1. BLAIR 'NOT TO BLAME' FOR CHILCOT DELAY
Tony Blair has denied claims that he is responsible for a delay in the publication of the Chilcott Inquiry into the Iraq war. The report will not now appear until after the general election, news that Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg described as "incomprehensible". Those criticised in the report are allowed right of reply, which is thought to have caused the delay.
Chilcot Inquiry: British public 'betrayed' by further delay
2. FRANCE ANNOUNCES NEW TERROR SPENDING
France has announced plans to create 2,680 jobs and increase spending on counter-terrorism by €425m in the wake of the Paris attacks. The announcement came as four men were charged with helping Amedy Coulibaly, who attacked a kosher supermarket. Meanwhile, shop worker Lassana Bathily from Mali, has been granted French citizenship for saving customers by hiding them in a fridge.
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3. STATE OF THE NATION - OBAMA’S TAX PLEDGE
Barack Obama yesterday used his annual State of the Nation address, made as usual to both houses of the US Congress, to urge Republicans to back tax rises on the rich, to help struggling middle-class families. The president said the “shadow of crisis” had passed after two wars and a “vicious recession”.
State of the Nation: Obama delivers 'greatest hits' speech
4. ‘UNNATURAL SEX’ FILE DISCOVERED
A researcher has told Sky news he stumbled upon an unreleased government file from 1981 which details allegations of “unnatural” sexual behaviour in Westminster. Labour MP Simon Danczuk says the document should be made public and handed to the inquiry into an alleged historic paedophile ring.
5. INDIA'S TIGER POPULATION UP BY 30%
India's tiger population has increased by 30% since 2011 according to government figures. The 2014 Indian tiger census estimated that there were 2,226 tigers in the country, up from 1,706 in 2011 and just 1,411 in 2008. India's environment minister Prakash Javadekar said there were unique photographs of 80% of the animals. He added that the increase was "great news".
India's tiger population surges due to conservation efforts
6. LABOUR POLL LEAD DOWN AS GREENS SURGE
The latest election poll commissioned from ICM by the Guardian gives Labour a diminished lead over the other parties - its support is down three points, thanks to a surge by the Greens. The combined score for the UK’s three biggest parties is at an all-time low, with the Lib Dems and Ukip level.
Miliband, Balls score low on economy – but issue is fading
7. UNEMPLOYMENT FALLS, EARNINGS RISE
UK unemployment has fallen to its lowest level for six years, according to official figures. IN the three months to November the number of people out of work fell by 58,000 to 1.91m. There are now 3.8m people in work. Wage growth had also continued to outpace inflation. Between September and November average earnings were up 1.8% on the same period in 2013.
8. ‘MURDER’ GRAFFITI FOR AMERICAN SNIPER
The debate sparked in the US by Oscar-contending movie American Sniper has deepened, with a billboard for the film in LA taken down after the word “murder” was daubed in the poster. The film, nominated for six Academy Awards, has been accused of glorifying violence by critics including Michael Moore.
Chris Kyle: five things American Sniper gets wrong
9. NADAL SCRAPES THROUGH IN AUSTRALIA
Andy Murray cruised into the third round of the Australian Open with a straight sets win over local hope Marinko Matosevic, but third seed Rafa Nadal needed five sets to overcome qualifier Tim Smyczek, and was frequently troubled by stomach cramps. Roger Federer also made it through despite suffering a finger problem. He beat Italian Simone Bolelli in four sets.
10. BATMAN MASSACRE JURY SELECTION BEGINS
Jury selection has begun for the trial of James Holmes, accused of killing 12 people in July 2012 at a midnight cinema screening of a Batman movie in Aurora, Colorado. Nine thousand potential jurors, said to be one of the largest pools in US history, have been summoned for the case.
James Holmes guilty of Batman shooting: will he face death?
