Cesare Prandelli is giving nothing away ahead of his side's World Cup clash with Costa Rica – indeed the Italy coach has become almost Machiavelli to keep his rivals guessing.
Prandelli knows the Azzurri will all but book their second round place if they follow their 2-1 victory over England with another win in Recife.
But he is not taking the challenge of Los Ticos for granted after their 3-1 win over Uruguay, inspired by Arsenal striker Joel Campbell.
Keeper Gianluigi Buffon appears to have recovered from the ankle injury that ruled him out against England while Mattia De Sciglio also returned to full training after injury.
Prandelli kept watching media guessing as he mixed things up for their last training session in Mangaratiba, separating his squad into two groups with no obvious reason behind his decision.
It is expected Gabriel Paletta will be dropped moving Giorgio Chiellini into a more central role and swapping Matteo Darmian to the left and introducing AC Milan right back Ignazio Abate.
Thiago Motta is expected to play alongside Andrea Pirlo in midfield, instead of his PSG teammate Marco Verratti, while Andrea Barzagli is likely to be the only injury absence.
"Prandelli has created our style of play, adapting it to our own characteristics," said Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi.
"It's very hot here but our way of playing means that we are not affected as much as other teams by the conditions.
"It was better for us that Costa Rica beat Uruguay otherwise we would have risked underestimating them. Now we won't. We have to have the right fear. There are no longer weak teams in the tournament, as many players play in Europe and are competitive."
Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto claims his squad are under no pressure to deliver, having been widely tipped to be the whipping boys of a group that includes three former world champions.
And he hopes to have secured qualification before next Tuesday's date with England in Belo Horizonte.
"We respect England, Italy and Uruguay. But they should know now that we can play football too," he said.
"We are playing without fear, without expectation. That frees us up to express the joy we feel just being here at the tournament, there is no better motivation.
"I've admired Italian football for so long, since I first saw them play at the 1978 World Cup.
"People say their football is defensive but I don't agree. I believe they are a very balanced and structured team.
"It's a dream to coach a team to play a team like Italy but we aren't afraid of them. I saw things against England that I believe we can exploit."
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Italy v Costa Rica: World Cup match preview
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Devon set to bask in the sunshine this weekend
Devon will bask in sunshine this weekend, according to a Met Office forecaster.
If you head out and about drink plenty of water because temperatures are expected to reach at least 21C on Saturday and Sunday.
There could be a chance of some cloud , but generally the forecast has plenty of sunshine in store.
Met Office spokesman Dan Williams said: "Saturday's outlook is a sunny bright day.
"There could be some cloud, but generally we are looking at a nice day.
"It should be warm and dry, there should be plenty of sunshine around.
"There will be lots of sunshine on Sunday with fairly light winds."
Mr Williams said the weather for the start of next week was also looking dry and bright.
He said: "It is looking pretty decent, staying dry and fine."
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Former Playboy model Victoria Eisermann to cycle across the Westcountry this weekend for dog charity
Former Playboy model Victoria Eisermann will cycle through Devon this weekend to raise money for charity.
Eisermann, co-founder of the K-9 Angels animal charity, is cycling from Taunton to Land's End in a bid to raise £5,000 which will be used for a dog spaying programme.
The former model and Big Brother star is hoping to complete the feat in less than six days.
Victoria, also well-known for stripping off in publicity stunts for the PETA animal welfare charity, founded K-9 Angels with fellow veggie and wildlife TV presenter Anneka Tanaka-Svenska and pop singer Pola Pospieszalska in 2011. It helps stray dogs around the world and has already rehomed 600 dogs and funded shelters, food and medical supplies.
Celebrity supporters include Simon Cowell, Britain's Got Talent winners Ashleigh and Pudsey, former page 3 girl and novelist Jilly Johnson and Pirates of The Caribbean star Kevin McNally.
Victoria, who has five dogs, said: "I'm no athlete that's for sure, I have a slipped disc too however I WILL cycle the 300 miles no matter what as I'm determined to help as many dogs as possible.
"My target is to raise a minimum of £ 5,000. Just one non spayed female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in only six years. It costs just around £16.60 to spay one female If we raise £5,000 it will directly prevent thousands of lives of needless suffering and pain".
She added: "The K-9 Angels team work so hard all year around rescuing and re homing dogs in desperate situations from a life of misery. The enormity of the task can be overwhelming. They say prevention is better than cure so all the monies raised from this 350 mile cycle ride will be used to spay and neuter as many dogs as we can."
