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The index rose to 55.9 last month from 54.9 in October, putting the figure well above the 50 mark that separates expansion from contraction.
The data offsets weaker PMI manufacturing and construction surveys published earlier this week.
Markit's composite PMI, combining all the data, was steady at 55.7.
But this was still its highest reading since July.
Markit's chief economist Chris Williamson said: "A welcome upturn in service sector expansion helped counter slower growth in manufacturing and construction in November, suggesting the UK continues to enjoy the 'Goldilocks' scenario of solid economic growth and low inflation.
"The rate of job creation remained resiliently robust in November despite widespread difficulties finding suitable staff and worries about the introduction of the National Living Wage, in turn leading to reports of rising wages.
"For now, falling oil and energy costs are offsetting rising wage growth and keeping a lid on inflationary pressures, but the upturn in earnings growth raises question marks over just how long inflation, and therefore interest rates, will remain low."
Mr Williamson said that, taken together, the three PMI surveys indicated that the UK's economy would grow by 0.6% in the fourth quarter of the year, up from 0.5% in the three months to September. | Growth across the UK's services sector was at its fastest in four months in November, according to the latest Markit purchasing managers' index. | 34993661 |
The 32-year-old defender, who joined from local rivals Nottingham Forest in 2012, has a year to run on the three-year deal he signed in 2014.
Morgan told BBC East Midlands Today: "I love it here and would love to stay.
"But now I am focusing on what we can achieve as a group and trying to get over that finishing line."
Morgan added: "First and foremost I need to concentrate on the pitch and see what happens after that."
The Foxes have 53 points and are two points clear at the top of the table with 12 games remaining.
North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham have 51 points, with Manchester City in fourth place on 47 points. | Leicester City captain Wes Morgan says he has not started talks about a new contract but is eager to extend his time with the Premier League leaders. | 35611283 |
The police community support officer (PCSO) was driving with his wife when he saw the two-year-old in Shobnall Road, Burton-upon-Trent, police said.
The girl told him she could not wake her mother, Nicolla Rushton, and led him to her inside their home.
The 30-year-old's death is not being treated as suspicious.
The officer, who is not being named, stayed with the girl until the emergency services arrived.
Ch Insp Steve Maskrey, from Staffordshire Police, praised the officer and the community for helping police following the discovery on 6 January.
"This is a brilliant piece of work by him that shows that we are never off-duty," he said.
"The officer and his wife took the time to look after the little girl and stay with her until emergency services arrived. Sadly, nothing could be done to help the woman.
"My thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased at this difficult time."
The girl is now being cared for by family.
An inquest into Ms Rushton's death is expected to take place in due course. | A toddler led an off-duty police officer to the body of her mother after he spotted her walking on her own to nursery. | 35298346 |
Her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, took to Twitter to list Malala's grades which include A*s in GCSE and iGCSE maths.
"My wife Toor Pekai and I are proud of Malala getting 6A*s and 4As. #education for every child," wrote Mr Yousafzai.
Malala was shot by the Taliban after writing a diary about life under their rule in North-West Pakistan.
Last year, she became the youngest person ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
The 18-year-old, who now attends Edgbaston High School in Birmingham, did particularly well in the sciences, with top A* grades in biology, chemistry and physics - as well as in religious studies.
She also scored As in history, geography, English language and English literature.
Malala first came to public attention through her anonymous diary, published on the BBC's Urdu website, in which she chronicled her desire for girls in Pakistan to have the chance of an education.
At the time, scores of girls' schools were being destroyed by militants in the Swat valley where she lived.
She survived being shot in the head by a Taliban gunman in October 2012 and was eventually flown to the UK for treatment and rehabilitation.
Profile: Malala Yousafzai
Malala: The girl who was shot for going to school | Among those celebrating exam success is girls' education campaigner, Malala Yousafzai who gained a string of As and A*s in her GCSEs. | 34016407 |
The 20-year-old left-arm seamer has played two Tests, nine one-day internationals and 10 T20s for the national side.
Mustafizur will be available for the whole tournament, subject to his commitments with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League.
He will become the first Bangladesh international to play for Sussex.
"He is a cricketer with incredible ability and is currently one of the bright young talents of world cricket," Sussex head coach Mark Davis said.
"His unorthodox bowling variations make him a very difficult customer to bat against, and he will be a brilliant addition to our team."
Mustafizur, who has taken 27 wickets in 20 T20 matches at an average of 16.11 and has an economy rate of 5.66 runs an over, will also be eligible to play for Sussex in the One-Day Cup.
He is in the Bangladesh squad for the ICC World Twenty20 in India, which begins on 8 March.
Sussex previously signed New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor as their overseas player for the first half of the 2016 season. | Sussex have signed Bangladesh bowler Mustafizur Rahman as their second overseas player for the T20 Blast. | 35702751 |
The sporting complex hosts cricket, rugby league and rugby union fixtures.
Council leader Judith Blake said the deal would secure top-level international matches at Headingley.
As part of the deal, the council would lease the ground from the investor and sub-let it to Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Leeds Rhinos.
Leeds Rhinos has also pledged £5m toward the cost of the redevelopment.
The council had withdrawn a £4m grant from the work, leaving Yorkshire County Cricket Club facing being unable to host international matches after 2019.
However, Ms Blake said this was the best solution for all parties.
"When you take into account the significant economic benefits top-class rugby and cricket matches bring to the city and region, we could not stand by and do nothing to protect its international sporting status," she said.
She added the full cost of the redevelopment would be met by the clubs as part of the lease deal.
Headingley consists of a cricket stadium and rugby ground, with a shared two-sided stand linking the facilities.
The plan includes a new south stand on the rugby ground and a replacement shared stand.
The deal, which was approved earlier by the council's executive board, is due to get final approval in June, with work starting in September. | Leeds City Council has agreed to broker a £35m deal with a private investor to redevelop Headingley rugby and cricket stadiums. | 39645271 |
The acting head of the border service told the BBC that the armed men had first killed the head of the hunting department in the area.
Raimberdi Duishenbiev said the group also used explosives and torched some buildings in the north-eastern Issykul region.
He said they were killed after refusing to give themselves up.
Kyrgyzstan, in Central Asia, became independent in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
"According to our information a border guard in the Pikretik area called the military base and reported the sighting of 10-12 unknown people," Mr Duishenbiev said.
"When the military reached the area it was established that there were 11 of them. The unknown group had knifed the head of the hunting department to death."
Mr Duishenbiev said shooting broke out and two members of the group were killed.
"The group hid in buildings. Soon 10 border guards... arrived and ordered the remaining nine members of the group to surrender. But they responded with shooting and therefore all of them were eliminated."
Mr Duishenbiev said preliminary investigations suggested the armed suspects may have been ethnic Uighurs from neighbouring China. However, the claim cannot be independently verified.
Gulnara Kasmambetova of BBC Kyrgyz says other reports have speculated that the group might have been poachers or connected to the drugs trade.
Kyrgyzstan lies on a trafficking route for narcotics from Afghanistan. | Kyrgyzstan officials say troops have killed 11 members of an unidentified criminal group near the Chinese border. | 25872528 |
The Winifred engine, which began its working life at the Penrhyn Quarry in Bethesda, has been restored by Bala Lake Railway.
Railway enthusiast Mr Waterman performed the re-launch at Llanuwchllyn Station on what is the engine's 130th anniversary.
Winifred will now be used to pull people in carriages rather than slate. | Music mogul Pete Waterman has re-launched a steam engine which first worked in a north Wales quarry in 1885. | 32252349 |
A selection of your pictures of Scotland sent in between 16 and 23 June. Send your photos to [email protected] or via Instagram at #bbcscotlandpics | All pictures are copyrighted. | 40354149 |
He has been with the Latics since 2014 when he joined from Colchester and is their longest-serving player.
The right-back, 34, has also played for Bristol City and Cheltenham after coming through the Stoke youth system.
"We know we need to improve on the goalscoring side of things and hopefully with the right additions, we can push on," he told the club website. | Oldham Athletic full-back Brian Wilson has signed a new one-year deal with the League One side. | 40125744 |
Two men, both aged 32, were injured in separate gun attacks in Newry between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
Detectives detained three men after searching a house in Coalisland in County Tyrone on Friday.
The men, aged 20, 27 and 31, were arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, attempted murder and possession of a firearm.
A 26-year-old man who was arrested in Dungannon in County Tyrone on Thursday remains in custody.
Another man, aged 28, who was also arrested on Thursday, has been released on bail pending further inquiries. | Three men have been arrested by police investigating two shootings in County Down. | 34297862 |
The 9,000-seater Barclaycard Arena, formerly known as the National Indoor Arena, will host the three-day tie from 4-6 March.
Depending on the outcome of next week's final against Belgium in Ghent, Britain could playing for the first time since 1937 as defending champions.
Birmingham will be hosting a Davis Cup tie for the seventh time.
Since Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski played in the memorable 3-2 defeat by the United States in 1999, matches have been held at the NIA five further times, most recently when The Netherlands were beaten 4-1 in 2007.
"We are delighted to be heading to Birmingham for the first round of our 2016 Davis Cup campaign," said captain Leon Smith. "It is a city with a great sporting history that has hosted some incredible Davis Cup ties in the past.
"Japan will be a tough contest but I'm sure the Birmingham fans will get right behind us and make as much noise as they can."
British number one Andy Murray has said he hopes to play whatever the outcome in Ghent, despite the date coming shortly after the scheduled birth of his first child in February.
Should Murray play, there is the exciting prospect of a clash with last year's US Open finalist Kei Nishikori, the world number eight.
It will be the first time Great Britain have faced Japan in Davis Cup since 1931, with the winners set to meet either Kazakhstan or Serbia in the quarter-finals. | Great Britain's Davis Cup team will return to Birmingham for next year's first round tie against Japan. | 34880894 |
Tylicki has had spinal surgery and has movement in the upper half of his body but not lower as the result of a T7 paralysis.
He suffered a heavy fall while riding Nellie Dean in Monday's 15:20 GMT race.
"Freddy remains in intensive care and is not receiving any visitors for the foreseeable future," said Lisa Hancock of the Injured Jockeys' Fund.
