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The clean-up: Picking through the rubble of their homes
After the storms have passed residents of Moore in Oklahoma have started the task of sifting through what is left of their homes.
Osborne braced ahead of IMF UK economy healthcheck
George Osborne is braced for the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) verdict on Britain's economic prospects.In its annual healthcheck on UK plc, the IMF is expected to suggest that deficit reduction should be slowed amid weak growth.
The IMF was previously among the strongest backers of the Chancellor's economic strategy, but has gradually changed its tone in response to dwindling growth forecasts.
The organisation's head, Christine Lagarde, has insisted she still supports the Government's policy. But she added that "should growth be particularly low... there should be consideration to adjusting by way of slowing the pace".
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North Korean 'special envoy' leaves for China
North Korea says that a "special envoy" for leader Kim Jong Un has left for China.
The North's official Korean Central News Agency said in a short dispatch that the envoy was Choe Ryong Hae, but added no other details.
Choe is the North Korea military's top political officer tasked with supervising the 1.2-million-strong force.
Government: 'Wide range of action' on binge drinking
Crime Prevention Minister Jeremy Browne has responded to claims that many police officers in the North East have been attacked in alcohol related assaults.
He said the government's Alcohol Strategy sets out a "wide range of action" to tackle irresponsible drinking. He added:
We have already introduced early morning restriction orders to curb alcohol sales, a late night levy to ensure those selling alcohol help pay towards the costs of policing and we have made it easier for local authorities to tackle problematic licensed premises.
Our consultation on further proposals to reduce alcohol-related harm closed on 6 February. We will set out a response in due course.
Cameron seeking global action to counter tax evasion
David Cameron will seek full EU backing for global action to counter tax evasion at a summit today.The Prime Minister wants the summit in Brussels to bolster the plan ahead of a G8 gathering he is hosting in Northern Ireland in June.
In a letter to fellow EU leaders Mr Cameron urged European governments to act against "staggering" losses from tax evasion and "aggressive avoidance" by adopting a US system of cross-border tax information exchange.
The UK, Germany, France, Spain and Italy are jointly testing a scheme and intend to implement it by the end of this year.
Police force to sell unused £11 million headquarters
The Police force that spent more than £11 million on a headquarters it has never used will sell the site after it has been empty for five years, it announced today.
Alpha Park will be put up for sale by Hampshire Constabulary because it cannot afford to develop it and is unlikely to recoup the money it paid.
Bought in 2008, the building in Eastleigh was purchased at the height of the property boom for £9.6 million, the force has spent an extra £1.836 million on upkeep, security, business rates and failed plans to turn it into an HQ for its 3,400 officers.
The then chief constable Alex Marshall was warned in 2010 that the force could not afford the bill to refurbish the site.
Last year, the local police federation called the issue "expensive and embarrassing", but added that the sale of the building had the green light from the Audit Commission.
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'One in seven' retiring this year has no private pension
Many people retiring will do so below the poverty line, an insurer has warned, as it says one in seven people planning to retire this year has no private pension.
Prudential added that women who are set to retire in 2013 were nearly three times more likely than men to be relying on the state as their sole form of pension income.
Just under 15% of this year's retirees said they had no company or personal pension and their only form of pension income would come from the state.
Vince Smith-Hughes, retirement income expert at Prudential, said: "The basic state pension alone is not nearly enough to provide a comfortable standard of living."
Afghan interpreters to be offered chance to settle in UK
Around 600 Afghan interpreters are to be offered the chance to settle in Britain after an apparent coalition rethink.
About half the staff working with UK forces are expected to be granted visas in recognition of risks to their personal safety.
The proposals could see all interpreters who have been in the job more than 12 months and put themselves in physical danger offered a resettlement package.
They will need to have worked between December 2012 and December 2014, when troops are due to leave, to be eligible.
They could be offered a five-year visa for themselves and their family, with help relocating and finding accommodation and work in the UK.
The move comes despite David Cameron previously suggesting most Afghan interpreters should stay on in their country to help rebuild it after years of conflict.
But Liberal Democrats pushed for a similar approach to that taken with Iraqi interpreters
Watch more: Afghan interpreters seek refuge in the UK fearing repercussions
Fears for UK wildlife after 'stark warning'
Wildlife in the UK is "in trouble", as almost 2,000 species of birds, animals, insects and plants are known to have declined in the past 50 years.
Some 60% of 3,148 British species studied have seen a reduction in numbers or range, with almost a third (31%) suffering major declines, according to a new report by a coalition of conservation and research organisations.
The report is being launched by Sir David Attenborough: "This ground-breaking report is a stark warning - but it is also a sign of hope.
"For 60 years I have travelled the world exploring the wonders of nature and sharing that wonder with the public. But as a boy my first inspiration came from discovering the UK's own wildlife.
"Our islands have a rich diversity of habitats which support some truly amazing plants and animals.
"We should all be proud of the beauty we find on our own doorstep.
"This report shows that our species are in trouble, with many declining at a worrying rate."
80% of officers 'subject to alcohol-related assault'
More than 80% of police officers in the North East have been subjected to an alcohol-related assault during their career, a report said.
A report from Balance - the North East Alcohol Office said one in five officers are assaulted six times or more.
It added that new recruits are warned they will be probably be the victim of an alcohol-related assault, before the end of their first year in the force.
Balance said one of the main factors contributing to this is the price and availability of alcohol, which is too widely promoted.
