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The US central bank said that it "can be patient" in determining when to raise short-term interest rates, cheering investors who have been accustomed to easy money.
The Dow Jones rose 288.00 points to 17,356.87.
The S&P 500 added 40.14 points to 2,012.89, while the Nasdaq climbed 96.48 points to finish at 4,644.31.
Earlier, figures showed that US consumer prices fell by the sharpest amount for six years last month.
The Labor Department said consumer prices fell 0.3% in November as fuel prices dropped, with the annual rate of CPI inflation sliding to 1.3%.
US parcel service FedEx was one rare spot of red in an otherwise upbeat day for firms.
Shares in the firm declined 3.72% after it reported disappointing second-quarter earnings, which did not benefit as much as expected from falling oil prices. | (Close): Shares on Wall Street surged after the release of the latest statement from the US Federal Reserve. | 30522709 |
The display featuring thousands of pieces was created by Laurence Teague, of Redditch, Worcestershire, who died last year aged 74.
It is yet to be decided when the removal process can start.
The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway plans to exhibit part of the display in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire.
Updates on this story and more from Worcestershire
A spokesperson for the heritage railway added because of the size of the display, which runs 32ft by 11ft, (9.7m by 3.3m) it would not be able to display the entire works due to the likelihood of damage occurring in the removal process.
The model collection is currently in the loft of Mr Teague's house. His widow Gail said he had shown an interest in railways since the 1940s.
"Any form of locomotion interested Laurence. He started the collection before he even knew me. It was a passion he had all his life."
She added: "He wasn't allowed to put up the railway display in the loft until I knew he was up there doing the rooms in the house first. It took him a year to do up every room in the house; and he spent half a year doing up his railway display."
Mr Teague, founder of Teague's Television in Redditch, donated the display in his will to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.
Mrs Teague said her late husband would have wanted people to enjoy the display, but added she would be upset when the railway collection was taken from the loft.
"His humour is up there. His personality is up there. It's so much of him," she said. | An intricate model train set that took an enthusiast more than 60 years to put together in his attic is to be exhibited by rail enthusiasts. | 34988156 |
Richard John James Robinson, 73, originally from Aldridge in the West Midlands, encouraged the altar boy with gifts, outings and rides in his sports car.
"I was so much in love with the man. Everything was planned. We were going to run away together. He told me that he loved me as well."
About three years later the now adult victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, began to suspect he had been used, when he found out Robinson was seeing other boys.
"I was just broken hearted. He was my first love, if you like."
The effects of the abuse stayed with him for decades.
Robinson was found guilty of 21 charges relating to offences against six boys in the West Midlands parishes he had worked in.
He changed parish often and worked in Walsall, Coventry, Birmingham, Staffordshire as well as various places in Wales.
He chose his victims whenever the opportunity arose, meeting them through the church, at a butchers and through the elder brother of a boxer.
Another of the men who testified against the former priest said he was scared about giving evidence.
"I thought my voice was going to break down in court, that I would stutter or stammer," he said.
"I've had nightmares about this case it has been horrible."
He said the sexual abuse made him doubt his sexuality and for years he thought he was gay and only realised when he was older that he was not.
Now married with children he said: "Eventually I will forgive him. At least I am still alive, thank God I am still here."
He said he hoped Robinsons' conviction would give his other victims the strength to come forward.
"I believe there's a lot more children who haven't come forward to speak out, the silent ones."
A victim he met by offering him a ride on his motorbike said: "He's pathetic. Yes he's an old man and has probably got a dickie heart but he is pure evil. I don't feel sorry for him."
All six boys shared the feeling they alone had been chosen, or singled out for special attention, and were unaware for many years their abuse had been a shared experience.
After abusing another boy during a trip to Snowdon, in north Wales, Robinson drove him back and greeted the victim's parents "as though nothing had happened".
The victim said: "I felt absolute confusion, fright, disgust, even at 11 I liked girls and I knew this wasn't right.
"There was a real feeling of helplessness. I knew I couldn't say anything.
"The fear of saying anything was almost as bad as what had happened to me."
The last time it happened, the priest dropped him back home as before.
"I ran upstairs, went into my sister's bedroom and put my feet against the door and tried to block it out.
"My mum and dad were saying 'come down and say goodbye', but I just couldn't. My sister was asking why not but I just couldn't go there with her."
He told his family some time later, but said ignorance was the reason he had not immediately informed police.
He eventually reported the abuse seven years ago after watching a BBC Kenyon Confronts programme, which had tracked Robinson down in the US and brought him face to face with another of his victims.
"That blew me away because I realised I had not been on my own all these years. In 2003 I realised I wasn't the only one," he said.
Det Ch Insp Steve Bimson, of West Midlands Police said Robinson was a "calculating, callous individual".
"On the other hand he gave the impression to quite a lot of people that he was a caring member of the community. He became a priest and fulfilled a role as a priest for a number of years.
"He used that role to become part of the community and ingratiate himself with families so that he could groom young boys." | A victim of a former Roman Catholic priest convicted of sexually abusing boys between 1959 and 1983, said he thought he was in love with the man who called himself Father Jim. | 11595676 |
The switch in policy is a departure for the SNP which promised to introduce the cut if Scotland became independent.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed the change alongside other measures to end economic inequality.
The UK government has insisted its austerity policies are working and have resulted in more Scottish jobs.
Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Gavin Brown said Ms Sturgeon's economic strategy was "underwhelming" and called for business rates to be reduced.
The first minister told a gathering in Linlithgow that there would now be a focus on "targeted changes in tax allowances."
While corporation tax remains reserved to Westminster, the Scottish government has long argued for it to be devolved to Holyrood.
And its White Paper setting out the case for independence said: "This government plans to set out a timescale for reducing corporation tax by up to three percentage points below the prevailing UK rate."
However, the newly published 84-page economic plan, titled Scotland's Economic Strategy (March 2015) said: "The Scottish government has made clear that we have no intention to engage in a 'race to the bottom'.
"Instead, we will use these powers to create a long-term competitive advantage, not through a blanket approach, but by using targeted changes in tax allowances."
Ms Sturgeon visited the technology firm Calnex, where she outlined the twin-track approach aimed at increasing competitiveness while halting inequality.
She told the gathering that productivity "was the key" to "any sustainable long-term improvement in living standards".
November 2007 - The Scottish government's economic strategy said: "To make Scotland the lowest taxed part of the UK, dropping corporation tax significantly below the UK level."
November 2013 - The Scottish government's White Paper on independence said: "This government plans to set out a timescale for reducing corporation tax by up to three percentage points below the prevailing UK rate."
November 2013 - The Scottish government's Building Security and Creating Opportunity: Economic Policy Choices in an Independent Scotland said: "In 2011, the Scottish government modelled the potential impact of a reduction in corporation tax broadly equivalent to a cut in the headline rate of three percentage points. The results showed this has the potential to increase output by around 1.4% and boost employment by approximately 27,000 jobs."
March 2015 - The Scottish government's economic strategy said:"The Scottish government has made clear that we have no intention to engage in a 'race to the bottom'. Instead, we will use these powers to create a long-term competitive advantage, not through a blanket approach, but by using targeted changes in tax allowances."
Ms Sturgeon explained: "When we published the first Scottish government economic strategy back in 2007, Scotland's productivity then was 6% below that of the rest of the UK.
"The gap with the rest of the UK has reduced significantly since then, but we are still some 13% below Sweden and 20% below Germany. So we need to do much more.
"That is why we want to focus on closing the gap with the very best in Europe and that really matters."
She added that if Scotland increased productivity by 0.1% a year it could:
Ms Sturgeon said that in order for those figures to be realised there was a need to invest in infrastructure and skills, "in contrast to the UK's government deep and and harmful cuts in public spending".
She added that the approach of "promoting equality and competitiveness together is two sides of the same coin - it is in itself innovative, but it is also in tune with a growing international consensus".
Scottish Labour said the first minister was "right to point out appalling inequality in Scotland".
MSP Jackie Baillie said her party had a powerful vision for making Scotland a "better and fairer country".
She added: "Scottish Labour has a plan to make Scotland the fairest nation on earth.
"We will make work pay for all Scots by calling time on zero hours contracts, using the mansion tax to invest in our NHS and raising the minimum wage for those in work.
"We have also set out how we would close the attainment gap by investing £125m to support working class kids who have been left behind by the SNP government in Edinburgh."
Tory MSP Mr Brown said there was no commitment from the government to use new tax powers to lessen the tax burden and "make us more competitive".
He added: "It is also surprising for the first minister to use OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ) figures from 2010 to claim UK government policies aren't working.
"Only last week, the head of the OECD praised the 'tremendous progress' made in Britain's economic recovery, and noted the 'remarkable' levels of job creation."
Andy Willox, the Federation of Small Businesses' Scottish policy convenor, said the Scottish government's intentions were "admirable" but needed more detailed work to ensure "improvements on the ground".
STUC general secretary Grahame Smith welcomed the Scottish government's commitment to tackling inequality but said it could have gone further.
Ben Southwood, head of research for the Adam Smith Institute
"We can achieve economic growth and equality in an economic strategy, but we have to be very careful about what measures we use.
"It does seem that the poorer counties in the world are unequal, whereas the richer countries are more unequal. That doesn't necessarily mean that reducing inequality lets you get richer.
"In fact what we tend to see is first you grow very fast, become more unequal, and then you carry on growing and everybody else catches up.
"Redistributing wealth is very important for alleviating poverty but in the long run it has barely lifted anyone out of poverty, compared to the amount economic growth has lifted people out of poverty.
"Economic growth has lifted billions of people around the world out of poverty, redistribution has lifted millions of people out of poverty. Redistribution is important but it isn't nearly as important as growth and we should always be focusing on growth."
Morag Gillespie, a senior research fellow at Glasgow Caledonian University's Women in Scotland's Economy group
"Once you have a level of growth, and the UK and the United States are well past that, then you start to get diminishing returns from simply focusing on growth alone.
"And I absolutely agree with Nicola Sturgeon, I think it is essential that we pursue equality as part of our economic strategy.
"And if you look at some of the richer nations across the world you will see that some of them are much more equal than others and it isn't to do with how long they have been growing, or how much growth they have had, but how much they focus in ensuring that all the people of the country can benefit from economic growth and it isn't just a few people that profit.
"One of the things that we really, really need to tackle in Scotland is that the jobs being created are better paying jobs and that we are not just creating minimum wage jobs, that we don't have more and more people working in really exploitative work situations, such as zero hours contracts, temporary employment, and that we tackle the really high levels we have of under employment." | The Scottish government has revealed in its new economic plan that it is no longer committed to a "blanket" three point drop in corporation tax. | 31700448 |
Police had taken a call from the driver who reported a car had hit the central reservation on the A19 in North Tyneside on Saturday.
He got out of his vehicle on the dual carriageway near Killingworth.
A 24-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission has been informed as a "matter of protocol", Northumbria Police said. | A man has been arrested after a taxi driver who stopped to help at the scene of a crash was struck and killed by a passing vehicle. | 36816538 |
A public inquiry into Grittenham Haulage Ltd resulted in the ban being imposed in December 2015.
The decision has now been made public following the conclusion of the trial.
Matthew Gordon, 30, and Peter Wood, 55, were found guilty of manslaughter in December 2016.
Mitzi Steady, four, Robert Parker, 59, Philip Allen, 52, and Stephen Vaughan, 34, died in the crash in February 2015.
Gordon, of Dauntsey, Wiltshire, was the owner of Grittenham Haulage Ltd and was driving in a truck in front of the lorry that crashed.
Wood, of Brinkworth, Wiltshire, was a mechanic employed by Gordon who carried out safety checks on the truck.
The driver of the crash truck, Phillip Potter, 20, also from Dauntsey, was cleared of dangerous and careless driving.
Traffic Commissioner Sarah Bell also disqualified the firm and Mr Gordon from holding or obtaining an operator's licence for two years.
Miss Bell said: "This is a breach of trust of the highest order.
"The operator put commercial concerns first with compliance a poor second until February 2015.
"Failing to observe the rules, not setting aside proper time for quality management and control of the transport operations, running more vehicles than authorised and seeking to keep clients serviced regardless of the law, strikes at the heart of the underpinning principles of the licensing regime, road safety and fair competition.
"After February 2015 the improvement is there but not sufficient to save this licence.
"This is one of those cases that where what happened previously is so serious that the position as at September 2015 is far from sufficient to save this licence. "
Gordon and Wood are due to be sentenced on 27 January. | The tipper truck firm involved in a fatal crash that killed four people has had its licence revoked, it has been revealed. | 38581820 |
Jordan Hugill's fifth goal of the season inside 10 minutes put the Lilywhites ahead when he stole the ball off keeper David Stockdale and scored.
The hosts improved after the break and Sam Baldock turned home Bruno's cross before Glenn Murray's smart turn and finish in the area put them ahead.
However, in the second minute of added time Makienok earned his side a point.
Brighton went into the game with five wins in their last six games and although they failed to secure another three points, the draw kept them fourth in the table.
Before scoring his goal, on-loan Bournemouth striker Murray forced Chris Maxwell into a good save and also hit the side netting.
Preston created few meaningful chances in the rain on the south coast as they conceded twice in the second-half before they were rescued by Makienok's first league goal for Preston as he headed into the bottom corner from Paul Gallagher's ball.
Simon Grayson's side scored their second with only 10 men on the pitch after they used all of their substitutes and John Welsh had to be taken off.
Brighton manager Chris Hughton:
"With games as tough as they are, there is no doubt that this is two points lost."
"Baldock scored with a really good team goal and Murray's strike was a good ball in and a good finish," he added.
"At 2-1 we should be killing the game off and showing more killer instinct as there is always a chance that the opposition will score."
Preston manager Simon Grayson:
"We have taken four points from our last two games against Aston Villa and Brighton and had someone offered that before we would have taken it.
"This can only boost our confidence but we know what we have to do.
"When 2-1 down against a side like Brighton it will test anybody in the league, but you have to dig deep and stay in the game.
"To come here against a real top team, with good individuals, you have to do what you can to get a result, and we did that."
Attempt missed. Dale Stephens (Brighton and Hove Albion) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Jamie Murphy.
Ben Pearson (Preston North End) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Jamie Murphy (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Ben Pearson (Preston North End).
Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion. Dale Stephens replaces Sam Baldock.
Foul by Sam Baldock (Brighton and Hove Albion).
Paul Huntington (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt blocked. Sam Baldock (Brighton and Hove Albion) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Anthony Knockaert.
Substitution, Preston North End. Simon Makienok replaces Daniel Johnson.
Jordan Hugill (Preston North End) is shown the yellow card.
Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Jordan Hugill (Preston North End).
Foul by Glenn Murray (Brighton and Hove Albion).
Paul Huntington (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion) header from very close range is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Sam Baldock with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Brighton and Hove Albion. Conceded by Thomas Spurr.
Substitution, Preston North End. Ben Pringle replaces Chris Humphrey.
Substitution, Preston North End. Paul Gallagher replaces Callum Robinson.
Glenn Murray (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Paul Huntington (Preston North End).
Foul by Glenn Murray (Brighton and Hove Albion).
Thomas Spurr (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Goal! Brighton and Hove Albion 2, Preston North End 1. Glenn Murray (Brighton and Hove Albion) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jamie Murphy.
Foul by Steve Sidwell (Brighton and Hove Albion).
Chris Humphrey (Preston North End) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Offside, Preston North End. Chris Maxwell tries a through ball, but Jordan Hugill is caught offside.
Offside, Brighton and Hove Albion. Bruno tries a through ball, but Glenn Murray is caught offside.
Attempt blocked. Anthony Knockaert (Brighton and Hove Albion) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Glenn Murray.
Attempt missed. Jamie Murphy (Brighton and Hove Albion) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Glenn Murray.
Anthony Knockaert (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Daniel Johnson (Preston North End).
Goal! Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Preston North End 1. Sam Baldock (Brighton and Hove Albion) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Bruno.
Steve Sidwell (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Ben Pearson (Preston North End).
Attempt blocked. Jamie Murphy (Brighton and Hove Albion) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Oliver Norwood.
Attempt blocked. Glenn Murray (Brighton and Hove Albion) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jamie Murphy.
Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Jordan Hugill (Preston North End).
Offside, Brighton and Hove Albion. Steve Sidwell tries a through ball, but Glenn Murray is caught offside.
Corner, Brighton and Hove Albion. Conceded by John Welsh. | Preston striker Simon Makienok headed an injury-time equaliser to secure a point at Brighton in the Championship. | 37593725 |
In southern Tunisia, Aboubaker Thabti's parents could not understand how their son was taken from them in a shooting in a Quebec City mosque.
When he left his home country for Canada with his wife and two children some six years ago, he saw it as a new beginning, not an end.
Instead, he became one of six men who died on Sunday night in Quebec while they were saying prayers.
Sabeur Thabti, a family member who called Aboubaker "uncle", said when he first heard of the shooting from his home in the UK, he had not dwelt much on it.
"You hear these things in Syria and Paris and all around the world and… you kind of forget how real it is, until it impacts you in such a close way."
Then the personal connection became clear.
"These are real people, these are not just numbers," he said. "Six people died, but thousands of people are emotionally destroyed by what happened."
Now he is "senseless" with grief.
On Monday, Canadian police charged student Alexandre Bissonnette with six counts of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted murder in connection with the attack.
Another 19 people were injured.
Thousands of people, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, braved the cold at a vigil near the mosque to lay flowers and candles in the snow.
Quebec City residents called for unity among Quebecers.
It was a balm for the community, which has sometimes felt it bears the brunt of political rhetoric in the province.
Quebec has welcomed thousands of immigrants from Arab countries and other nations but has also struggled with how to accommodate those newcomers into the broader culture.
The predominantly French-speaking province fiercely protects its linguistic identity and state secularism, and there has been a longstanding debate over "reasonable accommodation" of immigrants and religious minorities.
The six victims came to build a better life in Canada, hailing from Guinea, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia.
At the suburban home of victim Khaled Belkacemi, a professor at Laval University, family and friends gathered to offer comfort after learning of his death.
His friend Arab Boussaid described the professor as "humble" and "wise" and said he hoped that "his sacrifice was not in vain" and helped bring Quebecers together.
"We are from this country," he said. "We adopted them and they adopted us."
He said it also served as warning to never "banalise" minor acts of intolerance.
"There are early warning signs, a certain xenophobia, intolerance," he said, that can lead to "irreparable" acts.
Khalil Belabbas was sitting in his car outside the Assalam halal butcher shop owned by one of the victims, Azzedine Soufiane.
Someone had left a lone bouquet of flowers at the door of the shop, which was closed, the lights out on a Monday mid-afternoon.
Mr Belabbas had come to confirm the news that his friend, a man he prayed with, had been killed in the attack.
Soufiane and his wife were well known and liked in the community, he said, a fact confirmed by a small but steady stream of people coming to the store to confirm the terrible news they had heard was true.
The meat shop owner was also known as an ambassador for the mosque.
Mr Belabbas said that there was "a certain distance" between Quebec Muslims and the broader community.
"Islam has become a mark of terrorism," he said. "We understand, but we try to be open, to have community days at the mosque, to be open with people."
He touched on an incident last June, when someone left a severed pig's head outside the mosque's entrance during the month of Ramadan.
Though police did not link it with the shooting, Mr Belabbas said the community felt that message.
But still - "we never, ever thought that there would be an [attack] like this". | It was a tragedy that reached across oceans. | 38806123 |
The chytrid fungus is highly infectious and is responsible for devastating amphibian populations worldwide.
Over five years, a team of researchers was able to clear the disease from toads which are native to the Spanish island of Mallorca.
Details of the work are published in the journal Biology Letters.
The scientists collected tadpoles from the wild, transported them to a lab and bathed them in an antifungal solution.
They then returned the Mallorcan midwife toad (Alytes muletensis) tadpoles to the collection sites by helicopter.
In addition, they used a common laboratory decontaminant to sterilise the environment around each breeding site.
Dr Trenton Garner, from ZSL's Institute of Zoology, said: "This study represents a major breakthrough in the fight against this highly-destructive pathogen; for the first time we have managed to rid wild individuals of infection for a continued period.
"Amphibian-associated chytrid fungi are a critical conservation issue that requires simple, straightforward and transferrable solutions. Our study is a significant step towards providing these."
The chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) has severely affected over 700 amphibian species worldwide, driving population declines and species extinctions across five continents.
Dr Jaime Bosch, a co-author from Spain's MNCN-CSIC institute, added: "This is the first time that chytrid has ever been successfully eliminated from a wild population - a real positive which we can take forward into further research to tackle this deadly disease."
However in their paper, the researchers acknowledged that the use of their disinfectant in the environment was controversial. They said it was driven by the urgency of the decline in the Mallorcan midwife toad on the island. | For the first time, researchers have eliminated a devastating amphibian fungal disease in a population of toads. | 34850807 |
In association with Sport Scotland the aim is to celebrate all the amazing work that goes on to get girls active, as well as inspire more girls to participate in sport and physical activity.
Events will be hosted by clubs and schools and you can find out more on the Sport Scotland website.
Girls and women in Scotland are being encouraged to post photos on Twitter/Instagram. The pictures can be of themselves (or younger selves) playing sport, or of their female sporting role model. It is hoped that the word will spread across social media to get people talking about girls' sport.
If you would like to take part in this, all you have to do is share a photo alongside a bit about your own sporting experience, and use the hashtag #ActiveGirlsDay.
Want to try a new sport or physical activity but don't know where to start? Let our guides help you find the right fit. | On Friday, 28 October girls and women around Scotland will be heading to their local gyms, leisure centres and school halls to take part in Active Girls Day. | 37779243 |
They were told to focus their efforts on full-time courses which led to official qualifications.
But budgets have fallen and jobs have gone while the total number of people doing college courses fell dramatically.
Some claim older students are losing out because of the new focus.
The biggest part of the shake-up has seen colleges merge with each other.
The thinking is that there should be one single college - usually spread between different sites - in each region of Scotland.
The mergers mean there are now 20 separate so-called "super colleges" across Scotland - in 2011 there were 37.
Inevitably this has meant some tough practical decisions as different institutions are brought together.
Nationally, more than 1,300 staff have gone - not all the redundancies have been voluntary.
In real terms, direct government funding fell by £53m between 2011 and 2014.
Sometimes the shake-up in administration has proved difficult.
In each area, one regional board helps co-ordinate the relationships between colleges and schools, universities and employers' groups. The board covering Glasgow has been hit by several resignations recently, including that of its chairman, former first minister Henry McLeish.
Individual institutions have sometimes found themselves facing criticism and industrial action.
But what has all this meant for students across Scotland?
Colleges now focus primarily - but not exclusively - on full-time courses for 16 to 24-year-olds.
According to the Scottish Funding Council, the number of places for students fell from 375,000 in 2008 to 240,000 in 2013.
The main reason was the focus on full-time courses.
However, the most recent figures also show a small drop in the number of students when expressed as a full-time equivalent.
Supporters of the changes argue that young people have not lost out.
The Scottish government promises a place in education or training for every 16 to 19-year-old who does not have a job.
Indeed, the number of so-called teenage "Neets" - youngsters who are not in education or training - is at its lowest level since before the recession. In 2013 there were 29,000 - down from 33,000 the year before.
It is argued that many of those who are now "Neets" may have faced particular challenges - for instance they may have dropped out of education or had a difficult upbringing.
However, critics point out that part-time places and courses were often vital to older people who wanted to learn: for instance mothers wanting to return to the workforce or people wanting to do a course while they held down a job.
Others argue many of the places which have gone were simply "hobby courses" of little direct academic or vocational value.
The signs are that part-time places are still being cut. Last week it was revealed that Fife College would have 3,500 fewer opportunities to study part-time next year.
What challenges remain?
Money remains the biggest single concern. More tough decisions are expected.
A recent report from the public spending watchdog Audit Scotland argued that colleges had yet to demonstrate how the mergers were actually benefiting students rather than just leading to financial savings.
Colleges do not get all their money from the government - about a quarter comes from other sources like employers - but the rules they have to work within mean they cannot build up cash reserves. Any money which isn't spent by a set date has to be handed back.