Tylicki is being treated at St George's Hospital in Tooting, south London.
Hancock added: "His family would like to thank the St George's staff for the care he has received. As this is a very difficult time for Freddy and his family, they would like to thank everyone for their good wishes, and for continuing to respect their privacy."
Champion flat jockey Jim Crowley suffered a broken nose in the incident, and jockeys Steve Drowne and Ted Durcan were also unseated.
Nellie Dean appeared to clip heels with leader and eventual winner Madame Butterfly as the field rounded the home turn.
Crowley and Electrify were racing immediately behind and were brought down, as was Drowne's mount Skara Mae. Durcan was also caught up in the melee and was unseated from Sovrano Dolce.
The horses involved were not reported to be seriously injured.
Retired 20-time champion jump jockey AP McCoy was among those who gave their support to Tylicki on social media. | Jockey Freddy Tylicki is paralysed from the waist down after a fall in a four-horse pile-up at Kempton on Monday. | 37878786 |
Modern Rome - Campo Vaccino sold in five minutes with six bidders battling for the work which has only come up for sale once before, Sotheby's said.
The previous record was the £20.5m paid in 2006 for Venice painting Giudecca, La Donna della Salute and San Giorgio.
Modern Rome, which had an estimate of £12m-£18m, was the top seller at the Old Master and British Paintings sale.
Other highlights included Dutch artist Jan Lievens' study of the head and shoulders of an old bearded man wearing a cap (circa 1629), which brought £2.5m against an estimate of £2-3m.
Painted in 1839, Modern Rome - Campo Vaccino shows Turner at his "absolute best" and was bought by a London dealer on behalf of The J Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles.
Prior to Wednesday's sale, the painting had only appeared on the open market once in the 171 years since it was painted.
It was offered for sale at Sotheby's by a descendant of the 5th Earl of Rosebery, who bought the painting in 1878 while on honeymoon with his wife Hannah Rothschild, and it had remained in his family collection ever since.
The painting has been on loan to the National Galleries of Scotland for the last 30 years.
David Moore-Gwyn, deputy chairman, UK and senior specialist in British Paintings at Sotheby's, said: "Turner's Modern Rome - Campo Vaccino has achieved a tremendous and much-deserved result this evening.
"This breathtaking image shows the artist at his absolute best and, for collectors, it ticked all the boxes - quality, superb condition, provenance and freshness-to-the-market.
"Over the last few months it has been wonderful to observe the response that the painting has received from collectors who come from all over the world." | An 1839 Turner masterpiece of a view of Rome has sold for £29.7m in London, breaking the artist's auction record. | 10549980 |
Kasar Jehangir, 24, and Adil Aftab, 22, reached speeds of 130mph (209kmph) as they were pursued on the M6 near Walsall.
"Clouds of brown dust" billowed from their Audi as it wove across lanes undertaking cars, Birmingham Crown Court heard.
They were each sentenced to three years for possession with intent to supply.
More updates on this and other stories in Staffordshire
The southbound carriageway of the M6 between junctions nine at Wednesbury and seven at Great Barr in the West Midlands was closed to recover the drug, Staffordshire Police said.
Officers estimate the pair threw about 1kg (2.2lbs) of the drug out of the car.
They recovered about 34.2 grams which when tested was of 58% purity.
Anthony McKenzie from the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) said the incident in the early hours of 18 July last year was "a significant and time consuming operation".
Jehangir pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court on the first day of his trial on 31 October.
His 36-month sentence will run concurrent to an 11-month sentence he is already serving for dangerous driving, a charge he admitted and was dealt with in January.
Aftab, from Seacroft Avenue in Yardley, Birmingham pleaded guilty to his charges in July.
Supt Elliot Sharrard-Williams, from Staffordshire Police said: "Our colleagues at CMPG pursued the vehicle and not only safely brought the occupants into custody, but enabled a significant amount of heroin to be recovered.
"These sentences should yet again send a strong message to anyone who thinks it is acceptable to peddle drugs within our county." | Two drug dealers who flung heroin out of their car on to a motorway as they fled from police have been jailed. | 37954990 |
Telmo Zarra's 251 goals had been the record since 1955 but Messi, 27, is now up to 253 La Liga strikes following Saturday's hat-trick in the 5-1 win over Sevilla.
"He's a unique player - there'll never be anyone like him and we're lucky to enjoy his presence here," Enrique said.
"I think he will leave the record unreachable for anyone else."
Enrique added: "Zarra beat it in an age when there were more forwards than defenders."
The next highest La Liga scorer still playing is Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo with 197, although he is two years older than Argentina forward Messi. | Lionel Messi's Spanish goalscoring record will never be beaten, according to Barcelona coach Luis Enrique. | 30165949 |
The clip, said to have been filmed in the city of Mosul, in northern Iraq, is the first footage of John Cantlie to emerge in more than a year.
In the footage, Mr Cantlie ridicules US attempts to destroy IS.
The Foreign Office said it was "looking at the contents of this latest propaganda video".
Mr Cantlie was last seen in a similar video in Syria in February 2015.
Like the latest film, it also had him addressing the camera as if he was presenting a television report.
Mr Cantlie, who is originally from Hampshire, has seen his work appear in the Sunday Times, the Sun and the Sunday Telegraph.
He has been held captive in Syria twice. After being kidnapped in July 2012, he escaped with help from the Free Syrian Army.
He was then kidnapped for a second time when he returned to the country towards the end of 2012. It is believed he was with US journalist James Foley, who was later killed.
Last month, Mr Cantlie's supporters set up a petition on Parliament's website urging the government to ensure his safe release. | A video has appeared online apparently showing a British photojournalist who was taken hostage in Syria by so-called Islamic State in 2012. | 35851522 |
Marcell Seeley, 34, was found dead in his ground floor flat at Dingwell Park in Taghnaven, at about lunchtime on Tuesday.
A 24-year-old man was arrested in Craigavon on Wednesday.
It is understood Mr Seeley's body had been in the flat for a number of days and that his mother discovered him.
Police have appealed for anyone who saw anything unusual in the Dingwell Park area in recent days to contact them. | The death of a man in Craigavon, County Armagh, is now being treated as murder, police have said. | 34535472 |
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Of the 23 England Lionesses that finished third overall in Canada, 17 made league appearances on Sunday.
A new club-record crowd of 2,102 saw Manchester City beat Birmingham City 1-0 at the Academy Stadium.
The average attendance of Sunday's WSL 1 games was 78% higher than the average for the first half of the 2015 season.
The 2,061 who saw Liverpool win 3-1 at Arsenal was more than two-and-a-half times the crowd for the Gunners' last home game.
Meanwhile, more than 1,200 fans watched Chelsea beat Bristol Academy 4-1 at Staines Town, while nearly 1,000 people were at the Hetton Centre to see Sunderland snatch a late win over Notts County.
The results saw Chelsea extend their lead at the top of WSL 1 to five points, while Manchester City and Liverpool's wins mean there are now just four points separating second and sixth.
South Korea forward Ji So-Yun was among the goalscorers for Chelsea, who have won five of their seven league games so far.
England midfielder Fara Williams' long-range strike opened the scoring for Liverpool, as they secured their first away points of the season.
Lionesses forward Toni Duggan gave Man City their second league win of 2015, while Birmingham remain winless so far, along with bottom-club Bristol.
Beth Mead's stoppage-time strike moved Sunderland up to third - continuing the Lady Black Cats' impressive start to life in WSL 1 after their promotion last year. | Record crowds turned out to watch Women's Super League sides as stars of the World Cup returned to domestic action with their clubs. | 33501771 |
Spieth, the Masters and US Open champion in 2015, mixed four birdies with a bogey and a double bogey for a one-under-par 69 on Friday, moving to eight under par overall.
One shot behind him is countryman Troy Merritt, who shot a two-under-par 68.
But Rory McIlroy's struggles continued with five bogeys and two birdies in a three-over-par 73.
Northern Ireland's four-time major winner trails Spieth by eight shots at River Highlands but made the cut by a shot.
Ireland's Padraig Harrington scored two birdies and one bogey for a one-under-par 69 and remains three shots behind Spieth.
While England's Paul Casey finished on two under par with 68 and is one shot further back overall. | American Jordan Spieth leads by one shot after the second round of the Travelers Championship in Connecticut. | 40389298 |
The deal, which follows years of negotiations with the estate of the late Lady Mairi Bury, will increase the size of the attraction ten-fold.
It will lead to the opening up of 20 miles of walking trails, as well as the restoration of Georgian buildings.
It comes as a £7.5m project to restore the stately home nears completion.
The trust hopes the renovation, together with the land purchase, will boost annual visitor numbers from 160,000 to 250,000.
The charity has acquired rolling parkland and woodland which make up the historic demesne of the famous house and gardens near the shore of Strangford Lough.
The purchase reunites the house with its demesne, decades after the gardens and house were gifted to the National Trust.
Lady Bury, who died in 2009, was the youngest daughter of the 7th Marquess of Londonderry. The family had owned Mount Stewart since 1740.
Jon Kerr, the trust manager at Mount Stewart, said: "In time, visitors will be able to explore extensive woodland, previously unseen walled gardens, farmland and a range of historic monuments and buildings."
The trust said if it had not bought the land, there was the prospect of development activity.
"At a number of points, we were not sure we were going to be successful," said Mr Kerr.
"We just could not miss the opportunity to secure it for the people of Northern Ireland." | The National Trust has bought 900 acres of land surrounding the historic Mount Stewart house and gardens in County Down at a cost of £4m. | 30886790 |
24 April 2017 Last updated at 08:04 BST
Today she breaks the record for the most days spent in space by any US astronaut.
Peggy adds that record to other achievements, including completing more spacewalks than any other female astronaut.
Here's Martin on five ways that Peggy Whitson is wowing us all! | Peggy Whitson is the awesome American astronaut who can't stop breaking records. | 39520024 |
Henry did not to return to his home at the castle following an afternoon display for visitors at Warwick Castle last Saturday.
But he flew back of his own accord on Friday, during another of the castle's bird displays.
A castle spokesman said Henry was safe and sound and reunited with his mum, Sydney.
