1. MAY: GAMES SECURITY 'NOT COMPROMISED'
London Olympic security will not be compromised, Home Secretary Theresa May told MPs today. She was responding to news that 3,500 extra troops have been called in after the private contractor G4S failed to train enough staff. Some Army officers are said to be angry that soldiers will have to carry out menial tasks such as bag checks.
Army anger as troops forced to cover G4S Olympic security fail
2. THREE BRITONS DEAD AFTER AVALANCHE
Nine climbers have been killed in an avalanche on the Mont Blanc mountain range in France. 28 climbers were making their way up Mont Maudit, near Chamonix, early this morning when the avalanche hit. Three Britons, two Spaniards, one German and one Swiss were killed. The nationalities of two other victims are not yet known.
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Mont Blanc avalanche: three British climbers dead
3. BUSINESS LEADERS SLAM AIRPORT DITHERING
Business leaders and trade union chiefs have united to condemn the government's indecision on airport expansion. In a letter to The Times, they say that the government has kicked the airport issue “into the long grass”, allowing other countries to "sweep up business opportunities and overtake us". Sir Richard Branson says the UK is “losing tons of money” due to the dithering.
Business leaders attack coalition for dithering over Heathrow
4. TOP SYRIAN DIPLOMAT DEFECTS
A leading Syrian diplomat has defected to the opposition and encouraged other politicians and military leaders to follow suit. Nawaf Fares, Syria's diplomat to Iraq, said he defected because Assad's regime is using its power "to oppress the people and their aspirations to freedom and dignity". Last week, a Syrian army general also defected.
5. BLAIR TO ADVISE ON OLYMPIC LEGACY
Tony Blair is taking a step back into British politics with a role as adviser to the Labour Party on how to handle the 2012 Olympic Games' legacy. Ed Miliband said Blair will advise on how to "maximise [the] economic and... sporting legacies" of the Games. Blair recently revealed he would like to return as Prime Minister, though conceded it is "not likely to happen".
6. 'TOURIST' ALIENS MIGHT VISIT EARTH
A government official speculated in the 1990s that aliens might visit Earth for reconnaissance or "tourism", files published by the National Archives show. The Ministry of Defence briefing said reported sightings of aliens did not suggest the alleged visitors had "hostile intent". Its author clarified that he did not “talk to little green men every night” .
UFO files: faceless humanoids spook Welsh hotel owner
7. JOHN TERRY VERDICT EXPECTED TOMORROW
The John Terry race trial has ended with a verdict expected tomorrow. Prosecutor Duncan Penny said the Chelsea defender had lashed out at Anton Ferdinand as the pair traded insults over Terry's private life and said he had committed "straightforward racial abuse". Terry had claimed he was sarcastically repeating Ferdinands words.
8. O2 NETWORK OUTAGE HITS UK
Tens of thousands of O2 customers, as well as GiffGaff and Tesco Mobile subscribers, have suffered disruption to their services due to a nationwide network failure. It is the network's second major failure in two weeks. O2 said services had been restored by Thursday afternoon.
O2 network outage: services partially restored
9. 'EASIER' PARKING FOR WOMEN IN GERMANY
A mayor in Germany has sparked controversy by introducing easier car-parking spaces for women. Parking spaces in the town of Triberg now have either male or female symbols on them. The female spaces are wider and better lit than the men's spaces, which can only be reversed into. The mayor was surprised to receive "humourless reactions from the political [sic] correct".
10. HOT TICKET – DINING WITH DAMIEN HIRST
The Tramshed, Mark Hix’s hip new restaurant for meat lovers, has opened on Rivington Street, in London’s Old Street roundabout district. It serves a pared-down menu of three starters, steak and chicken in a renovated turn-of-the-century tramshed, decorated with artworks by Damian Hirst. “Superlative quality”, says the Evening Standard.
Meat and two Hirsts: no frills at the Tramshed