Colleges also face practical challenges making the most of their newly-focused role, which includes working more closely with schools and universities.
For instance, more teenagers now get the chance to start college courses without leaving school, and a growing number of college courses have direct links with university courses.
This means someone who gains an HND at a college might be able to go straight into the third year of a related university course.
Another concern is simply about maintaining the quality of the student experience in the face of tight budgets.
The dramatic changes to colleges - both in their role and structure - represent one of the most significant shifts in Scottish education recently.
Big change always brings challenges.
Quite aside from the practical challenges, the question of whether the changes have actually led to better outcomes for learners and better value for money for the taxpayer are important ones for debate.
Expect to hear more between now and the Scottish election next May. | Scotland's colleges have been through a huge and sometimes controversial shake-up. | 33138465 |
After Leicester's 1-1 draw at Manchester United on Sunday, Spurs must win at Stamford Bridge to prevent the Foxes winning the Premier League title.
Match of the Day will be shown at 22:55 BST on BBC One with Danny Murphy and Robbie Savage joining host Dan Walker.
BBC Radio 5 live will also have live commentary of Chelsea v Tottenham.
Analysis: Now we find out if Tottenham can respond - Shearer
Leicester's draw at Old Trafford means Spurs are eight points behind the Foxes in second place. Tottenham have to win all their remaining three games and hope the Foxes do not pick up more than one point in the last two matches. | A special Match of the Day programme will be shown on Monday with highlights of the game between Chelsea and Premier League title hopefuls Tottenham. | 36177963 |
The bloc suggested it would then be "ready for dialogue".
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) cut ties with their Gulf neighbour on 5 June, saying it supports terrorism.
Qatar strongly denies the allegation and has rejected a list of conditions for the lifting of sanctions.
They include the closure of news broadcaster Al Jazeera and reducing ties with Iran.
The group accuses the Qatari-funded channel of fostering extremism, a charge the network denies.
The foreign ministers of the Saudi-led bloc met in Bahrain's capital Manama on Sunday to discuss the blockade.
"The four countries are ready for dialogue with Qatar with the condition that it announces its sincere willingness to stop funding terrorism and extremism and its commitment to not interfere in other countries' foreign affairs and respond to the 13 demands," Bahrain's Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa told a news conference after the meeting.
Saudi Arabia has closed its land border with Qatar, while all four countries have cut air and sea links with Doha.
Qatar's lawyers have called the tactics "reminiscent of the extreme and punitive conduct of 'bully' states that have historically resulted in war".
Diplomatic efforts led by Kuwait and backed by Western powers have so far failed to end the dispute.
Earlier in July it appeared the 13-point list might be abandoned, when diplomats told reporters at the UN they now wanted Qatar to accept six broad principles.
These included commitments to combat terrorism and extremism, and to end acts of provocation and incitement.
But on Sunday, it was clear the list was still on the table.
The bloc also accused Qatar of complicating the hajj - the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca - for its citizens.
Mecca is in Saudi Arabia, but Qataris cannot fly there directly from Doha under the sanctions.
Last week, the four nations added 18 more groups and individuals they say are linked to Qatar to their "terrorist" lists. | The four Arab countries boycotting Qatar have issued a strong statement saying the emirate must respond to the 13 demands it has made. | 40769235 |
The vote was aimed at ending months of political deadlock but was boycotted by opposition parties.
Pavel Filip, from the main pro-European coalition, has been appointed prime minister.
The previous government of the former Soviet republic was dismissed by lawmakers in October amid a corruption scandal.
Thousands of people had gathered outside parliament in the capital, Chisinau, against the appointment of Mr Filip, a former technology minister.
The anti-government camp includes two pro-Moscow groups and one pro-European group.
A group of protesters broke police lines and forced their way into the building, local media reported.
Tear gas was reportedly used and policemen were seen wearing gas masks. It was not clear if there were any injured.
The protesters chanted "Cancel the vote!" and "Thieves", the AP news agency reported, and demanded early elections.
Protesters say that the new prime minister has close links to Vladimir Plahotniuc, one of the most powerful businessmen in Moldova.
President Nicolae Timofti last week refused to nominate Mr Plahotniuc for the post of prime minister and Mr Filip's opponents say he will now just be a proxy for vested business interests.
For his part, Mr Filip has pledged to form closer ties with the European Union.
Moldova is one of Europe's poorest countries and has been locked in political turmoil since the disappearance of some $1bn (£710m) from the banking system in 2014.
The missing money is equivalent to an eighth of the ex-Soviet republic's entire GDP.
The scandal caused a rapid fall in the value of the national currency, the leu, hitting Moldovans' living standards. | Protesters broke into Moldova's parliament after it approved a new government. | 35366194 |
The defence secretary said it would be "odd" if Gen Sir Nicholas Houghton did not answer questions about it, following claims he breached the military's political neutrality.
Sir Nicholas said at the weekend that he would be worried if an anti-nuclear view "translated into power".
Labour's Jeremy Corbyn has said he would never press the "nuclear button".
He called on Mr Fallon to "take action" following Sir Nicholas' comments.
The Labour leader accused Sir Nicholas of political bias after he told the BBC's Andrew Marr that refusing to launch nuclear weapons would "seriously undermine" Britain's "deterrent".
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Fallon said that Sir Nicholas had not attacked Mr Corbyn personally and that he had "given a straight answer to a straight question".
"I think he went on immediately to say he wasn't commenting personally on Mr Corbyn's position but he was asked about the nuclear deterrent and he gave an answer and I think he is fully entitled to do that," he said.
Mr Corbyn, a leading member of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, faced criticism from his shadow cabinet at his party's annual conference when he revealed that would not fire Britain's nuclear weapons if he were PM- and he has since praised Scottish Labour's rejection of Trident. | The chief of defence staff is "fully entitled" to speak out in support of Trident, Michael Fallon has said. | 34775232 |
Iain Cameron, who studies and writes about snow, has examined the find on Sgurr na Lapaich, the highest of a remote range of mountains.
Describing the debris as an "incredible scene", Mr Cameron said the snow had survived because of a "protective jacket" of thick mud.
He said the avalanche may have happened in June.
A snow slide in summer would be rare.
Most of them happen between December and April, the months covered by Sportscotland Avalanche Information Service's avalanche hazard information reports for walkers, climbers and skiers.
Mr Cameron made his visit to Sgurr na Lapaich late last month following a tip-off from a mountaineer.
Sgurr na Lapaich and others in the range on the north side of Loch Mullardoch can be visible in good weather from Inverness.
Mr Cameron believes the avalanche debris could survive into the start of this coming winter.
This year, snow from last winter has survived in other parts of the Highlands.
On one Munro in Glen Coe a patch of snow has lasted the longest time in living memory, according to the area's ski resort.
The snow lies on Meall a'Bhuiridh, the location of Glencoe Mountain's Flypaper run ski run.
The resort's Andy Meldrum said: "This is the latest that snow has ever survived on Meall a'Bhuiridh since skiing began here in 1956.
"But some of our old timers here, guys in their 90s, say snow has never lasted this long."
A pocket of snow has also survived in the Fannichs range in Wester Ross. | What is believed to be debris from an avalanche that happened this summer has been discovered in the Highlands. | 34410942 |
The 21-year-old completed his move hours after fellow central defender Virgil van Dijk was sold to Southampton by Celtic for £13m.
Celtic manager Ronny Deila said: "I am sure he will be a great addition.
"He is a very talented young player and good on the ball, but he will also give us strength and stability in defence. I am sure he will be a success for us."
Simunovic, who has signed a five-year contract, was an unused substitute in both legs of Dinamo's Champions League play-off victory over Skenderbeu of Albania.
In the previous round, Simunovic played as Dinamo helped eliminate Norwegian side Molde after drawing 4-4 over two legs.
Molde are now in Celtic's group in the Europa League along with Ajax and Fenerbahce.
"I believe what we have done in the summer has given us a squad with real depth for the season ahead," Deila told Celtic's website.
"We already had a strong squad going into the summer period and we have now signed eight quality players in this transfer window.
"Again, we will once again look to strengthen in the January transfer window.
"We have the resources available to do this and this is something we always aim to do, ensuring that we are as well equipped as possible to bring our supporters as much success as we possibly can."
Simunovic was delighted to have completed his move, which came shortly after midfielder Ryan Christie agreed to join Celtic from Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
"I know we have a lot to play for this season and there are many exciting times ahead," he said. "This is my reason for joining Celtic.
"I want to win things in my career and I think I can do this at Celtic." | Croatia Under-21 defender Jozo Simunovic has joined Celtic from Dinamo Zagreb for an undisclosed fee. | 34105607 |
The US company claims the fake accounts were used to make over 400,000 false bookings that ended up cancelled.
It filed a lawsuit in the High Court of Delhi this month requesting an injunction against Ola and $7.4m (£5.2m) in damages.
OlaCabs has denied the accusations, calling them "frivolous and false".
"It is not beyond our imagination that this is an effort to divert attention from the current realities of the market where Uber has faced major setbacks," the company said in a statement.
Uber, considered the world's most valuable start-up, refused to comment beyond their legal petition.
The battle for India's transport market has heated up in recent months, with Uber investing $1bn over the past nine months.
Ola, which is backed by Japan's SoftBank Group and hedge fund Tiger Global Management, is part of an alliance aimed at trying to reduce Uber's market dominance.
The other members include San Francisco's Lyft, Southeast Asian rival Grab and China's Didi Kuaidi.
A hearing on Uber's Indian petition has been set for 14 September. | Uber is suing Indian rival Ola, alleging it created more than 90,000 fake accounts to interfere with its business and frustrate its drivers. | 35888352 |
Not only did they lose to two first-half goals from Seydou Doumbia, they also saw midfielders Fernandinho and Yaya Toure sent off after the break and ruled out of their next home game against Bayern Munich.
Toure had equalised Doumbia's first goal but that was a rare high spot in a dismal performance by Manuel Pellegrini's side, who simply cannot solve the Champions League puzzle.
City now have no wins and only two points from four group games and could still be eliminated even if they win their final two group games - against Bayern Munich and Roma.
They will be out before the final round of matches if they fail to beat Bayern and there is a winner in the match between CSKA and Roma.
And on the evidence produced so far, it is hard to see a team that mysteriously looks so ill-at-ease in this tournament turning their performances around to produce the results to qualify for the knock-out stages.
City's fans were furious with Greek referee Tasos Sidiropolous at the final whistle, not only for the two red cards but also for a case of mistaken identity that spared CSKA's Pontus Wernbloom a dismissal.
The bottom line, however, was that this was a shocking performance from the Premier League champions, especially in defence in the first half when they conceded the goals that condemned them to another defeat.
CSKA were without midfield man Zoran Tosic because of problems with his visa, but it was City bogeyman Doumbia who did the damage as he now has five goals against them in four Champions League games.
It was exactly a year ago, on Bonfire Night 2013, that Alvaro Negredo's hat-trick gave City a 5-2 win here against CSKA, but this was a far cry from that as this performance summed up all the struggles they have had in this tournament.
City face a huge task against all odds to escape this group because nothing they have offered up in the Champions League suggests they will see off Bayern and Roma.
It will also leave Pellegrini facing awkward questions because their efforts this season suggest they have gone backwards in their attempt to challenge Europe's elite.
City knew victory was the minimum requirement to maintain their push for progress - but once again they suffered a self-inflicted wound inside two minutes.
Gael Clichy was perhaps harshly punished for handball but there was no excuse for Toure's slack marking from the free-kick that allowed Doumbia to arrive unattended and head powerfully past Joe Hart.
Toure quickly made amends by scoring the equaliser with a perfectly clipped free-kick from the edge of the area, but this did nothing to ease City's defensive nerves in a performance that occasionally descended into shambles.
Doumbia should have put CSKA back in front when he raced through but guided his shot inches wide, much to the relief of City and their increasingly anxious supporters.
He did not pass up his next opportunity, however, when Clichy's horribly sliced clearance allowed Bebras Nacho to play in Doumbia, who this time showed more composure to score easily.
Pellegrini needed to take action after such a dismal first half and his response was to send on Samir Nasri and Fernandinho - followed by Edin Dzeko just after the hour when there was no upturn in their fortunes.
Just when City thought their night could not descend any further, Fernandinho was red-carded for picking up two rapid yellow cards, while referee Sidiropolous then did CSKA a favour, booking Sergei Ignashevich when the card should have gone to Wernbloom, who would then have been sent off.
There was another red card on the way but it came for Toure, who deserved to be dismissed for a reckless, arms raised challenge on Roman Eremenko.
To cap a frustrating night, City striker Sergio Aguero had two penalty appeals turned down late on as CSKA held out.
Match ends, Manchester City 1, CSKA Moscow 2.
Second Half ends, Manchester City 1, CSKA Moscow 2.
Attempt missed. Ga??l Clichy (Manchester City) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Attempt missed. Dmitri Efremov (CSKA Moscow) left footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Bebras Natcho.
Sergio Ag??ero (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card.
Sergio Ag??ero (Manchester City) has gone down, but that's a dive.
Samir Nasri (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Dmitri Efremov (CSKA Moscow).
Hand ball by Dmitri Efremov (CSKA Moscow).
Foul by Samir Nasri (Manchester City).
Georgy Schennikov (CSKA Moscow) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Samir Nasri (Manchester City).
Georgi Milanov (CSKA Moscow) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Substitution, CSKA Moscow. Dmitri Efremov replaces Alan Dzagoev.
Corner, CSKA Moscow. Conceded by Joe Hart.
Attempt saved. Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Roman Eremenko.
Yaya Tour?? (Manchester City) is shown the red card for fighting.
Foul by Yaya Tour?? (Manchester City).
Roman Eremenko (CSKA Moscow) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Roman Eremenko (CSKA Moscow) is shown the yellow card.
James Milner (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Roman Eremenko (CSKA Moscow).
Attempt saved. Yaya Tour?? (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner.
Sergei Ignashevitch (CSKA Moscow) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Sergio Ag??ero (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Pontus Wernbloom (CSKA Moscow).
Foul by Yaya Tour?? (Manchester City).
Pontus Wernbloom (CSKA Moscow) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Edin Dzeko (Manchester City) header from the left side of the six yard box is close, but misses the top left corner. Assisted by Samir Nasri with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Mario Fernandes.
Attempt blocked. Yaya Tour?? (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Samir Nasri.
Attempt missed. Georgi Milanov (CSKA Moscow) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right from a direct free kick.
Second yellow card to Fernandinho (Manchester City) for a bad foul.
Foul by Fernandinho (Manchester City).
Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt blocked. Sergio Ag??ero (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Yaya Tour??.
Substitution, CSKA Moscow. Georgi Milanov replaces Seydou Doumbia.
Yaya Tour?? (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Yaya Tour?? (Manchester City).
Pontus Wernbloom (CSKA Moscow) wins a free kick in the defensive half. | Manchester City's Champions League campaign reached crisis point as they were beaten by CSKA Moscow on a desperate night at Etihad Stadium. | 29362950 |
After 12 years at the musical helm of the company, he is moving on, but not before he leads the orchestra through four operas and 15 hours of some of what he calls the most "physical" music on offer.
"One of the biggest things in Wagner is seeing the wood for the trees," he says.
"Even just doing one component of The Ring, say Das Rheingold which is two and a half hours of continuous music without an interval, you have to create a huge arch from beginning to end musically.
"One gets obsessed and concerned about the little detail, but you have to have this big macro view when you get to perform it.
"When you're doing the whole Ring, you are talking about a huge symphony of four different movements, [which are] essentially remoulding the same thematic material from start to finish, so creating this big span that makes an overall satisfactory musical and dramatic effect, that's the biggest challenge."
For first violinist David Greed, the leader of Opera North's orchestra, The Ring Cycle is a "tremendously fitting finale" for Farnes, who he says is an "extraordinary" conductor.
"Normally, with a conductor, you find faults everywhere, but Richard is the complete package.
"He's secure and clear, there are no needless gestures in his conducting, and his ear is extraordinary.
"If you think of Wagner and The Ring Cycle, he has over a hundred musicians sitting in front of him and if there's a wrong note, he'll find it straight away, be it in the second clarinet or the third tuba.
"As a leader, it makes me a bit redundant. With Richard on the box, I don't have to pick up the pieces, because he does it all with great ease and precision."
The company's general director Richard Mantle says while Farnes is a superb conductor, what raises him to even higher praise is his studious interest in what goes on beyond the orchestra pit.
"He does have this supreme knack of getting under the skin of the operatic canon in a way that not all conductors do.
"He takes a huge amount of interest in what's happening theatrically and has led a drive to enhance our casting, and that's certainly paying dividends."
Soprano Giselle Allen, who takes the roles of Freia and Gutrune in the production, says that interest in the dramatic side sets Farnes apart from others that take the podium.
"He's one of the few conductors who really understands the singer.
"He's always there for you, looking up at you - if something goes a bit wrong on stage, you know that Richard's there getting you back in again.
"He also understands the need for singers to breathe and the drama that's going on, on stage.
"You feel that all the little cogs in the watch all work together, that you're not fighting with somebody in the pit who wants to do things his own way.
"Richard has no ego, he's very much a team player."
Greed agrees that Farnes' interest in the whole production and lack of ego are unusual and welcome traits.
"I think this is the reason why some great conductors actually don't succeed in the opera theatre.
"It's a really complicated medium and Richard is incredible - yes, he stands in the orchestral pit, but his soul is also on the stage and taking care of the singers. His care is all round.
"And he has no flounce or ego about him at all - and we see a lot of ego, sitting in front of conductors."
Farnes says he would "find it odd to conduct an opera without being involved with the dramatic side".
"You have to question why did the composer do this? Why did he write this chord, this gesture, what's the purpose of it?
"Ultimately, what goes on in the pit is very much supporting dramatically what is going on, on stage.
"The pieces I enjoy conducting most are usually those that have a very dramatic orchestral role - where it's not decorating or merely supporting the singers, it's leading them dramatically."
For Mantle, The Ring is an "entirely fitting" work to mark Farnes' departure, "because what we have discovered through working on Wagner over the last five years, is that we, the UK - maybe Europe and maybe the world - has got a new very fine Wagnerian conductor".
Farnes says he "wouldn't want to consider myself as a Wagner conductor" as his "experience of Wagner is still very limited", but admits he does love the German composer's work, so much so that the hours fly by.
"I find I get lost in it and I love the storytelling aspect of The Ring.
"Wagner tells a fantastic story and the music is so physical, as physical as anybody since Beethoven, who Wagner admired a lot.
"That backs up the storytelling and I find my mind tracing the storyline in a performance. It doesn't feel nearly so long when you're doing it."
And, as for his future, he says he has "freelancing and guesting around" planned - and a good rest.
"I have a lot of Verdi ahead, who people think of as the antithesis of Wagner.
"I think we will all need a good holiday after six Ring Cycles, which is far more than most companies would ever do.
"I don't think any of us - singers, orchestra and conductor - could do it without adrenaline.
"You begin to realise how important a quality adrenaline is when you do things like this."
Opera North play Wagner's The Ring Cycle across four nights at Leeds Town Hall from 24 May, before moving to venues in Nottingham, Salford, London and Gateshead. | There can be few more challenging tasks as a conductor than taking on the whole of Wagner's The Ring Cycle - but that is the one that has been handed to Richard Farnes for his final assignment at Opera North. | 36342641 |
Krzysztof Druzgala, 21, had earlier admitted raping the woman at Swanfield Industrial Estate on 30 August 2014.
The court heard how the victim was attacked as she made her way to work in Leith.
Druzgala pinned her to the ground and punched her. He said later he was drunk and could not remember the attack.
A judge at the High Court in Edinburgh told Druzgala, through an interpreter: "The violence you inflicted in order to overpower her and have sex with her was both extreme in nature and prolonged.
"The girl was frightened for her life and attempted to co-operate with your demands in order to save herself.
"As a result she was badly injured and has been profoundly affected by the trauma you inflicted upon her, both physically and mentally."
The judge said the rape on a 20-year-old stranger in a public place was achieved through violence and threats.
Lord Burns said he would have jailed him for 10 years for the offence, but for his early guilty plea. He also ordered that he be kept under supervision for a further three years.
Lord Burns said the sex attacker's supervision may be a matter for the Polish authorities and pointed out he would be the subject of automatic deportation provisions.
He told Druzgala: "You will remain on the sexual offenders' register for life.
Druzgala was shown CCTV footage from the bus and identified himself. He said: "I don't remember if I met a girl. I was drunk and might not remember."
Druzgala was arrested in Constitution Street in Edinburgh after the attack.
His DNA was found on the fingernails and clothing of the victim.
Defence solicitor advocate Robbie Burnett said: "He deeply regrets his actions, but he has not got the slightest recollection of the incident."
Det Ch Insp Alwyn Bell, of Police Scotland, said: "This was a horrific ordeal for the young woman to endure and a thorough investigation was undertaken to identify the perpetrator.
"As a result of extensive CCTV enquiry Druzgala was identified and brought to justice for this crime.
"I would like to pay tribute to his victim at this time for her courage and continued assistance during our investigation." | A Polish man who followed a stranger off an Edinburgh bus before subjecting the woman to a rape ordeal has been jailed for seven years. | 30316205 |
The BBC's Great Debate featured almost two hours of questions on immigration, the economy and sovereignty.
Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson repeatedly clashed with Boris Johnson in front of an audience of thousands and accused his Leave side of "lying".
Mr Johnson said Remain "keep talking down our country".
Voters go to the polls from 07:00 BST on Thursday, to decide whether the UK should stay in or leave the European Union.
Ms Davidson, who gave the closing statement for Remain, told the Wembley audience they had to be "100% sure" adding that there was "no going back on Friday morning".
Her side "refused to dismiss the experts" who all agree that "Britain is better-off in", she argued.
The former London mayor got a standing ovation from his supporters after his closing statement, in which he declared: "Thursday can be our country's independence day" if Britain votes to leave.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast on Wednesday, Mr Johnson said voting Leave would allow the UK to "begin the process of extracting ourselves from this burdensome and anti-democratic system of governance".
Mr Johnson, who is taking part in a whistlestop tour of England on the final day of campaigning, said: "The ideal position for us is to take back control tomorrow - of huge amounts of money, so we can spend it on our priorities. Take back control of our immigration system, take back control - fundamentally - of our democracy."
Among other referendum developments as the final day of campaigning begins:
BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said the Leave side had the most "emotional enthusiasm" at the televised debate but Remain were able to display the passion some feel has been missing from their campaign.
New faces - to many people at least - Ruth Davidson and Sadiq Khan worked together to make arguments for the EU rather than excuses for it, she added.
The debate, the biggest of the EU referendum campaign, represented a final chance for the two campaigns to get their points across ahead of Thursday's poll.
There were heated exchanges throughout between Mr Johnson and his Remain-backing successor as London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, who accused Leave of running "project hate".
The lively audience - split between Leave and Remain supporters - applauded each time their side landed a blow as subjects including Turkish EU membership, trade deals and the power of EU courts were debated.
Also on the panel for Leave were energy minister Andrea Leadsom, who attacked the Brussels "gravy train", and Labour MP Gisela Stuart. Frances O'Grady, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, completed the line-up for Remain.
The first skirmishes were on trade and the economy, with Conservative and Labour Party colleagues trading blows.
Mr Khan and Mr Johnson clashed as the London mayor accused his predecessor of changing his mind over the benefits of the EU to businesses.
Mr Johnson said Remain "keeps talking down our country" and that the EU held back the UK's trading progress with the rest of the world.
Responding to the opening question from the owner of a small business, Ms Davidson said she knew people found the EU "frustrating and fussy", but said it provided "a level playing field" for small businesses. She said if the UK leaves, the rest of the EU would impose tariffs and taxes.
She read out previous quotes on job losses from key Leave figures including Mr Johnson, who hit back by saying the Remain campaign was "back to project fear".
He said it was "extraordinary" to suggest tariffs would be imposed on the UK, saying Germany would be "insane" to do so.
Ms Leadsom, for Leave, said the UK had led the way on workers' rights, not the EU. "We do not need unelected, bureaucratic European leaders to tell us what our workers' rights can be."
But Ms O'Grady said EU "red tape" as described by Leave backers really meant "getting rid of workers' rights".
