Tough Guy 2016: Mud, fire and the Brandenburger Gate

Thousands of competitors gathered at a farm near Wolverhampton on 31 January to take part in what has been described as the worlds toughest one-day race. Battling along a mud-sodden 15km course, the competitors must overcome obstacles such as the Brandenburger Gate, a 40ft vertical wall climb, an underwater tunnel and the Anaconda, a series of concrete pipes fixed with hanging electric wires. Feb 1, 2016

Brazil: Zika virus could be linked to 4,000 microcephaly cases

The mosquito-borne Zika virus could be linked to 4,000 suspected cases of microcephaly in Brazil including 49 deaths, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on 26 January. Brazil has reported 3,893 suspected cases of microcephaly, the WHO said on 22 January, over 30 times more than in any year since 2010 and equivalent to 1-2 percent of all new-borns in the state of Pernambuco, one of the worst-hit areas. Jan 26, 2016

Saskatchewan shooting: Hundreds attend church service in La Loche

Hundreds of people in La Loche, a community of 2,600, attended a church service on 24 January, in memory of the four victims of a school shooting in a remote part of Saskatchewan. Canadas government, grappling with a fatal attack in a remote aboriginal town, is very concerned about the tragic and alarming conditions in other indigenous communities, a top official said. Jan 25, 2016