He added it was not unusual for young birds of preys to stretch their wings and go exploring and that Henry seemed to be largely unbothered by his adventures. | A young bald eagle, which vanished following a birds of prey display, has flown back to his nest after six days. | 37069625 |
The letter, which is on Kensington Palace headed note paper, was sent to humanitarian campaigner Dilys Cheetham.
The Princess of Wales thanks Mrs Cheetham for delivering aid to refugee camps in the Mostar area of Bosnia.
The note, which is hand signed and dated 11 August 1997, will be sold at Fellows Auctioneers on Monday.
The letter was written after Princess Diana had returned from visiting Bosnia as part of her campaign to help landmine victims.
She died on 31 August 1997 in a car crash in Paris.
The letter says: "I could not help but be deeply moved by the experience which hardened my resolve to ensure that the world does not forget that those who have been so needlessly maimed by these terrible weapons will need care and support for many years to come."
The note was originally sold by Mrs Cheetham in a charity auction in 1999 and bought by celebrity photographer Jason Fraser.
He sold it to a private British collector in 2007 on the 10th anniversary of her death.
The auctioneers said it was expected to fetch £3,000. | The last official letter written by Princess Diana three weeks before she died is expected to be sold for £3,000 at auction in Birmingham. | 27170409 |
The second round was only completed on Saturday after play was suspended the previous day because of high winds.
Garcia moved to 12 under at the halfway stage, then added six birdies and two bogeys in a four-under 68 to be 16 under, three clear of Henrik Stenson.
Three players are yet to complete the final two holes of their third rounds.
Jason Scrivener, Gregory Bourdy and Bradley Dredge will resume at 04:30 GMT on Sunday, with the final round - a two-tee start - beginning 90 minutes later.
Garcia, 37, finished his third round with a birdie at his 31st hole of the day, and later said he "couldn't really see much on the last three shots".
His last victory on the European Tour was at the Qatar Masters in 2014.
Open champion Stenson shot a five-under 67 in the third round, as did Ian Poulter, who is a further two shots off the pace in a tie with Thailand's Prom Meesawat.
England's Tyrrell Hatton carded the best round of the day, a seven-under-par 65, to sit tied for seventh on nine under. | Spain's Sergio Garcia remained three shots clear in the Dubai Desert Classic when the delayed third round was stopped because of darkness. | 38868643 |
The play is a loose adaptation of Moliere's 17th Century tragi-comedy Don Juan that transports the legendary womaniser to contemporary London.
The production, which Marber will direct, will run at the Wyndham's Theatre from 17 March to 10 June.
The original 2006 production starred Rhys Ifans in the title role and was directed by Michael Grandage.
The play drew a good review from the Telegraph's Charles Spencer, who described it as "savagely funny, disturbingly dark and disgracefully sexy".
Tennant previously performed at the Wyndham's in 2011, playing Benedick in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing.
He recently played Richard II with the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Barbican, moving to New York with the production earlier this year.
The former Doctor Who actor played another famous womaniser, Casanova, in a 2005 BBC TV series.
Further Don Juan in Soho casting will be announced at a later date.
Follow us on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, on Instagram at bbcnewsents, or if you have a story suggestion email [email protected]. | David Tennant is to return to the West End next year to play the title role in Patrick Marber's Don Juan in Soho. | 37852057 |
The 27-year-old from Neath has taken up the exercise regime to help him relax.
He had a stressful match against England's Glover, trailing three times before winning through.
"It was nice to get over the line after losing twice in the first round - I want to have a good UK because it is the second biggest event," he said.
Jones will return to Wales before his second round match against either Xiao Guodong of China or Thailand's Noppon Saengkam on Sunday.
He said his training schedule includes running, weight training and the form of yoga where the stretches are performed in a room heated to as much as 40 degrees celsius.
"To be honest it's making me relaxed," he added.
"I've only been doing it for two weeks now. They're all in the room praying and I'm just there trying to do a couple of stretches - you never know, maybe it will do my snooker a bit of good."
Two other Welshmen were knocked out on the opening day of the tournament.
Michael White was pipped 6-5 by Sidney Wilson while Gareth Allen was thrashed 6-1 by Liang Wenbo. | Welsh player Jamie Jones will return home to do some hot yoga after his 6-4 first round win over Ian Glover in the UK Snooker Championship. | 34917875 |
One man in the car was confirmed dead at the scene while the second died shortly afterwards.
The crash took place in Brettell Lane in Brierley Hill, West Midlands, shortly before midnight on Wednesday.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said nothing could be done to save one of the men in the car. The second man was brought out of the car but his condition deteriorated.
Police said the blue Citroen ZX had hit a wall outside the Nail and Tanning Studio.
Officers are trying to establish how the accident happened and are asking for anyone with information to contact them. | Two men, aged 34 and 28, were killed when a car crashed into a wall. | 35151071 |
Workers from North Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, Teesside, Scotland and Wales are among 10,000 people in Europe taking part in the demonstration.
They are demanding cheaper Chinese steel be halted coming into the EU.
Tata Steel announced in April that it looked to sell its UK business, but decided to pause the process in July.
Unions said the industry has also been hit by new laws and rules that increased operating costs for steel plants.
Unite national officer Harish Patel said the protest involved members from Tata Steel, which owns plants in Dalzell, Hartlepool, Port Talbot, Rotherham and Stocksbridge - and British Steel in Scunthorpe.
He said the industry was "hanging in the balance with the steel crisis still very much far from over".
Mr Patel said it was "vital the UK government supports action to halt the flood of cheap Chinese steel and secures tariff-free access to the single market in Brexit negotiations" and it had to "insist on using British steel for infrastructure and defence projects".
Paul McBean, multi-union chairman at British Steel in Scunthorpe, said: "A vibrant steel industry is vital to the infrastructure of any country but over the last eight years we have seen widespread redundancies throughout the UK and across Europe.
"It is imperative that action is taken to protect the industry and safeguard thousands of jobs throughout Europe."
The UK government previously said a "great deal of work" had been done "to support the steel industry including tackling the dumping of cheap imports into the EU and buying British".
"The recent reopening of the plate mills in Scotland and the British Steel site at Scunthorpe, which has since hired more people, shows the sector can remain competitive with the right investment," a spokesman added. | About 100 UK steelworkers have joined a march in Brussels calling for action to protect the industry and safeguard jobs. | 37922047 |
Burton edged a cagey first half lacking noteworthy chances in which Nasser El Khayati posed the biggest threat.
The Dutch striker continued to shine after the break but blasted a great opportunity over after a flowing move.
But the Blades also went close as the game opened up, with Billy Sharp twice testing keeper Jon McLaughlin.
Martyn Woolford also had an effort saved by McLaughlin near the end, but neither side could find a winner.
Walsall's victory at Scunthorpe saw them move to within a point of Burton, while Sheffield United remain in sixth place.
Burton boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink told BBC Radio Derby:
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"We were not desperate and going out of our positions to score the goal because when you do that you get a goal against and all of a sudden you need two goals.
"The discipline was very important and it was about 'ok, if we can't score we can't score, they are definitely not going to score' and that's being very professional." | League One pacesetters Burton Albion had their lead at the top of the table cut to a point after being held by a resolute Sheffield United side. | 34321485 |
The owner and founder of Herbert of Liverpool died aged 72 on 20 October.
Mourners packed into the city's Anglican Cathedral to pay their final respects on Friday, including one of his friends, the comedian Ken Dodd.
The cortege included Howe's famous Cadillac, a classic car bearing the registration plate Bling1.
Mr Howe, who had suffered from cancer, flirted with politics and briefly stood for Mayor of Liverpool in 2012 as an independent candidate but withdrew because of what he described as the "viperous attitude" of local politics.
He featured on ITV docu-soap Shampoo, Channel 5's Celebrity Super Spa and regularly contributed to BBC Radio Merseyside.
Mr Howe also set up Queenie's Christmas charity in memory of his mother.
The cortege left his salon - known as the Bling Bling Building - at 11:30 GMT as hundreds lined Hanover Street, which was closed for the procession.
Radio presenters Pete Price and Linda McDermott spoke at the service, with the former asking mourners to give his late friend a standing ovation.
Celebrities including fellow hairdresser Andrew Collinge and former Liverpool and England footballer Sammy Lee were in the congregation.
Paying tribute, Mr Collinge said Mr Howe was "a great man - as we know a much loved part of Liverpool - and a great hairdresser" whose "work for good causes was unparalleled".
Liverpool stars Claire Sweeney, Jennifer Ellison, Danielle Lloyd and Ray Quinn also paid their respects.
Mr Howe will be cremated at a private ceremony later. | Crowds of people have attended the funeral of celebrity hairdresser and charity fundraiser Herbert "The King of Bling" Howe. | 37877472 |
A petition calling for a change in the law was set up after a Hertfordshire police dog and his handler were stabbed in Stevenage while chasing a suspect.
It is due to be debated in Parliament on Monday after topping 100,000 signatures in a month.
But the Home Office has said people who attack animals can already be jailed for 10 years so no new law is needed.
German shepherd Finn was stabbed in the head and chest and his handler, PC Dave Wardell, received a hand injury in Denton Road, Stevenage, after they pursued a suspect in the early hours of 5 October.
A 16-year-old boy from London has been charged with the assault of the officer and criminal damage relating to the dog.
A petition, set up on the UK government's petition site days after the attack, proposes that police animals "be given protection that reflects their status if assaulted in the line of duty" and has now received more than 120,000 signatures.
Responding to the petition, the Home Office said: "Under some circumstances assaults on support animals could be treated as criminal damage, allowing for penalties of up to 10 years' imprisonment.
"An additional offence dealing specifically with attacks on police animals may not result in more prosecutions or increased sentences."
But Mark Tasker from the Finn's Law Twitter campaign said: "The government's response is not that surprising. They must reply to any petition that achieves 10,000 signatures.
"We had a very positive meeting with the Home Office before the weekend and we feel confident that the government are reviewing all options.
"We believe we will see a new law within the next year." | Giving police animals the same legal status as officers injured at work is "unnecessary", the government has said. | 37966395 |
It will be the first time the group has appeared at the three-day event staged near Beauly in the Highlands.
