Snapshot of stories
Four soldiers with the Nato-led force in Afghanistan have been killed in an attack by suspected Afghan police, senior Afghan officials say. Five police were missing after the checkpoint attack in southern Zabul province and one was killed, they said. The incident brought to 51 the number of Nato troops killed in “insider attacks” this year. The latest incident comes a day after two UK soldiers were killed at a checkpoint by a man in police uniform. On Friday, two US marines were killed in a Taliban attack on Nato’s Camp Bastion base in southern Afghanistan. Militants breached the perimeter of the sprawling Camp Bastion base in Helmand province, destroying six US Harrier aircraft.
Government plans for replacing GCSE exams in England will be unveiled on Tuesday, it has been revealed. It is believed the new qualification will involve a one-off exam in each subject rather than modules and continual assessment. It is also understood the changes will not come into effect until 2015. Labour said it supported rigorous exams but only if they did not act as a cap on aspiration. Education Secretary Michael Gove has made it clear he thinks GCSEs should be replaced by a new and more academically rigorous exam. Liberal Democrats have insisted there should not be what they consider a two-tier system, with a second qualification for less able students. The coalition parties have reached agreement on change, which Mr Gove and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg will unveil this week.
Foreign lorries are to be charged up to £1,000 a year to use British roads – in a bid to benefit domestic hauliers. The fee will also apply to UK-based lorries – but this will be offset by an equivalent cut in vehicle excise duty. The move is designed to create a “level playing field” for British lorry drivers, as they have to pay for using roads in Europe. The AA said it was concerned the system could lead to a universal road charging scheme for all motorists. The government will publish draft legislation next month and ministers said the charge would be brought in by the end of the current parliament at the latest. The amount of the charge would depend on the size of the vehicle and is expected to raise a total of £20m a year.
Songs Played Today
Big Pink – Dominos
Prodigy – Omen
Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas – Do You Want To Know A Secret?
Maximo Park – The Undercurrents
Suzi Quatro – Devil Gate Drive
Lene Lovich – Lucky Number
Fun – Some Nights
Owl City feat. Carly Rae Jepsen – Good Time
Eels – Hey Man! (Now You’re Really Living)
Sam and the Womp – Bom Bom
Lady GaGa – Paparazzi
Katy Perry – Wide Awake
Who – Pictures of Lily
Darling Buds – Hit The Ground
Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks
Icicle Works – Understanding Jane
Pet Shop Boys – I Started A Joke (BeeGees Cover)
Busted – What I Go To School For
80s Hour
Jan Hammer – Crocketts Theme
Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time
Stranglers – Golden Brown
Real Life – Send Me An Angel
Cutting Crew – I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight
Cheap Trick – Voices
Midge Ure – That Certain Smile
Jean-Jaques Goldman – Je Te Donne
The Who – Eminence Front
Hall & Oates – Out of Touch
