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Non-native plant species are extending the growing season in eastern US forests by an average of four weeks, a study suggests.

Labour leader Ed Miliband has said that it "beggars belief" that Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt is still in his job following revelations at the Leveson inquiry.

New Law Review article: A Fourth Amendment Theory for Arrestee DNA and Other Biometric Databases by David H. Kaye on SSRN. Abstract:

Routine DNA sampling following a custodial arrest process is now the norm in many jurisdictions, but is it consistent with the Fourth Amendment? The few courts that have addressed the question have disagreed on the answer, but all of them seem to agree on two points: (1) the reasonableness of the practice turns on a direct form of balancing of individual and governmental interests; and (2) individuals who are convicted — and even those who are merely arrested — have a greatly diminished expectation of privacy in their identities. This Article disputes these propositions and offers an improved framework for analyzing the constitutionality of databases of biometric data. It demonstrates that the opinions on DNA collection before conviction have lost sight of the foundations of balancing tests in Fourth Amendment analysis. It argues that balancing is acceptable only for “special needs” or “administrative search” cases, or for defining new exceptions to the warrant requirement of the Fourth Amendment. The Article examines how DNA collection before conviction might be brought under the traditional special-needs doctrine and how it might fit within a new, but coherent exception for certain forms of biometric data. This framework permits the courts to analyze DNA databases without diluting the protections guaranteed by the Fourth Amendment, and it provides a sound rationale for the current law on arrestee fingerprinting.

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (AP) -- While much of New Mexico is west of the Rio Grande, this dusty enclave of 14,000 residents is the only U.S. city located on the Mexico side of the river, on the same side as - and just across the border fence from - Juarez....

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (AP) -- While much of New Mexico is west of the Rio Grande, this dusty enclave of 14,000 residents is the only U.S. city located on the Mexico side of the river, on the same side as - and just across the border fence from - Juarez....

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Exports are big business for the U.S. beef industry, which shipped a record $5.4 billion worth of beef abroad last year....

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Exports are big business for the U.S. beef industry, which shipped a record $5.4 billion worth of beef abroad last year....

The chief executive and chairman of AstraZeneca are both retiring early, encouraged by the non-executive directors, against the background of a sharp fall in first-quarter profits and growing discontent from shareholders.

CHICAGO (AP) -- Prosecutors at the Chicago trial of the man accused of killing Jennifer Hudson's family head into their fourth day presenting evidence with no indication they're close to wrapping up their case....

CHICAGO (AP) -- Prosecutors at the Chicago trial of the man accused of killing Jennifer Hudson's family head into their fourth day presenting evidence with no indication they're close to wrapping up their case....

CHICAGO (AP) -- Prosecutors at the Chicago trial of the man accused of killing Jennifer Hudson's family head into their fourth day presenting evidence with no indication they're close to wrapping up their case....

The proportion of female secondary school head teachers in Wales doubles in eight years to nearly one-third.

Were the dark ages actually a golden age for local democracy?

Can the UK’s local papers survive in a webby world?

Teenager Daryl Harry-Newman says he is upset at having to resort to a food bank, as the BBC's Steph McGovern reports from Knowsley on Merseyside on why more and more people are using the service.

Brazil's Congress approves controversial changes to the country's forest code which environmentalists say will spur Amazon deforestation.

The Queen begins the second leg of her Diamond Jubilee tour today, with a two day visit to South Wales.

More than a half of parents in England admit having taken a child on holiday during term time and more than a quarter plan to do so this year, a poll suggests.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Vice President Joe Biden says the latest job numbers show an economy still struggling to recover, but not one where hiring suddenly has stalled, which he says just might if Mitt Romney is elected....

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama flies Air Force One when he leaves town. So does Candidate Barack Obama....