The festival will take place from 3 until 5 August in 2017.
Organisers said Scots singer KT Tunstall would support Franz Ferdinand. Seventies disco legends Sister Sledge are to headline on the Thursday night.
Promoter Joe Gibbs said: "This is the first time Franz Ferdinand has played Bella and we are totally delighted to welcome them to our stage.
"I couldn't think of a better act to close out the festival.
"And we are thrilled to be welcoming KT back. She played Bella before as an unannounced special guest but we are pleased to have properly on the bill this time." | Glasgow rock band Franz Ferdinand have been confirmed as the Saturday night headliners at next year's Belladrum Tartan Heart music festival. | 38127918 |
The discovery was made in undergrowth at the Tesco Extra store in North Harbour at about 11:00 GMT.
A Hampshire spokeswoman said a cordon was in place to protect the area.
"At this current time we are unable to confirm any further details as investigations are at a very early stage," she added.
Police said a post-mortem examination of the human remains has been carried out but no further details have been released. | Human remains have been found next to a supermarket petrol station in Portsmouth. | 35767251 |
Inputting login details from a stolen database of 99 million, they found nearly 21 million of the usernames were also being used for Taobao accounts.
And, in November 2015, attempts to access those accounts were detected.
Owner Alibaba advised customers to change their passwords, and Chinese police have now made arrests in connection with the attempted hack.
"Alibaba's system was never breached," a spokesman said. | Hackers tried to access over 20 million active accounts on the Taobao shopping site, Chinese state media has said. | 35496155 |
The hosts took the lead when Mani Dieseruvwe, who joined the Stags on loan from Chesterfield this week, sent Matt Green through to coolly finish.
Pompey levelled before the break when Ben Davies' corner deflected off Ryan Tafazolli's legs and into his own net.
Neither side could find a winner, but Portsmouth came close when Scott Shearer saved Michael Doyle's strike.
Portsmouth stay sixth, with a three-point cushion on eighth-placed Wycombe, while Mansfield are 13th, seven points off the play-off places.
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Portsmouth manager Paul Cook told BBC Radio Solent: "I'm very disappointed with the game, very disappointed with how we played, very disappointed with us in general, but that's where that team's at.
"I think anyone who's watched us all season now could probably say it's a typical Portsmouth performance.
"My job is to make these players better, see us finish the season in whatever position we finish - which hopefully will be a position that there's still something to play for at the end of the season - and we build from there." | Portsmouth remained in the play-off places after earning a point against Mansfield at Field Mill. | 35791996 |
Police Scotland officers were called to Fernie Place in the town at about 04:00. No further information is currently available. | Forensic officers are at the scene of a "serious incident" which happened in the Aberdeenshire town of Fraserburgh. | 40320196 |
2 December 2016 Last updated at 09:00 GMT
His team were 1-nil down and the goalkeeper had come up for their corner in the final minutes of the game.
And no one would've expected what happened next...!
Pictures from SuperSport | South Africa's Baroka FC goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke produced a spectacular last-minute bicycle kick to score the equalising goal for his team. | 38180760 |
Philip Tron, 32, had travelled to the city to collect the daughter of his partner who was attending the Ariana Grande concert.
Mr Tron and 19-year-old Courtney Boyle both died when the bomb went off in the foyer of the arena. Miss Boyle's funeral was held earlier this month.
Mr Tron's family said his death was "like a light being switched off".
Mourners, many wearing brightly-coloured clothes, gathered at St Mark's Methodist Church in Gateshead.
As the coffin was carried into the church the theme from the film Top Gun was played.
Earlier, Mr Tron's family released a statement describing him as someone "who would do anything for anyone".
It went on: "Philip was funny, thoughtful, loving and such a charmer, he also absolutely doted on his family.
"He would light up a room with his humour and for the past six months or so had been so happy with his job and personal life.
"It feels like a light has been switched of in our lives and we miss him unbelievably.
"We would like to thank everyone so much for the overwhelming support we have had, from Greater Manchester Police and the people in Manchester. We truly are grateful."
The service was told donations would be passed on to the Red Cross and the Swan Bereavement Nurses based in Manchester. | Hundreds of people have gathered for the funeral of a Gateshead man killed in the Manchester Arena terror attack. | 40299195 |
Richard Bernard, 51, was found injured outside his flat in Derby on Tuesday.
Police believe he was attacked in his Trocadero Court property before collapsing outside.
Mohammed Ibrahim, 18, of no fixed address, and Aaron White, 34, of Moss Street, Derby, are due to appear at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court on Monday.
Mr Bernard's mother Nita, sister Claire and brother Andrew previously said in a statement: "We are devastated to hear the tragic news about Richard, a very much loved son and brother." | Two men have been charged with the murder of a man who was stabbed to death at his home. | 36408546 |
Inspectors also found staff at C Cassidy and Sons in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, handled cooked and raw meat, creating a risk of cross-contamination.
Christopher Cassidy, 53, admitted 10 hygiene breaches.
He was fined £1,500 and ordered to pay costs of £4,671.
Ashfield District Council told Nottingham Crown Court Cassidy had several chances to fix problems.
During a series of visits between September 2015 and July 2016 - which included the shop being briefly closed and given a zero hygiene rating - inspectors found multiple breaches.
These included surfaces and many fixtures and fittings, including towel dispensers, hand soap dispensers and chiller door seals, being found in a poor and dirty condition.
Nicolle Ndiweni, of Ashfield District Council, said food hygiene was of utmost importance.
"In this case, there was a complete lack of basic cleaning and good food hygiene practices were not followed. Preparing food in a dirty environment is not just bad practice, it can lead to serious illness or even death.
"Ashfield's Officers made every effort to work with Mr Cassidy to see improvements made, but had to act in the interests of public safety when issues raised were left unaddressed", she said. | A butcher has been ordered to pay more than £6,000 after dirty utensils, stained aprons and hundreds of dead flies were found in his shop. | 37653668 |
The alarm was raised at about 09:30 BST after the 16ft (5m) vessel was seen in Aberystwyth Harbour.
The town's lifeboat was launched and police, the ambulance service, air ambulance and the coastguard were called to the scene.
The other man is said to be in a stable condition in Bronglais Hospital.
The RNLI regained control of the speedboat and it was taken to Aberystwyth Marina, HM Coastguard said.
Dyfed-Powys Police said specialist officers are supporting the family. | A man has died after he and another man were pulled from the sea when an empty speedboat was spotted circling in the water. | 37228762 |
David Hopkin's men remain top, though, with Brechin's game at Albion postponed and Alloa losing to Airdrieonians 2-1.
Elsewhere, Ross Millen's second-half penalty earned Queen's Park a 2-1 win at East Fife.
That leaves East Fife in ninth after Stranraer leapfrogged them with a 3-1 win against bottom side Stenhousemuir.
Leighton McIntosh gave Peterhead a first-half lead at the Tony Macaroni Arena lead before Scott Brown doubled the advantage with 16 minutes left.
Liam Buchanan headed home to set up a grandstand final 10 minutes, but Peterhead held firm.
Airdrie took advantage of Jim Goodwin's horror show to record a fifth win in a row.
The player-manager scored an own goal after 30 minutes before receiving his second booking eight minutes into the second half.
By then, Andy Ryan's 10th of the season had made it 2-0, though the 10 men pulled one back through Scott Taggart with 13 minutes left.
That result moved Airdrie up to second, a point behind Livingston, with Brechin and Alloa both within three points of the top.
Adam Cummins had given Queen's Park a 22nd-minute lead at East Fife before Jamie Insall levelled just before half-time. Millen's penalty in the second half earned the Spiders the three points.
Steven Bell's 36th-minute opener for Stranraer was cancelled out by Stenhousemuir's Alistair Roy in first-half stoppage time, but Ryan Thomson and Joe Nutall scored in the second period to secure a home win. | Leaders Livingston were stunned at home by Peterhead in Scottish League One, with the visitors holding out for a 2-1 win to end a three-match winning run. | 38039767 |
South Yorkshire Police, which carried out the search in Sunningdale on Thursday, did not say what this information related to.
Police said the allegation involved a boy under 16.
Sir Cliff, 73, has said the allegation is "completely false".
In a statement issued on Thursday, he said: "For many months I have been aware of allegations against me of historic impropriety which have been circulating online.
"The allegations are completely false. Up until now I have chosen not to dignify the false allegations with a response, as it would just give them more oxygen."
He said he would "co-operate fully" if the police wanted to speak to him.
The BBC understands the allegation relates to an alleged assault at an event featuring US preacher Billy Graham at Bramall Lane in Sheffield in 1985.
In a statement, South Yorkshire Police (SYP) said it had not alerted the media to the search in advance.
It said: "When a media outlet contacted SYP with information about an investigation, we took the decision to work with them in order to protect the integrity of that investigation.
"Since the search took place, a number of people have contacted the police to provide information and we must acknowledge that the media played a part in that, for which we are grateful."
In his statement, Sir Cliff said the police had searched his home "without notice, except it would appear to the press".
Earlier, Jonathan Munro, the BBC's head of newsgathering, wrote on Twitter that South Yorkshire Police had not been the source of the story. | Police say "a number of people" have "provided information" after a Berkshire property belonging to Sir Cliff Richard was searched in relation to an alleged historical sex offence. | 28807388 |
The former BBC Doctor Who assistant pulled off a red wig to reveal a shaven head at Comic-Con International in San Diego.
The stunt came during a presentation on Marvel's upcoming movie Guardians of the Galaxy, which will also star Zoe Saldana and Benicio Del Toro.
Gillan, from Inverness, will play a ruthless space pirate called Nebula. The film will be released next year.
Comic-Con is one of the world's biggest celebrations of comic books and movies based on them.
English actors Henry Cavill, who played Superman in Man of Steel, and Spider-Man actor Andrew Garfield also appeared at the event.
Shooting on Guardians of the Galaxy, about a group of aliens tasked with the protection of Earth in the 31st Century, is due to begin this month.
The film forms part of Marvel's so-called "Phase 2" movement, following an initial raft of superhero movies that culminated with 2012 blockbuster Avengers Assemble.
Star-Lord, Gamora and Drax the Destroyer are among the characters who will feature in James Gunn's movie.
