News Headlines - 08 December 2013

▽Goodbye, Lenin: Protesters raise the stakes at Kiev rally as they topple statue of former Communist leader - The Independent

Protesters calling for an end to the Ukrainian government’s pro-Russian stance decapitated and toppled a statue of Vladimir Lenin in Kiev on Sunday night as hundreds of thousands denounced the administration’s move away from Europe toward Moscow.

▽Thai opposition protesters prepare for 'final showdown' | The Australian

THAILAND'S strife-hit capital Bangkok is bracing for fresh opposition protests described as "judgment day" by demonstrators seeking to overthrow the embattled premier, despite her offer of early elections.

▽MPs' 9% pay rise set to embarrass party leaders | The Observer

David Cameron and Ed Miliband will face embarrassment this week when it is announced that MPs will be paid an annual salary of ￡74,000 from 2015 despite their calls for "cheaper politics".

▽Chemical experts called in following the unexplained death of man found inside tent | Mail Online

Chemical and radiation experts were today called in following the unexplained death of a man found inside a tent in a field. Police said that there was a ‘strong odour of chemicals’ inside the tent in Port Meadow, Oxford, and officials from the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear team had been sent to the scene. The body was discovered this afternoon by a passer-by, who became concerned about what he could see and looked inside the tent, before smelling the chemicals and immediately calling police.

▽Football fix inquiry reaches Championship - Telegraph

Six people have been arrested after a second investigation uncovered allegations of professional footballers taking cash to fix games for betting syndicates. Sam Sodje, a former Portsmouth player, allegedly agreed to arrange for a Championship player to get booked deliberately during a recent match, for ￡30,000.