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"There are more fake autographs than real ones," the 64-year-old told BBC One's Rip Off Britain, saying "it just breaks your heart" to see fans duped. The proportion of fake autographs, he said, was "in the 50 to 90 percentile". The actor went on to reveal he tries to personalise the autographs he gives in order to limit their commercial value. "A true fan would love that," he told presenter Angela Rippon on Friday's edition of the consumer advice programme. Hamill said he is also prepared to authenticate his own signature, based on pictures of items he receives from fans. "Every day it's like homework," said the 64-year-old, who reprised his Luke Skywalker role in last year's Star Wars: The Force Awakens. "You have to sit down and go through 30, 40, 50 of these things, and sometimes they're really close calls. "It doesn't bring me any pleasure to disappoint someone and say, that's a fake," continued the star, who will next be seen as Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode VIII. "On the other hand, [forgeries] are just so pervasive - there are more fakes than there are reals [sic]." UK licence fee holders can watch the whole programme on the BBC iPlayer. Follow us on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, on Instagram, or if you have a story suggestion email [email protected].
Star Wars actor Mark Hamill has spoken out against the sale of fake celebrity autographs, suggesting that up to 90% of signed memorabilia is bogus.
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Talal Sello, a spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), said they had seized Tabqa airport from militants. It comes as the Kurdish-led fighters advance on Raqqa, IS's self-declared capital. Earlier IS warned that the nearby Tabqa dam could collapse, sparking panic. However, the dam appears intact. The US-led coalition fighting the jihadists denied their claims that it had targeted the facility with airstrikes, leaving it dangerously vulnerable to failure. "The dam has not been structurally damaged to our knowledge and the coalition seeks to preserve the integrity of the dam as a vital resource to the people of Syria," a spokesperson told the BBC. The Tabqa airbase was seized by IS militants in 2014 from the Syrian army. The jihadists then carried out a mass execution of captured soldiers. Its capture by rebels was part of an offensive aimed at also taking control of the dam - the largest in Syria - as well as Tabqa town, on the way to Raqqa. Earlier on Sunday there were conflicting reports about damage to the dam - about 40km (25 miles) upstream of the Raqqa on the Euphrates river - with civilians reportedly fleeing to higher ground. Although IS media channels warned the dam could burst, the militant group later reportedly sent cars around Raqqa with loudspeakers, telling people it was intact and they had no need to evacuate. Aside from being strategically important and providing electricity to the region, the dam complex is believed to be used as an IS headquarters where leaders plot attacks outside Syria, according to the Pentagon. The United Nations recently warned that damage to it could lead to massive-scale flooding. There were similar concerns last year for a dam outside Mosul, an IS stronghold in northern Iraq. If the Mosul dam burst, floodwaters could kill 1.47 million Iraqis living along the River Tigris, the US embassy said. However, the dam has so far remained in operation. US warplanes are supporting the Iraqi army's mission to retake Mosul from the Islamic State group (IS).
US-backed Syrian rebels say they have taken full control of a key airbase held by the Islamic State group near its stronghold, Raqqa.
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The New Economics Foundation think tank said the number of people employed in this sector had risen from about 38,000 in 2010 to about 65,300 in 2016. App technology and new business models have led to a rise in "gig" workers undertaking short-term, casual work, spawning firms like Uber and Deliveroo. The government is currently reviewing what this means for workers' rights. 72% growth from 2010 and 2016 37,965 people registered in the 'gig' economy in 2010 65,315 people registered in the 'gig' economy in 2016 Typically workers in the "gig" economy use mobile phone apps to identify customers requiring delivery services or small practical jobs. Stephen Devlin, senior economist from the New Economics Foundation think tank, said the next big growth area in the "gig" economy was expected to be in the cleaning and DIY trades. The Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy said it believed some five million people were working in the gig economy in the UK. The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates the government may lose up to £3.5bn in tax revenues by 2020-21 as a result of the rise in self-employed "gig" workers. However this could change depending on the outcome of pending court cases. An employment tribunal in London ruled in October that Uber drivers should be classed as workers and were not self-employed. Uber is appealing against the decision and there are further test cases pending, including one for CitySprint delivery firm. Mr Devlin said the re-classification of workers in the "gig" economy as a result of legal cases, could herald the collapse of the "gig" economy in the UK.
London's "gig" economy has grown by 72% in the transport and storage sector since 2010, research suggests.
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The current level of provision at Northallerton's Friarage Hospital has been described as unaffordable and unsustainable. The plans, first announced in 2011, have led to protests including a petition, and a march led by local Conservative MP William Hague, The existing service, run by consultants, will become midwife-led. The changes will start in October. There will also be limited community paediatric services with no overnight stays for ill children. Pregnant women or children with complicated medical conditions will have to use the James Cook University Hospital 22 miles (35km) away in Middlesbrough. The Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said the low number of births at the hospital meant it was difficult to provide enough doctors with the range of skills needed to cover more complex medical problems. In the report announcing the decision, the CCG said it had "been unable to find a model that allows services to be delivered on the same footprint as before without continuing and unacceptable compromises on safety and sustainability, or unaffordable investment." More than 10,000 people signed a petition opposing the plan and an appeal against the closure was made to the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt. In May, Mr Hunt rejected calls for a full review into the changes. However the Foreign Secretary and MP for Richmond, William Hague, said he was "disappointed" at the decision. "The Friarage is held in high regard and the uncertainty over the future of these services has caused a great deal of anxiety for patients and staff alike," he said. He added: "It has been my view all along that while there are legitimate clinical concerns faced by the Friarage, these are challenges to be overcome and not surrendered to." Dr Vicky Pleydell, chief clinical officer at the CCG, said: "We have investigated models of service up and down the country, leaving no stone unturned. "Other options we looked at did not conform to the high standards we feel it is right to aspire to for our patients. "Our job as a CCG is to ensure we deliver safe high quality services for our patients. We cannot compromise on that."
Maternity and children's services are to be reduced at a North Yorkshire hospital.
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He succeeds Khaled Meshaal, who has served the maximum two terms in office. Mr Haniya, 54, lives in Gaza, which Hamas has ruled since 2007, unlike Mr Meshaal, who lives in Qatar. Mr Haniya is seen as a pragmatist who will try to ease Hamas's international isolation. The group published a new policy document this week regarded as an attempt to soften its image. Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum confirmed on Saturday that Mr Haniya had been selected as the politburo chief. Hamas as a whole, or in some cases its military wing, is designated a terrorist group by Israel, the US, EU, UK and other powers. This week, Hamas published its first new policy document since its founding charter. It declares for the first time a willingness to accept an interim Palestinian state within pre-1967 boundaries, without recognising Israel. It also says Hamas's struggle is not with Jews but with "occupying Zionist aggressors". The 1988 charter was condemned for its anti-Jewish language. Mr Barhoum said: "The document gives us a chance to connect with the outside world." A spokesman for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas was "attempting to fool the world but it will not succeed". The new document stresses it does not mean that Hamas now recognises Israel's right to exist or that it no longer advocates violence against Israel. Gaza has been under blockade by Israel and Egypt for the past decade, imposed to prevent attacks by militants inside the territory. Its economy has been crippled as a result, and many of its 1.9 million inhabitants suffer daily hardships. Relations between Hamas and Egypt have recently begun to improve, with a visit to Cairo this year by Mr Haniya. Ismail Haniya was born in the Shati refugee camp to the west of Gaza City and although a close associate of Hamas's spiritual leader, the late Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, he was relatively unknown until he headed the Hamas list that won the Palestinian legislative election of January 2006 and became prime minister.
The Palestinian militant group Hamas has announced that Ismail Haniya has been chosen as its new overall leader.
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Prime Minister Julia Gillard said Libya should "expedite the end" of the Australian defence lawyer's detention. She is one of four International Criminal Court's (ICC) staff detained in Zintan town last week. Reports say local people became suspicious of documents she tried to pass to Saif al-Islam. "I am very concerned about the detention of Ms Taylor," Ms Gillard told reporters. "We are calling on the Libyan government to expedite the end of Ms Taylor's detention." Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister Bob Carr said he raised Ms Taylor's case with Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Muhammad Aziz. He said that Mr Aziz confirmed in a phone call that Ms Taylor was being detained in Zintan pending further inquiry. "An ICC team is in Libya to engage directly with authorities on the matter," he added. Ms Taylor's parents released a statement, saying that they did not wish to publicly comment on the situation and asked media to respect their privacy. "Our thoughts, at this time, are very much with our daughter, Melinda, and her colleagues," they said. The ICC delegation had travelled to Libya on 6 June to meet Saif al-Islam Gaddafi in Zintan. Members of the brigade holding Saif al-Islam say the ICC team were carrying documents, including a letter from a former confidante of his who is now in Egypt, about 135km (85 miles) south-west of Tripoli. Saif al-Islam, who was captured last November by militiamen as he tried to flee the country, has been indicted by the ICC for crimes against humanity. Libya's interim government has so far refused to hand him over for trial in the Netherlands - the seat of the ICC. Libya has insisted he should be tried by a Libyan court.
Australia has called for the release of lawyer Melinda Taylor, who was held after trying to meet Saif al-Islam, son of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi.
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The "relentless and indiscriminate" rocket attacks had killed scores of civilians in western Aleppo in the past 48 hours, Mr de Mistura said. Such attacks could amount to war crimes, he said. On Friday, rebels began an offensive aimed at breaking the government siege of east Aleppo. About 275,000 people have been besieged in the east of the city for months. Russian and Syrian government planes began bombarding Aleppo in September. More than 2,700 people are said to have been killed and injured since then. Russia suspended its air campaign on 18 October to allow evacuations of sick and wounded people but few have heeded the call to leave. On Sunday, state media in Syria said rebels had used chemical weapons against government-controlled districts of Aleppo. A spokesman for one rebel group denied the claim, saying rebel groups did not possess such weapons, the Associated Press news agency reports. Sana news agency said 35 people in the districts of Dahiyet al-Assad and Hamdaniya had suffered shortness of breath and numbness. More than 40 civilians are reported to have been killed in western Aleppo since the rebel attacks began, activists say. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 16 were children. It added that 55 soldiers had also died - as well as 64 rebels. There is no confirmation of these casualties. Rebels from outside Aleppo are said to be at the forefront of the new offensive, targeting Hamdaniya, which is currently held by troops of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The rebel groups include Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly the al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, as well as fellow Islamists Ahrar al-Sham. It is the rebels' second attempt to break the Aleppo siege. In August they temporarily opened a corridor between the east and west after the government entirely encircled them for the first time in July. The city, previously Syria's economic hub, has been divided between the two sides since 2012.
The UN special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, says he is "appalled and shocked" that rebels in Aleppo are targeting civilians in the city.
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The S&P 500 index climbed 18.62 points, or 0.86%, to 2,182.87, beating an all-time high record set last month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 191.48 (1.04%) to 18,543.53, while the Nasdaq was up 54.87 (1.06%) to 5,221.12. The US economy added 255,000 jobs last month and figures for May and June were also revised upwards. The figures add to speculation that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates by the end of the year. "The most important takeaway from a better jobs report is an indication of a continued grind higher in the US economy," said Michael James, managing director of equity trading at Wedbush Securities. Shares in banks, which are expected to gain from any rise in interest rates, were higher. Goldman Sachs climbed 2.6% and JP Morgan Chase rose 2.7%. Shares in Bristol-Myers Squibb sank 16% after the company said its Opdivo cancer treatment had failed in a key study. In contrast, shares in Merck, which makes a rival treatment, saw its shares jump 10% to $63.86. On the Nasdaq, shares in Google's parent company, Alphabet climbed 1.2%, while Apple stock jumped 1.5%.
(Closed): Wall Street markets closed up after figures showed stronger than expected growth in the labour market.
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The 30-year-old woman passed away in a hospital in a densely-populated area of the capital, Monrovia. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared that Liberia was free of Ebola in January, but there have been small flare-ups of the disease in the region. In neighbouring Guinea, several cases have been identified in recent weeks. More than 11,300 people died over the past two years in the world's worst Ebola epidemic, almost all of them in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. The infected woman was brought to a clinic in Paynesville, just east of Monrovia, after falling ill, officials said. She was later transferred to a hospital in the capital, but died on Thursday. How Ebola changed the world Mapping Ebola More on this and other African news stories Timeline: How we lost control of the Ebola virus A team has been sent to the woman's community and the clinic where she was being treated to investigate the case and identify people who may have been in contact with her, the WHO said in a statement. Earlier this week, the agency had said the Ebola outbreak no longer constituted an international public health risk, but it warned that flare-ups were expected, largely due to the virus presence in survivors. In January, the WHO declared the "end of active transmission" in Liberia after 42 days without a new case.
A woman in Liberia has died of Ebola, months after the epidemic was declared over in the country, health officials say.
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The service has transferred its helicopter and fundraising staff to a purpose-built facility at Llanelli Gate, Dafen. The project to build the airbase, which covers its south Wales operation, took 12 months. It was previously split between two premises in Swansea.
Wales Air Ambulance has moved into the charity's first owned home in Carmarthenshire.