As the debate moved onto immigration, Mr Khan said the Leave side - which has campaigned hard on the subject - had not been "project fear", it had been "project hate".
Brandishing a Vote Leave leaflet, he accused the rival side of "lying" and "trying to scare people" by saying Turkey was set to join the EU.
"Turkey isn't about to join," he said.
Ms Stuart said the UK government was actively trying to "accelerate" Turkish membership. She also said it was "simply a statement of fact" that uncontrolled immigration put pressure on services.
Also on immigration, a man in the audience asked how many people arriving per year the UK could "reasonably cope with".
Ms O'Grady said it was important to "manage" migration but said she was "fed up" with migrants being blamed for government shortcomings.
Ms Leadsom said the Bank of England had said uncontrolled immigration put "downward pressure" on wages.
The final section focused on sovereignty and the UK's role in the world.
Ms Leadsom attacked the Brussels "gravy train" which she said controlled 60% of UK laws and regulations.
She said the UK had been voted down every time it had tried to object to an EU imposition.
"How is that making our own decisions?" she asked.
Her Tory colleague Ms Davidson said the 60% figure was a "blatant untruth". She accused the Leave side of "lying" on this and other subjects including Turkish membership.
Mr Johnson said the home secretary was unable to deport serious criminals because of European laws, saying it was "absolutely amazing how the Remain side have the cheek to tell us we improve our security by staying in this organisation".
But Mr Khan challenged him to name one of the UK's Nato allies that supported a vote to leave the EU.
As well as the main panellists there was a smaller stage featuring campaigners from other political parties, business and journalism.
Green Party MP Caroline Lucas said immigration "goes two ways", adding that it was an "amazing gift" for Britons to be able to work and study overseas.
UKIP's Diane James defended a recent poster from her party showing a long queue of migrants in Slovenia, saying similar images had been used in the media to show the problems with EU free movement.
Also on the second panel were former Sainsbury's chief executive Justin King, who backs remaining in the EU, and founder and chairman of the Wetherspoons pub chain Tim Martin, who supports Brexit.
EU Referendum: The Great Debate is available to watch on the BBC iPlayer. | Leading names from both sides of the EU referendum have traded blows in a live TV debate at Wembley Arena on the eve of the final day of campaigning. | 36582567 |
Content providers regularly update the lists of sites they want blocked and the latest one includes popular file-sharing index Demonoid.
The list was started in 2012 when ISPs were forced to block access to the Pirate Bay.
At least 23 new URLs are on the latest list being sent to the main UK ISPs.
Content providers must apply for a court order to block individual sites such as Pirate Bay but, after that, they can add URLs that link to that particular site without any formal order.
The sites they choose link to pirated software including music, films, TV shows and e-books.
Content providers say that they carefully target sites whose sole purpose is to make money from other people's content.
In response to the latest requests, BT told the BBC: "BT will only block access to websites engaged in copyright or trademark infringement when ordered by a court to do so. The list of websites that BT has been ordered to block access to can be found here."
The list includes content from the Football Association, the Motion Picture Association of America and even some watchmakers - such as Cartier and Montblanc - who have requested that counterfeit sites be shut down.
But by far the largest number of requests comes from members of the BPI, which represents UK music labels.
"The recent expansions show that copyright holders remain concerned about people circumventing blockades, which is a common practice among users," said Ernesto Van der Sar, editor of technology news website TorrentFreak.
"New unblocking opportunities continue to appear so this is the only way to ensure that the efficacy of existing court orders isn't further diminished. It's a never-ending game of whack-a-mole."
How effective such blocks are remains open to debate.
A study conducted in May, by US universities Carnegie Mellon and Wellesley College, found that blocking the Pirate Bay had little impact on the rise in legal channels - instead people just turned to other piracy sites, Pirate Bay mirror sites or virtual private networks that allowed them to circumvent the block.
But, on the other hand, researchers found that bulk blocking - where multiple sites are shut down - was much more effective. Following such blocks in 2013, use of legitimate sites such as Netflix rose by around 12%, they found. | UK internet service providers have been asked to block access to dozens of URLs that are suspected of linking to pirated content. | 34581801 |
It is the fourth time Shafqat Hussain, who was found guilty of kidnapping and killing a child in 2004, has been given a stay of execution.
His lawyers say he was 14 when he was charged, and was tortured into making a confession.
The authorities however believe he was 23 when he committed the crime.
The execution was halted after Pakistan's Supreme Court agreed to consider an appeal.
Shafqat Hussain's family say they cannot believe the execution was halted.
"We were not expecting this, we had even found a place for his grave in a local cemetery here in Muzaffarabad," his brother Manzoor told the AFP news agency.
Rights groups have petitioned the Pakistani authorities throughout the past week, calling for the execution to be halted.
A spokeswoman for the charity Reprieve told the BBC that both the president and the Supreme Court had been intensely lobbied before the latest stay of execution.
"At one point on Monday - before the latest stay - the Supreme Court ordered a hearing to be held four hours after his scheduled execution. It was a Kafkaesque situation," a Reprieve spokeswoman told the BBC.
Reprieve argues that Pakistan's legal system has failed Shafqat Hussain at every turn and that even now his case has not been properly investigated.
"Ten years later, Shafqat still bears the physical and psychological scars from the torture," a petition filed by human groups to President Mamnoon Hussain says.
"The execution of a juvenile offender is strictly prohibited under both Pakistani and international human rights law."
A group of UN human rights experts has also called for the execution to be halted, pointing out that "he did not receive a fair trial and that the state-appointed lawyer never raised the fact that he was a child at the time of the alleged offence".
Pakistan is on course to have one of the highest rates of executions in the world. It executed three other men on the same day that Shafqat Hussain was reprieved.
Activists are petitioning to halt Wednesday's planned execution of Aftab Bahadur Masih, who they argue was also a minor at the time of his crime. He was convicted of a double murder in 1992.
The Pakistani government scrapped a moratorium on capital punishment in the aftermath of a deadly attack on a school in Peshawar - in which more than 150 school pupils and teachers were killed by the Taliban.
Pakistan has the world's largest number of death row inmates, with more than 8,000 people reported to be awaiting execution. | The execution of a Pakistani man convicted of manslaughter has been postponed hours before he was due to be hanged, prison officials say. | 33057237 |
Jitendra Lad, 49, killed his wife Daksha, 44, and daughters Trisha, 19, and Nisha, 16, at their home in Clayton, Bradford, last October.
Bradford Coroner's Court was told Mr Lad had searched the web on "how to cut someone's throat and executions" .
Coroner Martin Fleming recorded a verdict of suicide on Mr Lad.
The bodies were found by a neighbour on the evening of 27 October, in what Mr Fleming described as a "scene of unimaginable horror".
Mr Lad had used a scuba-diving knife to stab his daughters and his wife in their beds in the early hours of 25 October, the hearing was told.
He was found hanged at the family's detached home in Blackberry Way and had probably taken his own life two days after the killings, having been spotted by a number of people over that weekend.
Pathologist Brian Rogers said Trisha had suffered 33 different wounds, including to her neck and chest, which indicated she had put up a "considerable fight" before she died.
Her sister, Nisha, suffered eight different wounds, while their mother suffered a total of five injuries, of which four were deep stab wounds that severed arteries in her neck and her chest, he said.
The hearing was told how Mr Lad had no medical history of mental illness and no sign of financial problems.
Relatives and friends told the hearing they had appeared to be a normal, loving family.
In a statement read out in court, Mr Lad's brother Raman said: "There was nothing about the family that was anything other than normal and close.
"I can think of no reason at all for what's happened."
But Det Sgt Duncan Jackson told the inquest how Mr Lad had also carried out research on depression in the days leading up to the killings.
He said Mr Lad had been stressed at work as an IT manager.
Feeling he had been over-promoted, he had asked his boss about reverting to his previous position, the officer told the hearing.
He also said how the father had told a woman on holiday two months before his death about how unhappy he was with his life and imminently turning 50.
Mr Fleming said: "We will never know for sure what was going through Jitendra's mind at that time."
He said he was sure Mr Lad had intended to take his own life.
Evidence pointed to him trying to take an overdose of painkillers during the weekend. He was also seen driving to the 12th floor of a city centre car park shortly after he killed his family. | A man who stabbed his family to death before killing himself had done online research days before about carrying out executions, an inquest heard. | 32975746 |
Last month, planners recommended the council should reject the proposal.
The units which Lidl pursued only have planning permission for the sale of bulky goods, like furniture.
The planners said changing the use would conflict with policies which favour the use of existing suitable sites.
Last year, the future viability of the shopping centre was called into question when both Tesco and Dunnes Stores pulled out of it.
Alliance councillor David Armitage, who abstained from voting so that he could speak in favour of approving the plan, said the right decision was reached.
"I'm absolutely delighted the initial decision to decline Lidl has been overturned," he said.
"While some still saw fit to argue against the application, hopefully the years of struggling for Connswater are now over and the local community can look forward a revived period for the centre."
However, the Green Party's Ross Brown said the approval leaves the council open to a potential legal challenge that could prove costly.
"I'm not at all against Lidl and in fact I think it would be a good addition to the area, but this opens the door for a judicial review by Tesco and ultimately it's the ratepayers who have to shoulder the cost if that happens," he said. | Belfast City Council has backed a plan to open a new Lidl store at Connswater retail park in east Belfast. | 36533869 |
Chee Seng Chan, who is originally from Malaysia but now lives in Dublin, appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court.
He is charged with arranging or facilitating the travel of another person, with a view to that person being exploited.
The 51-year-old appeared alongside an interpreter.
He acknowledged that he understood the charge.
Objecting to bail, a detective said he was concerned that Mr Chang had no connections with Northern Ireland and gang members in the Republic of Ireland could help him flee.
He said there was also a fear that Mr Chang may interfere with witnesses or other potential victims or delete potential evidence from the website.
The defence solicitor said the alleged victim, who is believed to be in Taiwan, has not made a signed statement, adding: "Without her, there is no case - this is a weak case."
Police said they have been liaising with Interpol and are unsure when there will be a signed statement from the alleged victim.
The PSNI have seized Mr Chang's passport, driving licence, taxi licence, and car.
The district judge denied bail and Mr Chang was remanded into custody until next month. | A Dublin taxi driver and tour guide suspected of being part of a human trafficking gang was advertising on a website, a court heard on Friday. | 37455883 |
Last year the pair became the first brothers to top the world rankings in singles and doubles at the same time.
They have previously played together on tour and in the Davis Cup and the Olympics, but never in a Grand Slam.
Britain's former Fed Cup captain told BBC Sport: "I'm pretty sure they are going to have a crack at Wimbledon doubles together."
Jamie, 31, reached the top of the doubles rankings in March and won two Grand Slams in 2016, while Andy, 30, winner of three Grand Slams in singles and two Olympic gold medals, became world number one in November and remains there.
"While they are still happy and healthy I think they are quite happy doing their own thing and going their own way. But I'm pretty sure you'll see them playing doubles at Wimbledon together before they end their careers," Judy Murray told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek.
"I think they are both as driven as ever to win big titles.
"The Grand Slams are the biggest prizes in tennis and those are the things every player wants to win."
Jamie has won two doubles titles with Brazilian partner Bruno Soares this year, while Andy claimed the Dubai Championships for the first time but lost to world number 90 Jordan Thompson in the first round of the Aegon Championships at Queen's Club in June.
Andy will seek a third Wimbledon singles triumph when he defends his title in this year's Championships, which begin on 3 July. | Judy Murray has tipped her sons Andy and Jamie to play doubles together at Wimbledon before their careers end. | 40396935 |
No disturbances were reported in Sunday's ballot, but correspondents say voter turnout was only around 10%.
Polls also stayed closed in many areas affected by February's rallies, with the election commission saying the situation there remained too tense.
Thailand has been in a political crisis since mass rallies began in November.
Protesters are calling for Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to resign, and want her government to be replaced by an unelected "people's council" to reform the political system.
The opposition alleges that money politics have corrupted Thailand's democracy and that Ms Yingluck is controlled by her brother, ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who lives in self-imposed exile.
Protesters marched through the capital, Bangkok, on Sunday, but there were no signs of voters being prevented from attending polling stations, as had been the case in early February.
The BBC's Jonathan Head, in Bangkok, says the low voter turnout can be partially explained through poor publicity.
But there has also been little interest in these elections because people do not believe they will end the political paralysis, our correspondent reports.
Crisis explained in 60 seconds
The battle for Thailand's soul
The ballot will still leave too many parliamentary seats unfilled for a new government to be elected.
PM Yingluck is therefore stuck in a caretaker role, giving her cabinet very limited powers to govern, our correspondent says.
On Friday, protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban announced that demonstrators would end their occupation of central Bangkok in what was seen as a first sign of flexibility from the prime minister's opponents.
Talks are also planned next week between representatives from both sides.
Ms Yingluck leads a government that won elections in 2011 with broad support from rural areas. In response to the protests, she called snap elections on 2 February, which her government was widely expected to win.
However, the polls were boycotted by the opposition, and voting was disrupted by protesters at around 10% of polling stations. | Voting has ended in five provinces in Thailand that were unable to hold polls in last month's general election because of anti-government protests. | 26404757 |
By staying in the EU, the UK would remain a "21st Century success story", as he warned a vote to leave would be an endorsement of Nigel Farage's "mean and divisive" vision for the country.
There "was a lot to be scared of" if the UK voted to leave, he said, including losing control of the economy.
He said he believed Turkey would not join the EU in his lifetime.
Vote Leave said the government must clarify whether it was prepared to exercise its veto to block Turkey joining.
In the half-hour interview with Andrew Neil, his most forensic cross-examination of the campaign so far, Mr Osborne defended the government's warnings about the economic damage that would be done by a vote to leave on 23 June, saying they added up to "one big fat minus" for British jobs and workers.
To illustrate the point, he brandished a part from an Airbus aeroplane - made by a "real person" in a British factory - which he said illustrated what was at stake.
Likening a vote to leave as landing on the "big snake" in a game of economic snakes and ladders, he said it was a gamble the UK simply could not afford to take. While the UK could "do OK" outside the EU, OK was "not good enough" for the country.
"If we vote to remain Britain will be better off, safer as a country but if we leave we will lose control of our economy and that means losing control of everything," he said.
"I am a father of two children and I don't want to look around to them in 20 years time and say, you know, Britain used to be a great success, used to be connected to the world, but we took a decision and we retreated from that world. I want Britain to be the great success story of the 21st Century."
During often robust exchanges, he was challenged over the plausibility of the Treasury's forecasts that Brexit would lead to a 6% hit to growth and an 18% fall in house prices, its claims that the value of pensions could be hit, and David Cameron's failure to meet the government's immigration targets.
Accused of scaring the British people about the consequences of Brexit, he replied by saying "there is a lot to be scared of".
Asked to defend the government's claim that migrants who did not have a job now had to leave the country after six months, he said 6,000 people had been removed for "freedom of movement" abuses but did not spell out who they were and what for.
Claiming that UKIP leader Nigel Farage had "taken over" the official Leave campaign with his emphasis on immigration, he hit out at "disgusting things being said about the bodies of migrants being washed up on the shores of Kent, or about women being raped by migrants".
He urged voters to embrace an alternative vision of a country that was "open, inclusive and shapes the world - not one shaped by the world".
"Let me be clear. This is a battle for the soul of the country. I do not want Nigel Farage's vision of Britain. It is mean, divisive and it is not who we are as a country... I want the mainstream majority of the country to stand up and say we do not want Nigel Farage's vision of the country."
In an apparent stiffening of the UK's position on Turkey's accession to the EU - which David Cameron was in favour of as recently as 2014 - Mr Osborne said the country remained an ally of the UK but there was no realistic prospect of it joining the EU.
"Is it going to be a member of the European Union? No, it's not."
Turkey, he said, had "gone backwards" in terms of its democratic institutions and record on human rights and it was a "million miles away" from the EU. "British government policy is that it should not join the European Union today."
In response, Vote Leave said the government stated as recently as April that it supported the principle of Turkish membership. "The government must now urgently clarify whether its policy on Turkey has changed," a spokesman said. "Is it now promising to veto Turkish membership?"
Earlier on Wednesday, Justice Secretary and Leave campaigner Michael Gove issued a new warning about the risk of allowing visa-free EU travel for Turkish citizens, saying the EU should be protesting at the "erosion of fundamental democratic freedoms" in Turkey.
In other news, the boss of JCB has written to all his employees making the case for leaving the EU, telling them that they were free to vote as they wished but he believed it was not in the UK's interest to "remain in an EU of diminishing economic significance as it moves towards ever closer union".
"I voted to stay in the Common Market in 1975. I did not vote for a political union. I did not expect us to hand over sovereignty to the EU. I certainly did not expect unaccountable leaders in Brussels to govern over us." | The EU referendum is a "fight for the soul of the country", Chancellor George Osborne has told the BBC. | 36484357 |
As legislation in England and Wales allowing gay couples to marry comes into force on Saturday, the BBC Radio 5 live survey also found men were nearly twice as likely to stay away as women.
The poll of 1,007 people found 68% agreed gay marriage should be permitted, with 26% opposing it.
One gay rights charity said people's attitudes were "incredibly positive".
A spokesman for lesbian, gay and bisexual charity Stonewall said it was important to highlight the fact that four in five people would accept an invitation to a gay wedding.
But Catholic Voices, which represents the Catholic Church, said the findings of the survey reflected the reality that people remained "deeply uncomfortable" with being honest about their true feelings on the meaning of marriage.
Father Edmund Montgomery, a member of the organisation and a Catholic priest in Greater Manchester, said: "As the Church, we love those seeking a same-sex union, but our love for them requires we tell them the true meaning of marriage, something which that fifth of respondents find difficult but have the integrity to do by turning down the invitation.
"In our modern culture it is increasingly difficult to have an open debate without being labelled as bigoted or intolerant."
By Robert PigottReligious affairs correspondent, BBC News
As gay Britons celebrate their new status as married couples for the first time in England and Wales their legal status will be little changed.
Civil partnerships - available to them since 2005 - confer virtually all the legal benefits of marriage. But for many it was never enough.
The distinction between the modern invention of civil partnership, and marriage, an institution dating back for centuries, left the impression in some minds that gay relationships were inferior.
For them, only full, visible, equality would do - and politicians agreed. Most religious groups remain opposed - and Radio 5 live's poll shows they are not alone in deeply held objections to gay marriage.
However, with support in wider society growing strongly, faith groups are feeling the effects of internal divisions about an issue that arouses passionate opinions.
He continued: "It is a great irony that those seeking to increase tolerance do not extend that to those who disagree with them."
Fr Montgomery, who at 29 is the youngest priest in the diocese of Shrewsbury, said he thought more people might turn down an invitation to a gay wedding were they not concerned they might be regarded as extreme.
He added that, as marriage predates "the State", it should not be the government's place to change its meaning.
With same-sex weddings in England and Wales permitted for the first time from Saturday, the research suggested a substantial proportion of the population had reservations about the issue - with 42% disagreeing that gay marriages were no different from heterosexual marriages.
Of the 1,007 British adults polled by ComRes for the Stephen Nolan Show, 22% said they would spurn an invitation to attend a same-sex wedding ceremony.
Some 29% of men asked said they would not attend, compared with 16% of women.
The research also found that younger people were more likely to support same-sex marriage, with 80% of 18 to 34-year-olds backing it, compared with 44% of over-65s.
Of those polled, women were more likely to support gay marriage than men, with 75% of women for it compared with 61% of men in favour.
Gay marriage: How many will wed?
A majority of 59% of people asked agreed a person should not be considered homophobic for opposing the legislation permitting gay marriage.
Stonewall said the organisation recognised that not everyone would support same-sex marriage, but that the legislation permitting it should not affect them.
"Same-sex couples are living in committed, loving relationships and people have realised that the sky has not fallen in," the spokesman said.
He said the prevalence of civil partnerships had been an "incredibly important factor" in paving the way for same-sex marriage.
"This is a landmark moment and for the first time ever, someone young growing up knowing they are gay can have the exact same avenues open to them, [and know] that their relationship will be valued the same way their parents' was," the spokesman said.
"As campaigners and MPs have said in the past, the first thing a parent says to their son or daughter when they tell them they are gay is, 'Oh, you'll never be able to get married.' Well now they can."
John Coffey, who is marrying his partner Bernardo Marti at midnight in London, said he believed the institution of marriage would be strengthened by the new law.
He told the BBC: "We are changing one of the absolute most fundamental building blocks of our society - marriage.
"And that's quite daunting, actually." | About one in five British adults would turn down an invitation to a same-sex wedding, research suggests. | 26773016 |
A spokesman for the UN's mission in Mali, Minusma, told the BBC that six of the wounded were in an "extremely serious condition".
He added that UN forces had faced "increased attacks" this week.
The UN mission took over responsibility for security in northern Mali last year after French troops forced Islamists from key towns.
Minusma said that the landmine detonated on Tuesday between 11:00 and 12:00 local time (11:00-12:00 GMT), about 30km (19 miles) from the town of Kidal, on the road to Aguelhok.
The latest attack is one of several on UN forces in recent weeks.
On Monday the UN's base in Aguelhok came under mortar fire and in a separate attack, four civilian contractors for the UN were injured when their vehicle drove over a landmine.
No-one has claimed responsibility for the most recent attacks on the UN, reports the BBC's Alex Duval Smith in Bamako.
But on Sunday, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb said it had been behind a series of attacks in July and August in the Timbuktu region, our correspondent adds.
France intervened militarily in Mali last year in a bid to drive out Islamists who had taken advantage of an uprising by Tuareg rebels in the north of the country.
The latest attack comes as peace talks resume in Algeria between Tuareg rebels and Mali's government.
However, the talks do not include groups demanding Islamic rule. | Four UN peacekeepers have been killed and 15 injured by a landmine in northern Mali. | 29036996 |
Peterborough Conservative Stewart Jackson sent the response to constituent Laura O'Sullivan after she messaged him to say she would not vote for him.
Social media consultant Sue Llewellyn said the message was "stupid".
Mr Jackson has been unavailable to comment on the exchange.
Mrs O'Sullivan wrote in her email to Mr Jackson that she had married in October.
"As my wife and I enjoying our rights to an equal marriage, something that you did not support we will not, in no uncertain terms, be voting for you," she said.
"Please never write to me again."
He emailed her back a few hours later, saying: "The feeling's fully mutual. Please feel free to never bother me again."
Ms Llewellyn said Mr Jackson's response was "extremely ill advised".
She said people needed to be aware that anything they wrote on social media or via email could be circulated to a wider audience.
"People are still making mistakes every day," she said. "Too many people write something and press send before thinking about it.
"Everything you say online is public or permanent."
Paul Bernal, lecturer in IT media law at the UEA Law School, said easier access to politicians had changed the balance of power.
"It allows for the constituents to turn the tables on the politicians and they need to have more sense," he said.
"It doesn't mean you don't speak your mind, but you need to have the right thoughts in mind.
"It will show up the idiots, and this, frankly, is idiotic."
The BBC contacted Mr Jackson's office, which said it had been told about the email exchange and advised contacting Mr Jackson directly.
Mr Jackson said he was out canvassing and unable to discuss the matter.
One user on Twitter said Mr Jackson was using a "strange approach to drumming up support", while another said it showed he had "contempt" for Peterborough's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender voters.
However, former Conservative MP Louise Mensch said: "Good for you Stewart; MPs don't have to respond to insults with forelock-tugging." | An election candidate has faced criticism on social media for telling a woman in a gay marriage that he did not want to hear from her again. | 32128877 |
The 23-year-old joined Tigers on trial in February before initially agreeing a deal for the rest of this term.
The former Leeds Rhinos and London Broncos man made his Castleford debut against Huddersfield Giants in May.
"I'm over the moon to sign here for another two years. It's a great place to be," he told Tigers' club website. | Castleford Tigers back row Alex Foster has signed an extended contract with the Super League leaders until the end of the 2019 season. | 40225610 |
A series of landslips on a hillside behind the properties in the Swansea Valley has led to the warning.
Neath Port Talbot council said lives could be at risk unless the homes on Cyfyng Road, Ystalafera were evacuated.
