1. MILIBAND CALLS FOR BANKING INQUIRY
Ed Miliband has backed calls for a public inquiry into "the dark corners" of the banking industry. Speaking to The Times, the Labour leader said that Barclays employees who conspired over lending rates were guilty of "abusive, predatory... behaviour". Mervyn King admitted yesterday that something has gone "very wrong" with Britain's banks and must be put right.
2. RUSSIA AND AMERICA SPLIT ON SYRIA
America and Russia are still divided over Syria ahead of Saturday's key talks on the crisis, says a US official. Despite the Russian Foreign Minister's earlier claim there is a "very good chance" of his country finding common ground with America, a US state department spokesman said areas of "difficulty and difference" remain.
3. MINORITIES 'FEEL MORE BRITISH' THAN WHITES
Ethnic minorities identify more strongly with their 'Britishness' than their white counterparts, according to a new survey. Respondents were asked how important, on a scale of 0 to 10, being British is to them. All minority groups scored higher than the white population, with Pakistanis topping the list.
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4. CRUISE AND HOLMES TO DIVORCE
Hollywood golden couple Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are to divorce after five years of marriage. "Kate has filed for divorce and Tom is deeply saddened and is concentrating on his three children," said a spokesman for Cruise. TMZ News reports that Holmes filed divorce papers on Thursday and is seeking custody of their daughter.
5. HISTORIC BATTALIONS TO BE AXED
At least five infantry battalions are set to be axed next week as the Government cuts the army to 82,000 men, its lowest level since the Napoleonic Wars. The Daily Telegraph reports that battalions with a high proportion of foreign-born recruits will feature heavily in the cuts. Meanwhile, thousands of people are expected to mark Armed Forces Day on Saturday.
6. HOLOCAUST BEAUTY PAGEANT STIRS ROW
A beauty pageant for Holocaust survivors has sparked controversy in Israel. Some 14 elderly women who survived the Holocaust walked along a red carpet in Haifa and described their sufferings during World War II. An Israeli Holocaust survivors' group described the contest, won by 79-year-old Hava Hershkovitz, as "macabre".
7. ADELE REVEALS HER PREGNANCY
Adele has announced she is pregnant. Writing on her website, the 24-year-old singer said she and her partner Simon Konecki were "delighted to announce" they are expecting their first child. "Obviously we're over the moon and very excited but please respect our privacy at this precious time," she said.
8. TATLER TAKES UP LESBIAN CAUSE
High society magazine Tatler is to take up the cause of British lesbians claiming there is a "huge double standard" in British attitudes to them. "Gay men are entirely accepted in society and gay women aren’t," said editor Kate Reardon. The magazine is to publish a special feature and will host a ball in central London which has become unofficially dubbed 'The Lesbian Ball'.
9. LANCE ARMSTRONG CHARGED WITH DOPING
Legendary cyclist Lance Armstrong has been formally charged with using performance-enhancing drugs. The seven-time Tour de France winner could be stripped of his titles if he is found guilty of the charges imposed by the US Anti-Doping Agency. Cancer survivor Armstrong fiercely denies doping, pointing to his successful passing of over 500 drug tests.
10. ENGLAND AND WALES ONLY IN TEAM GB
There will be no Scottish or Northern Irish players in the Team GB football squad for the Olympic Games, reports the BBC. Manager Stuart Pearce is expected to name an 18-man squad of players from England and Wales. The three permitted overage players are set to be Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and Micah Richards.