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The deadline for countries to express their intention to bid to host the tournament is Friday, at which point Fifa will confirm the bidders. The United States, Canada and Mexico announced in April that they intend to put forward a joint bid. The World Cup has only been hosted once in Africa - in South Africa in 2010 - and this will be Morocco's fifth bid. The Confederation of African Football (Caf) gave its backing to a Moroccan bid in July. A total of 48 teams, rather than the current 32, will compete at an expanded tournament in 2026 after changes announced by Fifa earlier this year. The decision on who will host event will be made in 2020. Fifa's rotational hosting policy means Africa is one of four confederations that can bid to host the 2026 finals as Europe (Russia 2018) and Asia (Qatar 2022) cannot be considered.
The Moroccan Football Federation has announced it will bid to host the 2026 World Cup.
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Nihar, 11, and Jairam, 13, went head-to-head for 25 rounds with the annual contest going late into the night in Maryland. "I can't say anything. I'm just in fifth grade," said Nihar - the youngest champion since 2002 - after his win. Each winner receives a trophy and $45,000 (£30,700) in cash and prizes. This is the third tie in a row at the bee. The organisers had implemented the 25-round spell-off to try to avoid a deadlock. Feldenkrais is a method of education Gesellschaft is a type of social relationship Biniou is a Breton bagpipe Taoiseach is the Irish word for prime minister Mischsprache is a fused language Tetradrachm is a kind of coin Despite the rivalry, the two boys gave each other encouraging hand slaps as they passed each other on the way to and from the microphone. Jairam gave Nihar a chance to win when he missed "Drahthaar" a kind of dog. But Nihar then slipped up on "ayacahuite", a Mexican tree. After several rounds the announcer said: "This is a beautiful moment. If you both spell the next word correctly, you will be declared co-champions." They both got their words right and the audience erupted in cheers. Jairam and Nihar are the ninth consecutive winners of South Asian descent. Jairam's brother, Sriram, was the 2014 co-champion. The finalists are selected after two days of written and oral tests.
It was the words "Feldenkrais" and "Gesellschaft" that made Jairam Hathwar and Nihar Janga co-champions of the US Scripps National Spelling Bee.
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Mark Lester of Riverside Close, Bridgwater made his first appearance at Taunton Magistrates after being charged with a total of 54 offences. The other offences are for grooming, indecent assault and making, taking and possessing indecent images of children. The 59-year-old defendant also faces charges previously made in relation to a knifepoint attack in Bridgwater. He is due to appear at Taunton Crown Court on Friday for a further hearing.
A Bridgwater man has appeared in court accused of 12 counts of rape and a string of sexual offences.
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The 61-year-old woman, from Otterton, was hit outside Newton Poppleford Primary School, police said. The woman received "life-threatening head injuries" and the three-year-old child suffered minor injuries after the incident at 08:55 BST on Tuesday. A 38-year-old female driver has been interviewed but not arrested, police said. Click here for live updates on this story Sgt Richard Newton said: "The area was extremely busy with vehicles and pedestrians at that time, as children were being taken into school. "We would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision who we have not already spoken to." The road was closed for six hours for police investigations to take place.
A woman has been critically hurt after being hit by a car as she took her grandchild to pre-school.
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The striker, 29, twisted his knee as Roma beat Carpi 5-1 on Saturday. Dzeko, on a season-long loan from Manchester City, is Bosnia's all-time leading scorer with 44 goals in 74 games. A draw against Bosnia in Zenicar would see Wales qualify for Euro 2016. Chris Coleman's side are currently top of Group B and end their qualification campaign at home against minnows Andorra on 13 October. A point in either match would be enough to seal their place at Euro 2016, which would be Wales' first appearance at a major tournament since the 1958 World Cup.
Bosnia-Herzegovina captain Edin Dzeko is set to miss their Euro 2016 qualifier against Wales on 10 October having been ruled out for four weeks with a knee injury.
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The 2013 Young Sports Personality of the Year won 2015 European skeet gold and is in the Rio 2016 Olympic squad. "When I first started, my technique was horrendous. I don't know how I managed to shoot," Hill, 18, said. "That's why in 2014 we decided to strip things back. My scores went back, but it's made me a stronger athlete and I'm a lot more consistent with my scores." She became the youngest winner of a senior World Cup in skeet shooting at the age of 15 in 2013, and finished that season ranked number one senior in Great Britain and number five in the world. And after changing her technique with coach Joe Neville, last year Hill won the skeet title at the inaugural European Games in Baku and also claimed victory at the World Cup final in Cyprus. Windsor-born Hill, who trains in Buckinghamshire, is part of a six-strong Team GB squad for Rio 2016. "You've got to go for gold (at Rio), otherwise why are you there?" she told BBC Three Counties Radio. "As long as I go there and know I've done everything possible to make it happen on the day and enjoy myself I'll be happy. "There's a lot of nerves in it but it's all about keeping mentally strong and relying on everything you've done in the past. You've just got to trust yourself."
Shooter Amber Hill says recognising that her technique was "horrendous" has helped her gain consistency.
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Mr Yameen claimed bomb-making materials had been found during raids on Ahmed Adeeb's associates. The president was unhurt in the blast on his speedboat, which left his wife and two others slightly injured. In recent years, the Maldives has been rocked by political infighting. "The vice-president is being detained for the safety and security of the entire nation," Mr Yameen said in a televised address. He said the investigation pointed to links between Mr Adeeb and two soldiers who were arrested for tampering with evidence on the boat soon after the blast. President Yameen and his wife were travelling to the capital Male from the island where the airport is located when the device went off under a seat normally - but not in this instance - occupied by Mr Yameen. Turbulence in paradise Soon after the blast, speculation began to grow that Mr Adeeb was involved, reports said. Under the Maldivian constitution, the vice-president succeeds the president if he dies, is incapacitated or resigns. Mr Adeeb, who is among seven people being held for questioning, has denied any links to the explosion. A court ordered his detention for 15 days to give police more time to investigate. Earlier, the government said Mr Adeeb would be charged with "high treason". But the president said he would not fire Mr Adeeb until his case had been decided by a court. Mr Adeeb became vice president in July at the age of 33. Mr Yameen was instrumental in his rise, sacking the previous vice-president, also on charges of treason, and lowering the minimum age for the president and vice-president from 35 to 30. The Maldives became a multiparty democracy in 2008 and is a popular upmarket tourist destination, but its image has suffered in recent years due to prolonged political unrest.
Maldives president Abdulla Yameen has described his deputy as a threat to national security, after his arrest over an alleged assassination attempt last month.
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The songs went straight to the top, and Ed said "Both tracks mean a huge amount to me so it really is amazing to see them go to the top of the chart together." The Official Charts Company says that Ed is the first artist in history to take the top two chart positions with brand new songs. The singer released 'Shape Of You' and 'Castle On The Hill' after a year out of the spotlight, when he stopped using social media so that he could concentrate on his third album. Well done Ed!
Ed Sheeran says he is 'incredibly chuffed' after his two new singles entered the UK singles chart at number one and number two.
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The 24-year-old Netherlands international joined the Hornets from AZ Alkmaar last summer in a deal reported to be worth £4.6m. But he did not make a single Premier League start in his 11 appearances. Feyenoord, managed by ex-Rangers, Arsenal and Barcelona player Giovanni van Bronckhorst, finished third in the Eredivisie last term. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.
Watford winger Steven Berghuis has joined Dutch side Feyenoord on a season-long loan.
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The 28-year-old made 39 appearances for the Dingwall side after scoring on his debut in a 3-2 win over Motherwell in February 2015. He signed a two-year deal last summer. Manager Jim McIntyre has brought in Jay McEveley, Christopher Routis, Kenny van der Weg, Erik Cikos and Aaron McCarey as he re-shapes his squad.
Italian winger Raffaele De Vita has been released from his Ross County contact despite it having a year left to run.
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The Swiss lender put on hold a plan to sell shares in its domestic banking business and posted a first quarter profit of 596m Swiss francs. That compares with a 302m Swiss franc loss a year ago. Swiss banks are under pressure from regulators to boost capital to protect them from financial shocks. The bank raised about 6bn francs from shareholders in 2015. As well as asking its owners for cash to mend its balance sheet, Credit Suisse has said it is in the middle of a 5,500 job-cutting programme. Raising the new money will increase its tier-one leverage ratio - how much capital it has to absorb losses from lending as a percentage of its total lending - to about 5.1%, it said. Bernstein analyst Chirantan Barua said: "The capital raise should be enough to allay concerns in the near term, but doesn't really give the franchise the flexibility to see it through a downturn or meaningfully compete in global markets. "We feel this raise doesn't really take capital totally out of the concern zone." Mr Barua had estimated that the bank would raise 5bn Swiss francs. Earlier this month, Credit Suisse chief executive Tidjane Thiam and the bank's board of directors offered to cut their bonuses by 40%. The Swiss bank has posted two straight years of losses, but its top 12 executives were awarded 78m Swiss francs in pay this year. Credit Suisse investors are set to meet on 28 April. Under Swiss law, they get a binding annual vote on executive pay. The capital raising will be voted on at another meeting on 18 May. London-based lender Standard Chartered, also reporting results, said profits almost doubled in the first quarter after losses from bad loans declined. The bank posted a pre-tax profit of $1bn (£780m), up from $589m in the same period a year ago. The bank set aside $198m for bad loans, less than the $500m expected by analysts. "This is an encouraging first quarter but we are not getting carried away," said chief financial officer Andy Halford.
Credit Suisse says it plans to raise 4bn Swiss francs (£3.14bn) from shareholders in an effort to strengthen its capital base.
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Kerr has also quit his role as a board director of the Windsor Park club. Linfield issued a statement expressing deep regret at Kerr's decision to stand down, but no reason was given for his departure midway through the season. "The club would like to pay tribute to Jim's immense contribution to Linfield over very many years," the south Belfast club said. "The board are totally unanimous in giving fulsome praise for the hard work our former chairman has carried out on behalf of the club. "At a later date it is the intention of the club to more formally recognise Jim Kerr's long years of service to Linfield."
Linfield have announced the resignation of Jim Kerr who has been chairman of the Irish Premiership club since 2007.
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Margaret Hodge MP, chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) which commissioned the report, said the cost hike was "astonishing." A year ago, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, the body responsible for the clean up, said the cost would be £48bn. The work is also behind schedule, the report said. The Authority gave the £9bn Sellafield clean-up contract to Nuclear Management Partners (NMP), but following criticism of NMP's competence, decided in January to cancel the contract. "It is galling that breaking the contract will cost the public purse £430,000," said Mrs Hodge, whose committee recommended the Authority consider doing this a year ago. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, the Department of Energy and Climate Change, NMP, and Sellafield Ltd. are due to appear before the Committee on 11 March. Mrs Hodge said she expected them to "tell me how the escalation in cost of cleaning up Sellafield will be stopped and performance put back on track." Chris Jukes, regional officer of the GMB union, said: "GMB has been absolutely clear all along that the NMP model did not work at Sellafield. "Poor value for money, poor top NMP management and a lack of grip on key issues in an essential area for the UK energy sector, as well as the UK economy, have led to unbelievable decisions on expenditure." In 2008, the Authority gave the contract to NMP, as parent body of Sellafield Ltd, the site's licensed operator. But in February 2014, the PAC concluded that: "The Authority has not demonstrated why, given the lack of risk transferred to (Nuclear Management Partners) this 'parent body' arrangement at Sellafield provides value for money." Under a new structure, the Authority will take back ownership of Sellafield Ltd. The total cost of cleaning up the UK's 17 nuclear sites is "around £70bn", the NAO says. Sellafield is the "UK's largest and most hazardous nuclear site", including two nuclear fuel reprocessing plants, waste management and storage plants, as well as storage ponds and silos containing waste from the UK's first nuclear plants. The Authority aims to clear the site by 2120.
The cost of decommissioning and cleaning up the Sellafield nuclear site in Cumbria has increased by £5bn to £53bn, says the National Audit Office.
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The decision was taken after one of the students, 17-year-old Ruby Rai, told a local media channel that political science was about cooking. Video of the interview with her and other students went viral in India. Last year, parents of students in the state were photographed climbing school walls to pass on answers. The embarrassed state government had announced tough measures like fines and jail terms intended to curb cheating this year. The markedly lower pass rate seen in the results announced last week was taken as an indication that the steps had worked. That is, of course, until the footage of arts student Ruby Rai's interview was aired. The government said that her result, as well as that of Saurabh Shrestha who came first in science and was unable to answer a simple chemistry question, had been suspended with immediate effect. The two students, along with 12 others who excelled in the examinations, will now have to appear for a written test and interview before a panel of subject experts on 3 June, Bihar examinations chairman Lalkeshwar Prasad Singh told Indian media. Their handwriting will also be checked to verify if they answered their own questions, he said.
Fourteen students who topped school leaving exams in India's Bihar state will be retested amid concerns they cheated, the state government has said.
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Sabrina Walsh, 32, died in October 2016 at the Woodlands Centre in St Leonards. An inquest heard a nurse said Ms Walsh should be moved to a secure unit in Crawley after earlier suicide attempts. A jury in Hastings concluded she fell victim to a "gross failing of medical care" for which Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust apologised. The hearing was told that after being was sent to Woodlands, an "inadequate and serious failure" in her handover meant staff did not know Ms Walsh was high-risk. Diane Hull, chief nurse for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Ms Walsh was a vulnerable young woman under our care and she died in tragic circumstances. For that I am sorry." The court heard Ms Walsh, known as Sabby, deliberately hanged herself with a ligature. She was only checked on once an hour instead of having one-to-one observation - as admission procedures dictate. Speaking after the inquest Ms Walsh's mother Christine Lavers, said: "Sabby was a highly intelligent, loving and caring young woman, but she was very vulnerable and she was failed. "There was no care that day. It's horrendous. "She may still be alive if they actually assessed her and put her on one-to-one observation, she couldn't have harmed herself." The jury concluded: "By not following procedures this has had a clear and direct effect on her passing. This is a gross failing of medical care from staff at Woodlands." Ms Hull said changes, including replacing bathroom doors with ones where there are no ligature points, had been made to "ensure nothing like this can happen again". There was a similar incident seven years ago when the centre was closed after two suicides within months of each other. Coroner for East Sussex, James Healy Pratt, said he would be writing a Prevention of Future Deaths Report regarding the ongoing lack of CCTV cameras in the communal areas of the ward.
