Triple star system 'can reveal secrets of gravity'
Astronomers have discovered a unique triple star system which could reveal the true nature of gravity. They found a pulsar with two white dwarfs all packed in a space smaller than Earth's orbit of the Sun. The trio's unusually close orbits allow precise measurements of gravity and could resolve difficulties with Einstein's theories. (BBC)
Bangladesh ruling party wins poll hit by violence
Bangladesh's ruling Awami League won a violence-plagued parliamentary election whose outcome was never in doubt after a boycott by the main opposition party. Eighteen people were killed in separate incidents on election day, according to media reports, and voting was halted at about 400 polling stations. More than 100 people were killed in the run-up to the ballot, mostly in rural areas, and fears of violence kept many voters away. (Reuters)
Church of England's new baptism service condemned by former bishop
The Church of England is testing a new version of the baptism service in which parents and godparents are no longer asked to "repent sins" and "reject the devil". The move has been fiercely criticised by former bishop of Rochester Michael Nazir-Ali, who has accused the church of "dumbing down" its own teachings. (Guardian)
Turkey PM backs army plot retrials
The Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, says he favours the retrial of hundreds of military officers convicted of plotting to overthrow the government. Hundreds of people were jailed in 2012 and 2013 in two high-profile cases. Correspondents say the Prime Minister's remarks represent a political turnaround. (BBC)
Japanese ships killing whales 'inside sanctuary'
Anti-whaling activists said they had captured images of Japanese ships killing protected whales inside an internationally recognised whale sanctuary, sparking criticism of the Australian government's handling of the issue. (Telegraph)
