1. Family doctors still paid to avoid cancer referrals
GPs are still being paid to cut the number of patients they refer for urgent cancer tests, reports The Times. Local health chiefs have defied instructions to end the payments, despite warnings that they could cost lives. Tim Ballard of the Royal College of GPs said: “Offering GPs money not to refer patients for further treatment is… insulting to our professional integrity and ethically wrong.”
2. Is Ken Livingstone the real Labour leader?
Ken Livingstone is running the Labour Party leadership, claims a casualty of Jeremy Corbyn’s recent purge. Michael Dugher described Corbyn’s closest aides as a “bunch of far-left, antiwar former communists” in thrall to Livingstone, their previous employer at City Hall, London. Kevan Jones, who quit in protest over the reshuffle, said Livingstone “seems to have free rein”.
3. Dozens of UK soldiers face prosecution over Iraq
British soldiers face prosecution over 55 Iraq War deaths, says The Independent. The Service Prosecuting Authority has vowed that it will prosecute soldiers where there is evidence of unlawful killing and torture. Dozens of cases in which British soldiers are accused of unlawfully killing Iraqi civilians have already been referred to prosecutors. The Daily Mail calls it a “witch-hunt”.
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4. London breaks annual pollution rule just days into 2016
London has broken European air-quality rules for the whole of 2016 — just 175 hours into the new year. European regulations state that maximum levels of nitrogen dioxides - harmful gases given off by vehicles that can cause asthma and heart disease - should not be broken for more than 18 hours a year. A monitoring station on Putney high street in London exceeded that limit on Friday at 7am.
5. Stabbings as ‘jihadists’ attack Egyptian hotel
Three tourists have been stabbed by suspected militants who targeted a Red Sea hotel. The attackers are believed to have arrived at the Bella Vista beachside resort by boat. They were aiming to kidnap tourists, say officials. Reports say they raised the Islamic State flag. Some eye witnesses suggested that they opened fire outside the hotel.
6. Lotto’s £57.8m jackpot must be won tonight
A National Lottery jackpot of nearly £60m must be won tonight after 13 consecutive rollovers. Rules mean the £57.8m prize is shared out after the prize reaches £50m, so if no-one matches six numbers, the next tier of winners will share the prize. The Times says it is worth a punt “provided that there isn't a surge in ticket sales as newspapers thoughtlessly draw public attention to the accumulated jackpot. Oh."
7. Merkel ‘reconsiders migrant policy’ after attack
Recriminations and division continue after the New Year’s Eve sex attacks on women in Cologne. The far-right in Germany is using the fear to fuel its anti-immigrant campaign, while pressure is growing on chancellor Angela Merkel to reconsider her immigration policy. Meanwhile, sales of pepper spray have reportedly risen.
8. Lemmy funeral to be streamed live online
Motorhead frontman Lemmy will be laid to rest at a private funeral in Los Angeles later today – and thousands of his fans are expected to watch a live stream of the service on YouTube. The rock legend, whose real name was Ian Kilmister, had just celebrated his 70th birthday when died on 28 December - two days after being diagnosed with an extremely aggressive cancer.
9. BNP falls off the list of official parties
The British National Party has been removed from the official list of political parties. The far-right organisation now risks being unable to stand for election - because it failed to pay its annual £25 registration fee. All parties must confirm their registration details with the Electoral Commission. But despite having six months notice, the BNP has missed the deadline.
10. Exeter nearly eliminate second-string Liverpool
League Two Exeter nearly pulled off a classic FA Cup giant-killing last night, drawing 2-2 with Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s side came from behind to force a third-round replay. Cup holders Arsenal host Sunderland today, with Dagenham and Redbridge at Everton. Aston Villa, struggling in the Premier League, will hope to avoid an upset at Wycombe.
