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22374473 | His selection as Wales' representative for the Venice Biennale this year has already proved popular with the critics - the London broadsheets have dispatched their finest to the Welsh countryside to peer inside his office, and hear a hint of what he has planned.
Only a large telescope, set up next to his computer, offers a clue as to the theme of his Venice exhibition.
It's the concept of the amateur astronomer that's inspired the work that will fill six rooms of a former convent later this month.
"There are obvious links between Venice and astronomy - Galileo unveiled his telescope there - but it's the amateur astronomer that I've focused on," he said.
"Of all the amateur pastimes, astronomy is the one where the practitioners have an active part in the progression of that field. People at home spot comets, moons and planets."
Williams wants to celebrate the amateurs who spend their lives looking out into space.
At least one of the rooms in his exhibition will contain an observatory, while ideas of size and distance are explored with giant everyday objects in the style of Alice in Wonderland.
The world's press will get a first glimpse of his work at the end of May, before the six-month exhibition opens to the public at the beginning of June.
It's costing around £400,000 to have a Wales exhibit at this year's Biennale. The bill is being picked up by the Arts Council of Wales and the Welsh government.
Williams thinks it's right for Wales to attend.
"It's kind of like the art Olympics, but without the bad dress sense," he said.
"All the other countries of the world are there as well, so it makes sense for Wales to be there.
"I think we have a tendency to be an inward-looking outfit as a country, and maybe in a way although this exhibition has no Welsh content - no red dragons or sheep - that idea of looking in and looking out is something that Welsh people ought to think about."
The artist Osi Rhys Osmond chaired the committee that selected Williams for this year's Biennale.
"In choosing an artist like Bedwyr, who is at the cutting edge of contemporary practice, we are showing the world that we are a modern mature country, that we can deal with the latest ideas, that we have people who are on a par with anyone across the international stage," he said.
"And it's a moment that Wales needs to take particular pride in.
"We are there among the best and we are showing work that will be among the most talked about work in Venice this year and, I believe, for years to come."
Bedwyr Williams And The Starry Messenger opens at the 55th Venice Biennale from June to November 2013. | Bedwyr Williams works from a new tin shed in the garden of his home in Rhostryfan, a one-road village near Caernarfon, Gwynedd. |
30376995 | Sheeran, who is an ambassador for East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH), donated 21 items for the £10m appeal to build a new hospice in Norfolk.
The highest-valued item was a camouflage hoodie which fetched £990.
Earlier this year, other items of Sheeran's clothing raised thousands of pounds for several charities in Suffolk.
Sheeran, from Framlingham, Suffolk, has just returned to the top of the UK singles chart with Thinking Out Loud, while his latest album X has sold over a million copies in the UK.
EACH began the Nook Appeal earlier this year to build a new centre at Framingham Earl to replace the one at Quidenham in Norfolk.
Sheeran posted a message about the latest auction to his millions of followers on Twitter on 28 November.
He wrote: "I donated all my favourite clothes to @EACH_hospices including all my hoodies."
Also sold on eBay, alongside four hoodies, were a "previously-owned" T-shirt featuring Boba Fett from Star Wars, which fetched £251, and a pair of Adidas trainers, which raised £275.
Simon Hempsall, marketing manager for EACH, said: "We're extremely grateful to Ed for this fairly unique fundraising opportunity for the Nook Appeal and have been blown away by the response to the auction - helped in no small way by him tweeting it to his 11.4 million followers." | Clothes owned by singer Ed Sheeran have been sold for £7,500 to raise money for a children's hospice. |
32864082 | Emma Caldwell, a 27-year-old heroin addict who had been working as a prostitute, was discovered dead in woods near Biggar in May 2005.
The Lord Advocate has given the instructions to Police Scotland after the most senior officers in the Crown Office considered the case.
Ms Caldwell's family have been informed of the developments.
It follows a BBC File on Four investigation into the police inquiry, in which a local suspect was dropped in favour of prosecuting four Turkish men.
The programme revealed that officers who wanted to charge the local man, one of Emma's clients, were stopped by senior detectives investigating the Turkish suspects.
One of the Turkish men, who was charged with murdering Ms Caldwell, was awarded an out-of-court settlement after suing police for false arrest.
Ms Caldwell was last seen alive in the Govanhill area of Glasgow in April 2005. Her family said she turned to drugs, then prostitution to feed her habit, following the death of her sister.
A Crown Office spokesperson said: "The Lord Advocate has instructed Police Scotland to carry out a reinvestigation into the murder of Emma Caldwell.
"The decision to reinvestigate followed careful consideration of the case by Crown Counsel - the most senior lawyers in Crown Office.
"Unresolved homicides are never closed. COPFS maintains a database of all cold case homicides and cases to which the Double Jeopardy (Scotland) Act may apply.
"The Cold Case Unit works closely with Police Scotland to review these cases to ascertain if there are any new evidential developments, including advances in forensic techniques, which would assist in providing a basis for criminal proceedings."
Police Scotland said they would meet with Ms Caldwell's family to explain their plans.
Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said: "Police Scotland is at an advanced stage in its preparations to undertake a reinvestigation into the murder of Emma Caldwell.
"All necessary resources with the appropriate skills and experience will be deployed to ensure a thorough reinvestigation takes place.
"Senior officers from Police Scotland will be meeting with the family to outline the plans already in place and provide further information on the areas to be explored in an attempt to identify new evidential opportunities.
"Detectives will be using the most up-to-date investigative techniques, particularly those in forensics, within which there has been significant advances in recent years. It is hoped these advances will assist officers in the reinvestigation of the case." | Police have been told to reinvestigate the unsolved murder of a woman killed in South Lanarkshire 10 years ago. |
35503542 | 5 February 2016 Last updated at 12:39 GMT
The smoke lit up the sky with bolts of lightning, caused by tiny pieces of rock, ash and ice rubbing together and making static electricity.
Sakurajima's last major eruption was in September. This area of the country sits on the Pacific "Ring of fire" and has more than 100 volcanoes.
The Ring of Fire is an area where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions happen a lot.
There have been no reports of anyone having been hurt by Sakurajima's eruption so far.
If you want to learn more then check out Newsround's guide to what causes volcanoes. | The Sakurajima volcano, on the island of Kyushu in Japan, has started erupting throwing lava and ash in to the air in spectacular style. |
40765726 | Sanchez was set to report back for pre-season on Sunday after his summer break, but has stayed away because of illness.
"He has flu, yes. I had him on text yesterday," said Wenger after Saturday's 5-2 win over Benfica.
"There's no development - he is staying, of course."
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The striker posted a picture on Instagram on Friday with the one word caption 'sick.' He had been given permission to return to pre-season training late after helping Chile to the Confederations Cup final in Russia.
Sanchez, 28, is entering the final year of his Arsenal contract, as are Mesut Ozil, Kieran Gibbs, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jack Wilshere.
But Wenger, who signed a new two-year deal of his own in May, does not believe that uncertainty over their futures will have a negative impact on the squad.
"The players who have one year of their contract have to respect their contract and play out their contract," Wenger said.
"For a manager, it's a bit different because it concerns more what is the future of the club.
"The players were thinking, 'What's going on and what's happening?', so it creates uncertainty [with my contract] because it's a global policy.
"I am responsible for the global policy of the club but for the players it is different."
Arsenal impressed as they beat Benfica, with Theo Walcott scoring twice and Olivier Giroud and Alex Iwobi also on target while Lisandro Lopez scored an own goal. | Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger expects Alexis Sanchez to return to training on Tuesday after repeating his belief that the forward will stay at the club. |
30325418 | The BBC survey suggests the average spend in the county is expected to be £433.16 - £30 less than the average across the areas surveyed.
The figures suggest 52% of people in Lincolnshire are worried about Christmas spending, the joint highest.
However, only 7% of people said they may resort to borrowing.
People in North Yorkshire are expected to spend the most at £508.82 while the average spend across Yorkshire, North Derbyshire and Lincolnshire is expected to be £463.83.
Across Yorkshire, North Derbyshire and Lincolnshire 50% of people surveyed for the BBC said they were concerned about their festive spending.
Concern is highest amongst those aged 18-34 and those with children under 18.
Jane Symonds, money expert at the Money Advice Service, said: "Christmas can be an expensive time of year, but it's important to know that you don't have to live beyond your means to make it a fun time. A big financial hangover is the last thing anyone wants to start the new year with.
"Planning ahead by looking carefully at costs will help you to take control of your spending and reduce some of the pressure. It's best to avoid credit if you can, but if you need to borrow there are more options if you think ahead."
Across the areas surveyed those planning to borrow 68% said they would use their credit card, 18% plan to ask friends and family for help, 18% will use their overdraft, six percent will go to a pay day lender, six percent will take out a loan, and two percent say they will go to a credit union.
On average people said they expected to borrow about £180.
Men said they were likely to borrow on average £214.76, while women said they expected to borrow about £146.36.
More than half of all borrowers said it would take them between a few weeks to a year to repay their debt.
Kevin Peachey, personal finance reporter, BBC News
Financial advisers say it is never too late to draw up a budget for your Christmas spending.
Those who get into trouble often forget to factor in those little extras that add to the festive bill.
So, as well as presents, food and travel, advisers urge families not to ignore the cost of replacing decorations, calling relatives and even taking the children to Santa's grotto.
They suggest shopping around on the internet for all these things to get the best deal.
Those who turn to credit may be deferring the pain, but missing repayments in the new year could start or continue a debt spiral that may be difficult to pull out of.
Instead, advisers say, keep things under control this year, and start saving now to bring some Christmas 2015 cheer to your family and your finances.
Market research agency ComRes interviewed 1,270 people across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, of which 501 were in West Yorkshire, 305 were in South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire, 335 in North Yorkshire, 179 in East Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire and 189 in Lincolnshire.
The online survey was carried out for BBC Radio Lincolnshire between 27 November and 1 December. | People in Lincolnshire have come bottom of a Christmas spending league following a survey of more than 1,200 people across the county and Yorkshire. |
34323782 | The statistics are contained in the Scottish Health Survey for 2014.
They suggest a 1% decrease for adults and just a 1% increase for children meeting the government's recommended guidelines for exercise.
Only 4% of those questioned said they were thinking about doing more sport as a result of the Glasgow Games.
Low activity is the second biggest cause of mortality in Scotland and contributes to about 2,500 deaths each year.
The 2014 Commonwealth Games were held in Glasgow last summer with much made of the legacy and lasting impact the event would have on people across Scotland.
It was one of the key promises made by organisers - that Glasgow 2014 would inspire the nation to become more active.
The Scottish Health Survey - an annual snapshot of the nation's state of health - asked those taking part about the impact of the Games on their attitudes to sport and exercise.
About one in 20 adults (6%) said that they were more interested in sport and physical activity as a result of the Games, with 4% saying they were thinking about doing more physical activity.
The survey found that in 2014, 63% of adults took part in the recommended 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, compared with 64% the previous year.
Just over three quarters (76%) of children met the guidelines of 60 minutes of activity each day (that included school-based activities).
The health survey looked at what people see as being the main barriers to playing more sport.
Those who had not played sport in the last month gave reasons including poor health (35%), lack of time (32%), and a lack of interest (17%).
Diarmid Campbell-Jack, research director at ScotCen Social Research which carried out the survey, said: "We have only seen very small proportions of adults in Scotland claiming that the Commonwealth Games had influenced, changed their attitudes to, or increased their participation in, sport.
"We know from elsewhere in the Scottish Health Survey that poor health, a lack of time, and lack of interest are the main barriers people mention when asked why they hadn't taken part in sport recently - this suggests a wide range of issues need to continue to be considered when addressing this issue."
Prof Nanette Mutrie, director of physical activity for the Health Research Centre at Edinburgh University, said the figures were "disappointing" but that it was maybe too early to judge the impact of the Games.
She said: "We thought Scotland's approach of having a legacy at the forefront of the Commonwealth Games would have made a difference, but no country has seen an upturn in participation levels on the back of a major sporting event.
"We do have a long-term strategy in Scotland that has been in place since 2003, we have a national walking strategy and almost 100% of schools now have two hours of PE and so we may not see the benefits for the next five years." | There has been almost no change in levels of physical activity in Scotland since the Commonwealth Games, according to new figures. |
38497997 | China Railway already runs services between China and other European cities, including Madrid and Hamburg.
The train will take about two weeks to cover the 12,000 mile journey and is carrying a cargo of clothes, bags and other household items.
It has the advantage of being cheaper than air freight and faster than sea.
The proliferation of routes linking China and Europe is part of a strategy launched in 2013 aimed at boosting infrastructure links with Europe along the former Silk Road trading routes.
London will become the 15th European city to join what the Chinese government calls the New Silk Route.
The service will pass through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany Belgium and France before arriving at Barking Rail Freight Terminal in East London, which is directly connected to the High Speed 1 rail line to the European mainland.
Because of the different railway gauges involved, a single train cannot travel the whole route and the containers need to be reloaded at various points.
The Chinese government is keen to boost its economy in the face of slowing export and economic growth. | China has launched a direct rail freight service to London, as part of its drive to develop trade and investment ties with Europe. |
36264229 | Temp worker Nicola Thorp, 27, from Hackney, arrived at finance company PwC to be told she had to wear shoes with a "2in to 4in heel".
When she refused and complained male colleagues were not asked to do the same, she was sent home without pay.
Outsourcing firm Portico said Ms Thorp had "signed the appearance guidelines" but it would now review them.
More on this story and other news from London
High heels and flip-flops: Work dress code victims
PwC said the dress code was "not a PwC policy".
Ms Thorp said she would have struggled to work a full day in high heels and had asked to wear the smart flat shoes she had worn to the office in Embankment.
But instead she was was told she should go and buy a pair of heels on her first day, back in December.
"I said 'if you can give me a reason as to why wearing flats would impair me to do my job today, then fair enough', but they couldn't," Ms Thorp told BBC Radio London.
"I was expected to do a nine-hour shift on my feet escorting clients to meeting rooms. I said 'I just won't be able to do that in heels'."
Ms Thorp said she asked if a man would be expected to do the same shift in heels, and was laughed at.
She then spoke to friends about what had happened, and after posting on Facebook realised that other women had found themselves in the same position.
"I was a bit scared about speaking up about it in case there was a negative backlash," she said. "But I realised I needed to put a voice to this as it is a much bigger issue."
She has since set up a petition calling for the law to be changed so women cannot be forced to wear high heels to work. It has had more than 10,000 signatures, so the government will now have to respond.
As the law stands, employers can dismiss staff who fail to live up to "reasonable" dress code demands, as long as they've been given enough time to buy the right shoes and clothes.
They can set up different codes for men and women, as long as there's an "equivalent level of smartness".
Read more here.
"I don't hold anything against the company necessarily because they are acting within their rights as employers to have a formal dress code, and as it stands, part of that for a woman is to wear high heels," Ms Thorp said.
"I think dress codes should reflect society and nowadays women can be smart and formal and wear flat shoes.
"Aside from the debilitating factor, it's the sexism issue. I think companies shouldn't be forcing that on their female employees."
Simon Pratt, managing director at Portico, said it was "common practice within the service sector to have appearance guidelines", which Ms Thorp had agreed to.
"These policies ensure customer-facing staff are consistently well presented and positively represent a client's brand and image."
However, he said the firm had "taken on board the comments regarding footwear and will be reviewing our guidelines".
A PwC spokesman said the company was in discussions with Portico about its policy.
"PwC outsources its front of house and reception services to a third party supplier. We first became aware of this matter on 10 May, some five months after the issue arose," the spokesman said.
"PwC does not have specific dress guidelines for male or female employees." | A London receptionist was sent home from work after refusing to wear high heels, it has emerged. |
34049869 | The man, from County Galway, was taken to Letterkenny General Hospital but died at about 22:30 local time.
Another fisherman, a 46-year-old from the Philippines, who was also on the boat, is in a critical condition in hospital.
It is believed the men were cleaning tanks in a refrigeration unit on the boat in Killybegs. | A 27-year-old fisherman has died after being overcome by fumes while working on a trawler in County Donegal. |
38787708 | Holgate Windmill in York reopened in 2012 following a £500,000 restoration project.
The 18th century Grade II-listed building currently produces about 50kg (8st) of flour a week which is sold to restaurants and individuals.
The money raised is used to help maintain the building.
The Holgate Windmill Preservation Society said training more volunteers would help increase the amount of stone-ground flour produced.
Steve Potts, chairman of the society and one of three trained millers, said the ancient skill only takes a couple of months to learn.
"It's not a reading skill, it's a doing and learning by experience skill," he said.
"We started off reasonably gradually because we're a volunteer group and it's supposed to be fun but we are trying to make more money out of the milling."
The windmill originally produced flour from the 1770s to the 1930s but fell into disrepair until the society began work to restore it in 2001. | A community group which restored one of the oldest surviving five-sailed windmills in the country is seeking volunteers to train as millers. |
39139535 | At the close of trade on Thursday, shares were $24.48 each, up from their opening offer price of $17 a share.
It left Snap valued at almost $30bn, although it has never made a profit.
The firm's initial public offering is the biggest for a US tech firm since Facebook in 2012 and will turn the company's founders, Evan Spiegel and Bobby Murphy, into multi-billionaires.
Snapchat, which is especially popular with teenagers, allows users to send images and messages which then vanish.
The company's losses widened last year, and user growth is slowing down in the face of intense competition from larger rivals such as Facebook.
Despite the challenges in converting "cool" into cash, Snap's valuation is the richest for a US tech flotation since Facebook in 2012.
At the beginning of February Snap's formal announcement to regulators of its plans revealed that the company had revenue of $404m last year, but made a loss of $515m.
Unlike in most listed companies, people who buy the floated shares in Snap will not get any voting rights.
Some analysts argued the company was overvalued.
"Snap is a promising early stage company with significant opportunity ahead of itself.
"Unfortunately, it is significantly overvalued given the likely scale of its long-term opportunity and the risks associated with executing against that opportunity," wrote analyst Brian Wieser from Pivotal Research in a note. He gave it a "sell" rating.
Others were more positive.
Before the trading debut, Jordan Hiscott, chief trader at Ayondo Markets, said: "What sets it apart from other messaging apps like WhatsApp for me is the innovative features built into the app's interface, such as the lenses function.
"A pertinent point in the company's S1 filing for the IPO is that it doesn't call itself a messaging service, but a camera company."
"This seems to be an intentional move to differentiate it from Facebook and Twitter and the success and failure of their respective IPOs, which in my view, is very clever." | Shares in Snap, owner of messaging app Snapchat, rose 44% in their first day of trading on the US stock market. |
39911569 | They say they would make it easier for councils to purchase derelict land for new rented housing projects.
Their plans involve offering "fixed term" council houses to be sold off after 10 to 15 years, with any proceeds reinvested in social housing.
Labour said the plans were "political spin, with no substance".
"There's no commitment on the number of new affordable homes or on new funding," said the party's housing spokesman, John Healey.
Labour has promised to build a minimum of one million new homes over the next five years, with at least half to be council or housing association properties.
The Tories said they expected "thousands" of homes to be built each year with "hundreds of millions" of pounds invested over the course of the next parliament, without giving precise figures.
Under their proposals, the government would "strike deals" with councils and housing associations, offering direct funding to enable them to build more homes and make it easier for them to acquire land for development.
This would include changing the compulsory purchase rules so councils could buy derelict brownfield land at below market value.
In return, some of the homes would have to have a fixed-term social rent - typically 10 or 15 years - after which they would be sold, with the tenant being given the first option to buy.
The Conservatives said this would allow increases in land and property values over that period to be reinvested in social housing.
Prime Minister Theresa May said the housing market was "broken" and vowed to fix it.
Mrs May said: "Giving tenants a new right to buy these homes when they go on the market will help thousands of people get on the first rung of the housing ladder, and fixed terms will make sure money is reinvested so we have a constant supply of new homes for social rent."
BBC political correspondent Iain Watson says the policy is aimed at voters who might not be traditionally Conservative supporters, including some of the million people on housing waiting lists.
Anne Baxendale, acting director of communications for housing charity Shelter, welcomed the proposals.
She tweeted: "Reports of pledge for new council housing v exciting & testament to how far we've come that this is now x-party consensus."
In February, the government set out a string of measures aimed at increasing the number of affordable homes in its housing white paper, including giving councils the power to pressurise developments to start building on land they own.
Labour has put housing at the forefront of its election campaign, promising 100,000 new social homes a year with investment from a new national infrastructure fund.
Mr Healey said: "Under Theresa May and the Tories we've seen seven years of failure on housing, with the level of new affordable housebuilding now at a 24-year low."
Mrs May could not "sidestep her share of the blame for the Tory housing crisis", he added.
In other general election news, Jeremy Corbyn's party said it would impose a tax on financial transactions to raise billions of pounds for public services.
The Lib Dems, meanwhile, are offering a cash incentive to engineering and technology graduates who sign up for the armed forces.
Party leader Tim Farron said the £10,000 "golden handshake" would help address a "critical skills shortfall" in the services.
It would be paid to recruits who committed to serve for five years. | The Conservatives are promising a "new generation" of social housing will be built in England if they win the general election. |
39097043 | The VF-17 follows the team's debut, the VF-16, which took Haas to an eighth-place finish in their maiden season.
It features many of the elements seen on other cars following new regulations aimed at making the cars faster and more demanding.
"It is very different from last year's car," said team principal Guenther Steiner.
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"You always try to make a faster car, which is normally a lighter car. Now we can put on more ballast and get better weight distribution. The aero is completely new, as are the tyres, so we needed to have some built-in adjustability.
"Aesthetically, the car has a more aggressive look. It's lighter and more aerodynamically efficient. Everything we learned from our first car has been applied to our new car."
Kevin Magnussen will partner Romain Grosjean after leaving Renault in November.
Grosjean tweeted: "Looking sharp and fast, isn't it?"
The VF17 will make its track debut on Monday for the first day of pre-season testing at Circuit de Barcelona - Catalunya.
Analysis
BBC Sport chief F1 writer Andrew Benson
The key issue for Haas in 2017 is not to fall prey to 'second season syndrome'.
Their debut in 2016 was impressive in parts - but so it should have been with a car that was effectively a mildly tweaked Ferrari.
A sophomore year, when a new team races a car they had to design while competing with their first one, is traditionally much more difficult.
Haas' business plan is to buy as many parts off the shelf from Ferrari as possible - which basically means everything bar the monocoque and aerodynamic surfaces. So, unsurprisingly, Ferrari influences are visible again.
