News Headlines - 26 December 2011

▽'Anonymous' hackers hit US security firm Stratfor - BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-16330396
The hackers claim they were able to obtain the information because the company, Stratfor, did not encrypt it.
They say Stratfor's clients include the US defence department, law enforcement agencies and media organisations.
The Austin-based company says it has now suspended the operation on its servers and email.

▽First-time buyer numbers in 35-year low, says report - BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-16325943
The Bank of Scotland estimated about 17,000 first-time buyers this year - the lowest annual total since 1976.
The figure was 4% lower than last year and less than half the recent peak of 39,100 in 2006.

▽Iranian woman to face death by stoning or hanging - The Associated Press
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hkhiYF1I526g_dfC3daqQEltVWCQ?docId=f9e7d2acd36e4ebc8fe056d4e19602f2
Authorities in Iran said Sunday they are again moving ahead with plans to execute a woman sentenced to death by stoning on an adultery conviction in a case that sparked an international outcry, but are considering whether to carry out the punishment by hanging instead.

▽EastEnders’ Charlie Brooks dances off with the Strictly Come Dancing trophy - The Sun
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/strictly_come_dancing/4020553/EastEnders-Charlie-Brooks-does-the-Charl-cha-cha-Charlie-Brooks-is-crowned-the-winner-of-Strictly-Come-Dancings-Christmas-special.html
EASTENDERS star Charlie Brooks was last night crowned champion of Strictly Come Dancing's Christmas special.
Charlie, who plays scheming Janine Butcher, won the most votes for her jive with professional partner Vincent Simone.

▽Elephant's sixth 'toe' discovered - BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16250725
For more than 300 years, the structure has puzzled researchers, but this study suggests that it helps to support elephants' colossal weight.
Fossils reveal that this "pre-digit" evolved about 40 million years ago, at a point when early elephants became larger and more land-based.