It is estimated that there are over 100,000 homeless dogs in the UK, 2 million stray dogs in Romania, and 6,000 in Cyprus. The Angels work in all three of these countries.
Victoria will be cycling through Barnstable, Bideford, Holsworthy, Bude, Camelford, Bodmin, St Austell, Mevagissy, Truro, Redruth and Penzance.
To sponsor Victoria go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/VictoriaEisermann
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Passport row could benefit Southwest as 'holiday at home' recommended by tourism minister
The backlog of passport applications that has led to a government row could help Devon's tourist industry, with tourism Minister Helen Grant suggested those caught up in the crisis should consider holidaying at home.
Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw said he has had city residents contact him about passports with fears some could face having their holidays abroad ruined.
Tourism Minister Helen Grant said she was "confident" that a backlog of up to 30,000 applications would be cleared in time for families to go away.
But, risking the wrath of people still waiting for their documents, she added that there was a "lot to be said for the staycation".
HM Passport Office says it has been dealing with the highest demand in 12 years, with the summer surge in applications starting earlier than usual.
And earlier this week Home Secretary Theresa May issued an apology to those affected.
Asked about the situation in an interview with the House magazine, Conservative MP Ms Grant said: "I'm in no doubt, I'm very confident that people will get their passports.
"But if they don't want to go away, we have some fantastic places to visit and holiday not that far from here. I think there's a lot to be said for the 'staycation'. People need to do what they like.
"I think we are going to have a great summer, we are certainly going to have a great summer of sport too, there's lots of opportunities to build your holiday around a spoilt-for-choice list of events, the Tour de France Grand Depart, we've got the golf, we've got the Commonwealth Games, we've got football that we can watch on the TV.
"It's a wonderful place to have your holiday."
Malcolm Bell, the head of Visit Cornwall, said the local industry could "make sure everyone enjoys their stay" if they head West having been unable to travel abroad.
But, he said: "My view is that we want Cornwall and the Westcountry to be people's first option not a fall back position. We know that when flights were affected by the ash clouds, people did come down here instead and enjoyed it and have come back.
"But we don't want to be a consolation prize for people who haven't been able to get what they want.
"I am sure businesses will do their best to make sure everyone enjoys their stay but the bottom line is we want people to make Cornwall their first choice, not their second."
A spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron, a regular visitor to Cornwall, said: "It is always a matter for individuals and individual families where they may choose to take a holiday.
"The Prime Minister himself and his family, of course, have often holidayed in the UK. But the decisions individual families take are up to them."
A Department for Culture, Media and Sport spokesman added: "Helen Grant was crystal clear that she was confident that people would get their passports to be able to travel overseas.
"As Tourism Minister it is completely right that she champions the domestic tourism market but she was in no way linking the two issues."
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Steve Perryman hopes Exeter can resolve PFA loan issue by having debt settled by August
Exeter City's director of football has said he hopes to have the club's debt sorted by August with plans to get their transfer embargo lifted sooner rather than later.
Steve Perryman has said he hopes to give manager Paul Tisdale every chance of putting together a competitive squad for the new League Two season.
The Grecians were forced to take out a £100,000 loan from the Professional Footballers' Association recently and were placed under a transfer embargo as a result, which will remain in place until the loan is repaid in full.
Club officials are hopeful of having the debt settled by August and, after the release of the League Two fixtures on Wednesday, which gave Exeter a mouth-watering home clash with Portsmouth, followed by a Devon derby at Plymouth Argyle, the Grecians have ample opportunity to raise some much-needed funds.
With a Capital One Cup encounter at home to AFC Bournemouth sandwiching those two games, it makes for an exciting but hugely challenging start for Tisdale's side. Perryman, City's director of football, hopes Exeter can add to their playing ranks in time for the big kick-off on Saturday, August 9.
"We are realistic to know it can only come off when we have the money for it to come off," Perryman said of the embargo. "Money is only available when it's available.
"In previous years, the purpose has been to save the club and we seem to have lost that purpose a bit recently. But we have a greater purpose to get that [PFA loan] paid off now, when you look at these opening fixtures.
"To me, it's an ultra-competitive start and we need that embargo off to be competitive. We need to be competitive and be able to get those players that come within our remit."
