Provisional figures out this morning show that fewer people were killed on the roads over the Christmas New Year holiday period. Nationally, a total of 47 people lost their lives. That's three less than the same time last year.

 

 

 

A new study by Workplace Gender Equality Agency has found the pay gap is growing. The average difference in starting salaries between male and female university graduates has jumped from 2,000 dollars to 5,000 dollars. The difference in first job salaries is greatest in architecture, dentistry and law. 

 

 

 

In New Delhi, five men have been formally charged over the death of a young medical student in a crime that's shocked India. Police have filed a number of charges, including rape, murder, kidnapping and destruction of evidence. They could face the death penalty if convicted. 

 

 

 

Russia has granted citizenship to the French actor Gerard Depardieu. He threatened to give up his nationality in protest at the French government's plan to impose bigger taxes on the wealthy. Depardieu is well-known in Russia where there is a flat tax rate of just 13 per cent.