AN Irish woman has become the first adult in the world to receive a revolutionary REMOTE CONTROLLED 'ROBO SPINE', which uses magnets to combat the effects of scoliosis. Deirdre McDonnell, 34, from Drogheda, County Louth, can now stand tall for the first time after undergoing the pioneering MAGEC rod operation. The operation, also known as the magnetic expansion control system, involves the insertion of a magnetic rod that is screwed onto the spine and controlled externally in order to correct the curvature caused by scoliosis. Up until now, the £15K procedure has only been performed on children, as it was thought only to be effective for early onset scoliosis - typically diagnosed before the age of ten.
A fox takes a tumble and lands on his head when he tries to fend off a pair of eagles in Japan .
An Italian photographer travelled to northern India where he visited poverty stricken suburbs and captured ordinary people in a series of intimate and expressive portraits .
More weather chaos is heading our way, with ice and snow already hitting areas across Birmingham .
HOTSPOT MEDIA - WAVE-ING GOODBYE TO RUSH HOUR: WHILE most workers endure commuting chaos by road or rail everyday, one entrepreneur has come up with a novel way to get to the office - by KAYAK .
PERCHED on a branch, these two frogs hold hands as they look into the camera .
SNUGGLING up against their teddy bears, these baby sloths could easily be mistaken for one of the cuddly toys .
FROM COLOURFUL autumn leaves to living trees at first glance you might miss these people blended with nature .
A BLIND man was battered with a brick in a sickening attack by two thugs .
LYING flat out on his back, this little meerkat makes the most of the English sunshine .
TUGGING on the wing of his sibling, this needy owl is after some attention .
A BEAUTIFUL sight for the eyes and the imagination, these liquid sculptures take shape in many different colours and formations .