The whole fixture list has been financially friendly to the Grecians, who have home games on all of the key dates of the season. Cheltenham Town are in town on Boxing Day and Newport County visit Exeter on Easter Monday (April 6).
The Grecians are also at home on the last day of the season with a clash against Dagenham and Redbridge, while the home derby with Plymouth is on Saturday, February 21.
"Hopefully, this will bring it all back into perspective for the fans and gets them excited again," Perryman added. "They might be looking to pick and choose their games and I would imagine Portsmouth and Plymouth – and even Bournemouth – are such games."
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Abusive drinker jailed for 174th offence
A loud mouthed drunkard with 174 previous convictions has been jailed for terrorising housing benefit staff who refused him money.
George Lancelot, aged 60, who has learning and personality disorders, is banned by an ASBO from swearing or drinking in public but flouted the order after moving from he streets of Plymouth to a house in Torbay.
He terrified an innocent shopper in the centre of the resort by following her and shouting drunken abuse and alarmed staff at the Connexions counter in the Town Hall by his threatening behaviour.
Lancelot, of Warberry Road, Torquay, admitted five breaches of his ASBO and was jailed for eight months by Judge Erik Salomonsen at Exeter Crown Court.
He has previously been jailed several times in Plymouth for similar offences and has a total of 174 offences on his record, most dating back to the time when he was living rough in the city.
The Judge told him:"The offence in Connexions is aggravated by threats made to those carrying out a public service.
"The woman who you threatened in the Fleet Street shopping centre was frightened for her safety and ran off. You have a history of disobedience to order of the court."
Mr Brian FitzHerbert, prosecuting, said the offences all happened between February and April when Lancelot was living in Torbay.
A woman walking through the shopping centre was so frightened by his abusive behaviour towards her she ran away and called the police.
Lancelot also went into the Connexions office in Torbay Town Hall, which handles benefit inquiries, and hurled drunken abuse at the staff on two occasions.
He also became abusive in Boots when he was asked to leave because he was drunk.
Mr Ben Darby, defending, said Lancelot suffers from learning difficulties and long term alcoholism and his problems at the benefit counter were caused by his poor hearing and literacy.
He said Lancelot's problems made it impossible for him to abide by the ASBO and have resulted him in receiving jail sentences totalling eight years in the past decade.
He said the ASBO was imposed nine and a half years ago and meant that minor public order offences, which would normally merit a fine or a discharge, led him to receive much more serious penalties.
He now hopes to appeal against the terms of the ASBO in the hope of breaking the 'revolving door' cycle of offending and jail.
He said:"Given his problems and his personality, the ASBO as it now exists means he commits repeated offences just by being George Lancelot."
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Four in court over alleged attempted murder in Exeter
A man and two women have denied robbing and attempting to murder a woman at a house in Exeter.
A fourth man faces the same charges but has not yet been required to give his pleas in the case at Exeter Crown Court.
Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, has set a trial date for November to hear the case in which the four defendants are also accused of using stolen bank cards to take out cash and buy goods.
Leigh Yeo, aged 22, Kate Williams, aged 24, and Natasha Clarke, aged 21, all from Exeter, all deny attempting to murder Carly Kelly at Ragnar Dunn's home in Wynford Road, Exeter on March 12.
They all deny robbery and conspiracy to commit fraud through the use of bank cards on the same day.
Clarke admitted causing Miss Kelly grievous bodily harm. The other two deny the same charge.
Clarke also denies causing actual bodily harm to Chelsea Lloyd on March 10 in Exeter.
The three were all remanded in custody to await trial in November.
Dunn, aged 48, of Wynford Road, Exeter, faces charges of attempted murder, causing grievous bodily harm, robbery, and conspiracy to defraud. He made no plea and was remanded on conditional bail.
Judge Gilbert fixed the trial for November 24 but told all four defendants he hopes the date can be brought forward if court listings and the availability of their counsel allow it.
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Pensioner jailed for fiddling £48,000 benefits by claiming to be an Exeter bachelor while living in Spain
A pensioner has been jailed for fiddling £48,000 in benefits by claiming to be a lonely bachelor in Devon when he was happily married and living in Spain.
Jimmy Rickner kept fraud investigators at bay for more than eight years by lying about his home in Cartagena and telling them he was a lodger in Exeter or Otterton.
In reality he had been married since 2005 and his so-called landlady was actually the daughter of his wife Jennifer. He only admitted his swindle when pensions officials checked his story and found he was not living there.