In truth, a consolidation of last year's eighth place in the championship would be a decent effort. | Haas have launched their new car for the 2017 season ahead of pre-season testing in Barcelona. |
34518634 | The design contract, worth between £40m and £50m, covers about 29 miles of the road's western section, east of Auldearn to east of Fochabers.
Earlier this year a £30m contract was awarded to design 19 miles of dual carriageway between Inverness and Nairn.
Ministers said the contract marked "a further milestone" in the project.
The work to upgrade the latest section of A96 forms part of a wider project to build 88 miles of dual carriageway between Inverness and Aberdeen.
The latest design contract is expected to be awarded early next year,
Infrastructure Secretary Keith Brown said: "The publication of this contract notice marks another significant milestone in a dualling programme that will deliver a number of benefits when completed, including improved journey time and reliability, improved connectivity and improved road safety for all those who use this key artery connecting two of Scotland's economic hubs.
"With the Scottish government making major infrastructure investment in projects like the A9, new Queensferry Crossing and recently completed Borders Railway, this contract for the A96 further underlines the significant investment we are making in our transport network across Scotland." | Companies have been invited to submit designs for the latest stretch of dual carriageway planned for the A96. |
35013101 | The deal followed talks between the EU and Norway.
It was agreed that the total allowable catch (TAC) for cod can increase by 15% and North Sea herring by 16%.
Haddock catches have been given a 30% boost with an extra 17% for vessels affected by the discard ban, taking the total increase to 47%.
Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "These significant increases for both haddock and cod, in line with scientific advice, are good news for the fishing industry.
"Following a year which saw landings up by nearly a fifth and revenues worth over £500m these increases in quota mean fishermen can further boost catch and profits and could be worth over £15m.
"This will also help the fleet manage the discard ban, which will stop dead haddock being thrown back into the sea, which will in turn improve the stocks of fish."
Conservative MEP for Scotland Ian Duncan said decisions for every species have yet to be taken, but he voiced his delight with the outcome reached on Friday.
He said: "Let me be clear, on the whole this is a fantastic result for the Scottish fishing industry and I pay tribute to them and all the hard work and pain they have endured over the last decade or so to be in a position today that sees cod TAC increase by 15% to 27,930 tonnes in EU waters.
"Considering where we were not that long ago, this in itself would be incredible.
"But the news for haddock; an increase of almost 50% and north sea herring; an increase of 16% on top of the cod figures leaves the industry in very good heart this evening."
Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, said: "This agreement reflects the healthy nature of our stocks and will bring some welcome relief to our hardworking fishermen who are committed to a sustainable future.
"Challenges remain, and while the quota uplift for haddock and other stocks to cope with the discard ban will be welcomed, only time and a great deal of effort from fisheries managers, the Scottish fleet and the supply chain as whole will help ensure the discard ban scheme works when it is phased in from 1 January 2016." | Significant increases in fishing quotas for Scottish fishermen have been agreed for key stocks next year, according to ministers. |
36083676 | Eric Appleby, an engineering student from Liverpool, joined the British Army when war broke out in 1914 and was sent to pre-partition Ireland for training.
He met his sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly, at a dance in her home town of Athlone, County Westmeath, and quickly fell in love.
Their brief courtship was interrupted when Eric was sent to the Front in March 1915 to fight with the Royal Field Artillery.
The couple continued their wartime romance in a series of intense love letters, which became increasingly dramatic and disturbing as Eric struggled to stay alive on the killing fields of France.
Their story - familiar to hundreds of thousands of couples separated by one of the most bloody conflicts in human history - was uncovered in Belfast by chance.
A BBC producer found a collection of their love letters on a dusty shelf in the Linen Hall library and decided to bring the couple's love story back to life a century later.
"In amongst all the World War One books I came across the book 'Love Letters from the Front'," producer Ian Dougan recalls.
"I got this down and was amazed to find that it had never been read, and there were over 200 letters - beautiful letters - that I just felt had to be made into something."
The book was the work of Jean Kelly, who is married to one of Phyllis's nephews, and has now been developed into a landmark, 137-part series starting on Thursday on BBC Radio Ulster.
Two Belfast actors, Ruairi Tohill and Roisin Gallagher, were cast in the roles of Eric and Phyllis and have recorded extracts of the 200 love letters in five-minute instalments.
The instalments will be broadcast just before noon every weekday on BBC Radio Ulster from now until October.
"The letters begin gently as love letters and then become almost a pattern of how World War One panned out," Mr Dougan says.
"From the 'love days' as they called them - boat-rides and sweetheart moments - to the atrocities that Eric witnessed."
In one letter, the frightened soldier describes the terrible scenes unfolding around him as he writes: "Sweetheart, forgive me for not having written, it is impossible to find a moment.
"We are really in it now. There is a fearful din going on at present and shells are falling all around us.
"Quite close to our guns, about 30 yards behind, there is an enormous 17in shell hole - 40ft in diameter and 20 to 30ft deep. Really, it is appalling to look at."
Towards the end of the series, the letters are even more potent, according to the producer, as the shell-shocked soldier's correspondence transports some of the grisly reality of the battlefield back to Athlone.
"Eric's right at the front with the rats and the dead and he's gone slightly mad. He takes the gun out at night with a knife and is cutting off souvenirs off the corpses," Mr Dougan says.
"Phyllis is totally unable to conceive why through the post she's found herself receiving a dead German's lapels.
"She knows by now, because she can follow it in code, where he is and she knows he's right at the front."
The producer believes the pair's love story is symbolic of the war as a whole - from the innocence of its early days to the "midway madness" of the Somme offensive in 1916.
"Not only do you get an insight into this young couple but you also get an insight into the horrors of war."
Love Letters from the Front will be broadcast at 11:55 BST each weekday on BBC Radio Ulster from Thursday 21 April, and will be repeated each weeknight at 23:50 BST. | The real-life love story of an English soldier and the Irishwoman he met during World War One has been dramatised by the BBC using the love letters they exchanged while he fought for his life on the Western Front. |
39464056 | Both sides spurned chances early on but it was the Minstermen who took a 25th-minute lead thanks to Vadaine Oliver, who collected possession from Amari Morgan-Smith's through ball before slotting home.
Elliott Durrell went through on goal but was denied by York goalkeeper Scott Loach while at the other end Jon Parkin's long-range effort struck the inside of the post before bouncing clear.
Either side of half-time, Lynch expertly saved twice from Morgan-Smith, who struck the post on the hour mark, but the visitors guaranteed victory 15 minutes from time courtesy of Danny Holmes' half-volley.
York move up to 19th in the table and a point above the bottom four after Torquay and Woking were held to draws at Aldershot and Barrow respectively while Braintree were beaten at home to Dover.
Report supplied by the Press Association.
Match ends, Chester FC 0, York City 2.
Second Half ends, Chester FC 0, York City 2.
Substitution, York City. Adriano Moke replaces Amari Morgan-Smith.
Goal! Chester FC 0, York City 2. Danny Holmes (York City).
Tom Shaw (Chester FC) is shown the yellow card.
Amari Morgan-Smith (York City) is shown the yellow card.
Substitution, Chester FC. Luke George replaces Blaine Hudson.
Substitution, Chester FC. Theo Vassell replaces Johnny Hunt.
Substitution, Chester FC. Kane Richards replaces Lucas Dawson.
Second Half begins Chester FC 0, York City 1.
First Half ends, Chester FC 0, York City 1.
Lucas Dawson (Chester FC) is shown the yellow card.
Goal! Chester FC 0, York City 1. Vadaine Oliver (York City).
First Half begins.
Lineups are announced and players are warming up. | York climbed out of the National League relegation zone after a 2-0 win at mid-table Chester. |
22167294 | Media playback is not supported on this device
The club, now owned by the Pompey Supporters' Trust (PST) had been in administration since 17 February 2012 and were close to being liquidated.
I would like to pay tribute to Portsmouth supporters for giving their financial backing to the Trust's rescue plan and for turning out in force throughout the administration as it has kept the club in business
But an out-of-court settlement between the former owners and administrators for ownership of Fratton Park allowed a takeover to be completed.
They had already been relegated from League One.
It was speculated Portsmouth's points deduction would be carried into next season but the Football League announced on Saturday the punishment would come into effect straight away.
As well as the 10-point deduction the league have also imposed a number of conditions on the club such as restrictions on playing budgets, future borrowing and loan repayments for the next five seasons.
"I would like to welcome the Pompey Supporters' Trust to the Football League and pay tribute to their efforts to save their club," said Football League chairman Greg Clarke.
"They have galvanised the Club's fans and the City of Portsmouth behind their cause and ensured that it continues to have a professional football club.
"However, the hard work is only just beginning and we will continue working with the new owners to help them establish a sustainable future for Portsmouth Football Club, so that it can put its long running financial troubles behind it for good.
"This has been an extremely challenging situation for the Football League, given the level of debt, the length of the administration and the issues surrounding the ownership of Fratton Park. I take my hat off to everyone involved, as it has taken significant amounts of hard work, clear thinking and resolve to achieve this outcome.
"Finally, I would like to pay tribute to Portsmouth supporters for giving their financial backing to the Trust's rescue plan and for turning out in force throughout the administration as it has kept the club in business. Hopefully, this marks the start of a better future."
In the time that Pompey have been in administration, every senior player has left the club.
For the club to exit administration, settlements had to be reached with secured creditors as well as former owners Portpin.
Potential buyers included former owner Sulaiman Al Fahim, disgraced former Watford owner Laurence Bassini and Keith Harris, former head of failed investment bank Seymour Pearce.
But, as prospective owners came and went, the bid from the supporter-led consortium remained throughout.
Backed by several wealthy investors, including local businessman Iain McInnes, ordinary fans pledged £1,000 each to be part of the Trust.
Together, they raised nearly £3m, which was added to by a £1.45m bridging loan, as well as investment from their property partner Stuart Robinson.
The Trust has now taken control of the club, along with Fratton Park and the land surrounding the ground.
"What a momentous day!" said Ashley Brown, the PST chairman. "Once again Pompey fans have shown why they are some of the best in the land. We now have a club owned by people who truly love it, its fans. That's how football is supposed to be."
Trevor Birch, joint administrator of Portsmouth Football Club (2010) Ltd and partner at BDO LLP, said: "We have cleared the final hurdle: all of the paperwork has now been signed and the sale concluded.
"It has taken more than 14 months of hard work from all concerned to get here and there were many times over that period when I didn't think we would make it; but we have, and Portsmouth Football Club can once again look forward to the future with optimism.
"The PST has shown what can be achieved when fans unite together for the good of their community. The club has been through considerable turmoil over the last few years, and I hope it can now enjoy a period of stability and the chance to build solid foundations for a sustainable future based on hard work and honest endeavour."
McInnes, chairman of Portsmouth Community Football Club, said: "It has been a very difficult journey to get to this point but in the end we have achieved the right result. Now is the time for Pompey fans to get behind the club and we are looking forward to celebrating becoming a community club at Fratton Park this Saturday afternoon."
Portsmouth, two points off the bottom of League One and eight points adrift of safety with only two games left prior to their 10-point deduction, will play in League Two next season.
They face Sheffield United on Saturday and will announce a new management team on Monday. | Portsmouth's 10-point deduction will be imposed this season, after coming out of administration on Friday. |
19464638 | Corby Borough Council said in a report on the £12m overspend that firm Hawkins Brown did not stick to its brief.
Hawkins Brown withdrew the legal threat but wrote to every councillor in Corby in August, asking them for a chance to defend itself.
However, councillors have been told not to respond "for legal reasons".
The Cube houses council offices, a library, theatre and register office. It cost £47.5m and opened in November 2010.
In the letter to councillors, Roger Hawkins from Hawkins Brown said: "We are concerned that the Public Report of Scrutiny Review into the Cube, Parklands Gateway is unfairly critical of work carried out by ourselves and the whole design team."
The company said the report contained a number of false statements and inaccuracies.
Norman Stronach, acting chief executive of Corby Borough Council, said: "Whilst Corby Borough Council takes the letter into consideration we have advised that councillors do not respond directly for legal reasons.
"The council is planning on reconvening the Scrutiny Panel which undertook the Cube report to take into account the comments made in the letter and decide if it makes any alteration to the recommendations given."
The report also criticised the board that oversaw the construction of the building, describing it as "ineffective in controlling or giving direction to the project".
Corby Borough Council said it was also awaiting the Audit Commission's independent report. | The firm of architects which helped to design the Corby Cube has withdrawn its threat of legal action against the borough council. |
40855911 | Ms Swift, 27, accuses broadcaster David Mueller of slipping his hand under her dress while they posed backstage together at one of her 2013 concerts.
Her lawyer said in his opening statement at the court in Denver, Colorado, that Mr Mueller had "grabbed her rear end".
Mr Mueller sued the singer in September 2015, calling her allegation false.
He said she had cost him his $150,000-a-year job as a host at country station KYGO-FM.
Ms Swift - who was in court on Tuesday - countersued a month later, saying what occurred at the city's Pepsi Center was assault and battery.
On Tuesday, jurors were shown a photograph of the alleged assault at a VIP room meet-and-great before the gig on 2 June 2013.
In the picture, Mr Mueller and his then-girlfriend, Shannon Melcher, stand with Ms Swift in the middle.
All are smiling, and Mr Mueller's right hand is hidden behind the Shake it Off singer.
Mr Mueller's lawyer, David McFarland, said in his opening statement the image shows his client's hand "is not underneath Miss Swift's skirt, and her skirt is not rumpled in any fashion".
"David Mueller unequivocally denies he touched her inappropriately in anyway," Mr McFarland said as his client looked on in court.
"Falsely accusing someone of inappropriate touching is equally offensive, equally wrong and should not be tolerated."
In his opening statement, Mr Mueller said he had only sued "to clear his name and for lost earnings", denying reports that he was seeking $3m in damages from the radio promotions director of his former station.
But Ms Swift's attorney, Douglas Baldridge, said Mr Mueller had given seven accounts of what happened.
He had also destroyed taped conversations about the incident with his bosses, said the lawyer.
Mr Baldridge told the eight jurors: "What's wrong with this picture? A woman gets assaulted, a woman reports it, and she gets sued."
He added: "It's not inappropriate touching. It's assault."
On 3 June, Mr Mueller met his bosses. He was fired the next day on the basis he had violated a "morals clause", according to Mr McFarland.
Ms Swift, who was 23 at the time of the incident, is suing Mr Mueller for the symbolic amount of $1.
She was accompanied in court by her mother Andrea.
Ms Swift also attended jury selection on Monday.
Her fans, known as Swifties, waited outside court from the early hours for a chance to get one of the court's 32 public seats. | Pop star Taylor Swift is "absolutely certain" she was groped by a Colorado radio DJ, a court has heard. |
35047596 | The magazine said it had found the mysterious "Satoshi Nakamoto", the man whose name has been linked with the creation of the currency.
That "scoop" apparently proved false - Dorian Nakamoto (birth name Satoshi) ended up suing Newsweek after he said his life was turned completely upside down.
And so it is with that rigmarole still fresh in our minds that I tentatively offer this article from Wired which says Bitcoin creator "Satoshi Nakamoto" is a pseudonym used by a 44-year-old Australian cryptologist named Craig Steven Wright.
"Either Wright invented bitcoin," Wired's Andy Greenberg and Gwen Branwen write, "Or he's a brilliant hoaxer who very badly wants us to believe he did."
Bitcoin is a virtual currency built around a complicated cryptographic protocol and a global network of computers that oversees and verifies which coins have been spent by whom. Its anonymous nature means it is a popular choice for criminal activity as it is extremely difficult to trace who is spending Bitcoin.
The currency's creator (or creators, perhaps) is proving just as difficult to trace.
Wired cite leaked documents it says shows communication between Dr Wright and his lawyers in which he is reported to have said: "I did my best to try and hide the fact that I've been running Bitcoin since 2009.
"By the end of this I think half the world is going to bloody know."
I've tried to reach Dr Wright, but to no avail. His blog was taken offline shortly after Wired published its report, while Dr Wright's Twitter account went from being protected to being deleted altogether.
According to the online profiles that remain online, he runs DeMorgan Ltd, a Sydney-based company that looks at "alternative currency".
For the full break down of Wired's body of research into Dr Wright, I urge you to read their full article. But it can be summed up as:
- Blog posts apparently published well before the launch of Bitcoin sharing and seeking expertise on creating cryptocurrencies.
- A request for people to email him details by using an encrypted key previously linked to someone identifying themselves as being Satoshi Nakamoto.
- A post announcing the launch of Bitcoin that was later deleted and replaced with a note saying "the best way to hide is right in the open".
Furthermore, leaked emails and transcripts back up what the magazine says - pointing to Dr Wright having huge stashes of Bitcoins, which he among other things used to invest in setting up a Bitcoin bank.
But, and it's a big but, Wired is quick to pre-emptively point out the potential holes in its theory - saying it could be a very elaborate hoax.
"The unverified leaked documents could have been faked in whole or in part," the magazine said.
But later adds: "But this much is clear: If Wright is seeking to fake his Nakamoto connection, his hoax would be practically as ambitious as bitcoin itself."
The body of evidence presented is certainly compelling, and fills in many of the holes not covered by other supposed outings of the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto, who is fast becoming something of a Lord Lucan for the digital world.
Follow Dave Lee on Twitter @DaveLeeBBC | You may remember Newsweek creating headlines around the world when it "outed" the creator of digital currency Bitcoin as being a 64-year-old Japanese American living near Los Angeles. |
35150054 | Reports say the business, which began 92 years ago and was once a major focus for betting, may fetch up to £100m.
Sportech combined the pools brands by buying Littlewoods Gaming in 2000, Zetters in 2002 and Vernons in 2007.
The pools are now played by about 300,000 people, though at their height 10 million players took part.
Players pick up to 12 games that they predict will finish in a draw, with each team scoring at least two goals.
Famous winners include West Yorkshire factory worker Viv Nicholson who scooped £152,319 in 1961, the equivalent of £3.1m today, and vowed to "spend, spend, spend" her winnings.
Trading in Netplay shares on Aim, the stock exchange index for smaller, fast-growing companies, was suspended after it confirmed it was in talks with Sportech. | The Football Pools could be about to change hands after Netplay TV said it was in talks to buy the business from current owner Sportech. |
38314493 | The suspects are thought to have used fake accounts to join the scheme. They then disabled the cars' GPS-trackers and sold the cars for parts.
Police were alerted when car-sharing service Enjoy said 100 of its red Fiat 500s had been stolen in six months.
The service's owner ENI said it had lost €1.5m (£1.25m; $1.6m).
According to police, the thieves, based around Naples, joined the car-sharing scheme by creating fake accounts using stolen identities and credit card details.
They would then take the train to Rome, take as many as three of the distinctive red cars at a time and disable their GPS trackers before driving back at high speed by motorway to Naples. At that point the cars were dismantled and their parts sold off.
After police began investigating the gang, a second GPS tracker was installed in the cars which helped lead investigators to the suspects.
However, the gang soon spotted the second device and threw it into the street.
Police said their breakthrough finally came when they raided a house belonging to two of the suspects where they found credit cards, ID cards, phone Sim cards and social security numbers, all in other people's names.
Many of the details had been used to create car-sharing accounts, police said. The three suspects were detained on allegations including aggravated theft and unauthorised use of a credit card. | Three people have been arrested in Italy on suspicion of stealing more than 100 Fiat 500 cars from a car-sharing company in Rome. |
40568609 | The notes, written in 1975 to a professor who had been hired to read to Mao, were sold at Sotheby's in London for £704,750 ($910,000).
The auction house said the manuscripts were of the "utmost rarity".
The notes relate to classical Chinese literature and poetry, something the Chinese leader was known to enjoy.
They were written the year before Mao died, as his health deteriorated.
His sight was failing and he struggled to read, so requested the presence of a literary expert to read to him.
A scholar, Di Lu, was found, and the two began meeting. But because Mao was having trouble articulating words, she asked him to write his thoughts down on a notepad to ease communication.
The notes were the product of these meetings and offered, Sotheby's said, "numerous valuable insights into Mao's thinking on literature".
Mao Zedong led the Chinese Communist Party, which defeated the Kuomintang in 1949 and founded the People's Republic of China.
As a young man he worked in Peking University Library and was known throughout his life as a keen reader and writer of classical literature, despite his revolutionary political values.
Sotheby's said the notes had been bought by a Chinese collector, after attracting interest from around the world.
Gabriel Heaton, a books and manuscripts specialist from the auction house, said they gave "an indication of Mao's cultural hinterland, of his interests far beyond politics and his deep knowledge of classical Chinese literature".
Asked why they had gone for a much higher price than the £60,000-80,000 estimate, he said manuscripts written by Mao were "exceptionally rare on the market, which makes it very difficult for us to estimate them in the first place".
Interest in items linked to Mao was strong, particularly in Asia and China, he said.
Earlier this year, a silkscreen portrait of him by Andy Warhol fetched $11m at auction in Hong Kong. | A collection of handwritten notes by Mao Zedong, the founder of modern China, has been sold at auction for 10 times its estimated price. |
34774577 | After rising at first, the FTSE 100 index fell 21.17 points to 6,273.99.
Anglo American was down 5.4% and other mining shares were lower after metals prices dropped, with copper near a six-year low.
Shares in credit data company Experian rose 6.5% after the company said it was increasing its half-year dividend and extending a share buyback by $200m.
National Grid shares rose 2.2% after it said it would sell a majority stake in its gas distribution business and posted a 15% rise in half-year profits.
Shares in Vodafone climbed 4.4% after it said revenue growth had picked up in the second quarter.
The latest update from broadcaster ITV helped to push its shares up 0.9%. It reported a 13% rise in revenues for the nine months to the end of September, helped by strong advertising sales during the Rugby World Cup.
On the currency markets, the pound slipped 0.1% against the dollar to $1.5101, and was flat against the euro at €1.4059. | (Morning): The FTSE 100 fell after a decline in mining shares offset the impact of a bunch of upbeat results. |
40432509 | The 23-year-old has been with the Robins since January 2016, having previously played for clubs including Notts County and Wolves.
He made 46 appearances in all competitions for Cheltenham in the 2016-17 season.
"He's got a lot of potential and is one of our best athletes," manager Gary Johnson told the club website. | Cheltenham Town defender Jordan Cranston has signed an extended one-year deal with the League Two club. |
40990937 | The church said the 84-year-old's health had taken a "defining turn".
