Assault accused triumphs

Montana Republican Greg Gianforte claimed victory in a congressional special election yesterday, and apologised to a reporter who accused Gianforte of assaulting him on the eve of the vote. Speaking to cheering supporters in Bozeman after his win, Gianforte apologised for the incident involving Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs, and said he was not proud of his actions. ’’I should not have responded the way I did, and for that I’m sorry,’’ he said. ’’I should not have treated that reporter that way.’’ Gianforte prevailed despite being charged with assaulting Jacobs, who said the candidate ‘‘body-slammed’’ him during a campaign event in Bozeman as he tried to ask him about healthcare. A Fox News reporter who was present said Gianforte ‘‘grabbed Jacobs by the neck with both hands and slammed him to the ground’’.

Bourke St defendant ‘set up’

Australia’s alleged Bourke St killer has gone on a strange rant in court, blaming ‘‘the Illuminati’’ and claiming he was set up. Dimitrious ‘‘Jimmy’’ Gargasoulas, 27, appeared via video link in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court yesterday for a hearing on charges unrelated to the January attack, when he allegedly ran down pedestrians with a car in Melbourne’s CBD. He claimed to be under extreme stress, controlled by the government, set up and targeted because he held ‘‘the key to Freemasons treasure’’. Despite attempts by the magistrate and his lawyer to cut him off, Gargasoulas went on, saying the stress had caused him to have a mental breakdown. Gargasoulas is facing six charges of homicide and 29 counts of attempted murder over the Bourke St incident.

Singer’s case back in court

Lawyers representing British pop star Cliff Richard and the BBC are due back in Britain’s High Court, three weeks after telling a judge of plans to call a truce in a legal battle. The singer has sued over reports naming him as a suspected sex offender, and is seeking ‘‘very substantial’’ damages. Richard has taken legal action against the BBC and South Yorkshire Police over coverage of a raid at his apartment in Sunningdale, Berkshire in August 2014. His lawyers say he suffered ‘‘profound and longlasting’’ harm and should get compensation.

Looted artefacts returned

Seven ancient statues and pottery vessels are headed back to Italy after authorities tracked down the stolen items in New York City. Dating from the third century to the 8th century BC, the artefacts were looted by Italian tomb raiders in the 1990s, then smuggled out of the country, and eventually turned up at two New York art galleries, the Manhattan district attorney’s office said.

‘Terrorist’ prize angers

A Houston-area school is apologising after a seventh grade student was given an award that named her ‘‘most likely to become a terrorist’’. Lizeth Villanueva got the certificate during a mock awards ceremony after the official awards ceremony at Anthony Aguirre Junior High. Her mother, Ena Hernandez, was furious and said her daughter was hurt. Lizeth said the teacher meant the awards to be funny but added that ‘‘I do not feel comfortable with this’’. The school district said the teachers involved had been disciplined.