from The Guardian, October 31, 2013

'Go home' vans resulted in 11 people leaving Britain, says report
Evaluation of widely criticised illegal immigration campaign shows more than two-thirds of texts received were fake

Are loyalty cards really worth it?
As the data that comes out of customers' loyalty has become increasingly valuable for companies are they passing those benefits onto the consumer?

'Where's the Talking?' A guide to the language of Sunday League football
Going quiet is forbidden in amateur football, so this set of phrases has emerged to punctuate the painful periods silence


Mr Burton on Educating Yorkshire: 'I'm absolutely bowled over'
It wasn't an easy decision to let the cameras into our school, but it was a great opportunity for us to show how proud we are of the work we do. Musharaf moments don't happen every day, but when they do, we're chuffed as chips


Putin's anointment by Forbes as the world's No 1 hombre is jaw-dropping
The Russian leader is top of Forbes magazine's power-list, but that power is merely illusory


Reports that NSA taps into Google and Yahoo data hubs infuriate tech giants
Files obtained from Edward Snowden suggest NSA can collect information sent by fibre optic cable between Google and Yahoo data hubs 'at will'


Syria's chemical weapons production facilities destroyed, says watchdog
International chemical weapons watchdog OPCW says its team has inspected 21 out of 23 chemical weapons sites in Syria


The bodysnatchers of Bangkok: Thailand's volunteer emergency service
Unlike the UK or US, Thailand operates on a two-tier emergency support system, sending out volunteers, or 'basic teams', to accident or crime scenes first, and only then an advanced life-support ambulance if needed. These 'basic teams' provide a vital service and account for about 60% of the emergency cases Bangkok's hospitals see every year. Most Thais believe that helping others – be it the injured or dead – allows one to earn karmic merit. Here we spend the night with a Noppadon, one of Bangkok's many volunteer body-collectors - also known as bodysnatchers.
video (9:42)


Why young women are going off the pill and on to contraception voodoo
Many twentysomethings are resentful of their birth control options, and so are choosing to use nothing at all.  Here's why that's not smart.


Is taking a selfie at a funeral bad form?
Guardian readers, we could ask Miss Manners, but instead we'll ask you: are selfies at funerals harmless fun or a faux pas?