Draconian sentence
Paralympian athlete Oscar Pistorius was cleared of murder but convicted of culpable homicide, the equivalent of manslaughter in English law.
— The concept of a lesser charge of killing without intent was first put forward by 6th century Athenian legislator Draco, popularly known for the harshness of his legal code, which applied the death penalty for the smallest of offences, including stealing a cabbage.
— Manslaughter, however, was seen as a relatively minor crime. Had Pistorius been convicted under Draconian law he would have been exiled rather than face the death sentence.
The long ride
Alan Yentob, the BBC’s creative director, has spent £25,000 on taxi fares in the past five years. Where could he have gone for all that money in a London cab?
— 150 rush-hour journeys from Broadcasting House to Heathrow and back.
— 2,000 journeys from Broadcasting House to the Ivy and back.
— Alternatively he could have bought a Fiat 500 and driven it 125,000 miles, or five times around the world.
Country cousins
How are other campaigns for independence going?
CATALONIA
| For independence | 43% |
| To stay part of Spain | 42% |
Source: Metroscopia
QUEBEC
Held referendum in 1995, with 49 per cent in favour and 51 per cent against.
By 2009 an Angus Reid poll showed:
| For independence | 28% |
| For staying part of Canada, but with more sovereignty | 30% |
| For the status quo | 32% |
What’s par
The Ryder Cup was held at Gleneagles. Who plays golf in the US?
— 29 million people, or 9.6% of the population, claim to have
played golf in the past 12 months
— 77.5% are male
— 17% are under 40
— 19% are over 70
— 68% are married
— 67% are graduates
— They live in households with an average income of $95,000
Source: National Golf Foundation
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