Rickner, aged 72, admitted two counts of benefit fraud and was jailed for six months by Judge Barry Cotter, QC, at Exeter Crown Court. He now faces a confiscation hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
The judge told him:"You were dishonest in three interviews. The aggravating circumstances are the length of time this went on. You were a financial parasite who lied repeatedly.
"The public view dishonesty of this sort at a time of financial austerity as behaviour which demands and calls for significant punishment. I doubt if any significant amount will be recouped.
"I have heard about the problems you have had in Spain and that your wife is suffering from ill health and I accept you are remorseful.
"The reality is this was serious and persistent dishonesty and you had the opportunity to come clean three times and did not take it. An immediate sentence cannot be avoided."
Mr James Taghdissian, prosecuting, said Rickner started claiming Pension Credit and Disability Living Allowance in 2005 and continued until he was caught in September last year.
He lied in the initial forms by saying he was single when he was already living with Jennifer Wicks, who he married in November 2005.
He claimed to be living as a lodger at addresses at Etonhurst Avenue, Exeter, and Box Cottage, Otterton, but moved to Spain soon after he married and had a share in homes in first Grenada, then Cartagena.
He never told the authorities of his move to Spain and lied during three different investigations before finally being caught when his daughter-in-law Amelia Wicks told officials he was not her lodger.
Mr Taghdissian said the claims had been dishonest from the outset and resulted in an overpayment of £48,282.87, which he is currently repaying at the rate of £10.90 a fortnight.
Rickner was not represented. He told the judge:"I would like to say how much I regret what I have done. All I want to do get my sentence over and get back to my wife in Spain.
"I have so much remorse. I just want to get this cleared up. I told a lie and it led to another lie and then to another and another.
"At the time I was too proud to admit to my wife what I had done and it carried on. I wish I could have stopped and avoided all this upset and taking all that money from the public funds."
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Crews called to forager fire near Okehampton
Fire crews were called to a blaze that destroyed a forager near Okehampton yesterday evening.
One fire appliance from Hatherleigh and one from North Tawton were sent to a report of a forager on fire in an open field in Exbourne at 18:40 yesterday.
On arrival crews confirmed that the forager was well alight and requested a third appliance to attend for water. A fire appliance and a four wheel drive vehicle from Okehampton were sent on.
The forager was completely destroyed by fire and also approximately 10 square metres of grass were damaged by fire. Crews used four breathing apparatus, two hose reels, one compressed air foam jet and small tools to deal with the incident.
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3.5 million football fans could pull a sickie this morning after England's World Cup loss
Nearly 3.5 million football fans are expected to pull a sickie from work today after England's World Cup match loss to Uruguay last night.
A survey by Ladbrokes has found more than one in 10 of the country's 30.43 million working population have admitted they would throw a "sickie" as England's World Cup loss and an alcohol price war looks set to lead to a massive hangover.
The Confederation of British Industry said: "We are sure employers will take a common-sense approach to the World Cup and be flexible about staff working different hours or watching the big matches at work.
"However, there will always be some jobs where this simply isn't possible."
Unsurprisingly, men are more likely to consider bunking off, with 14 per cent hoping their bosses would be understanding, compared to eight per cent of women.
The confessions come as supermarkets have slashed beer and cider prices , leaving them much cheaper now than they were for South Africa 2010.
Calculations by The Grocer show eight of the 10 most popular brands have dropped in price, with Fosters falling 16 per cent, from £1.88 per litre to £1.57, and Carlsberg and Carling both down by more than 10 per cent.
Tesco predicted beer sales increased by 63 per cent before the match with Uruguay, compared to a normal Thursday, with party food up 40 per cent.
However, with millions more sore heads across the nation as World Cup fever grows, employment consultancy ELAS calculates the tournament could cost British businesses more than £3billion.
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Devon village remembers tallest soldier of First World War
A Devon soldier reputed to be the tallest man in the British Army during the First World War will be remembered later this month.
Harry Barter who served with the Grenadier Guards was almost seven feet tall . He survived the trenches but was wounded and was forever changed by the experiences. Her died in 1926.
Mr Barter and the six village men who did not return from the war, will be remembered when the village of Littlehempston, where they lived, holds a concert in Littlehempston Church on Sunday 29th June 29 at 2.30pm, supported by the Military Wives Choir from Plymouth, and the folk singer Jim Causley..