Cardinal Cormac became the tenth Archbishop of Westminster in March 2000, was made Cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II, before retiring from his role as archbishop in 2009.
As archbishop, he was the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the current Archbishop of Westminster, has asked for prayers.
In a statement on the diocese of Arundel and Brighton website, where Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor used to be bishop, Cardinal Nichols said "these loving prayers are a source of great strength and comfort as he calmly ponders on all that lies ahead".
Cormac Murphy-O'Connor was born on 24 August 1932 in Reading, Berkshire, as one of six children. Three of his five brothers became priests and another played rugby for Ireland.
He was ordained priest in Rome in October 1956.
During an appearance on Desert Island Discs, he admitted that during his time training for the priesthood at the English College in Rome, he learned how to make a good Martini cocktail.
He returned to the college as rector from 1971-77 and on leaving was appointed as Bishop of Arundel and Brighton before taking up his role at Westminster Cathedral. | The former Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, is seriously ill in hospital. |
33750502 | Keeper Petr Cech misjudged Dimitri Payet's free-kick to allow Cheikhou Kouyate to nod in the Hammers' first.
After the break, Mauro Zarate finished from 20 yards after being gifted the ball by the Gunners defence.
Arsenal had 62% of possession, but put just six of 22 shots on target as Aaron Ramsey's first-half effort against the bar was the closest they came.
Gunners fans, who left the Emirates Stadium in large numbers before the final whistle, will feel like they have seen all this before, not just in the way their side performed, but also in the familiarity of their starting line-up.
Cech's arrival from Chelsea has been Wenger's only summer signing since last term's third-place finish, and it was an uncharacteristic display from the experienced keeper.
The 33-year-old was not only at fault for West Ham's opener, but was wrong-footed by Zarate's strike, although he received little help from his defence as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Francis Coquelin gave the ball away on the edge of their own area.
Olivier Giroud frequently looked isolated up front, which will no doubt increase the hope among Arsenal supporters that a reported deal for Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema can be completed.
Media playback is not supported on this device
Bilic, 46, replaced Sam Allardyce this summer and was handed a remit of getting the east London club playing 'the West Ham way' - a brand of football based around an attacking and entertaining approach.
But the Hammers showed the battling qualities Bilic was renowned for during his spell as a defender with the club from 1996 to 1997.
Reece Oxford, who became his side's youngest-ever Premier League player at the age of 16 years and 237 days, epitomised West Ham's fighting spirit, screening his defence superbly from midfield.
Media playback is not supported on this device
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "We were not convincing offensively or defensively. I knew it it could be a tricky game, if you can't win the game, make sure you don't lose it.
"The players were maybe too nervous and put too much pressure on themselves.
"Today we have been hurt mentally and it is a good opportunity to respond."
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic on Reece Oxford: "People were asking: 'Are you sure he is 16?'
"It was going to be a risk but he has got something. I thought we needed someone to sit in front of the defence who is cool and can be a third defender, but who can also play on the ball. I am very proud of him.
"Only on paper he is 16. He is a part of this new generation. Put it this way, if Lionel Messi was in front of me, I would be more fazed than Reece.
"I know we have a good team and I know we have that in ourselves but I wasn't sure how we were going to show it."
Match ends, Arsenal 0, West Ham United 2.
Second Half ends, Arsenal 0, West Ham United 2.
Attempt saved. Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Mesut Özil.
Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Modibo Maiga (West Ham United).
Attempt saved. Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Mesut Özil.
Attempt saved. Modibo Maiga (West Ham United) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by James Tomkins.
Substitution, West Ham United. Modibo Maiga replaces Diafra Sakho.
Attempt missed. Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with a cross.
Corner, West Ham United. Conceded by Laurent Koscielny.
Corner, West Ham United. Conceded by Laurent Koscielny.
Foul by Mesut Özil (Arsenal).
Mark Noble (West Ham United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt saved. Santiago Cazorla (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Foul by Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal).
Mark Noble (West Ham United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Aaron Ramsey.
Attempt blocked. Theo Walcott (Arsenal) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Attempt saved. Diafra Sakho (West Ham United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Cheikhou Kouyaté.
Substitution, West Ham United. Kevin Nolan replaces Reece Oxford.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) because of an injury.
Delay in match James Tomkins (West Ham United) because of an injury.
Attempt blocked. Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Santiago Cazorla.
Foul by Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal).
James Tomkins (West Ham United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Reece Oxford.
Attempt blocked. Theo Walcott (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Santiago Cazorla.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match Mark Noble (West Ham United) because of an injury.
Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Nacho Monreal (Arsenal).
Mark Noble (West Ham United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution, Arsenal. Alexis Sánchez replaces Mathieu Debuchy.
Foul by Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal).
Mark Noble (West Ham United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt saved. Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Santiago Cazorla with a cross.
Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Matthew Jarvis (West Ham United).
Substitution, West Ham United. Matthew Jarvis replaces Mauro Zárate. | Arsenal's season started with defeat as West Ham won their first Premier League game under manager Slaven Bilic. |
36341839 | The challenge was brought by World War Two veteran Harry Shindler, 94, who lives in Italy, and lawyer and Belgian resident Jacquelyn MacLennan, 54.
Under law, UK citizens who have lived abroad for more than 15 years cannot vote.
The pair took the case to the Court of Appeal after losing their application for a judicial review last month.
Mr Shindler and Ms MacLennan had argued the in-out vote on EU membership, on 23 June, directly affected them and brought the test case on behalf of others in their situation.
In April, they asked High Court judges to declare that section two of the EU Referendum Act 2015, which established "the 15-year rule", unlawfully acted as a penalty for their having exercised their rights to free movement.
But the judges ruled that the section did not restrict their rights and rejected their application for judicial review.
They then took the case to the Court of Appeal, where a one-day hearing took place earlier this month.
Three appeal judges - Lord Dyson, Master of the Rolls, sitting with Lord Justice Elias and Lady Justice King - upheld the High Court decision on Friday, declaring the rule did not unlawfully interfere with the right of expats to freedom of movement within the European Union.
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Lord Dyson said: "The claimants say that their exclusion from the franchise is an unjustified restriction on their EU right - EU law right - of free movement and contrary to their constitutional, common law right to vote.
"The appeals against the dismissal of their claims is dismissed. The court holds first that the 2015 Act does not fall within the scope of EU law at all, so that the claim fails at the first hurdle."
He added that "the common law right to vote does not take precedence over an Act of Parliament" and refused permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.
The expats still have the right to ask Supreme Court judges to consider the case, however.
Their lawyers said a hearing had been listed for Tuesday, at which permission to appeal - as well as the substance of the appeal itself - would be considered.
Those eligible can register to vote here.
The non-Britons who get an EU vote
Ms McLennan, who is originally from Inverness but has lived in Brussels since 1987, told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme: "The refusal to allow me and others in my situation to vote is an infringement of my EU rights."
She added that the result of the vote "would have a huge impact" on both her personal and professional life, and that she often returned to the UK to visit her parents and children, and for work.
"I feel very strongly that I ought to have a fundamental democratic right to vote in my country of citizenship," said Ms McLennan.
Mr Shindler, appointed an MBE for Anglo-Italian relations in 2014, has been told he has "diminished or diluted" links to the UK after living abroad for so long. He has lived in Italy for 35 years.
The UK passport holder, originally from London, said: "The fact that we don't live there doesn't alter that fact, we were born British and we will remain that way.
"If we go and live somewhere else, it doesn't make us anything else. They work out here. People don't know who these expats are you know, think they're all on holiday."
He also said the government had agreed to scrap the 15-year rule before the referendum bill was passed.
Law firm Leigh Day, which represents the pair, argued that up to two million British citizens were being unlawfully denied the right to vote on membership of the EU. | Two Britons living abroad have lost their Court of Appeal battle over the right to vote in June's EU referendum. |
39095302 | Glenridding Beck, in the Lake District, burst its banks three times during storms in December 2015.
More than 14,000 tonnes of gravel was removed from the river in a bid to reduce the risk of further flooding.
The material has been stored on Jenkin's Field, next to Ullswater, and the Environment Agency will start taking it away Monday.
Andy Brown, from the agency, said: "We would like to apologise to the community and visitors to Glenridding for the noise and increased traffic which will be caused by the work to remove the gravel from Jenkin's Field.
"We are doing everything possible to minimise the disruption and complete the clearance as prompt and efficiently as possible to minimise the impact." | The removal of thousands of tonnes of gravel dredged from a flooded river more than a year ago is set to begin. |
39106820 | Every school will be allocated funds to help with facilities for mental health as well as physical exercise.
But schools, which have been warning of cash shortages, will not be able to use the fizzy drink levy to pay for staff.
Ms Greening said that such "health and wellbeing benefits can last a lifetime".
The soft drinks industry levy, announced in last year's Budget, is going to provide £415m for schools in 2018-19 to promote healthier lifestyles.
The idea was to tackle childhood obesity by applying a levy that increased according to the amount of sugar in drinks - with the money being spent on improving health in schools.
The government forecast it would raise £520m in 2018-19 - and expected that it would be an incentive for the food and drinks industry to cut levels of sugar.
The levy provides capital funding to support facilities for sports, after-school activities and to encourage healthy eating - but it will not pay for PE teachers or other staff.
All state-funded primary and secondary schools and sixth forms will receive a slice of the sports levy, but there will also be a bidding process for funding for specific projects.
"Schools can really help our children get a healthy start in life from exercise and sport, and also from knowing what a healthy diet means," said Ms Greening.
"It's not only good for them while they're in education, but the health and wellbeing benefits can last a lifetime."
But Gavin Partington, director general of the British Soft Drinks Association, said it was "odd to hinge this investment on a punitive tax against the soft drinks sector which has led the way in helping consumers reduce sugar intake - down nearly 18% since 2012".
"There is no evidence from around the world that a tax of this sort has reduced levels of obesity," said Mr Partington. | The levy on sugary drinks will provide £415m for sports and healthy eating in England's schools, says Education Secretary Justine Greening. |
38517348 | Muir broke the British indoor record over 5,000m in Glasgow on Wednesday night and will enter the mixed 4x1km race at Holyrood.
In 2016, the Dundee Hawkhill athlete finished seventh in the 1500m Olympic final, broke the British 1500m record twice and won the Diamond League title.
"To captain a British Athletics team is a great honour," she said.
"We've fantastic cross country runners in both senior and younger age groups."
Team leader Spencer Duval added: "Laura enjoyed a terrific 2016 in the sport, and as both an Olympic and World Championships finalist in the last two years she now holds a level of experience that will allow her to lead the team by example."
Sir Mo Farah competes for Britain in the men's 8km race and Gemma Steel and Steph Twell take part in the women's event over 6km.
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British team
Senior Men
Ben Connor (coached by Spencer Duval)
Ellis Cross (Mick Woods)
Sir Mo Farah (Alberto Salazar)
Alex George (Paul de-Camps)
Dewi Griffiths (Kevin Evans)
Callum Hawkins (Robert Hawkins)
Charlie Hulson (Steve Vernon)
Mahamed Mahamed (Peter Haynes)
*Jack Martin (David Turnbull)
*Graham Rush
Jonny Taylor (Gordon Surtees)
Andy Vernon (Nic Bideau)
*Replacements for Ross Millington (illness) and Adam Hickey (injury)
Senior Women
Charlotte Arter (James Thie)
Lauren Deadman (Bill Foster)
Claire Duck (Mike Baxter)
Rachel Felton (Christopher Frapwell)
Emily Hosker-Thornhill (Mick Woods)
Jessica Judd (Mick Judd)
Rebecca Murray (Alex Stanton)
Georgina Outten (Andrew Walling)
Beth Potter (Mick Woods)
Gemma Steel (Rob Denmark)
Steph Twell (Mick Woods)
Pippa Woolven (Luke Gunn)
Junior Men
Scott Beattie (Mike Bateman)
Hugo Milner (Chris Woodhouse)
Jonathan Shields
Sam Stevens (Alan Maddocks)
Sol Sweeney (Catriona Helen Tavendale)
Alex Yee (Kenneth Pike)
Junior Women
Phoebe Barker (Richard Owen)
Cari Hughes (Andrew Walling)
Harriet Knowles-Jones (Paul Roden)
Amelia Quirk (Beverly Kitching)
Erin Wallace (Dudley Walker)
Victoria Weir (Simon Anderson)
Mixed 4x1km Relay
James Bowness (William Parker)
Laura Muir (Andy Young)
Charlene Thomas (Aaron Thomas)
James West (George Gandy) | Laura Muir will captain the British team at Saturday's Great Edinburgh International Cross Country. |
34946630 | The council granted honorary freedom to the troop, which was previously known as the Isle of Wight Rifles, for its "distinguished record".
It is part of the 266 Port Squadron, of 165 Port and Maritime Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps (RLC).
A ceremony was held in St Thomas Square, Newport, followed by a parade around the town.
The honour was approved by Isle of Wight Council on Wednesday and acknowledged the "bond of friendship" between the soldiers and the people of the Island.
With the freedom, the troop is awarded the right to march "through the streets of the island on all ceremonial occasions with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, drums beating, bands playing and colours flying".
Members of the Rifles took part in the Gallipoli campaign, which took place 100 years ago last April. | A parade has taken place to mark the Isle of Wight Troop being awarded the freedom of the island. |
28154836 | The pair said they could not find new partners to help run St Martin's surgery in Knowle and have told the NHS they will leave in three months.
One of those, Dr Holly Hardy, said they made a "difficult decision" to ensure "patient safety in the long term".
NHS England has until September to find replacements but said the surgery would not necessarily close.
"We will be seeking a provider for an interim GP service whilst options for the long term future of the surgery are considered," the NHS said in a statement.
Dr Hardy added: "We have reached the end of a line. We've been working, and our staff, exceptionally hard, for the last six months to keep the practice going.
"We've reached the point that we can't go on any longer."
Local MP, Labour's Dawn Primarolo, said: "Inevitably there's a danger that patients won't be able to get the access they need.
"I have asked NHS England to call an emergency meeting of all the GP practices in the area so we can sit down and work out how I can make sure... my constituents get access to their GP."
Dr Beth McCarron-Nash from the British Medical Association said it was "something we're hearing about across the country".
"It's something we've raised with the government and NHS England as a matter of urgency," she added. | A surgery in Bristol may have to close after two doctors resigned saying they could not cope with the workload. |
37173931 | The 20-year-old started each of Boro's first four games this season and appeared as a substitute in Saturday's 2-1 win against the Hatters.
Conlon made 35 appearances in all competitions for the club last season, scoring two goals.
Stevenage next face Grimsby Town in the league away on Saturday. | Stevenage midfielder Tom Conlon could be out for up to nine months after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury against Luton Town. |
35867511 | Swan, ranked more than 400 places below her opponent who is the world number 102, came back to win 1-6 6-4 6-2.
Naomi Broady also reached final qualifying with a 6-4 6-3 win over Turkey's Cagla Buyukakcay.
In the men's draw, James Ward beat Japan's Yuichi Sugita 3-6 6-0 6-3 and will meet American Bjorn Fratangelo. | British teenager Katie Swan recorded a career-best win with victory over American Lauren Davis to reach the Miami Open final qualifying round. |
33645488 | Media playback is not supported on this device
The Jets begin their 50-over campaign with a trip to Northants on Saturday, having won the trophy against Warwickshire at Lord's last September.
It was the second success at the famous old ground for Durham, who won the Friends Provident Trophy in 2007.
"We've a similar squad, if we can build momentum we'll be unstoppable," Stoneman told BBC Look North.
Durham have struggled with their batting in the four-day game. They have picked up just 19 batting bonus points from 11 County Championship matches - the third lowest total in Division One.
"We haven't been on fire with the bat," Stoneman added.
"Hopefully once we get settled into the One-Day Cup, we can put some big scores on the board and look to defend that with the ball.
"It's something that has worked well for us in the past and we hope we will be doing that again this year."
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Success in the competition last year was particularly special for veteran Paul Collingwood who, since retiring from England duty in 2013, has been involved in winning a County Championship title and one-day silverware.
The 39-year-old - who captained England to victory in the 2010 Twenty20 World Cup - said that Durham's One-Day Cup success is among his greatest achievements.
"It was certainly right up there," he said.
"Just getting to a Lord's final and all the atmosphere and occasion, it was great to be back."
Reaching the final again is the target for Collingwood.
"We've got the skill levels, and the team has a lot of all-rounders and we can adapt to situations," he added.
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One of the stars of Durham's cup run last year was Australian all-rounder John Hastings, but he missed the final because he was committed to playing for Chennai Super Kings in the T20 Champions League.
Hastings, 29, rejoined Jon Lewis' side for the 2015 season and can play in the final of they make it this time.
"I was very proud of the way the lads went about it last year," he said. "It was a tight and tough tussle with overhead conditions and rain about but the boys got the job done.
"I did ask my franchise if I could do it, but they declined.
"I hope that this year we can get there. I will be available for the final this year so I hope we can do it." | One-day captain Mark Stoneman believes Durham can be "unstoppable" in their defence of the One-Day Cup trophy. |
17584776 | It will replace the temporary portable building which has been operating as an exhibition centre and shop.
A spokesman for the trustees said they wanted to encourage visitors to find out more about Isambard Kingdom Brunel who designed the bridge.
It is hoped the centre will be open by December 2014 - the 150th anniversary of the opening of the bridge.
"The existing temporary facility has welcomed an average of 57,000 visitors annually - including tourists from more than 100 countries - but we are keen to encourage more of the people who come to look at the bridge to visit the centre as well," said the spokesman.
Trustees have been given £36,400 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help them progress their plans to apply for a full grant later this year. | A new visitor centre is to be built for Brunel's iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol. |
38857974 | The trio were all on the orthopaedic surgery ward and were screened after another patient there had the bacteria, called carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE).
The first patient did not require treatment for it and was discharged.
The ward has been closed to admissions "as a precaution", the hospital said.
Read more stories from the Black Country and Birmingham
Enterobacteriaceae are sometimes harmless and live in the gut.
CPE is another type of the same group of bacteria that have become resistant to strong antibiotics called carbapenems which are used to treat the most serious infections, the NHS choices website said - a so-called superbug.
The hospital said none of the three patients found to have the organism from their latest screening were unwell with it and "no specific treatment was required or being given".
A hospital spokesman said "this type of very resistant bacteria was becoming more common across the UK and around the world.... because of the overuse of antibiotics."
He said washing hands regularly was the "best defence". | Three patients have been diagnosed with a "very resistant strain of bacteria" prompting a ward closure at Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital. |
23408073 | The Iter project at Cadarache in Provence is receiving the first of about one million components for its experimental reactor.
Dogged by massive cost rises and long delays, building work is currently nearly two years behind schedule.
The construction of the key building has even been altered to allow for the late delivery of key components.
"We're not hiding anything - it's incredibly frustrating," David Campbell, a deputy director, told BBC News.
"Now we're doing everything we can to recover as much time as possible.
"The project is inspiring enough to give you the energy to carry on - we'd all like to see fusion energy as soon as possible."
After initial design problems and early difficulties co-ordinating this unique international project, there is now more confidence about the timetable.
Since the 1950s, fusion has offered the dream of almost limitless energy - copying the fireball process that powers the Sun - fuelled by two readily available forms of hydrogen.
The attraction is a combination of cheap fuel, relatively little radioactive waste and no emissions of greenhouse gases.
But the technical challenges of not only handling such an extreme process but also designing ways of extracting energy from it have always been immense.
In fact, fusion has long been described as so difficult to achieve that it's always been touted as being "30 years away".
Now the Iter reactor will put that to the test. Known as a "tokamak", it is based on the design of Jet, a European pilot project at Culham in Oxfordshire.
It will involve creating a plasma of superheated gas reaching temperatures of more than 200 million C - conditions hot enough to force deuterium and tritium atoms to fuse together and release energy.
The whole process will take place inside a giant magnetic field in the shape of a ring - the only way such extreme heat can be contained.
The plant at JET has managed to achieve fusion reactions in very short bursts but required the use of more power than it was able to produce.
The reactor at Iter is on a much larger scale and is designed to generate 10 times more power - 500 MW - than it will consume.
Iter brings together the scientific and political weight of governments representing more than half the world's population - including the European Union, which is supporting nearly half the cost of the project, together with China, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United States.
Contributions are mainly "in kind" rather than in cash with, for example, the EU providing all the buildings and infrastructure - which is why an exact figure for cost is not available. The rough overall budget is described as £13bn or 15bn euros.
But the novel structure of Iter has itself caused friction and delays, especially in the early days.
Each partner first had to set up a domestic "agency" to handle the procurement of components within each member country, and there have been complications with import duties and taxes.
Further delay crept in with disputes over access to manufacturing sites in partner countries. Because each part has to meet extremely high specifications, inspectors from Iter and the French nuclear authorities have had to negotiate visits to companies not used to outside scrutiny.
The result is that although a timeline for the delivery of the key elements has been agreed, there's a recognition that more hold-ups are almost inevitable.
The main building to house the tokamak has been adjusted to leave gaps in its sides so that late components can be added without too much disruption.
The route from the ports to the construction site has had to be improved to handle huge components weighing up to 600 tonnes, but this work too has been slower than hoped. A trial convoy originally scheduled for last January has slipped to this coming September.
Under an initial plan, it had once been hoped to achieve the first plasma by the middle of the last decade.
Then, after a redesign, a new deadline of November 2020 was set but that too is now in doubt. Managers say they are doubling shifts to accelerate the pace of construction. It's thought that even a start date during 2021 may be challenging.
The man in charge of coordinating the assembly of the reactor is Ken Blackler.
"We've now started for real," he told me. "Industrial manufacturing is now under way so the timescale is much more certain - many technical challenges have been solved.
"But Iter is incredibly complicated. The pieces are being made all around the world - they'll be shipped here.
"We'll have to orchestrate their arrival and build them step by step so everything will have to arrive in the right order - it's really a critical point."
While one major concern is the arrival sequence of major components, another is that the components themselves are of sufficiently high quality for the system to function.
The 28 magnets that will create the field containing the plasma have to be machined to a very demanding level of accuracy. And each part must be structurally sound and then welded together to ensure a totally tight vacuum - without which the plasma cannot be maintained. A single fault or weakness could jeopardise the entire project.
Assuming Iter does succeed in proving that fusion can produce more power than it consumes, the next step will be for the international partners to follow up with a technology demonstration project - a test-bed for the components and systems needed for a commercial reactor.