A mental health trust has apologised over the death of a patient who took her own life just four hours after arriving at a Sussex unit.
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Some 1,000 police officers were involved in searches that took place early on Thursday at Salafists' homes and meeting places in seven states. A Salafist group called Millatu Ibrahim, based in the western city of Solingen, has been banned. The raids follow clashes between police and some Salafists. German authorities believe the Salafists want to create a Sunni Islamic caliphate opposed to Western democracy and that some of the group support martyrdom and using violence. Raids took place in Bavaria, Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia, among other states. In one of the raids, police removed items from the home of Salafist preacher Ibrahim Abu Nagie in Cologne. The authorities have been monitoring Salafist campaigns to recruit supporters, including the distribution of free Korans. There are believed to be about 4,000 active Salafists in Germany, the state-owned broadcaster ARD reports. The BBC's Stephen Evans, in Berlin, said that Germany has a track record of violent Islamism, with some of the men who took part in the attacks of 11 September 2001 having worshipped at a Hamburg mosque. But, he adds, most of Germany's Muslims, most of whom are Turkish in origin, shun violence.
German police have launched nationwide raids targeting ultra-conservative Islamic Salafists, suspected of posing a threat to public order.
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10 October 2015 Last updated at 10:49 BST It happened just outside of Beijing, the capital city of China, as people were returning home from a national holiday. There are more than 30 lanes of vehicles, which then merge into fewer lanes - it can't have been fun being stuck in any one of them! Watch the clip to see the gigantic traffic jam...
If you don't like sitting in big traffic jams, then give a thought to the drivers and passengers in this huge jam.
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Every year hundreds of thousands of children see domestic abuse at home and it can happen to anyone. Alesha Dixon tells her story to Newsround, along with children who have experienced it first-hand themselves. We also see CBBC presenter Barney Harwood discover how widespread the problem is, when he spends time with a police unit responding to 999 calls.
Behind Closed Doors explores the rarely talked about issue of children witnessing domestic violence.
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The red kite was discovered by a member of the public at Daintry Wood near Toddington. An X-ray image showed it had 10 pieces of lead shot lodged in its body. The RSPB said: "This was clearly no accident and it is especially sad considering the lengths that have been taken to reintroduce these splendid birds to England." RSPB inspector Jenny Shelton said: "The bird will most likely have been shot at close range to incur this level of damage. "Red kites feed mainly on carrion, so there is no logical reason for these birds to be targeted". Bedfordshire Police has appealed for information about the shooting. Insp Mark Farrant said: "This is a particularly worrying incident against a bird that is fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. "I would ask anyone with information relating to this or similar incidents to call Bedfordshire Police." According to the RSPB, the shooting of birds of prey is a widespread problem in the UK. The organisation's latest Bird Crime report said there were 196 reports of shooting, trapping and destruction of birds of prey in 2015, including red kites. The species is protected under schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the punishment for killing one is up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to £5,000. Red kites became extinct in England in 1871, with only a handful of pairs left in remote parts of central Wales. The RSPB helped reintroduce them in 1989 and there are now about 1,000 red kites in England.
A protected bird of prey has been found dead in Bedfordshire and had likely been shot "at close range".
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The advert featured reality TV star Kendall Jenner leaving a photo shoot to join a heavily policed demonstration. She defuses the tension by walking to the police line and handing an officer a can of Pepsi, prompting cheers. In a statement posted on its website, Pepsi said they did not intend to make light of serious issues. The much-ridiculed advert was posted to YouTube on Tuesday evening but was no longer accessible there less than 24 hours later. For nearly two years, there have been protests about the use of force by police against African Americans. And since the election, there have also been demonstrations against President Donald Trump. The advert did not specify what the crowds of mainly young, and very good looking, people were marching for. Even their signs only had generic slogans like "conversation" and "voice". But within minutes of its launch, observers said it trivialised protests in cities like Baltimore, Maryland, and Ferguson, Missouri, that followed the police killing of black men. "If I had carried Pepsi, I guess I never would have gotten arrested. Who knew?" said DeRay McKesson, a leading activist in the Black Lives Matter movement. "Pepsi, this ad is trash." "Pepsi should fire its ad agency." New York Post "Uses protests to sell you a soda." New York Daily News "Perhaps the most puzzling aspect is the choice of Jenner - a rich, white celebrity - as leading lady." Salon "The campaign is tone-deaf, almost surreal in its thoughtlessness, and perverse in its attempt to use the fear and suffering of Americans to sell soda." Esquire Pepsi advert mocked - see the memes The fizzy drinks maker said it was "trying to project a global message of unity, peace and understanding". The statement went on: "Clearly we missed the mark, and we apologise. "We did not intend to make light of any serious issue. We are removing the content and halting any further rollout."
Pepsi has pulled an advert that sparked an outcry and accusations that the drinks maker was trivialising recent street protests across the US.
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A 30-second mobile phone video of the performance has been watched nearly 800,000 times on YouTube. The policeman had taken a break to sit down at one of the pianos placed around central Prague for public use. Still wearing his bright green reflective vest, he rattled off a few bars of a South Korean composition. Police chief Martin Cervicek said the clip of the officer playing River Flows In You, by the South Korean composer Yiruma, had done more to improve the image of the force than anything he himself would ever achieve. The young traffic policeman only joined the force six weeks ago but it is fair to say he is now the most famous officer in the Czech Republic, the BBC's Rob Cameron reports from Prague. Mr Cervicek said he had spoken to the officer, whose name has not been released, and wished him the same success in his police career. A superior had spoken to the new recruit about what he could and could not do on duty, he added, but the piano-playing policeman was not formally disciplined.
A Czech police officer who was filmed playing a piano while on duty has been lauded by the chief of police for boosting the force's image.
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The Russian Athletics Federation is barred from international competition because of allegations of state-sponsored doping and cover-ups. Clean athletes must pass extra doping checks and meet strict criteria for the IAAF to allow them to take part at this summer's Games. But some athletes have now appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Confirming the appeal, Russia's sports minister Vitaly Mutko did not name the 67 athletes. However, 2004 and 2008 Olympic pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva may be on the list because she had already announced plans to challenge the ruling. The IAAF set out the "exceptional eligibility" criteria for athletes that includes having their clean doping record verified by credible agencies - ruling out their own authorities. Because the vast majority of Russian athletes train at home, the IAAF has already suggested "very few" will be deemed eligible. The ban has been described as "legally indefensible" by the president of the Russian Olympic Committee, Alexander Zhukov. The IAAF insists any Russian athletes cleared to compete in Rio must do so on a "neutral" basis and not under the Russian flag, as International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach had suggested.
A total of 67 Russian athletes have lodged appeals against their bans from this summer's Rio Olympics.
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PC Dave Phillips, 34, died after a pick-up truck mounted a central reservation in Wallasey, Merseyside, in October last year. Appearing at Liverpool Crown Court, Clayton Williams, of Wheatland Lane, Wallasey, denied PC Phillips's murder and attempting to wound his colleague. Mr Williams is due to stand trial at Manchester Crown Court on 7 March. Married father-of-two PC Phillips had been responding to reports of a burglary in Woodchurch Road, Birkenhead, when he died in the early hours of 5 October. He and a colleague had been attempting to stop a vehicle using a tyre-puncturing "stinger" device, police said. Fellow officers tried to save his life before he was rushed to hospital, but he died shortly after arrival. PC Phillips' widow Jen attended the hearing.
An 18-year-old man has denied murdering a Merseyside Police officer who died after being struck by a vehicle.
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Police Scotland said it was "disappointed" that 210 drivers were stopped in the fortnight when heavier penalties were introduced. They doubled on the 1 March from three to six penalty points on a licence and a £200 fine. In the first five days of the law change, police said 42 people were charged or reported. Deputy head of road policing for the force, Supt Fraser Candlish, said: "While it is clear that proportionately more people were caught in the ten days prior to the new penalties being introduced, this coincided with a period when there was a great deal of advertising and publicity highlighting the change. "It is extremely disappointing that in the first five days of the new penalties being implemented, more than 40 drivers were still prepared to put the lives of both themselves and other road users at risk by using such devices while they were driving. "There can be no excuse, as there was widespread public knowledge of the change. "Road Policing Officers will continue to look out for anyone breaking the law, and my advice is to simply either switch off your phone entirely while driving, or only make or answer a call if you are parked."
More than 200 people have been caught using a mobile phone while driving in just 14 days.
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Infantino succeeds fellow Swiss Sepp Blatter, after polling 115 votes, 27 more than closest rival Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa, at Friday's election. Infantino was not the favoured candidate of Caf, who had given its backing to Sheikh Salman. Despite that, Cameroon's Hayatou - who had been Fifa's acting president in the lead-up to the election - sent Infantino a letter, dated 27 February 2016, congratulating him on behalf of the Caf Executive committee and 'the African football family': "Be assured of the continued support of Caf, African members of the new Fifa Council, as well as our commitment to strengthening the excellent relationship between Caf and Fifa," Hayatou wrote. After his victory, Infantino promised to restore the image of Fifa, and Hayatou backed him to fulfil his pledge. "We are confident that you will restore Fifa's image backed by your career, skills, passion for football, understanding of the issues related to the future of football, and your desire to develop our sport around the four corners of the world," said the Caf President. With 54 member African confederations able to vote in the presidential election - more than any other Fifa region - Caf's support for Sheikh Salman installed the Bahranian as a favourite to win. But in the lead-up to the election, some African federations confirmed they would not be following Caf's directive, including Liberia, whose FA Chairman Musa Bility claimed that 26 African FA presidents had told him they would not be voting for Sheikh Salman.
Issa Hayatou, the head of the Confederation of African Football (Caf), has formally written to Gianni Infantino to congratulate him after being voted in as the new president of football's world governing body Fifa.
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The report by BOP Consulting, for BBC Wales, said the corporation's decision to move to Central Square in 2019 would speed up the area's redevelopment. It said while the scheme could have gone ahead anyway, employment will start more quickly because of the move. Final sign-off for the BBC building was agreed on Monday. The report said the BBC's presence would not only attract creative industries, but make Central Square and the surrounding area more attractive for a range of businesses. It will also be the catalyst for transport improvements, which will disperse the economic benefits and increase employment in the wider region, it said. Richard Naylor, director of research at BOP Consulting said: "While Central Square could have gone ahead regardless, it's clear that without BBC Wales this level of impact would not happen. "The vital economic difference is that BBC Wales is a catalyst for commercial investment and consumer spending, which quickly creates economic opportunities that wouldn't otherwise exist." BBC Wales Director Rhodri Talfan Davies said the broadcaster was leaving a large, inefficient site in Llandaff and moving to a smaller, more cost-effective space because it needed to work smarter and leaner. "But the £1.1bn benefit triggered by the move is a big boost for the economy and for the people who live here," he added. Cardiff council leader Phil Bale said: "I can't wait to see this development take shape and to watch the benefits it brings for everyone who lives here." Meanwhile, developer Taylor Wimpey has submitted a planning application for up to 400 homes at the broadcaster's current site in Llandaff.
BBC Wales' move from Llandaff to Cardiff city centre will inject more than £1bn into the economy in the next 10 years, a report has said.
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The project will see better access to the sunken park in the city centre as well as a cafe and gallery space. Glasgow-based architects LDA Design came up with the plans which were backed by 94% of those who responded to a public consultation. The cost of the project has not been revealed - but earlier estimates put it at about £20m. Work could begin on the redevelopment later this year. The proposals include new access from Union Street and Union Terrace at the existing Burns Monument. The central lawn space would be retained, and there would be a new café pavilion opposite His Majesty's Theatre. Four years ago, councillors rejected plans for a £140m transformation of the gardens. Businessman Sir Ian Wood had offered £50m towards the cost.
A revamp of Aberdeen's Union Terrace Gardens has been approved by city councillors.
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The 22-year old came on as a late substitute against Sporting Kansas City to score with his first touch of the ball in a 1-0 win on his MLS debut on Friday. "Being out for six months and with all that has been going on, I feel really happy besides scoring the goal but playing in the game," Kamara said. "I want to be part of this team, I want to be part of the family, so it's just great," he added. Kamara's former club IFK Norrkoping, who are the Swedish champions, took him off their squad list for the season in February after it was detected that he had an usual heart defect that carries a great risk for sudden death at maximum effort. The defect was discovered when he underwent a mandatory Uefa heart examination as IFK Norrkoping were due to play in the Champions League qualifiers. Both Uefa and Fifa recommended that Kamara stop playing. But the Swedish league winner refused to give up and decided to undergo further tests in the United States, where it was found that he had no life threatening heart problem. The heart specialists who carried out the tests cleared Kamara to play in MLS, paving the way for him to be signed by DC United. Kamara netted six goals to help Norrkoping win the 2015 Swedish league and was hoping to play Champions League football.
