While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, March 13

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May delivering a statement to members of parliament in the House of Commons on the nerve agent attack against Russian double agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury last week, in London on March 12, 2018. PHOTO: AFP

British PM says 'highly likely' Russia behind spy attack

British Prime Minister Theresa May said Monday (March 12) it was highly likely that Russia was responsible for a "reckless and despicable" attack on a former double agent in Britain, an accusation rejected by Moscow as a "provocation".

In a dramatic escalation of diplomatic tensions over the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter on March 4, May said the nerve agent that poisoned them was a military-grade type developed by Russia.

She told parliament that Moscow had previously used this group of nerve agents known as Novichok, had a history of state-sponsored assassinations and viewed defectors such as Skripal as legitimate targets.

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Air Canada systems back online after computer outage disrupts operation

Air Canada said its airport systems, check-in and customer call centres were back online on Monday (March 12) afternoon, after a network-wide computer outage led to flight delays and affected its operations, including booking and plane departures.

"We're expecting some flight delays but we're getting everyone on their way," the carrier said in a statement. It is not yet clear what caused the outage.

Earlier, Air Canada said in a statement its technology teams were working to identify and repair the issue, and it was also implementing temporary measures to maintain a limited operation.

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Porn star Stormy Daniels offers to pay back Trump settlement to end silence

A pornographic film actress who is seeking to publicly reveal the details of her affair with President Donald Trump offered to return a settlement payment in exchange for releasing her from confidentiality obligations.

A lawyer for the actress Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, sent a letter on Monday (March 12) to attorneys for Trump proposing to wire US$130,000 (S$171,000) by March 16.

In exchange, she would be permitted to "speak openly and freely about her prior relationship with the President and the attempts to silence her," and use any text messages, photos, videos or other materials in her possession.

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Tillerson vows US 'full support' for Nigeria in extremism fight

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Monday (March 12) slammed last month's mass abduction of schoolgirls in northern Nigeria and promised Washington's "full support" in the country's fight against Boko Haram militants.

"The recent kidnapping of 110 schoolgirls is heartbreaking," Tillerson said on his arrival in the capital Abuja on the final leg of an African tour.

"Nigeria has the US in full support and we are actively working with our partners in what we can assist you in this fight."

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TV pundit Jamie Carragher blames 'moment of madness' for spitting incident

TV pundit and former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher blamed a "moment of madness" after he was caught on camera spitting towards a 14-year-old girl in a moving car.

In footage widely shown on British media, Carragher is seen winding down the window of his car and spitting at another vehicle following Liverpool's 2-1 loss to Manchester United on Saturday (March 10).

Reports said that some of Carragher's spit hit the face of the girl, who was sitting in the passenger seat. A male voice can be heard saying "unlucky Jamie lad, 2-1!" before Carragher spits.

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