BBC World Service

On September 7, 1978, the Bulgarian journalist, playwright and dissident from the regime of the People's Republic of Bulgaria, Georgi Markov, was poisoned with a ricin-filled pellet shot from a modified umbrella while crossing Waterloo Bridge in London. Four days later, he died.

BBC journalist Carrie Gracie announced Jan. 8 she had quit her post as China editor in protest at an “indefensible pay gap” at the British broadcaster, winning support from dozens of colleagues.