1. BBC APOLOGISES FOR NEWSNIGHT REPORT
The BBC has apologised "unreservedly" for the Newsnight report which led to Lord McAlpine being wrongly implicated in the alleged child abuse at a north Wales care homes. The corporation also announced an "immediate pause in all Newsnight investigations to assess editorial robustness and supervision".
2. PETRAEUS RESIGNS OVER AFFAIR
CIA director David Petraeus has resigned from his post, after admitting an extra-marital affair. In his resignation statement, he said his behaviour had been "unacceptable". Unnamed officials say his affair was with his biographer, Paula Broadwell. Prior to joining the CIA, Petraeus was a high-ranking military official credited with the success of the "surge" in Iraq.
3. CHURCH TO RETHINK GAY MARRIAGE STANCE?
Incoming Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby says he will reconsider the Church's position on gay marriages, saying he is to reassess his own stance on the issue “prayerfully and carefully”. He also said he is "utterly optimistic" about the future of the Church and that he believes he is taking over at a time of national “spiritual hunger”.
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4. SENATORS PLAN ULTIMATE IRAN SANCTIONS
US senators are devising a “a complete sanctions regime” against Iran that could prevent Tehran from doing business with most of the world unless it agrees to restrictions on its nuclear programme. The new sanctions could be introduced via the upcoming defence Bill. Sanctions imposed by Washington earlier this year have already cut Iran’s oil exports in half.
5. AUTHOR PHILIP ROTH RETIRES
American novelist Philip Roth has announced his retirement. The 79-year-old author of Portnoy's Complaint, The Plot Against America and other classics, told a French magazine: "To tell you the truth, I'm done" and added that Nemesis, published in 2010, will be his final book. "Enough is enough!" he said.
6. ETON HEAD QUESTIONS WORTH OF GCSES
The headmaster of Eton College has spoken out against the GCSE exams. "I seriously question the point of having GCSEs at all," Tony Little tells The Times. "We might need a snapshot of what 16-year-olds are doing in English, maths and maybe science, but I can’t see why people should do 10 or 11 GCSEs. You could do so many more inventive things.”
7. UK TO STOP AID TO INDIA BY 2015
The government has confirmed it will stop all financial aid to India by 2015. International development secretary Justine Greening told MPs the move is being taken in the light of "India's rapid growth and development progress in the last decade". She added that in the future the focus will be on trade, rather than aid.
8. MICHELIN CHEF RANTS AT BLOGGER
A blogger has received a tirade of abuse from leading chefs after penning a review of a London restaurant. James Isherwood was critical of the crab starter at Claude Bosi's Hibiscus restaurant. Michelin-starred Bosi wrote on Twitter: “Nice way to gain respect with chefs …! I think you are a **** and this is personal, sorry …!!” Other chefs weighed in with their own fury.
9. 'CORRIE' STAR BILL TARMEY DIES
Coronation Street star Bill Tarmey has died at the age of 71. The actor played leading character Jack Duckworth for 31 years. He died at his holiday home on Tenerife following years of ill health. Liz Dawn, who played Tarmey's on-screen wife Vera, said: "I am totally bereft. He was a gentle giant and I will miss him so much."
10. STARBUCKS IN 'ADULT SITES' CONTROVERSY
Starbucks is under attack for failing to block adult sites from the free wi-fi it provides in its outlets. Baroness Massey, a former chair of the Family Planning Association, told the House of Lords she will boycott the chain over its failure to "set an example" by filtering pornographic websites. The news comes as the firm is under attack over its tax affairs.
