French court upholds controversial burqa ban

A French court has convicted a woman for wearing a full face veil in public, and thrown out a bid to have the controversial ban ruled unconstitutional. Cassandra Berlin was given a one-month suspended sentence and fined €150. (Sky News / AFP)

Former Premier League footballer Thomas Hitzlsperger reveals he is gay

The former German international Thomas Hitzlsperger, who had spells with Aston Villa, West Ham and Everton in the English Premier League, has become the highest profile footballer to come out as gay. Hitzlsperger discussed his sexuality in an interview with the German newspaper Die Zeit, and has commented on the lack of openly gay footballers, saying that there is "a long way to go" before a current top flight player feels able to come out. (BBC News)

Moderate Syrian rebels call for West’s support in fight against al-Qaeda

The Syrian Opposition Coalition has appealed for military support from the West as it seeks to overcome the influence of al-Qaeda-affiliated groups in the country's civil war. While the opposition has previously focused on fighting President Bashar al-Assad, it has recently engaged in clashes with fighters associated with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the al-Qaeda-linked opponents of the Assad regime. (Independent)

Religion forms buffer against work stress

A study conducted by psychologists at the Health and Safety Laboratory in Stockport has found that employees who are religious are less likely to suffer from anxiety, depression and fatigue. Psychologist Roxanne Gervais suggests that religion may reduce workplace stress for believers by providing a "buffer against strains" of modern life. (Telegraph)

Dogs defecate in accordance with earth's magnetic field, research finds

A team of 12 scientists from German and Czech universities have finally provided an answer to a question asked by many dog owners, revealing why dogs choose to defecate where they do. The study, which surveyed 1,893 defecations and 5,582 urinations among 37 breeds of dog revealed the influence of the earth's magnetic field: "dogs preferred to excrete with the body being aligned along the north–south axis". (Guardian)