London, Oct 24 : Almost nine out of ten dog owners in the UK love their pets to an early grave by feeding them cakes, biscuits and yoghurts, a new study has found.

The findings, from a poll of more than 1,000 owners by confectioner Mars, also revealed that 60 per cent of cat lovers are do the same to their felines.

The poll found that almost half of all dogs and cats in Britain are now officially overweight.

For example Beau, the Rottweiler of Farnworth, Lancs weighs 14 stone, while Fidget the cat of North Shields weighs 18lbs.

But the researchers also said that most owners are not aware of the health hazards it poses for animals.

Wellington, Oct 24 : A new study has shown that one in four New Zealand women are sexually abused as children.

The study, by the University of Auckland, revealed that 23 per cent of Kiwi women in urban areas and 28 per cent in rural areas experienced some form of sexual abuse when under 15 years-old.

The researchers also found that around half of the women had experienced the abuse on more than one occasion and in most cases, one perpetrator was involved, generally a male family member.

According to the team, the average age of the victim at the start of the abuse was nine, while that of the abuser was 30.

London, Oct 24 : Twin sisters in the UK have defied all odds by celebrating their 101st birthday.

Elizabeth Sowerbutts and Mary Blackburn reached the landmark of a centenary last year, but they went a step further by turning 101 on Oct 21.

"It's a pretty rare feat,” the Telegraph quoted a Buckingham Palace spokesman, as saying.

The twins, who live in opposite parts of Britain, could not travel to see each other because of health restrains.

Elizabeth and Mary, born in1906 on a farm at Clitheroe in Lancashire, were brought up by a pair of maiden aunts after their mother died when they were just two-years-old.

Mary, who lives in a care home in Milnthorpe, Cumbria, has been twice married and now has five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Wellington, Oct. 24 : International students will be able to stay in New Zealand longer to seek work under changes announced today.

Immigration Minister David Cunliffe was quoted by stuff.nz.com as saying the changes would allow many international students to stay in New Zealand on a job search permit for up to a year, instead of six months, while they looked for skilled work.

"There is increasing competition for skilled graduates and we need to allow them enough time to find a job in their area of expertise here in New Zealand and not run the risk that they will go elsewhere," he said.

"In many cases, these are precisely the type of skilled workers we need in New Zealand."

Edinburgh, Oct.24 : An Indian-born supermarket worker in a Scottish town was told to start speaking in English or he would have his throat cut.

The 22-year-old, who was chatting in his native language on his mobile phone, was threatened with an eight-centimetre blade as he walked home at 2:30 a.m. from his shift.

At Selkirk Sheriff Court yesterday, Brian McCrindle, 38, was tagged for three months after he admitted making a racially aggravated threat and also being in possession of an offensive weapon. The incident happened in Melrose Road, Galashiels, on June 26.

Graham Fraser, prosecuting told the court: "It was a very frightening incident against someone who was just minding his own business."

Melbourne, Oct.24 : Australia’s most senior Muslim cleric has blamed
immodestly dressed women for being preyed upon by men and likened them