Gillan played Amy Pond opposite Matt Smith's Doctor Who.
The actress has also been given the lead part in a film about a haunted mirror.
In the horror film, Oculus, she will play Kaylie whose brother is convicted of murdering their parents.
Kaylie believes an antique looking glass was responsible. | Scots actress Karen Gillan has unveiled a new look for her latest film. | 23407107 |
Kevin Murray, 46, from Townsend Street in Strabane, County Tyrone, is objecting to a bid to extradite him to the Republic of Ireland.
A warrant for his extradition said Gardaà (Irish police) believe he played a central role in the hotel shooting.
He was remanded in custody until a bail hearing scheduled for Friday.
The judge at Belfast Recorder's Court is awaiting medical reports before ruling on whether to release Mr Murray on bail.
The fatal shooting took place at Dublin's Regency Hotel on 5 February.
David Byrne, 33, was shot dead and two other men were injured in the attack, which Gardaà linked to a gangland feud in Dublin.
Mr Murray was arrested by PSNI officers in Strabane on Monday, using a European Arrest Warrant. | A man from Northern Ireland arrested in connection with a murder at a Dublin boxing match weigh-in has appeared at an extradition hearing in Belfast. | 37287535 |
It was only the very brave, riding modified Indian brands like the Royal Enfields and Rajdoots, who dared to take on India's highways on just two wheels.
But in recent years, international motorcycle brands have entered India and made their presence felt.
With clever marketing that feeds off India's admiration for American pop culture, brands like Harley Davidson are taking the Indian market seriously.
Photographer Rahul Dhankani, along with Madhumita Nandi, chronicles India's latest wave of motorcyclists. | Until recently, biking in India was only for the hardcore enthusiast. | 35250041 |
Mitzi Steady was walking with her grandmother on Lansdown Lane in the city when she was hit by the truck.
In a letter to her daughter read out during the service, her mother said: "We only had four years with you but they were the best years of our lives."
An investigation into the crash, in which four people died, is continuing.
Mitzi's coffin was painted in the style of a scene from the Disney movie Frozen.
White flowers spelling out her name accompanied the coffin and the song Do You Want to Build a Snowman? was sung by Melody Makers - the abbey's choir for children aged from six to 11.
In the letter read out during the service, Emmajade Steady said: "How can it be that there will be no more memories?
"You were just becoming a young girl. So smart, so open and free.
"I want to come home to you throwing yourself at me again. I want to give you your special milk on your cereal and ask 'what shall we do today?'"
She told the congregation of "rough and tumble games" Mitzi played with her brother Eric and described how excited her daughter was for her first sleepover.
Speaking ahead of the service her family asked for donations be made to the road safety charity Brake instead of flowers.
A campaign launched after Mitzi's death has raised more than £15,000
The three others killed in the crash on 9 February were Phil Allen, 52, and Stephen Vaughan, 34, from Swansea, and Robert Parker, 59, of Cwmbran.
Mitzi's grandmother remains critically ill in hospital in Bristol's Southmead Hospital.
Two men arrested in connection with the crash have been bailed by police. | Hundreds of people have joined family and friends at Bath Abbey for the funeral of a four-year-old girl killed in a tipper truck crash. | 31583683 |
3 November 2015 Last updated at 11:57 GMT
The victim, 44, was working at a store in Brixton when one of the robbers shot him with what is believed to be a high-powered pellet gun.
The worker requires surgery to remove the pellets still lodged in his eyes.
Police have released CCTV footage of the robbery that took place at about 20:35 GMT on 25 October at the Phambra Foodstore, in Lyham Road. | A shop worker has been shot in the face during a corner shop robbery in south London. | 34710048 |
The bird kept the top spot during this year's Big Garden Birdwatch, organised by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
Some 17,000 people participated in the charity's survey in January, spending an hour making notes of the birds that visited their gardens.
Almost 130,000 birds were recorded.
After starlings, the most common species were house sparrows, chaffinches, blue tits and blackbirds.
Across the UK there was an increase in sightings of waxwings.
They flock to Northern Ireland's gardens once every few years, when the berry crop fails in their native Scandinavia.
Waxwings are not seen often in local gardens, but were spotted six times during the survey.
Joanne Sherwood, RSPB NI director, said: "To have so many people connecting with this huge citizen science initiative is amazing and the information gathered will really help create a snapshot of how our garden birds are doing." | Starlings remain the most common bird in Northern Ireland, according to a popular piece of citizen science. | 39434809 |
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3 September 2015 Last updated at 23:33 BST
It has now launched a course in etiquette in the digital age.
Its training manage James Field says selfies are fine as long as you get everyone's permission.
He gave BBC News some other digital tips. | Debrett's is a school of etiquette, which offers lots of courses in social skills, etiquette and style. | 34148579 |
New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton says the man, David Baril swung a hammer at an officer near Madison Square Garden and was shot twice by the officer's colleague.
He remains in a critical condition in hospital.
Mr Baril is accused of wounding three women and one man with a hammer in four separate ambushes on Monday.
Commissioner Bratton said that a police video camera had captured the latest attack, against the officer, on Wednesday.
It shows Mr Baril removing a hammer from his bag and swinging it claw end first towards a female officer.
He was then shot twice by the officer's partner.
Police say the black and silver hammer recovered at the scene matches the description of the one used against four others on Monday.
Anthony O'Grady, 26, who witnessed the police shooting, says that there was a chase before the suspect turned around and was shot. | A man suspected of attacking four strangers in Manhattan within hours on Monday has been shot by police. | 32728452 |
Det Ch Insp Leanne Pook also plans to help out at a rescue centre in Africa caring for girls saved from FGM and child marriage.
As part of her training Ms Pook, who is Avon and Somerset Police's lead on FGM, has climbed Snowdon twice in a day.
As part of the trip she will be tweeting pictures and video of her progress via @ASPEndFGM
Ms Pook said she would be visiting places where FGM is still practised to understand what barriers are still in place which prevent this "awful practice from being consigned to the past".
"We'll spend about a week climbing up and back down the mountain before volunteering at the centre for the next five days," she said.
"This centre is a haven for children who are orphaned or have been rescued from FGM and child marriage. This place doubtless saves the lives of some young girls and allows them to achieve their full potential. At the centre they're safe, receive an education and learn to be self-sufficient. | A police officer is to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in an attempt to raise awareness of female genital mutilation. | 37534195 |
The 28-year-old will miss next week's Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village in Ohio.
The Northern Irishman was treated for a stress fracture to his ribs earlier in the year and pulled out of this week's PGA Championship at Wentworth.
"All focus is on getting back to full health for the US Open," McIlroy's agent Sean O'Flaherty said.
McIlroy originally suffered the rib problem in the close season - a time when he was hitting a lot of balls in practice while trying to decide on new equipment after Nike decided to stop producing clubs.
The injury flared up as he lost a play-off to Graeme Storm at the South African Open in January, and the four-time major winner did not play again until the WGC-Mexico Championship in March.
McIlroy then felt discomfort at the Players Championship at Sawgrass earlier this month and was "advised to take a conservative approach" to his recovery.
The US Open takes place at Erin Hills in Wisconsin from 15-18 June. | World number two Rory McIlroy has withdrawn from his final warm-up event for the US Open due to a rib injury. | 40067180 |
South Wales' assistant chief fire officer Richard Prendergast said crews were not as readily available to respond to other emergencies.
But he said contingencies were in place.
It comes after the south Wales service had to deal with 49 deliberate grass fires in just 12 hours.
Crews were called to a grass fire on Oakland Terrace in Ferndale, Rhondda Cynon Taff, which forced the closure of the road but it has since reopened.
On Wednesday, the service received 500 calls and 73 fire engines have been used while crews are said to be "exhausted". | Firefighters could be delayed getting to house fires and road accidents because they are dealing with grass fires, a senior officer has warned. | 32342366 |
The right-back, who will join the Bees when the transfer window opens on 10 June, has signed a three-year contract with the Championship club.
The 27-year-old has won three caps for Denmark, having made his debut against Iceland in March 2016.
"Henrik is a player that we have been looking at for some time," head coach Dean Smith said.
"We have watched him quite a few times and we like his qualities on the pitch."
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page. | Brentford have signed Zulte Waregem's Danish international Henrik Dalsgaard for an undisclosed fee. | 40013568 |
Police said a man entered the store in Fagley and kicked open a security door to get behind the counter.
During a scuffle, the shopkeeper tried to defend himself with a baseball bat and was stabbed with a pocket knife.
The suspect, said to be aged between 20 and 25, left the store on Fagley Road empty-handed. Police said the victim was left "badly traumatised".
The 48-year-old shopkeeper received several cuts to the head in the incident which took place at about 20:00 GMT on Wednesday, and was taken to hospital.
Det Insp Paula Bickerdike, of West Yorkshire Police, described it as "particularly nasty and violent attack which left the victim with a number of injuries to his head and face".
"It could very easily have resulted in more serious injuries to the victim and we urgently need to identify the person responsible," she said. | A shopkeeper was stabbed in the head several times during an attempted robbery at a shop in Bradford. | 35855997 |
IC24 has a contract to provide 111 non-emergency call services and GPs outside normal hours in Norfolk and Wisbech.
A leaked critical report on the business said it had a shortage of GPs and deficiencies in call handling.
IC24 medical director Mark Reynolds told a county council health committee: "We receive £7.50 per person per year - about the price of a pizza delivery."
He told the scrutiny meeting the fee per patient per year had been nearly £14 in 2008.
"The pendulum has swung too far in cost-cutting in the NHS nationally," said Dr Reynolds.
Norwich Clinical Commissioning Group (NCCG), which took on IC24, said it was paying an "appropriate amount" for the service.
Last November, NCCG carried out unannounced checks after staff reported concerns.
It found a lack of doctors, staff saying unseen patients were wiped from the database, and callers waiting more than 12 hours for advice.
Its report said this posed "a significant risk to patient safety".
IC24 told county councillors it had made improvements, including recruiting more call handlers and creating a new senior GP oversight role.
It said it was able to run a "safe and sustainable" out-of-hours service.
