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Families' claims against the MoD can go to trial

Relatives of soldiers killed in Iraq have been fighting to sue the Ministry of Defence for negligence and make claims under human rights legislation.

The Supreme Court justices have announced that they will be able to do both.

Families started legal action as a result of the deaths of a number of British soldiers following the American-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Their victory at the UK's highest court follows a hearing in London in February.

The decision means that claims can now proceed to trial.

Whistleblower recounts her 'appalling treatment'

The whistleblower who raised the alarm about a cover-up by the CQC health regulator has said she was "subjected to the most appalling treatment" as a result of her actions.

NHS whistleblower Kay Sheldon
NHS whistleblower Kay Sheldon

Kay Sheldon appeared emotional as she told a CQC board meeting, at which a highly-critical internal review has just been presented, that she had "no regrets whatsoever".

She added that she had initially tried to raise her concerns internally and with the Department of Health, before ultimately approaching the Daily Telegraph.

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Families can bring compensation damages against MoD

Families of servicemen killed in Iraq have been told by the Supreme Court that the men were within the bounds UN Human Rights Act when they were killed in Iraq. This mean that all three claims brought against the Ministry of Defence will proceed to trial and can bring damages claims.

Private Phillip Hewett, who served with the 1st Staffords in Iraq, was killed on 16th July 2005.
Private Phillip Hewett, who served with the 1st Staffords in Iraq, was killed on 16th July 2005. Credit: PA

Peppa Pig apologises after 'children told to go to hell'

The official Facebook page for the children's TV character Peppa Pig is carrying an apology after it was apparently hacked.

Twitter reports suggest that fans were told to "go to hell" although the offending comment has since been removed from the Peppa Pig World page.

Peppa Pig's UK Facebook page carries this apology
Peppa Pig's UK Facebook page carries this apology Credit: Facebook

Samoa Air introduces 'XL class' for larger passengers

Samoa Air, the world's first airline to charge people according to their weight, is creating a new "XL class" to cater for its larger passengers.

The Samoan airline, which has the tagline "a kilo is a kilo is a kilo!", created a wider row on its aircrafts for passengers who weigh more than 130 kilogrammes (20 stone, 6.6 pounds) and added a ramp "for easier access", the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

Samoa Air, which charges its passengers by their weight, has the tagline 'a kilo is a kilo is a kilo!'
Samoa Air, which charges its passengers by their weight, has the tagline 'a kilo is a kilo is a kilo!' Credit: Samoa Air

Chief executive Chris Langton said: "Once you're up around that sort of [weight] ... a traditional seat on any airline is going to be uncomfortable.

"Quite often the access is difficult, and even the space between the seats is enough that even when you've squeezed into the seats there's no room for your legs".

One of Samoa Air's fleet.
One of Samoa Air's fleet. Credit: Samoa Air

The row has been extended by 30-35 centimetres (12-14 inches) to accommodate passengers with larger frames as the airline "wanted to do something that recognises that we are thinking about this", Mr Langton added.

Read: Samoa Air charges passengers by weight

Loud explosion and gunfire near Mogadishu airport

A loud explosion has been heard near the Somali capital's heavily-fortified international airport followed by bursts of gunfire, a Reuters witness said.

A plume of thick black smoke billowed into the sky above Mogadishu, a city that has been dogged by suicide bomb attacks since al-Qaeda-linked militants were driven out almost two years ago.

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CQC chief 'always intended review to be made public'

David Behan, the chief executive of the health regulator CQC, is presenting the internal review of its failings in regard to the maternal unit at Furness General Hospital.

You can watch the board meeting live here.

CQC chief executive David Behan
CQC chief executive David Behan

He said that when he commissioned the independent review he had intended it to be made public.

Timeline: Furness hospital scandal and 'cover-up'

Afghanistan suspends talks with US over 'contradiction'

The Afghan government said it has suspended security talks with the US due to the "contradiction between the acts and the statements" made by Washington.

In view of the contradiction between acts and the statements made by the United States of America in regard to the Peace Process, the Afghan government suspended the negotiations, currently under way in Kabul between Afghan and US delegations on the Bilateral Security Agreement.

– Statement by the Office of the National Security Council

Report: Health Secretary to face MPs over 'cover-up'

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt will face MPs over allegations of a cover-up by the England health regulator in the House of Commons today, according to the Labour Whip's office.

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