But some residents have said they were not prepared to leave.
In 2012, thousands of tonnes of rock, soil and trees slipped down the hillside behind the houses.
There have been two further landslides this year and there are fears that another could cause the houses to collapse.
Council bosses have said there was no immediate solution to the issue.
Deputy leader Anthony Taylor said the council was trying to re-house those affected.
Resident Paul Harris said there had been two landslides from the hillside behind his rented home earlier this year, but a survey had found no damage to his house.
He said: "Two days ago a letter arrived in the post telling me I had to move out immediately because there was an imminent risk of the house actually falling down."
Despite that warning, he said he felt safe and would not leave because he had only been offered alternative bed and breakfast accommodation but could not take his two dogs with him.
He said: "Maybe there is a real risk, I don't know."
"I think the council need to decide on a definite plan of action. They seem to be not really giving residents the information that's being requested," he added.
"If they knew that it was likely that they would have to do this, why wasn't accommodation organised earlier, why now?"
The homes affected are a mix of privately owned and rented accommodation and Mr Taylor told BBC's Good Morning Wales programme there had been problems in the area since the 1940s, due to the geology of the land.
He said further ground movement in February and June had identified new issues and engineers advised further slips were possible in bad weather.
Mr Taylor said it could spark rising ground water which could cause structural or sewerage problems in the 10 homes identified as at risk.
He admitted the situation could "go on for some time" and when asked if it could be indefinite, he replied "yes".
A council advice centre and hotline have been set up to support residents and Mr Taylor said its housing team was working with social landlords and other providers to find accommodation for those who needed it.
He said: "We have great sympathy for those residents involved and it's a very difficult time for them.
"We are working with the individual families, because each of them has their own set of circumstances, and we are working to find accommodation as close as possible to where they are." | People from 10 homes have been ordered to leave immediately due to an imminent risk of a landslip which could cause their houses to collapse. | 40891322 |
New figures obtained by BBC Wales show 123 victims of FGM were found by midwives or maternity doctors in 2016.
A further 44 children under the age of 18 were highlighted as vulnerable to the practice.
Charity Welsh Women's Aid said figures showed just the "tip of the iceberg".
Campaigners have previously called for a dedicated clinic to be opened in Wales to help FGM victims.
The statistics, provided by the seven Welsh health boards after a Freedom of Information request by BBC Wales, showed the highest number of cases - 53 - were recorded by Aneurin Bevan health board.
There were 45 cases in Cardiff and Vale health board and 20 in Abertawe Bro Morgannwg health board, while three health boards - Hywel Dda, Cwm Taf and Betsi Cadwaladr - had five or fewer cases.
Only Powys Teaching Health Board recorded no cases.
Welsh Women's Aid said data on FGM in Wales was "hard to come by" but it was estimated 2,000 women in Wales are living with FGM.
"This suggests that the number of cases identified by the seven Welsh health boards are only the tip of the iceberg," the charity said in a statement.
"Welsh Women's Aid welcomes the fact the health boards are identifying and recording cases. It clearly demonstrates the need for specialist support for women and girls suffering from the significant physical and psychological affects of FGM."
The charity said it hoped the statistics would "raise the awareness" across the the seven Welsh Health Boards that they "need to fund dedicated support to those affected by FGM".
"FGM is child abuse and a violation of women and girls' human rights - it is critical that all public services and wider communities take action and ensure the safeguarding and support of girls at risk of FGM and there is sufficient provision of specialist support for women and girls affected," the charity said.
It added there needed to be "national and local support" to tackle the problem.
An estimated 200 million women and girls worldwide are affected by FGM.
In 2014-15, charity Bawso supported 788 families affected by FGM in Wales which, according to the World Health Organization, involves "the partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons".
In January, Bawso said it was working to open a pilot clinic at the Cardiff Royal Infirmary to provide medical and psychological help to survivors.
There are currently five drop-in clinics in England for victims of the practice.
Campaigners have warned teachers should be aware young girls may be taken abroad in summer holidays to undergo FGM as it takes up to four weeks to heal, with the fear it can be done before a girl returns to school at the start of the autumn term.
It has been illegal to carry out FGM in the UK since 1985, but there has not been a single successful prosecution.
A Cardiff Council report said two cases are currently being investigated by the Crown Prosecution Service in Wales.
No orders to protect young girls and women at risk of female genital mutilation have been made in Wales. | A case of female genital mutilation was discovered every three days, on average, by maternity staff in Wales last year. | 39630199 |
Sung to the tune of "Achy Breaky Heart" by Billy Ray Cyrus, the 21-year-old is compared favourably to France legend Zinedine Zidane in the chorus by the Bantams faithful.
We've got Cullen, Joshua Cullen, I just don't think you understand. We got him from West Ham, he's better than Zidane. We've got Joshua Cullen.
His form has not just been noticed on the terraces, as the Republic of Ireland Under-21 man has won the EFL's Young Player of the Month award for April.
"It's nice to hear that from the stands, but the main thing is the result and playing for the team," Cullen, who is on loan at Bradford from West Ham, told BBC Sport.
"It's another one you dream of, a bit of a surreal feeling as a young player hearing it.
"It is a good feeling but I think you've got to try to blank that out as much as possible - obviously you appreciate the support, but when it comes to business you focus about what is happening on the pitch.
"It's obviously a bit far to say I'm better than Zidane, but it's a good feeling to have that support from the fans and I can only say thank you to them."
After joining Bradford on loan towards the end of last season, Cullen has spent the whole of 2016-17 with the League One club.
Southend-born Cullen has played 45 times, including scoring his first, and only so far, professional goal against MK Dons.
"I can't thank everyone at the club and the surrounding area enough to make me feel welcome and making sure that everything is OK with me on and off the pitch," he added.
"It's the first time I've been away from home for a long period of time and it's been brilliant."
His final appearance for Bradford before returning to the Premier League club for pre-season will be the League One play-off final against Millwall at Wembley on Saturday.
The Bantams, who lost at the the semi-final stage to the Lions last season, are looking to return to second-tier football for the first time since 2004.
"It would be silly of me to say this is not a massive game - probably one of the biggest in my career to date," he said.
"I'm looking forward to the occasion without getting too carried away - you've got the play the game and treat it as a normal game. If we do that, hopefully we won't go too far wrong.
"When you're a young lad running around in the garden it's one of the stadiums you dream of playing at. It's the first time I've played there and hopefully the first of a few times."
Cullen made his debut for West Ham against FC Lusitans in the Europa League in July 2015 and made four outings for the Hammers, including one substitute appearance in the Premier League.
He played for England's youth teams growing up, but switched his allegiance to Republic of Ireland and has featured for their Under-18, Under-19 and Under-21 sides.
The boyhood West Ham fan wants to make his mark at his parent club, but would not rule out a return to West Yorkshire.
"At the minute my main focus is to get into the West Ham first team - that is what the whole loan has been about," added Cullen.
"The main goal for me, and my dream growing up, is to play for West Ham and that is still what I'm striving to achieve." | You know as a footballer that the fans have taken to you when you get your own chant, but Bradford City's on-loan midfielder Josh Cullen has a pretty unique one. | 39949132 |
With two high-profile, signal-sending bombing raids and a series of breathtaking policy reversals, President Trump has brought US foreign policy back in line with conventional thinking. But he has added to the equation a measure of force that gives Washington new clout.
When policy shifts so dramatically and with such little explanation, it can obviously shift again.
So we don't know how long the new positions will last. Nato could be back out of favour, Putin back in, simply with a couple of 140-character tweets.
But Donald Trump is a voracious consumer of cable television and the hunch is he will like the near-universal praise he's been getting on US talk shows this week.
There are clearly glaring inconsistencies in his new foreign policies - he bombs a Syrian air base because of the suffering of Syrian babies, but bans Syrian refugees from entering America.
There are pitfalls too. His switch on China appears largely based on a good rapport with Xi Jinping in Mar-a-Lago, but China still has interests which are not in sync with America's - its expansion in the South China Seas is just one.
But, as one Republican put it to me this week, Mr Trump has begun to know what he doesn't know. That's important. He has begun to understand that the world is more complicated than he thought.
You can laugh all you like at the sight of Mr Trump getting so publicly tutored on China, North Korea, the Export-Import bank and currency manipulation. Of course it was foolish to promise simple solutions to complex problems. But it's better to learn now how difficult those things are than never to learn at all.
His recent praise of Nato and rejection of Moscow immediately put this White House more in sync with European allies.
Europe has long believed that the real threat to global security comes from Russia, not China. That's not what millions of Mr Trump's voters believe. He will have to keep them in mind as he backs away from calling China a currency manipulator and slapping it with tariffs, as he had promised he would do in the campaign.
But the shifts do bring America back into the foreign policy mainstream.
The use of force, in Syria and Afghanistan, meanwhile, sends the message to America's adversaries that Mr Trump is not as war-averse as his predecessor.
The White House was delighted that Xi Jinping got to hear the news, over dessert in Mar-a-Lago, that the US had bombed Syria. They wanted him to get the message that there's a new sheriff in town - and ideally to pass that message on to their contacts in Pyongyang.
Those Tomahawks launched against the Shayrat air base didn't really do much to limit Syria's military capability, but they did send several effective signals to Syria and its friends.
First, using chemical weapons against civilians will have consequences. Second, this is a president who is prepared to use force fast and with no warning - Trump isn't paralysed by analysis which was the criticism of Barack Obama.
Third, and perhaps more critical, it gave Secretary of State Rex Tillerson a large stick to pack in his luggage for his trip to Moscow.
Mr Obama's secretary of state, John Kerry, negotiated over Syria for years with no leverage because the Russians knew his boss wouldn't sanction the use of force - not so anymore.
There was similar messaging printed on that massive bomb dropped on suspected Islamic State militants in Afghanistan this week. Dropping a big bomb is one thing, but you get a lot more attention when that bomb is rather gruesomely nicknamed "the mother of all bombs".
It wasn't just a bomb, it was the biggest conventional weapon ever used in combat. It was positively Trumpian.
That MOAB also sent signals. Mr Trump told his supporters during the campaign that his number one foreign policy priority was defeating so-called Islamic State. Some of those voters were not thrilled then that his first military intervention was in response to the suffering of Syrian children.
They are suspicious of America getting dragged into more Middle East conflicts that don't help US interests. Bombing IS was a reminder that Mr Trump is focused on what he calls America's number one national security challenge.
Ahead of the Easter weekend, with North Korea rumbling about a nuclear test, the Afghan strike may also have served as another reminder to Pyongyang that Mr Trump has big, bunker-busting weapons and will use them.
So, in two short weeks, and with a new and more professional team in the White House, Mr Trump has stabilised foreign policy. Allies will wait to see if the change lasts and who really speaks for the president. But for the moment there is a collective sigh of relief that American leadership may be back in more conventional hands.
Very soon, the focus will shift back to domestic policy and there Mr Trump has more of a challenge. He needs a legislative win fast. When Congress returns in a week, he will tackle health care, again, tax reform and he faces a government shutdown over America's debt limit. Failure on those will quickly shift the tone of the TV commentators.
President Trump has no domestic equivalent of the confident, competent General H R McMaster, his new national security adviser.
The Republican party is divided and the conservative wing has already shown it is prepared to say no to the president. Democrats, having been berated on Twitter and on TV by Mr Trump, are now in no mood to abandon their angry liberal base and work with him.
Mr Trump has had a good couple of weeks. He has shown a capacity to learn and adapt as a result. He has begun to understand what he doesn't know and he has marginalised the more populist members of his team.
He wants successes. It is easier for him to get them on the world stage than at home - it would be ironic if America's isolationist president now decided to become a foreign policy president because that's where the wins are. | Donald Trump has not only normalised American foreign policy, he has arguably made it more effective. | 39602782 |
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) said hundreds of kilos and thousands of litres of chemicals were seized in 20 states over five months.
Operation Cyber Juice focused on secret laboratories dealing in drugs obtained over the internet from China.
Agents also confiscated steroid powder, liquid and more than $2m in cash.
DEA acting administrator Chuck Rosenberg said too many young people were ruining their bodies and lives through steroid abuse, but this operation had attacked the "global underground steroid market, exposing its dangers and lies".
It began in April and ended with nine arrests on Tuesday.
The DEA said many of the drugs seized were bought from Chinese chemical manufacturing companies and then converted in secret labs into forms of steroids to be sold on the US black market.
In Arizona, four so-called steroid conversion labs were shut down and 150,000 doses of the finished product seized. | US agents have arrested more than 90 people and shut down 16 underground labs making illegal steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. | 34123490 |
At the Pentagon recently, US President Barack Obama announced deep cuts to the US military and set out a shift in attention towards the Asia-Pacific region, in a thinly-veiled message to China.
Despite a narrative of peaceful intent, China's leaders have struggled to reassure the US over the direction of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Both countries admit that their military dialogue falls well behind other aspects of the relationship.
So the shift has brought renewed scrutiny of the PLA's latest capabilities against US dominance in the Pacific.
In recent years the PLA has demonstrated impressive new capabilities at sea and in space, aimed at showcasing the success of its modernisation effort.
The obvious message is to deliver a powerful warning if Taiwan were to declare formal independence.
But Pentagon planners are now concerned that the Taiwan contingency has been eclipsed by China's broader maritime territorial claims and demands for more international space to protect the arteries feeding China's growth.
China is developing a range of capabilities linked to the space and cyber domain in order to sidestep the overwhelming might of the US military in the Pacific region. The PLA calls this fighting "local wars under informationised conditions".
China recognised almost two decades ago that in the mid-term the PLA could be no match for US conventional forces. So it began working on what was dubbed "unrestricted warfare" - combining multiple methods to defeat a superior opponent.
At the same time party leaders launched adventurous civilian acquisition projects in the high-tech domain to increase Chinese competitiveness and to boost indigenous production capabilities.
The PLA has been running military projects mirroring these civilian acquisition ventures. Sometimes involving dual-use technologies, the military and civilian strands have often been indistinguishable.
China's space programme is a case in point. The recent successful docking manoeuvre between a Shenzhou module and the Tiangong Space station is as much a triumph for the PLA as it is for China's civilian space agency.
Should the US ever intervene in a cross-strait clash or challenge China's maritime claims, Beijing would employ a pre-emptive "sea denial" strategy alongside its conventional operations - preventing US battle carrier groups operating in or near its claimed territorial waters.
Its submarine-launched ballistic and cruise missiles are now a lethal force. China's long-range nuclear weapons systems have also undergone significant upgrades and its strategic rocket force, the Second Artillery Corps, is very much the pride of the PLA.
One of the most pressing concerns for the US navy is the threat posed by a "carrier killer" anti-ship missile with enhanced targeting capabilities facilitated from space. China very recently launched its own Beidou Positioning System, challenging the monopoly of the US Global Positioning System (GPS).
One of the PLA's most sensitive advances has been the secret deployment and testing of advanced anti-satellite (ASAT) and Anti Ballistic Missile (ABM) weapons systems.
Two years ago, China successfully intercepted one of its own ballistic missiles as it streaked through space. This test coincided with the Pentagon's sale of Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) Patriot systems to Taiwan.
Some experts believe a Chinese ASAT campaign against a careful selected group of US satellites could have catastrophic effect on the US military.
This capability, combined with the potential for China to develop its own Ballistic Missile Defence umbrella, suggests that the space domain will be a new theatre for US-China rivalry.
Chinese ASAT capabilities are not exclusively reserved for "kill vehicles", like the one which obliterated an ageing Chinese weather satellite in 2007.
It is now believed that the successful 2007 "kill" was in fact the third test in a series. Previous tests had demonstrated an ability to manoeuvre in proximity to targeted satellites.
This would suggest that China has experimented with techniques which could be used for "space mining", where mines or mini-satellites armed with jamming technologies could be placed within the orbits of an opponent's spacecraft.
In addition to its "sea denial" and space warfare strategies, China is also expanding its conventional capabilities.
The PLA Air Force in recent years has extended its ability for offshore operations, enhancing an offensive capability. It is planning an overhaul of its ageing fleet with the deployment of over 3,000 new aircraft.
For the most part China has relied on copying Russian fighter technology. However, the roll-out of the Chengdu J-20 Stealth fighter prototype raised eyebrows last year, carefully timed to coincide with a visit by the US defence secretary.
There have been some very significant developments in the deployment of Chinese submarines in recent years. Beijing possesses 10 Russian-built ultra-quiet Kilo class submarines possibly armed with 200km-range anti-ship cruise missiles.
Since 2006, when a Chinese submarine surfaced undetected within torpedo range of the US aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk, China's submarine force has regularly marauded the US Navy and its allies in the Pacific.
It is thought that China plans to build three aircraft carrier battle groups, each armed with 40 fighters, up to eight warships, three nuclear-powered attack submarines and a number of support vessels. The PLA Navy's retrofitted Varyag carrier, currently under sea-trials, will serve as a training platform.
Even if the aircraft carrier would likely be a prestige piece and more directed at Chinese domestic pride, the prospect of a Chinese aircraft carrier will certainly cause ripples for the broader East Asian naval balance.
While much attention has been paid to the breakneck speed of Chinese military modernisation over the last decade, the events of 9/11 and the subsequent campaigns in the Middle East and Afghanistan provided a window of opportunity for China to accelerate development.
In some cases there may have been, quite literally, windfalls for the PLA. There is speculation that China acquired undamaged Tomahawk cruise missile components in the early stages of the Afghanistan campaign a decade ago.
When US special forces failed to completely destroy one of their stealth helicopters during Operation Geronimo, Pakistan's military may have allowed PLA counterparts to inspect the tail rotor.
The PLA must be congratulating itself on the impressive array of weaponry which has tilted the balance in the Taiwan Strait in its favour.
China's new-found capabilities combined with the opaque nature of its military modernisation create a formula for mistrust with the US.
There are perhaps three factors for uncertainty. Firstly, the Chinese military's confidence in its new equipment could lead to an overestimation of its capability as an emerging great power.
Secondly, the Chinese leadership could underestimate its ability to control an unexpected escalation of hostilities in the Pacific.
Finally, the domestic political factor - the PLA's external behaviour could become a reaction to internal nationalistic sentiment, instability or faction fighting as Beijing prepares for the fifth generation leadership handover this year. | As the US shifts its focus to Asia, Alexander Neill, head of the Asia Security Programme at the Royal United Services Institute, sets out the Chinese military advances challenging the regional balance. | 16588557 |
The pair, along with prop Adam Jones, are among an exclusive group of Wales players to have won three Grand Slams.
The third clean sweep in eight seasons was sealed with a 16-9 victory over France at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.
"It's just great for this group of players," said Jenkins.
The experienced trio were in the 2005 and 2008 Grand Slam sides, while Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams and Gerald Davies achieved the same feat in Wales' so-called golden era of the 1970s.
Jenkins, 32, Adam Jones and Ryan Jones, both 31, are among a Wales team well-represented by young players, including 21-year-old Alex Cuthbert, who scored the only try of the game to gain revenge for the World Cup semi-final defeat against France in October 2011.
"It wasn't the best of games [with] a lot of kicking involved. Our defence stood out and we managed to grind out a win," said prop Jenkins who took over as captain for the second half after Sam Warburton's withdrawal with a shoulder injury.
"We knew they [France] were going to be good. They've played well all Championship and it was up to us to perform on the day.
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"The occasion didn't quite get to us as they would have hoped.
"The atmosphere was unbelievable and it's great for us to win another Grand Slam.
"The coaches give us freedom to go out and play. We're quite a close group [and] the World Cup obviously brought us tighter.
"Our loss to France spurred us on today to get revenge and it's a great achievement for us."
Jones, who captained the Grand Slam winning side of 2008, was a half-time replacement for current skipper Warburton, who suffered a shoulder injury.
And Jones said the victory over France capped a memorable Six Nations campaign for Warren Gatland's side.
"For nine weeks they've been nothing short of superb," said Jones of his team-mates.
"They came into this campaign possibly as favourites with a goal and they've worked incredibly hard and they've achieved it.
"I take my hat off to every single one that's played even the smallest role. Everyone's contributed to this.
"It's something we'll reflect on and treasure and will be ours for years." | Wales veterans Gethin Jenkins and Ryan Jones believe the Grand Slam is just rewards for Wales' efforts during the Six Nations campaign. | 17416299 |
The lion is believed to have escaped from its cage in Jos Wildlife Park at feeding time on Wednesday morning.
There was tension in Jos as police and soldiers spent the day trying to track the animal down.
The police say the lion was hostile during attempts to get it back to the cage and it was killed before it could harm anyone.
The BBC's Ishaq Khalid in central Nigeria says there has been widespread condemnation of the killing in the region.
Critics argue the animal should have been tranquillised instead. | A four-year-old lion has been shot dead after it escaped from a zoo in Jos, central Nigeria. | 34989553 |
South Wales Fire and Rescue reported 31 incidents between April 2016 and March 2017, up from 12 in the previous year.
It said crews had been subjected to verbal and physical abuse, including having bricks thrown at them.
North Wales and Mid and West Wales fire services did not have figures when asked, but said they had a zero tolerance approach to attacks.
The areas in south Wales which had the highest number of attacks on firefighters include Blaenau Gwent (13%), Caerphilly county (16%), Cardiff (19%) and Newport (23%).
South Wales Fire and Rescue is now working with Crimestoppers and the Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner to reduce the number of attacks and bring offenders to justice.
Matthew Jones, head of the fire crime unit in south Wales, said their job was to "save lives and protect property".
"Firefighters put their lives on the line to keep communities safe and to be treated with such a lack of respect sometimes is, quite frankly, appalling," he said.
A North Wales Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said attacks on their firefighters were "rare when considering the number of calls they attend each year".
She said: "We will not tolerate abuse or attacks directed towards our staff".
"Members of staff responding to emergencies or delivering a community safety service are doing so to help and improve the communities we serve and should not be subjected to abuse of any nature."
A Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue spokesman said the service has a "zero-tolerance approach to any attacks on our firefighters" and those responsible will be "reported, caught and dealt with accordingly by the police". | Attacks on firefighters across south Wales have almost trebled in the past year, new figures have shown. | 40354053 |
He was 19 when he fought in the now infamous battle at Mametz Wood in northern France in 1916.
One of 237,000 men and boys from Wales to serve in the Great War, he survived. Tens of thousands didn't.
In one of the bloodiest battles of the Somme, 4,000 men from the 38th (Welsh) Division were killed or injured at Mametz Wood.
In BBC archive footage Albert Evans recalls how the line of men which advanced towards the wood "withered away" before his eyes.
"The machine guns of the Germans were just spraying fire over the open site," he said. "You couldn't get near the wood."
Author Peter Robinson from Burry Port, who has researched the division, described the first attack as a "disaster" as the men, outflanked by two machine guns, attempted to advance up a slope while evading gun fire.
"Quite frankly it was a no hope situation," he said.
Following that first abortive attempt to capture the heavily fortified wood, Major General Ivor Philipps, the officer commanding the 38th Division, was relieved of his role.
Control was instead given to Major General Herbert Watts and a second attempt was made.
"The wood was very thick and dense, the soldiers became very disorientated, but they pushed through and forced the Germans out," said Robinson.
The enemy may have been cleared but the 38th Division paid a heavy price.
Lord Thomas of Gresford recently highlighted the role of the Division in the House of Lords, describing the loss of men in the battle as a "huge tragedy for the whole of Wales".
He said 1,000 men from the Rhondda Regiment went in to battle that day, but only 135 men answered the roll call the following day.
"The rest were either missing or wounded or most likely dead," he said.
The loss of life and casualties was so severe the 38th Division was out of action for almost a year.
In July 1917 it regrouped for the battle of Pilckem Ridge.
"Pilckem Ridge was the start of what we now know as Passchendaele," said Mr Robinson. "It was another disaster."
The campaign on the Western Front was fought over the control of the ridges south and east of the Belgian city of Ypres in Flanders.
But as rain poured relentlessly, the battlefield turned into a shattered landscape of mud.
"It's said it took six men to carry a stretcher and they were knee-deep in the mud," said Mr Robinson. "It was impossible."
Away from the Western Front, Welsh recruits also saw action in places like Mesopotamia, Palestine and Gallipoli.