Tickets can be purchased at £7, from Totnes Information Centre or directly from Valerie Belsey on 01803 866916. .
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Case of Exeter racist attack delayed by solicitors' legal aid protest
The sentence of a man accused of a racist attack has been delayed because of unofficial industrial action by solicitors protesting against cuts in legal aid.
Geoffrey Crowe approached nine different firms of solicitors in Exeter but they all told him they were unable to represent him at Crown Court because of the dispute over fees.
All the firms which handle criminal work are refusing to deal with Crown Court cases in a protest against Ministry of Justice cuts in legal aid.
The action has not been approved by the official representatives of the profession, the Law Society, and is being described as a protocol rather than a strike by those taking part.
The solicitors started the action last month and it has started to have an impact on work in the Crown Court as cases move up the system from magistrates.
Crowe's case was one of two to be adjourned because it could not be dealt with without representation.
Homeless Jeffery Church, aged 60, who is due for sentence for breaking the condition of the sex offenders' register, was sent back to the cells and remanded in custody for two weeks in the hope the protest will be called off.
Crowe, aged 30, of Duckworth Road, Exeter, has admitted racially aggravated battery and assault causing actual bodily harm. The case was adjourned and he was jailed.
He told the Judge he had contacted nine firms in Exeter and all had refused to take his case. He had even offered to pay privately with two of the solicitors but they had still declined the case.
Mr Nigel Wraith, prosecuting, said the victim of the assault had swelling around the nose and eyes but no broken bones. He said he would have more details of the injuries when the case is relisted.
Judge Erik Salomonsen told Crowe he needs to be represented and suggested he should also seek testimonials from friends and workmates to support his assertion he is not a racist.
He told him:"You say you are not a racist but you have pleaded guilty to a racially aggravated offence and you used racial remarks. If you have friends from other ethnic backgrounds who may be able to provide you with references, it may be helpful.
"Taken together, these two cases pass the custody threshold and I take the view the court cannot consider a prison sentence unless there is legal representation. It would be unfair and unjust."
The judge said he was surprised that Crowe, who earns £600 a week, was unable to find private legal representation and criticised the solicitors for not keeping the court informed about how long the protest would last.
He said:"I regard the lack of information to the court as a discourtesy. I would expect professional people to advise the court about what they are doing."
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Devon skinny dipper killed by huge wave on New Year's Eve in Cornwall, inquest hears
A holidaymaker who died on New Year's Eve out skinny dipping on a Westcountry beach had his neck broken by a powerful wave, an inquest heard.
Harry Swordy was out with friends on the beach at Loe Bar near Porthleven, an inquest in Truro heard.
Mr Swordy, from Ashburton, Newton Abbot, was last seen in the water in the early hours of New Year's Day.
The incident prompted a massive search and rescue response and his Mr Swordy's body was found washed up on the beach two days later.
The inquest heard he had run naked into the stormy surf along with three friends – but the first wave had knocked them all off their feet.
His friends looked around but Mr Swordy had vanished from the notoriously deadly beauty spot.
The inquest heard there was bleeding around an injury, which showed his neck was broken before he died.
His lungs were also filled with sea water and his body had many superficial cuts.
Witnesses said although the group had been drinking, they had not consumed any more than three pints of beer and a shot of tequila.
Mr Swordy was originally from Guildford in Surrey, but had moved to Ashburton, Newton Abbot, Devon, where he was a teaching assistant.
The group of 23 friends, mostly from Bristol and south west, had booked a National Trust bunkhouse, just to the east of Loe Bar for three days over New Year's Eve.
Jonathan Burgess, a landscape gardener, said they had a meal to celebrate New Year's and then went for a walk to the beach at around 1am.
"We drank some alcohol but I would not say anyone was drinking excessively or drunk," he said.
He said he saw a sign warning people not to swim but admitted not taking any notice.
He, Mr Swordy and two others then stripped and ran into the sea where they were immediately knocked over.
The friends, along with others of the group who had not been swimming, began searching the beach and called the emergency services.
The friends called 999 but a massive search by coastguards, rescue teams, The Lizard and Penlee lifeboats and a helicopter from RNAS Culdrose, failed to locate him.
For several hours, the lifeboats battled through the surf and up to 20 rescuers searched the shoreline.
Coastguard sector manager Marc Thomas said the sea conditions were very rough with the wind at gale force 8 to severe gale force 9.
