1. RAF LAUNCHES FIRST DRONE STRIKE IN IRAQ
The RAF has carried out its first drone strikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq. A Reaper drone flying from an airbase in Kuwait fired a Hellfire missile during a coalition mission near Baiji, the site of Iraq's largest oil refinery. Over the weekend RAF Tornado jets were involved in air strikes near the town, which was seized by IS in June.
2. CAMERON: WE CANNOT IGNORE EU DEBATE
David Cameron has warned that Britain cannot remain in the EU "come what may" and has denied that plans for a referendum on the issue of Europe would affect the UK economy by creating uncertaintly. In a speech to the CBI, Cameron said the worst thing the country could do was to pretend that the debate over Europe was "not happening".
3. HK MURDERS: RURIK JUTTING IN COURT AGAIN
The British banker accused of the murder of two sex workers in Hong Kong, Rurik Jutting, has appeared in court again. The 29-year-old was remanded in custody to await the results of two psychiatric reports on his fitness to plead. Jutting was arrested on 1 November after calling police to his flat.
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Rurik Jutting guilty of Hong Kong double murder
4. BUSINESS LEADERS: INCREASE CHILDCARE
The CBI group of business leaders has urged the government to increase affordable childcare and cut taxes for the lower-paid, saying the slow pace of the UK’s economic recovery means that “immediate help” is needed. The group of 190,000 firms begins its annual conference in London today.
Business leaders call for more free childcare to help families
5. OBESITY SURGERY ‘SAVES MONEY FOR NHS’
A new study suggests that bariatric surgery for the obese, which involves gastric bands, can drastically reduce costs to the NHS because it helps the long-term health of people who might otherwise suffer from diabetes and other ailments. One bariatric surgeon warned that obesity could bankrupt the service.
The 'super-obese' under-25s having gastric band surgery
6. BAND AID RE-RELEASE TO REFLECT EBOLA
One Direction, Ed Sheeran, Elbow and Bono are among the artists to appear on the latest version of Band Aid song, Do They Know It’s Christmas, timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the original. Writers Bob Geldof and Midge Ure announced the line-up of artists and said the song's lyrics had been altered to reflect the Ebola crisis.
7. NIGERIA SUICIDE BLAST KILLS 47 STUDENTS
At least 47 students have been killed and 79 injured after a suicide bomber struck at a school in the north-eastern Nigerian town of Potiskum. The attacker was reportedly wearing school uniform and had the explosives hidden in a rucksack. Around 2,000 students were attending the assembly in a hall at the college when the bomb went off.
Suicide bomber kills 47 at school assembly in Nigeria
8. CATALONIA VOTES FOR INDEPENDENCE
Catalans have voted overwhelmingly in favour of independence from Spain in an informal ballot held yesterday. Around two million people, including Catalans living overseas, took part in the poll, with just over 80% calling for Catalonian independence. Catalan leader Artur Mas said the result proved the region had a "right" to a formal referendum.
Catalonia backs independence in vote which 'means nothing'
9. DOCTOR WHO VIDEO FOR BEREAVED BOY
A short video made by Doctor Who actor Peter Capaldi to comfort a young fan has gone viral. Capaldi recorded the video for nine-year-old Thomas Goodall in response to a fan letter the autistic boy wrote. Goodall’s father says the short film gave his son the courage to go his grandmother’s funeral.
10. HOT TICKET: MADE IN DAGENHAM MUSICAL
A new musical version of Made in Dagenham has opened at the Adelphi Theatre, London. The show, based on a true story and a hit film, stars Gemma Arterton as a 1960s Ford factory worker battling for fair pay for her female colleagues. "Crowd-pleasing," says The Independent. Until 28 March.
Made in Dagenham – reviews of 'crowd-pleasing' Brit musical