Ironically, the greater the progress, the more apparent becomes the scale of the challenge of devising a fusion reactor that will be ready for market.
At a conference in Belgium last September, I asked a panel of experts when the first commercially-available fusion reactor might generate power for the grid.
A few said that could happen within 40 years but most said it would take another 50 or even 60 years. The fusion dream has never been worked on so vigorously. But turning it into reality is much more than 30 years away. | The world's largest bid to harness the power of fusion has entered a "critical" phase in southern France. |
40336800 | To focus minds, the government gave the parties a discussion paper setting out key areas for agreement.
They were given until lunchtime on Tuesday to respond to the draft paper.
It includes changes to the petition of concern, equality and respect around the Irish language, Ulster Scots and an armed forces covenant.
It also suggests a public consultation on plans to deal with the legacy of the Troubles, and details ways of making Northern Ireland's government more accountable. Details of the paper were published by journalist Brian Rowan.
Shadow secretary of state Owen Smith has said the government still has to convince the Stormont parties it will be impartial in the talks.
"I've not yet had that reassurance from [secretary of state] James Brokenshire or heard it from the other parties," said Mr Smith.
"In the conversations I had with parties last week when I took on the post, they were still concerned that it would be difficult for the British government to illustrate impartiality and I still think they've got a job of work to do persuade people of that."
Northern Ireland has been without a power-sharing executive since March and without a first and deputy first minister since January.
The institutions collapsed amid a bitter row between the DUP and Sinn Féin about a botched green energy scheme.
The late deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness, stood down, in a move that triggered a snap election.
The parties have until 29 June to reach agreement and have been warned that if they cannot, direct rule could follow.
The deadline was set by Secretary of State James Brokenshire.
Speaking at a press conference at midday on Tuesday, Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly said it was Sinn Féin's intention to re-establish the institutions but that "that has to be on the basis of integrity and respect and a number of outstanding issues."
"This is about implementation of previous talks," he added.
He said that the continuing talks between the DUP and the Conservatives in London "could have an impact" on the talks at Stormont.
"Of course, what happens in Britain, and the DUP are hitching their wagon to the Tory government, will have on impact on what's happening here, we just don't know what it is yet," he said.
Mr Kelly also made it clear that Sinn Féin was not prepared to drop its demand that DUP leader Arlene Foster cannot become first minister while the inquiry into the RHI scandal continues.
Meanwhile, the DUP will resume negotiations with the Conservative Party in London on supporting a Tory minority government.
The party has been locked in negotiations with the Tories for more than week but it is still not clear when they might sign off on a deal.
It was thought an agreement might be reached before the Queen's Speech on Wednesday, but the parties have refused to be drawn on a timeframe. | Talks to restore Northern Ireland's power-sharing institutions are continuing, with just nine days left before the government's deadline. |
38149577 | Data company Inrix monitored traffic on every road in 123 cities, including London, Cardiff, Paris and Hamburg.
It found more than 20,300 so-called "traffic hotspots" in UK cities - well over double the number in Germany and twice that of France.
The government recently pledged to spend an extra £1.3bn on targeting congestion on roads.
In Inrix's analysis, a road becomes a "traffic hotspot" once congestion forces drivers to drop their speed by 65% for at least two minutes.
Inrix collected traffic information from car sat-navs, mobile phones and road sensors throughout September 2016.
It covered individual cities with populations of 250,000 or more, rather than whole countries, but found pinch points in:
Researchers suggested that the worst stretch of road overall is Junction 29 of Hamburg's A7 motorway in Germany.
In the UK, drivers on the M25 or the A720 Edinburgh bypass are those most likely to reach gridlock.
"It's the unfortunate reality of a densely populated and global city," said Graham Cookson, Inrix's chief economist, author of the research.
"A quarter of a million of us drive on the M25 every day."
Source: Inrix
But there is hope for drivers dreading the commute from hell, Mr Cookson adds.
An extra £1.3bn will be spent on improving Britain's roads, the Chancellor Philip Hammond announced in the Autumn Statement on 23 November.
The roads investment will include £220m to tackle "pinch-points" on Highways England roads.
"Money is coming in for the first time in a while, hopefully this will be used to alleviate the worst areas," Mr Cookson said.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the government was investing "record amounts" into improving roads.
"This investment is over and above the £23bn we are spending to get motorists to their destinations quickly, more easily and safely," he said.
He said the government schemes that have been announced were "focused on relieving congestion and providing important upgrades to ensure our roads are fit for the future". | British roads are the most congested in Europe, a study of traffic in more than 100 EU cities suggests. |
18889900 | The PCS said 57.2% of those who voted backed strike action - the turnout was 20%.
Although dates have not been set, there is the prospect of strikes affecting the London 2012 Olympic Games because Border Agency staff are involved.
Immigration Minister Damian Green said a strike was "completely unacceptable".
Details of strike dates and what form the industrial action will take are expected on Thursday. Just over 75% of members who voted were in favour of action short of strike action.
The union said it was in dispute over longstanding issues with the Home Office, including cuts to UK Border Agency staff.
About 16,000 union members were balloted across the Home Office, including in the Border Agency, the Identity and Passport Service and the Criminal Records Bureau.
The PCS said the cuts at the UK Border Agency were continuing "to cause chaos at the borders and queues at airports".
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "We believe [ministers] have acted recklessly and irresponsibly in cutting so many jobs and, in the case of UKBA, they have simply tried to paper over the cracks by deploying severely undertrained staff at our borders.
"If these issues are not resolved, they threaten to seriously undermine the Home Office's ability to provide vital public services, and we cannot sit back and allow that to happen."
This week the National Audit Office said the UK Border Agency had laid off 1,000 more staff than intended and was having to hire extra people and increase overtime to meet its workload.
The union said for its members the wider issues under dispute were: job losses, particularly compulsory redundancies; pay and conditions such as government plans to cap pay increases at 1% for the next two years; and privatisation, such as using private companies to clear up a backlog of immigration and asylum casework in the Border Agency.
Mr Green warned the union that he did not believe the public would support any disruption, and called on it to reconsider.
He said: "Only about one in 10 PCS members voted for strike action. The union leadership has no authority to call disruptive strikes on that basis and should think again.
"The security of the UK border is of the utmost importance and we will use our trained pool of contingency staff to ensure we minimise any disruption caused by planned union action.
"Any action that disrupts the Olympics will be completely unacceptable and the public will not support it."
The PCS is one of the largest unions in the UK with around 250,000 public sector members.
PCS members at the Department for Transport have been taking industrial action over the past few weeks, while staff in other departments, including the ministries of defence and justice, are set to vote shortly on how to campaign against cuts. | Thousands of members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union at the Home Office are set to go on strike over jobs, pay and other issues. |
32896921 | Downing Street said that measures in the Investigatory Powers Bill would provide the authorities "with the tools to keep you and your family safe".
It will "address gaps" in intelligence gathering and access to communications data which is putting "lives at risk".
But civil liberties campaigners claim it will pave the way for mass surveillance of UK citizens.
Home Secretary Theresa May's efforts to introduce a similar bill in 2012, dubbed the "snooper's charter" by critics, were blocked by the Liberal Democrats.
The new bill is designed to "maintain the ability of intelligence agencies and law enforcement to target the online communications of terrorists, paedophiles and other serious criminals".
Details of how it will work will be published in the next few days.
It is thought likely to require internet service providers and mobile operators to log much more data about what their customers are doing, including data on who people call, text, tweet and instant message, what games they play, when they post on social networks and who they send webmails.
The government has come under growing pressure to do more to respond to the fallout from the conflicts in Iraq and Syria and, specifically, the threat posed by British jihadists returning to the UK after fighting in the two countries.
The police have long argued that their ability to track the online communications of potential suspects is heavily circumscribed and the the law is not keeping pace with advances in technology.
But civil liberties campaigners fear it will lead to mass surveillance.
Essentially the government wants to upgrade the law so that is can do all the things it used to do with the post and telephones with all the plethora of online communications that now exist.
A review by the "Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation" David Anderson QC will feed into this.
The Bill will be very controversial. It is strongly opposed by many Liberals, and civil liberties groups, and the idea became even more controversial after the Edward Snowden revelations.
Jim Killock, executive director of The Open Rights Group, said: "The government is signalling that it wants to press ahead with increased powers of data collection and retention for the police and GCHQ, spying on everyone, whether suspected of a crime or not.
"This is the return of the 'snooper's charter', even as the ability to collect and retain data gets less and less workable.
"We should expect attacks on encryption, which protects all our security. Data collection will create vast and unnecessary expense."
Renate Samson, chief executive of Big Brother Watch, said: "Whilst the title may have changed from a Communications Data Bill to an Investigatory Powers Bill it will be interesting to see whether the content has radically changed.
"We have yet to see real evidence that there is a gap in the capability of law enforcement or the agencies' ability to gain access to our communications data."
The Investigatory Powers Bill is one of 26 proposed laws included in the first all-Conservative Queen's Speech since 1996.
The Conservatives are also proposing new steps to tackle extremism, including giving the home secretary new powers to ban extremist groups and allowing the authorities to close down premises being used to "support extremism".
It will also include more powers for watchdog Ofcom to take action against TV channels that "broadcast extremist content".
Downing Street said there would be "appropriate safeguards and oversight arrangements" and it would take into account a yet unpublished review of existing counter-terrorism legislation undertaken by the independent reviewer David Anderson. | New laws to give police and spies greater powers to monitor internet and phone use are in the Queen's Speech. |
39350150 | Motorist John Place had been told to stop driving weeks before he struck Poppy-Arabella Clarke, three, as she used a pedestrian crossing.
The family, from Sutton Coldfield, want medical experts to alert the DVLA to people who should not be driving.
Solicitors are contacting MPs on their behalf in an attempt to gain government interest.
Poppy-Arabella was killed at a pedestrian crossing on Chester Road in Sutton Coldfield, last July. Her mother, Rachel Clarke, was crossing with her at the time and suffered a broken pelvis.
Place, 72, was jailed for four years on Monday for causing death by dangerous driving.
He told police he was not wearing his glasses and that he had not seen the red light or the crossing itself. Two optometrists had told him his eyesight, even with glasses, fell below the required standard set by the DVLA.
More stories from Birmingham and the Black Country here
Speaking to the BBC Mrs Clarke said of Poppy-Arabella: "She's everything you could wish for in a little girl. She was always dancing and singing, she lived her life like she was in a musical."
Richard Langton from Slater and Gordon, representing the family, told the BBC the current legal position on reporting people not fit to drive is a "grey area."
"Medical professionals tell people they are not fit to drive, but whether that person actually notifies the DVLA is really up to them," he said.
The obligation to inform the relevant body should be with medical professionals, he said.
As well as GPs and medical experts, Mrs Clarke and her husband say family members could also take some responsibility to stop people declared unfit to drive from getting behind a wheel. | The family of a girl killed by a driver with poor eyesight are contacting MPs in a bid to change the law. |
38962399 | Police said they were alerted to the incident in Prestonpans on 23 January.
The 12-year-old has since been reported to the Children's Reporter. | A 12-year-old boy has been reported following an alleged sexual assault on a six-year-old girl in East Lothian. |
18026538 | The Royal College of Nursing says feedback from more than 1,200 staff paints a "worrying picture", with patients regularly being in ambulances or held in a queue.
The union warned the NHS risked going backwards unless ministers got a grip.
The government said there were enough beds for this not to be happening.
Of the 1,246 nurses and healthcare assistants who replied to an RCN request for feedback, a fifth said providing care in corridors had become a daily occurrence.
Half said they had encountered patients facing long waits on trolleys - with some aware of people being left for 24 hours without a bed.
The RCN said that was putting patients at risk by potentially leaving them without access to essential equipment such as oxygen supplies and heart monitoring equipment as well as compromising their privacy and dignity.
Other problems highlighted included ambulances being forced to queue outside A&E units and patients being put in unsuitable wards.
The RCN said the crisis was being caused by a combination of staff shortages, the long-standing drive to reduce the number of beds in hospitals and the rise in A&E admissions.
The union said as a first step the government should call a halt to the reduction in beds. Over the last 10 years, the number of acute and general beds available has fallen by a fifth to just over 100,000.
This has been partly done because of advances in medicine which means patients need to spend less time recovering in hospital and can get a wider range of treatments in the community.
RCN general secretary Peter Carter said frontline staff were being placed under "huge stress", adding the NHS was at risk of going "backwards".
"Treating patients on corridors and areas not designed for care is a high-risk strategy, which can have a serious impact on patient care.
"Patients need to be able to interact with staff, to be able to reach call bells and to know they are visible."
Mike Farrar, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents hospitals, said the problems identified should not be happening.
But he added hospitals were facing a struggle because of "growing financial pressure and significant structural upheaval".
Health minister Simon Burns said: "There is no excuse for patients to be left waiting on trolleys.
"The NHS has beds free and available, and hospitals should be supporting their nurses to ensure that patients are admitted to them quickly. We will not hesitate to take action where we find hospitals failing to do so." | Patients are being left stranded on trolleys for hours and forced to have treatment in corridors due in part to the loss of hospital beds, nurses say. |
39346213 | Crane, 20, became the first overseas player to represent the Australian state side since Imran Khan in 1985.
He followed it up with an impressive couple of displays in the North v South series in UAE as the South won 3-0.
"It's a very different pressure being an overseas player in Australia than a local one that's for sure," Crane said.
He found himself called into the New South Wales set-up after impressing during his winter placement in Sydney grade cricket for Gordon CC.
Former Australia leg-spinner Stuart MacGill was instrumental in his inclusion for the game against South Australia earlier this month and became Crane's mentor down under.
"He really helped me through the nerves and the pressure on the first day of that game," Crane told Test Match Special.
"He presented me with my cap and you really feel the history of it when you play for a team like NSW and 742 is the number on your cap.
"A fair few people have donned that blue cap and it was an amazing experience and an absolute honour."
Crane produced match figures of 5-116, but had little time to bask in his achievement as he headed straight to UAE for the 50-over North v South series.
A 3-0 whitewash alongside Hampshire team-mates James Vince, Liam Dawson and Tom Alsop saw Crane take the headlines in Tuesday's final game in Abu Dhabi with four wickets for one run in the space of 10 balls.
But, despite a headline-grabbing few weeks, the young spinner is staying level-headed ahead of the new domestic season.
"I've got to understand I'm still quite young and a long way down the pecking order," he said. "I'll just keep doing my stuff for Hampshire and hope this year I can go on from there.
Crane's next game will be for MCC in Abu Dhabi against county champions Middlesex from Sunday. | Hampshire leg-spinner Mason Crane admitted he was "extremely proud" to play Sheffield Shield cricket for New South Wales during an eventful winter. |
34379031 | Police said a number of pupils may have witnessed the man being shot as he collected a child from St Helen's Primary in Bishopbriggs on Thursday.
East Dunbartonshire Council said help would be provided to pupils who wanted it after they returned from the September weekend break on Tuesday.
A 33-year-old man was injured in the shooting. Police inquiries are ongoing.
Armed officers were called to the scene of the shooting, which happened in Dornoch Place at about 15:10, as pupils were leaving at the end of the school day.
Police said the gunman approached the victim, shot him and then ran off towards Ronaldsay Drive.
The suspect was holding a silver-coloured gun and wearing a high-visibility reflective yellow jacket with the hood pulled up.
He was described as being in his mid-40s, between 5ft 10in and 6ft tall and of heavy build.
Detectives said they were following a number of lines of inquiry.
They were keen to hear from anyone with information about a burnt-out grey Volkswagen Golf - registration FR12 PYB - found nearby in Wood Lane which is believed to have been involved in the incident. It was reported stolen in March. | Counselling is to be offered to pupils at an East Dunbartonshire primary after a man was shot outside their school. |
34474234 | The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra) now want more talks to try to resolve the dispute.
Actors want royalties for games - some of which sell millions of copies.
They also want stunt co-ordinators for motion-capture shoots and stunt pay for "vocally stressful" recording sessions.
Sag-Aftra had needed more than 75% of members to agree before it could authorise a strike.
"It is important to note that the referendum result does not mean that members are on strike, rather, it gives the National Board the authority to declare a strike," the union said in a statement.
"With this result in hand, the Negotiating Committee will seek to return to the bargaining table and continue to press for a fair resolution on behalf of performers working in video games."
Actors have complained that sessions for games such as Call of Duty, which require a lot of vocally stressful sessions, often go on for hours. The union has called for such sessions to be limited to two hours, with actors receiving higher pay for them.
The union also wants actors to be given more information about the roles that they are auditioning for and what they will be required to do, after reports that voice actors were also be asked to perform motion-capture work. | Video games makers may soon find a shortage of actors to voice their characters after 96% of union members voted in favour of strike action. |
34821905 | A spokesman said it would mean some delays in getting through arrival points and the measures were likely to be in place until early next week.
The French flag at Victor Hugo's House and the French Consulate at Hauteville House is flying at half mast.
Nearly 130 people died in gun and bomb attacks in Paris on Friday night.
Guernsey's Chief Minister Jonathan Le Tocq tweeted: "Our thoughts are heading to the bereaved families & all our French friends." | Guernsey Border Agency staff are carrying out "heightened checks" of incoming passengers following the attacks in Paris. |
36916745 | The victim was the only person on board the plane, which came down at Turweston Aerodrome, Buckinghamshire, on Thursday.
A Thames Valley Police spokesman said the force was called at about 11:30 BST.
He added: "Sadly, the pilot of the aircraft was pronounced dead at the scene. The death is not believed to be suspicious."
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch dispatched a team to the crash site. | A light aircraft pilot was killed after crashing at an airfield, police said. |
39829001 | Media playback is not supported on this device
Ryan Hall opened the scoring for his 34th try in 34 Tests and Stefan Ratchford added another before the break as England led 14-0 at half-time.
Samoa threatened after with tries from Joey Leilua and Anthony Milford.
But scores from Josh Hodgson, James Graham and Jermaine McGillvary ensured an easy win for Wayne Bennett's team.
A crowd of just over 18,000, containing largely Samoa supporters, watched the Islanders go behind early.
Bennett's side were in control from the third minute when Leeds wing Hall picked up a looping pass from skipper Sean O'Loughlin to go over in the left corner.
A penalty from Castleford's Luke Gale, who converted all but the last of his side's tries, gave England an 8-0 lead before Warrington full-back Ratchford spotted a hole in the Samoan line to go over.
Samoa were a far more lively attacking proposition in the second period and reduced the deficit when centre Leilua showed great strength to plant the ball with five England defenders grappling. Milford converted.
The teams exchanged tries as Canberra Raiders hooker Hodgson burst through to score before Milford exposed the English defence for his side's second try.
However, England halted Samoa's fightback in the final six minutes as Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs prop Graham barged through a couple of Samoan defenders to touch down before a late fifth try from Huddersfield's McGillvary.
BBC rugby league correspondent Dave Woods
A very satisfying night for England.
Not the perfect performance, but more than enough for them to look forward to the World Cup with plenty of confidence.
Big raps to Kevin Brown. He may have been a late call-up, but he took his chance superbly with three try-scoring assists in the second half.
Ratchford was also an eye-catcher with his fine individual try-scoring effort in the first half.
Samoa had more possession in the second half and managed to cross through their headline acts - Leilua and Milford. But generally England looked solid in defending their own line. | England recorded a comfortable 30-10 win over Samoa in their final warm-up match before the Rugby League World Cup, which begins in October. |
33587687 | The German rider held off countryman John Degenkolb and Norwegian Alexander Kristoff on the line in a bunch sprint.
Briton Mark Cavendish was not involved in the sprint on Stage 15 as he was dropped on the first climb of the day.
It was a quiet day for Froome who still leads Colombian Nairo Quintana by three minutes 10 seconds with a week to go.
A nine-man breakaway was caught with 40km to go, and while Italian Matteo Trentin and Canadian Ryder Hesjedal attempted a further break, the peloton swallowed them up 10km further down the road.
Czech Zdenek Stybar - winner of stage six - broke away with three kilometres to go but ran out of steam and was caught inside the final kilometre as Greipel sprinted to victory.
Shortly after Saturday's stage finished in Mende, Froome revealed that a fan had thrown a cup of urine at him and called him a doper. It came a day after Team Sky team-mate Richie Porte said he was punched while on the road.
An eventful Saturday also saw Froome extend his lead and Colombian Nairo Quintana leapfrog Tejay van Garderen to take second place in the general classification.
There was almost nothing of note on Sunday as far as Froome and the battle for the yellow jersey was concerned. The main contenders remained tucked safely away in the main group all day and, with a bunch sprint at the finish, there were no attacks towards the end by Froome's rivals.
"It was a good day out there, there was a great atmosphere on the road and no unfortunate incidents today," said Froome.
"We have got five real racing stages left and we are into the tail-end of the race now. There are some tired bodies out there on the road but we are in an extremely fortunate position in that we have got nine riders left who are still fit and healthy."
After Sunday's stage, Froome was again asked about the suspicions over doping.
Reporter: "Chris, you have been saying that you're the first, you're in the yellow jersey because you've worked extremely hard for that. We know this but what is troublesome is that all those who preceded you were saying the same. Lance Armstrong would keep telling us that he was the first because he was working more than the others. Can you understand that the wording and the explanation that you give revive bad memories?"
Froome: "Times have changed, everyone knows that, times have changed. This isn't the Wild West that it was 10-15 years ago. Of course there are always going to be riders who take risks in this day and age but they are the minority. It was all the other way around 10-15 years ago. There is no reason for that suspicion to continue."
German Greipel was understudy to Cavendish at HTC-Columbia. When it was suggested to Cavendish that Greipel would ride the 2010 Tour with him, Cavendish said: "There's no chance he's coming to a bike race that I'm in. Me on bad form is still better than him."
It has been a different story this year.
Greipel - known as the Gorilla - defeated a host of rivals including Cavendish to win stage two and beat his former HTC-Columbia team-mate to claim another victory on stage five.
The pair hardly went head-to-head on Sunday as Cavendish - who is reportedly unwell - had been left behind on the climb out of Mende at the start of the day and rolled home in a group of 23 riders more than 14 minutes behind the winner.
And after the ninth Tour stage victory of his career, Greipel said: "The team supported me from kilometre zero, they kept me out of the wind and in the front group.
"At the end we made it perfectly to keep in a good position for the sprint and I went full gas and kept it to the line."