"I can say the sea conditions at Loe Bar that morning were some of the worst I've seen in my career," he said.
At the time of his death, friends paid tribute to Mr Swordy as an "amazing character" and somebody who was "full of life, warmth and plans for the future".
Cornwall coroner Emma Carlyon recorded an accidental death caused by immersion in rough seas.
She said she would write to the National Trust advising it to put signs in its accommodation
The police said the signs on the beach was adequate and the party would have had to walk past two signs warning people not to swim.
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Ahmadiyya Muslim Association launches bus advertising campaign in Devon to tackle Islamophobia
Buses displaying messages of peace will be rolled out across Devon in the next week as part of a campaign aimed at preventing the spread of Islamophobia.
The move will see a fleet of more than 100 buses displaying messages of peace across the Westcountry.
The death of a 31-year-old student in Colchester this week is the latest in a string of suspected hate crimes across the UK, in which Muslims have been targeted specifically because of their faith. Even in Cornwall, which had no previous history of anti-Muslim feeling, a community centre at Quenchwell near Truro was daubed in offensive graffiti and set alight in 2012.
In a bid to spread what they describe as "positive awareness of Islam", the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association has taken out advertisements on 125 First buses in Cornwall and Devon. Under the slogan of "loyalty, freedom, equality, respect, peace" the community has also launched a website: LoveForAllHatredForNone.org.
Fareed Ahmad, former president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association in Devon and Cornwall and now the organisation's national secretary, said he hoped bus passengers and others across the region would respond positively to the campaign, which begins on Monday.
"This is part of a national initiative and I'm really pleased the South West will be taking such a prominent role," said Mr Ahmad. "As well as the 125 First buses carrying the banners, we will also be distributing leaflets to explain our message in more detail."
He said the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, which celebrated its UK centenary last year, launched the campaign to deliver a message of peace to the wider world.
"Living a peaceful life is one thing," he added. "But in the light of the growing negative publicity generated about Islam, it has become even more important to take the message of peace and tolerance to our fellow citizens."
Muhammad Noman, regional president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the South West, said: "There remains a concern about Islam, especially in the light of events carried out by Jihadist groups. We believe in Jihad – but the true concept of Jihad is one of self-reformation and not of harming others.
"A true Muslim can never raise his voice in hatred against his fellow citizens, nor against the ruling authority or government of the time. He should remain loyal and fully abide by the laws of the land of which he is a subject."
The bus campaign comes at a time when there are renewed debates about what constitutes "British values".
"The true peaceful Islam is poles apart from the exclusion and hatred preached by a minority," said Mr Noman. "Such extremists do not represent Islam, yet their words and deeds have a damaging impact on Muslims and non-Muslims every day. By emphasising the values highlighted in our campaign we hope to facilitate a better understanding of Islam so that people are able to judge for themselves the actions of those who claim to speak and act in its good name. Islam stresses the promotion of peace in words and deeds."
The campaign – timed to coincide with the holy month of Ramadan – is part of a wider series of activities by Ahmadiyya Muslims, including interfaith peace symposiums, fundraising for British charities and blood donor drives. Over the past year the community has raised £500,000 for British charities, planted 30,000 trees and fed 10,000 homeless people.
"Extremists shed blood, whereas we give blood," added Mr Noman. "While they take lives, we save lives. This is true Islam and it is this faith that is the driving force for our work."
Although similar campaigns on buses in London and Glasgow have been criticised by some observers as being "unrealistic" in countering negative perceptions, Mr Noman said the Ahmadiyya Muslim community remained confident it would be a small but positive step forward.
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Cartoon HD Alternatives: Flixanity, Popcorn Time and Showbox downloads
With the news that Cartoon HD has been taken offline users have flocked to look for alternatives to the streaming app. Here we have a look at just a few of them available.
Thousands of people watched shows and movies using the free cartoon and movie streaming App Cartoon HD, however users have been left stranded after realising that the app has come end after the application appeared down.
Confirmation from Gapp Center followed shortly on Twitter posting: "Sorry! Cartoon HD is closed."
