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The Guardian: Main section

Friday 11 February 2011

Measures unveiled to tackle rape retraction prosecutions

DPP gives prosecutors guidance on how to handle cases where women are prosecuted for retracting rape claims
Top Gear's anti-Mexican insults to be cut for US broadcast

BBC America will not air presenters' comments, which prompted apology to Mexican ambassador. By Ben Dowell

Army was short of bomb experts in Afghanistan, Olaf Schmid inquest told

• Schmid unlawfully killed in service, coroner finds
• Military in 'constant battle' to keep up with new IEDs

Take VAT plans action against companies avoiding the 20% tax

Protest group inspired by UK Uncut activists to stage first action against groups avoiding VAT
UK Uncut: 'People are starting to listen to us'

By using Twitter to mobilise support around the country against tax avoidance, the group has transformed the nature of protest

Man shot by police in Brighton dies in hospital

Sussex police say man in his 40s was shot during a planned operation
Criminal checks on people working with children to be eased

Protection of freedoms bill scales back Labour's 'over-intrusive' vetting system which affected about 9m people
Former super-head is first to have damehood revoked

Jean Else, made a dame for services to education, is first woman to have title annulled
Guitar Hero: plug is pulled on games franchise

Poor sales performance of Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock prompts Activision Blizzard decision

Sarfraz Manzoor wins 2011 Jinnah Award

Guardian contributor wins award that celebrates the achievements of British Pakistanis
World Book Night branded 'misguided and misjudged'

Independent booksellers and authors say the million-book giveaway will damage trade and writers' incomes

Cuts disastrous for brain science research, academics warn

At least 30 neuroscience units to go under cuts proposed by Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
No votes for prisoners, even ex-MPs

MPs rage against European court as bleeding-heart British liberalism gets drowned out

Francis Bacon triptych sells for £23m – three times its estimate

Three Studies for a Portrait of Lucian Freud by his friend Francis Bacon saw more than 10 bidders compete for the work at Sotheby's

Big society 'could widen volunteer gap between town and country'

Report seen by the Guardian forecasts higher levels of volunteering in wealthier areas as bishop says 'big society' was just a cover for cuts

Disgraced MP Eric Illsley jailed for fiddling expenses

• Former Labour MP for Barnsley Central receives 12-month sentence for fraudulent £14,500 claim
• Jim Devine convicted over two false expenses claims

Almost 12,000 children missing school

Number of pupils out of school for at least a month has risen
Law could stop student fees of £9,000

Watchdog charged with widening access for disadvantaged students needs to be tougher, says higher education minister

Voting the Australian way shows AV would make little difference in Britain

Julian Glover: The system in the only established democracy to use AV offers a guide to the UK – but there are differences
Voting reform referendum will change UK politics – but will anyone notice?

Yes vote in the 6 May alternative vote poll would mean the end of a system that has existed since the 17th century

Clegg accuses critics in his party of 'megaphone' debate on cuts

Deputy PM describes letter from Lib Dem council leaders publicly opposing cuts as 'unhelpful'
Alternative vote yes campaign hitches itself to royal wedding

Campaigners for voting reform argue that the referendum on 5 May will take place during a more optimistic period

Foreign Office gets £20m fine for 'spend it' email

Leaked email revealed its subsidiary UK Trade and Investment dreaming up ways to use up unspent funds of £1m
MPs decide to keep blanket ban on prisoners' vote

Ministers drawing up compromise proposals after cross-party motion wins a majority of 212
Ed Vaizey: I will not intervene in local authority arts cuts

Culture minister says he respects the right of local councils to make decisions as organisations gather to discuss funding crisis
David Cameron wanted Darren Gough to stand as Tory candidate

PM phoned former England cricketer to offer support after he showed interest in standing for the Tories in Barnsley Central byelection