BBC News--Today's Headlines August 27, 2014

Having difficulty reading this email? View it online Today’s Headlines August 27

Top News Stories IS accused of Syria mass atrocities The UN accuses IS militants of war crimes, and the Syrian government of using chemical agents in eight separate incidents in a new report. IMF's Lagarde 'under investigation' IMF head Christine Lagarde says she has been placed under formal investigation for negligence in a French fraud case but has not been charged. US girl, nine, kills gun instructor A nine-year-old girl kills her shooting instructor by accident while being shown how to use an Uzi submachine gun at a firing range in Arizona. Nigeria closes schools over Ebola Nigerian schools are ordered to remain shut, delaying the new academic year until 13 October as part of measures to prevent the spread of Ebola.   Afghan candidate 'may boycott' audit Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah withdraws observers from an audit of votes, threatening to boycott it because of fraud concerns. Top Videos VIDEO: India's iconic Ambassador car VIDEO: Kate Bush fans: 'Worth the wait' VIDEO: Cole and Cowell back to take on Strictly VIDEO: One-minute World News

Magazine The rehab centres that lock up addicts The people who hunt and lock up drug addicts Business IMF's Lagarde 'under investigation' IMF head Christine Lagarde says she has been placed under formal investigation for negligence in a French fraud case but has not been charged. Lockheed Martin in space junk deal US defence giant Lockheed Martin is teaming up with an Australian technology firm to track space debris that can damage multi-billion dollar satellites.   Technology Snapchat valued at $10bn by backers The mobile messaging app Snapchat has been valued at $10bn, according to reports, putting it in the same league as start-ups such as Dropbox and AirBnB. Robotic brain 'learns' from internet A super-intelligent robotic "brain" that can learn new skills by browsing millions of web pages has been developed by US researchers.

Autos The bicycle, abridged This Kickstarter standout deftly splits the difference between scooter and rolling elliptical machine.   Ferrari of the skies The hallowed Italian design house gazes skyward for its next act. Capital From sportsman to crusader Joe Baolin Zhou lost use of his legs in a sporting accident — but what he gained would improve the lives of countless others.   Inspiration from a shark attack A shark bite, career-ending injury, a troubling childhood and more: how adversity led to big business ideas for these five people. Culture Should kids run wild in museums? New research suggests that children learn best when allowed to zoom about – but what about everyone else? Michelle Warwicker weighs the arguments.   Who inspired George RR Martin? The Game of Thrones creator’s greatest influence might surprise you – it’s not Tolkien. He discusses his writing in this interview recorded by the BBC.

Future Is fast food making us depressed? Do burgers, sugary snacks and other unhealthy foods exacerbate the effects of mental illness? David Robson investigates the evidence.   Why your toilet needs reinvention Will the toilet as we know it ever be replaced? To find out, Lesley Evans Ogden explores the intriguing history and psychology of the modern loo. Travel No ropes, no shoes and 300m drops Getting to the frescoed, 1,000-year-old cave churches of Ethiopia’s Gheralta Mountains requires climbing sheer rock walls and skirting cliff edges – all without so much as a rope.   Cycling a city once ruled by cars Yes, cars created Detroit. But today, the city’s wide roads are sometimes as empty and as quiet as the Arctic. In other words, it is an open frontier for cyclists.

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BBC News--Today's Headlines August 26, 2014

Having difficulty reading this email? View it online Today’s Headlines August 26

Top News Stories Russians in Ukraine 'by accident' Russian soldiers captured in eastern Ukraine crossed the border "by accident", Russian sources say, as a key summit is held in Belarus. US sanctions Syria air surveillance US President Barack Obama authorises surveillance flights over Syria to gain intelligence on Islamic militants who control swathes of Syria and Iraq. US soldier kills herself at base A US Army soldier barricaded herself inside an office on a Virginia base before shooting herself in the head, the military says. James Foley's letter home published The family of the US journalist killed by Islamic State militants last week make public a letter they say he sent while in captivity, via a fellow hostage.   Amazon buys game site Twitch Amazon buys video-game streaming service Twitch for $970m (£585m), after earlier rumours that Google's YouTube was to purchase the firm. Top Videos VIDEO: Women refugees break rules to survive AUDIO: New effort to find Franklin's lost ships VIDEO: Beyonce, Miley and a wardrobe problem VIDEO: One-minute World News

Magazine The death list that names 5,000 victims Finding the people who killed 5,000 in the 70s Business South Africa economy avoids recession South Africa avoids being tipped into recession after second-quarter GDP figures showed the economy grew by 0.6% during the April-to-June period. Amazon buys game site Twitch Amazon buys video-game streaming service Twitch for $970m (£585m), surprising many after rumours emerged earlier this year that Google's YouTube was in final stages to purchase the firm.   Technology Amazon buys game site Twitch Amazon buys video-game streaming service Twitch for $970m (£585m), surprising many after rumours emerged earlier this year that Google's YouTube was in final stages to purchase the firm. LG to sell 'the first 4K OLED' TV LG announces it is about to become the first firm to sell TVs offering both OLED and 4K technologies to the public.

Autos ‘A racetrack in the sky’ Its rooftop track having appeared in 1969’s The Italian Job, this Fiat factory was more than just photogenic. It was revolutionary.   The 10 most beautiful bicycles These innovative and arresting new bikes are reinventing the humble two-wheeler for the 21st Century. Capital Inspiration from a shark attack A shark bite, career-ending injury, a troubling childhood and more: how adversity led to big business ideas for these five people.   The pitfalls of moving abroad Before you take that expat assignment, consider these smart money moves. Culture Ten films to watch at Venice The film festival kicks off this week. Here are 10 of the best movies showing in and out of competition, including a follow-up to The Act of Killing.   What is London reading? Every day millions of commuters escape the reality of the rush-hour by losing themselves in a book. BBC Culture goes underground to discuss reading on the go.

Future Why your toilet needs reinvention Will the toilet as we know it ever be replaced? To find out, Lesley Evans Ogden explores the intriguing history and psychology of the modern loo.   Artificial blood to save lives Artificial blood that doesn’t need refrigeration and is impervious to disease could be a life-saver in disaster zones, says forensic expert Gillian Leak. Travel Saving the world's smallest bear The world’s smallest bear almost resembles a small, cuddly dog – but don’t mistake them for the family pet. Meet the man who is protecting the world’s smallest bear.   Rome, behind the lens After four years living in the Eternal City, a writer and photographer learns to capture the views that visitors rarely see.

Follow us News Capital Culture Future Travel Autos   World News TV BBC World News: Meet The Team Showing Now and Next US & Canada TV Schedule You've received this email because you've previously signed up to the daily newsletter from BBC.com. Please note that our e-mail inbox is not monitored for unsubscribers. If you wish to opt out of receiving these emails, please click here. If you have any problems unsubscribing please forward this email to dataprotection@bbc.com. BBC Worldwide Americas, 1120 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036-6700 Privacy | Unsubscribe