BBC Sport's Matt Slater in France: "First, the good news, from a British perspective anyway: Sunday's stage was a much happier one for Chris Froome and Team Sky than the urine-soaked slog of Saturday.
"The race leader and his team-mates reported no new outrages, and they have been heartened by messages of support from rival riders and team managers.
"The news was less good, however, for Cavendish, who has been struggling with stomach problems and was dropped on the day's first climb.
"This meant he missed out on the fourth of five clear-cut chances for the sprinters and now trails his German rival Andre Greipel 3-1 in this race. Out of contract at the end of the season, and desperate to reclaim his status as cycling's fastest man, Cavendish will not lack for motivation to get to the fifth and final sprinters' stage in Paris."
1. Andre Greipel (Ger) Lotto) 3hrs 56mins 35secs
2. John Degenkolb (Ger) Giant same time
3. Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Katusha
4. Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff-Saxo)
5. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Team MTN
6. Ramunas Navardauskas (Lit) Cannondale
7. Christophe Laporte (Fra) Cofidis
8. Michael Matthews (Aus) Orica
9. Davide Cimolai (Ita) Lampre
10. Florian Vachon (Fra) Bretagne
1. Chris Froome (GB) Team Sky 59hrs 58mins 54secs
2. Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar) +3mins 10secs
3. Tejay van Garderen (US) BMC Racing +3mins 32secs
4. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar +4mins 2secs
5. Alberto Contador (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo +4mins 23secs
6. Geraint Thomas (GB) Team Sky +4mins 54secs
7. Robert Gesink (Ned) Lotto +6mins 23secs
8. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana +8mins 17secs
9. Tony Gallopin (Fra) Lotto +8mins 23secs
10. Bauke Mollema (Ned) Trek +8mins 53secs | Andre Greipel sprinted to his third stage win of this year's Tour de France in Valence as Britain's Chris Froome comfortably kept his overall lead. |
33960532 | Amelia Kallman and Norman Gosney opened the first cabaret nightclub of its kind in Shanghai in 2010.
And the story of their rise and fall is now a stage show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
"It's a cautionary tale" says Kallman. "And a love story".
She and her impresario husband and fellow performer Gosney, originally from Bristol, left New York where they had had success with a speakeasy and burlesque club to chase their fortunes in China in 2007.
"We saw China as the next big super-power and Shanghai was the next big city. We wanted to be the ice-breaker, to be the first to do this in Asia."
A former Japanese Buddhist temple built in 1931 became their three-floor venue and a chorus line of six women hired to perform a combination of burlesque, Moulin Rouge and vaudeville referencing the city's reputation as the Paris of the East in the 1920s and 1930s.
At first, the authorities were fully supportive of the endeavour, says Kallman.
"They wanted us to do it, to bring business to the district, to bring more foreigners."
There were certain hurdles to overcome first.
Shanghai already had clubs where you could find scantily-clad dancers, and officials needed assurance the dancers would comply with China's rules against public nudity.
"We were always very aware we had to respect the rules and culture.
"Everything was classy and sophisticated," adds Kallman.
Then there was the cleansing ceremony to ensure the spirits of the dead were not displeased with the former temple becoming an entertainment venue.
A plush renovation was also needed.
After two years, the club called Chinatown opened to much fanfare and officials endorsed it by bringing their friends, says Kallman.
Fridays and Saturdays were popular with foreigners and they adapted mid-week shows to particularly appeal to a Chinese audience with "half the show in Mandarin and more pratfalls," explains Gosney.
The club went on to have full houses, appeared in a programme with Piers Morgan and won an award for best new nightclub. But it was soon after that that things changed, says Kallman.
Shanghai's Cultural Department said it received a complaint.
"They sent five people one night to look at the show."
At the end of the performance, it was a section featuring Sid Vicious in homage to Malcolm McLaren who had recently died, that rankled with a female official, perhaps fearing a subversive subtext.
"The acts hadn't been previously translated and videotaped so in her eyes they were illegal because not approved by the Chinese government."
It is a requirement that has beset the top performers in the world when performing in China, including the Rolling Stones.
Kallman and Gosney found themselves having to submit translations of the lyrics of every number they were going to sing two weeks prior to show night. With new shows each week it was an arduous task.
Soon, there were arguments over the amount of midriff on show.
"We had an act with a wonderful guy in drag trying to emulate the girls. It was full of double entendres. At the end of it they [the officials] said they wanted to ban the midriff, and especially his midriff.
"It was so obviously comedic," says Gosney.
"Problems arose because we are foreigners used to saying what we think and we have art so we can express ourselves. Our freedom is ingrained in us.
"They saw that as a challenge, says Kallman.
Gosney claims bribes became commonplace, government-run banks would remove the business's credit and that charges were made up against them.
"It was the death of a thousand cuts. It became aggressive and scary," reflects Kallman.
Eventually, they say, they were tipped off that manufactured bribery charges were going to be brought against them.
"We found out they'd frozen our bank accounts. We took the money from the till and went to Bali. They raided our home, our office and the club," says Kallman.
She says they were warned they must not return to China. Back in the UK, she wrote a book about the experience, Diary of a Shanghai Showgirl - there has never been any comment on these claims.
Ultimately, Gosney thinks China has a long way to go in terms of creativity.
"If you are making toilet fittings you have to go to Shanghai but if you are doing something new they don't see how to make money out of it."
He advises anyone with similar ambitions to go to Detroit instead where they will have a fairer chance, but he concedes, "We did brilliant work there. We loved our time." | If the strangeness of opening a burlesque club in China had not occurred to them as a Buddhist cleansing ceremony took place in their future venue, it certainly did when they found themselves submitting Frank Sinatra lyrics to be vetted by the local cultural department. |
35622428 | BBC Sport brings you the five things you may have missed from another the thrill-a-minute Saturday in the Football League.
Some say 2-0 is the most dangerous scoreline in football - a lead big enough to prompt relaxation, but far from insurmountable - and Colchester fans will probably agree.
Going into their trip to Bury, the U's had not won a league game since 20 October, a run of 17 games.
So when they went 2-0 up inside the first 20 minutes, thanks to goals from Chris Porter and Gavin Massey, it looked as though they might be starting to claw their way back from the foot of League One.
But Tom Eastman was sent off for two bookings, and the floodgates did not just open, they were blown off their hinges.
Ryan Lowe pulled one back immediately after the red card before the Shakers hit four goals in 11 second-half minutes, including a hat-trick for Andrew Tutte, as the gap between Colchester and League One safety increased to 10 points.
"I'm sure they [the young players] will be better for the experience, even though it's a tough one to learn from," Colchester boss Kevin Keen, whose only win as boss came against Charlton in the FA Cup, told BBC Essex.
"I can't feel sorry for myself, I'll just keep working hard. It's about the club and the players."
It might be all going wrong at Colchester, but the team directly below them in the Football League standings cannot do anything wrong.
After being endorsed by basketball legend Shaquille O'Neill this week, Northampton Town now boast a 10-point lead at the top of League Two following a club record ninth-successive league win.
Danny Rose netted his first goal for the Cobblers since a deadline-day move from Oxford United to seal victory against notoriously hard-to-beat Wycombe.
Surely promotion is a slam dunk now for Northampton?
Lloyd Doyley. He's not really a household name outside Hertfordshire, but after spending 14 years at Watford, he left the Hornets in the summer.
It took the 33-year-old until this week to find a new club, when Neil Warnock brought him and fellow free agent Paddy Kenny to Rotherham United.
Kenny was on the bench for the 2-0 loss at Burnley, and Doyley might have wished he was sat next to him as the Jamaica international gave away a penalty 27 minutes into his debut.
The Millers went on to lose 2-0, meaning Warnock is still looking for his first win since replacing Neil Redfearn as manager earlier this month.
A new boss who was smiling was Derby County's Darren Wassall.
After Paul Clement was surprisingly sacked earlier this month, 47-year-old Wassall was thrust into the limelight from the relative obscurity of the Rams' academy.
He lost his first game in charge during the week when Championship promotion hopefuls Derby went down 1-0 at home to relegation-threatened MK Dons.
It looked like he might lose his second as well, but his men scored three times in the final 10 minutes to win 3-1 at Brentford and chalk up Derby's first victory since Boxing Day to lift them to fifth.
Until this week the closest Bristol Rovers had been associated with Jordan was when Katie Price drove out of town on the M32.
But this week the men from the Mem were watched by the man from Amman for the first time, as new club's new Jordanian President Wael Al-Qadi cast his eye over his new acquisition.
His family have taken a 92% stake in the Pirates, with hopes of building a new ground and finally leaving the Memorial Stadium.
And he will no doubt have been pleased with what he saw, as Rovers came from a goal down to beat Morecambe 2-1 and move into the League Two play-off places.
Rovers had won just one of their previous five league games, so perhaps their new owner is a lucky omen. | The Football League's least in-form team throwing away a two-goal lead, a new set of foreign owners seeing their club play for the first time and the worst possible way to make your debut. |
35539462 | Dan Mulhall was giving evidence on a so-called Brexit to the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee.
Mr Mulhall is the Irish ambassador in London.
He said a UK withdrawal could led to "some kind of customs controls which would be a negative development for both populations and economies."
Mr Mulhall told MPs that the Republic of Ireland wanted to "preserve the advantages" of its existing trade relationship with the UK, which he said was worth 65bn euros (£50.3m) last year and supported 200,000 jobs in each of the two countries.
"We have a very good set-up, never better than it is today, and we do not want to see anything cut across that," he said
He told MPs that Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny does not believe a Brexit poses a threat to the peace process.
"He was talking about improved British-Irish relations which have developed. If you remove Northern Ireland from the EU it does make a difference," he said. | A UK exit from the EU would create uncertainty about the open border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, an Irish diplomat has said. |
37028733 | Margetson, 44, was part of Wales manager Chris Coleman's backroom staff at the 2016 European Championship and worked with England boss Sam Allardyce at West Ham.
He will combine his international duties with his role as goalkeeping coach at Cardiff City.
"This is a great opportunity and I am excited to be working alongside Sam again," he said.
"I know what he can bring to a squad and also to the coaching staff."
Margetson takes over from Dave Watson as Allardyce reshuffles his backroom staff. | Martyn Margetson has been appointed England goalkeeping coach. |
40608795 | Government figures show there are expected to be around half a million more secondary age children by 2026.
The increase is being fuelled by the baby boom of the early 2000s, which means growing numbers of pupils moving through the school system
Overall pupil numbers are expected to increase by 654,000 (or 8.7%) to around 8.1m by 2026.
In secondary schools alone, the overall population is projected to reach around 3.3m in 2026, a 19.1% increase or around 534,000 more pupils.
This is the second year running that secondary school numbers have risen, the government report said.
It added: "This is primarily because increased births from 2002 onwards means there are now larger numbers entering secondary schools at age 11 than are leaving them at age 16."
Primary school numbers are projected to be around 100,000 higher in 2026.
"Direct immigration of pupils born outside the UK has a very small effect on the school age population," the Department for Education report says.
"However, the birth rate, which has a much larger effect, is in turn affected by any increase in the number of children born to non-UK born women (who overall tend to have higher fertility rates)."
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the pressure on secondary school places would be intense going forward.
He added this meant decisions on new school building and expansions needed to be taken carefully and with local knowledge.
He said: "There's huge urgency to this and we are all watching it closely." | The number of pupils in England's secondary schools is set to rise by almost a fifth within the next decade. |
37025876 | The Wasps made it six wins from as many matches this season when they defeated Inverness 1-0 in the cup's last-16.
"There's no reason why it needs to stop now for them," Ross told BBC Scotland.
"Sometimes there's an assumption that we've got to this stage and [so] it doesn't matter what happens tonight. Before the game I said it does."
League One Alloa had already beaten Raith Rovers, Ross County, Cove Rangers and Montrose in their group matches in the competition before hosting Premiership Inverness.
Jason Marr's first-half strike and a disciplined performance ensured that Alloa will be in Wednesday evening's draw for the last eight beside Dundee United, Morton, Queen of the South, Rangers, Celtic or Motherwell, Ayr or Aberdeen and Hearts or St Johnstone.
"I'm hugely proud of the players," said Ross.
"Over the course of the game we restricted Inverness to few clear-cut chances and that was to do with the work rate of the team.
"I've stressed to them that they should really enjoy it. It's 44 years, I think, since the club have been at this stage of the competition so they've put themselves in the history books in that regard.
"When the next stage of the competition comes around, it's about winning that game again, not saying 'we got to the quarter-finals'.
"We deserve to be at this stage of the competition and our record in the competition is fantastic.
"Whoever gets us at that stage will want us because we'll be the underdogs.
"If we continue in this vain we'll approach that game with confidence as well."
Inverness boss Richie Foran said: "We were the better team. We had most of the possession, we had more opportunities to score goals.
"They score with their only real chance of the game. That's the disappointing part, schoolboy defending.
"All credit to Alloa. They're a good strong side but no excuse from us. We should be winning a game like this." | Manager Jack Ross is urging his jubilant Alloa Athletic players not to be content with a quarter-final berth in the Scottish League Cup. |
22771563 | They were inadvertently heard on live TV proposing military action at a meeting called by President Mohammed Morsi.
Ethiopia last week started diverting the flow of the river in preparation for the $4.2bn hydroelectric dam.
The Blue Nile is one of two major tributaries of the Nile.
On completion, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam would be Africa's largest.
It is expected to produce 6,000 megawatts, and its reservoir is scheduled to start filling next year.
As the participants did not know that the meeting was being aired live by state TV, they spoke their minds unreservedly.
Their suggestions centred around military action as a decisive response to what one of them called a "declaration of war".
One of the politicians suggested sending special forces to destroy the dam; another thought of jet fighters to scare the Ethiopians; and a third called for Egypt to support rebel groups fighting the government in Addis Ababa.
"This could yield results in the diplomatic arena,'' liberal politician and former presidential candidate Ayman Nour told the gathering.
Muhammad Anwar al-Sadat, the leader of the secular Reform and Development party, said the presidency should have warned the participants in advance that the meeting would be broadcast live.
"I am afraid most of the politicians who attended the meeting were not well informed about such a sensitive topic," he told the BBC.
"But the statements made during the meeting do not represent the Egyptian official stance. It was just a chat between politicians who were angered by the Ethiopian plans."
A presidential adviser apologised for failing to warn politicians.
"I am sorry for any unintentional embarrassment," Bakinam al-Sharqawi said in a statement.
Egypt is the most populous country in the Middle East and highly dependent on the water of the world's longest river.
Ethiopia's decision to construct the dam challenges a colonial-era agreement that had given Egypt and Sudan rights to the Nile water, with Egypt taking 55.5 billion cubic metres and Sudan 18.5 billion cubic metres.
That agreement, first signed in 1929, took no account of the eight other nations along the 6,700km (4,160-mile) river and its basin.
Those countries have been agitating for a decade for a more equitable accord. | Egyptian politicians are embarrassed after being caught suggesting hostile acts against Ethiopia to stop it from building a dam across the Blue Nile. |
35771878 | An inquest concluded Trooper Aled Martin Jones, 18, from Chwilog, Gwynedd, took his own life with a gun wound to the head.
His family have always contested this and hope a new inquest into another soldier's death - granted after a 20-year-campaign - will help their quest.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said investigations were held at the time.
His mother, Elaine Higgins, has been speaking on BBC Radio Cymru programme Manylu as a fresh inquest continues into the death of Pte Cheryl James, one of four soldiers who died at Deepcut Barracks, Surrey, between 1995 and 2002, and follows a long campaign by her father.
Mrs Higgins said: "I hope the Deepcut families get the truth... Maybe it'll open doors for other families."
Regarding her own son's death, she said: "I think that somebody somewhere knows exactly what happened that night."
Trooper Jones died three weeks after being deployed on tour in the Balkans with The Queen's Dragoon Guards.
Witnesses described him as being in a "jovial mood" while having a few drinks at the bar where his regiment were billeted on the night of his death.
He was said to have signed out his SA80 rifle at approximately 00:30. Then, 25 minutes later, fellow soldiers said they heard a gunshot and found him on a bed in an unused room with his rifle lying across his chest.
His death was investigated by the Royal Military Police, and the subsequent inquest, which used a Board of Inquiry report as its main evidence, recorded a verdict of suicide.
His family claimed the report contained inconsistencies which should have been investigated further, including witness statements which put their son in two places at the same time in the minutes leading up to his death.
They also said they were unable to question senior officers during the inquest or speak with soldiers who had been giving evidence, claiming they were "rushed from court into a car".
Pwllheli solicitor Michael Strain, who represented the family during the inquest in 1997, said: "We had been given a copy of the Board of Inquiry report the morning of the inquest and the only people available as factual witnesses were serving soldiers.
"If you wanted to ask anybody anything there wasn't access to witnesses, so you felt that if there was anything untoward or witnesses that had any contradictory accounts there wasn't an avenue for the family to make enquiries that may lead to a different conclusion."
The MoD responded to the family's concerns in 2003, saying the investigation was completed according to regulations and the satisfaction of the coroner.
It also said that any significant discrepancies in witness statements would have been challenged by the Royal Military Police at the time but that in this case they were "minor discrepancies arising from the inaccuracy of individual recall".
In a statement to Manylu, the MoD said: "The death of Trooper Aled Martin Jones on 18 July 1996 was investigated by the Royal Military Police and was the subject of a Board of Inquiry conducted by the Army.
"There was also a coroner's inquest which concluded that Trooper Jones committed suicide. Any questions about the conduct of the inquest should be referred to the coroner. Our thoughts remain with Trooper Jones' family." | A family claim they have yet to learn all the facts about their soldier son's death in 1996 in Bosnia-Herzegovina. |
34877475 | In a speech ahead of Wednesday's Spending Review, the shadow chancellor said automation posed a risk to manual workers and future advances must be used to "liberate, not trap" people.
He also suggested firms sitting on "vast piles" of cash may pay more tax.
This, he said, could be used to boost skills and infrastructure investment.
Chancellor George Osborne will set out his spending plans for the next four years on Wednesday.
Most departmental budgets - excluding health, education, international aid and defence - are expected to be cut by more than 25% as the government works towards its goal of eliminating the budget deficit and securing a surplus in both day-to-day and overall spending by 2020.
The government has accused Labour of fiscal irresponsibility, saying it has not come up with any ideas for savings and its plans would result in higher borrowing and taxes and put the economic recovery at risk.
Labour is calling for an alternative approach to George Osborne's cuts programme, opposing what it describes as "austerity for austerity's sake" and pledging to invest more than the government in infrastructure, skills and research and development.
Laying out his vision in a speech to the Imperial College Incubator, Mr McDonnell said the UK spent less on R&D than the United States, China, France and Germany and needed to change course if it was to create a "secure, high-wage, productive economy".
"Unless we change our political choices, the vat majority will be denied the opportunities that technological change presents," he said.
"Working with businesses, workers and civil society, governments today can and must seize the change to change how we live and work, both now and in the future."
A future Labour government's goal would be to build a new economy "where technology liberates rather than traps, where the fruits of scientific advance are shared by all", adding that this amounted to "socialism but socialism with an iPad".
Referring to Bank of England research suggesting 15 million jobs were at risk from automation, he said technological changes could exacerbate inequality.
"Those most a risk from automation are the low-paid. For those who own robots, of course, it will be a different story."
As part of a new economic settlement, he said Labour would spend 3% of national output on infrastructure by 2030 and extend the "same rights and protections" available to full-time salaried staff to all workers so they enjoyed "security of income against uncertainty".
In his Labour conference speech in September, leader Jeremy Corbyn floated the idea of extending rights to parental leave, holiday and sickness benefits to the self-employed and others on casual and flexible contracts.
Restating this, Mr McDonnell said: "Technological change. and the unfettered free market, are tearing up the old work contract. Labour, instead, will offer a new contract for a new workforce."
Labour's move to the left under Mr Corbyn has worried some businesses but Mr McDonnell insisted he wants to agree a "compact" with the City of London and with UK PLC generally to increase wealth creation and enterprise.
"Labour in government will bring together business, unions, and scientists in a new Innovation Policy strategy, with a mission-led goal to boost research and development spending, and maximise the social and economic benefits from that expenditure," he said.
But Mr McDonnell said that, despite record profits, large businesses had amassed cash reserves of ??400bn and some of this needed to be used to generate investment in skills and address the "dire shortages" in some industries.
"We will also look to ways to change our corporate tax system and work constructively with companies to give them the incentives to invest wisely," he said.
"A higher tax on retained earnings should be investigated."
The shadow chancellor, one of Mr Corbyn's key allies, has been criticised by some in his party for changing his position on deficit reduction, which critics say has further undermined its credibility on the economy after its election defeat.
Having originally committed to backing the government's plan to balance the books over the next three years, Mr McDonnell did a u-turn last month, which he later admitted was "embarrassing", and said he would not set a deadline for clearing the deficit.
But he defend his approach, saying Mr Osborne's fiscal targets risk opening up a "massive deficit with the future". Labour, he insisted, would balance the books in a "sensible" way that is "consistent with sustainable economic growth whilst allowing vital investment to continue" in key areas
"George Osborne may be trying to close the fiscal deficit," he said. "But by failing to invest, he is opening up a massive deficit with the future." | Labour's vision for the country is "socialism with an iPad" where everyone can reap the benefits of technological changes, John McDonnell has said. |
39676412 | Adam Rooney's early shot for the Dons was held by Alan Mannus and Kenny McLean later headed wide of the Saints goal.
The visitors took the lead against the run of play when Danny Swanson netted from an indirect free-kick inside the penalty box.
And Swanson set up Craig Thomson to fire in St Johnstone's second.
Tommy Wright's side move six points clear of Hearts and to within six of Rangers, who lost heavily to league winners Celtic earlier in the day.
Derek McInnes's Dons remain nine points ahead of Rangers with four games to go.
The sides finishing second, third and fourth will enter next season's Europa League qualifiers and Aberdeen, who have reached the Scottish Cup final, can finish no lower than third.
This victory encapsulates perfectly the good work that Wright and St Johnstone have done over the past four years.
They were far from their best and barely tested Joe Lewis in the Aberdeen goal, but with 12 minutes to play, Lewis saved from young substitute Thomson before Ryan Jack tapped the ball back to his keeper, who picked it up.
Swanson received the indirect free-kick on the left from Liam Craig and smashed the ball into the reverse corner of the net for his 14th goal of the season.
It came after the Perth team kept their hosts at arm's length for large chunks of the game.
