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Dementia blood test could pose 'ethical' challenges
A blood test that could predict the onset of Alzheimer's poses ethical challenges, an expert from the Alzheimer's Society has said.
A new study published in the journal Nature Medicine found that changes in the blood may predict whether someone will develop Alzheimer's.
"Having such a test would be an interesting development, but it also throws up ethical considerations," Dr Doug Brown, the charity's director of research and development, said.
"If this does develop in the future people must be given a choice about whether they would want to know, and fully understand the implications.
Dr Brown said there needed to be larger studies with different populations before it could be turned into a blood test for Alzheimer's disease.
Cameron and Merkel warn Russia of 'consequences'
David Cameron and Angela Merkel have warned Russia of "further consequences" if Moscow attempts to legitimise any attempt by Crimea to break away from Ukraine following a referendum scheduled for March 16.
The Prime Minister and German Chancellor restated their view that the proposed vote in the southern Ukrainian peninsula would be illegal.
Ukraine was top of the agenda for discussions between Mr Cameron and Mrs Merkel at a working dinner last night during the PM's two-day visit to Germany.
Read: William Hague - Russia's Ukraine intervention a 'miscalculation'
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Brown : 'Radical transfer of powers to Edinburgh'
The six pillars of Gordon Brown's plan to revamp the UK's relationship with Scotland will outline a "radical" transfer of powers downwards from Westminster and Edinburgh to local communities". It also includes:
- A new UK constitutional law setting out a plan to share resources for defence and security.
- A constitutional guarantee of the permanence of the Scottish Parliament.
- A new division of powers between Scotland and Westminster that gives Holyrood more powers in employment, health, transport and economic regeneration.
- A new tax sharing agreement that balances the commitment of the UK to pool and share its resources.
- New power-sharing partnerships to address shared problems on poverty, unemployment, housing need and the environment.
Brown to call for 'power sharing' in Scotland speech
Fife MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath Gordon Brown is expected to say in a speech later that he wants to move from a "old highly-centralised" Britain to "power sharing".
– Gordon BrownI want to move us from the old highly-centralised, uniform Britain dominated by out-of-date ideas of an undivided Westminster sovereignty to a new diverse power-sharing, risk-sharing, resource-sharing UK which is best defined not as an old union but as a modern, constitutional partnership of nations.
Mr Brown will outline his plans to an audience in the east end of Glasgow later today.The former Prime Minister and Chancellor has spoken out on issues surrounding the independence debate in the past.
Broadcasting of postmortem evidence barred
The judge has banned the live broadcasting and tweeting of the evidence of Professor Saayman, the expert witness who performed the postmorterm examination on Reeva Steenkamp.
Judge bans broadcast and tweeting of this evidence
Prosecutors arguing against live tweeting of Saayman evidence as well as live broadcast
Gordon Brown to announce six point plan for Scotland
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown is to use a speech to propose six "major" constitutional changes to revamp the UK's relationship with Scotland, outlining his vision for the country within the Union.
Mr Brown will argue his plans for a new power-sharing constitutional partnership between Scotland and the rest of the UK represent a "radical break" from the status quo and a more appealing offer than "irreversible" independence.
Such a view of Scotland's future represents a "clear, positive alternative" to independence, and is one which will deliver a strong Holyrood and enable the country to meet the challenges of poverty, health inequality and poor educational standards, it is claimed.
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Clifford arrives for indecent assault trial
Publicist Max Clifford has arrived at Southwark Crown Court for the first day of evidence in his trial over indecent assault charges.
Mr Clifford is charged with 11 counts of indecent assaults relating to seven alleged victims, ranging in age from 14 to 19, between 1966 and 1984.
He was arrested in December as part of the Metropolitan Police's Operation Yewtree.
China urges Malaysia to speed up search for jetliner
China has urged Malaysia to step up the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines jetliner that went missing three days ago with 239 people on board.
Around two- thirds of the passengers are Chinese, and the country's authorities have said the families of the missing deserve an explanation soon.
"This incident happened more than two days ago, and we hope that the Malaysians can fully understand the urgency of China, especially of the family members, and can step up the speed of the investigation and increase efforts on search and rescue," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said.
Flight MH370 vanished in the early hours of Saturday, around an hour into its flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, and a friend of one passenger said families were growing impatient at the long wait for news.
"The family members are really not happy. They feel like they have waited far too long. The main thing they are interested in is whether there is anyone left alive or not," the man, surnamed Zhou, said.
Read: Floating 'yellow object' not life raft from missing plane
Postmortem expert does not want evidence televised
Expert Professor Saayman, who carried out the postmortem on the body of Reeva Steenkamp, explained to the court why he does not want his evidence to be televised.
Prof Saayman explains why he doesn't want evidence televised: dignity of deceased, rights of her family and 'good morals of society'
Media propose that edited excerpts of evidence from next witness be televised
Prosecutor asks judge to bar broadcast of postmortem evidence
The trial hearing of Oscar Pistorius was adjourned after the chief prosecutor asked the judge to bar the broadcasting of what he described as "graphic" evidence of the expert who carried out the post-mortem examination on Reeva Steenkamp.
Prosecutor Gerrie Nel says Prof Saayman's evidence has an "explicitly graphic nature" and that it should not be shown around the world.
Professor Saayman himself then has explained why he does not want the evidence televised.
