UN condemns Syria slaughter

The UN's top human rights body has voted to condemn Syria over the killing of more than 100 civilians last week.

The 47-nation body approved with 41 votes against three a resolution blaming "pro-regime elements" and government troops for the massacre in the Houla region, which sparked international outrage. Russia, China and Cuba voted against the US-backed resolution. Two countries abstained and one member did not vote.

The resolution called for an "international, transparent, independent and prompt investigation" into what happened and echoes calls by UN rights chief Navi Pillay for the UN Security Council to consider referring Syria to the International Criminal Court.

Cancer to rise 7pc by 2030

Global cancer cases are projected to rise 7pc by 2030, in part because many other diseases are being stamped out and more developing countries are adopting Western lifestyles linked to cancer, experts reported.

While population growth and aging explain much of the increase, at least one-fifth of the new cancer cases will likely be due to preventable factors, the researchers predict.

Cancers that are caused by infections, such as cervical cancer and some liver and stomach cancers, are falling.

But experts say that decline will be outpaced by a surge in cancers linked to bad diet and exercise habits, smoking and drinking too much alcohol.