Many also joined other divisions and fought across the battlefields of World War One.
Between 1914 and 1918, 237,000 men and boys from Wales served - more than a fifth of the male population at the time.
An estimated 38,000 lost their lives.
Fourteen were awarded the highest military honour, the Victoria Cross, but almost as many were shot for cowardice or desertion - a notion rejected by Lord Thomas.
"They didn't recognise the stress disorders that we do today," he said.
"I don't think it was cowardice at all. These people were put in an impossible position, a terror that drove people to desert their post." | "Hell on earth" was how Albert Evans from Briton Ferry summed up his experiences of the First World War in a BBC interview in the 1970s. | 28664386 |
His daughter Kate was unveiling a bust of her father while actor Robert Hardy was reading a eulogy to the late Welsh-born Hollywood star.
The development in the grounds of Cardiff Castle includes a 450-seat concert hall and a 160-seat theatre named in honour of Burton.
There are a series of events at the complex over the next few days.
They include a performance by 2005 Cardiff Singer of the World winner Andrew Kennedy and a special series of concerts by Welsh National Opera.
Walk of Fame
Kennedy's concert will officially open the 450-seat hall named after Dora Stoutzker who used to teach music in south Wales.
Other facilities include studio, teaching, rehearsal and foyer spaces, an exhibition gallery to display the college's award-winning theatre and costume designs, and a new cafe bar and outdoor terrace overlooking Bute Park.
Work on the development began in 2009.
It was confirmed on Wednesday that Burton, a miner's son from Pontrhydyfen, near Port Talbot who died in 1984 aged 58, is to is to be recognised with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
His tempestuous love affair with Elizabeth Taylor, who died earlier this year, is also reported to be being made into a film directed by Martin Scorsese. | The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama's new £22.5m Cardiff base opened with a tribute to Richard Burton. | 13880049 |
The show, featuring performances from Coldplay and Take That, had a lower audience than the Brits, which was seen by 4.2 million people in February.
That figure marked a fall of nearly 2 million from 2013, making it the least-watched Brit Awards since 2006.
Ed Sheeran and Pharrell Williams were the main winners at the BBC event.
Pharrell was named best international artist and won song of the year for his exuberant, gospel-inspired single Happy.
Sheeran was named British act of the year, and played a rousing version of his Pharrell-produced single, Sing, using just a guitar and loop pedal.
The ceremony also saw performances from One Direction, Clean Bandit and US jazz singer Gregory Porter.
However, it was beaten in the ratings by ITV soap opera Emmerdale, which attracted 5.6 million viewers between 20:00 GMT and 20:30 GMT.
Later in the show, more people turned to BBC One - with a peak audience of 4.7 million watching Pharrell accept his song of the year award at 2100 GMT.
Joining the ceremony via satellite, the singer-producer described Happy's global success as "weird" and "not something I can determine".
Paying tribute to the people who watched, streamed or downloaded the song, he said: "Songwriters are beholden to what the audience thinks.
"When you say 'song of the year' it's not really my award, it's your award."
Accepting his prize from singer Sir Tom Jones, Sheeran said: "A massive thank you to everyone who's bought a record, bought a ticket, streamed on YouTube or listened to my music."
"I always thought my career would stop at one album," he added, "[but] even if people stop listening to the music I'm still going to make it."
Chris Martin opened the show from the dressing rooms, performing the opening lines of Sky Full of Stars, before emerging into Earls Court in London in a shower of confetti and screams.
Many of the other artists were backed by the BBC Concert Orchestra - including Clean Bandit, who played their classical-dance mash-up Mozart's House before segueing into the number one single Rather Be.
While Tom Jones and Paloma Faith sang the Beach Boys' God Only Knows - the song that was used to launch the BBC Music brand earlier this year.
Newcomers Catfish and the Bottlemen also played to their biggest-ever audience, after winning the BBC Introducing award for best new act.
The Welsh rock band have been championed by BBC's Introducing strand, which champions emerging talent.
"They've looked after us since we were 15," said singer Van McCann.
"Two years ago, I could only buy a McDonalds and a pack of fags. Now, I can afford to go large."
One Direction drew the biggest cheers of the night as they performed their single Steal My Girl.
But the volume of their fans caused a slight technical problem. As event co-host Fearne Cotton tried to interview the quintet on stage, band member Louis Tomlinson replied: "To be honest, I didn't hear what you said. It's too loud and I've not got you in my ears."
Find out more on the BBC Music website.
Listen to tracks by nominated artists on BBC Playlister.
Prior to the ceremony, there had been criticism the best British artist prize excluded female acts - despite the success of Ella Henderson, Ellie Goulding and Cheryl Cole over the last 12 months.
BBC Music boss Bob Shennan denied there had been a "carve-up", telling Radio 1's Newsbeat the "six [acts] who were nominated were the six who got the most number of votes".
Hosted by Chris Evans and Fearne Cotton, the show was broadcast live on BBC One, BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2.
It was also screened in Denmark, Japan, Ireland and North America. | The first ever BBC Music Awards ceremony was watched by an average audience of 3.9 million people, according to overnight figures. | 30448036 |
Funai Electric has been producing VHS-playing VCRs for 33 years, most recently in China for Sanyo.
But last year it sold just 750,000 units, down from a peak of 15 million a year, and has been finding it difficult to source the necessary parts.
VCRs were introduced in the 1970s but were superseded by DVD technology.
Last year, Sony announced it would stop selling Betamax video cassettes - a rival to the VHS. VCRs were required to play or record such tapes.
It was 12 years ago that UK High Street retailer Dixons decided to phase out the sale of VCRs due to the popularity of DVD players.
Some vintage technologies - such as vinyl - have enjoyed a renaissance.
However, Tania Loeffler, an analyst at IHS Technology, does not think the same nostalgia will ever be felt for VCR-playable formats.
"I don't see VCR becoming like vinyl, where a lot of people appreciated the warmness of how something sounds on vinyl," she told the BBC.
"The quality on VHS is not something I think anyone would want to go back to."
However, she added that a niche market for accessing VHS content, perhaps for archival purposes, would probably mourn the loss of VCRs if they became unavailable. | The last videocassette recorder (VCR) in Japan will be produced by the end of the month, according to the Nikkei newspaper. | 36857370 |
The 23-year-old forward has signed a undisclosed-length contract with the League One club.
Nichols joined Posh from Exeter City on a four-and-a-half year deal in February 2016, scoring 13 goals last season.
"I'm delighted to be signing a player, who in my opinion is a top-class striker," said Rovers manager Darrell Clarke.
Nichols will link up with his Rovers' team-mates on their pre-season tour of Portugal on Monday.
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page. | Bristol Rovers have signed Peterborough United striker Tom Nichols for an undisclosed fee. | 40631878 |
The France left-back, 33, has signed a two-year contract with the Italian champions, ending his eight-and-a-half-year stint at Old Trafford.
"Playing for Manchester United has been a privilege, a dream come true, and my time there has been so memorable," he said.
Evra joined United in January 2006 from Monaco for £5.5m and won five Premier League titles.
He signed a one-year extension to his contract in May but asked to leave when Juventus approached United over his availability.
Evra would have been competing for a starting berth next season against £27m signing Luke Shaw.
"After a great deal of thought I have decided the time is right for me to leave," Evra said.
"It is the biggest decision of my career as this club is, and will always remain, in my heart."
Evra made 379 appearances for United and as well as Premier League success, he helped the club win the Champions League in 2008, three League Cups and the Club World Cup.
He was part of the France squad at the 2014 Fifa World Cup squad in Brazil and played in four out of their five games, including the quarter-final defeat by Germany.
As he departed, Evra also thanked former manager Sir Alex Ferguson and the club's fans.
"An immense thank you to Sir Alex for making it all possible, for giving me the privilege to be a captain and to understand that nobody is bigger than the club," he said.
"My biggest thanks go to the fans. We have had some fantastic times together and every single time I stepped out in that shirt I knew I was playing for a very special club."
Juventus will pay an initial £1.2m for Evra, plus an extra £300,000 if they qualify for the Champions League in 2015-16.
Red Devils executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has told United fans to expect more signings over the next few weeks as new manager Louis van Gaal attempts to build a side capable of competing for the Premier League title. | Patrice Evra has completed a £1.2m move to Juventus from Manchester United. | 28409439 |
The centre in Denbighshire will have indoor and outdoor flume rides, a children's water play frame, party rooms and two wet splash pads.
There will also be a beach-themed splash zone, sun lounge areas, a cafe, bar and terrace at the park, which is replacing the former Sun Centre.
It was demolished to pave way for the regeneration, despite calls to save it.
The council said the development will create 60 new jobs and attract 350,000 extra visitors to the town every year.
Work will begin in September 2017 ahead of its opening in early 2019.
The proposals will also mean the town's skatepark will be relocated and young people will be asked to help design a new one.
Denbighshire council leader Hugh Evans said the project would increase town centre footfall and boost the economy.
Rhyl mayor, councillor Alan James, added: "The winds of change are blowing and the patience of the people of Rhyl will be rewarded with a facility we can all be proud of, one that puts our town firmly on the map." | Plans to build a water park as part of the regeneration of Rhyl waterfront have been granted by planners. | 40584830 |
Goalkeeper Conor Brennan, defender Lee Ashcroft, midfielders Julien Faubert, Christopher Johnston, Aaron Splaine, and Alex Henshaw all depart.
The club is willing to consider offers for seven other first-team players.
Offers have been also made to Rory McKenzie and Craig Slater.
Earlier on Monday, however, midfielder Slater posted a message on his Twitter account announcing he had decided to leave Rugby Park - he has yet to find a new club.
A club statement said Killie were willing to consider offers for defenders Conrad Balatoni, Kevin McHattie, Mark O'Hara and David Syme, as well as attackers Tope Obadeyi, Dale Carrick and Kallum Higginbotham.
Skipper Connolly missed the club's Premiership run-in and play-off battle due to a hip operation.
Manager Lee Clark warned significant changes in personnel were required after Kilmarnock retained their top-flight status on Sunday. A 4-0 victory over Falkirk in the Premiership play-off final second leg emphatically assuaged fears of relegation, overturning a 1-0 deficit from the first encounter. | Kilmarnock captain Mark Connolly's contract has been cancelled, while six players have been allowed to move on after their deals expired. | 36363149 |
The Easter Road boss remains adamant his side should have been awarded a penalty in the 2-2 draw with Falkirk.
They need to win at Falkirk in Friday's second leg, but Stubbs says that would have been their approach regardless.
"We all know it was a penalty, but it's gone, there's nothing we can do about it now," said Stubbs.
"What we can do is put another performance in and get the result.
"Anyone who thinks it wasn't a penalty makes themselves look a bit silly. But as far as we're all concerned, we move on. It's not going to be an excuse.
"We've got another 90 minutes, potentially 120 minutes, to get the result, irrespective of what happened the other night.
"Even if we were taking a lead into the game, our approach would be to go there and win. We know we're playing well and we know that we can create chances.
"It's going to be a very difficult game, Falkirk have done great this season, they're well organised, have a very good team spirit and individual players who can hurt you."
Across five meetings this season, the sides have drawn four times, with Hibs edging the only victory by a single goal.
Despite a hectic run of fixtures, Stubbs has no new injury concerns ahead of the return fixture. Midfielder Marvin Bartley, who missed the first leg with a leg injury, also returns to the squad.
Stubbs dismissed speculation linking him to the managerial vacancy at Blackburn, and insists he is relishing the pressure of the play-off games and Scottish Cup final, which could see Hibs play four games in the next 13 days.
If Hibs prevail on Friday, they would face Kilmarnock in the first leg of the play-off final on Tuesday, 17 May, with the second leg the following Wednesday, 25 May, with the cup final against Rangers sandwiched in between.
"Nothing will distract me," Stubbs said. "We've got, potentially, a huge 13 days left.
"It could be a great 13 days and no matter if I'm getting linked with someone or the players are getting linked with someone, we're not going to lose our focus or lose sight of what we've wanted to achieve all season.
"It's fantastic: cup final, chance of promotion, it doesn't get any better. How can I not be looking forward to that?
"The players have responded magnificently and the play-offs have helped because they've taken our mind off the cup final. Nobody's thought about the cup final, and it's only 10 days away."
Hibs' on-loan Celtic striker Anthony Stokes says coping with the pressure of the play-off games will be the same as dealing with an Old Firm match.
"I always remember Neil Lennon saying to me after an Old Firm game, just focus on the football, not the occasion. It's the same with this," Stokes says.
"Everybody knows what's on the line, but you've got to treat it as another game of football.
"You need to keep your composure, be focused and not be nervous going into the game.
"But it comes down to quality. The better football team wins nine times out of 10.
"You can say what you want, you can have your talk off the pitch, but it comes down to who takes their chances on the night and who keeps their nerve." | Alan Stubbs insists frustration over refereeing decisions in their play-off semi-final first leg will not play on the minds of his Hibernian players. | 36279651 |
But even those four cycles have given me some insight into what makes the Byzantine caucus process so compelling. In some ways Iowa is unique in the US presidential election process but it also represents a snapshot of the broader American mood.
Iowa is exciting, but more than that, it's inspiring. Residents of this large, mid-Western state give the most impressive display of democratic commitment I have ever come across in the West.
It is hard work caucusing and they take it very seriously here. They attend rallies, listen to speeches, put up with endless TV ads and then on a freezing winter's night they schlep through the snow to spend anything up to three or four hours casting a single vote.
I've even sat in a two-hour meeting where local residents were being instructed on how to caucus. They weren't even voting yet, but they still showed up.
It's also fun for us because it's one of the few times reporters are able to see the candidates up close. In return for their own diligence, Iowans expect the candidates to show up for intimate gatherings.
Admittedly at most of these "coffee shop" events I've been to, the ratio is something like this: reporters 54, residents 14, candidate 1. But at least you can elbow your way to the front of the pack and throw the candidate some random question. Senator this, governor that, why are you up in the polls? Why are you down in the polls? Why are you in the polls at all?
I see it as a test of my journalistic perseverance. These things don't change. Others do.
2004 was the election of security moms. It was all about Iraq.
The night before the caucus in 2004 I remember going to a John Kerry rally in Des Moines.
I can't tell you much about what the candidate said because I was too captivated by the little black box ABC news anchor George Stephanopoulos was proudly showing me.
It had a tiny, tiny key board and with it he could send his editors emails from anywhere. Anywhere! Imagine that! He demonstrated. I wondered why it was called a Blackberry and felt sure the name would never catch on. It had nothing to do with fruit. I should have thought of Apple.
I don't think I missed much though, ogling George's new toy rather than listening to the esteemed senator from Massachusetts. His speech was really no different from the one I'd heard him give many times before. The supporters were the same crowd too. Angry at President Bush, angry at the war, desperate for a Democrat who could bring American troops home.
As I watched them in a school gym that night haggle and argue to get warm bodies into their camp (a colleague once described the Iowa caucus as a very political cocktail party, without the cocktails,) it all felt rather downbeat. Perhaps it was clear even to them that Kerry was an imperfect messenger. He was jumbled on the one single issue that mattered that year.
By the end of his campaign I still couldn't really tell you what his position on Iraq was, and if I, whose job it was to follow the election news every day, couldn't understand it, how on earth could, the average voter.
2008 brought us change. And change too for Iowa. A very white state voted for a black man with a foreign sounding name. That year the Democratic caucus-goers looked and sounded different.
Four years earlier I had found them a rather beleaguered bunch - promoting a candidate many of them knew wasn't very impressive.
In 2008 they were just as undiverse as they'd ever been, but they were energised, thrilled by both Obama and Clinton. It was their race, their time and they were going to change the world after eight years of Bush.
It's sometimes hard to remember now that the blush has worn off the Obama rose, now that so many of the promises proved impossible to keep, but those days in Iowa in 2008 were heady indeed.
And my editors in London were as excited as the crowds in Sioux City. They couldn't get enough of this contest between the first black man and the first woman. That was the caucus at which Europeans seemed to feel America was returning to sanity.
And it was in Iowa in 2008 that I finally grasped a fundamental difference between Americans and Europeans.
It was thanks to a union worker I interviewed outside a tyre factory north of Des Moines. Times were hard for this gentleman. His daughter had cancer, his wages were low and he had trouble with his health insurance. But he was canvassing support for the other democrat, John Edwards, a multi-millionaire who had reportedly just got a $400 hair cut on a private plane.
I asked this man whether that didn't make him mad. Here he was with so little and his candidate had just got a gold-plated trim. Of course not, he replied, it's great that John is rich, it's what we all want.
European's scepticism, even jealousy, of self-made wealth eluded him.
Of course 2008 was an open race on both sides. And we had fun chasing little-known hopefuls from small town to smaller village (remember Alan Keyes? No, nor do I).
We hadn't yet been introduced to Sarah Palin and somehow the larger-than-life characters on the Democratic race sucked most of the oxygen out of the press coverage. I do remember John McCain larking around for my camera, it was the days before he bitterly turned against the media.
In 2012 all the focus switched entirely to the Republicans and the question was would Mitt Romney, a Mormon, win the hearts of Iowa's evangelicals?
Or would they gravitate more to Rick Santorum and Michele Bachman - two proven Christian conservatives, one of whom, by the way is running again this year. Some faces don't change.
It always slightly surprises me that in a country of more than 300 million people it's so hard for the parties to find a first-rate candidate.
Kerry was a weak candidate in 2004. Romney was a weak candidate in 2012. In both those elections the parties had a good chance of winning. In 2004 because of the Iraq war and in 2012 because of the recession.
From Iowa of '12 I remember a disagreement with my editor in London. That night I said on air that the Republicans had a good chance of winning that election because the economy was so bad. He couldn't really believe it.
In retrospect he was still steeped in the European affection for Barack Obama. I was hearing America's loud disgruntlement. In the end Republicans didn't win. But I still believe they could have done, with a stronger nominee.
All of which brings us to Iowa 2016 and a political show none of us anticipated, on either side of the race. This year, a state deeply wedded to its political traditions has thrown the rule book into the snow.
Donald Trump appeared to be everything Iowa isn't: brash, flashy, rude and yet they love him. Even when he committed the cardinal sin of telling Iowa voters they were stupid, his poll numbers went up.
None of us who have covered American politics for a while expected to see anything like this. It's exactly why we keep coming back.
For the last couple of cycles I've thought, that's it, I'm done. It's too cold, too far, Iowa gets too much attention anyway.
And yet here I am back again. I wouldn't miss this one for the world. | I went to my first Iowa caucus in 2004, which I realise makes me a novice by the standards of veterans of the American press corps, who can can wax informatively about the Dukakis campaign of 1988 or even Reagan's triumph in 1980. | 35456648 |
Firefighters began tackling the blaze on the ground and first floors of the building in Dock Street shortly before 12:30.
The incident led to the closure of one eastbound lane, resulting in traffic backing up the entire length of the Tay Road Bridge's northbound carriageway.
The fire has been extinguished but crews remained at the scene.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said a structural engineer has assessed the building as unsafe. | A fire in a derelict building in Dundee city centre has caused significant traffic disruption. | 40456160 |
Media playback is not supported on this device
Story of the match:
The 24-year-old, who scored five goals to win the Golden Boot in South Africa four years ago, took his World Cup total to eight with a sensational performance.
The Bayern Munich forward dispatched an early penalty, drilled home Germany's third and tapped in a fourth, with centre-back Mats Hummels heading the second before going off with a knee injury.
"Germany have played so patient. Sometimes in our country we rush it because of the crowd and the excitement but the Germans have played to their tempo. They look really solid at the back as well.
"Portugal's situation is similar to Spain. But if they win their two games, they will get through.
"They've got two winnable games and they've just got to make sure they win them."
Portugal lost defender Pepe to a needless red card at 2-0 after he appeared to headbutt Muller, and Paulo Bento's men could not recover as Cristiano Ronaldo had little chance to impress.
The result was wrapped up with plenty of time to spare, putting Germany in pole position to dominate Group G and fuelling hopes of a first World Cup triumph since 1990.
Although Joachim Low's men had won each of the past three meetings between these sides, including at the same stage of Euro 2012, Portugal made the better start, with Ronaldo to the fore.
The Real Madrid forward was troubled by knee and thigh problems in the build-up, but showed no sign of discomfort. His early break set up Hugo Almeida for a weak shot, before the two-time Ballon d'Or winner beat Per Mertesacker and drew an alert save from Manuel Neuer.
That scare seemed to spark Germany into life. Sami Khedira missed an open goal after a poor clearance by goalkeeper Rui Patricio, but the opener would soon arrive.
Muller, Mesut Ozil and Mario Gotze were causing Portugal all manner of problems and, when the latter was hauled down after forcing his way past Joao Pereira, referee Milorad Mazic pointed to the spot. The penalty was tucked into the bottom corner by Muller.
That settled Germany into a rhythm, executing their 4-2-1-2-1 formation far better than Portugal to look solid at the back and capable of threatening every time they came forward.
Nani drilled a rare Portugal effort narrowly over the bar, but Gotze almost doubled the lead with a shot that deflected wide. Then, following Toni Kroos's resultant corner, Hummels did burnish the advantage, exploiting Portugal's sloppy zonal marking to head powerfully past Patricio.
Portugal briefly rallied. Fabio Coentrao inexplicably tried to cross for Ronaldo when he should have shot and Eder - on the the injured Almeida - headed over.
But any hopes they harboured of a comeback were dashed when Muller fell after what looked like a flailing arm from Pepe, who reacted by bending down and nudging his head against that of the grounded German.
Portugal coach Bento seemed appalled at the Real Madrid defender's actions, and Portugal's afternoon deteriorated further when Bruno Alves struck a clearance straight into the body of Muller, who reacted sharply to lash a shot under Patricio.
The contrast on the two benches as the half-time whistle blew was stark - all smiles and high-fives among the Germans, bowed heads and dejection among the Portuguese - and the interval did little to change things.
The Muller-Ozil-Gotze axis continued to wreak havoc and they combined again as Gotze slipped Ozil though, but the Arsenal playmaker was denied by Patricio and Muller headed the rebound over.
Ozil's disappointment at being replaced by Chelsea's Andre Schurrle epitomised how much Germany were enjoying the game, and Gotze went close again after a stunning counter-attack involving Muller and Schurrle.
The only downside for Low's side was a knee injury to Hummels but Portugal had plenty to ponder, not least the irate Ronaldo, who was furious not to earn a penalty for Benedikt Hoewedes's challenge on Eder.
Their day would get worse still, though, when Muller completed the rout after Schurrle's drive was repelled. It was the first time Portugal had conceded four goals in a World Cup match.
Ronaldo almost had the final word with a blistering free-kick, but Neuer proved his equal.
Germany forward Thomas Muller:
"I've been involved in the last three major tournaments so I'm used to the pressure.
"But to score three goals in one game - that's pretty amazing, and the goals just got better and better. It's fantastic, but the merit also goes to the rest of the team.
"I just felt a blow from Pepe's fist, but I can't really remember much of what happened after."
Match ends, Germany 4, Portugal 0.
Second Half ends, Germany 4, Portugal 0.
Attempt saved. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Foul by Per Mertesacker (Germany).
Eder (Portugal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Offside, Germany. Sami Khedira tries a through ball, but André Schürrle is caught offside.
Jerome Boateng (Germany) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Raul Meireles (Portugal).
Attempt blocked. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Foul by Per Mertesacker (Germany).
Eder (Portugal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Corner, Portugal. Conceded by Benedikt Höwedes.
Attempt blocked. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Substitution, Germany. Lukas Podolski replaces Thomas Müller.
Foul by Jerome Boateng (Germany).
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Goal! Germany 4, Portugal 0. Thomas Müller (Germany) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal.
Attempt blocked. Philipp Lahm (Germany) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Thomas Müller.
Benedikt Höwedes (Germany) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Bruno Alves (Portugal).
Attempt saved. Nani (Portugal) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Ricardo Costa.
Substitution, Germany. Shkodran Mustafi replaces Mats Hummels.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match Mats Hummels (Germany) because of an injury.
Corner, Germany. Conceded by João Pereira.
Attempt blocked. Mario Götze (Germany) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by André Schürrle with a through ball.