Sierra Leonean striker Alhaji Kamara scored a winner for MLS side DC United on his return to action, three months after being told he needed to quit football because of a heart defect.
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Another 11 were injured when the driver lost control of the minibus and ploughed through a crash barrier. Local media said no foreign tourists were among the passengers. Turkish media said the vehicle was heading towards Marmaris for a mother's day event, which is celebrated on Sunday there. The victims are believed to be mainly women and children. Amric Cicek, governor of Mugla province, suggested the brakes may have stopped working. But the mayor of Marmaris, Ali Acar, told Turkish newspaper Hurriyet: "I think that the accident was a result of driver error." Turkey's Andalou news agency said the crash took place on the Mugla-Antalya road at the Sakar Gecidi pass. The vehicle landed on another section of road below after it went through the crash barrier. Rescue teams were dispatched and the injured were taken to hospital, Andalou said.
At least 23 people have died after a tourist bus fell from a cliff near the southern Turkey seaside resort of Marmaris.
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The last tickets to the three-day June event in Somerset sold out in 20 minutes earlier as people flooded the website. Some fans complained on social media, describing @seetickets site as "the worst website in history". The BBC has approached the ticketing company for comment. To buy a Glastonbury tickets, pre-registration is first needed. The general admission tickets sold out in October, but buyers need to pay the full balance by April. If they do not, their tickets are re-sold again to those who have pre-registered. For those who missed out on the initial sale, Sunday's resale was the last chance to secure a ticket, but many were left disappointed. One vented their feelings on Twitter saying: "Through to the registration screen 5 times and couldn't click proceed." Others also said they had problems, with one frustrated fan writing they filled in their details three times but kept returning to the queue. Another stated: "So the sold out screen works fine for the server but not the actual ticket sales. such a shocking system #glastonbury #glastonbury2017" Another said: "How can the Glastonbury resale tickets be sold out when nobody ever gets past the first page." But some people were successful. One festivalgoer wrote: "First time applying for Glastonbury tickets and I got them within 6 minutes. I was frantic putting my details in. #Glastonburyresale". Another successful fan said: "4th time trying for Glastonbury tickets and I got them!!!! "The festival confirmed the event is now sold out, with a message on the official Twitter page saying : "This morning's resale tickets have now all been sold. "Thanks to everyone who bought one and sorry to those of you who missed out." The ticket company also warned fans via Twitter not to buy tickets illegally.
Music fans have vented their frustration as they struggled to buy resale tickets for Glastonbury Festival online.
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19 May 2016 Last updated at 22:52 BST They are the second party to announce that they will not join the DUP and Sinn Féin in the Stormont executive. Last week the UUP said they would do the same. Enda McClafferty reports.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has announced that the party will go into opposition in Northern Ireland.
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Karl McCartney, Conservative MP for Lincoln, told one official they were a "pedantic SOAB". The jibes emerged as Mr McCartney claimed he was a victim of "bullying" by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa). Speaking in the House of Commons, he admitted his comments were inappropriate and apologised. During Business Questions earlier, Mr McCartney said Ipsa chief executive Andrew McDonald had used "bullying tactics and threats" to silence him regarding concerns he had raised over their spiralling costs. He then accused senior management of using "false innuendo and subterfuge" to smear the name of politicians. In a letter later sent to the MP, Mr McDonald denied the bullying allegations and insisted Ipsa was providing good value to the taxpayer. He wrote: "Some of the notes written by you, and attached to your claims, were recently brought to my attention. "Having reviewed those notes, I was taken aback by the content, which ranged from abusive through to the offensive and condescending. "We will do all that is reasonable to shield our team from such treatment. Ipsa's team deserves to be treated in a courteous manner. "I ask that you desist from correspondence which falls below this standard." In a statement, Mr McCartney admitted his messages had been "inappropriate" and said he regretted having made the comments. "I accept that such comments have given cause for offence," he said. "You will not see me making similar remarks in the future in respect of Ipsa, which has a difficult and important job to do."
An MP has apologised after he wrote offensive notes to his staff processing his expenses claims.
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A council community safety team is also carrying out checks around the clock at the Interfloor site at Heathhall. It comes after a meeting of Dumfries and Galloway's local resilience partnership group at the weekend. It warned young people who were still entering the building despite repeated warnings that it was an "extremely dangerous playground". The resilience partnership is made up of bodies including Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Services, Dumfries and Galloway Council, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the NHS. It agreed that patrols of the perimeter of the building should be carried out "day and night". Fencing has been added to fill in gaps and ground floor windows boarded up. Children have been continuing to slip into the building despite repeated warnings of the dangers. Talks are ongoing with the owners of the site to try to make it safe. Insp Gordon McKnight said: "The site at Interfloor has been fenced off for very good reasons and is clearly a dangerous place to go into. "I would urge parents to ensure that they highlight this to any children who might think of venturing into the area. "Police and community safety teams are actively patrolling the area and anyone found in, or attempting to get into the site will be dealt with through the courts where appropriate." Anyone who sees anything suspicious has been asked to contact police.
Regular police patrols are taking place to try to stop children sneaking into a derelict factory.
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Edwards, 36, retired on Wednesday and is the only player - man or woman - to captain England in 200 internationals. "Grassroots is an area we've not taken enough care of recently," said England women's cricket director Clare Connor. "We must make sure we look after every player and make sure they are as valued as Charlotte Edwards." Media playback is not supported on this device Connor, herself a former England captain, added that the grassroots game would be "an area of investment" for the England and Wales Cricket Board "over the next few years" as they try to capitalise on the 'Chance to Shine' initiative, which has attracted 1.3 million female players to the game in the past decade. The Women's Super League is also scheduled to start in July and England will host the World Cup in 2017. Speaking at the Women's Sport Trust Awards, Connor told BBC Sport: "It's no good just having an elite game. "We have to think more broadly about how we make sure the inspiration of the England team connects with the next generation. "We've seen huge growth in girls playing the game. The number of clubs is up by 600% over the past 10 years so the numbers are looking healthy. "But we've got to become more strategic about how we convert those huge numbers into lifelong players. That doesn't mean they all go on to play county cricket, or for England, but stay with clubs for a long time."
There must be greater focus on the English grassroots game to build on the legacy of Charlotte Edwards, says the head of England women's cricket.
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A TV documentary by state broadcaster ARD said employees' rooms were searched, they were frisked at breakfast and constantly watched. Employment Minister Ursula von der Leyen said some employment agencies could lose their operating licences. In a statement, Amazon said it would follow up complaints. "The suspicion weighs heavily; therefore all facts must be put on the table as quickly as possible," Mrs von der Leyen told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper. "If the special investigation finds that there is some substance to the complaints against the employment agencies, then their licences are in question." The film showed the living and working conditions of agency workers brought in to help with the Christmas rush, principally at an Amazon warehouse in Bad Hersfeld, in the state of Hesse. It showed staff living quarters in cramped holiday accommodation a long way from the Amazon warehouse, which could only be reached by an unreliable bus service. Many of the temporary workers came from Spain and Poland. Workers from outside Germany were shown as receiving the worst harassment from security guards from a private firm, Hensel European Security Services (Hess). Hess was under contract to an employment agency, not to Amazon itself. The firm said it rejected allegations that it supported the far-right. However, it confirmed its guards had carried out room searches. In a statement, Amazon said: "Our goal is to deliver orders quickly and reliably to our customers. "We know this only works with a contented workforce... We will follow up each incident in our logistics centres and their surroundings which is brought to our attention by our staff, and if need be, will implement thorough improvements."
Germany is demanding explanations from the online retail giant Amazon after a TV documentary showed seasonal workers being harassed by security guards.
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While it limits recruitment from outside the EU, it has "stimulated recruitment" from EU countries, the home affairs select committee said. Net migration rose by 30% in the year to June, to 336,000 - more than three times David Cameron's intended target. The PM has said he will not abandon his aim to reduce the figure to 100,000. Under the immigration cap, introduced in 2011, the number of "tier 2" visas issued to skilled workers from non-EU countries is limited to 20,700 a year. But a report by the select committee concluded the limit had been "counter-productive". It added that "a large number" of applications from nurses with job offers in the UK were being rejected because of limits on the number of visas issued each month. Committee chairman Keith Vaz said the government's immigration cap was having "no effect" on bringing down net migration - the difference between those coming into the country and those going out each year - but "could have caused a crisis in the NHS this winter". He said: "When the cap was reached earlier this year, we saw the perverse effects of the system, as the cap prioritises higher-paid jobs. "In June, nurses were being prevented from working in the UK, which necessitated the government taking emergency measures to allow recruitment to continue. "Whilst this was a very welcome move, it is clear to see that the system could have caused a crisis in the NHS this winter. "A system which encourages panicked adjustments to be functional is not fit for purpose. Nurses should remain on the shortage occupation list." A total of 641,000 people moved to the UK in 2014, the Office for National Statistics said.
The government's immigration cap on skilled workers has had no effect on bringing down net migration and is not "fit for purpose", MPs say.
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Earlier this week the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) indicated that the game would start at 17:30 GMT. However a statement released by Portadown on Saturday night said they were "disappointed" that Crusaders have appealed to NIFL about the matter. The Portadown Supporters' Society have plans to hold a supporters' event. They hope to run this in conjunction with the new kick-off time and Portadown had their application for a late kick-off approved by NIFL. "Crusaders subsequently came to Portadown requesting the kick off time be returned to 15:00 GMT as one of their players had already booked flights to leave Belfast for England that evening," read the statement released by Portadown. "Due to the supporters' initiative, Portadown were unable to alter their plans," the statement continued. "This appeal to the NIFL would appear to have no foundation in the rules and now puts the plans and money of Portadown's Supporters' Society at risk. "At a time when everyone should be trying to encourage more supporters to get involved with the NIFL, we would ask Crusaders FC to withdraw their appeal as soon as possible and allow the PSS to get on with their plans for the day."
Portadown and Crusaders appear to be in dispute over the kick-off time for their Irish Premiership fixture at Shamrock Park on Saturday 25 February.
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10 November 2015 Last updated at 14:46 GMT Christopher Badman, 37, from Bridgend, had put the bag on his head before entering the Marine Hotel in Porthcawl during the town's Elvis festival. Badman was seen on CCTV walking through the corridors but was disturbed by a guest after he broke into a bedroom and tried to steal a laptop. He was arrested a few days later. Cardiff Crown Court heard the burglary took place on 27 September 2015 when the town was holding its biggest annual event, which sees Elvis impersonators from all around the world flock to the seaside resort. Badman admitted burglary and was ordered to pay £900 costs and a £100 surcharge.
A burglar has been jailed for 16 months after he was caught on camera lifting a carrier bag disguise from his head and looking at a security camera.
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Mayor George Ferguson has said it would be "mad" to build one but proposals for a 480-space, eight-storey car park are due to go before the council next week. The council's Alistair Reid said it was a "marginal" increase on plans for 200 spaces for the 12,000 capacity venue. Cabinet members will also be told that it will cost an extra £28m to develop the surrounding "Arena Island" site. A report, seeking approval to borrow money for the project, will go to Bristol City Council's cabinet on 1 March. Mr Reid, services director for economy, said the planned 200 spaces for disabled people and the arena's operators would always have had to be relocated, as land was being redeveloped. He has proposed an additional 280 spaces and said the "marginal" increase would "pay for itself over the lifetime of the arena project". "This is not about changing the whole transport policy or transport approach to the arena," he said. The report notes that a new city centre car park "is contrary to council policy", but notes other car parking spaces may have to be reduced in the centre. In September, Mr Ferguson said he had been told "it would be mad to put a car park on the site" - the council favours encouraging public transport and cycling. If cabinet approves the idea it would still need planning permission. Paul Breeden, editor of South Bristol Voice, told the BBC his readers were "a bit baffled" at the news which he said was coming out "rather late", the week before councillors will be asked to grant planning permission for the arena.
A decision not to build a car park for Bristol's new £92.5m city centre arena will be reconsidered by the council.
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The Louisa sank on 9 April as it lay at anchor in calm seas off Mingulay in the Western Isles. The bodies of two crew members have been found. The skipper is still missing and presumed dead. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) said salvaging the boat would aid its investigation. The crabber is being taken to a dock on Clydebank. The bodies of Chris Morrison, 27, from Harris, and Martin Johnstone, 29, from Halkirk, Caithness, were found following the sinking. Skipper Paul Alliston, 42, from Lewis, remains missing despite a massive search. Only Lachlann Armstrong, 27, from Stornoway, Lewis, survived after swimming ashore.
A crab boat that sank with the loss of three fishermen has been raised on the instructions of accident investigators.
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Vincent Copeland from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, who admitted three counts of making indecent images, must join a sex offenders' treatment programme. He confessed to the offences in a letter to friends found at his home, Ipswich Crown Court court heard. Judge David Goodin said Copeland had been "completely humiliated". The 61-year-old was arrested after officials in the US contacted the UK authorities about his online activity, and police went to his home in Leigh Road. The charges related to seven images. Three were in the most serious category - A - and involved boys as young as 10. Two were category B and a further two category C. In the letter found at his home he said he was ashamed and he would serve his sentence. An earlier hearing revealed Copeland often talked online with other adult males as well as posing as a child having fantasy chats online, but he had never touched a child. Judge David Goodin said: "As a teacher and a magistrate he should have known better... it's complete humiliation." He gave him credit for his early guilty plea and for the fact he had previously referred himself to a self-funded Lucy Faithfull foundation treatment programme. He told him: "You could never have imagined yourself in this position." He said the three-year community order had two conditions - that he take part in a 30-day rehabilitation activity programme and in an internet sex offenders' treatment programme.
