Policeman shoots himself in leg

A policeman accidentally shot himself in the leg last night. The officer, believed to have been working with the diplomatic protection squad, is thought to have been getting into a car in Grosvenor Square, central London - home of the American embassy - when the accident happened. It was not clear how seriously he was hurt.

Sale of junk food banned at schools

The sale of chocolate, crisps and fizzy drinks in school vending machines becomes illegal from this weekend. Schools also will not be allowed to sell junk food at break time. Ed Balls, the children’s secretary, said the food industry had tried to soften the ban during the summer, but he added that unless children’s diets were improved “we would be close to half of children being obese by the middle of the century”.

BBC DJ in jail

The broadcaster Andy Kershaw is in jail after being charged with breaching a restraining order. The BBC Radio 3 presenter, famed for his promotion of world music, was arrested on the Isle of Man close to the home of Juliette Banner, his former girlfriend, last week. Kershaw, left, was remanded in custody and is due in court on Tuesday.

Leap in gambling addicts forecast

The authors of an official report into problem gamblers have warned that the number will increase with the more liberal laws that took effect yesterday. Industry sources believe the study, to be published this month, will show the number of problem gamblers has passed 500,000. A 1999 survey said there were up to 370,000.

More officers to use Taser guns

Police officers without firearms training are to be allowed to use 50,000-volt Taser stun guns in a one-year trial. Previously the guns could be used only by firearms officers.

Gang strips teenage girls naked

Two teenage girls were stripped naked by a gang of older girls in Gorton, Manchester. The thieves also took a mobile phone from the 14-year-olds.

Go-ahead for human hybrid research

Research on human hybrids is likely to be approved in principle by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority on Wednesday.

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