The meeting was told annual indemnity insurance costs of up to £20,000 - to be paid by GPs - were putting off many doctors from working out-of-hours shifts.
An NCCG spokesman said: "There are immense financial pressures on all of the NHS.
"We believe Norfolk and Wisbech CCG is paying an appropriate amount of money for this new service."
NHS England said out-of-hours doctors had been given temporary financial support over the winter to cover insurance costs.
Scrutiny committee chairman Michael Cartiss said the report's revelations were "alarming" and the committee would look at IC24's progress in a year's time. | A GP out-of-hours service provider said NHS cuts had left it with less than the price of a pizza to spend on patients. | 36046625 |
However, it is thought to be a symbolic gesture as he has been named last on the candidate list. Barring a landslide, he will not gain office.
He is an icon of the city having won 14 titles in four years at the club.
Last year he returned to Barcelona for a non-binding referendum in which 80% of voters backed leaving Spain.
Now managing Bayern Munich in Germany, Mr Guardiola is standing for a coalition of two pro-independence parties.
The Convergencia Democratica de Catalunya and Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya parties are running a joint list of candidates.
Before becoming Barcelona manager in 2008, he was the club's captain and was schooled at its famed La Masia youth academy.
He also played for the Catalan national team - an unofficial squad that plays friendly matches.
His former club have historically been seen as a standard bearer for Catalan identity. Chants supporting an independent Catalonia frequently ring out around their Camp Nou stadium.
Ahead of last November's referendum, the former midfielder signed an open letter appealing for the result to be respected.
"We Catalans, along with our democratic government and institutions, want to vote so we can decide what kind of relationship we want to establish with Spain for the future," he wrote alongside other high-profile Catalans.
Catalonia is a wealthy region of 7.5 million people and contributes more to the Spanish economy than it gets back through central government funds.
Economic and cultural grievances have fuelled Catalan nationalism. | Former Barcelona football manager Pep Guardiola will run for office as a pro-Catalan independence candidate in September's regional elections. | 33604718 |
The company said it would run the normal half-hourly service, which was replaced with buses, from Monday.
It comes the day after its parent company Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) launched a consultation on a massive shake-up of timetables.
The direct services between Brighton and Seaford could be reduced from 2018.
Southern cut 341 trains out of 2,242 from its timetable on 11 July as GTR battled to cope with a dispute with the RMT union over the role of guards on the trains.
Some services were later restored, including five in Transport Secretary Chris Grayling's Epsom constituency.
Inner London and West London Line services were reintroduced on 5 September and the full timetable from Tonbridge and Reigate to Redhill and London Victoria/London Bridge on Monday.
Passenger services director Alex Foulds said Southern was sorry for the "hassle and inconvenience" to Seaford.
"The replacement of many of the Seaford trains with buses was understandably hard-felt by the local community," he said.
"We are pleased now to be able to restore the town's full service.
"We made a commitment at the start of the month to restore the full timetable of services incrementally and we're on track to deliver on that promise and in the coming weeks other services will be back too."
GTR is consulting the public on plans for trains from the south of England to London, Bedford, Cambridge and Peterborough.
Direct trains between London Victoria and Seaford may no longer run with journey times between Victoria and Eastbourne and direct services between Brighton and Seaford reduced.
Other services from Brighton could be increased.
A spokesman for the RMT said the reinstatement of the Seaford service was "another con trick". | Troubled Southern Railway is to restore trains between Seaford and Brighton after the service was cut as part of an emergency timetable 10 weeks ago. | 37416379 |
The home side lost early wickets but were given a chance by a fifth-wicket stand of 82 between Will Bragg (84) and Graham Wagg (34).
The Welsh county finished on 195 for 7 with Tim Groenewald claiming three for 36.
Earlier Somerset collapsed to 188 all out, with Wagg taking five for 50.
Somerset start their Championship campaign away to Durham on 10 April in division one while Glamorgan have a first-class friendly against Cardiff MCCU on 11 April before facing Leicestershire the following week. | Glamorgan drew their three-day friendly against Somerset after being set 226 to win at the SSE Swalec Stadium in Cardiff. | 35952312 |
Police said they were called to the "sudden death" of the Bournemouth University student, aged in her 30s, at a house in Gillet Road. Officers discovered "unknown chemical substances" at the property.
Neighbours left their homes while the substances were removed on Thursday.
The death is not being treated as suspicious and next of kin are aware.
The university described the death in the student village on the edge of its Talbot Campus as "an isolated incident" and said it was "making support available for any student who has been affected".
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service also attended the scene. | A student has died and homes have been evacuated after chemicals were found at university accommodation in Poole. | 38608259 |
The 25-year-old has been given a four-and-a-half year contract at Ibrox after spending two years with the Perth club.
Saints previously rejected two bids for O'Halloran from the Scottish Championship leaders.
"I'm satisfied with the transfer fee which reflects our full valuation of the player," chairman Steve Brown told the St Johnstone website.
Rangers manager Mark Warburton has confirmed that O'Halloran will be in the squad for Tuesday's visit to Raith Rovers.
"There is nothing to be gained in terms of short term fixes," he said. "We are looking ahead to next season and beyond.
"We are bringing in a quality player who fits the profile of what we are trying to do here."
O'Halloran has scored four goals in 25 games this season, including one in Saints' 3-1 League Cup victory at Ibrox in September.
The Scotland Under-21 international spent his youth career with Celtic then Bolton Wanderers.
He was loaned to three English clubs before joining St Johnstone in January 2014. | Rangers have signed forward Michael O'Halloran from St Johnstone for an undisclosed fee. | 35461390 |
Hussein Abu, 37, of Whitechapel Road, east London, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at the Old Bailey.
Sannah Javid, 26, of Frank Slater House, Green Lane, Ilford, was taken to King George Hospital on 2 December 2014 after officers were called to her flat. She died the next day.
Abu admitted manslaughter on 21 May, halfway through his trial.
The court heard that at the time of her death Ms Sannah had been in a turbulent relationship with Abu for a number of years but by the time of her death the pair were living apart, police said.
On the evening she was killed, officers said Abu was at Ms Sannah's home and initially told them she had collapsed while sitting on her bed, but he later changed his story twice
Det Ch Insp Tim Duffield said: "The police investigation exposed Hussein Abu as a violent and controlling man, a person who, after attacking his partner, was prepared to lie in an effort to escape justice.
"Abu had ample opportunity to admit his guilt earlier but chose to put Sannah's family through the further ordeal of a criminal trial.
"I can only hope today's outcome helps her family begin to come to terms with their loss." | A man who killed his girlfriend in her home has been sentenced to seven years in prison. | 32853173 |
Three of them were found guilty of carrying out shoddy restoration work in 2000 to the building, in which eight students lost their lives. The fourth failed to carry out proper checks.
More than 300 people died in the quake.
Last year, six scientists and an official were found guilty of failing to predict the severity of the quake.
They were accused of having provided "inaccurate, incomplete and contradictory" information about the danger of the tremors felt ahead of the disaster on 6 April 2009.
The four defendants in Saturday's case were found guilty of multiple manslaughter.
The three who carried out building works were sentenced to four years in prison, while the other man received a sentence of two-and-a-half years.
The judge ordered them to pay 100,000 euros (£86,000; $133,000) to each parent who lost a child and 50,000 to each brother or sister.
All four have been banned from working on public contracts for five years.
Six other defendants were either acquitted or had the charges dropped, prompting an angry response from victims' relatives, Italian media report. | An Italian court has convicted four people over the collapse of a university hall of residence during a deadly earthquake in L'Aquila in 2009. | 21487385 |
The King Rat snake was reported as lost from Main Street in Sandhead near Stranraer on Monday.
It is described as being about 5ft 6in long and is black with yellow bands about every three inches along its body.
The snake is not classed as venomous and poses "no threat to the public".
Police said it was likely to move towards heat.
PC Hayley Buchanan said: "Anyone coming across the snake should call Police Scotland at Stranraer on 101.
"The snake is slow moving and has a distinctive yellow dot between its eyes." | Police have asked the public to contact them if they spot a snake which has escaped from a house in the south west of Scotland. | 33061086 |
The Howard League for Penal Reform said the time was added on as punishment for breaking prison rules.
It called the adjudications system, where transgressions are tried, "a monster".
A Prison Service spokeswoman said: "It is right that offenders who break prison rules are properly punished."
A prisoner found guilty at an adjudication can face punishments including solitary confinement or extra days on top of their original term.
Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: "‎The system of adjudications has become a monster, imposing fearsome punishments when people misbehave often as a result of the dreadful conditions they are subjected to.
"This bureaucratic, costly and time-consuming system of punishments then further feeds pressure on the prisons, creating a vicious cycle of troubled prisons and troubling prisoners."
In Wales' three main prisons - Cardiff, Swansea and Parc - prisoners were collectively given almost 20 extra years on top of the sentences given to them by the courts.
The charity's report described adjudications as "too inflexible to deal sensitively with the needs of vulnerable children and people with mental health problems" and said under the current system, two prisoners breaking the same rule could be given different punishments depending on whether they were on remand or had been sentenced, as well as the category of sentence they had received.
The Prison Service spokeswoman added: "The justice secretary has set out a plan for reform in our prisons, making them places of ambition and endeavour. These crucial reforms will help curb indiscipline and cut reoffending, leading to less crime and safer streets."
Cardiff - 1,229 days
Parc, Bridgend, (G4S) - 4,224 days
Swansea - 1,584 days
Total 7,037 days | Welsh prisoners served more than 7,000 days on top of their sentences last year, a charity has said. | 35087689 |
He was outlining ideas to prevent a repeat of the mass rioting which marred the G20 summit in Hamburg.
Some 20,000 police officers were deployed and nearly 500 were injured as rioters torched cars, looted shops and threw stones and petrol bombs.
Mr de Maizière drew a comparison with the restrictions on football hooligans.
The mayor of Hamburg, Olaf Scholz, apologised to residents this week for the unrest, which he blamed squarely on violent elements among the protesters.
"The responsibility for this violence does not lie with the summit or the police, it lies with those who committed this violence, the criminal mob who did not care at all about the people in our city and whose only goal was to commit violence and to destroy," he said.