A former magistrate and retired deputy head who made images of child sexual abuse has been given a three-year community order.
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Twenty-six men were charged with rioting and related offences during serious disturbances in north Belfast. All were granted legal aid and all pleaded guilty. The bill could rise when other claims are processed. The information was released by Justice Minister David Ford in reply to a question by Lord Morrow in the Assembly.
The cost of legal aid for people prosecuted for rioting in Belfast in July 2010 has topped £34,000.
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The PSNI said six vehicles were targeted in the arson attacks, with five of them extensively damaged. The incidents happened in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday morning. The PSNI said it was investigating a link between the incidents. The first arson attack was on a Seat Leon in Hampton Grove at about 01:20 GMT on Saturday. A short time later an attempt was made to set a car on fire on the Mill Road, but no damage was caused. On Sunday morning, there were arson attacks on four cars - on a Citroen Berlingo in Glebe Village Gardens shortly after 02:00; on a Volkswagen Golf and Audi on Killyglen Road; and on a Citroen car in Blackthorn Green after 04:30.
Police are appealing for information after five cars were set on fire in Larne, County Antrim.
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The company says the changes form part of a wider programme of transformation, which has been taking place over the last two years. The proposed changes will reduce the number of Tesco distribution centres from 25 to 23 in the UK. However, Tesco said it expected to create 500 jobs as part of the changes, which should be in place by June. The announcement comes as Tesco prepares to issue a trading statement on Thursday that will give details of its retail performance over the Christmas period. Like its main High Street rivals - Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons - the supermarket chain has been struggling to maintain market share in the face of competition from German discounters Aldi and Lidl. Rising inflation fuelled by the pound's weakness since the Brexit referendum is also expected to exacerbate problems for the Big Four supermarkets, as imported products become more expensive when priced in sterling. However, analysts are forecasting a rise in sales over the Christmas trading period. The revamp of Tesco's logistics involves the closure of the Welham Green, Hertfordshire, and Chesterfield distribution centres. Welham Green's grocery operations will move to the Reading distribution centre, while the majority of general merchandising will move into one distribution centre at Middlesbrough. Tesco is also withdrawing from a warehouse shared with logistics firm DHL in Daventry, Northamptonshire. Clothing operations there will move to the nearby Tesco Daventry distribution centre. Retail analyst Steve Dresser tweeted that the plan was "a risk". "One has to hope it's not cost-driven and is naturally occurring, given their better operation in stores," he said. "Taking away depots and logistics flexibility whilst also taking store night-fill away could leave things very tight indeed."
Tesco says 1,000 people are to be made redundant as part of a shake-up of its distribution network.
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The 20-year-old left-back, who had two months on loan at Cambridge United last season, has signed to remain with the Sky Blues until 12 January, 2017. Page is eligible to make his debut in Tuesday's EFL Cup first-round tie at home to Portsmouth. The West Ham Academy player made his first-team debut for the Hammers in July 2015 in the Europa League. "We have bought him in to create competition in the left-back area," Sky Blues boss Tony Mowbray told BBC Coventry & Warwickshire, "with Chris Stokes likely to be out with injury for longer than expected." Stokes missed the final two months of last season after being stretchered off with a knee injury in City's 1-0 win at Blackpool. City began their fifth consecutive season in League One on Saturday with a 1-0 defeat at Swindon. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.
Coventry City have signed defender Lewis Page on loan from Premier League side West Ham United.
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The culprits made off with cash and drinks including champagne and spirits in the break-in at Vecchia Bologna overnight on Friday, 5 December. It is thought more than one person was involved in the raid given the quantity of alcohol taken. Officers have warned the alcohol may be offered for sale in the Stirling area. They appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
Police are hunting for thieves who stole "a large quantity of alcohol" from an Italian restaurant in Bridge of Allan.
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First half profits fell 25% to €330m (£282m) due partly to falling demand in China and Italy. But Prada said it saw 2016 as "a turning point." It has been reviewing prices, product variety and online marketing to appeal to more customers. Revenue fell 15% to €1.55bn compared to this time last year and in April Prada announced its lowest profits in five years. It was previously criticised for opening too many new stores and failing to invest enough online. Prada said it was on track with plans to double its e-commerce sales over the next two years by increasing the number of products it offered online, particularly shoes. It will also expand its social media activities so it can raise its profile among "the 'always connected' millennials," referring to the 20s -30s age group. The company added it was working on a "potential launch of 'shoppable' content with selected key items on Instagram". This at a time when rival luxury brand Mulberry, also known for its leather handbags, reported a trebling of profits in June following a switch to more affordable products. Mulberry has struggled in recent years as a result of the company's failed attempt to compete with higher end brands, such as Prada and Fendi. Mulberry has spent the past two years introducing new designs and bringing in lower priced bags in the £500 to £800 range.
Italian luxury fashion group Prada has predicted a return to growth as it seeks to connect with younger customers through online sales and flexible pricing.
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Arbroath took the lead when Greg Rutherford broke free and found Josh Skelly inside the area. Substitute Sergio Cecilia found the corner just after the hour mark to open a two-goal lead. Linn latched onto a Ramsay through-ball as Arbroath coasted to victory.
Bobby Linn's 10th goal of the season helped leave East Stirlingshire marooned to the bottom of League Two after they went down at home to Arbroath.
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Sport Wales' latest Active Adults survey showed 41% of adults are "hooked on sport" - take part three or more times a week - up from 39% in 2013 and 29% in 2008. About 67% of those not already "hooked" would like to do more sport, the survey found. More than 8,000 people aged 15 and over were interviewed as part of the study. While the survey showed volunteers had fallen slightly from 10% of adults in 2012 to 9% in 2015, there had been a 25% increase in hours volunteered. However, it found there are still gaps in participation between males (46%) and females (35%), disabled (29%) and non-disabled (48%). The study also showed those from Wales' most deprived areas are less likely to be hooked, with 39% of people taking part in a sport. Sport Wales chief executive Sarah Powell said: "What these results show is that we have been successful in sustaining the incredible swell in numbers of volunteers and participants which followed the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics." But she said they needed to "continue to evolve our approach" to make sure there was sport on offer for everyone's needs. If you've been inspired to get involved in sport, you can see our full list of activity guides or try our Activity Finder to find events and activities near you.
More than one million people in Wales want to participate in more sport, a new survey has revealed.
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There will be no trains between Cardiff Central and Cardiff Queen Street, Wales' two busiest stations, and work may go on until early Monday morning. Network Rail will be replacing track on Cardiff Central's platforms four and six as part of work to upgrade the signalling system. Programme manager Neil Workman said it was the "final piece" of the work. A number of routes in south Wales will be affected over the weekend, including: Arriva Trains Wales has advised customers to check its website before they travel in, out and around the Welsh capital this weekend as replacement bus services are in operation.
Trains around South Wales will be affected by engineering works in Cardiff this weekend.
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Media playback is not supported on this device Whiley and Japan's Kamiji went a set down as the Dutch second seeds started confidently on court three. But 25-year-old Whiley and Kamiji, 23, recovered to take the second and did not lose a game in a decisive third to extend their winning run at Wimbledon. They receive £12,000 in prize money. Whiley, who spent eight months out with injury since her last Wimbledon title, told BBC Sport: "This is by far the most special for me. I really did try my hardest. I'm so happy. "Yui's my best friend, I would do anything for Yui, I would try my hardest for Yui and I know she would do the same. "That's what makes it such a special doubles team."
Britain's Jordanne Whiley and partner Yui Kamiji won a fourth successive Wimbledon women's wheelchair doubles title as they saw off Marjolein Buis and Diede de Groot 2-6 6-3 6-0.
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Shi, a representative of Fosun, will move to the West Midlands next month to be involved on a "day-to-day basis". He led negotiations on behalf of Fosun, which led to their £45m takeover of Wolves from Steve Morgan in July 2016. "I think this will help us to work together even closer, and make our leadership team stronger," said Shi. "Since Fosun became owners of the club, I have travelled over from China on several occasions, and it has always been a strong intention that I would relocate when the time was right. "Despite the season having its highs and lows, I have enjoyed every minute of the challenge so far, and I believe we are well placed to make sustained and consistent progress over the next 12 months." Wolves, who finished 15th in the Championship last season, have had four managers in less than a year under Fosun, with former Porto and Valencia boss Nuno Espirito Santo appointed last month.
Wolves have named club director Jeff Shi as chairman after approval from the club's Chinese owners Fosun International.
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With Valentino Rossi and Dani Pedrosa among the riders to crash out, Aspar Team rider Laverty moved up the field in Texas from 17th spot early on. Laverty, 29, finished fourth in the previous round in Argentina. Marc Marquez secured his fourth straight win in the race as he finished 6.107 seconds ahead of Jorge Lorenzo. Italy's Ducati rider Andrea Iannone took third spot 10.947 seconds behind Marquez. Laverty is now ninth in this year's championship on 21 points after also finishing 12th in the season opener in Qatar. The Toomebridge man managed just nine points last season. Laverty's performance completed a good day for his family after his brother Michael took a victory at the British Superbikes Championship meeting at Silverstone.
Eugene Laverty secured his third straight points finish of the MotoGP season as he took 12th in the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin.
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India, who held a first innings lead of 213, lost Murali Vijay in the fifth over and Rohit Sharma first ball. But Kohli, reprieved by TV replay after being given out on five, shared an unbroken 133 with Ajinkya Rahane (52). India lead the top-ranked Test team 2-0 in the four-match series, the second match washed out after the first day. In his first match on his home ground as captain, Kohli revived his team after they had been 57-4, with South Africa seamer Morne Morkel claiming three of the wickets. Opener Murali (three) was given out to a rising ball from Morkel that appeared to flick his armguard before flying through to leaping wicketkeeper Dane Vilas, Vijay looking displeased with the decision and shaking his head as he departed. Morkel struck again with the first ball of his next over to dismiss Rohit Sharma for a golden duck, the ball zipping past the bat and flattening off-stump for Sharma's third single figure score of the series. India could have been 58-5 when Kohli was given out after Vilas claimed a catch at the wicket, but replays showed leg-spinner Imran Tahir had over-stepped and a no-ball was called. The skipper went on to his 12th half century in his 37th Test and shared in the first century stand of a low-scoring series in which South Africa's highest total is currently 214. A 3-0 series victory for India would take them to second in the world rankings behind South Africa, who will lose top spot if they are beaten in their next Test series at home to England, which begins on Boxing Day.
Captain Virat Kohli struck an unbeaten 83 as India extended their lead against South Africa to 403 at 190-4 after three days of the final Test in Delhi.
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Former captain Mitchell hit 67 from 71 balls in a five-wicket win over Derbyshire on Tuesday, taking him past 3,000 runs in List A cricket. "He has proved his worth as a fantastic one-day player," Rhodes told BBC Hereford and Worcester. "He is very resilient and always pops up with performances." Worcestershire finished top of the North Group and will play the winner of the South Group play-off in the last four on 16 or 17 June at New Road. Mitchell, 33, was relived of his role as Worcestershire captain at the end of last season, after six years in the job and replaced by Joe Leach. But he responded in fine style in the One-Day Cup, with both bat and ball, hitting half-centuries against Northamptonshire and Yorkshire and taking 3-38 against Durham on Sunday. "He missed out at the start of the campaign and Moeen [Ali] was playing," Rhodes said. "But since he's come back in he's had three scores of over 50 and also took wickets the other day. He's done a marvellous job."
Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes has praised Daryl Mitchell's contribution in securing a home semi-final in the One-Day Cup.
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Neil Taggart, who also served as a West Yorkshire Police Authority chairman and city councillor, pleaded guilty to eight child sex offences at Leeds Crown Court earlier. The 65-year-old has been sacked from the Labour Party after he was suspended in October, a party spokesman said. The crimes took place between 2007 and 2016, according to the Yorkshire Post. Taggart, of Marlowe Court, Garforth, is due to be sentenced on 4 July. In a statement, Labour said it had suspended him "as soon as the party became aware of the allegations he was facing". "Following his guilty pleas today, he has been auto-excluded from the Labour Party, as being convicted of a serious criminal offence means he is no longer eligible to be a party member." Leader of Leeds City Council, Judith Blake, said: "I condemn these despicable crimes in the strongest possible terms." Taggart served as Lord Mayor in 2003. He was a Labour councillor for more than 30 years before being deselected by the party in October 2013 ahead of the 2014 election.
A former Lord Mayor of Leeds has admitted making and distributing indecent photographs of children.
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The RMT union said a planned ticket office reorganisation would threaten 130 jobs, pay and safety. GTR intends to close 34 station ticket offices and staff 49 others only at peak times on Southern, Thameslink and Great Northern. Instead "station hosts" would assist passengers around stations. The two sides are already in a long-running dispute over the role of train conductors on Southern. The RMT said 70% of its members voted in favour of strike action and nearly 80% supported action short of a strike. It has not yet announced any strike dates. A GTR spokesman said only one in four (26.9%) voted for strike action with more than half of RMT station staff members ignoring the ballot. He added: "While disappointed, we urge the union to stop this dispute and save our passengers and staff further pain by becoming part of the solution rather than the problem." Stations listed for reduced ticket office hours include Chichester, Crawley, Dorking, Huntingdon, Hove, Lewes, Reigate, Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City and Worthing. Ticket window closures include Alexandra Palace, Caterham, Cricklewood, Lancing, Purley and Sutton.
