The BBC’s Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Moscow says that for the three men accused of taking part in Ms Politkovskaya’s murder, this result is a huge relief.
But for the Russian authorities, it is a public relations disaster, our correspondent says.
This trial was supposed to show justice would be done - instead it has turned into a [...]
A series of unexplained stabbings using hypodermic syringes appears to have triggered the protests.
Chinese media said that nearly 500 people, almost all Han, have sought treatment for stabbings in the past few weeks. Reports said 89 people had “clear syringe marks” but that no-one had been infected or poisoned.
A businessman in Urumqi told the BBC [...]
Investors hit by the downturn who choose not to complete property deals can still be forced to buy after court orders, lawyers have warned.
Many buyers who agreed to purchase city apartments being built in the boom now find values have plunged or have difficulty in finding a mortgage deal.
Some wrongly believe they risk only their [...]
Continue reading about Blog: Legal risk to property investors
Currently, a majority of the Ombudsman’s workload involves complaints about lettings.
In July, August and September, the Ombudsman, Christopher Hamer, received 1,679 enquiries about lettings (up 16% over the previous quarter) and 966 about sales (down 10%).
Only a minority of enquiries become formal complaints which are then investigated.
But in the third quarter there were 127 new [...]
More than half of adults in a survey of 10 countries thought school science lessons should teach evolutionary theories alongside creationism.
Among those who knew of Darwinism, on average 53% felt other possible perspectives should also be taught.
The figure was 68% in Argentina, in the poll for the British Council, which promotes educational opportunities.
In Great Britain [...]
Continue reading about Blog: Darwin teaching ‘divides opinion’
Fresh health concerns have been raised about plans for a new 137 mile power line between Denny and Beauly.
A committee of MPs has concluded there is an “undoubted link” between high voltage cables and childhood leukaemia.
They have recommended the highest pylons should not be allowed within 200m of schools and homes.
Labour MP Michael Connarty has [...]
Continue reading about Blog: Child cancer fear over pylon plan
surprising amount of water has been found to exist in the Moon’s soil.
Data from three spacecraft, including India’s Chandrayaan probe, shows that very fine films of H2O coat the particles that make up the lunar dirt.
The quantity is tiny but could become a useful resource for astronauts wishing to live on the Moon, scientists say.
“If [...]
Continue reading about Blog：Spacecraft see ‘damp’ Moon soils
Turkish air strikes in northern Iraq this week left more than 150 Kurdish rebels dead, the Turkish army says.
“According to initial estimates, this operation allowed us to neutralise more than 150 terrorists,” the army said in a statement on its website.
A PKK spokesman said that only six rebels were killed and they were from a [...]
Continue reading about Blog：Turkey ‘kills 150 Kurdish rebels’
A man arrested in connection with suspicious approaches to children by a driver in Leicestershire has been released without charge.
Officers thought three reports of a man driving a people carrier approaching young boys in Melton were connected.
A 34-year-old man was arrested over the first incident following a call from the parent of an 11-year-old boy.
But [...]
Continue reading about Blog： Man released over ‘luring boys’
The introduction of a new “foreigners tax” in The Gambia has led to many foreigners fleeing the country.
Every foreigner resident in The Gambia now has to pay 1,000 dalasi ($40) every year for an “Alien Certificate”.
Sources close to the government say the new tax is necessary because out of 1.5 million people living in The [...]