The App which offers users free streaming of both cartoons and movie releases could be found on the Apple App Store over Christmas, but then was pulled. Users then started downloading it via a website
Downloads are said to include latest releases from the cinema, including ones currently being shown in movie theatres.Alternatives to Cartoon HD
Flixanity - www.flixanity.com
Flixanity boasts at this point a total of 3977 movies and 598 TV shows for free on any device. Including series such as Game Of Thrones and Breaking Bad. However some have said the app is difficult to use
Popcorn Time - www.time4popcorn.eu
Popcorn Time is being downloaded by users as an alternative to Cartoon HD. And unlike Cartoon HD, the site promises that it 'will never be taken down'. The app can be downloaded from the developer's website, and lets you browse, stream and download torrents.
Showbox - media-apps.cc/android
Another similar app is Showbox which claims to be an 'Amazing collection of Movies and TV-shows. Absolutely free. You can download them on your Android device or watch online'.
Internet Piracy
After years of negotiations, the main providers in the UK have said they will letters to people who download copyrighted films without paying for it.
Under the new code bodies will monitor IP addresses of downloaders.
The first letters will sent from next year and it is thought that at first they will have an educational tone, rather than be penalty led.
How to stay legal.
According to the Federation Against Copyright Theft "Downloading illegal content can leave you and your family open to receiving harmful content including unsolicited advertising and pop-ups. Your computer can also be damaged by spyware and viruses. In the workplace, illegal downloading and file sharing can have serious repercussions for businesses. Spyware can infiltrate systems and firewalls compromising network security."
It adds: "The potential harm from rogue sites – exposure to malware, exposure to indecent images, identity theft, unsafe and untested medicines and other counterfeit products, and lost jobs and income for creative workers – is profound.FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CARTOON HD
Cartoon HD offers users free streaming of both cartoons and movie releases.
The App could be found on Apple's App Store over Christmas, but then was pulled. Users are now downloading it via a website
Downloads are said to include latest releases from the cinema, including ones currently being shown in movie theatres
Cartoon HD remains free, the creative industries are worth £8million an hour to the British economy.
The main internet providers in the UK have said they will letters to people who download copyrighted films without paying for it. Under the new code bodies will monitor IP addresses of downloaders. The first letters will sent from next year and it is thought that at first they will have an educational tone, rather than be penalty led.
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Exeter's Timepiece to open as usual after fire at The Hole in the Wall pub
EXETER nightclub Timepiece is expected to open as normal tonight despite a fire at the neighbouring venue the Hole in the Wall.
Firefighters spent several hours battling the blaze this morning on Little Castle Street.
Owner George Sloan has now been inside to assess the damage and said some areas were "terribly bad."
But he said that he expects to be able to board-up the affected areas so Timepiece and Old Timers can open as normal.
He said: "Subject to the fire brigade being happy, it looks like Timepiece and Old Timers should be able to open once we have boarded everything up. That is the advice we have been given.
"The fire was very well contained but safety is obviously paramount."
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Hotel intruder jailed for room thefts
An intruder has been jailed for raiding four rooms at a town centre hotel and hiding the loot in his garden.
Michael Cloak was identified through CCTV at the Royal and Fortescue Hotel in Barnstaple and tried to flee out of the back door of his home when police came to arrest him.
He was seen hiding a refuse sack in a hedge but police found it and recovered almost all the property stolen from the guests, Exeter Crown Court was told.
Cloak, aged 39, of Victoria Road, Barnstaple, admitted four burglaries and was jailed for 14 months by Judge Erik Salomonsen.
He told him:"These offences are aggravated significantly by your previous offending. You are by no means a man of good character. You knew what you were doing. You had done it before and you knew the consequences."
Mr David Bowen, prosecuting, said went into the hotel on the night of November 2 and entered four rooms, of which three were occupied but empty because the guests were out.
He stole a range of valuables including iPads and iPods, phones, a passport and car keys, and caused considerable inconvenience to the victims.
He said:"He was identified by CCTV and when police attended his home he was seen to go out the back carrying a large bin bag full of items which he hid in the garden.
"The police arrested him and recovered the bag which contained almost everything that had been stolen."
Mr Bowen said at the time Cloak was subject to a suspended sentence for an incident of aggravated vehicle taking in which he broke into a compound in South Molton and tried to drive home in fork lift truck which he overturned and crashed into a ditch.
Mr Nigel Wraith, defending, said Cloak's offending stemmed from a drug problem which he is determined to tackle in jail.
He said he had cooperated with the police on his arrest to the extent he had shown them where to find the bag of stolen items.
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Exeter's Crealy set to get solar power park
Crealy Great Adventure Park is looking to go greener with its own solar power plant.