Corner, Portugal. Conceded by Per Mertesacker.
Attempt blocked. Nani (Portugal) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by João Moutinho.
Attempt blocked. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Foul by André Schürrle (Germany).
Ricardo Costa (Portugal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Portugal. André Almeida replaces Fábio Coentrão because of an injury.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match Fábio Coentrão (Portugal) because of an injury.
Substitution, Germany. André Schürrle replaces Mesut Özil.
Corner, Portugal. Conceded by Benedikt Höwedes.
Attempt blocked. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Foul by Jerome Boateng (Germany).
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Mario Götze (Germany) wins a free kick in the defensive half. | Thomas Muller scored the first hat-trick of the 2014 World Cup as Germany produced a ruthless attacking display to destroy 10-man Portugal and open their World Cup campaign in style. | 25285106 |
Architects had put forward their ideas for the former Swindon Advertiser building in Victoria Road, Old Town.
They included 148 new flats, offices and a new community space.
Objectors called on Swindon Borough Council to reject the plans "to save the charm and character of Old Town from a monstrosity of a tower block".
The Quad Group has since withdrawn its plans and is preparing a new submission.
Campaigner Neil Robinson started the online petition because he was "absolutely mortified" by the plans.
"Even though the tower block has been scrapped I still don't think this is the end of it," he said.
"I still think the new plans they're going to come up with aren't going to be in keeping with the architecture of Old Town."
Mike Price, from Quad Group, said the company had listened to the community's concerns.
"We are sorry it caused so much bad feeling, this was never our intention and we will endeavour to get a better understanding of the needs and wants of the local community during the next stage," he added. | Plans for a 13-storey building on a hilltop in Swindon have been shelved after more than 2,000 people signed a petition against it. | 35812116 |
Cardiff are looking at goalkeeper cover for David Marshall, a replacement for defender Fabio, who joined Premier League side Middlesbrough and are also seeking striker reinforcements.
''There are two or three positions we are looking for," Trollope explained.
"We are working really, really hard to try and secure what we want."
Trollope is anxious to hold on to highly rated keeper Marshall and midfielder Aron Gunnarsson, who featured in Iceland's memorable quarter final berth at Euro 2016.
Both players have linked with moves away from Cardiff City Stadium during the summer.
However the Cardiff boss is also realistic as he enters the last few days of transfer activity and admits every player has their price.
''It's normal practice when you come to the end of a transfer window. I have been here for a few now, with David and a number of other players to be honest. We have some good players, players who would be attractive to other teams," he told BBC Wales Sport.
''You are not going to stop speculation, stop things being written or spoken about.
''I think any manager or any coach wants to keep his best players.
"But also I think any coach will tell you all players have their value, whether they are at the top of the league or in League Two.'' | Cardiff City manager Paul Trollope feels the Bluebirds still need "a few" new players before the transfer window closes on Wednesday night. | 37195554 |
Police carried out mounted charges at the protesters, who had gathered outside the consulate as the diplomatic row between the two nations escalated.
The Turkish minister has been sent to Germany, Rotterdam's mayor says.
Protesters were reportedly throwing bottles and mobbing police cars.
Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya, Turkey's minister of family and social policies, had arrived by road on Saturday ahead of a rally planned to help harness the votes of Turks living in the Netherlands.
They will be voting in a referendum next month on whether to expand Mr Erdogan's powers.
But when she arrived, Dutch authorities refused to allow her entry to the consulate, sparking a stream of angry tweets.
Ms Kaya has since left the Netherlands, the mayor of Rotterdam confirmed early on Sunday morning. | Dutch riot police have broken up a rally in support of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hours after a minister was refused entry to the Turkish consulate in Rotterdam. | 39246392 |
Since March 2016, just 57 tests have been done on La Liga players from clubs not competing in Europe and none at all in the country's second division.
Spain's anti-doping body (AEPSAD) was declared non-compliant by the World Anti-Doping Agency in March 2016.
Wada hoped Fifa or Uefa could take on the country's drug testing in the interim but no agreement was struck.
"The lack of testing in a country with one of the leading football leagues worldwide for a period of almost 12 months is alarming," said Wada.
"It will do little to instil confidence in clean sport at a time when it is needed most."
AEPSAD responded by saying it expects testing to resume before the end of the month, once the new Spanish government approves WADA's global code.
A Wada-accredited laboratory in Madrid was suspended in June and was prohibited "from carrying out any Wada-related anti-doping activities including all analyses of urine and blood samples" after missing a deadline to make changes to its testing procedures.
AEPSAD has confirmed that they asked Fifa and Uefa to sign an agreement to take over testing during the suspension but that both declined as they felt it was outside their area of responsibility.
Wada described that as a "deeply disappointing" move which "prevented effective anti-doping programs from being run at the national level in Spain in a number of sports" during this period of non-compliance.
However, La Liga clubs playing in Europe and the Spanish national team have been subject to testing by Uefa and Fifa, respectively.
BBC sports editor Dan Roan
Given the global status of La Liga's clubs and star players, it will dismay many that literally no valid drugs testing has been carried out in Spanish football by the country's national anti-doping agency for almost a year - and that both Fifa and Uefa failed to step in to help.
For comparison, last season, 799 tests were carried out by UKAD on Premier League players.
The reputation of Spanish sport has already been seriously dented by the Operation Puerto blood-bags scandal, and this is another blow. | The absence of drug testing in Spanish football in the past 11 months has "alarmed" the World Anti-Doping Agency. | 38928615 |
Police said a bottle containing an unknown substance was found at the side of the A75, at the Glenluce bypass.
As a result, the Stranraer-Dumfries road was closed at Glenluce on Wednesday afternoon.
A police spokesman said one person was taken to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary as a precaution.
The affected person was in contact with the substance.
The spokesman insisted there was no risk to the wider public. | A major south of Scotland trunk road was closed in both directions for over two hours as a result of a "small chemical spillage". | 34724755 |
Full-back Scott Wiseman made the decisive breakthrough in the 80th minute, his sweetly-struck shot from the edge of the box nestling in the back of the net via the inside of the post.
The story could have been much different had the Latics taken one of three good opportunities that came their way in the opening 45 minutes.
Billy McKay side-footed a great opportunity wide from seven yards when the goal was gaping and Iron keeper Luke Daniels twice thwarted Ryan Flynn after he had got in behind the defence.
Scunthorpe improved greatly after the break and were unlucky not to go in front much earlier.
Kevin van Veen thought he had broken the deadlock with a shot that cannoned down off the stanchion before being cleared and seconds later Tom Hopper was flagged offside after adding the finishing touch to a free-kick.
It did not matter though as, after Latics midfielder Paul Green had been sent off for his second booking in the space of seven minutes, Wiseman fired home.
Report supplied by Press Association.
Match ends, Scunthorpe United 1, Oldham Athletic 0.
Second Half ends, Scunthorpe United 1, Oldham Athletic 0.
Jonathon Margetts (Scunthorpe United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Oliver Banks (Oldham Athletic).
Corner, Scunthorpe United. Conceded by Ryan Flynn.
Corner, Scunthorpe United. Conceded by Ryan Flynn.
Corner, Scunthorpe United. Conceded by Ryan Flynn.
Ousmane Fane (Oldham Athletic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Jonathon Margetts (Scunthorpe United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Ousmane Fane (Oldham Athletic).
Foul by Jonathon Margetts (Scunthorpe United).
Cameron Burgess (Oldham Athletic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Corner, Oldham Athletic. Conceded by Luke Daniels.
Attempt saved. Oliver Banks (Oldham Athletic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner.
Corner, Oldham Athletic. Conceded by Jonathon Margetts.
Attempt blocked. Ryan Flynn (Oldham Athletic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Neal Bishop (Scunthorpe United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Lee Erwin (Oldham Athletic).
Substitution, Scunthorpe United. Richard Smallwood replaces Kevin van Veen.
Luke Williams (Scunthorpe United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Lee Erwin (Oldham Athletic).
Substitution, Oldham Athletic. Lee Erwin replaces Cameron Dummigan.
Jonathon Margetts (Scunthorpe United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Cameron Burgess (Oldham Athletic).
Foul by Josh Morris (Scunthorpe United).
Oliver Banks (Oldham Athletic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Goal! Scunthorpe United 1, Oldham Athletic 0. Scott Wiseman (Scunthorpe United) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner following a corner.
Corner, Scunthorpe United. Conceded by Cameron Burgess.
Connor Ripley (Oldham Athletic) is shown the yellow card.
Attempt missed. Luke Williams (Scunthorpe United) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Kevin van Veen (Scunthorpe United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Cameron Burgess (Oldham Athletic).
Attempt missed. Oliver Banks (Oldham Athletic) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Substitution, Scunthorpe United. Jonathon Margetts replaces Tom Hopper.
Attempt missed. Lee Croft (Oldham Athletic) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Substitution, Oldham Athletic. Lee Croft replaces Ryan McLaughlin.
Substitution, Oldham Athletic. Ousmane Fane replaces Billy McKay.
Substitution, Scunthorpe United. Luke Williams replaces Duane Holmes.
Oliver Banks (Oldham Athletic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Second yellow card to Paul Green (Oldham Athletic) for a bad foul. | League One leaders Scunthorpe left it late before breaking stubborn 10-man Oldham's resistance and sealing a 1-0 victory. | 37958941 |
Anthony Pilkington scored two goals for Cardiff and an own goal, but several of his team-mates squandered good chances.
As a result, ninth-placed Bluebirds stayed five points off the top six.
"Of course, it's frustrating. We've not lost any ground, but it could have been so much better," said Slade.
"There are not going to be too many opportunities between now and the end of the season in games like that when you have created the greater chances.
"The opposition have not been a fantastic threat.
"You can't waste those - that's a problem there. You are not going to be getting too many more of those now."
Pilkington's imperfect hat-trick was the main talking point of an eventful match against a team one point and one place above the relegation zone.
Republic of Ireland international Pilkington had switched from his customary role on the wing to a roaming attacking position behind lone striker Joe Mason, as he had done for the preceding 3-1 win at Wolves.
"I thought it was another excellent performance by Anthony Pilkington and he grabbed another couple of goals," said Slade.
"He's played there a bit before, but it was only his second game in that position for me and he's really enjoying it in there.
"He is finding pockets of space and was quite inventive.
"I thought he was unfortunate with the own goal. There wasn't much he could do."
As well as the own goal, the one other blotch on Pilkington's fine display was a second-half booking for what referee Jeremy Simpson deemed a dive in the Rotherham penalty area.
"I don't think it was fair call," added Slade.
"There was a shout for a penalty, but sometimes the player makes more of it than there is. In our opinion, it could have been given." | Cardiff City manager Russell Slade lamented his side's 2-2 draw with Rotherham as a missed opportunity to close the gap between themselves and the Championship play-off places. | 35392787 |
The criticism came from lawyers acting for the Arkinson family.
Arlene, 15, from Castlederg, went missing in August 1994.
Her body has never been found. Robert Howard, who died in prison last year, was the main suspect.
A retired police officer defended the handling of the case but said he was unable to provide an explanation for the delay in arresting Howard.
"I unfortunately am not in a position to give a reason why there was such a delay," said Neil Graham, a former detective inspector.
"I would love to give a reason."
Mr Graham added that all elements in a high-profile case would have been considered by a senior team.
He said that despite a significant number of searches, including a search of Howard's flat, there has never been any forensic evidence found.
"The concept of police pursuing a successful criminal investigation in the absence of evidence or a body had not been tested in any form," he said.
"I have no doubt that the senior investigating officer would have been very mindful of those facts, particularly in consultation with the prosecution service."
The inquest also heard from a detective constable who arrested Howard in 2004 on suspicion of the murder.
He said that he had a conversation with Howard in which the suspect "opened up to him".
He recalled Howard asking: "Assuming that I could help, where would I serve my time?"
The witness said that the matter was not pursued by him or, he believed, by a senior officer he had given the information to. | The police investigation into the disappearance of County Tyrone teenager Arlene Arkinson was a case of the "left hand not knowing what the right was doing", an inquest into her death has heard. | 35824299 |
Elgin climbed up to third after three first-half goals helped them to a 4-0 victory over Stirling at Forthbank.
Basement club Edinburgh City battled back to earn their second point of the season in a 1-1 draw at Annan.
Arbroath played out a 0-0 draw with Cowdenbeath, while Montrose's clash with Berwick also ended goalless.
In the big game at Broadwood, Thomas O'Brien scored the only goal five minutes before the break to hand Forfar their seventh straight league win.
The victory takes Gary Bollan's side eight points clear of nearest challengers Clyde.
Elgin broke the deadlock in the fifth minute when Shane Sutherland fired the ball past home goalkeeper Chris Smith, before Chris Dodd doubled the visitors' lead just three minutes later.
Sutherland made it 3-0 on the half-hour mark and Jim Weir's side added a fourth in the 89th minute when Craig Gunn struck his fourth league goal of the season.
Second-bottom Stirling announced the departure of manager Stuart McLaren following the defeat.
Annan drew first blood against Edinburgh after 29 minutes when David McKenna rifled home, but City were back on terms three minutes into the second half courtesy of an own goal from Steven Swinglehurst. | Forfar continued their perfect start to the League Two campaign with a 1-0 victory in their top-of-the-table clash with Clyde. | 37463934 |
St Albans Cathedral put organ scholar Nicholas Freestone's version of the singer's Life on Mars on Facebook after his death was announced on Monday.
Millions have viewed the video and thousands have commented.
Mr Freestone, 24, from Ipswich, said he was "humbled" by the reaction.
Bowie died in New York at the age of 69 after an 18-month battle with cancer.
St Albans Cathedral posted Mr Freestone's organ tribute on Monday, saying: "A special tribute to David Bowie who died today.
"Thank you to our marvellous organ scholar."
The cathedral's Facebook page has been flooded with more than 2,800 comments and millions have watched the film.
"Bravo maestro, you moved me to tears. My favourite Bowie song as never heard before. Soaring and stunning, thank you," one person wrote.
Another said: "Nicholas Freestone... that was utterly breathtaking. l have a lump in my throat the size of a rock and my eyes are leaking.
"Of all the tributes l've seen today for David Bowie, yours was glorious. Simple, heartfelt and unique. Thank you."
Mr Freestone replied: "I'm the organist playing this. It's rather humbling to read your comments. Thanks everyone for sharing."
He said it was an "impromptu performance" which the cathedral invited people to join via Twitter.
"It then went very mad, very quickly."
A spokesman for the Diocese of St Albans said: "Our organ scholar has proved brilliantly adept at playing Life on Mars with just a hint of a mournful voice and a prayer for a departed soul." | An organist's tribute to singer David Bowie has been described as "utterly breathtaking", "amazing" and "tear-jerkingly beautiful" by some of the 2.6 million people who have viewed it. | 35292968 |
A statement from the duke was read at the French trial of six people accused of invasion of privacy and complicity.
The images were taken as the royal couple holidayed in Provence in 2012.
They appeared in Closer magazine in France, while regional newspaper La Provence printed swimwear pictures.
Paris-based agency photographers Cyril Moreau and Dominique Jacovides are accused of taking long-lens shots of the royals, including the topless pictures of the Duchess of Cambridge, from a public road.
The others accused in the case, being heard at Nanterre, near Paris, are Closer's editor Laurence Pieau, Ernesto Mauri, chief executive of the Mondadori group which owns the magazine, La Provence photographer Valerie Suau, and Marc Auburtin, the paper's publishing director at the time.
A prosecutor urged the court to impose "very significant fines" while a lawyer for Prince William and Catherine called for "very large damages".
Paul-Albert Iweins, representing Closer magazine, said the duke and duchess were hoping to claim 1.5 million euros (£1.3m) in compensation.
He argued that the couple had been the subject of much media attention - including the broadcast of their wedding - and that the photos did not constitute a breach of privacy and cast them in a positive light.
The royal couple had been staying at a chateau in Provence owned by Viscount David Linley, the nephew of the Queen.
Prince William's written declaration was read out by the couple's lawyer Jean Veil.
He said: "My wife and I thought that we could go to France for a few days in a secluded villa owned by a member of my family, and thus enjoy our privacy.
"We know France and the French, and we know that they are, in principle, respectful of private life, including that of their guests."
He added: "The clandestine way in which these photographs were taken was particularly shocking to us as it breached our privacy."
He said the images were "all the more painful" given the experience of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in a car crash in Paris in 1997 as she was being pursued by photographers.
The court heard mobile phone data had placed Mr Moreau, 32, and Mr Jacovides, 59, in the area between 4 and 6 September 2012, when the topless images are believed to have been taken.
Both men deny they were responsible for the pictures used by Closer.
Photographs of the duchess in her swimwear used in La Provence are said to have been taken by Ms Suau, 53, but she told the court there had been no intention to breach the royal couple's privacy.
The duke and duchess are not due to attend the court, which is expected to announce its verdict on 4 July.
In 2012 they launched legal proceedings and a court in Paris banned Closer, which is a separate publication from the UK's Closer magazine, from printing any further images.
St James's Palace issued a statement at the time describing the incident as being "reminiscent of the worst excesses of the press and paparazzi during the life of Diana, Princess of Wales".
Get news from the BBC in your inbox, each weekday morning | The Duke of Cambridge has said the publication of topless photographs of his wife in a French magazine was "all the more painful" given his mother's experience with the paparazzi. | 39781013 |
The money would be used to build infrastructure, including roads and railways, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu said.
Militant attacks have severely disrupted oil production, fuelling a recession in the West African state.
The militants have been demanding that the government spend more of its oil wealth on tackling widespread poverty in a region, known as the Niger Delta.
They also accuse multinational firms of polluting the environment, destroying the livelihoods of farming and fishing communities.
Mr Kachikwu said that President Muhammadu Buhari would meet the militants and community leaders next week.
"Our target is to ensure zero militancy in the area," he said.
"This planned meeting shows the level of interest the president has to ensure peace in the area."
The $10bn would "not necessarily" come from the federal government, but from "oil companies, investors, individuals", he is quoted by Reuters news agency as saying.
A new militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), emerged after President Buhari, a northerner, took office last year after winning elections.
It has carried out a spate of attacks on oil plants and pipelines, causing a sharp fall in oil production and worsening the financial crisis in Africa's most populous state.
Mr Buhari's predecessor Goodluck Jonathan came from the Niger Delta, and managed to broker a peace deal with militants in the region.
The militants accuse Mr Buhari of reneging on the deal, an allegation he denies.
Oil is the Nigerian government's main source of income. | Nigeria will invest $10bn (£8bn) in its oil-rich south to end an insurgency by militants, the oil minister has said. | 37797905 |
Mr Obama's statement was in response to an online petition calling for a ban on conversion therapies. It gained over 120,000 signatures in three months.
The petition was inspired by Leelah Alcorn, a 17-year-old transgender youth who committed suicide in December.
Some conservative groups and religious doctors support conversion therapy.
"We share your concern about its potentially devastating effects on the lives of transgender as well as gay, lesbian, bisexual, and queer youth," White House adviser Valerie Jarrett wrote in response to the petition.
"As part of our dedication to protecting America's youth, this administration supports efforts to ban the use of conversion therapy for minors."
Counselling and prayer is used in conversion therapy to help some Christians deal with gay urges.
But mental health groups and gay rights activists say it can increase the risk of depression or suicide.
The US states of California and New Jersey have banned the practices. But other conservative states such as Oklahoma are considering legislation to protect the therapies from legal challenges.
While the White House is not explicitly calling for congressional legislation to ban the therapies nationwide, Mara Keisling, the executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, welcomed Mr Obama's statement.
"Having President Obama and the weight of the White House behind efforts to ban conversion therapy is so critical in the fight for transgender and LGBT young people," Ms Keisling said.
In the letter posted on Tumblr, Ms Alcorn said she killed herself after years of struggling with her strict Christian parents' refusal to acknowledge her true identity as a female.
She ended her note with a plea: "The only way I will rest in peace is if one day transgender people aren't treated the way I was... My death needs to mean something. Fix society. Please." | US President Barack Obama has condemned psychiatric therapies designed to "repair" gay, lesbian and transgender youth. | 32227353 |
Competitors were expecting to run 13.1 miles on 19 February, but the route was nearly a third of a mile longer.
The organisers of the race said "human error" in laying the route between mile four and mile five made it 13.42 miles.
The organisers have issued an apology to the 7,427 runners who took part in the half marathon.
Becky Stevens, the director of the Brighton half marathon, said: "The barriers that were put out for the turn at the end at Roedean, between miles four and five, were unfortunately put slightly in the wrong place."
Ms Stevens said the roads were closed 10 minutes before the race starts.
She explained: "We don't really have the luxury of going round and checking everything.
"We will be implementing some new additional measures ready for the 2013 race to prevent this from happening again."
Ms Stevens added the runners' times on the half marathon's website were being amended, taking the extra distance into account. | The organisers of the Brighton half marathon race have admitted they got the distance of the course wrong. | 17109558 |
The man, named only as Alexandre, was a convert to Islam who had "wanted to attack a representative of the state", Prosecutor Francois Molins said.
Police arrested the man on Wednesday morning in the Yvelines region, 45km (28 miles) south-west of the capital.
He was traced thanks to DNA found at the scene, police said.
French anti-terrorist investigators are handling the case.
The victim, Private First Class Cedric Cordier, has been released from hospital, AP news agency reports.
The stabbing took place three days after the killing of British serviceman Drummer Lee Rigby outside a barracks in the Woolwich area of London.
French President Francois Hollande said that while all theories would be investigated, there was no evidence to link the two attacks.
The suspect stabbed the soldier with a "fairly clear intent to kill" and had probably acted based on his "religious ideology", Mr Molins told reporters.
He said the man had been seen on surveillance footage "saying a Muslim prayer" minutes before the attack.
The suspect, who was unemployed and homeless, had already been known to police for petty crimes.
He was identified through DNA discovered on a plastic juice bottle left behind at the scene, police spokesman Christophe Crepin said.
Interior Minister Manual Walls earlier warned against drawing hasty conclusions while the investigation was still in its early stages.
"We need to know more about his motives, his background, his family environment," he said during a TV interview.
Pfc Cordier was approached from behind and stabbed in the neck with a small-bladed knife in La Defense business district on Saturday.
The attack took place in a busy underground hall where shops and public transport lines converge.
The 23-year-old victim was in a stable condition after the attack, police said.
Witnesses had described the attacker as a bearded man of North African origin.
The man was monitored on security cameras and seen taking off his robe and running away, officials said.
France is on high alert following a threat from the North African wing of al-Qaeda, related to the country's involvement in Mali.
The raised alert level is one of the reasons why soldiers are on patrol in central Paris and other high-profile areas, correspondents say.
Last year, soldiers were targeted by Islamist militant Mohamed Merah in the Toulouse area of southern France.
He shot dead three French paratroopers then attacked a Jewish school, murdering three children and an adult, before being killed in a police siege. | A 21-year-old suspect arrested earlier over the stabbing of a French soldier near Paris on Saturday has admitted to the crime, officials say. | 22699156 |
Huntsman Donald Summersgill and joint hunt masters Rupert Andrews and David Greenwood faced charges relating to alleged incidents of hunting with dogs.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said their cases were dropped after new evidence came to light.
It dismissed the charges after consulting Avon and Somerset Police.
The cases were based on video evidence gathered by the League Against Cruel Sports in two separate incidents in September and October 2013.
A spokesman for the League said it will be writing to complain to the CPS, as it "strongly believes" its footage contains evidence that stags were being hunted contrary to Section 1 of the Hunting Act. | No charges will be brought against three members of the Devon and Somerset Staghounds accused of illegally hunting stags. | 30058876 |
When it comes to agriculture in the Midlands the poultry business is the second most valuable slice of our farming pie. It's behind dairy at number one but at £207m it's worth more than wheat, cattle or fruit.
The Cargill plant is a huge part of that story.
But most of us don't like to think too closely about where our chicken, lamb or beef actually comes from and perhaps not surprisingly the companies that produce it recognised that fact. They don't tend to go about shouting too loudly about what they do.
So I was pleasantly surprised that this time they said "yes" to us filming.
