Money talks:

Money talks: Three French soldiers ‘die accidentally’ in north-eastern province. Three French soldiers died accidentally during an overnight operation in a valley in the north-eastern Afghan province of Kapisa, said the French presidency in a statement on Sunday. REUTERS - Three French soldiers died in an accident during a night time operation in Afghanistan, French President Nicolas Sarkzoy's office said on Sunday. A military spokesman told France's I-Tele that the three men died when their unit was hit by a violent storm, with one soldier struck down by lightning and the two others swept away by a fast flowing river. Sarkozy's office gave no details of the accident, saying only that it took place in the Afghanya valley. "These three soldiers ... have paid with their life for France's commitment to peace and the security of the Afghan people," Sarkozy's office said, adding that the president continued to support this mission. The unnamed military spokesman said the French soldiers had been tracking down insurgents who had been preparing homemade explosives. Before Sunday's incident, 31 French soldiers had died during operations in Afghanistan.

A thirty minutes ago. After seeing the Andrew Lancaster in the Land Rover with “golden gun” and cigar in the mouth. Roman Polanski detained in Zurich. Sunday, 27 September 2009 12:11 UK. Director Roman Polanski has been taken into custody on a 31-year-old US arrest warrant, Swiss police have confirmed. The film-maker, 76, was detained on Saturday as he travelled to Switzerland to collect a lifetime achievement award at the Zurich Film Festival. Mr Polanski admitted unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl in the US in 1977, but fled to France before sentencing. In recent years, he has tried to have the rape case dismissed, but a US judge formally rejected his requests in May. Mr Polanski was initially indicted on six felony counts and faced up to life in prison. He claims the original judge, who is now dead, arranged a plea bargain but later reneged.

CASE TIMELINE

 1977 - Polanski admits unlawful sex with Samantha Geimer, 13, in Los Angeles

 1978 - flees to Britain after US arrest warrant is issued

 1978 - immediately moves to France where he holds citizenship

 1978 - settles in France, where he is protected by France's limited extradition with US

 2008 - Polanski's lawyer demands case be dismissed and hearing moved out of LA court

 2009 - Polanski's request to have hearing outside LA is denied

Earlier this year, Judge Peter Espinoza agreed there was misconduct by the judge in the original case, but said Mr Polanski must return to the US to apply for dismissal. Mr Polanski's lawyers said he would not return to the US because he would be immediately arrested as a fugitive. The Polish-born filmmaker has not set foot in the US for more than 30 years. He has even avoided making films in the UK for fear of extradition. His Oscar for directing the 2002 The Pianist was collected by Harrison Ford, who had previously starred in his 1988 thriller, Frantic. The organisers of the Zurich Film Festival said Polanski's detention had caused "shock and dismay," but that they would go ahead with a planned retrospective of the director's work. A special ceremony is planned for Sunday night "to allow everyone to express their solidarity for Roman Polanski and their admiration for his work," festival managers said in a statement. Switzerland has an extradition treaty with the US.

Pair killed as car mounts pavement. Last Updated: Sunday, 27 September 2009, 06:46 GMT. Two people died and a 12-year-old girl is in a critical condition in hospital after a car collided with pedestrians, police said. Two other women received less serious injuries when the vehicle mounted a pavement in Beaver Road, Ashford, Kent, shortly after 12.15am on Sunday morning. A 49-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene while a 67-year-old man died of his injuries after being taken to hospital. The 12-year-old girl sustained serious injuries and is said to be in a critical but stable condition in hospital, police said. The two other women also remain in hospital with injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening. A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving shortly after the incident and is currently in police custody. A spokeswoman for Kent Police said: "Police are keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the collision or anyone who may have seen a grey silver Nissan Primera in the area around the time of the incident." Last Updated: Sunday, 27 September 2009, 09:46 GMT