1. SPORTS DIRECT CHIEF EXEC RESIGNS
Dave Forsey, the chief executive of Sports Direct, today resigned in a move described by founder Mike Ashley as like “losing his right arm”.
Mr Ashley, who was recruited by the board to replace him, said: “I feel like I have lost my right arm, but I do hope to have the opportunity to work with Dave again in the future.”
The company has been under fire over its working practices after it emerged that staff were being paid less than the minimum wage.
Dave Forsey said: “I have given my entire working life to the company and in return the company has given me amazing opportunities and experiences.”
2. ATTACK ON YAHOO HIT 500 MILLION USERS
It has been revealed that Yahoo hackers stole information from about 500 million users in 2014 in what appears to be the largest publicly disclosed cyber-breach in history.
The breach included a catalogue of personal information, including names and emails, as well as “unencrypted security questions and answers”.
It did not, however, include any credit card data, the site said, adding it believed the attack was state-sponsored.
Back in July, Yahoo was sold to US telecoms giant Verizon for £3.7bn.
3. QUEEN PRAISES RIO PARALYMPIANS AS THEY RETURN HOME
The Queen, this week, praised the performance of Britain’s Paralympics team at Rio 2016 as “magnificent” as they returned to the UK on a special flight on Tuesday.
There are now parades planned to celebrate the country’s Olympic and Paralympic successes in Manchester on 17 October and London a day later.
Paralympic medallists were welcomed home by fans and family who met their flight at London Heathrow on Tuesday morning.
In total, GB won 147 medals, 64 of them gold, at the Paralympics and 67 Olympic medals.
Cheers and tears welcome GB Paralympic heroes
4. US POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER AFTER FATAL SHOOTING
A police officer who shot and fatally wounded an unarmed black motorist in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been charged with manslaughter.
Officer Betty Shelby reportedly shot and killed Terence Crutche while he was standing next to his broken-down car.
Charlotte, North Carolina, has suffered a third night of violence resulting in a curfew.
Police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators blocking a main highway.
Protesters defied the curfew and remained on the streets, amid a strong police presence.
5.‘GOAT MAN’ WINS SPOOF AWARD FOR LIVING AS GOAT FOR THREE DAYS
A British man who lived in the Alps as a goat for three days has brought home this year’s Ig Nobel prizes.
Winner Tom Thwaites had special prostheses made so he could walk like an animal.
The spoof awards, which are not quite as famous as the real Nobels, were handed out during their annual ceremony at Harvard University.
Other studies honoured during the infamous event examined the personalities of rocks, and how the world looks when you bend over and view it through your legs.
6. PM SAYS LEGAL SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CAREFUL OVER ARMY MISCONDUCT CLAIMS
British Prime Minister Theresa May has said every effort must be made to stop the legal system being abused over allegations of serious misconduct by UK troops.
The PM reportedly told defence chiefs she was determined to stop “vexatious” claims being brought against the armed forces.
Two separate inquiries are currently examining somewhere in the region of 2,000 allegations against troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
An MoD source said steps were being taken to prevent spurious complaints and reduce the number of cases.
7. RISK OF GRAMMAR SCHOOLS BEING DUMBED DOWN IN EXPANSION AREAS
It’s been alleged that Grammar schools could be dumbed down by expanding them in areas where parents want them.
An Education Policy Institute (EPI) study has revealed the theory that as grammars expand, they will take more lower ability pupils – diluting their high achieving potential.
It also puts forward the argument that the negative impact on nearby schools is greater because more lower ability pupils are left behind.
The EPI report depicts what would happen to grammar schools by expanding them in the way the government is considering.
8. SYRIAN MILITARY ANNOUNCES NEW OFFENSIVE IN ALEPPO
With a quarter of million people already affected, the Syrian military says it continue a new offensive in rebel-held eastern Aleppo.
Jets have been pounding rebel positions in the city during the week as a week-old truce collapsed, reportedly killing at least 13 people.
Talks that had been taking place between the US and Russia on reviving the collapsed ceasefire have broken up without progress in New York.
Russia supports the Syrian government, while the US backs the opposition.
9. UK FOREIGN SECRETARY ANNOUNCES UK COULD LEAVE EU IN EARLY 2017
It’s likely the UK will “probably” begin formal negotiations to leave the European Union early in 2017, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has announced in a recent interview.
Mr Johnson said it was still “subject for discussion” but that “Article 50 letter” would be produced “probably in the early part” of 2017.
Asked about Mr Johnson’s comments, a spokeswoman for the prime minister said the government position on when it would trigger Article 50 was “not before the end of this year”.
She went on to say the decision is ultimately the Prime Minister’s and she will do that at a time which is most likely to get the best deal for Britain.
10. AND FINALLY….CUDDLING KITTENS COULD BE A CAT-ASTROPHE!
Cuddling a kitten wouldn’t normally be considered to be amongst the list of potential health hazards, but it could be dangerous to your health, according to experts.
Doctors from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US conducted a large-scale survey of the cat-borne bacterial disease ‘cat scratch fever’ with alarming results.
They found the scope and impact of the potentially deadly disease was larger than they had first thought as it can cause fever, pustules and in extreme cases, the complications from the illness can cause death.
The doctors have warned that hands should always be washed after touching cats, and to avoid kissing felines where possible. They also advised cat owners ensure their pet is protected from fleas.