Business group attacks £25m pay deal
A pay package proposed for the new head of gas giant BG Group is branded “excessive and inflammatory” by the Institute of Directors. BBC News – Business
Craig Taylor
Raqqa air strikes ‘kill dozens’
At least 36 civilians have been killed in air strikes by Syrian government warplanes on the Islamic State-held northern city of Raqqa, activists say. BBC News – Middle East
Colombia rebels release two soldiers
Colombia’s Farc rebels release two soldiers taken hostage earlier this month, a first step towards resuming peace talks. BBC News – Latin America & Caribbean
Pope complains of ‘haggard’ Europe
Pope Francis warns that Europe appears “somewhat elderly” and less and less a protagonist, in a speech to EU politicians in Strasbourg. BBC News – Europe
Learning disability care ‘failing’
The government is failing those with learning disabilities by keeping them in hospitals far from home for too long, a report commissioned by NHS England says. BBC News – UK
Ferguson protests spread across US
Crowds gather in cities across the US to protest against the decision not to charge a police officer over the killing of black teen Michael Brown. BBC News – US & Canada