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University of Cambridge scientist among those who died in Spanish train crash

Photo: BBC

An award-winning University of Cambridge researcher died in the Spanish train disaster while on her way to collect a prize for scientific excellence.

Dr Marta Shahbazi was travelling to an awards ceremony on Wednesday when the train she was on crashed into another near Urda, south of Madrid, killing 69 people.

The mother of two was an affiliate associate professor leading a group of researchers at MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) in Cambridge and had earned several awards for work on human embryos and cell biology.

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WORLDThe Guardian

UK was ‘vehement’ slavery reparations should not be on Commonwealth summit agenda

British prime minister has now agreed to structured dialogue on reparatory justice but issue remains off formal Chogm agenda British officials initially insisted that discussions of reparations for slavery should not be on the agenda of the Commonwealth leaders’ summit in Antigua and Barbuda – and even warned that Andy Burnham would not attend the meeting if the subject was formally included, according to a leading Caribbean political figure. Ralph Gonsalves, a former prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines and a senior figure in the reparatory…

WORLDBBC News

Armed police start patrols in Sydney after Bondi Beach attack

Heavily-armed police officers have started patrolling Sydney's streets, as part of heightened security measures following last year's deadly shooting at Bondi Beach. The Armed Response Command (ARC) will see specially trained officers in busy tourist areas carrying long-arm rifles – an unfamiliar sight for most residents. New South Wales police say the officers will also patrol major events like sports matches and places of worship "to prevent, deter and rapidly respond to serious threats, including active armed offender incidents".

WORLDFrance 24

France: Route du Rhum yacht race sets off

The 115 sailors competing in the Route du Rhum set sail from Saint-Malo on Sunday in mild weather, embarking on a solo transatlantic crossing. The race began at 12:02 GMT, with boats heading along the Brittany coast in light winds towards a mandatory checkpoint near Cap Fréhel, where crowds had gathered to watch. One competitor, Nicolas d’Estais, described the conditions as ideal before boarding his yacht, Café Joyeux. Selina Sykes reports from Saint-Malo.