Britain's largest rail franchise, Govia Thameslink (GTR) is facing more industrial action after station staff voted to strike.
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Rose Week is taking place at Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park, with a host of competitions and children's activities to mark the occasion. Thousands of visitors have already turned out to see the park's award-winning gardens. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the City of Belfast International Rose Garden. The garden was established by Belfast City Council, in partnership with the Rose Society of Northern Ireland (RSNI). On Thursday, judges from New Zealand, the United States and Norway will deliver their verdicts on this year's competing entries for the City of Belfast International Rose Trials. With points awarded for flowering, fragrance, foliage, disease resistance and length of flowering period, the standard of entries is expected to be very high. Brian McKinley, from Belfast City Council's parks and leisure services, said visitors return to the event every year because of the number of activities on offer. "The success of the rose garden and Rose Week is down to the beautiful smell and fragrance that you get from the garden, and the array of colours that you see in the park," he said. Belfast city councillor Gareth McKee said a plaque would be unveiled on Thursday to celebrate the rose garden's status as a "garden of merit". "The garden is recognised by the World Federation of Rose Societies as a 'garden of merit' - meaning it is one of the best in the world," he said.
International judges have arrived in Belfast for the city's annual horticultural event this week.
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The RNLI says six crew members have been brought in from the UK to staff the St Helier station in Jersey. The charity said the decision to remove coxswain Andy Hibbs was made due to a "serious risk to its ability to run a safe and effective lifesaving service". Mr Hibbs denies the claim he broke the volunteers' code of conduct. More on St Helier lifeboat and other Channel Island stories here The St Helier station was unmanned for the weekend and members of the public attended a silent protest on Sunday. The charity says the new crew members have come from various parts of the UK, and will remain until the dispute is resolved.
A lifeboat station is back in service, four days after 25 volunteers resigned in protest against the sacking of a senior crew member.
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The office of President Joyce Banda says the plane will be sold to the highest bidder. Her predecessor, the late Bingu wa Mutharika, was strongly criticised for buying the jet five years ago at a cost of about $13.3m (£8.5m). Donors cut aid to Malawi by $4.4 million after the purchase. Mrs Banda has refused to travel in the jet since she took office last April, following Mr Mutharika's unexpected death. She has said money from the sale of the Dassault Falcon 900EX would be used to provide basic services for Malawi's poor. The notice said the jet was in "perfect flying condition" and can fly a range of 4,500 nautical miles (8,380 km) non-stop. "The bids will be opened and offers read out in the presence of interested buyers or their representatives and any member of the general public on 20 February." When Mr Mutharika purchased the jet, he said it would be "cheap to run". However, the opposition and donors accused him of wasting money. Malawi is one of the poorest countries in Africa. It was hit by widespread protests over the rising cost of living towards the end of Mr Mutharika's rule. Since taking over, Mrs Banda has taken several steps to improve relations with Western donors.
Malawi's government has invited bids for its 14-seat presidential jet, which is being sold off as part of cost-cutting measures.
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A 50-year-old was taken to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy after a fire broke out in a chalet in Kelty at 10:50 on Monday. She has now been transferred to St John's Hospital in Livingston. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said the cause of the blaze was still under investigation. A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "Police Scotland and the Scottish fire and Rescue Service responded last night following a fire at a travellers site in Kelty. "A 50-year-old woman was seriously injured. "A joint investigation is currently underway to establish the full circumstances of the incident."
A woman is in a serious condition in hospital with arm and chest burns following a fire at a travellers site in Fife.
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"They are novices at playing the moving ball," Boycott said on BBC Test Match Special. "It was an embarrassing day for Australia. "Their batting was as pathetic as it was in the first innings." Boycott said Australia captain Michael Clarke is "under the cosh" and "lucky to be averaging 18". Clarke was caught at slip off Steven Finn for three and has just 94 runs in six innings in this series. Boycott also criticised Australia's bowling, saying he was "amazed at how badly" Mitchell Starc had bowled. Starc took nine wickets in the first two Tests of this series but was largely ineffective in taking 2-71 in England's innings at Edgbaston. "He had no discipline or direction. It was wild and wayward and down the leg side," Boycott said. Media playback is not supported on this device Boycott praised England's Steven Finn, who took 5-45, saying he "bowled some really good balls". Finn told BBC Radio 5 live he was "in a good place". He added: "There were lots of hurdles to overcome. Now I'm just running up and bowling, thinking about what the ball's doing. It took a while to unravel it all, but no-one goes through their career without going through ups and downs. "I've had a down and this day is certainly an up. I'd rather think about today than the past. To do it in an Ashes Test means a whole lot more." Finn also defended former England coach Ashley Giles, who was criticised on Twitter for having described Finn as "unselectable" in January 2014. "I don't think it was meant in a derogatory way," Finn said. "He was talking about how I couldn't have been picked to go out there and do a job for England in a one-day international in that series." Giles also defended his comments on 5 live, saying: "He was clearly in a bad place and the best thing to do was send him home. He actually was unselectable. "No-one wanted Steve around more than me. He was one of our key performers but he was a shadow of his former self at that time."
Australia's batting collapse on day two of the third Ashes Test was "pathetic" and "embarrassing", says former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott.
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Cardiff council has confirmed it is in early talks with the mayor of Bristol to work together on projects, including renewable energy and transport. Council leader Phil Bale said Cardiff would fall behind if it does not work with a major centre like Bristol. He said both cities have to recognise they are in competition with other major centres in England. Mr Bale stressed that by working together the two cities have a much better chance of lobbying the UK government for investment. However, he denied that the council was turning its back on Welsh devolution or suggesting that developing an economic Cardiff city region covering south east Wales is out of date. Mr Bale said he believes that different levels of governance are right for different things. In regards to marketing and transport in Cardiff and Bristol, the councillor said the two cities need to lobby for investment to head west out of London. "It's really important that we have those conversations (with Bristol) to see where they lead us, but also that we exploit opportunities like the Severn estuary, where there is clear shared opportunity to lobby the UK government." Asked about the likelihood of there one day being a "super city region" combining Cardiff, Newport and Bristol, the councillor said the idea was a possibility. "It's clearly early discussions but there's a real potential for us to explore that in more detail," he said.
Cardiff and Bristol are to work more closely to help compete for future investment, BBC Wales understands.
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However, 13% of those who claimed £4bn, saying they were misled about the financial state of the bank, are still heading for court next month. The bank announced it had agreed terms with a further 9% of all the claimants, taking the total to 87%. The previous agreement was reached in December 2016. The bank put aside £800m to settle the litigation and is understood to have paid a further £10m towards the legal costs for the latest agreement. However, RBS emphasised that the settlements reached were "without any admission of liability". They concern the rights issue in spring of 2008, months before the bank had to be bailed out. Then chief executive Fred Goodwin raised £12bn from shareholders, telling them the bank was sound. The legal claim is that bank executives knew of the Royal Bank's weakness and misled shareholders. The court case, due to start on 22 May, is scheduled to see Mr Goodwin on the stand on 8 June. It is reckoned by Royal Bank that the court case could continue for three to five years. Its strategy has been to try to reach out-of-court settlements, removing uncertainty over the potential costs. Chief executive Ross McEwan said: "We have been very clear that putting our legacy issues behind us is a priority so that we can focus on building the best bank for our customers, shareholders and employees. "We are pleased to have reached this agreement. We will continue to explore the possibility of settlement with the remaining claimants but if we cannot settle on agreeable terms we will defend the claims at trial." Royal Bank of Scotland is to publish its results for the first three months of 2017 on Friday morning.
Royal Bank of Scotland has moved closer to reaching a full settlement with the shareholder groups suing it over a 2008 issue of shares.
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The mother, named locally as Geraldine Newman, and her daughter and son were found on Tuesday in Allerton Bywater. The body of a man, named in reports as Ms Newman's estranged partner Paul, was found on cliffs on Anglesey. West Yorkshire Police said it believed the discoveries are linked. The identities of the victims have not been confirmed by the force. Det Ch Insp Warren Stevenson said: "Post-mortem examinations will take place today to establish the causes of the deaths of the victims who were found at a house in Beeston Way, Allerton Bywater, yesterday morning. "We are also continuing to liaise with North Wales Police to confirm the identity of the man who was found dead on cliffs at South Stack, Anglesey." The bodies of Ms Newman and her 11-year-old daughter and six-year-old son, named as Shannon and Shane, were found at their home in Beeston Way shortly before 12:00 GMT. More on this and other stories from across West Yorkshire Ms Newman, a branch manager for Wilko, was found downstairs while the two children were discovered upstairs. However, Mr Stevenson said they had died in "suspicious circumstances" and a murder inquiry has been launched. A spokesman for Wilko, where Ms Newman is said to have worked for 23 years, said she was a "loyal and enormously respected member of the team". The retailer said: "This is tragic news and has devastated everyone who worked with Geraldine, as well as impacting team members across the company. "Our heartfelt thoughts and condolences are with her family, friends and colleagues at this very difficult time and everything is being done to support those team members who are affected by this tragic news." Police have not said if a vehicle was recovered from near to where the man's body was discovered. South Stack is a rocky island, famous for its lighthouse and seabirds that roost in its 120ft (36m) high cliffs. It is about 160 miles from Allerton Bywater.
Police are continuing to investigate links between the deaths of a woman and her two children at a house near Leeds and the discovery of a man's body in north Wales.
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The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Ian McGregor, 30, stabbed his 57-year-old victim more than 40 times. He had denied attempting to murder her in her Kelso home on 25 October last year. However, a jury unanimously convicted him of the offence and also attempting to defeat the ends of justice. He will be sentenced next month. McGregor, described as a prisoner in Edinburgh, launched his assault on Elspeth Burns as she lay in bed after suffering from a migraine. He had been at her house earlier in the day and returned, entering through an unlocked door, before trying to murder her. The court heard his victim woke up as McGregor was stabbing her. She told the court that she had said to him: "What are you doing? Get off me, get off me." After the attack she got up but collapsed and shouted for help. She was taken to hospital and was found to have wounds to her head, neck, back and chest. A doctor described her injuries as extremely serious. She was found to have a punctured lung and an injury near her carotid artery. McGregor had denied attempting to murder her by repeatedly stabbing her on the head and body to her severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of her life. He told the court he had been at his brother's home at the time when the attack occurred. However, a jury unanimously convicted him and also found him guilty of attempting to defeat the ends of justice. The judge, Lord Summers, called for a background report on him ahead of sentencing next month and he was detained in custody.
A knife attacker has been found guilty of the attempted murder of a woman in her own home in the Borders.
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Media playback is not supported on this device The 34-year-old left Arsenal Ladies at the end of the 2016 season, bringing an end to her second spell at the club. The former England captain, who had previously played for the Gunners between 1999 and 2002, has also had spells at Charlton and Chelsea Ladies. "Casey is an experienced international defender with over 120 caps for England," manager Scott Rogers said. "Her reading of the game and ability on the ball is fantastic so I have no doubt that she will prove to be a great signing for us." Stoney added: "This is a great move for me joining a fantastic club and I am really excited for the new season." The WSL is moving to a winter schedule from September 2017, but first the clubs will play a shortened Spring Series from February to June 2017, alongside the Women's FA Cup.
England defender Casey Stoney has signed for Women's Super League One club Liverpool Ladies.
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The 24-year-old, in his second U's spell after one season at Barnsley in 2014-15, scored 22 goals in 52 games for the League Two side last season. Hibernian boss Neil Lennon has said a "deal fell through" to sign Berry. "The facts are at no point did we agree a fee at any football club for Luke Berry and that we turned down four bids for Luke Berry," said George. "We haven't accepted a bid, we don't want to accept a bid and we've got no need or desire to sell Luke. "But if the situation arises that it's the right deal and opportunity for Luke, and the right deal for the club, then I can't rule it out ever happening. At the moment it's not our intention." Berry came through the youth ranks at Cambridge and has since made 237 appearances in all competitions, scoring 59 times. "Our intention is always that we won't sell to a club in our league," George told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. "We want to keep our best players, but if the perfect opportunity arises for them and we can secure the right deal for the club, we have to be bigger than just looking at our immediate intentions because we'll never get a player willing to join us in the future."
Cambridge United have rejected four bids for midfielder Luke Berry, says U's chief executive Jez George.
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The Creative Industries Federation says film-making, music, advertising and video games are all big export earners but are often overlooked by ministers. It says enterprise zones, tax breaks and access to finance could help firms. The business secretary says he was committed to a "deal" with the sector. The role of the UK's creative industries, which also includes theatre, architecture, broadcasting, fashion, museums, and galleries was recognised when the government unveiled its industrial strategy Green Paper in January for boosting the post-Brexit economy. The Creative Industries Federation says ministers need to "overhaul" their approach. The federation has unveiled a blueprint of policy recommendations for the creative industries which it says is "the fastest growing sector of the UK economy". It said the creative economy supports 2.9m jobs, a rise of 5.1% between 2014 and 2015. Brexit means it is now "even more crucial" for the sector "to deliver more jobs, trade and exports", it adds. The federation's chief executive, John Kampfner, said: "There has been a tendency to dismiss the creative industries as something lightweight while claiming the glory of billions of pounds in trade that comes from hits such as War Horse, Sherlock and Slumdog Millionaire." He said the government should recognise that creative industries "will be as important to future economic success as traditional industries, such as cars or oil and gas". Among its other recommendations are campaigns to increase diversity in employment in the sector and advice for start-ups on exporting. Business Secretary Greg Clark said creative industries contributed nearly £90bn to the economy in 2015. He said TV producer Sir Peter Bazalgette is carrying out an independent review of how the sector "can help drive prosperity across the country by developing new technologies, capitalising on intellectual property rights and encouraging creativity from people of all ages and backgrounds". He added: "Through our industrial strategy I want to ensure we build on this sector's strengths, which is why we have committed to an early sector deal for the industry in our green paper."