More than 100,000 demonstrators are believed to have attended protests during the 7-8 July summit, many of them peaceful.
Speaking to German media, the interior minister said rioters should not be allowed to attend rallies.
Instead, they should be made to report to police and wear tags if necessary, as should "highly aggressive so-called football fans".
Mr de Maizière also called for tougher action to be taken against squatters, clearing occupied houses immediately.
Hamburg, long known for its squats, has a tradition of rioting by the far left.
Clashes also broke out at this year's May Day protest in the city, while in 2008 cars burned as extremists battled police on the streets for several hours.
It meant Hamburg police were already aware of the potential issues ahead of the G20, drafting in police from around the country.
Is thought that other leftist militants arrived in the city from across Germany and beyond. | Potential rioters should have their movements restricted or be made wear electronic ankle tags, German Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière has said. | 40620592 |
Joanne Lee was was working for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board when she took more than 800 patient files.
She admitted to storing them in her home during office renovations.
The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) said Ms Lee's behaviour fell "seriously short" of that expected and suspended her from the register for 12 months.
Ms Lee said she initially removed the files as she feared they would be seen by workmen.
She returned them to the office in plastic bags, but moved them to a colleague's homes due to concerns they would be subject to scrutiny by her head of department during an upcoming office tour.
A panel of the HCPC Conduct and Competence Committee heard the absence of the files had resulted in the health board having to carry out either full re-assessments or further assessments on patients.
The panel chair, Manuela Grayson, said this "may have unnecessarily resulted in further intimate or invasive re-examinations", which in turn "may have caused additional physical or emotional distress".
Ms Lee was neither present nor represented at the hearing. | A north Wales physiotherapist has been suspended for removing patient files without consent. | 39259456 |
The shows were among the series to be criticised for a lack of diversity behind the camera.
The guild said TV companies must make "a concerted effort" to improve.
The DGA's latest diversity report said 69% of US prime time TV episodes were directed by white men in the last year.
That is unchanged on the previous year. Women directed 16% of all episodes in 2014/15, up from 14% in 2013/14.
Directors from ethnic minorities made 18% of all episodes, up from 17%.
Homeland, The Game and The Following were among the best shows for diversity among directors, the guild said.
DGA president Paris Barclay said: "The uptick in the number of episodes directed by women - modest but hopeful - is just a drop in the bucket of what needs to be done by studios, networks and showrunners before we can begin to realise equal opportunities in television for our members.
"Without employers making a concerted effort to bring a more diverse mix of new entrants to the hiring pool, we won't see meaningful and lasting change."
The DGA analysed 3,900 episodes of 277 series made for TV and cable networks and "high budget original content series" made for on-demand services like Netflix and Amazon.
Twenty-seven series used no female or minority ethnic directors in the last year, it said. Five of those have been listed as having used none in both of the past two annual reports.
The DGA also published a "best of" list, showing that 11 series used female or minority ethnic directors for at least 50% of their episodes in both 2013/14 and 2014/15. | US TV series Boardwalk Empire, The Exes and Workaholics are among the worst when it comes to employing female or minority ethnic directors, according to the Directors Guild of America (DGA). | 34063202 |
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Matfield is the all-time record caps holder for the Springboks, collecting 127 since his debut in 2001, and winning the World Cup in 2007.
"This is definitely my swansong. I've got to the end of May," the 38-year-old lock told BBC Radio Northampton.
"Hopefully we can win a trophy or two and then that will be me."
Matfield made his Saints debut against Gloucester last month after joining up with Jim Mallinder's side after the World Cup.
After a poor start to the season, Saints have risen to fifth in the Premiership and top of their European Champions Cup group after two matches.
On Saturday, they travel to a Racing 92 side set to give New Zealand World Cup-winning star Dan Carter a debut, and Matfield empathises with the fly-half.
"I've gone through the same, going to France after winning a World Cup in 2007. A lot of the time it's not that easy just to go in there and run the show.
"Dan Carter would have been used to running the show exactly how he wants to run it at the Crusaders and the All Blacks.
"Now he's into a different system, he has to adapt a little bit, he has to take a bit of theirs and give a bit of input, he's got to learn the language.
"It won't be that easy to step in there to be the Dan Carter we all know, but saying that he's a quality player. If he gets an opportunity and has to make a decision, 90% of the time he'll make the right one." | South Africa legend Victor Matfield hopes to help Northampton Saints win a trophy before retiring at the end of the season. | 35049987 |
The review by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons also found handcuffs were used excessively and some people spent too long in cells.
But a report concluded care and safety was generally better in north Wales than elsewhere.
HM Court and Tribunals said it was working to improve secure custody.
During the July 2015 inspections of 26 courts, assessors raised concerns some custody staffing levels compromised detainees' safety and care.
They pointed to Wrexham Magistrates' Court, where cell bells were not answered quickly, some defendants were not checked regularly and staff were sometimes left alone in the custody suite.
Inspectors said the process of identifying vulnerable detainees was inconsistent across Wales and staff needed more training to better understand mental health, drug and alcohol problems.
They also found some workers put too much focus on security rather than the treatment of detainees, but said aspects of care in north Wales were better than elsewhere.
This could be down to workers having more time than their colleagues in busier areas such as south Wales, the report said.
But the review found the use of force to restrain people when needed was rare and most custody staff had good people-skills which helped them calm conflict.
Deputy Chief Inspector of Prisons, Martin Lomas, said: "This report raises concerns about safety and risk management, as well as staff training, and we have made a number of recommendations, some to be resolved nationally, that would contribute to improvements in the care of detainees, particularly the most vulnerable."
A spokesman for HM Courts and Tribunals said it was working to improve and deliver safe and secure custody and to make better use of video links to avoid prisoners being brought to court unnecessarily. | The safety of detainees held in court cells in Wales is being put at risk by low staffing levels in some areas, an inspection has found. | 35661492 |
Tata Steel announced last month it would shed 900 jobs at its North Lincoln Road plant.
Fans created a "wall of light" by holding up their phones on torch setting just after half time on Saturday.
The club said it "dedicated" the game to steel workers and their families.
Players and coaching staff wore special T-shirts with the slogan 'Save Our Steel' during the warm-up ahead of the clash.
Tony Gosling, a steelworker who faces redundancy and also chairs the club's supporters society, the Iron Trust, said: "The steelworks is intrinsically linked with Scunthorpe and its football club, many of our members and fans will be affected by the proposed job losses.
"We really appreciate the effort the football club are putting in to show solidarity with steelworkers, and are pleased to stand alongside them in urging support to Save Our Steel."
Thousands of people have signed petitions calling on the government to do more to help protect jobs at the plant.
The industry blames cheap Chinese imports for a collapse in steel prices.
Tata has pledged £3m to help create jobs in the town, with another £6m provided by the government. | Scunthorpe United fans held up mobile phones in a show of support for steel workers during the first round of the FA Cup match against Southend. | 34757054 |
Spinster Lady Jane Stanley, daughter of the 11th Earl of Derby, did not like couples walking together along the main street in Knutsford, Cheshire.
Lady Jane suggested as her own epitaph: "A maid I lived and a maid I died; I never was asked and never denied."
Residents will now be consulted over the redevelopment plans by the council.
"I fear there will be lots of people walking hand-in-hand when it is widened," Cheshire East Councillor Peter Raynes told BBC Radio Manchester.
"There is a serious side in that the pavements are not safe for disabled people and we need of course to deal with that."
He added: "We think we've done quite a good job but we'll see what the public think."
Residents are being asked by Cheshire East Council to comment on plans for King Street which also include measures to improve traffic flow and shop deliveries.
The council hopes the improvements will make the town's main shopping area and eating-out destination a "more vibrant public space".
Lady Jane's formidable reputation was typified by an incident in 1859 when a man who got in her way received a firm tap from her gold-headed cane, followed by the words: "Take that fellow!"
She often avoided confrontations on the narrow pavements by travelling in her sedan chair, which can still be seen in the town's heritage centre.
Nineteenth Century novelist Elizabeth Gaskell, who grew up Knutsford, used it as the setting for her book Cranford, which was filmed in 2007 as a BBC TV series starring Dame Judi Dench. | A market town's narrow pavements - designed that way in the 18th Century to stop romantic couples walking hand-in-hand - are to be widened. | 30311449 |
The stadium and training facilities would be built at Kingsford, close to the Aberdeen bypass, near Westhill.
The Yes to Kingsford Stadium group believes it would be a vital step forward for the club.
The Say No To Kingsford Stadium group argues it is green belt land and would have a negative local impact.
The group previously told BBC Scotland it had been inundated with abuse from some fans. Aberdeen FC condemned any abuse.
Club chairman Stewart Milne has described Kingsford as "an ideal location for supporters".
The Dons had previously been considering a relocation to Loirston, to the south of Aberdeen, a proposal that had been marred by planning difficulties. | A series of public consultations on Aberdeen FC's proposals for a new stadium on the outskirts of the city are getting under way. | 36886995 |
The light aircraft was setting off on a mission over the Mediterranean around 07:20 (05:20 GMT) when it nose-dived and disintegrated in a ball of flames.
There was no explosion prior to the crash, according to eyewitnesses.
Malta said the flight had been part of a French operation to track illicit trafficking of people and drugs.
An investigation into the causes of the crash is to be conducted by the French defence ministry.
The airport has re-opened with some disruption expected to the day's scheduled flights.
French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian confirmed that three of the victims were ministry staff while the other two were contractors.
Early reports that the victims had been officials from the EU's border agency were quickly denied. Frontex said none of its staff had been involved.
The Maltese government said the flight had been due to return to the island within hours without landing in third countries.
Eyewitnesses told the Times of Malta the plane had taken off before turning on its side and going "straight down into the ground".
Eyewitness Ed de Gaetano said: "Our plane was just about to take off, and there was a massive explosion on the right hand side of the plane.
"It's pretty scary, a lot of commotion in the plane and everyone was wondering what was going on."
Video shot from another plane at the airport shows flames and thick black smoke billowing from the site of the crash, next to the runway.
All of the victims' remains have been found, the Maltese government said. | Three French defence officials and two other people died when a surveillance plane crashed shortly after take-off at Malta International Airport. | 37749817 |
The -10.1C (13.8F) temperature was in stark contrast to the 10.2C (50.4F) in the Isles of Scilly.