Kenny McLean has had a fine season, but he should have put the Dons ahead with chances either side of half-time.
Saints' victory was sealed with a swift counter-attacking move. Swanson this time teed up David Wotherspoon's replacement Thomson, who still had plenty to do but hammered home to guarantee the points would go back to McDiarmid Park.
Aberdeen knew a win would all but seal second spot, however, this will keep Rangers' faint hopes of usurping the Dons alive for another week at least with the two still to play in Glasgow before the end of the season.
Worryingly for McInnes and the Dons fans, the team has tailed off badly in all of his four previous seasons with just one win post-split in each campaign.
The spectre of the cup final against Celtic and the fact the pressure was off thanks to Rangers' derby capitulation at Ibrox may have played a role in an under-par performance.
However, McInnes will be frustrated at a second straight home defeat when - like against Rangers three weeks ago - they arguably did not deserve to lose.
The Dons travel to face Hearts next in the capital before hosting champions Celtic, meaning the worst case scenario could see Rangers go to within three points of them before the teams meet at Ibrox in their penultimate fixture.
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes: "The first goal is always really important against St Johnstone. I think it's a really poor decision from the referee to declare that a pass-back and they've taken full advantage.
"Once we go behind, we throw bodies forward and we get done on a counter-attack, which can happen.
"You can see how difficult the pitch is in terms of trying to get any flow to our game.
"We probably didn't do enough to get ourselves in front, but we certainly didn't look like losing it.
"I can't be too hard on the players. They put a lot into it, but it's a reminder that we have tough games post-split and we need to make sure our level of performance is better than it was today."
St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright: "It was windy and blustery and the pitch is a bit uneven, so it wasn't a game of beauty, but the result is the important thing for us at this stage of the season.
"There were moments of quality from us in the lead up to the back-pass being given [for Danny Swanson's free-kick goal] and the goal from the counter attack and, on that basis, we deserved the win.
"We'll play a lot better with the ball, but one thing we do when we're not playing particularly well is grind it out.
"It's up to the opposition to break you down and I don't think Alan Mannus has had a save to make all game."
Match ends, Aberdeen 0, St. Johnstone 2.
Second Half ends, Aberdeen 0, St. Johnstone 2.
Foul by Scott Wright (Aberdeen).
Murray Davidson (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Peter Pawlett (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Paul Paton (St. Johnstone).
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Scott Wright.
Attempt blocked. Craig Thomson (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Liam Craig (St. Johnstone) is shown the yellow card.
Jayden Stockley (Aberdeen) is shown the yellow card.
Ryan Jack (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Paul Paton (St. Johnstone).
Attempt saved. Liam Craig (St. Johnstone) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Substitution, Aberdeen. Scott Wright replaces Jonny Hayes.
Substitution, St. Johnstone. Blair Alston replaces Danny Swanson.
Attempt missed. Ash Taylor (Aberdeen) header from the left side of the six yard box misses to the left.
Hand ball by Murray Davidson (St. Johnstone).
Foul by Ryan Jack (Aberdeen).
Graham Cummins (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Jonny Hayes (Aberdeen) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
Goal! Aberdeen 0, St. Johnstone 2. Craig Thomson (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Danny Swanson.
Shaleum Logan (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Liam Craig (St. Johnstone).
Goal! Aberdeen 0, St. Johnstone 1. Danny Swanson (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Liam Craig following a set piece situation.
Attempt saved. Craig Thomson (St. Johnstone) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner.
Peter Pawlett (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Richard Foster (St. Johnstone).
Substitution, St. Johnstone. Craig Thomson replaces David Wotherspoon.
Foul by Ryan Jack (Aberdeen).
Liam Craig (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Jayden Stockley (Aberdeen).
Brian Easton (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt missed. David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Foul by Jayden Stockley (Aberdeen).
Murray Davidson (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Aberdeen. Peter Pawlett replaces Ryan Christie.
Substitution, Aberdeen. Jayden Stockley replaces Adam Rooney.
Hand ball by Adam Rooney (Aberdeen).
Attempt missed. Danny Swanson (St. Johnstone) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
Attempt missed. Ryan Jack (Aberdeen) right footed shot from the right side of the box is too high. | St Johnstone scored two late goals to beat Aberdeen and consolidate fourth place in the Scottish Premiership. |
26770496 | The 44-year-old died after his red Ford Fiesta was involved in a collision with an Audi between St Madoes and Errol, known locally as the Low Carse Road.
The two men travelling in the Audi were taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee for treatment after the crash on Saturday.
A report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal. | A man killed in a two-car crash in Perthshire has been named as Errol resident Allan Joiner. |
39124954 | The UK's biggest commercial broadcaster said it continued to rebalance and strengthen the business and blamed "wider political and economic uncertainty" for advertising falls.
It hailed a 13% increase in revenue from the ITV Studios division.
Underlying pre-tax profit was up slightly on the year, from £843m to £847m.
Total viewing across its channels rose by 1% last year, with the share for the main ITV channel increasing from 15% to 15.4%.
The company said in its results statement that it was proposing a special dividend of 5p a share, causing its share price to open 1.5% higher.
Chief executive Adam Crozier said ITV had "delivered a good performance in 2016", pointing out that total external revenues were up 3%.
"The continued growth in revenue and adjusted profit, despite a 3% decline in spot advertising revenues resulting from wider political and economic uncertainty, is clear evidence that our strategy is working and remains the right one for ITV," he said.
Mr Crozier added that ITV - home to shows including Coronation Street, the X Factor and Broadchurch - maintained its "leading position" in the UK television advertising market.
"Whilst our net advertising revenues have declined, we again outperformed the UK television ad market as a whole," he said.
Shares, which have fallen by a fifth in the past 12 months, rose 2% to 206.7p in morning trading.
There has been speculation that ITV could be a takeover target by a foreign broadcaster.
George Salmon, a Hargreaves Lansdown analyst, said although the slowdown in advertising spending was likely to be a short-term trend given Brexit uncertainty, challenges remained for ITV.
"Longer-term viewing habits are clearly moving towards a more on-demand set up. This brings the group into competition with Amazon and Netflix, two pretty bruising rivals with deep pockets," he said.
"While continuing to provide entertaining content is obviously essential, building a slick online platform could be just as important."
Neil Wilson at ETX Capital said he expected the company to continue moving away from a reliance on advertising.
"Non-net advertising revenues now make up 53% of total revenues - a big change over the last few years," he said.
Mr Wilson added: "The UK economy's resilience has helped ITV's share price, but there are signs of cracks in the UK economy that are a concern for the broadcaster.
"This makes any meaningful upside dependent on a takeover, as organic growth looks trickier, some very smart production acquisitions notwithstanding." | ITV has reported a 14% fall in annual pre-tax profits to £553m as advertising revenues declined by 3%. |
40263794 | The Family Library had said it would cease to exist beyond 31 July if £250,000 was not raised.
The government has now pledged £100,000 which, combined with £25,000 of donations and a match-funding donor, will mean it has the money needed.
The charity runs services on the island which Tynwald previously funded.
It took control of the services in 2012, when government funding ceased, and has been funded by online gambling firm PokerStars and that company's co-founders, the Sheinberg family.
The Family Library provides lending services, resources to the Isle of Man's primary schools and a mobile service in rural parts of the island.
Explaining the government donation, Treasury Minister Alf Cannan told the House of Keys: "Having given full consideration to the social value of the Family Library and mobile library, the Council of Ministers and Treasury have agreed a payment of £100,000 to enable the service to continue for the next 12 months."
Librarian Mary Cousins said the charity was "overwhelmed" by the news, which had come "out of the blue".
She said it was "more than we every hoped or expected".
"It's not just the funding, but the confirmation that all our services are valued in the community - it means a great deal to us and exactly why we do the work we do.
"We'd just like to thank everyone who supported us." | The Isle of Man government has agreed to help secure the future of a charity which supplies a "lifeline" book delivery service on the island. |
39513743 | The South Wales East AM will sit as a Tory but will not join the party.
Conservative group leader Andrew RT Davies welcomed a "hard-working and dedicated" AM, saying it made his party the official opposition to Labour.
But Gower MP and ex-AM Byron Davies said allowing Mr Reckless into the group was "not a particularly bright idea".
When questioned about Andrew RT Davies' leadership of the Tory group on BBC Radio Wales, the Gower MP said "we have to live with that".
With regard to how the Tory group should work with Mr Reckless, he said: "I would be very, very cautious about how they deal with him."
Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns said: "Mark Reckless is not a member of the Conservative Party. There are absolutely no plans for him to become a member of the Conservative Party."
A Conservative Party spokesman said: "Decisions about who sits with the Conservative group in the Welsh Assembly are a matter for the group in the Welsh Assembly."
In a statement, Mr Reckless said he had been "thoroughly impressed by the performance and discipline of Andrew RT Davies and the Welsh Conservative group".
He said Theresa May's leadership as Prime Minister had been "exemplary" and that she had been "steadfast in her position to deliver on the wishes of the people of Wales and the United Kingdom" in relation to Brexit.
Assembly Presiding Officer Elin Jones said the former UKIP AM could be a member of the Conservative group.
Andrew RT Davies said Mr Reckless had "proven himself to be a hard-working and dedicated AM who has been an effective representative for the South East Wales region".
"He will now be able to continue this work as part of a strong and united team which will be the official opposition in the assembly," he added.
Mr Reckless told BBC Wales he knew there was still "bad blood" from the time he quit the Tories to join UKIP.
"It's not for me to waltz back into the party with any sense of entitlement," he said.
"I want to focus my efforts here with some humility."
UKIP assembly group leader Neil Hamilton accused his former UKIP colleague of showing "weakness of character".
"He didn't have the courtesy or the courage to speak to me about any doubts he had about his future in UKIP or what he might get from the Conservative Party," he told BBC Wales.
"Fundamentally he was elected to the assembly not as Mark Reckless but as a UKIP candidate for the South East Wales region.
"He's betrayed the trust of all of those who selected him in the first place to be a candidate and all of those who worked to get him elected to the assembly.
"He's got no mandate to sit in the assembly as a member of the Conservative group."
UKIP chairman Paul Oakden said it was "incumbent on Mark Reckless to relinquish a position he has only by virtue of a UKIP mandate".
"The position should go to the next UKIP candidate on the regional list," he said.
Mr Reckless was Conservative MP for Rochester and Strood when he defected to UKIP in 2014.
He voluntarily quit the seat to fight and win it in a by-election for UKIP, but lost it at the 2015 general election.
There is no requirement under assembly rules for either regional or constituency AMs to stand down when they leave the party they were elected to represent.
Mr Reckless told BBC Wales he would "love to be able to put my decision to the electorate" as he did in 2014, but said assembly rules regarding members elected via a regional list prevented this.
Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said the changing arithmetic in the Senedd - with Plaid now the third-biggest party - would mean "very little in actual fact".
She added: "We've got a strong team of assembly members all of whom are working very hard for the constituencies they represent, and for Plaid Cymru as a whole.
"We are putting the Welsh national interest at the top of the agenda at every opportunity. We might be a smaller team but we certainly are a very effective team."
Analysis by BBC Wales political correspondent Tomos Livingstone
Normally the defection of a politician from one party to another prompts a stream of abuse from the member's former home and the sound of champagne corks popping at their new abode.
There's been plenty of the former from UKIP now that Mark Reckless has left, but not everyone in the Conservative Party is celebrating today's development.
Mr Reckless made the opposite journey in 2014, and anger at that decision is still plain for all to see.
That's why the South Wales East AM is going to be a Conservative AM, but not, rather oddly, a member of the Conservative Party.
Has Andrew RT Davies therefore performed a coup, defying the wishes of Welsh Conservative MPs who think he's mis-read the party mood, and making his group the second-largest in the Senedd?
Or has he needlessly made some powerful enemies who might want to re-visit the whole affair in the weeks and months ahead?
This could be the beginning of the story rather than the end. | UKIP AM Mark Reckless has confirmed he is joining the Conservative group in the Welsh Assembly. |
40186716 | Sara McAleese found the bottle on Wallog beach, near Aberystwyth, and posted a photograph online.
Within minutes she was contacted by a man who said a member of his family, nine-year-old Olivia from Arklow, had sent the message.
She has returned the letter and some Aberystwyth memorabilia to Olivia.
Ms McAleese, who collects litter as she goes to keep beaches clean, initially thought it was just another plastic bottle but noticed it had some paper inside.
"I just thought, 'oh my gosh it's a message in a bottle', you hear stories and think 'does anyone ever do that these days?'
"I fished it out and it was a little bit damp and had obviously been lightened by the sun, but I could just about pick out it was from an Olivia and she was nine, and half the address.
"There was also a little packet of sweeties in there."
Ms McAleese, a midwife in Powys, posted the photograph on a social media page dedicated to items lost at sea - and said usually finders are not reunited with senders.
But she said within four minutes she received contact from Olivia's family.
"I was just blown away. I put it up because I expected somebody would be able to complete the address and then I would send them a postcard, but to make immediate contact with the family, I was amazed.
"Olivia's dad sent me a picture of her saying she's really excited. I sent her back the note and the sweeties, and a glittery pen and stick of rock from Aberystwyth."
Ms McAleese said she was particularly surprised as her partner participated in the Celtic Challenge two weeks prior - making the same journey from Arklow the bottle had made.
Some of Olivia's friends also sent bottles and Ms McAleese encouraged people to pick up litter as "fab and fun" things can be found.
She said: "I think anyone who uses our beaches at all is aware that there's a massive amount of rubbish which is predominantly plastic.
"Anywhere you go, you can just stop and pick up rubbish and recycling. Sometimes it really is rubbish, but it does give back and sometimes you can find great things."
Ms McAleese, who recycled the bottle, will be taking part in a UK-wide two-minute beach clean on Sunday - where participants clean their local beach for two minutes and then post a photograph of the results on social media under the hashtag #2minutebeachclean.
"If everyone who went to the beach picked up one thing, we'd have much less of a problem," she added. | A woman who found a message in a bottle on a Ceredigion beach was "amazed" when she located its Irish sender within just four minutes. |
24316746 | Leaked intelligence briefings detailed plans for attacks in Nairobi and Mombasa, according to Kenyan media.
Four cabinet ministers and the head of Kenya's defence forces are said to have been informed.
At least 67 people were killed after al-Shabab stormed the mall on 21 September.
Briefings were given to the ministers "informing them of increasing threat of terrorism and of plans to launch simultaneous attacks in Nairobi and Mombasa around September 13 and 20, 2013", Kenya's Daily Nation quotes counter-terrorism reports as saying.
The warnings were first made in January, according to the newspaper, and again from the beginning of September.
A dossier from the National Intelligence Service - amounting to more than 8,000 pages according to Kenya's Standard newspaper - also suggests the Israelis issued warnings that buildings owned by its citizens could be attacked between 4 and 28 September.
Westgate is partly Israeli-owned.
The Daily Nation reports that Kenyan intelligence had established that al-Shabab leaders had begun singling out Westgate and the Holy Family Basilica for attack early this year.
Government figures said to have received the intelligence briefings include Treasury Minister Julius Rotich, Interior Minister Joseph Ole Lenku, Foreign Affairs Minister Amina Mohammed, Defence Minister Raychelle Omamo and Kenya Defence Forces chief Julius Karangi.
The head of the National Intelligence Service, Michael Gichangi, is due to be questioned by Kenyan Members of Parliament on Monday.
An unnamed senior intelligence official told the AFP news agency that the government had been casual in its approach to the briefings it received.
"There is no way one can say there was no intelligence on this attack because those reports started trickling in from late last year. And they were specific with targets including Westgate."
The head of the parliamentary defence committee, Ndung'u Gethenji, told the BBC on Friday that "people need to know the exact lapses in the security system that possibly allowed this event to take place".
He also said they needed to understand "the anatomy of the entire rescue operation" amid allegations of confusion over who was in charge.
Funerals for some of those who died in the four-day long siege have continued after three days of official mourning came to an end on Friday.
The official death toll remains 67, but the Kenyan Red Cross maintains 61 people are still missing.
The UK Foreign Office has meanwhile confirmed that a sixth British citizen is now known to have died in the siege.
Al-Shabab, a Somali Islamist group, said it carried out the attack on the upmarket mall in retaliation for Kenya's military involvement in Somalia.
Security sources have told the BBC that the militants hired a shop there in the weeks leading up to the siege.
This gave them access to service lifts at Westgate enabling them to stockpile weapons and ammunition. Having pre-positioned weapons they were able to re-arm quickly and repel the security forces.
The BBC has also confirmed more details about how they executed their attack, with two vehicles dropping the Islamist extremists outside before they forced their way into the mall, according to sources.
They are also believed to have set up a base using a ventilation shaft as a hiding place, on the first floor. | Kenyan government ministers received warnings of a possible attack before al-Shabab gunmen stormed the Westgate shopping centre, reports say. |
37282923 | The away side took the lead against the run of play when Nathan Blissett's header was blocked by former Gulls goalkeeper Michael Poke before summer signing Giancarlo Gallifuoco tapped the ball home for his third goal of the season.
Torquay almost doubled their advantage when Blissett and Daniel Sparkes combined to set up Jamie Reid, who struggled with the tight angle and found the side netting.
Woking struck back four minutes after half-time as Gozie Ugwu collected a great ball and set up for Delano Sam-Yorke to sweep into an empty net, and he completed his brace from inside the box just before the hour mark.
The visitors threatened to come back but Garry Hill's home side increased their lead through man of the match Dennon Lewis as he lifted a neat shot over goalkeeper Brendan Moore and in off the underside of the bar.
Report supplied by the Press Association
Match ends, Woking 3, Torquay United 1.
Second Half ends, Woking 3, Torquay United 1.
Goal! Woking 3, Torquay United 1. Dennon Lewis (Woking).
Substitution, Woking. Charlie Penny replaces Gozie Ugwu.
Substitution, Woking. Charlie Carter replaces Fabio Saraiva.
Substitution, Torquay United. Sam Chaney replaces Dan Sparkes.
Substitution, Woking. Luke Chike Kandi replaces Delano Sam-Yorke.
Goal! Woking 2, Torquay United 1. Delano Sam-Yorke (Woking).
Substitution, Torquay United. Brett Williams replaces Jamie Reid.
Goal! Woking 1, Torquay United 1. Delano Sam-Yorke (Woking).
Substitution, Torquay United. Chay Scrivens replaces Joe Ward.
Second Half begins Woking 0, Torquay United 1.
First Half ends, Woking 0, Torquay United 1.
Goal! Woking 0, Torquay United 1. Giancarlo Gallifuoco (Torquay United).
Joey Jones (Woking) is shown the yellow card.
First Half begins.
Lineups are announced and players are warming up. | Woking returned to winning ways with a much-needed victory over Torquay at Kingfield Stadium. |
32360661 | Lord Macdonald QC said it was of "great regret" that regional Crown Prosecution Service lawyers had failed to refer the case to him in 2007.
He said he would have given the allegations his "close attention".
Cardiff-born peer Lord Janner, 86, has always denied any wrongdoing.
The abuse allegations against the Labour peer relate to children's homes in Leicestershire in the 1970s and 80s.
On Thursday, current Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders announced that there was enough evidence to bring charges against Lord Janner but that this would not happen because he was now too sick to stand trial. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2009.
Ms Saunders also said the CPS had been "wrong" not to prosecute following investigations in 1991 and 2007.
On Saturday, speaking to the BBC on a visit to North Cornwall, Home Secretary Theresa May, said she was "very concerned" over the decision not to prosecute the former Labour MP.
She said: "It's not my decision, it's an entirely independent decision for the director of public prosecutions.
"I've been very clear, in everything I've said so far about the child sex abuse issue... that I expect to see justice done."
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Saturday, Lord Macdonald said he had never been notified about the 2007 police investigation, for reasons which he "did not understand".
"It was apparently a serious police investigation, and it should have been absolutely clear to the lawyers in Leicestershire that this case should have been sent to London.
"I would have undoubtedly taken a look at it personally, and would have undoubtedly myself have considered the question as to whether or not Lord Janner should be charged, and I very much regret that that didn't happen."
The decision on whether or not Lord Janner should now face charges was "reasonably finely balanced", he said, adding: "I think you could justify a decision going either way frankly."
He said he had not seen all the material relating to the case, but that "in the light of the obvious errors of the CPS in the past with this case" it might have been better to resolve it in open court.
On the decision not to prosecute Greville Janner, Lord Macdonald acknowledges that he hasn't seen the evidence, and doesn't go so far as to say Alison Saunders got it wrong, though he says you could justify a decision going either way.
And unlike his successor, he favours a limited court hearing to establish the facts of the alleged abuse.
Lord Macdonald also says that protocols were broken when regional prosecutors failed to refer the file on Greville Janner to specialist senior CPS lawyers in London and to himself in 2007. He says that they should emphatically not have dismissed the case.
This morning will be painful for Alison Saunders.
She's had a far from ringing endorsement from her predecessor on the Janner case, and a mauling in the press over the failures of Operation Elveden and its prosecution of journalists for paying public officials.
Lord Janner was first interviewed in 1991 when his name was mentioned in the trial of Frank Beck, one of Britain's most notorious paedophiles who was jailed for abusing boys in his care at Leicestershire children's homes.
The politician was accused of grooming and abusing a boy aged between 13 and 15, but the CPS did not pursue the case.
He was investigated again in 2002 and 2006-7 when fresh allegations surfaced, but no action was taken, and the case was dropped.
In the course of its most recent investigation launched in 2013, Leicestershire Police interviewed more than 2,000 people and a "comprehensive file of evidence" was submitted to the CPS.
More than a dozen individuals made allegations to police relating to Lord Janner.
The "core allegation" was that as MP for Leicester West at the time, Lord Janner befriended the manager of a children's care home to allow him access to children so he could "perpetrate serious sexual offences on children", the CPS said.
Lord Janner denied this allegation. He is "entirely innocent of any wrongdoing", the peer's family has said.
Prosecutors said that despite having enough evidence to charge the peer with 22 sex offences, he was now too unwell to stand trial.
A retired High Court judge will now review the CPS's handling of the case. | A former director of public prosecutions has said he was "never informed" about an investigation into historical child sex allegations against former Labour MP Lord Janner. |
28157491 | It follows a fatal train crash on the film's set in south east Georgia in February, which led to the death of camera assistant Sarah Jones.
A grand jury charged Randall Miller, producer Jody Savin and executive producer Jay Sedrish on Thursday.
