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North Korea short-range tests 'routine procedure'
- In March, North Korea launched what appeared to be two KN-02 missiles off its east coast
- The country routinely launches such short-range missiles in an effort to improve its arsenal
- North Korea recently withdrew two mid-range missiles believed to be capable of reaching Guam after moving them to its east coast earlier this year
Report: Resort where Briton died re-opened this month
The Coral Sea Water World resort in Egypt, where a six-year-old British girl drowned, re-opened at the start of this month after being refurbished with a "brand new waterpark," according to its website.
The large resort has almost 370 rooms and a "waterpark brimming with pools and slides," a press release said.
This promotional video was featured on the website:
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North Korea 'fires three short-range missiles'
South Korea claims that three short-range guided missiles have been fired by North Korea. The country routinely tests such missiles, but the latest launches come during a period of diplomacy aimed at easing tensions.
– South Korea Defence MinistryNorth Korea fired short-range guided missiles twice in the morning and once in the afternoon off its east coast. In case of any provocation, the Ministry will keep monitoring the situation and remain on alert.
Most Conservative members are 'normal enough'
Paul Goodman, the editor of the Conservative Home blog, has countered the alleged claim by a Tory aide that party activists are "mad swivel-eyed loons". He writes:
– Paul Goodman, editor, conservative homeThere are activists in every Party whose eyes aren't entirely steady in their sockets ... But most Conservative members are normal enough.
Tory activists are not untypical of the class which, if one takes a romantic view, has been the backbone of England for centuries - and, even if one takes a prosaic one, works (largely in the private sector), earns, provides, saves, and gives generously to charity.
A high proportion of the members I know are involved in their local communities: indeed, they are the Big Society.
Gun scare during live broadcast at Cannes Film Festival
A live outdoor television broadcast from the Cannes Film Festival was briefly interrupted when what sounded like gunfire sent the crew and audience running for cover.
Actors Christoph Waltz and Daniel Auteuil were among guests being interviewed on the programme 'Le Grand Journal' when what sounded like gunfire rang out.
Television footage shows Auteuil and Academy Award winner Waltz - a member of the Cannes festival jury - scrambling from the seaside stage with dozens of others as a someone was heard saying "there's someone shooting."
When Friday's programme carried on a few minutes minutes later, host Michel Denisot said the noise had been caused by blank rounds. There were no reports of injuries.
A man was detained by police with a starter's pistol, a pocket knife and a plastic grenade.
Councils given financial help to help residents
– Department of Work and PensionsWe are giving councils £150 million this year so that they can help their vulnerable residents and we are monitoring this spending closely to ensure support goes to those who need it.
The spare room subsidy changes will bring fairness back to the system - when in England alone there are nearly two million households on the social housing waiting list and over a quarter of a million tenants are living in overcrowded homes.
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Archbishop of Westminster to bless 600 couples
The Archbishop of Westminster will bless more than 600 married couples today to celebrate marriage as "an exclusive commitment and a life-long partnership between a man and a woman".
The couples - who have almost 20,000 years of marriage between them - are all celebrating their 10th, 25th, 40th, 50th or 60th+ wedding anniversaries this year.
In his homily, Archbishop Vincent Nichols will say that marriage between man and woman is "sorely needed today" and serves society during the "hardship and deprivation today".
He will tell the couples that marriage "fulfils husband and wife and is itself fulfilled in the life of the family".
Around 700 passengers on board when trains collided
There were an estimated 700 passengers on board the the two trains that collided in Bridgeport, Connecticut last night, according to a statement from New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
The statement also said that there are four tracks on the segment on the line where the train derailed, but that two of the lines were out of service due to maintenance work.
The route is one of the busiest commuter lines in the New York area.
Councils 'hiring extra staff' to help advise tenants
The Independent reports that in some areas the influx of people seeking help had forced councils to hire extra staff to cope with applications and advise tenants. Birmingham saw the number of DHP claimants rise from 496 in April last year to 2,601 last month.
The city council reported that many of those hit by the welfare reforms were turning to "last-resort services" such as food banks.
– Councillor John Cotton, cabinet member for equalitiesIt's a situation like the 1930s here in Birmingham. We are a city that has a hill to climb in terms of deprivation. With the impact of changes like this, the hill just got even steeper. It's putting more and more pressure on vulnerable communities.
Gove wants to bring education 'back to the 1950s'
Kenny Frederick, a headteacher and member of the NAHT executive, has accused the Education Secretary Michael Gove of wanting to "bring us back to 1950s".
Speaking on the BBC's Radio 5 Live, she said that Mr Gove has not listened to teachers and that his plan was destined to "fall flat on its face".
Mr Gove is expected to receive an angry reception when he speaks at the NAHT conference in Birmingham this afternoon.
