Helicopter crash kills two SAS soldiers

An RAF Puma helicopter carrying a group of SAS soldiers on a mission near Baghdad has crashed, killing two members of the elite special forces regiment (Michael Evans writes).

Two more on board the helicopter were seriously injured. The Ministry of Defence declined to say how many SAS passengers were in the helicopter, but it appears that a number managed to escape with only minor injuries.

There was no confirmation about the Puma’s three-man crew, all of whom would have had special-forces training.

American sources indicated that the Puma, the RAF’s longest-serving helicopter, had not been shot down. It crashed on the outskirts of the city.

Baby milk advert ban

The advertising of powdered milk for babies on television, in the national press and through a NHS leaflet given to mothers will be banned from January, as part of a new EU directive on infant formula. The ban supports the Government’s policy to encourage breast-feeding.

Underage drinking

Gordon Brown has told retailers and representatives of the drinks industry that they must do more to cut underage alcohol sales, as he seeks to clamp down on binge drinking. Pubs and clubs are also under pressure to restrict happy hours and low-price promotions, amid claims that they encourage rapid drinking.

EU directive alarm

An EU directive could undermine patient safety by letting foreign doctors work here with minimal checks. It allows health workers in Britain on a “temporary basis” to register for work automatically if they are legally established at home. Criminal records checks will not be possible, Health Service Journal reports today.

BBC waits over Springer row

The High Court reserved judgment on whether Christian evangelists could bring prosecutions against Mark Thompson, BBC Director-General, and the producer of the controversial show Jerry Springer – The Opera. Stephen Green, from Christian Voice, wanted to overturn a refusal at City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court to start proceedings.

Shop’s naked man censored

A fig leaf has been stuck on an image of a naked man that forms part of a display at Starling Vendetta Boutique, a shop in Newport, South Wales, after Gwent Police ordered the owners to censor it in case it caused “harassment, alarm or distress”.

Sir Paul guitar raises £60,000

A psychedelic 10 ft tall (3 metres) hand-painted Gibson Les Paul replica guitar signed by Sir Paul McCartney sold for £60,000 in an auction. The guitar helped to raise £192,000 for Nordoff–Robbins Music Therapy at the London IndigO2 club auction.

Seeds recalled in salmonella scare

Waitrose has recalled packets of mixed seeds because of salmonella contamination, the Foods Standards Agency has announced. Buyers of the Waitrose own-brand 250g packs of mixed seeds with best-before dates of March 8 and 15, 2008, will be offered a refund.

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