• the present perfect for introducing recent news:
In the past two weeks, their car has broken down, their dog has run away and their frozen food has melted.
The lawyer behind the Kentucky case, William McMurry has alleged that the Vatican had clear and direct control over bishops, mandated a policy of secrecy, and is therefore liable for the bishops' failure to report abuse. He is seeking unspecified damages.
• the present perfect passive:
Many areas of the southeast have been hit today by some of the heaviest snowstorms in recent years.
Prior to the election, Mr Osborne had said that all of the £6 billion would have been used to pay down the deficit, but the Liberal Democrats managed to extract a jobs pledge from the Tories during coalition negotiations.
• the past simple passive:
The driver of the bus was taken to hospital with head injuries, and two people in the shop were treated for cuts caused by flying glass.
Mr Byrne insisted that his parting message was meant as a private joke