Jones, 27, was hit by a train on the first day of filming Midnight Rider.
Seven other crew members were injured in the incident, which saw the camera assistant fatally struck after the crew placed a bed on the railway tracks in Doctortown while filming a dream sequence.
It is understood the crew were expecting two local trains to pass through, but a third had arrived unexpectedly. A warning whistle was blown, but they had less than a minute to remove the bed from the track.
Miller, Savin and Sedrish are each charged with involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespass, according to a statement from local district attorney Jackie Johnson.
The prosecution alleges film-makers had "unlawfully and without authority" entered onto the railway tracks "after receiving, prior to that entry, notice from the owner thereof that such entry was denied".
It remains unclear whether the crew had permission to be on the tracks. Local police investigators say they did have permission to be on property nearby.
The manslaughter charges against the film team could bring a possible sentence of 10 years in prison under Georgia law.
In a statement, Jones's father, Richard, said: "[My wife] and I are comfortable that the authorities were both careful and meticulous in investigating and bringing charges related to the incident that took our daughter's life.
"We must allow the criminal justice process to proceed unhindered. Our mission remains the same: to ensure safety on all film sets. Safety for Sarah."
In May, Jones's parents sued the director, producers and other entities affiliated with the film including musician Allman.
The civil case claims film-makers "selected an unreasonably dangerous site for the filming location" and failed to take actions to adequately protect the crew.
Filming on Midnight Rider was suspended in the aftermath of the train tragedy, and actor William Hurt - who was due to play Allman - pulled out of the production. | The director of a biopic about singer Gregg Allman, and two of the film's producers, are facing involuntary manslaughter charges. |
36865816 | The 19-year-old, who was released by the Rovers at the end of last season, has signed a 12-month contract with an option for a second year.
The Liverpudlian agreed a one-year deal with Rovers last summer, but failed to break into the first team.
Wall, who has also spent time on loan at Skelmersdale United in the Northern Premier League, is the eighth new signing by Accrington this summer.
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page. | Accrington Stanley have signed former Blackburn Rovers winger Luke Wall. |
30062346 | They will continue to listen for the little probe in the days ahead, hopeful that it will somehow become active again.
On each pass overhead, the Rosetta satellite will try to detect and lock on to any sort of blip being transmitted from below.
The mission has faced up to the odds before, and won. It bounced and probably scraped across the surface during its historic touchdown on Wednesday.
Philae survived all that. People will now want to believe it can hunker down in the darkness and ride out its present predicament.
It would be very useful to know where exactly the probe is right now on the surface of Comet 67P.
This would give controllers a better sense of whether it is ever likely to come back to life.
The robot's own pictures show it to be rammed up against walls that throw a deep shadow over its solar panels for most of 67P's 12-hour day.
But the conditions that currently prevent Philae from charging its batteries could change.
It is not inconceivable that as the comet moves in closer to the Sun, the amount of light made available to the probe will increase, in amount and in intensity.
There could be structural changes on the comet, too. Obstructions that look hard and imposing today could crumble in time as 67P warms and becomes more active.
The jets of gas and dust that are generated as the comet's internal ices are heated could disturb the robot in such a way that it is bumped to a more favourable lighting location.
For sure, Philae will be very cold in the long nights it is experiencing, but the assessment of the thermal status of the probe is encouraging. It can survive.
If this is the last we hear from the robot, history will be very quick to judge this mission as an astonishing success.
Yes, the robot had some systems failures in its landing mechanisms, but it would be churlish in the extreme to dwell on these shortcomings.
The robot delivered almost 100% of its primary goals, returning the first-ever pictures and other science data from the surface of a comet.
And it has been a blast. This past week's events really caught the world's attention.
So how about we do it again? This is the dream certainly of many who control Philae's mothership, Rosetta.
It will continue to orbit and observe 67P for at least another year, but after that there is a desire to put the satellite on the surface of the comet as well.
"I would like to land on the surface of the comet with the full spacecraft - definitely," says European Space Agency flight director Andrea Accomazzo.
"In the end, we can design an approach trajectory to the comet. We just slow down the spacecraft and it falls on to the comet.
"The touchdown will not be as soft as the lander. There's no landing gear; the spacecraft would be mechanically damaged. But we can do it."
And Paolo Ferri, Esa's head of mission operations, added: "We would plan such a manoeuvre so that we could follow Rosetta down to the surface. But once it touches down, we cannot control anymore the attitude. So, the antenna will not be pointing to the right direction.
"We would lose the contact when it touches down, but we would still be able to control it down to the last metre, to get signal, measurements and pictures. It would be spectacular. That's the right way to die."
You can hear more from Accomazzo and Ferri in the BBC Radio 4 Frontiers special we recorded from mission control on Wednesday night - if you haven't already caught the programme.
And there'll be a special Sky At Night edition dedicated to Philae's exploits on BBC Four television this Sunday at 2100 GMT. | European Space Agency controllers will not give up on Philae. |
36579254 | Heslop, 29, made 20 appearances for the Welsh side last season after joining following his release by Torquay United in January.
The York-born player started his career at Barnsley, before spells with 13 different clubs.
The Minstermen finished bottom of the League Two table last season, having won only seven games. | York City have signed midfielder Simon Heslop after he rejected a new contract with National League rivals Wrexham. |
40342103 | Marian Brown, 17, was killed and several other people were injured in the incident in west Belfast.
Michael McGuigan, then 19, was a student and part-time bar man.
He was walking along Roden Street in the city with his girlfriend and a colleague when the shooting started.
He told an inquest on Tuesday that he remembered lying on the ground and seeing bullets peppering the street around him.
His two friends were wounded and he saw the silhouettes of men with guns - who he believed were soldiers - running in a line down the street.
Later, when he tried to get into the ambulance with his two friends, a soldier with a rifle stopped him.
Mr McGuigan said the soldier sounded apologetic when he told him: "We thought you were shooting at us".
The inquest continues. | A man who survived a gun attack that claimed the life of a pregnant teenager in 1972 says a soldier told him at the scene that the Army thought he had shot at them. |
35219693 | Tensions have spiralled following the execution of Saudi cleric Nimr al-Nimr, the subsequent setting ablaze of the Saudi embassy in Tehran, and Riyadh's expulsion of Iranian diplomats.
The struggle between Riyadh and Tehran for political and religious influence has geopolitical implications that extend far beyond the placid waters of the Gulf and encompass nearly every major conflict zone in the Middle East.
Most notably, perhaps, the crisis means prospects for a diplomatic breakthrough in Syria and Yemen now look much more remote, just as international momentum for negotiations seemed to be on the verge of delivering results.
The current standoff is as dangerous as its 1980s predecessor, which first saw diplomatic ties suspended between 1988 and 1991.
This occurred at the end of the turbulent opening decade after the Iranian Revolution in 1979 and the grinding eight-year Iran-Iraq War from 1980 to 1988.
Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states backed Iraq's Saddam Hussein during the war and suffered Iranian attacks on their shipping, while in 1984 the Saudi air force shot down an Iranian fighter jet that it claimed had entered Saudi airspace.
Saudi and other Arab Gulf governments also linked Iran's post-revolutionary government with a rise in Shia militancy, an aborted coup in Bahrain in 1981, and a failed attempt to assassinate the emir of Kuwait four years later.
Meanwhile, the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah al-Hejaz was formed in May 1987 as a cleric-based organisation modelled on Lebanese Hezbollah intent on carrying out military operations inside Saudi Arabia.
Hezbollah al-Hejaz issued a number of inflammatory statements threatening the Saudi royal family and carried out several deadly attacks in the late 1980s as tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia rose sharply.
While the current crisis lacks as yet equivalent instances of direct confrontation, tensions are as dangerous as in the 1980s for three reasons.
The first is the legacy of years of sectarian politics that have done so much to divide the Middle East along Sunni-Shia lines and foster an atmosphere of deep distrust between Iran and its neighbours across the Gulf.
In such a supercharged atmosphere, the moderate middle ground has been sorely weakened and advocates of a hardline approach to regional affairs now hold sway.
Second, the Gulf states have followed increasingly assertive foreign policies over the past four years, partly in response to what they see as perennial Iranian "meddling" in regional conflicts, and also because of growing scepticism about the Obama administration's intentions in the Middle East.
For many in the Gulf, the primary threat from Iran lies not in Tehran's nuclear programme but in Iran's support for militant non-state actors such as Hezbollah and, more recently, the Shia Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Both the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen and the multinational coalition against terrorism announced last month by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman show Saudi officials in no mood to compromise on regional security matters.
Finally, the breakdown in diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran probably sounds the death-knell, at least for now, for regional efforts to end the wars in Yemen and Syria.
Lost in the furore over the execution of Nimr al-Nimr was an announcement that the fragile ceasefire agreed in Yemen on 15 December had broken down.
Neither the ceasefire nor the UN-brokered talks that started at the same time had made much headway, and while the UN talks were due to resume on 14 January that is unlikely if the Saudi-led coalition and Iran intensify their involvement in Yemen.
A similar outcome may now await the Syrian peace talks due to begin in Geneva in late January, as weeks of patient behind-the-scenes outreach to align the warring parties will come to nothing if the two most influential external parties to the conflict instead double down and dig in.
Kristian Coates Ulrichsen is the Research Fellow for the Middle East at Rice University's James A Baker III Institute for Public Policy and an Associate Fellow with the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House. Follow him on Twitter. | Relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran are at their worst for nearly 30 years. |
34709324 | Top bureaucrats and police officers were among those held in a crackdown on supporters of Fethullah Gulen, the state-run Anadolu agency said.
Mr Gulen is a rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose AK party regained its majority in Sunday's election.
European observers said violence and media restrictions marred the polls.
On Tuesday, left-wing magazine Nokta said two of its editors had been charged with plotting a coup in the government's latest move against opposition media outlets.
Cevheri Guven and Murat Capan were arrested over a magazine cover criticising the election results that read: "The start of civil war in Turkey."
An Istanbul court later ordered that the magazine's latest edition be withdrawn from the shelves, accusing it of inciting the public to commit a crime.
Meanwhile security forces imposed a curfew in the mainly Kurdish town of Silvan, the south-east of the country, while Turkish jets attacked Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) rebels in northern Iraq.
The Anadolu agency said that the dozens of suspects held in Tuesday's raids were suspected of acting "beyond their legal authority".
Prosecutors issued arrest warrants for a total of 57 people.
The Turkish government has accused Mr Gulen, the spiritual leader of the Hizmet movement, of trying to run a parallel state.
The latest police operations come after officers raided another media group, Koza-Ipek, accused of having links to Mr Gulen.
Fifty-eight employees working at the group's media outlets have been fired after a court ruling placed it under the management of a trustee panel, according to Hurriyet newspaper.
Profile: Hizmet movement
Gulen: Powerful but reclusive
The AKP's victory on Sunday came amid concerns about rising tensions in the country.
Violence has escalated in Turkey since a suicide bombing in July by suspected IS militants which killed more than 30 Kurds.
A double bombing targeting a Kurdish peace rally in Ankara also killed more than 100 people last month.
On Monday the Turkish military said it had carried out air strikes on PKK militant bases across the border in northern Iraq - the first on PKK targets in Iraq since Sunday's election.
In a statement on Tuesday the military said that Turkish jets hit PKK shelters, bunkers and weapon storages in six locations, including the Qandil mountains where the rebel leaders are based.
The military has been targeting bases and hideouts of the PKK since July, when renewed fighting between the rebels and Turkish security forces broke out, signalling a breakdown in a two-year ceasefire. | Turkish police have arrested 44 people suspected of having links to an exiled Islamic cleric accused of seeking to overthrow the government. |
20860567 | The 23-year-old arrived in Singapore on Thursday after undergoing three operations in a Delhi hospital.
"Her vital signs are deteriorating with signs of severe organ failure," hospital official Kelvin Loh said.
The attack earlier this month triggered violent public protests in India that left one police officer dead.
Six men have been arrested and two police officers have been suspended following the 16 December attack.
Doctors had earlier described the woman as "fighting for her life".
Mr Loh said in a statement that the hospital had put her on "maximum artificial ventilation support, optimal antibiotic doses as well as stimulants which maximise her body's capability to fight infections".
"Her family members have been informed that her condition has deteriorated and they are currently by her side to encourage and comfort her," he said.
"The High Commission of India is with her and her family at this critical time. Our medical team continues to provide all possible treatment and care," Mr Loh added.
On arrival at the hospital in Singapore, doctors said that as well as a "prior cardiac arrest, she also had infection of her lungs and abdomen, as well as significant brain injury".
The government has tried to halt rising public anger by announcing a series of measures intended to make Delhi safer for women.
These include more police night patrols, checks on bus drivers and their assistants, and the banning of buses with tinted windows or curtains.
The government has also said that it will post the photos, names and addresses of convicted rapists on official websites to shame them.
The victim and her friend had been to see a film when they boarded the bus in the Munirka area, intending to travel to Dwarka in south-west Delhi.
Police said she was raped for nearly an hour, and both she and her companion were beaten with iron bars and thrown out of the moving bus into a Delhi street.
India's Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said in a statement on Thursday that the government had decided to send the victim overseas on the recommendation of her doctors.
"Despite the best efforts of our doctors, the victim continues to be critical and her fluctuating health remains a big cause of concern to all of us," he said. | A female student gang-raped on a bus in India's capital Delhi has "taken a turn for the worse" at a Singapore hospital, doctors say. |
12520491 | He told the Daily Telegraph there would be a new "presumption" that private companies, charities and voluntary groups could run public services.
A "complete change" was needed to boost standards and end the "state's monopoly" over public services.
But unions accused him of trying to "privatise everything".
Ministers are due to publish a White Paper outlining the changes in the next fortnight.
In his interview, Mr Cameron promised to release public services from the "grip of state control" as part of his Big Society agenda.
The prime minister said he wanted an automatic right for private sector bodies, charities and voluntary groups to bid for public work.
He also said decision-making power would be given back to professionals and people would have more control over the budget for the service they receive.
By Norman SmithChief political correspondent, BBC Radio 4
The prime minister is clear how he wants to transform public services - by opening them up to the private and voluntary sector - but he is a good deal less clear about how he is going to make this happen.
Merely urging public sector bosses to put services out to tender is unlikely to be sufficient.
Firstly, many local councils and education authorities are certain to resist handing over vast chunks of their services to outside contractors.
Secondly, public sector workers are likely to be distinctly unenthusiastic about being replaced or having to re-apply to provide the same services but as "a mutual".
And the trade unions are unlikely to simply walk away over what they will see as a threat to their power base and members conditions.
Mr Cameron has willed the ends.
But so far he has not willed the means.
Analysis: How far will Cameron go?
Mr Cameron wrote: "We will create a new presumption - backed up by new rights for public service users and a new system of independent adjudication - that public services should be open to a range of providers competing to offer a better service.
"Of course, there are some areas - like national security services or the judiciary - where this wouldn't make sense. But everywhere else should be open to real diversity."
Mr Cameron promised to end the "old-fashioned, top-down, take-what-you're-given" model of public services.
He insisted the state still had a crucial role to play in ensuring fair funding and access.
But General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress Brendan Barber accused Mr Cameron of pursuing a "naked right-wing agenda" that would take the country back to the most divisive years of the 1980s.
"The prime minister has been telling us that the cuts are sadly necessary, not a secret political project to destroy public services. Yet today's proposal to privatise everything that moves is exactly the kind of proposal that voters would reject if put at an election.
"What is particularly laughable is the idea that this will reduce bureaucracy. Privatisation replaces democratic oversight and accountability with a contract culture that is a job creation scheme for lawyers.
"Voters and service users lose their say in what will be a get even richer quicker scheme for the companies that win contracts."
And Rail, Maritime and Transport union leader Bob Crow said the government would "privatise the air that we breathe if they thought they could away with it".
Anticipating criticism in his article, Mr Cameron said: "This is not about destabilising the public services that people rely on; it is about ensuring they are as good as they can be.
"These are practical reforms, driven by a clear rationale that the best way to raise quality and value for money is to allow different providers to offer services in an open and accountable way." | David Cameron has said the government will set out plans to allow private and voluntary groups to run almost every kind of public service. |
36764968 | Willett's group will tee off at 09:25 BST on Thursday, while 2014 champion Rory McIlroy is in the group behind with Hideki Matsuyama and Bubba Watson.
Jordan Spieth plays with Justin Rose and Shane Lowry at 09:03 while US Open winner Dustin Johnson is off at 14:04.
Colin Montgomerie will hit the first shot at Royal Troon at 06:35.
The Scot, who is grouped with England's Luke Donald and Australian Marc Leishman, was invited to hit the opening tee shot at his home course, and where his father James was club secretary for more than 20 years.
"It is a great honour. I hit my first shot of golf when I was six years old on the children's course, which is now the TV compound, I believe," said Montgomerie.
"This is where I started playing and this is home. There's not many pros here that have the opportunity to play an Open on their own course where they're members of."
Reigning champion Zach Johnson is grouped with Adam Scott and Henrik Stenson at 14:15 while another star-studded three-ball on Thursday afternoon is the 13:26 group containing Phil Mickelson, Lee Westwood and Ernie Els.
The three previous Troon champions - Americans Todd Hamilton, Justin Leonard and Mark Calcavecchia - will go off together at 12:31.
(all times BST, Thursday time first)
06:35 / 11:36 Colin Montgomerie (Sco), Marc Leishman (Aus), Luke Donald (Eng)
09:03 / 14:04 Jordan Spieth (US), Justin Rose (Eng), Shane Lowry (Ire)
09:25 / 14:26 Danny Willett (Eng), Rickie Fowler (US), Jason Day (Aus)
09:36 / 14:37 Rory McIlroy (NI), Hideki Matsuyama (Jpn), Bubba Watson (US)
13:26 / 08:25 Phil Mickelson (US), Lee Westwood (Eng), Ernie Els (SA)
14:04 / 09:03 Dustin Johnson (US), Martin Kaymer (Ger), Russell Knox (Sco)
14:04 / 09:03 Dustin Johnson (US), Martin Kaymer (Ger), Russell Knox (Sco)
14:48 / 09:47 Anirban Lahiri (Ind), Sergio Garcia (Spa), Keegan Bradley (US)
We've launched a new BBC Sport newsletter, bringing all the best stories, features and video right to your inbox. You can sign up here. | Masters champion Danny Willett will play with world number one Jason Day and Rickie Fowler in the first two rounds of the 145th Open Championship. |
23367401 | Robert Seldon Lady was sentenced to nine years in jail for his involvement in the abduction of the man, an Egyptian cleric, in Milan in 2003.
The cleric, known as Abu Omar, was allegedly flown to Egypt and tortured.
Lady was convicted in absentia with 22 other Americans for their role in his "extraordinary rendition".
But the Italian authorities have so far only sought the international arrest of the former Milan station chief, Italian media say.
The CIA said it had no immediate comment on the arrest, while Panamanian officials have so far denied knowledge of the detention.
Panama and Italy do not have an extradition treaty, so it is unclear if Lady will be sent to Italy to serve his prison sentence.
Lady was reportedly arrested near Panama's border with Costa Rica.
According to Italian media reports, an international warrant was sought by the justice minister in Italy's previous government in December 2012.
A prosecutor on Lady's case said the Interpol warrant reflected Italy's determination to have him extradited.
The Milan case was the first involving extraordinary rendition, the CIA's practice of transferring suspects to countries where torture is permitted.
The practice has been condemned by human rights groups as a violation of international agreements.
Hassan Mustafa Osama Nasr, who was considered a terrorism suspect by the US, was abducted on a Milan street in February 2003 and transferred between US military bases in Italy and Germany before being brought to Egypt.
Twenty-two CIA agents, including Lady and an air force pilot, were convicted in 2009 of abducting the cleric. Their sentences were upheld last year by Italy's highest appeals court.
Three more Americans, including CIA Rome station chief Jeffrey Castelli, were convicted by an appeals court in February.
None of the 26 convicted has ever appeared in an Italian court, and only two have had any contact with their lawyers. A number of the names of those convicted are believed to be aliases, the Associated Press reports.
Lady reportedly rushed back to the US in 2007, when court hearings began in Milan to decide whether to put the 23 Americans on trial.
He said he had opposed the proposal to kidnap the imam, but was overruled.
Italy had previously said Lady was the only one of the 23 Americans that could be extradited, given the length of his sentence. | A former CIA station chief convicted by an Italian court of kidnapping a terror suspect has been detained in Panama, Italian officials say. |
35292456 | Mr Egal, who founded the Hargeisa Brothers music band, died at his home in the United Arab Emirates on Monday.
He was born in the self-declared republic of Somaliland, whose president tweeted his condolences to the family and the people of Somaliland.
A state funeral will be held for him on Thursday in the capital, Hargeisa.
Fellow artists have been paying tribute to him on local radio stations across the country.
BBC Somali service's Abdirahman Koronto says the Hargeisa Brothers, formed in the late 1950s, was Somalia's first band.
Mr Egal was also credited with producing some of the country's most successful artistes, he says.
The composer shot to prominence in the 1960s in the years after Somalia's independence when he composed songs that are still regarded as anthems of national pride.
His anti-government songs led to his arrest on several occasions during the military regime of Muhammad Siad Barre.
President Barre ruled Somalia for 21 years before his removal from power by an armed opposition in 1991, which prompted the region of Somaliland to breakaway.
Mr Egal moved to the United Arab Emirates when the whole country descended into a two-decade civil war, dominated by clan and religious-based violence.
He effectively retired when he left Somalia, but still made the odd appearance at events organised by the Somali diaspora.
Officials in Somaliland say his body will be flown back home on Thursday for burial.
Mr Egal is survived by two sons and eight daughters.
Tributes have also been paid by hundreds of people on the BBC Somali service Facebook page
Others have been talking about his death on Twitter with one person alluding to him dying on the same day as British singer David Bowie, tweeting: "Ali Sugule Egal - Stars looking very different today". | Tributes are being paid to legendary Somali composer, playwright, actor and poet Ali Sugule Egal, who has died at the age of 80. |
36055346 | Media playback is not supported on this device
The 19-year-old has made 12 appearances and scored four tries for Saints in his breakthrough season for the club.
Forwards coach Dorian West and fly-half Stephen Myler says Mallinder Jr fully deserves his chance in the first team. | Northampton Saints fly-half Harry Mallinder speaks to BBC Look East about what it is like to play under his father Jim, the club's director of rugby. |
33230427 | A temporary export bar has been placed on Vue sur L'Estaque et le Chateau d'If, a fixture at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge for three decades.
