Mon05202013

Last update08:56:19 AM GMT

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Budget 2012: Tax allowances set to rise further

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Chancellor George Osborne

George Osborne is set to announce a significant further increase in personal tax allowances in Wednesday's Budget, the BBC understands.

The threshold at which anyone pays income tax is set to increase to £9,205, benefiting millions of people.

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Eritrea 'rejects Ethiopia provocation

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Ethiopian troops

Eritrea has said it will not be "entrapped" into retaliating after Ethiopia launched a cross-border border raid on three military bases.

"It is those who do not know the price of war who are hungry to go to war," Eritrean Information Minister Ali Abdu told the AFP news agency.

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David Cameron US tour: PM praises Obama's 'strength'

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President Obama quipped

David Cameron has praised Barack Obama's "strength, moral authority and wisdom" as the pair reiterated their nations' "special relationship".

President Obama called the UK prime minister "the kind of partner you want at your side" as he welcomed him to his biggest White House state dinner yet.

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Sao Paulo lorry drivers' strike hits fuel supplies

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Petrol Station shell

Petrol stations in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo are running out of fuel on the second day of a truckers' strike.

The drivers, who supply the stations with petrol and ethanol, are protesting against new restrictions which would limit the hours during which they can use certain

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Jerry Sandusky speaks out against accusers in Jail tape

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Jerry

 

Former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky has spoken out against his child abuse accusers in a jail recording on the eve of his sentencing, US Media report.

Sandusky, who was convicted of 45 counts of molesting boys in June, denies being a monster in the tape.

The 68-year-old's lawyer, Joe Amendola, says his client is likely to proclaim his innocence again as he learns his fate in court on Tuesday.

Sandusky's arrest in November triggered a crisis at Penn State University.

The institution's president and legendary football coach Joe Paterno were both fired as the scandal unfolded.

'Well-orchestrated effort'

Sandusky could spend the rest of his life in prison, with a potential sentence of between 10 and 400 years.

"They can take away my life, they can make me out as a monster, they can treat me as a monster, but they can't take away my heart," Sandusky says in a recording broadcast by campus radio station Penn State Com.

"In my heart, I know I did not do these alleged, disgusting acts. My wife has been my only sex partner and that was after marriage. Our love continues," Sandusky said.

In the audio clip, Sandusky appeared to lash out at one of his accusers.

"A young man who was dramatic, a veteran accuser, and always sought attention, started everything," the former coach said.

"He was joined by a well-orchestrated effort of the media, investigators, the system, Penn State, psychologists, civil attorneys and other accusers. They won.

"I've wondered what they really won: attention, financial gain, prestige will all be temporary. Before you blame me, as others have, look at everything and everybody."

He is expected to address the court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday.

His lawyer told the Associated Press it is "as certain as certain can be" that the former football coach will insist he is innocent.

Some Sandusky friends and family members have written letters in support of him to the judge, and the disgraced former coach's wife, Dottie, is expected to attend the hearing.

Sandusky was convicted on 45 out of 48 counts of sexually abusing 10 boys over 15 years.

He molested boys he met through the Second Mile, a charity he founded for at-risk youth. The trial heard that the boys were abused at Sandusky's home, in hotels and at Penn State athletic facilities.

Eight men aged between 18 and 28 testified during the nearly two-week trial, providing graphic details of their ordeals.

In addition, two Penn State administrators are awaiting trial for failing to report the suspected abuse and lying to a grand jury.

Penn State had boasted one of the proudest football traditions in the country.

BBC



Russian plane crash kills 31 in Siberia

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Russian plane crash

A Russian passenger plane carrying 43 people has crashed shortly after take-off in Siberia.

Thirty-one people were killed and 12 survivors have been taken to hospital, Russia's emergencies ministry said.

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Diamond Jubilee: The Queen to address Parliament

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Diamond Jubilee window

The Queen is to address both Houses of Parliament on Tuesday to mark her 60 years on the throne.

She will speak to an audience of party leaders, MPs, peers and dignitaries in Westminster Hall before unveiling a stained glassed window specially commissioned

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Afghan shootings: US soldier suspect flown to Kuwait

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Afghanistan

The US soldier accused of killing 16 civilians, including women and children, in Afghanistan on Sunday has been flown to Kuwait, US officials say.

They say legal proceedings will now be conducted in another country.

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ICC delivers first ever verdict in Thomas Lubanga trial

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Thomas Lubanga

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is set to deliver its first verdict, in the case of the Democratic Republic of Congo's Thomas Lubanga.

Mr Lubanga is charged with recruiting and using child soldiers in north-eastern DR Congo in 2002 and 2003.

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