Creative companies are becoming increasingly important to the UK's future economic success and should be at the heart of the government's new industrial strategy, a trade body says.
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The rail firm has said those travelling between the west and London on high speed trains must reserve a space by 18:00 BST the day before travelling. Previously, cyclists could only board with a bike during off-peak hours. This is being extended to all services. The firm has said the change brings it in line with other operators in the UK. The new regulations have prompted some criticism from passengers. Exeter Cycling Campaign tweeted: "Very disappointing @GWRUK only taking bikes on high speed trains if booked 2hrs in advance, even if there's a space." Trains to and from London will have six dedicated bicycle storage spaces on board, but those with a folding bike do not need to make a reservation, the company said. Dan Paines, from GWR, said: "It's getting more and more of a problem as more and more people bring their bikes on. "It's much more popular than it was, even two or three years ago. "What we're seeing is that people with bikes and tickets, turning up and finding that there's no space on that train, having to buy another ticket or pay a little bit more to get on the next one."
A new rule has come into force for train passengers travelling with their bicycles on some Great Western Railway (GWR) services.
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The tiny frogs are part of the Brachycephalus species and all of them grow no bigger than 1cm long, even the adults. Some of them also have brightly coloured poisonous skin, to help ward off any predators who would turn them into a meal. The brighter their skin, the more deadly they are. The researchers who found the frogs often had trouble trying to find them. Professor Marcio Pie, one of the researchers who discovered the frogs said: "You can hear them singing and there's probably hundreds of them, but you simply can't catch them! Because once you get closer, just from the vibration in the ground, they keep silent for, say, 20 minutes or half an hour. And then you have to go through the leaf litter very carefully with your hands." The frogs like to live in the cool cloud-forests of the mountains in the south of Brazil, and tend to spend their lives there. The valleys at the bottom of the mountains tend to be much warmer, meaning the different species of frogs all live on their separate mountains like islands, without ever meeting. Scientists think there are more unique species in this area, per square kilometre, than the Amazon rainforest. The researchers who discovered the new species say they think they have already found four more new species of frog, and have more expeditions planned on different mountains.
Seven new species of tiny frogs have been discovered on seven different mountains in Brazil.
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It has also raised its sales forecast for its key market of North America, where it has been enjoying a strong performance. The firm said net profit may reach as much as 2tn Japanese yen ($17.5bn; £10.96bn) for the year to March 2015. The carmaker's earlier forecast was for a net profit of 1.78tn yen. Toyota's executive vice president, Nobuyori Kodaira, said the firm had also raised its forecasts for operating profit and revenue for the period. "We are revising our operating income forecast upwards by 200bn yen to 2.5tn yen," he said. He said this reflected the progress made on marketing and in reducing costs, and also the change in foreign exchange rates. Toyota also reported results for the six months to September, with net profit up 12.6% to 1.12tn yen. The carmaker said its vehicle sales for the period had fallen in Asia, including in Japan, but had increased in North America and Europe. The net profit figure includes profits made with the firm's joint venture partners in China: China FAW Group and Guangzhou Automobile Group. The Japanese firm said its vehicle sales in North America had come to 1,395,105, up from 97,061 a year ago, but that in Japan, vehicle sales had decreased by 70,977 to 1,030,229. The news follows results from Toyota's rival Nissan, which reported on Tuesday a 25% increase in half-year profits. Like Toyota, Nissan said strong sales in its key market of North America had helped to offset weaker demand in some other markets. Japan's firms, especially those relying on exports, have benefited from the weakness in the yen, which helps bring down the cost of Japanese goods sold abroad. Japan's central bank, Bank of Japan, announced last week that it would expand its monetary stimulus measures, a move which has seen the yen weaken to a near seven-year low. The weaker yen has also helped big manufacturers such as Toyota and Nissan offset slower sales in Japan, where a sales tax rise earlier this year dented consumer activity. Toyota's positive full-year forecast comes despite a recall of 1.75 million vehicles worldwide over faulty brake installations and fuel component issues. The latest brake defect was found in some models of Toyota's Crown Majesta, as well as the Noah and Voxy models produced between June 2007 and 2012.
Japan's biggest car manufacturer, Toyota, has raised its full-year profit forecast by 12.4%, citing a weaker yen and cost cutting efforts.
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Jockey Jamie Spencer got the 11-1 chance up to win by a short head for trainer Nicky Henderson. Henderson is more used to training horses over the jumps and No Heretic had his first run since September 2013 when third in a hurdle race last month. His injuries have included one suffered jumping a fox in winning at Leicester in 2011, entailing a year off. "Then he did a tendon and needed nearly 1,000 days off. We thought we'd persevere as he's got a lovely pedigree and it's paid off," said Alex Cole, racing manager to owners Jim and Fitri Hay. Henderson, indicating the horse may run in the Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot next month, said: "He was a wounded soldier but it is great to see him come back." Earlier, the 8-15 favourite Somehow eventually prevailed, coming through late to win the Cheshire Oaks, under jockey Ryan Moore for trainer Aidan O'Brien.
No Heretic beat Nakeeta in a photo finish to win the Chester Cup in his first Flat race for 972 days.
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The 37-year-old former Southend and Bournemouth player made 14 appearances for the Reds after joining the West Sussex club in October. "We are now looking for another goalkeeper to compete with Callum Preston for the position," Crawley boss Mark Yates told the club website. "We hope to have someone by Saturday, when we play Yeovil." Yates continued: "Darryl has been extremely professional during his time here and we wish him all the best for the future."
Goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan has left Crawley Town after the League Two club withdrew the offer of a new contract.
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In June, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled that Apple infringed a patent of rival Samsung. President Barack Obama's trade representative has now vetoed that decision because of its "effect on competitive conditions in the US economy". Such a veto is a relatively rare event. The patent related to 3G wireless technology and the ability to transmit multiple services correctly and at the same time. The ITC ordered a halt on all imports and sales on AT&T-sold models of the iPhone 4, iPhone 3, iPhone 3GS as well as the iPad 3G and iPad 2 3G. Some of those devices are no longer on sale in the US. Such patents are called "standard essential patents" and they cover technology that must be used to comply with standards set by the industry as a whole. Import-ban orders from the ITC are subject to review by Mr Obama, and he had 60 days to veto the decision. His trade representative, Michael Froman, said that the administration was concerned about the use of essential patents in litigation. Apple welcomed the news and applauded Mr Obama "for standing up for innovation". It added: "Samsung was wrong to abuse the patent system in this way." Korea's Samsung responded: "The ITC's decision correctly recognised that Samsung has been negotiating in good faith and that Apple remains unwilling to take a licence." Apple and Samsung are in the midst of a global patent war. Last year, a court ruled that Samsung owed Apple $1bn in damages for infringing Apple patents, an award that was later slashed to $598.9m. An appeal in that case is due to be heard soon.
A ban on sales of older models of Apple's iPad and iPhone in the US has been overturned by the Obama administration.
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The Direct Energie rider took advantage of a lapse in concentration from Team Sky's Nicolas Roche to beat the Irishman in a sprint finish. Roche was also second in the overall standings, six seconds behind Voeckler. Bury's Adam Yates (Orica) was Britain's highest finisher, as he was third in the stage and fourth overall. Sunday's final stage, a 198km route from Middlesbrough to Scarborough, contained six categorised climbs. Team Sky set a punishing pace in wet and gruelling conditions after taking it on at half distance and with 44km to go they had five riders at the head of the leading group. Roche attacked on the ascent at Harwood Dale and took with them Voeckler, Yates, Anthony Turgis (Cofidis) and Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL). It was Voeckler who clung on the to back of Roche as the Team Sky sprinter attacked again in the descent into Scarborough. Voeckler, who finished third last year after missing out in a sprint finish, used that experience to employ some cat and mouse tactics, as he tracked Roche along the resort's seafront in front of huge crowds on the town's famous grass banks. Roche suffered a momentary lapse in concentration, causing him to look the wrong way as Voeckler flew past him with the finishing line in sight to leave his rival in his wake. Voeckler told ITV4: "It wasn't just with the strength in my legs that I used, but also my head. "It was difficult to follow the attack of Team Sky at the climbs, so I decided on a little more patience. "Then I knew to launch the sprint at 300 metres. Although it was early, with the wind at my back, it was not so bad." And in a tribute to the Yorkshire public that came out in huge numbers despite persistent drizzle, he added: "I feel like this is home because the crowd were shouting my name." The Tour de Yorkshire is a legacy of the county's hosting of 2014 Tour de France's Grand Depart. More than two million people are estimated to have lined the three-day route.
Frenchman Thomas Voeckler clinched overall victory in the Tour de Yorkshire by winning the third and final stage at Scarborough.
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Welshman Allinson, 27, has yet to appear for Irish this season after the opening four rounds of the Premiership. "I'm dying to get out on that field. It's a chance for a few of us who've not had much game-time to put our hands up," he told BBC Radio Berkshire. Irish begin their Challenge Cup group at home against Agen on Saturday. "If I get the nod to play, I'll be very much looking forward to it," Allinson said. Tom Coventry's side, who have lost all their Premiership games so far, will also play Grenoble and Edinburgh in pool five. Allinson, who has found himself behind Brendan McKibbin and Scott Steele in the competition for the number nine shirt, is looking forward to the challenge of facing European clubs. "You get to go to France and teams like Agen and Grenoble are going to be really tough to face at home," he added. "It's just a question of what sort of side they send over to play us. You know what French teams are like, you can't predict them, they're so unpredictable."
London Irish scrum-half Darren Allinson is hoping to stake his claim for a regular place when the Exiles begin their European Challenge Cup campaign.
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Husain was nominated alongside two BBC colleagues - global health reporter Tulip Mazumdar and social affairs correspondent Alison Holt - as well as Matt Frei from Channel 4 News. BBC director of news James Harding said all three honours were "much deserved". The Daily Mirror and The Mail on Sunday won the newspaper of the year awards. The London Press Club hands out the accolades every year, primarily to print journalists. Husain was the winner of the evening's only broadcast award. She joined Today in 2013 after 15 years with BBC World News. She has also presented the BBC's News at Ten, Newsnight and Breakfast, and was part of the BBC's Olympics team in 2012. Husain has reported from locations around the world including Pakistan following the deaths of Osama bin Laden and Benazir Bhutto, Cairo during the Egyptian revolution and China during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. "It's wonderful and much deserved," said the BBC's Harding of Husain's honour and the other BBC nominations. Judges said the Daily Mirror beat the Daily Mail and The Times to win daily newspaper of the year for "regaining its passion and authority" with "a series of important scoops and vigorous campaigns". The Mail on Sunday kept hold of its Sunday newspaper of the year crown, beating The Independent on Sunday and The Sunday Times. The Sunday Times insight team won scoop of the year for its Fifa expose, while The Sun's Ally Ross won reviewer of the year. Lord Lloyd-Webber was handed the Londoner of the year award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to West End theatre. See the London Press Club website for all the winners.
Mishal Husain, who hosts BBC Radio 4's Today programme and television news bulletins, has won broadcaster of the year at the London Press Club Awards.
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The win moved Dundalk seven points clear of Cork City with two games left. Andy Boyle put Dundalk ahead on 15 minutes and while Mark Quigley levelled from a controversial penalty on 29, Brian Gartland headed the winner on 62. Dundalk will secure a second straight double if they beat Cork in the FAI Cup Final on 6 November. Stephen Kenny's side are also competing in the group stage of the Europa League having narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Champions League group stage. Dundalk were beaten 2-1 in Dublin by Zenit St Petersburg in their most recent European game on Thursday night but remain in contention for a place in the next round.
Dundalk clinched a third successive League of Ireland Premier Division title after beating Bohemians 2-1 in Sunday night's game at Oriel Park.
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Jerry Bance had been competing as a Conservative in a Toronto district but a party spokesman said on Monday that he is "no longer a candidate". Broadcaster CBC used hidden cameras in 2012 to video Mr Bance as he attended to a leaky sink as a repairman. In a statement he said he was "deeply regretful" over the incident. But opposition politicians wasted no time trying to capitalise. "He must be someone who is adept at [Prime Minister] Stephen Harper's trickle-down theory of economics,'' said New Democrat leader Tom Mulcair. Mr Bance was filmed during an episode of CBC-TV's investigative series Marketplace, which was aiming to expose and confront workmen overcharging for simple repairs. With the homeowner in the next room, he is seen relieving himself in a mug before dumping its contents into the sink and rinsing it out. Canadians go to the polls on 19 October, with Mr Harper's governing Conservative Party seeking re-election. Last week, the country recorded its second consecutive quarter of economic contraction and officially entered a recession.
