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Positive Facebook posts 'could spread happiness'
Posting positive Facebook updates could help spread happiness amongst friends, a new study has suggested.
Researchers analysed more than a billion status updates among more than 100 million Facebook users in the top 100 most populous US cities between January 2009 and March 2012, and found that positive messages can be contagious.
The study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, found that additional positive post generated an estimated 1.75 positive posts amongst friends while each additional negative post yielded 1.29 more negative posts.
"We have enough power in this data set to show that emotional expressions spread online and also that positive expressions spread more than negative," lead author James Fowler said.
Those behind the study said the findings raised the prospect of "greater spikes" in global emotion in the future with the growth in online communication, and suggested that social media could be harnessed to create an "epidemic of well-being".
Two dead, 55 confirmed injured after Harlem collapse
A large gas explosion leveled two apartment buildings in New York City today, killing at least two women and injuring 55 people.
*Read more on the Harlem building collapse *
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Chinese satellite images increase speculation on plane
Chinese scientists have claimed satellite images of unknown objects in the ocean may be related to the disappearance of the missing flight MH370.
The images will only increase the speculation on the whereabouts of the flight, carrying 239 people, which disappeared in the early hours of Saturday.
Authorities have been unable to establish what happened, while the search area has been extended.
Images from Chinese satellite on 9th shows three objects in the possible site of #MH370 Verification is in progress. http://t.co/yn9MYLmDDl
Obama warns Russia ongoing Ukraine crisis has a cost
US President Barack Obama has warned Russia that the West will be forced to apply a cost to Moscow if it fails to change course in the ongoing Ukraine crisis.
Obama held face-to-face talks with the new Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk in the White House and told reporters, "We will stand with Ukraine."
Yatsenyuk said Ukraine is ready for talks and vowed, "We will never surrender" to Russia.
Wiggins to feature in cameo role for radio soap
Chorley's Sir Bradley Wiggins is gearing up for a cameo role in Radio 4 soap The Archers.
The Olympic gold medallist and Tour de France winner will head to Ambridge to crown the winner as the villagers hold their own Sport Relief fundraising event next week.
Sir Bradley will feature in the show on March 21, the same evening which Sport Relief is celebrated on BBC TV.
Cameron urges Israel to pursue Middle East peace deal
David Cameron has urged Israel to pursue a peace deal with Palestinians that could mean "an end of all conflict" in the Middle East.
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Last communication of plane: 'All right, roger that'
The missing Malaysia Airlines flight crew replied "All right, roger that" in its last communication before it went missing five days ago.
Malaysian authorities were forced to defend their handling of the operation to find the missing flight MH370 today as relatives expressed their anger at the lack of developments in the search.
Families' frustration at the lack of progress boiled over in Beijing when water bottles were thrown at officials.
Keir Simmons reports from Malaysia:
Read: Frustration mounts as search for missing Malaysia plane continues
Cameron calls meeting Israel's Peres 'an honour'
It was an honour to meet President Peres tonight. We both condemned today's rocket attacks from Gaza on Israel. http://t.co/TyWAgDFHIv
New York firefighters remain at scene of building blast
Now: #FDNY continues operations at the 5-alarm fire/collapse on Park Ave., #Manhattan. 250+ members responding. http://t.co/nG75RWzqIU
Fresh start to the day with fog remaining in patches
Sunshine will reappear throughout the afternoon after fog and rain has become lighter. Some fog may linger along the south coast of England.
Highs of 17C along the north sea coast, with most areas set to record double figures.
ITV Weather Presenter Alex Beresford has the full forecast:
