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'Small percentage' of Comic Relief cash in arms trade
Comic Relief chief executive Kevin Cahill, speaking on BBC Radio 4's World At One, accepted that Comic Relief had a "small percentage" of cash in areas such as tobacco and arms firms through managed funds.
"There's no more than 5 percent of our funds in those particular areas," he said.
After being told ethical funds had outperformed FTSE 100 companies index over recent periods, he said: "Our trustees were acting in good faith in what they were doing.
"It's very good to hear that, in fact, the potential exists within ethical funds to match the return because Comic Relief would clearly choose to be in those if the return was equal or better to where we currently are so it's a no brainer for us to be in those funds."
Funding details expected in Cameron's G8 speech
The Prime Minister is expected to announce plans to double Government funding of dementia research in his keynote speech at the first G8 dementia summit later today.
David Cameron also wants to see a similar level of investment from the private and charitable sectors.
- Government investment will double from £66 million to £122 million in 2025.
- A newly established UK Dementia Platform will allow different research teams across the country to share data in order to increase the scale and scope of their work.
- The Medical Research Council is channelling £50 million into dementia research over the next five years.
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Comic Relief has avoided ethical investment screening
Comic Relief - which has been criticised for its dealings with the tobacco and arms industries - has avoided a policy of ethical screening for its investments because the charity says it does not want to limit the amount of money it raises.
BBC Panorama highlighted that Comic Relief had £630,000 in shares in BAE Systems, a leading weapons manufacturer, in 2009 despite having a mission statement which talks of a commitment to help "people affected by conflict".
The charity has also given money to help the fight against tuberculosis but had £3 million of its money wrapped up in tobacco companies in the same year, even though smoking is said to be a contributory factor in many TB cases.
And although it aims to reduce alcohol misuse and its spin-off effects, the charity had £300,000 invested in the drinks industry in 2009. Panorama said Comic Relief refused to reveal its current investments.
PM expected to unveil dementia research package
The Prime Minister is expected to agree to measures designed to boost research into dementia, such as international information-sharing, in a speech at a G8 summit later today.
Britain is hosting the international dementia summit in which David Cameron will give the keynote address.
He is expected to stress the importance of achieving scientific breakthroughs in order to slow down, or even prevent, the onset of the debilitating brain condition, now believed to afflict 36 million people around the world.
The Conservative leader will also focus on the role life sciences plays in the British economy, with GSK announcing £200 million of investment at its manufacturing plants at Ware, Hertfordshire, and Worthing, Sussex, and UCB announcing a further £3 million.
Read more: Dementia replaces cancer as disease people fear most
Comic Relief to conduct 'full review' of investments
Comic Relief is to conduct a "full review" of its investment policy after the charity was criticised for its dealings with the tobacco and arms industries.
A BBC Panorama programme screened last night highlighted the money that the charity has tied up in some areas which appear to run counter to its aims because it does not exercise any sort of ethical screening on its investments.
But chief executive Kevin Cahill said that it will look again at where it puts its funds in order to do "the right thing".
BBC1's documentary claims Comic Relief could have generated more cash from shrewd investments in "ethical" funds.
The charity, which generates huge publicity for its activities with star-studded programmes screened by the BBC, has avoided a policy of ethical screening for its investments because it says it does not want to limit the amount of money it raises.
Uruguay votes to legalise marijuana trade
Uruguay has become the first country to legalise the growing, sale and smoking of marijuana.
A government-sponsored bill approved by 16-13 votes in the Senate provides for regulation of the cultivation, distribution and consumption of marijuana and is aimed at wresting the business from criminals in the small South American nation.
Cannabis consumers will be able to buy a maximum of 40 grams (1.4 ounces) each month from licensed pharmacies, as long as they are Uruguayan residents over the age of 18 and registered on a government database that will monitor their purchases.
When the law is implemented in 120 days, Uruguayans will be able to grow six marijuana plants in their homes a year, or as much as 480 grams (about 17 ounces), and form smoking clubs of 15 to 45 members that can grow up to 99 plants per year.
Registered drug users should be able to start buying marijuana over the counter from licensed pharmacies in April.
Previously the use of marijuana was legal in Uruguay but the cultivation and selling the drug was not.
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Queen's speech reigns over Christmas TV screens
Her Majesty beat off competition from Coronation Street and Downton Abbey to top of a poll of the nation's favourite Christmas viewing.
Read the full storyKate Winslet and husband welcome baby boy
Actress Kate Winslet and her husband Ned Rocknroll are celebrating following the birth of their first child together - a baby boy.
Winslet and Rocknroll - the nephew of Virgin tycoon Richard Branson, welcomed a nine-pound boy into the world at a hospital in Sussex.
A spokesman for the actress told The Daily Mirror: "Mother and baby are doing great."
Dancing On Ice 2014 stars revealed
The stars taking part in the very last series of Dancing On Ice have been revealed.
Read the full storyTwo dogs seized after fatal dog attack in Leeds
After a 27-year-old woman was attacked by dogs at a house in Leeds, she was taken to Leeds General Infirmary for treatment but later died as a result of her injuries.
Police officers Officers responded to reports that a woman was "in distress" at the address in Dawlish Avenue.
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "One dog which got loose from the property was contained by officers in Back Dawlish Road and recovered. Another was safely removed from the address a short time later."
