The most corrupt countries in the world, ranked in order

Transparency International has released its annual Corruption Perceptions Index, which ranks 175 countries on their levels of public sector corruption.

A statement released with the report indicated that a low score “is likely a sign of widespread bribery, lack of punishment for corruption and public institutions that don’t respond to citizens’ needs”.

It is pointed out that while no countries score 0 (highly corrupt), there are also none scoring a perfect 100 (very clean).

Bribes and backroom deals don’t just steal resources from the most vulnerable – they undermine justice and economic development, and destroy public trust in government and leaders.

Transparency International

Britain scores 78 which takes it up to 14 on the list and overall the country has seen a steady improvement over the past two years (2012: 74, 2013: 76).

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WWI: Battle of Gallipoli centenary marked with services

Events are due to take place to commemorate the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign, one of the bloodiest of World War One.

Prince Charles and Prince Harry will be among those attending services at the site of the battle at Cape Helles on the Turkish peninsula on Friday.

The leaders of Australia, New Zealand and Turkey will also attend the events.

About 141,000 died in the campaign, including 10,000 Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (Anzac) soldiers.

Allied forces landed on the Gallipoli peninsula in modern-day western Turkey - then part of the Ottoman Empire - in April 1915.

Their aim was to move inland and capture the capital Constantinople (now Istanbul) in order to force the Ottomans, who were fighting alongside the Germans, out of the war.

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Three dead as severe storms hit New South Wales in Australia

Three people have died in New South Wales as powerful storms batter the Australian state.

The two men and a woman were found dead in Dungog north of Sydney, one of the worst affected areas, where homes have been washed away by flooding.

Some 215,000 homes are without power in Sydney and across New South Wales.

People have been urged to head home, as Australia's weather agency warned more severe weather would hit parts of the state on Tuesday night.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has issued a severe weather warning for the Sydney area, Hunter and Illawarra forecasting "damaging and locally destructive winds, damaging winds, heavy rainfall and damaging surf".

Winds of up to 135km/h (85 mph) were recorded in some areas, with up to 200mm of rainfall forecast for Tuesday.

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Tropical Cyclone Nathan hits Australia's Queensland coast - BBC

A tropical cyclone has hit north Queensland in Australia, bringing with it hurricane-force winds and a powerful storm tide.

Cyclone Nathan crossed the coast near Cooktown as a category four storm, the second most severe rating.

Winds of 170km/ph (105mph) were recorded on Friday morning, the Bureau of Meteorology told the BBC.

The cyclone is expected to dissipate over land before intensifying again over the Gulf of Carpenteria.

About 50 people took cover in Cooktown's cyclone shelter as the storm passed over, according to the Australian Associated Press.

The strongest winds recorded on Friday were 170km/ph but there was the potential for winds of up to 230km/ph closer to the centre of the system, The Bureau of Meteorology's Jess Carey said.

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New Zealand reveals milk formula 1080 poison threat - BBC

New Zealand authorities say a national farming body and dairy giant Fonterra have been sent letters threatening to poison milk formula.

Federated Farmers and Fonterra received the anonymous letters in November, said officials, along with sachets of contaminated product.

The letters appeared to be a protest over the use of the pesticide 1080 in agriculture.

PM John Key said milk formula was still safe to be consumed.

Officials said the person or group who sent the letters had threatened to carry out and publicise their threat unless New Zealand stopped using 1080 by the end of March.

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Australia's Brandis censured over treatment of Triggs - BBC News

Australia's Senate has censured Attorney General George Brandis over the treatment of Human Rights Commission President Gillian Triggs, amid a row over child detainees.

The censure motion, introduced on Monday by Labor Senate Leader Penny Wong, was passed by 35 votes to 32.

It accused Mr Brandis of seeking Ms Triggs' resignation and failing to protect her from "malicious attacks".

Police have been asked to investigate whether the job offer was unlawful.

Ms Wong said in the motion filed on Monday that Mr Brandis was "unfit to hold the office of attorney general" after his department allegedly attempted to pressure Ms Triggs to resign from the Human Rights Commission (HRC) by offering her another position.

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Australia to send more troops to train Iraqi forces - BBC News

Australia is to significantly increase its contingent of troops training local forces in Iraq, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has announced.

An additional 300 troops will be sent to the country in a joint mission with New Zealand, Mr Abbott said.

They will join the 200 special forces already in the country tasked with training the Iraqi army.

The Royal Australian Air Force joined the US-led coalition against Islamic State (IS) in Iraq in October.

'Death cult'
Mr Abbott said that supporting the Iraqi army in its fight against IS - which he referred to by another name, Daesh - was vital to domestic as well as international security.

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Australian PM Abbott survives leadership challenge - BBC News

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has urged an end to disunity after surviving a party confidence vote on his leadership.

Liberal Party MPs voted by 61 to 39 not to open up his position to challengers.

The leadership test, initiated by a backbencher on Friday, came after a series of policy mis-steps by Mr Abbott that saw his popularity tumble.

But the prime minister said the issue had now been settled, stating "this matter is behind us".

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