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Dutch PM: Russia still arming Ukraine separatists
Russia could avert EU sanctions if it stops arming pro-Moscow rebels in Ukraine, the Dutch Prime Minister has said.
"All indications are that Russia is continuing to arm the separatists," Mark Rutte told a parliamentary committee on Friday.
The PM, who is seen to have a key role in the EU's response to the downing of airliner MH17, said: "There's an easy way out for Russia: to distance themselves from the separatists, and stop arming them."
He added that the Netherlands would support sanctions if Russia did not do so, and would also do so if it were proven that Russia had been behind the downing of the airliner, in which 298 people, including 194 Dutch, lost their lives.
Palestinian death toll in Gaza 'passes 800'
The overall death toll in Gaza has now reached 808, according to Palestinian officials.
A recent strike on a UN-run school in the town of Beit Hanoun is reported to have killed 19 people, although it is not yet clear who was responsible for the attack.
The UN has called for an "immediate investigation" into the incident.
Read: School strike 'could have been Palestinian mistake'
Israel has also announced the death of one of its soldiers, Yair Ashkenazy, who was fighting in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
The 36-year-old is the 33rd member of the Israeli military to have died in the conflict so far.
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Joey Barton takes on former teammate over Gaza conflict
The controversial QPR player got into a Twitter scrap with Israel international Yossi Benayoun, who took exception to his tweets about Gaza.
Read the full storyMedical assistance may have saved Mikaeel Kular
Medical assistance may have saved three-year-old Mikaeel Kular's life if it had been called for, a court heard.
The youngster had more than 40 separate injuries to his body, including bruises to his back, chin and cheek, trauma to the brain, haemorrhage in the spinal cord and injuries to his arms.
The final cause of death was found to be "blunt force abdominal trauma." His mother Rosdeep Adekoya, 34, has pleaded guilty to culpable homicide.
Advocate depute Alex Prentice told the High Court in Edinburgh: "If medical assistance had been called for, death might not have resulted."
Large piece of MH17 wreckage discovered in forest
ITV News has seen fresh wreckage from flight MH17, discovered in forest near the main crash site in Grabovo, eastern Ukraine.
There are no bodies among the mangled section of the plane and ITV News staff on the ground say there are no guards or security at the scene whatsoever.
Mystery war message: "I hope your kilt will fit you well"
A mystery message has been found in the folds of a kilt, which dates back to the First World War.
As economic historian Dr Helen Paul was removing the packing stitches from the kilt, which has been passed down her family over many years, she discovered the note.
The University of Southampton academic hopes to trace the descendants of the seamstress who left the note of the kilt which was destined for a soldier heading to the frontline. The note reads:
"I hope your kilt will fit you well & in it you will look a swell If married never mind If single drop a line Wish you bags of luck & a speedy return back to Blighty"
The kilt would have been made for a soldier sent to fight in the war, but some some unknown reason, it was never unpacked or worn.
Helen says, “This garment has been in our family for a number of decades, and until recently, we were completely unaware there was such an intriguing secret hidden in its folds. It was a real surprise when the note fell out.
“My father tried to trace any relatives of the note’s author a few years ago, but his efforts failed and I’m hoping to pick up where he left off.
“There are many unanswered questions. We don't know how many of these poems this lady sent. Was this a one off, or were there many more lost to the battlefield, or even still existing undiscovered? If there were more, did anyone ever answer her message and indeed did she ever meet and marry a soldier returning from the war?"
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Mother 'lost her temper' before battering son to death
A mother "lost her temper" with her three-year-old son before she battered him to death, a court heard.
When Mikaeel Kular was repeatedly sick following a trip to a Nando's restaurant, his mother Rosdeep Adekoya smacked him and struck him on the body and head with a clenched fist, advocate depute Alex Prentice told the High Court in Edinburgh.
After the youngster was sick for a third time, she dragged him to the shower by his arms and "beat him heavily" on his back as he lay over the bath edge, he added.
Mr Prentice said: "It's likely that the internal damage was inflicted during this last beating."
Over the next few days the court heard that Mikaeel's condition worsened and he was kept off nursery. He was assaulted again on the Monday after being sick and became "listless."
His mother did not take him to a doctor because of the bruising, the court heard.
Rosdeep Adekoya, 34, has pleaded guilty to culpable homicide.
Comedy audience unamused by maggot shower during gig
Maggots from a dead pigeon fell from the air conditioning on to the audience at a Jongleurs Comeey Club night held in Nottingham.
Read the full storyWelsh athlete charged with anti-doping violation
A Welsh athlete has been provisionally suspended from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after being charged with an anti-doping violation.
Rhys Williams, the Wales' 400 metres hurdles champion and son of rugby union great JJ Williams, became the second Welsh athlete to be forced out over an alleged anti-doping violation, after 800m runner Gareth Warburton.
In a statement Welsh Athletics said the 30-year-old had been charged with committing an anti-doping rule violation under the IAAF Anti-Doping Rules.
They said: "Rhys has the opportunity to respond to the charges against him and to have those charges determined at a full hearing before the national anti-doping panel."
They added: "Welsh Athletics is obviously concerned that this is the second anti-doping violation by a senior Welsh international athlete and will be conducting its own internal review."
Tulisa fined £200 for assaulting blogger at festival
Former X-Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos has been fined £200 for assaulting a celebrity blogger at a music festival by a judge at Stratford Magistrates' Court.
After being convicted of the assault, Contostavlos was ordered to pay a total of £3,020.
This consisted of a £2,700 contribution towards the cost of the prosecution, a £200 fine, £100 compensation to Mr Morgan and a £20 victim surcharge.
