph (@Telegraph) January 3, 2016

 Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/1R6JOcG ||||| Intelligence agencies were hunting a new ‘Jihadi John’ after an Islamic extremist with a British accent murdered five men accused of spying for the UK.

 In a video released on social media the masked gunman warned David Cameron that the West could never win in the war against Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isil), while mocking the impact of RAF airstrikes .

 In a further chilling twist, a young boy aged around four, and appearing to speak with a British accent , also appeared on screen, threatening to kill non-Muslims.

 The victims were all shot in the head at point blank range after the well-spoken British sounding terrorist delivered his propaganda rant.

 The sickening ten and a half minute video had echoes of those posted by the Isil terrorist dubbed Jihadi John, who was responsible for a string of murders including the beheading of British aid worker Alan Henning.

 Mohamed Emwazi, dubbed Jihadi John, was killed in a drone strike in November

 Jihadi John, who was later identified as 27-year-old Mohamed Emwazi from London, was killed in a US drone strike last November.

 MI5 agents were urgently working to establish the identity of the new terrorist, amid concern that the video might signal the start of a new Isil propaganda campaign, which comes in the wake of the Britain’s decision to join coalition airstrikes against Isil targets in Syria.

 A source in the Foreign Office said the propaganda video had likely been released to “divert attention away from Isil’s recent military failures in Iraq and its inability to look after the citizens in the areas it controls”.

 As well as speaking with a London sounding accent, the terrorist made reference to the soldiers working being paid the minimum wage, further betraying his UK roots.

 The video began with apparent confessions from the five Arabic men who were wearing orange prisoner style jumpsuits.

 One of the men claimed to have passed information to the West about prominent Isil figures who were subsequently targeted by the coalition, including the group’s deputy leader Abu Muslim al-Turkmani, who was killed in a US drone strike last August.

 Abu Muslim al-Turkmani was killed by coalition forces last August

 The video then cut to a desert landscape where the victims were shown kneeling before five gunmen clad in camouflage clothing and black Isil masks.

 Addressing his rant to Mr Cameron directly, the terrorist described him as a “slave of the White House” and “mule of the Jews”.

 Clutching a semi-automatic pistol he mocked Mr Cameron, describing him as an “imbecile” for thinking RAF airstrikes could have any impact.

 'Only an imbecile would dare to anger a people who love death the way you love your life' Islamic State

 He said: “How strange it is that we find ourselves today hearing an insignificant leader like you challenge the might of the Islamic State.

 “How strange it is that a leader of a small island threatens us with a handful of planes. One would have thought you would have learned the lessons of your pathetic master in Washington and his failed campaign against the Islamic State.

 “But it seems that you just like your predecessors, Blair and Brown are just as arrogant and foolish.

 “In fact David, you are more of an imbecile. Only an imbecile would dare to wage war against a land where the law of Allah reigns supreme and where the people live under the justice and security of Sharia. Only an imbecile would dare to anger a people who love death the way you love your life.”

 Isil fighters in Raqqa

 Then turning to a wider audience, the terrorist warned that one day Britain would be invaded with everyone forced to live under strict Sharia law.

 He said: “All British government. All people of Britain, know that today your citizenship is under out feet and that the Islamic State, our country, is here to stay and we will continue to wage jihad, break borders and one day invade your land, when you will be ruled by Sharia.

 “But those of you who wish to continue fighting under the banner of Cameron on the minimum wage, we say to you to ask yourself, do you really think your government will care about you when you come into our hands?

 “Or will they abandon you as they have abandoned these spies and those who came before them, because you will lose this war as you lost in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 “But this time when you lose your children will inherit your defeat and remember you as the fools who thought you could defeat the Islamic State.”

 RAF Typhoons have been bombing Isil targets in Syria (Neil Bryden/MoD)

 After then shouting Allahu Akbar, Arabic for God is great, he then opened fire on the victim at his feet shooting him in the back of the head.

 The man slumped forward before the other gunmen all opened fire on their victims in a sickening killing spree.

 After a brief montage featuring Isil slogans and music, the video cut to another desert landscape, where a young boy, thought to be aged around four addresses the camera.

 Wearing a camouflage top and a black Isil headband the youngster appeared to speak with a British accent as he pointed to the distance and said: “We will kill the kuffar (non-believers) over there" as he points to the distance.”

 While his accent was difficult to ascertain the decision to use the child in the video suggested a determination by the Isil propaganda machine to further shock and terrorise the West. |||||
What is a one-paragraph summary of the above article?

– An airstrike killed the Islamic State's "Jihadi John" last year, but a new ISIS spokesman with a British accent appears to have taken his place. The group released a video in which the masked man warns that ISIS will attack the UK in retaliation for Britain's support of the US-led coalition that's bombing Syria, reports USA Today. The video also purports to show five men from Syria and Libya, alleged spies for Britain, being executed with a gunshot to the head, reports the BBC. The Telegraph labels the militant the "new Jihadi John" in its headline and notes that the video has another "chilling twist": a young boy clad in military clothes warns in what sounds like a British accent that ISIS is going to kill non-Muslims. The video hasn't been authenticated yet. "Only an imbecile would dare to wage war against a land where the law of Allah reigns supreme," says the adult militant, addressing David Cameron. "The Islamic State, our country, is here to stay. And we will continue to wage jihad, break borders, and one day invade your land, where we will rule by the Shariah." He also calls Cameron a "slave of the White House" and a "mule of the Jews."