And they allowed us in at a very interesting time for the company. There's a revamped multi-million pound production line, a new boss just arrived from Kansas in America and some difficult questions for the poultry industry in general about the infection rates of a nasty food poisoning bug.
Cargill has much to be proud about. It's a Midlands success story with a huge plant (which a long time ago used to be branded as "Sun Valley") in the middle of a £35m expansion programme, employing more than 2,000 people. In uncertain times rearing chicken is a good option for farmers near the plant looking to diversify. For consumers affordable, good quality chicken is a very popular choice.
There are problems for the poultry industry however. Not least a food poisoning bug called campylobacter which is the main cause of food poisoning in the UK. A report earlier this year from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) found this bug on almost three quarters of all supermarket chickens. One expert called it a "national disgrace".
Campylobacter is certainly serious. It is also common and found all over the place which means it's easy to pick up but hard for companies like Cargill to get rid of. Since the FSA report was published the entire industry has been looking hard at what it can do to reduce the levels in our raw chicken.
Initially that's meant concentrating on the farm end of things and improving staff training and procedures.
But companies like Cargill have also been working on introducing new technology to the chicken production line. Killing campylobacter is actually really simple, it can't survive extreme heat or cold. But the tricky bit is blasting freshly butchered meat with very hot steam or an icy blast and making sure you don't damage the meat in the process. Chicken that's safe but has the consistency of leather boots is no use to anyone.
Cargill is now installing newly developed technology that will use steam and ultrasound to kill any lurking bacteria while preserving the quality of the meat. They showed us the space in the production line where the machine will go. But even before it starts work they say they have already managed to achieve a reduction in campylobacter rates. The Food Standards Agency will shortly start a new survey to see how the whole industry is doing.
The big question for me as a reporter and fan of eating chicken was how would I feel when I went to see the slaughter process? This is an important part of my job as rural affairs correspondent and I have visited several slaughter houses. Here they use a process called gas stunning. The live chickens move through a deep pit filled with increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide. First they go to sleep, then they suffocate. The whole process is monitored by staff and a government vet.
Cargill call this a world class facility and processes like gas stunning could well be exported to the rest of the group across the world. It compares very favourably to other older methods of large-scale chicken slaughter which involve live birds being hung up by their feet and dipped head-first into an electrified bath of water.
So what are the thoughts of the new boss Mary Thompson? Freshly arrived from Kansas she was very clear when I asked her what the plan for the whole site was.
"Growth" she said.
And for the staff and farmers who work with Cargill that's good news. | I've been trying to film at the Cargill poultry plant in Hereford ever since I arrived in this job, which is more years than I care to remember. | 34270555 |
Thames Valley Police said the "targeted attack" happened at about 23:00 BST on Monday in a lay-by on the A41 Aston Clinton bypass near Aylesbury.
The driver, 47, escaped and was not seriously injured despite the acetylene tanks exploding during the blaze.
A man, 42, from Tring, Hertfordshire, has been bailed until September.
More news from Buckinghamshire
Det Sgt Simon Johnson, said: "I would like to reassure the community that we believe this was a targeted attack on the 47-year-old victim."
The driver of the Mercedes Sprinter van, who was taken to hospital as a precaution, later tweeted his gratitude to Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service.
"Many thanks to the brave emergency services for their help in keeping me safe. #heroes," he wrote. | A man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder has been released on bail after a van carrying gas cylinders was set alight with the driver inside. | 36660980 |
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Complaints were made to police over Lennon's touchline conduct after Hibs' first goal in a 3-2 victory.
Lennon was criticised by some Rangers fans for "inflammatory" actions following Simon Murray's equaliser.
A 54-year-old man has been arrested in connection with alleged offensive and threatening social media comments relating to Lennon.
The Easter Road boss cupped his ears and made a gesture as he celebrated.
A Police Scotland spokeswoman told the BBC: "Officers reviewed the events at the match and talks with the procurator fiscal established that no criminality took place.
"Therefore no further action will be taken."
Following the match, the Northern Irishman insisted he had no concerns about his behaviour.
When it was suggested Rangers assistant manager Helder Baptista had spoken to police about Lennon, he said: "I didn't make a gesture, I celebrated a goal.
"If they are unhappy about it they can come and tell me. But I shouldn't get into trouble for doing that.
"I am celebrating a goal. What way are you supposed to celebrate a goal?" | Hibernian manager Neil Lennon will not face police action following Saturday's win over Rangers at Ibrox. | 40921922 |
The best savings involve taking out a "dual fuel" deal, where one provider supplies both forms of energy.
Many people have been put off switching, but Ofgem maintains the process is very simple.
Not everybody is able to switch their supplier. If you are in debt to a supplier, you might not be able to.
If you have a pre-payment meter and you owe more than £500 for gas or electricity, you might not be able to switch.
There are two main types of energy deal, a fixed-term contract, typically lasting a year or 18 months, and a standard variable tariff.
If you are one of the two-thirds of householders on a standard variable tariff, the potential for savings is larger.
However, over the past few years the gap between standard variable tariffs and fixed rates has narrowed, as can be seen from the graph below.
You will need:
The change should take no longer than 17 days. That includes a 14 day cooling-off period. Your supply will not be interrupted during that time.
If you are on a fixed-rate deal and decide to switch before it ends, you may be charged an exit fee. But if you are within 49 days of the end of the deal, you should not be charged.
You can contact your supplier directly, and ask if they can give you a better deal. But there will be a wider choice of deals through price comparison websites.
Ofgem provides this list of approved sites: Quotezone, The Energy Shop, Runpath, Simply Switch, My Utility Genius, Switch Gas and Electric, Energylinx, Unravel It, Money Supermarket, Energy Helpline and Uswitch.
These sites do not always point consumers in the direction of the cheapest deals. They tend to promote those that you can switch to straight away, and with whom the websites have made an agreement.
Better deals may be available if you are prepared to wait. However any site approved by Ofgem has to include a clickable option to see all tariffs available, not just preferred suppliers.
Such sites have a "whole of market" button, allowing you to see all the deals on offer.
Citizens Advice: Help for switching supplier
Ofgem: How to switch supplier
Which? Compare and switch supplier | According to the regulator, Ofgem, it is possible to save about £300 a year if you switch your gas and electricity provider. | 40791217 |
New Quay RNLI was established in the Ceredigion seaside town in 1864.
A Mersey class all weather lifeboat and an inshore rescue craft are currently manned by 25 crew members.
Planned events include an open day and a rededication of the station and its lifeboats in June.
The town has produced a long list of notable coxswains who have answered more than 940 call-outs or 'shouts' in the last century and a half.
Perhaps the most famous was Arden Evans and his son Winston who between them served a total of 40 years after the Second World War.
Winston Evans, who at the age of 26 became Britain's youngest coxswain in 1965, was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1985.
He was also awarded the RNLI's Bronze Medal in 1966 following a rescue off rocks between New Quay and Aberysytwyth.
"I was very lucky in my time as coxswain because we didn't have to answer a lot of shouts," said Mr Evans, who was at the helm for 29 years until 1994.
"In those days most of the crew were fishermen but now the RNLI can train people from all walks of life who want to be part of the crew."
Mr Evans was followed as coxswain in 1994 by Daniel Potter, another local man who continues in the post, and is the great nephew of Frederick Shayler who was a distinguished coxswain for 17 years in the 1920's and 30's.
New Quay's first lifeboat was the Forester, a gift from the Independent Ancient Order of Foresters and introduced to protect sailors in what was a busy coastal shipping area.
A service of rededication of the station and its lifeboats will be conducted by the chaplain to the station the Reverend Matthew Baynham on the quay on Saturday 7 June.
A book detailing the history of the RNLI in New Quay with more than 100 photographs was launched on Tuesday.
Its author, Roger Bryan, said: "It's been a great honour and a labour of love to chronicle the history of the lifeboat station and its crews.
"The station has a great deal to be proud of and is worthy of commemoration."
The New Quay lifeboat station will host an open day on Sunday 25 May. | A lifeboat station is set to mark 150 years of service to the local community with a series of events during the summer. | 27106380 |
Latest figures showed the £842m South Glasgow University Hospital was the worst-performing in Scotland for patient waiting times.
Just 78.3% were seen and treated within four hours, well below the 95% target.
Health Secretary Shona Robison said experts would be sent to the hospital to improve management systems.
The government said the aim was to "ensure the smooth transfer of patients through the emergency department".
The 1,109-bed hospital, which began taking patients in April, was built on the site of the Southern General and is one of the largest acute hospitals in the UK.
The new campus replaces the Royal Hospital for Sick Kids at Yorkhill, the Southern General Hospital, the Western and Victoria Infirmaries, and the Mansionhouse Unit.
Ms Robison said the migration of services had gone well but some problems were to be expected in the early stages of opening.
"Performance against the four-hour target in accident and emergency has dipped and is some way off the national average," she said.
"We always expected there to be some initial challenges around performance as staff from all three sites got used to working in their new environment. However, in the interests of patients in Glasgow, we have agreed with the board to offer the considerable expertise in unscheduled care at our disposal.
"This move will put in place further on-site support to help the existing teams embed their practices and take forward work to implement the six essential actions for unscheduled care."
Ms Robison added: "This additional Scottish government support will assist staff in making the sustainable, long-term adjustments that should see the South Glasgow University Hospital steadily improve their performance against the four-hour target, and sustain the reduction in long waits we have seen."
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde chief executive Robert Calderwood said improving the efficiency of A&E services at the new hospital was "taking longer than expected".
"We therefore welcome the assistance of Scottish government colleagues who will work with our senior managers and clinicians to use their combined expertise to identify further measures to assist with the bedding-in of services and systems and to achieve the improvements in patient flow required," he said.
"I would like to take the opportunity to apologise to those patients who have experienced delays in being admitted to a bed once they had been seen, assessed and diagnosed in our emergency and immediate assessment unit.
"We remain committed to meeting the highest levels of service provision for the patients we serve and every opportunity to improve on our current challenged performance is welcomed."
Labour's health spokeswoman, Jenny Marra, said the health board was right to call in additional support, and that understanding whether the problems were the result of "inevitable teething problems" or a simple lack of beds was important.
"For this SNP government to be missing its own A&E target by such a long way in the middle of summer tells us we have a fundamental problem. Our hard-working doctors and nurses are clearly being overwhelmed by the number of patients," she said.
The Liberal Democrats said the SNP had not given the hospital adequate support before it opened.
"Once again the SNP have taken their eye off the ball," said health spokesman Jim Hume.
"The Scottish government's delayed response, although welcome, must now deliver real results if we are to have confidence that the poor performance against A&E waiting times will not become a trend," he added.
Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, said it was clear that the problems at the hospital had "moved beyond teething problems and into the realm of serious failings."
"The Scottish government can't hide behind excuses any longer when staff, unions and organisations have all given warnings that problems needed fixed," she added. | Government trouble-shooters are being sent to Scotland's newest hospital to help improve accident and emergency (A&E) waiting times. | 33147592 |
Third-tier Hansa said a flare was set off from the away end shortly after half-time, before the game was later suspended for 10 minutes.
Hertha Berlin added that the referee called both teams off the pitch for safety reasons in the 77th minute.
The Bundesliga side scored twice to win the game 2-0 after play resumed. | Players were forced to leave the pitch during Hertha Berlin's German Cup first round game at Hansa Rostock after fans let off flares and fireworks. | 40931750 |
It's the exact date that Marty McFly and Doc Brown arrive in the future, in the second 'Back to the Future' film, released in 1989.
The movie imagined a 2015 with hoverboards, flying cars, and self-tying shoes.
Some of the film's predictions have come true. Just like in the movie, we now enjoy plasma flat screens, live video-calling and technology for unlocking doors with a fingerprint.
Martin went to show some kids the film version of the 'future' to see what they think of it. | Today, 21 October 2015 is Back to the Future Day. | 34581218 |
One is radical change in the energy market. Grangemouth's petro-chemical plant has fed off North Sea gas, which is depleting.
It needed to re-equip to import gas, shipped across the Atlantic at much lower prices. America's shale boom is up-ending the energy market.
The new investment that was needed to revive this ageing plant came with a demand from its owner. Based in Switzerland for tax purposes, Ineos wanted payroll costs to fall sharply if Grangemouth was to compete.
That's another big force at work: in a dispute with an air of oddly old-fashioned confrontation about it, we've seen the power of global capital set against the power of workers, and winning.
Then there's the neighbouring refinery. The man who controls Ineos, Jim Ratcliffe, said at the weekend; the closure of the petro-chemical plant would be likely to lead to the demise of the refinery.
There's over-capacity in refining worldwide. Old European plants produce too much petrol, not enough diesel, and they struggle to compete against cheap US output, and giant new complexes in the Middle East and Asia.
As the world order changes, this dispute and closure have brought into sharp focus the question of whether any government - whether that of the United Kingdom or an independent Scotland - could resist these changes.
And also, is there a case for protecting energy production as a matter of national interest?
Stand by for a review of refinery provision by the Department for Energy and Climate Change, which Ed Davey says is due by the end of this year. | There are big forces at work on the banks of the Firth of Forth. | 24647144 |
For the third year running, the charity is asking women to raise money by swapping their make-up for a paw print.
Renowned photographer Rankin has taken photos of eight celebrities, who also include singer and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
She said: "I'm delighted to be joining the campaign alongside so many phenomenal women."
Beauty vlogger Tanya Burr, Bafta-winning actress Olivia Colman, TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, Rochelle Hume from The Saturdays and actress Michelle Keegan complete this year's famous line-up.
But for the first time since the campaign began, the stars are also joined by women who work alongside BBC Children in Need - which helps disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.
The charity is asking for women to post their own photos on the Children in Need website and be a part of the Big BearFaced Selfie.
Follow @BBCNewsbeat on Twitter and Radio1Newsbeat on YouTube | Ella Eyre and Laura Mvula are among celebrities to go BearFaced for this year's BBC Children in Need campaign. | 29854399 |
Kathleen Griffin, 57, died at her flat in Clacton, Essex, last December.
Scott Hilling denies murder but admits manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility, telling Chelmsford Crown Court voices forced him to kill.
He told a psychiatrist he went to McDonalds after stabbing her and also watched TV with her dead body nearby.
Psychiatrist Dr David Baird said homeless Mr Hilling, who was staying with Ms Griffin at the time of her death, had told him he stabbed her in the neck and chest before "watching TV for 15 minutes" and then carrying on the attack.
He said Mr Hilling told him he "felt calm" after the killing, adding: "I was watching TV with the body in front of me and looking over it. I had no feelings about her being dead."
The court previously heard Ms Griffin had been tortured with a scalpel before Mr Hilling stripped her and tried to burn her body.
Dr Baird said Mr Hilling's "rational judgement was substantially impaired".
He said the defendant claimed he had been sexually abused by his father as a child and was addicted to heroin and crack cocaine.
The jury was also told Mr Hilling has three recognised conditions which substantially impaired his mental functioning, including a low IQ and the mental age of a 12-year-old.
"His extremely difficult and tragic upbringing and his experience of emotional and sexual abuse has meant that he has developed the ability to detach himself and protect himself from negative emotions," Dr Baird said.
"It's likely to have taught him that violence is an acceptable response to strong emotions which are triggered in him."
The trial continues. | A killer who stabbed a grandmother to death in her own home watched television in between attacking her with knives, a court has heard. | 36447978 |
The 70-year-old received multiple wounds when he was attacked in Hythe Hill, Colchester, Essex, at 17:40 GMT on Tuesday.
Officers are searching for a tall white man who was wearing camouflage trousers and a green top.
The victim is undergoing surgery for his injuries, which are described as life changing.
He was taken to Colchester Hospital and was later transferred to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, where he is in a critical condition.
Detective Inspector Jim White, of Essex Police, said the motive behind the attack is not known.
"We believe the weapon may have been discarded.
"We are asking residents in the Hythe, New Town or Military Road areas to be vigilant and would ask them to check their bins and gardens.
"If they find a knife, blade, or blood stained clothing, they are asked to contact us immediately," he said. | An elderly man has been left fighting for his life after being stabbed outside his home, police have said. | 34792915 |
It also devastated the burgeoning live music scene in Northern Ireland.
Forty years later, the Miami Showband massacre remains one of the darkest atrocities of the Troubles.
Lead singer Fran O'Toole, guitarist Tony Geraghty and trumpeter Brian McCoy were shot dead on a country road after a gig in Banbridge, County Down.
Singer Des Lee and guitarist Stephen Travers survived the tragedy despite being shot.
The massacre was carried out by paramilitary group the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), who had planned to load a bomb on to the bus and have it explode as the band drove south to Dublin.
It was the first time musicians had been deliberately targeted by a terrorist group in Northern Ireland and it shocked everyone in all genres of the Irish music scene.
Fr Brian D'Arcy was a fan and a friend of The Miami Showband musicians and unofficial chaplain to the showband community.
A huge showband fan, he would attend up to 40 dances a week.
"Before the massacre, bands played anywhere and everywhere," he says.
"The only time they thought about where they were and who they were playing to was when they asked the dancehall owner which national anthem to play at the end of the evening.
"Showbands were composed of members from north and south, Protestant and Catholic.
"The Miami was a good example - three of them from the north and three from the south. Three Presbyterian, one Church of Ireland and two Roman Catholics."
Fr D'Arcy admits the showband era was nearing the end in the mid-1970s, but says the "heart went completely out of the community after the massacre".
"In its heyday, there were maybe 600 showbands touring Ireland. At the end of the 1970s there were less than 100," he says.
"After what happened to the Miami it was hard to get any bands to come to Northern Ireland.
"The bands didn't feel safe, the fans didn't feel safe. No one felt safe."
Journalist and former band manager Colin McClelland says the Miami Showband massacre had a "devastating effect on the whole live music scene in Northern Ireland".
"Some Northern Ireland-based bands still attempted to travel in areas with which they were familiar," he says.
"But almost all of the southern-based bands - and there were many - stopped travelling to gigs in the north.
"With a few exceptions, the bands felt that the risk had now become too great to continue and many rural showband venues closed down altogether.
"Most British rock bands immediately took Belfast off their UK tour itineraries because of the publicity surrounding the massacre.
"Only those with an affinity to Northern Ireland, such as Rory Gallagher, insisted upon Belfast remaining on their tour schedule.
Blues and jazz musician Ronnie Greer was in his 20s when the massacre took place.
He began his musical career in a showband - The Secrets - where he played alongside Miami member Brian McCoy.
After the massacre, he continued playing live, but with a new awareness of the risks involved.
"It was Brian who gave me my first job in a band," he says.
"I was only in my late teens and had secured an audition. Brian collected me and I told him how much I wanted the job.
"He told me not to worry - it was already mine.
"However, he added that he would only be around for a few months as he had got a full-time job with the Miami Showband.
"When I heard about the massacre, I couldn't drive. I had to get out of the car and sit on the bonnet for 15 minutes.
"I still get upset about it.
"Brian was a very enthusiastic and cheerful guy and was over-the-moon at being able to give up his job in the Spinning Mill in Belfast and become a full-time musician."
Ronnie had moved on to jazz and blues when the massacre happened, but he admits that what happened affected the whole music community in Ireland.
"Up until then, all musicians enjoyed a free pass - we weren't targets for any organisation and we had no bother travelling anywhere," he says.
"We started thinking about security more, how safe it was to go somewhere … however, we still played.
"Maybe it was the arrogance of youth that made us believe it couldn't happen to us, or maybe it was an act of defiance, but the music was the most important thing."
Gerry McWhinney was also a member of the Secrets and knew the Miami Showband members well.
"Brian was on trumpet and vocals with the Secrets and I was on bass," he says.
"We knew the Miami through doing warm up for them before Big Band nights.
"Like Brian they were young, talented, professional and ambitious musicians.
"The Miami management team arrived unannounced one night, listened to the Secrets and offered Brian a place.
"In today's terms it was like being offered One Direction or Take That.
"The massacre shocked us all. We thought showbands were surrounded by a protective veil as we travelled at night, and we just could not believe what had happened.
"It was a shocking blow. There was a dullness for a long time afterwards.
"However, we played on. We were aware of security needs and the Troubles, but we just kept going."
He added: "I don't think it was an overt decision to continue, we just did.
"I think we just loved music too much to stop." | When three young musicians lost their lives on 31 July 1975, the heart was torn out of Ireland's showband community. | 33727399 |
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18 September 2015 Last updated at 14:01 BST
Norjean, who's 16, is among thousands of migrants and refugees who are trying to find a new route into Europe after Hungary increased security at its border to stop people entering.
She arrived in Europe after taking a rubber dingy across the sea from Syria to Turkey but describes her journey as an adventure.
Her brother has already made the journey, settling in Germany, and Norjean says she wants to do the same to fulfil her dreams of becoming an astronaut, and one day meeting the Queen. | A Syrian girl, who's been in a wheelchair since birth, says she knows she will have to fight to achieve her dream of a new life in Europe. | 34283835 |
10 February 2016 Last updated at 17:14 GMT
She was hurt in an accident in Mexico in Central America.
Specialists at the local university made the her a new leg, with joints that copy it's natural moves.
Watch her learning how to walk again. | Romina the dog is enjoying life again thanks to a 3D-printed, prosthetic leg. | 35545371 |
The 25-year-old was released in October after serving half of a five-year sentence for the rape of a 19-year-old woman in a hotel room in 2011.
Hartlepool manager Ronnie Moore had said he was considering signing the former Sheffield United striker.
But in a statement the club said they "do not intend signing Ched Evans" despite "his obvious ability as a football player".
Evans, who has played 13 times for Wales, maintains his innocence and has asked the Criminal Cases Review Commission to review his case.
Moore took charge of the Football League's bottom club on Tuesday.
Speaking after Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Oxford, he said of Evans: "He is a proven scorer. He's served his time and the boy wants to play football. If it could happen, I'd want it to."
Hartlepool have since announced Moore was responding "hypothetically" to an "unsubstantiated internet rumour".
In November, Sheffield United retracted an offer to allow Evans to train with them following strong local opposition.
TV presenter Charlie Webster, 60s pop star Dave Berry and Sheffield businesswoman Lindsay Graham all resigned as patrons of Sheffield United after Evans was invited to return to training. Musician Paul Heaton stood down as a patron of the club's community foundation.
Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill stated that she wanted her name removed from one of the Bramall Lane stands should Evans play for the club again, while shirt sponsor DBL Logistics also threatened to end its backing of the club.
On Saturday Hartlepool's Labour MP Iain Wright said Evans was a "pariah" and signing him would send the wrong message to young fans.
Following Hartlepool's statement on Sunday, Wright told BBC Sport: "I'm really pleased that the owners of Hartlepool United have seen sense and Ched Evans won't be signing for Pools.
"It's a good message to send out that we won't have convicted rapists signing for Hartlepool United. We're a family club." | Hartlepool have ruled out signing convicted rapist Ched Evans. | 30568783 |
Dora Linda Nishihara, 69, who worked as a courthouse bailiff, died after her car fell into the 12ft (3.6m) hole filled with water.
Her car was retrieved from the sinkhole by a crane on Monday, a day after it first appeared.
A second vehicle also fell into the hole and two other people were hurt.
The driver of the second vehicle was rescued by a witness, local media reported, but Ms Nishihara's vehicle had flipped on to its roof and was completely submerged.
The flow of water in the sinkhole was caused by a ruptured sewer line, local media reported.
Bexar County Sheriff Susan Pamerleau said her department was "heartbroken" and was assisting the family. | An off-duty sheriff's deputy died when her car fell into a sinkhole in San Antonio, in the US state of Texas, officials said. | 38218876 |
Navya Singh wrote, " I think you'll listen to me. This park is our lifeline," in her open letter.
She is seeking his help to put a stop to local authorities building a community hall in her local park.
After hearing of the petition last week Delhi High Court judges ordered a halt to building work at the park.
Just a few minutes' walk from her home in the crowded Rohini area in west Delhi, Navya says the park is her "favourite place" where she's been going since she was "a baby" and she still visits it "every morning and evening".
"I meet my friends there and play with them. We get on the swing, we play hide and seek," she told the BBC. "I like the park a lot because it's got lots of trees."
In her two-page letter to the prime minister, she writes: "Everyone says you will not read it because you receive 1,000 such letters. But I think you'll listen to me. This park is our lifeline."