A planning application for Orchard Solar Park, a 7.5 MW solar development at Shepherd's Farm, near Clyst St. Mary, has been submitted to East Devon District Council by Wiltshire-based Solstice Renewables.
The solar park is adjacent to Crealy Great Adventure Park and would supply renewable electricity directly to Crealy, enabling the local family visitor attraction to benefit from lower cost electricity and improve its sustainability.
It would generate enough renewable electricity to power approximately 2,250 average households, and save an estimated 3,250 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
Chris Down, Managing Director, Crealy Great Adventure Park, said: "Solar power is a perfect match for Crealy because we are busiest in the summer when the solar panels are the most productive.
"The Solar Park will help reduce our carbon footprint substantially, and families can have even more fun knowing we're doing our bit for the environment."
Giovanni Maruca, Director, Solstice Renewables, said: "The land will stay in agricultural use for the 25-year lifetime of the solar park, with sheep grazing in winter and wildflower meadows in summer.
"We expect considerable improvements to biodiversity over time, and we're looking forward to continuing to work with local schools to teach them about the benefits of solar parks."
The proposed site comprises two arable fields, covering 19.36 hectares, with 4.42 hectares set aside for screening and habitat creation. In winter, sheep would graze the land under and around the panels, continuing the agricultural use of the land. In summer the area would become a wildflower meadow and biodiversity haven.
Solstice Renewables aims to go even further in maximising the use of agricultural land by seeking to grow crops - such as soft fruit - in the 4.5m wide rows between panels. It is working in partnership with Royal Agricultural University Cirencester (RAU) to develop this innovative approach.
Other benefits proposed include:• A community benefit fund of £1,000 per MW installed capacity, rising in line with inflation, for 25 years. This is likely to amount to £7,500 a year, or over £188,000 for the lifetime of the solar farm.• • Additional funding for educational purposes, of £2,000 each per year for local schools to fund field trips to the solar farm and other educational resources. This programme of activity has already begun, with a site visit by Clyst St. Mary primary school to study biodiversity at the site which took place on June 5th.
Giovanni Maruca, added: "We'll continue to engage with the local community throughout the planning process, by updating local residents, councillors and community groups on our plans and responding to any questions or concerns people may have."
Full details of the planning application are available on the council's planning portal via www.EastDevon.gov.uk (reference number14/1379/MFUL). Members of the public are invited to comment on the plans up to July 11th 2014.
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France v Switzerland preview: Evra has no regrets
Manchester United left back Patrice Evra says he has no regrets about leading the French squad in revolt at the last World Cup.
Under the captaincy of Evra, Les Bleus went on strike after Nicolas Anelka had been sent home for insulting then coach Raymond Domenech in South Africa.
Results hardly improved as France crashed out in the group stages but this time round the more relaxed build-up has seen them start with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Honduras in Group E.
And 33-year-old Evra admits he is enjoying his role away from the limelight ahead of their second game against Switzerland.
"I took my role too much to heart, it consumed all of my energy last time," said Evra, who has signed a new one-year deal at Old Trafford ahead of next season.
"It's an honourable role but it's not a priority. I was captain in 2010, it's finished. I love myself all the time! It's a little arrogant, but even in difficult moments and moments of joy I do not like to criticise myself. The same Pat of 2010 is the same Pat of 2014. I love them both.
"It's important that French people are proud of what happens, that's the motto of the squad and the priority is that they see the jersey is being respected."
Switzerland are also well positioned in Group E after a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Ecuador in their opening game.
But, having failed to qualify for the knockout stages four years despite opening their campaign with a shock 1-0 win over Spain, keeper Diego Benaglio is urging his team-mates not to get too carried away.
"Of course, the atmosphere is good, but I think that everyone who was involved four years ago is wary of what can happen. We've learnt our lesson," said the Wolfsburg stopper.
"We've already won against a competitor for a spot in the next round, so things already look brighter than at the last World Cup.
"We've learnt our lessons from 2010 and made so much progress. Now it is time to go out there and show what we can do."
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Two injured in crash near Teignmouth
TWO people have been taken to hospital after a crash on the coast road near Teignmouth.
The A379 at Holcombe is partially blocked at Smugglers Lane as a result of the two-vehicle accident.
The ambulance service was called to attend at 2.25pm on Friday.
Two elderly people were taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital with minor injuries.
People in a second vehicle walked away uninjured.
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