A UK buyer is being sought to match the £13.5m asking price for the painting, which dates from around 1883 to 1885.
Culture minister Ed Vaizey said he hoped the bar would stop the "quietly beautiful" artwork going overseas.
"For almost 30 years this... painting has adorned the walls of the Fitzwilliam Museum where it has been enjoyed by countless visitors," he said.
"I hope that the temporary export bar I have put in place will result in a UK buyer coming forward and that the painting will soon be back on the walls of one of our great public collections."
The painting was acquired in 1936 by Samuel Courtauld and stayed in the art collector and industrialist's family until its sale to a foreign buyer in February.
The decision on the export licence being requested for the oil painting - a view of the Bay of L'Estaque on the Mediterranean at Marseilles - will be deferred until 21 December. | The government has taken steps to stop a masterpiece by 19th Century French artist Paul Cezanne leaving the UK. |
35576282 | The slide will open in the Printemps mall in the coming weeks, say reports.
Pictures posted by Weibo user Jinrouxiongguimiaoxingren last week have spread online in recent days.
But while many are keen to enjoy the 16-second ride, others are concerned about safety, sabotage, or potentially smelly encounters.
The management of the mall told local news outlets that the 20m (66ft) slide had been tested and was safe, and that only one person would be allowed on at a time.
But this has not stopped thousands of comments on Weibo, though it was unclear in some cases whether these were real worries or satirical takes on China's spotty safety record.
One of the top concerns was whether riders' bottoms would be safe.
"You'll feel like your bottom is on fire," said Shengkongwanqikajizhongduzhong, while Xiarichuzhan had more practical concerns: "Once you're done sliding down such a long slide wouldn't your trousers be worn out and torn?"
Others had darker thoughts.
"What if someone stuck knives inside... What would happen then?" asked an alarmed Wenzhoukangningjingshenbingyuan.
"What I'm most afraid of is that there would be [open] seams at the entrance and exit, once your bottom slides across... [it'd be like] a large piece of meat dripping with blood," said user Bunenglianjiedaonisuoqingqiudewangye.
"If a screw accidentally came loose, resulting in a small section falling out..." warned -Elvis-Presley.
Some worried about their exit strategy.
"How will you be able to slow down near the end? Will you shoot out and fall to your death?" asked Fanyanlei.
Some also raised the possibility of getting trapped in the slide.
"What if there's a jam in there, what would you do... you can't breathe," said Yingtaoguozi.
"If someone gets stuck in the middle... would the person behind him sweep him along and fly out with him?" said Guaizhazhazha.
Others could not decide what was worse - dying in the slide, or stumbling upon someone who met such a fate.
"What if someone dies in there... and the next person on the slide discovers him? Oh my god," fretted Ranbbb.
Wuwewuwe gave this suggestion: "This sort of tube should be completely transparent, then it would be easy to know if anything happens."
Another major preoccupation was the prospect of enduring five storeys of flatulence.
Fengfengaichidou raised the spectre of "the person in front farting, causing those behind him to faint."
But there could be worse scenarios, pointed out Jianxiaoxiaoxiaosuaner: "What if someone pooped on the slide, what would happen to the people behind him?"
The fevered speculation was inevitably a turn-off for some.
"At first I thought it would really be fun, but after reading the comments..." said Honficius, who ended his or her comment with a scared-looking emoji. | A giant five-storey slide recently unveiled in a Shanghai shopping centre has sparked fear and awe on Weibo, the Chinese microblogging site. |
36295865 | Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, she said she was "rather surprised" by the news, which came on Wednesday.
The increased threat level means an attack in England, Scotland or Wales is "a strong possibility".
The level for Northern Ireland-related terrorism in Northern Ireland remains severe.
Mrs Foster said Stormont would have to "work even harder" to fight the threat of terrorism and work "with our neighbours in the Republic".
She said terrorists "use the cover of republicanism to engage in criminality.
"They seek to move us backwards.
"We need to bring stability to Northern Ireland in a way they really don't want to see happening."
When asked about her own experiences during the Troubles, Mrs Foster said she knew "very well what terrorism was all about."
She told Andrew Marr that republican terrorists had "capabilities". She said: "They've shown that by the murder of Adrian Ismay earlier this year." | First Minister Arlene Foster has said the increased threat level from Northern Ireland-related terrorism in great Britain is "alarming". |
29093980 | The boy's family has met medics to discuss plans for him to be sent from Malaga to the Czech Republic for Proton Beam Therapy treatment.
The Proton Therapy Centre has arranged for a medically-equipped private plane to take Ashya, five, from Spain.
Doctors in Prague are to meet on Monday to review Ashya's medical notes and decide whether he can travel.
The family's lawyer, Juan Isidro Fernandez Diaz, said: "He is in perfect condition to travel at the moment.
"He is playing with toys, with his parents, with his brother, and we are preparing the last documentation to travel."
Doctors in Malaga have now seen documents showing the Prague clinic has accepted the five-year-old as a patient.
An expert panel of physicians have agreed to discuss the transportation details and additional treatment needed on Monday at 07:00 BST.
Parents Brett and Naghemeh King were given permission by the High Court to take him to the Czech Republic for Proton Beam Therapy.
The Proton Therapy Centre in Prague said it would be ready to treat Ashya four to five days days after they have carried out further tests and adapted a new treatment plan.
A spokeswoman for the clinic said legal and administrative requirements first had to be met.
Ashya's grandmother, Patricia King, has meanwhile condemned the way his parents have been treated by the British authorities as "inhuman" and "barbaric". | Ashya King is in a "perfect condition" to travel to Prague for specialist treatment, the family lawyer has said. |
38839593 | The 14-time major winner, playing in his first European Tour event after a back injury, faces missing successive cuts after struggling at Torrey Pines.
"I was trying to hit shots and I wasn't doing a good job," said Woods, 41.
"I could have shot something near even par if I would have made some putts but I made nothing."
Starting his opening round on the back nine, Woods got off to a poor start as he found a bunker and bogeyed the par-five opener.
He dropped another shot on the 12th before his approach shot fell short of the 18th green and rolled back into the water, leading to his third bogey of the day.
Woods, who returned to action last December after 15 months out following surgery, had a three-putt bogey on the fifth and missed par from five feet on the sixth.
Woods insisted he had not suffered an injury setback despite climbing awkwardly out of a greenside bunker early on and grimacing as he walked off the tee on his 16th hole.
"No, I wasn't in pain at all," Woods said. "I was just trying to hit shots and I wasn't doing a very good job. At the end I finally hit some good ones but the damage had already been done."
Spain's Garcia said his seven-under-par 65 was "a nice way to start; a good solid round".
He holed six birdies and an eagle to lead by one from Chile's Felipe Aguilar and South Africa's George Coetzee, with England's Ian Poulter a shot further back after a 67. | Tiger Woods failed to card a birdie as he shot a five-over-par 77 to trail leader Sergio Garcia by 12 shots at the Dubai Desert Classic. |
21202473 | In one case, a person in Thurrock has been on the waiting list for 57 years.
Responding to a BBC survey, the district, borough and city councils in Essex said they were working on different ways to cut the waiting list.
Several authorities, including Harlow, Epping Forest and Tendring, are planning to build their first council homes in a generation.
Jay Brown, 39, has been on the housing list in Harlow for more than two years, after his pub business went under and he lost his home.
Mr Brown, who works for a marketing company, considered sleeping in his car, but a friend offered him a place to stay.
Harlow Council placed him on the second-bottom tier of its waiting list, meaning he was considered to have a low level of need.
"The system doesn't work. I've been asking for help for the last couple of years, and people have been asking for a lot longer than me, and you just keep getting knocked back".
The father of five says his housing situation has had a major impact on his life.
"Without my own space and my own independence, all I'm going to do is keep going backwards. It's affected my job. It's affecting relationships with my children and friends. It just puts a strain on everything."
A Harlow Council spokesman says it receives 130 applications for housing every month, and there are far more people wanting homes than the authority can accommodate.
Its situation is far from unique. Data compiled by the BBC shows there are more than 100,930 social homes in Essex, but there are almost half again, 47,233 people, on housing waiting lists. Around 7,880 have been waiting more than five years.
Councils allocate housing on the basis of need, with those considered to have low priority potentially waiting a very long time to get a property.
According to Paul Price, a director at the Association of Retained Council Housing, councils stopped building homes because of a system where the government kept much of the rent it raised.
"The large building that went on in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s just stopped because of the perverse subsidy system".
But Mr Price, who is also the corporate director of Tendring District Council, says this in itself doesn't explain why supply of housing is outstripped by demand.
"We've got more single or smaller house-holds, so larger numbers of people wanting housing. You see a lot of people coming on to the waiting list who want social housing rather than need it."
A change in the rules allowing councils to keep more of the rent they raise from their own stock has meant some authorities are now building new council homes for the first time in a generation.
In December, Thurrock Council opened 16 flats in Corringham.
At the moment, there are 5,426 people on the social housing list in the borough.
The Labour leader of the council John Kent says even though it plans to build around 200 new homes every year for the next five years, that won't be enough to meet demand on its own.
"Clearly that won't meet the full need, so we need to work with our partners in housing associations to help bring forward other forms of social housing.
"We also need to work with developers as they develop private housing in the borough to get an element of that as social housing, or other forms of affordable housing. It's not a 'one size fits all' solution." | About 8,000 people have been on social housing lists in Essex for more than five years, it has emerged. |
33085446 | O'Neill, his assistant Roy Keane and three other management team members suffered minor injuries after Tuesday's incident on the M50 motorway in Dublin.
"We're fine, we're fine, I'll survive anyway," said O'Neill, 63.
All five were present at Wednesday's training session before Saturday's Euro 2016 qualifier with Scotland.
O'Neill's coaches Steve Walford, Steve Guppy and Seamus McDonagh were also in the car on Tuesday.
They were treated by team doctor Alan Byrne, and were back on the training pitch at Gannon Park in Malahide as the Republic stepped up preparations for Saturday's vital tie.
"We just got shunted from the back," O'Neill said.
"I speak for myself, but I'm feeling not too bad."
Asked if the incident had been scary, O'Neill added after a pause: "Yeah, but listen, we're fine."
Team captain Robbie Keane, who flew into Dublin after playing for club LA Galaxy on Saturday evening, trained with his team-mates, as did defender John O'Shea, who complained of a tight calf muscle in the wake of Sunday's 0-0 friendly draw with England.
"Keane had a long flight and I don't think he was expecting to play the full game, but he stayed on the field as they were losing.
"But he's feeling not so bad now. It might take him a day to get sorted out, but he's not too bad.
"John trained this morning, which is great, and he's feeling much, much better. He felt a bit uncomfortable on Monday, but he trained and he's okay."
However, there is less encouraging news for midfielder Harry Arter, who is a doubt for the weekend as he has hip and groin injuries, which he suffered during his debut as a substitute on Sunday. | Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill said he is "fine" after returning to the training ground hours after being involved in a car crash. |
40497167 | A yellow warning of rain has been issued by the Met Office until 02:00 on Friday.
Forecasters said the storms might miss many places, but where they do develop, intense downpours are likely.
They have warned it could bring the threat of sudden flooding to roads and property and affect travel. Lightning and hail are also possible. | Forecasters have warned of thunderstorms across north east Wales on Thursday. |
30530532 | The 34-year-old hit four sixes and two fours, while Sussex's Luke Wright made 45 off 37 balls in a total of 148-7.
But Tim Ludeman hit the fastest Big Bash fifty, off 18 balls, making 92 as Adelaide won by eight wickets.
Pietersen led the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League this year but was released when they finished bottom.
He made 294 runs in 11 games at an average of 29.40, with a highest score of 58.
In February, he was told he would no longer be selected by England. | Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen scored 66 from 46 balls for Melbourne Stars in the first match of the Australian Big Bash Twenty20 season. |
25726118 | Danny Rubin, who wrote the film script, and Matilda director Matthew Warchus, will also be on board.
Minchin, who revealed the news on his blog, said: "Our version of Groundhog Day is going to be both instantly recognisable, and utterly different."
The 1993 film, starring Bill Murray, is considered to be a comedy classic.
It tells the story of a grumpy weatherman who is sent to a small town to do a weather report and gets stuck in a time loop, having to live the same day over and over again until he learns how to be a better person.
Minchin wrote: "The central conceit is perfectly suited to the theatre... it has the potential to be complex, dark, visually fascinating, and thematically rich, whilst still being a joyous romantic comedy with cool tunes and lots of gags.
"It's certainly not an easy job, and I'm truly honoured - and genuinely excited - that Danny is letting me have a crack at it."
US comedy
He added that Stephen Sondheim had considered adapting Groundhog Day for the stage a few years ago but "it got put on the back burner, and he is now happy that we're making a go of it. We have Steve's blessing - and it's a blessing I value enormously."
The comedian added that he hoped Groundhog Day would be on the stage in a couple of years but did not reveal where.
He has already written two ballads for the musical which he showcased at a gig in London late last year but did not reveal what the songs were in relation to.
Minchin's Matilda has been playing at the Cambridge Theatre in London's West End since October 2011, winning great critical acclaim and many accolades, including seven Laurence Olivier awards. Matilda opened in Broadway's Shubert Theatre in April 2013 - it won four Tony Awards last year, having received 12 nominations.
Last year, Minchin starred as Judas Iscariot in the arena tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical Jesus Christ Superstar, and recently filmed his role as rock star Atticus Fetch for the sixth series of US TV comedy drama Californication. | Comedian Tim Minchin, who wrote the music and lyrics for West End hit Matilda, is working on a musical adaptation of the film Groundhog Day. |
34240869 | Hilary Benn will be shadow foreign secretary in the new Labour leader's first shadow cabinet.
Lord Falconer will be shadow justice secretary, Angela Eagle will be shadow business secretary and Lewisham MP Heidi Alexander will oversee health.
Chuka Umunna said he was leaving the front bench by "mutual agreement".
Mary Creagh, shadow international development secretary, said she was also returning to the backbenches.
Ms Eagle was also announced as shadow first secretary of state and will deputise for Mr Corbyn at Prime Minister's Questions when David Cameron is away.
Seema Malhotra has been named shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, while Diane Abbott - a high-profile supporter of Mr Corbyn - is shadow minister for international development.
It was confirmed earlier that Rosie Winterton will continue as chief whip and Ian Murray will continue as shadow Scottish secretary.
BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said Mr Corbyn has achieved part of his first goal as leader - to include people from the centre of the party, including well-known names.
But our correspondent added many MPs will find the appointment of Mr McDonnell - a key ally of Mr Corbyn on the left - "very hard to stomach".
In other developments:
Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson had urged MPs to back Mr Corbyn.
But the other leadership candidates Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall, as well as Ms Creagh, Tristram Hunt, Rachel Reeves, Chris Leslie, Jamie Reed, Emma Reynolds and Shabana Mahmood said they would not serve in Mr Corbyn's shadow cabinet.
Ms Cooper will, however, chair a new party taskforce on refugees.
Mr Umunna - who pulled out of the leadership race days after declaring his candidacy earlier this year - described leaving the shadow cabinet as one of the most difficult "personal political decisions" he has had to make.
"Whilst there is much on which Jeremy and I agree, there are a number of key points of difference on policy which I believe it would be dishonest to deny exist," he said.
He added he would "find it difficult to abide by the collective responsibility" of being in the shadow cabinet - "not least on the European referendum".
Mr Corbyn has said he is not content with the EU as it stands, but wants to stay to fight for a "better Europe". He had previously refused to rule out campaigning to leave.
Few MPs backed Mr Corbyn in the leadership contest - which he won with 59% of the vote - but his deputy Mr Watson told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show there was "zero chance of a coup".
He did however concede that he had differences with Mr Corbyn over the leader's desire to scrap the Trident nuclear deterrent and take the UK out of Nato.
But he said his message for those refusing to serve in the shadow cabinet was "there's always someone else that can do a front bench job".
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The Jeremy Corbyn Story | Jeremy Corbyn has named John McDonnell shadow chancellor and defeated leadership candidate Andy Burnham shadow home secretary. |
36485024 | The Flybe service from Glasgow to Belfast on 16 December 2014 made an emergency landing when its left engine caught fire.
Some of the 76 passengers sustained minor injuries escaping the plane.
The fire was extinguished by firefighters at Belfast International Airport.
A report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said a cracked washer on the aircraft's Pratt and Whitney Canada PW150A turboprop engine became loose, causing the oil pump to fail.
This resulted in the engine overheating and a fire starting.
The pilots on the Bombardier DHC-8-402 plane noticed a warning light and audio warning during the flight to Belfast City Airport.
After feeling a "judder through the airframe" they began to turn the aircraft back towards Scotland.
Passengers and cabin crew heard three "whooshing" noises and saw a large blue flame coming from the engine.
After a fire warning sounded again, the pilots diverted to the nearest airfield, Belfast International Airport.
The report said some passengers had to jump to the ground after the plane made an emergency landing because rear exits were not equipped with slides.
A number fell, receiving "minor cuts and bruises".
No-one was seriously injured. | Accident investigators have said an engine fire which forced an aircraft to make an emergency landing was caused by an oil supply failure. |
37677187 | The top 10 novels in the survey included contemporary and classic works by authors born or based in Scotland.
The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks was placed second, followed by Lanark by Alasdair Gray and The Thirty Nine Steps by John Buchan.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling was also commended.
The results of the public vote, conducted by BBC Scotland in partnership with The Scottish Book Trust and The Scottish Library and Information Council, were announced in a special programme presented by Kirsty Wark.
Over the summer, online voters chose from a list of 30 novels which were selected by a literary panel curated by the Scottish Book Trust.
1 Sunset Song by Lewis Grassic Gibbon
2 The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks
3 Lanark by Alasdair Gray
4 The Thirty Nine Steps by John Buchan
5 The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
6 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling
7 Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh
8 Knots & Crosses by Ian Rankin
9 The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
10 The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner by James Hogg
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon championed Sunset Song as her favourite novel in Monday evening's programme.
She said: "I first read Sunset Song when I was in my early teens, so maybe 13 or 14.
"It resonated with me firstly because it is a wonderful story, beautifully written, but it also said something about the history of the country I grew up in and it resonated with me very strongly as a young Scottish woman, and I think its themes are timeless to this day."
Published in 1932, Sunset Song is the first part of Grassic Gibbon's trilogy A Scots Quair.
It tells the story of a young woman, Chris Guthrie, growing up on a farm in the fictional estate of Kinraddie in the north east of Scotland at a time of major change for rural life in the early part of the 20th Century.
Other advocates in the programme included Tam Dean Burn for Lanark, Evelyn Glennie for The Thirty Nine Steps, Susan Calman for Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone, Sanjeev Kohli for Trainspotting and Gary Lewis for The Private Memories and Confessions of a Justified Sinner.
Pauline Law, executive producer of arts at the BBC, said: "Within the top 10, there are many great classics of Scottish literature and they range, from crime writing to social commentary, from fantasy to gritty realism, and from the historical to the contemporary.
"From the feedback we've had, the poll certainly seems to have provoked discussion about Scottish literature." | Sunset Song by Lewis Grassic Gibbon has been voted Scotland's favourite book in a poll for the BBC's Love To Read campaign. |
38643330 | The capital side have left Murrayfield to play their home games for the second half of the season in the more intimate surroundings of Watsonians' ground.
The new venture begins on Friday against Romanian side Timisoara Saracens in the European Challenge Cup.
"This will be even better than Scotstoun," Irvine told BBC Scotland.
"Glasgow have created a great atmosphere and a great support, and benefited hugely from that.
"This potentially could be even better because the players will be even closer to the spectators. There's no running track in between them and that makes a massive difference."
Temporary stands will initially give Myreside a capacity of just over 5,500 for Edinburgh's matches, though they may opt to move a European quarter-final back to Murrayfield if victory on Friday secures a home draw in the last eight.
A decision will then be taken on whether to continue at the ground next season, while Murrayfield, which holds 67,144, can still be used for the annual derby with Glasgow and bigger European ties.
Former Scotland and British & Irish Lions full-back Irvine, Edinburgh's chairman, believes Myreside "definitely has the potential to be a long-term solution" and can improve the side's on-field fortunes.
"Potentially the capacity might get to 7,000 or 8,000," he said. "I genuinely think we have a better chance of success here because of the atmosphere.
"If we start to win more games, you will get more people along and I would like to think within a few years we will play often to a packed house."
Glasgow, Pro12 champions in 2015, attracted 7,351 fans to Scotstoun for Saturday's narrow Champions Cup defeat by Munster.
"I personally think Edinburgh can match and probably surpass Glasgow when it comes to the potential for rugby support," added Irvine, who played against the All Blacks, Australia, Fiji and Romania at Myreside during his own career.
"Historically, it is only over the last 10 years that Glasgow have really outstripped Edinburgh in support. They have managed to do that because they have a great facility at Scotstoun, and Firhill before that.
"Edinburgh have been crying out for a smaller stadium for years. It has taken 20 years to get to this stage but I am 100% behind the move. I genuinely think it will make a massive difference.
"It will be a much better product to watch, a much better atmosphere, and I think the players will benefit as well. It is a tight pitch, they will be very close to the crowd and you do get inspired when the crowd gets behind you."
Managing director Jonny Petrie also believes Edinburgh "can and should be" emulating the regular capacity crowds the Warriors attract to Scotstoun.
"They've done enormously well. It's a fantastic atmosphere at Scotstoun and they get great crowds there," said the former Glasgow and Scotland back-rower.
"I think what they've worked hard to do is to attract a new audience to watch rugby and we'll be doing that here as well. But equally there is a huge latent rugby audience in Edinburgh. It is a rugby city."
Petrie hopes their next two Pro12 games in particular - against Munster on 3 February, the evening before Scotland play Ireland in the Six Nations, and Cardiff Blues on 24 February, the day before Scotland host Wales, will bring bumper crowds to Myreside.
"There are always opportunities to take the big matches back to Murrayfield, but as much as possible we want to create a home for ourselves here," he told BBC Scotland.
"It's important that we play somewhere that we can sell out and also helps us create a bit of an identity as a club.
"We want to create somewhere that's a lot more intimidating for opposition teams, with a bit of a raw atmosphere." | Myreside can be "even better" than Glasgow's Scotstoun home in helping Edinburgh create a vibrant atmosphere, believes Scotland legend Andy Irvine. |
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