A tradesman caught on camera urinating into a coffee cup while working in someone's home has dropped out of running for Canada's parliament.
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PV Sindhu upset China's Wang Yihan in the women's singles quarter final on Tuesday. Wang, 28, was favoured to win having won silver at the 2012 London Olympics. Many on social media praised her achievement and voiced their hope for her to win a medal. Sindhu beat Wang 22-20, 21-19 in a 54-minute match. The Indian athlete will go up against Japanese player Nozomi Okuhara in the semi-finals on Thursday. Indians on Twitter rallied around Sindhu, saying she had brought pride to her country. "This girl is on fire!!!!! 2 straight sets! Come on Sindhu!" said Tapsee Pannu. "Woke up to the great news of PV Sindhu winning. You make us proud," said another user. "India medal hopes are alive again with this win," another commented. "India is behind you", a user added. Born on 5 July 1995, Sindhu started playing badminton when she was eight years old. The athlete says her parents, both former volleyball players, motivated her to chase her dreams. She has been training under former international player P Gopichand, who also coached former world number one Saina Nehwal until 2014. Nehwal was India's top medal contender in Rio but she suffered a shock defeat against Maria Ulitina of Ukraine on Sunday. But Sindhu has kept India's medal hopes alive. "She never gives up and that's her best quality," Gopichand says. Sindhu reached the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014. She reached the final of the Denmark Open in 2015 but lost to China's Li Xuerui. She defeated Scotland's Kristy Gilmour earlier in 2016 to win the Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold title.
A 21-year-old badminton player has become India's latest hope for an Olympic medal at the Rio 2016 games, after a shock win against the world number two.
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Det Con Christopher Evans, 38, from Llangennech, had always denied taking the cash in Penlan in April 2011. Recorder of Cardiff Eleri Rees directed the jury to find Mr Evans not guilty of two charges. The case against ex-Det Sgt Stephen Phillips, 47, of Swansea, and Det Con Michael Stokes, 35, from Glynneath, continues. They deny the charges. Mr Phillips is accused of two thefts, while Mr Stokes denies three charges. After Mr Evans was acquitted, the jury at Cardiff Crown Court heard the final prosecution evidence against Mr Phillips. The jury was told that Mr Phillips was dismissed from South Wales Police after admitting stealing cash in a separate incident. It followed an "integrity test", in which the former officer was filmed during a staged scenario. He was seen taking £240 from a coat and £10 from a bedside cabinet. It was also claimed Mr Phillips stole £8,100 in cash from a police evidence storage room, which was said to be the money seized from from a safe during a raid at a house in Swansea in 2011. The trial continues.
A detective has been cleared of stealing £30,000 seized from a safe during a raid in Swansea.
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It is the first time the Liaoning has been deployed to "distant sea waters", state media report. Details of the location, route or duration of the drill have not been given. The exercise comes amid renewed tension over self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing sees as a breakaway province. "A Chinese navy formation, including the aircraft carrier Liaoning, headed towards the West Pacific on Saturday for scheduled blue-water training," Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported, quoting navy spokesperson Liang Yang. Taiwan's defence ministry said it had been monitoring the drills closely as the Liaoning went through the Miyako Strait, a body of water between the Japanese islands of Miyako and Okinawa, heading into the Pacific, Reuters news agency reported. Japan's defence ministry said it spotted the Liaoning as part of a fleet of eight Chinese warships that included destroyers and frigates, in the central part of the East China Sea. It said there was no incursion into Japanese waters. China announced the Liaoning was ready to engage in combat in November, marking a milestone for a navy that has invested heavily in its ability to project power around the region. But China is still years away from perfecting carrier operations similar to those the United States has practiced for decades, according to Reuters. Earlier this month, the Liaoning conducted live-fire drills for the first time in the Bohai Sea, near the Korean peninsula. China's increasing military presence, in the South China Sea in particular, where it has territorial disputes with several neighbours, has fuelled concern. The Western Pacific exercise comes amid new tension over Taiwan, following US President-elect Donald Trump's telephone call with the island's president that upset China.
China's first aircraft carrier has set off to the Western Pacific, the navy says, describing the departure as part of routine exercises.
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Joan Daws, 64, was pinned to the wall of the lift by a weighing chair at The Laleham care home in Herne Bay, Kent in October 2013. KCRH Limited ran the home and admitted health and safety failings before Canterbury magistrates in February. Fining the firm, Judge James O'Mahony said at times justice fell short as no amount of money could bring her back. He said the court was "not a perfect place for justice in such cases". "If I were to impose a fine of millions it would not bring her back and I am profoundly sorry for the family," he told Canterbury Crown Court earlier. The care home has changed ownership since the death of Mrs Daws. Live: More news from Kent She became trapped in the lift while moving a chair used to weigh patients. In 2015 an inquest jury found her death could have been avoided if a lift safety sensor had been in place at the time. The inquest was told Mrs Daws screamed as the equipment became caught and the lift descended through the floors. The court heard the lift had been installed in 1972 and KCRH chose not to install a safety sensor offered by the lift servicing company in April 2002 that would have halted the lift in the event of a problem. Judge O'Mahony said the state of the lift was "a long-standing and systemic failure of duty of care" towards the staff and any lift users on the part of KCRH. Speaking after the hearing earlier, Mrs Daws' family said the pain of her death remained with them every day. Her daughter, Amanda Fuller, said: "Nothing will bring my mum back. "Their negligence caused her death and I hope that pains them every day." Her son, Simon Daws, added: "It's deeply upsetting to realise that the opportunities were there to stop this accident happening."
The former owners of a care home, where a worker was fatally crushed in a lift, have been fined £60,000.
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She made the announcement on social media saying she had gone into the most recent series having decided it would be her last one. She said this year's series had been her "best Strictly experience ever". This series win was not her first. She also won in 2011 with McFly's Harry Judd. Aliona's been on the show for seven years. Her previous partners include Rav Wilding, Matt Baker, Tony Jacklin and Gregg Wallace. She had to pull out of the 2013 series after fracturing her ankle in training in rehearsals with dance partner Johnny Ball. Vilani started ballroom dancing in Russia at the age of 11 and went on to study at the Broadway Dance Center in New York. She moved to Los Angeles in 2006. The professional dancers on the show are booked on a series by series contract, meaning no dancers are yet signed up for the 2016 series. Ola Jordan, another Strictly dancer, has also ruled herself out of future series too. Jay and Aliona are taking part in the Strictly Come Dancing live tour which starts on 22 January in Birmingham.
Strictly Come Dancing's Aliona Vilani has announced she is leaving Strictly Come Dancing three days after winning the glitterball trophy with Jay McGuiness.
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The Financial Times said people in the UK were paying 15% more for one day tickets. The European Commission told the BBC that it had "received a number of complaints" from customers. A Disneyland Paris spokesman said promotions were seasonal. The newspaper said in a report that in some cases French consumers were paying €1,346 for a premium package, while British visitors were charged €1,870 and Germans €2,447. The European Commission is concerned that Disneyland Paris is stopping consumers in some member states from shopping around for the best deals, EC spokeswoman Lucia Caudet told BBC Business online. Under European law, firms can not stop consumers from doing this, she said. The BBC understands that consumers in countries including the UK, Germany and Italy have made pricing complaints. The problem potentially lies in, for example, a UK holidaymaker trying to order a Disneyland Paris ticket from a French website but being unable to pay because they do not have a French credit card. The French government has now been asked to investigate. A spokesman for Disneyland Paris said that the price of a standard ticket was the same across the European Union market. He said that the firm runs different promotions at specific times of year based around, for example, seasonal events and school holidays. Customers are not subject to so-called geo-blocking, where promotions are closed to those people whose computers are located in a certain country, the spokesman said. But he added that customers would not be able to directly pay for tickets for a promotion for a certain country unless their credit or debit card is registered in that country. "It's an anti-fraud measure," he said.
Disneyland Paris is facing a pricing probe following accusations that UK and German customers are being frozen out of certain price promotions.
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The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) said there were 6,758 complaints in a month about text messages sent by Swansea-based Help Direct UK. The messages were about claims for accidents, PPI and bank refunds. The ICO ordered the same company to stop sending marketing texts about pensions in March. Mobile phones and devices used by the company in the past were linked to the current investigation, the ICO said, and could face further action as a result. In the latest case, the ICO issued a fine of £200,000 - the first of its kind under new powers - for spam text messages aimed at generating leads for claims companies. A typical text read: "Its been signed off, we have 3886.41 in your name for the accident you had, for us to put in your bank Now just fill out www.accidentinjuryclaim.so". One complainant said they had never had an accident and was worried someone could be fraudulently using their identity; another was concerned they may have unknowingly caused an accident. An ICO investigation discovered that Help Direct UK was using unregistered SIM cards to send the messages. The ICO said this was a common practice by companies looking to avoid the mobile networks' spam detectors. "This was a marketing campaign on a massive scale from a company who has already been warned by us to stop sending these marketing messages," said Anne Jones, assistant information commissioner for Wales. "The company has also shown a blatant disregard for the rules by ignoring enforcement action we issued earlier this year. They are now facing the consequences of that decision."
A company has been censured for a second time in seven months for sending out spam text messages - this time with a £200,000 fine.
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Pakistan said Indian troops had raided a military post in the Haji Pir sector of Pakistani-administered Kashmir, killing a soldier and injuring another. An Indian army spokesman said it had responded to a "ceasefire violation" but did not cross the Line of Control. Kashmir is claimed by both nations in its entirety and has been a flashpoint between them for more than 60 years. Exchanges are not uncommon but rarely result in fatalities. The Pakistani military said in a statement that Indian troops had "physically raided a checkpost named Sawan Patra". The Haji Pir Pass is just south of the main road from Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir to Srinagar in Indian-administered Kashmir. "Pakistan army troops effectively responded to the attack," the Pakistani statement said, adding that Indian troops had left behind weapons as they retreated. One Pakistani soldier was killed and another critically injured, it said. Indian army spokesman Col Jagadish Dahiya told Reuters news agency it had responded to a "ceasefire violation" by Pakistan. He added: "None of our troops crossed the Line of Control. We have no casualties or injuries." Another Indian army spokesman, Col Brijesh Pandey, told Associated Press that Pakistani troops had "initiated unprovoked firing" with mortar shells and automatic weapons at Indian military posts. One civilian home was destroyed, he said. "We retaliated only using small arms. We believe it was clearly an attempt on their part to facilitate infiltration of militants," Col Pandey said. There has been a ceasefire in Kashmir since late 2003. India suspended a peace process with Pakistan following attacks by Pakistan-based militants in Mumbai in 2008. Negotiations resumed in February last year. Last month, the nations signed an agreement to ease visa restrictions on travel for some citizens.
Indian and Pakistani troops have clashed near the Line of Control in the disputed Kashmir region.
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Derry's Nursery in Cossington, Leicestershire, lost £4,500 of plants in the early hours of Sunday. Despite CCTV and police being alerted, a gang spent about 90 minutes loading a vehicle with plants. Leicestershire Police said the call they received did not mention a burglary. Nursery owner Alan Dayman said it was the biggest raid in his 42 years as boss and items were even taken from his father's grave which is in the grounds. Mr Dayman said a gate had been knocked down and high-value ornamental trees and plants taken. "A lady in the village rang the police at the time but they said they had no one to send out, which is obviously very annoying," he added. "When I spoke to police on Sunday morning they said they would try to get out in the next three to four days. "So many people from the village have helped me keep going but it's gut-wrenching really that they can come and take what they want. "People around have been brilliant but I don't seem to be getting any help from the authorities." A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police said they were "aware this premises has been burgled a number of times and previous calls to this location where we have had information to suggest and offence is in progress resulted in an immediate attendance". "We are sorry if the victims feel the service they have received from the force fall short of what they may expect and we are addressing any concerns they have raised with us," they added.
A plant nursery business which has been burgled five times in 12 months says it has been let down by the police.
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Mr Morsi said he was not "calling for war", but that he would not allow Egypt's water supply to be endangered. Egypt was apparently caught by surprise when Ethiopia started diverting the Blue Nile last month, amid works to construct a hydroelectric dam. The river is a tributary of the Nile, on which Egypt is heavily dependent. The Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is a $4.7bn (£3.1bn) project that Ethiopia says will eventually provide 6,000 megawatts of power. It says the Blue Nile will be slightly diverted but will then be able to follow its natural course. "Egypt's water security cannot be violated at all," Mr Morsi said on Monday. "As president of the state, I confirm to you that all options are open." "If Egypt is the Nile's gift, then the Nile is a gift to Egypt,'' he said, quoting popular sayings about the river in an emotive televised speech. "The lives of the Egyptians are connected around it... as one great people. If it diminishes by one drop then our blood is the alternative." Analysts say Mr Morsi could be using the issue to distract attention from severe domestic political and economic challenges. Egypt is particularly dependant on water supply from the Nile, and its growing population has been placing that supply under increasing strain. Sudan is also reliant on Nile waters. Egypt cites a colonial era ruling to claim a right to the majority of the Nile's waters for itself and Sudan, but Ethiopia says the ruling is outdated. Mr Morsi said Egypt had no objection to development projects on Nile basin states, "but on condition that those projects do not affect or damage Egypt's legal and historical rights". Last week, Egyptian politicians were inadvertently heard on live TV proposing military action over the dam.
Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has said "all options are open" to deal with any threat to his country's water supply posed by an Ethiopian dam.
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