She concludes with a plea to "Modi uncle" to help her "save her park" because "everyone says you're very intelligent".
Last week, Navya also filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, through her lawyer father Dheeraj Kumar Singh, against the Delhi Development Authority's (DDA) project as it would "deprive the residents" of a place "to play and to get some fresh air".
In June, the residents of the area were surprised when the DDA cordoned off nearly one-third of the park and began construction activities.
"That's the first time we had an inkling that there was something going on in the park," Mr Singh told the BBC, adding that officials never consulted or informed the residents about their plans.
Delhi has more than 14,000 public parks and open spaces - some are managed by the civic authorities, some by the city government, and others by the DDA.
Although many of them are poorly maintained, in densely populated city areas, they are popular hangout zones where children play, adults get some exercise and the elderly socialise.
So it is not surprising that unhappy residents, including a large number of women, protested in front of the park to prevent the authorities from going ahead with the construction. The DDA called the police and took over possession of the area.
From 26 June, Navya and other residents had no access to the park - it was barricaded, heavy machinery was brought in and huge iron pillars were installed.
"She was very restless. She asked me, 'Where will we play now? Who can help us'?" Mr Singh said. "Since I'm a lawyer, the only place I could think of was the court."
A large part of the park, the residents say, has already been encroached upon - a temple in the middle of it has expanded over the years, a mobile phone tower came up in 2015 and earlier this year an open-air gym was installed in one corner.
As a result, the space for children to play has been constantly shrinking.
Navya's petition says the project is "a waste of public money" as a community hall already exists "just 50 metres" from the site of the proposed new one.
At the first hearing of Navya's petition last week, acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar ordered the DDA to "immediately stop" building work at the park.
"DDA cannot convert a park into a construction (site). You are playing with taxpayers' money... Parks are parks. Do not turn them into community centres," the judges said.
The court asked the DDA to respond to the petition by the next date of hearing which is set for 18 September. A DDA official told the BBC that their legal department was drafting a response and that they would abide by the court order.
Navya doesn't understand the legalities involved in her petition, but since the court order, she and her friends have been able to return to the park, although a "smaller and more crowded" one.
With help from the court, and the prime minister, she hopes she will be able to reclaim it all. | A seven-year-old Indian schoolgirl has filed a petition in court and written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a bid to save her neighbourhood park. | 40950673 |
The party has appealed against a High Court ruling that those joining after 12 January should be allowed to vote.
Labour's QC argued that its ruling NEC body, not the courts, was the "ultimate arbiter" of the rules.
But David Goldstone QC, for members, questioned whether the NEC should have "unfettered power" over who could vote.
Following the appeal hearing on Thursday, Lord Justice Beatson, chairing the panel of three Appeal Court judges, said they were aware it was an "urgent matter" and would aim to give their judgement at 1500 BST on Friday.
The two sides argued their case for a full day in the Court of Appeal, with hours of detailed debate about the meaning of specific words and phrases in the Labour Party's rule book.
The case follows a leadership challenge against Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn, who lost a vote of no confidence by his MPs and faced mass resignations from his top team.
However Mr Corbyn remains popular with party members and it is thought many of the 130,000 who would be allowed to vote if the appeal by Labour's general secretary Iain McNicol fails, would back him over challenger Owen Smith.
The party's ruling National Executive Committee had blocked Labour members who joined after 12 January from voting unless they paid £25 but five new members succeeded in getting the decision overturned in the High Court earlier this week.
The case was triggered after the NEC decided that full Labour members could only vote if they had at least six months' continuous membership up to July 12 - the "freeze date".
The party offered a window from 18-20 July when more recent members - and non-members - could pay £25 to become "registered supporters" and gain the right to vote.
On Monday, Mr Justice Hickinbottom ruled that the party had breached its contract with new members by retrospectively disenfranchising them, after an appeal brought by five new members.
On Thursday, Clive Sheldon QC, acting for Labour's general secretary Iain McNicol, accused Mr Justice Hickinbottom of "getting it wrong".
He told the Court of Appeal: "The NEC is afforded by the rule book sufficiently broad powers that it can actually override the rules framework in a particular case, if it so wishes.
"They are the guardian of the constitution. What we have done is consistent with the rules framework."
He told the court the NEC - and not the courts - was the "ultimate arbiter as to the meaning of the rules".
The NEC was answerable to Labour's annual conference, he added, and although the courts were entitled to examine its decisions, judges should "provide a degree of deference to the NEC when seeking to interpret its rules".
But David Goldstone QC, acting for the five members, questioned the "intended scope of the NEC's powers" and argued it was not intended to have an "unfettered power to define any eligibility criteria".
He argued that the powers of the NEC "were intended to be used for procedural purposes ... and a retrospective membership requirement is not a procedural matter".
"Is it likely that the party's intention was that the NEC would have a power of effective disenfranchisement? I say no," he added.
There has been speculation that Labour's general secretary Iain McNicol could face being ousted if the party loses.
A senior Labour source said: "If Labour loses the appeal, the position of Iain McNicol becomes untenable.
"Having spent nearly a quarter of a million pounds on this legal case and staking his professional reputation on the outcome, if he loses today then he simply can't stay in post."
Lord Falconer, who quit as shadow justice secretary in the wave of resignations by the shadow cabinet, defended the party's right to appeal.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It's for the NEC to decide what the rules are of any contest.
"If the result of this High Court litigation is that it's the courts who decide the detail of how an election is going to be fought, then there are going to be even more High Court hearings because everybody who doesn't like a ruling of the NEC is going to go to the High Court."
He stressed that Labour has "got to unify" once the leadership result is returned, and said he would back whoever wins.
Mr Corbyn and Mr Smith will go head-to-head at a hustings in Gateshead in Tyne and Wear at 19:00 BST.
BBC political correspondent Iain Watson says that privately both believe most recent members are more supportive of the current leader than his challenger.
He added that it was a measure of the mutual distrust between those who support and those who oppose Jeremy Corbyn that controversial decisions were now settled in the courts, and not within the party. | The Court of Appeal will rule on Friday in a dispute about Labour's decision to block nearly 130,000 of its members from voting in its leadership contest. | 37042273 |
Jermaine Baker, 28, was killed during a police operation near Wood Green Crown Court in north London on Friday.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) confirmed it had launched an investigation into events.
Met Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Terry said it was a "very difficult time for everyone".
He said: "The exact circumstances that led to Mr Baker's death must be thoroughly and independently examined. That is the role of the IPCC.
"It is only through establishing the full facts, as quickly as possible, as to what took place that day that the best interests of justice and of all those affected can be served."
The IPCC said in a statement: "The Independent Police Complaints Commission has launched a homicide investigation into Mr Baker's death. The launch of a criminal investigation does not mean that criminal charges will necessarily follow.
"As this is now a criminal investigation, the IPCC is limited on what further information can be provided."
The Met Police has agreed to the IPCC suggestion that its officer be suspended.
Mr Terry added: "All of our firearms officers, who are all volunteers, do a job that is difficult and often dangerous. They all fully understand, quite rightly, that they will need to account for their actions if they use lethal force."
He said the IPCC would receive the Met's fullest support.
The Met was listening to concerns raised by communities in Haringey and across the capital, he added.
Four men appeared in court earlier charged with attempting to help prisoners escape. | A Met Police firearms officer is to be suspended after a man was shot dead during an alleged attempt to escape from a prison van. | 35098572 |
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His side are poised at 2-2 heading into the final one-day international against South Africa in Cape Town on Sunday.
Bayliss has seen improvements in the past 12 months, especially in his side's batting ranks, with wins against New Zealand and Pakistan.
"They are playing some extremely good cricket, it's a real good feel among the group at the moment," he said.
"It gives them confidence to go out and play their natural games. We've seen that with the batting, with a number of scores over 300, and the bowling is always improving.
"We've got a fair way to go, a number of things to learn, probably more so from the bowling than the batting, but things are exciting - that's good news for the cricket fans."
Bayliss says the chance to blood younger, less experienced players in ODI series will benefit England come the next World Cup in 2019.
"We're learning more and more about the players all the time," added the 53-year-old. "Hopefully in the next series or two we'll be a lot closer to realising what our top 15 to 20 are.
"The players in the team are naturally attacking-style players and if that comes off more times than not, well then the team's going to score more runs and take a lot of wickets.
"Yes, we've got to be more consistent, but I think that will come with more experience these young players get over the next year or two."
And Bayliss has challenged his bowlers to improve away from home.
"They're used to the lines and lengths they need to bowl at home," added the Australian. "But the experience they'll get away from home will hopefully stand them in good stead going forward." | England have come a long way since last year's World Cup but still have plenty to learn, says coach Trevor Bayliss. | 35570014 |
Mary Di Mauro will stand for the Lib Dems in the poll in the Wythenshawe and Sale East constituency on 13 February.
She has represented Northenden ward on Manchester City Council since 2010.
Mr Goggins, who had been MP for the seat in Greater Manchester since 1997, died earlier this month after collapsing while out running. | The Liberal Democrats have selected a local councillor as their candidate in the by-election triggered by the death of Labour MP Paul Goggins. | 25907608 |
The crash happened on the Old Carrick Road in Newtownabbey at about 18:35 GMT on Saturday.
Ambulance crews took two of those injured in the crash to Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital and two to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
Another person was taken to Antrim Area Hospital.
Police have sealed off the road and it is likely to remain closed overnight.
Diversions are in place on the Doagh Road and the Monkstown Road. | Five people have been taken to hospital, with at least one of them seriously injured, after two vehicles collided in County Antrim. | 35183530 |
Health Minister Marcelo Castro said priority for testing would be given to pregnant women.
Brazil has the largest known outbreak of Zika, which has been linked to a sharp spike in birth defects.
Mr Castro also announced extra funds to speed up finding a vaccine for Zika.
He said that the goal was to develop a vaccine "in record time".
At the moment the only way to fight Zika is to clear standing water where mosquitoes breed.
The aim is that the tests will speed up diagnosis and ensure patients get correct medical treatment fast.
Since October around 3,530 babies have been born with microencephaly, which can lead to small heads and under-developed brains.
Fewer than 150 cases of microencephaly were seen in Brazil throughout 2014.
The US State Department confirmed its first case of a baby born with brain damage because of infection by the Zika virus.
The baby was born in a hospital in Oahu, Hawaii.
The Hawaii State Department of Health said the mother was believed to have contracted Zika while living in Brazil in May 2015 and that the baby was most likely infected in the womb.
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued an alert on Friday advising pregnant women to avoid travelling to Brazil and other Latin American and Caribbean countries where outbreaks of Zika have been registered.
The travel alert applies to Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela and Puerto Rico.
Zika virus is transmitted by the Aedes species mosquito. | The Brazilian Health ministry says it's developed new testing kits to rapidly identify the presence of three viruses - Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya - all carried by the same mosquito. | 35336618 |
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The German was 0.833 seconds clear of Sauber's Felipe Nasr. Lewis Hamilton was fourth despite a reliability issue.
The Mercedes driver missed the final three hours of running because of a water leak caused by a failed part.
Meanwhile, Jenson Button managed only six laps in the McLaren as problems continued to plague the team.
That was only 10% of the target set by racing director Eric Boullier on Sunday after Fernando Alonso completed six laps on day one.
Like Alonso, Button failed to set a time as the McLaren was stranded in the pits with what the team said were "ancillary problems".
McLaren were "quite positive" they had fixed the problem and hoped to run the car again before the end of the day.
Button did head back out with fewer than 20 minutes of the session remaining but completed only one slow lap on a track soaked by a heavy shower of rain before returning to the pits.
With two unsuccessful days with a modified 2014 car in Abu Dhabi in November, McLaren have managed just 17 laps over four days of testing with the new Honda engine, none of them close to racing speed.
It is an inauspicious start to the renewed relationship between McLaren and Honda, which is returning to the sport for the first time in six years.
The two hope eventually to repeat the domination they enjoyed in their previous partnership from 1988-92.
Button said: "It has not been the easiest start to the season but it is a very complicated power unit. We understand the issue and we have our heads around it - that's what the last run in the wet was about - so we are hoping for a much more productive day three and day four."
Vettel's pace-setting time, set in a flurry of quick laps early in the day, will be an encouraging start to his Ferrari career, but headline laps in testing are a notoriously unreliable gauge of true pace, as it is impossible to know the specification the cars are running in.
The four-time world champion is scheduled to hand over the car to team-mate Kimi Raikkonen for the final two days of the test.
Despite his reliability issue, world champion Hamilton still managed nearly 100 laps, comfortably the most mileage of any team, to add to the 157 achieved by Nico Rosberg on Sunday.
"It was a good day," said Hamilton. "Testing is not the exciting part for any racing driver, but it is where you lay the foundations.
"We are working to understand the car. We can't get too excited just yet because we don't know where everyone stands.
"The car feels very much the same, with more downforce. We've made a step but how big is difficult to say."
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said: "It's just showing off really - to turn up and do 157 laps is taking the mickey.
"They had a good car last year and have evolved it. They are the benchmark, no doubt about it. We have made good progress and hopefully we can get closer to them."
Red Bull's day was ruined when new driver Daniil Kvyat ran off track early on and damaged the car's front-wing mounting pillars.
The team did not have a spare so the Russian was restricted to doing system-check laps without a front wing for the rest of the day.
With Valtteri Botta third-fastest in his Williams, the team's chief technical officer Pat Symonds was optimistic they had made progress from 2014, when they leapt from ninth to third in the constructors' championship.
"Valtteri's comments were very positive," said Symonds. "Initial comments do count for quite a lot and I was very encouraged by what Valtteri said."
The Lotus car ran for the first time after missing the first day of the test, with Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado setting the sixth-fastest time overall.
1 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1:20.984
2 Felipe Nasr (Brz) Sauber-Ferrari 1:21.867
3 Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Williams-Mercedes 1:22.319
4 Lewis Hamilton (GB) Mercedes 1:22.490
5 Max Verstappen (Ned) Toro Rosso-Renault 1:24.167
6 Pastor Maldonado (Ven) Lotus-Mercedes 1:25.802
7 Jenson Button (GB) McLaren-Honda 1:54.655
8 Daniil Kvyat (Rus) Red Bull-Renault No time | Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel set the pace for the second day in succession at the first pre-season test in Jerez as McLaren-Honda continued to struggle. | 31098258 |
Sir Michael, who made his fortune investing in firms including Google, PayPal and Yahoo, is now worth £1.95bn.
Moneysupermarket.com co-founder Simon Nixon and West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan are new to the list.
Specsavers co-founder Douglas Perkins remains second with a £1.55bn wealth while Sir Terry Matthews is fourth.
The list incorporates billionaires who were born or are based in Wales.
It said Mr Perkins, who was born in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, is worth £100m more than last year but Celtic Manor owner Sir Terry has dropped from third place.
That was taken by Mr Nixon who joined the billionaires list after selling the last of his shares in March for Moneysupermarket.com.
He co-founded the firm in Flintshire in 1999 with Duncan Cameron after dropping out of university.
He has earned £551m from share sales since the business was floated along and has properties valued at £310m along with stock market investments worth £490m.
Cardiff-born property investor and football club owner Mr Sullivan crossed the £1bn mark after his wealth grew by more than £150m in the last year.
Steve Morgan, the founder of Flintshire-based house builder Redrow, could become the country's sixth billionaire next year if his wealth continues to grow at the present rate, the Rich List added.
Ebbw Vale-born Mark Neale, who is behind outdoor clothing and equipment chain Mountain Warehouse, is a new entry to the Welsh list. He is worth £170m with more than 200 stores stretching from Poland to North America.
1. Sir Michael Moritz - £1.95bn
2. Douglas Perkins and family - £1.55bn
3. Simon Nixon - £1.026bn
4. Sir Terry Matthews - £1.012bn
5. David Sullivan - £1bn
6. Steve Morgan - £800m
7. Henry Engelhardt and family - £700m
8. Lord Heseltine and family - £300m
9. Lawrence Jones and family - £275m
10. John Deer - £262m | Wales has five billionaires, with Cardiff-born Sir Michael Moritz the wealthiest, according to the Sunday Times Rich List. | 36103916 |
Another praised his "fine" portrayal of the Roman soldier whose inability to compromise results in tragedy.
Hiddleston, The Guardian's review goes on, "conveys the hero's complexity" as well as his "reckless impetuosity".
Sam Mendes and Sir Nicholas Hytner were among Tuesday's first night audience at London's Donmar Warehouse theatre.
The BBC's John Humphrys was also in attendance to see the first Shakespeare play the Donmar's artistic director Josie Rourke has directed for the venue.
According to The Guardian's Michael Billington, Rourke "uses the Donmar's intimacy to come up with a fast, witty, intelligent production".
Dominic Maxwell in The Times found the show "intimate and compelling", while the Daily Telegraph's Charles Spencer called it "exciting and intense".
Yet Quentin Letts expressed reservations in the Daily Mail, saying the production's "numerous good points" were "diminished" by Rourke's "silly directorial touches".
Letts cites one of these "touches" - a shower scene in which Hiddleston's soldier removes his shirt and washes his wounds - as a "slightly desperate gambit".
The Times' man was more appreciative though, saying the scene would "please the MTV viewers who have just voted Hiddleston the sexiest man in the world".
Spencer also singled out the "extraordinary moment" in which his "lean, mean killing machine... takes a shower after the battle and gasps with pain".
Speaking earlier this year, Hiddleston - known to millions for his villainous Loki role in the Thor and Avengers films - said the play had "an interesting contemporary resonance".
"Coriolanus is an impeccable soldier who becomes a war hero," the actor told the BBC News website.
"That leads him to be corralled into politics, an arena he has no place in."
The political arena is represented in the play by the wily Menenius, played by Mark Gatiss of Sherlock and The League of Gentleman fame.
The cast also includes Deborah Findlay as Coriolanus's fierce mother Volumnia and Borgen actress Birgitte Hjort Sorensen as his wife Virgilia.
The Donmar's sold-out production, which will be broadcast live in cinemas on 30 January, is one of several high-profile Shakespeares running in London over Christmas.
Jude Law can currently be seen as Henry V at the Noel Coward theatre, while David Tennant is portraying Richard II at the Barbican following its run in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Laurence Olivier, Sir Ian McKellen and Toby Stephens are among the many notable actors to have played Coriolanus on stage, while Ralph Fiennes played him on screen in 2011 film version that he also directed. | Thor star Tom Hiddleston gives a "powerhouse performance" in a new London production of Shakespeare's Coriolanus, according to one critic. | 25427984 |
Lt Col Michael White told BBC Newsnight he would "look at individuals in the round" when assessing applicants.
Recruitment would be focused on "capability development" rather than "personality traits", he added.
The Joint Cyber Reserve Unit was announced by the government in September.
Under the £500m initiative, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is set to recruit hundreds of reservists as computer experts to work alongside regular armed forces.
The unit will defend national security by safeguarding computer networks and vital data, and it will also launch strikes in cyberspace if necessary.
It is hoped the move will address the shortage of people with the technological skills and knowledge to protect corporations, the military, and government systems from cyber attacks.
The MoD said the recruitment, which started in early October, would target regular personnel leaving the armed forces, current and former reservists with the required skills, and civilians with the appropriate technological knowledge.
When asked by Newsnight whether someone with the right skills would be ruled out if they had a criminal record for hacking, Lt Col White said: "I think if they could get through the security process, then if they had that capability that we would like, then if the vetting authority was happy with that, why not?
"We're looking at capability development, rather than setting hard and fast rules about individual personality traits."
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond unveiled plans for the cyber defence unit last month.
Mr Hammond also told Newsnight he could foresee circumstances in which convicted hackers could be employed.
"Each individual case would be looked at on its merits," he said.
"The conviction would be examined in terms of how long ago it was, how serious it was, what sort of sentence had followed. So I can't rule it out."
But one former hacker told Newsnight the government had already undermined its chances of attracting talented individuals.
Mustafa al-Bassam, now a computer science student at King's College London, was the youngest hacker in the Lulzsec group - which recently targeted organisations such as the FBI in the US and Britain's Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) in a 50-day hacking campaign.
He told the BBC that revelations by former US contractor Edward Snowden about the extent of mass surveillance carried out by intelligence agencies - including the US' National Security Agency (NSA) and Britain's GCHQ - had dissuaded him from using his cyber skills to protect UK national security.
"I can understand the need for a government to protect itself, but when you go ahead and stomp on everyone's civil liberties - as we've seen with all the mass surveillance stories that have been out over the past year - I think you can rest assured that you're going to repel talented people," he said.
Dr David Day, a Sheffield Hallam University computer forensics expert who provided evidence for Mr Al-Bassam's conviction, told Newsnight it was a "terrible shame" someone convicted of malicious hacking would find it difficult to get a job in the industry.
"If they have those abilities and those skills, then some of the best talent we can't use," he said.
Cyber attacks and crime have become more common in recent years.
In July, it emerged Britain was seeing about 70 sophisticated cyber espionage operations a month against government or industry networks,
GCHQ director Sir Iain Lobban told the BBC business secrets were being stolen on an "industrial scale".
And in a written statement in December last year, Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude said 93% of large corporations and 76% of small businesses had reported a cyber breach in 2012.
Watch Susan Watts' film in which Mustafa al-Bassam and Dr David Day come face to face for the first time on Newsnight on BBC iPlayer and the Newsnight website. | Convicted computer hackers could be recruited to the UK's cyber defence force if they pass security vetting, the head of the new unit has said. | 24613376 |
But now his profile is set to go international through his latest client - Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam.
Mr Mary was once a youth footballer at top Belgian side Anderlecht before suffering an injury and it would appear he has channelled the same competitive spirit needed in professional sport into his new vocation.
"If someone is described as public enemy number one, I want to fight that abuse of authority," Belgian paper Metro quoted him as saying.
And few would accuse him of shying away from a fight. He had to repeat the first year of his law degree three times but went on to be regarded as one of Belgium's best legal professionals.
Former clients include Fouad Belkacem, who led the Sharia4Belgium group and was convicted of sending jihadists to fight in Syria.
He has also defended Michel Lelievre, an accomplice of Belgian serial killer and paedophile Marc Dutroux.
Mr Mary suggested as far back as in January he would be prepared to represent Abdeslam, after he was contacted by someone close to him while still on the run, Le Soir reported.
The fugitive was finally captured in a dramatic raid in Brussels last week and is now fighting extradition to France.
Abdeslam does not deny his presence at the brutal Paris attacks last November. Indeed, Mr Mary told L'Express he would be "bothered" by having to defend such a line - and was not prepared to do so.
Instead Mr Mary has focused on procedure, accusing the Belgian foreign minister of political interference and the French authorities of legal overreach by seeking his client's extradition.
"We have to stop kneeling, to stop this guilt complex that seems to exist in Belgium over the attacks in France," the lawyer told La Derniere Heure newspaper.
He has also said he will sue French prosecutor Francois Molins after the official revealed that Abdeslam said he had abandoned plans to blow himself up during the attacks, something Mr Mary said was a violation of judicial confidentiality.
Despite this Mr Mary said his client was co-operating with the authorities and that there "is no single reason that he won't go to France".
Salah Abdeslam's luck runs out
Is Molenbeek a haven for Belgian jihadis?
What happened during the Paris attacks?
Who were the Paris attackers?
The Belgian will not be the first or last lawyer to be accused of lacking principles. But is "avocat des crapules" fair?
His actions do not fit a template. He has acted for the victim of a horrendous sulphuric acid attack and has said he will not represent members of the extreme right.
All defendants have the right to an advocate, however abhorrent their crimes may be - it is an essential part of a fair trial.
Not everyone believes he is just a man doing his job of course. Comments on social media have labelled him "inhuman" and "callous", and of cynically exploiting a tragedy for his own publicity.
Mr Mary says he is motivated by "the fight against impunity and the abuse of power".
"Do you remember the live press conferences by the federal prosecutors in the days, and even nights, after the attacks?" he told Le Soir.
"I was sickened by the way by the way they exploited fear just to gain more power." | Sven Mary has earned the nickname "avocat des crapules" ("scumbag's lawyer") from his work defending a series of notorious criminals in Belgium. | 35866437 |
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