Met Office spokeswoman Emma Sharples said Braemar was a "well-known cold spot" due to its valley location. She added: "So you tend to get cold air drained down into the valley."
The coldest night in January 2016 was -12.4C (9.7F) in Kinbrace. | The UK's coldest night of the year so far has been recorded in Braemar in Aberdeenshire. | 38797295 |
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant is a major contribution to the Kirkcudbright Art Gallery project.
Kirkcudbright's town hall will be redeveloped to house "nationally significant" collections.
Work by artists including the Glasgow Boys and the Scottish Colourists could be among the exhibitions on display.
A Viking hoard of more than 100 items of gold and silver, which was found nearby, may also join the collections.
The overall cost of the project is expected to be just over £3.1m. The HLF has agreed to a £931,200 grant.
Lucy Casot, head of the HLF in Scotland, said the "transformational" plans would give Kirkcudbright a gallery worthy of the "exceptional" art works it will house.
She added: "The future of the historic town hall has been secured and not only will it attract more tourists to the area but will benefit the wider community as they're encouraged to explore and enjoy the area's rich art heritage."
Work is expected to start on the gallery in spring 2016 and it is scheduled to open in summer 2017.
Councillor Tom McAughtrie, of Dumfries and Galloway Council, said: "Given the growth of cultural tourism, the Kirkcudbright art gallery project offers our region significant, long-term and sustainable economic impact.
"This award from the Heritage Lottery Fund is very exciting as it will enable us to develop a fabulous facility for the people of Dumfries and Galloway and for visitors to our region." | Plans to develop a major new art gallery in the south west of Scotland have received a funding boost of more than £900,000. | 34338989 |
1 March 2017 Last updated at 13:43 GMT
The Labour leader accused ministers of being unable to find the money to support people with "debilitating" mental health conditions - but the PM insisted that no-one would lose out. | Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May have clashed at Prime Minister's Questions over government plans to change access to disability benefits. | 39128290 |
Surrey, whose innings was twice interrupted by rain, scored 251-7 in 41 overs thanks to the returning Jason Roy's 44 and Ben Foakes' 82 not out.
Kent, set a revised target of 249, lost regular wickets in the chase.
England's Sam Billings struck 69 off 65 balls, but once he fell to Sam Curran, Kent's innings folded to 204 all out.
Surrey will need to win their final two group games against Hampshire and Gloucestershire to stand a realistic chance of going through, while Kent have only won one of their six matches.
England one-day opener Roy, playing his first game of the season for Surrey, got the innings off to a flying start with a run-a-ball knock before he was caught at deep-square leg off seamer Ivan Thomas.
But Foakes continued his fine form in the competition, reaching his fourth half-century in five innings, to give Surrey a defendable total.
Only Billings, also making his first county appearance of the season, could find any momentum for Kent in the chase, striking three sixes, but his dismissal by Sam Curran sparked the loss of the visitors' last four wickets in 18 balls. | Surrey boosted their hopes of qualifying from the One-Day Cup South Group with a 44-run victory over eliminated Kent at The Oval. | 39884744 |
District councils have told Oxfordshire County Council to "get on board" with a study into proposals to create "four unitary bodies".
The districts around Oxfordshire have proposed scrapping the county council.
But the county council has accused them of "putting headlines over joint working".
Leader of the Vale of White Horse district council, Matt Barber, said: "Everyone knows the county council is having extreme budget difficulties, leading to cuts in services people value. Two-tier local government is broken in our view and we want to look at all the options for unitary councils.
He added the county council should "get on board" with the work being done by district councils and not "waste the public's money duplicating the study".
Oxfordshire County Council leader Ian Hudspeth said: "Once again the districts are putting headlines ahead of joint working.
"We have written to the districts twice asking them to discuss terms of reference for a joint study, with the public also given a chance to comment.
"They made it clear they weren't prepared to do that."
The four proposed unitary bodies - which would include district councils from Northamptonshire and the Cotswolds - would work in partnership with the NHS and Local Enterprise Group.
According to district council leaders, abolishing Oxfordshire County Council would save the taxpayer money.
County council leaders have said the four unitary body proposal has ruled out the benefits of having a single unitary council in Oxfordshire. | A review into the proposed abolition of a county council has led to a war of words between council leaders. | 35846793 |
US Ambassador Richard Morningstar met the pro-democracy activists and said he was "troubled by the government's reaction to protests this year".
The chief prosecutor linked the project to a youth movement called N!DA, seven of whose members have been arrested.
The US ambassador condemned the arrest and interrogation of young activists.
"I was particularly disappointed to hear that authorities closed Free Thought University's office just last night," he said, adding that as "a friend of Azerbaijan" he wanted to see "government engagement with citizens, especially its young citizens, to address their legitimate concerns".
The chief prosecutor's office denied that the university had been closed, but said its officers had seized documents from the project.
The university's founders insist that it has "no affiliation with any other organisation".
Seven N!DA activists are being held on charges of possession of drugs and firearms, which can incur a penalty of five to eight years' imprisonment.
Local television broadcast confessional videos of the accused, who said they had wanted to "cause trouble" and throw petrol bombs at the police.
There have been several unusually big street protests in Azerbaijan this year - an election year for President Ilham Aliyev. Human rights groups have accused his government of stifling dissent and harassing journalists.
Crowds in the capital Baku twice protested against a rise in non-combat deaths in the army. They were dispersed by police using baton charges and water cannon.
Senior members of the ruling party have sharply criticised youth activists who organise on social networking sites, calling them "radical" and "wayward". | The US government has criticised Azerbaijan for acting against a Western-funded pro-democracy project called the Free Thought University. | 22124075 |
While the Queen's birthday was on 21 April, some events officially marked the milestone on Saturday and Sunday.
The practice was introduced to try to ensure better weather for the monarch's official celebrations.
About 60 applications were made to close streets this weekend - for the birthday parties and 2016's Big Lunch which takes place on Sunday.
It is an event launched by the Eden Project with the aim to get people having lunch with their neighbours annually in June. | Street and garden parties have been held across Wales to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday. | 36500991 |
The Rio Heroes homecoming event saw athletes from across Yorkshire take a tour of the city centre in open-top buses ahead of a civic reception.
Organisers estimate around 30,000 people gathered to watch the parade.
Athletes taking part included triathletes Alistair and Jonny Brownlee, diver Jack Laugher and Paralympic champion Kadeena Cox.
The athletes described the event as an unbelievable experience.
Olympic rower Andrew Triggs-Hodge tweeted: "What a great day! In the county you love, sharing the sheer joy of a gold medal! Loving it!" | The achievements of Yorkshire's Olympic and Paralympic athletes were recognised by large crowds in Leeds. | 37498111 |
The wicketkeeper, on loan from Durham, reached his hundred off 185 balls having shared half-century stands with Chris Dent (94) and Jack Taylor.
Tony Palladino's five-wicket haul saw the visitors bowled out for 331 in Derby, with Mustard ending 107 not out.
Ben Slater was trapped lbw by David Payne for a duck as Derbyshire closed day two on 16-2, trailing by 73 runs. | Phil Mustard hit his first century for Gloucestershire to put the Division Two side on top against Derbyshire. | 37246339 |
Alexander Garkusha pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in a New York court.
He admitted making $125,000 (£84,000) from trades made over a three-month period using information gleaned from stolen embargoed press statements.
It is alleged a total of $100m was earned by a wider group using the scam.
The US authorities first made their suspicions public in August, saying that they believed the computer servers of Business Wire, Marketwired and PR Newswire had been breached leading to the theft of more than 150,000 news releases.
Companies often issue details of their financial results and other market sensitive news to the companies in advance so that the information can be released to all their investors at a specific time.
Nine people have been charged by district attorneys in New York and New Jersey in relation to the case, but dozens of others have also named as being suspects.
The gang responsible for the hack is thought to be based in Ukraine. Other individuals accused of being involved live in Russia, France and Cyprus.
Georgia-based Garkusha agreed to co-operate with the authorities and give up his earnings as part of his plea. Other defendants have plead not guilty.
Garkusha is due to be sentenced on 6 May. | US prosecutors have secured their first conviction in a case involving hack attacks on three of the major financial news release publishers. | 35166992 |
After failing to secure NHS funding, professor Steven Gill now hopes to raise £900,000.
Some 18 children with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma brain tumours would be treated at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children in the clinical trials.
Professor Gill said he understood the NHS was "not a bottomless pit."
"There are many treatments where you have to be really highly selective and say you're better of doing five hips, rather than one very expensive operation on somebody who has got very little chance of surviving," the Southmead Hospital neurosurgeon added.
"These cruel decisions have got to be made.
"In this particular disorder, nothing that people have done has made any difference at all [including] chemotherapy [and] radiotherapy.
"On the other hand, if we can crack this one - which is the hardest type of tumour to treat - that spins out into treating a whole range of other different things."
Professor Gill said doctors have traditionally struggled to effectively deliver drugs through the blood-brain barrier to the area of the brain where they will be most effective.
He and his team at the University of Bristol and North Bristol NHS Trust use a "revolutionary micro-catheter system" to inject drugs directly to the brain.
He said the process could eventually offer hope to other neurological conditions including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease.
Chief executive of the Funding Neuro appeal, which has helped launch the crowd-funding initiative, Sharon Kane, said the trial needed to be up and running "as quickly as possible".
"One minute a child is absolutely fine. Then they get diagnosed with this condition and the parents are told their child has nine months to live, and there's nothing you can do about it," she added. | A neurosurgeon from Bristol who has developed a "revolutionary treatment" for brain disease has launched a crowd-funding appeal to pay for trials. | 33009989 |
The former member of The Wanted, who danced with Aliona Vilani, was the hottest favourite in the show's history, according to bookmakers.
He beat former Coronation Street actress Georgia May Foote and partner Giovanni Pernice.
The other finalists were broadcaster Katie Derham and Anton du Beke and soap star Kellie Bright and Kevin Clifton.
The results show opened with Derham and Du Beke in fourth place.
All the couples performed three dances in this year's final - one routine from a previous show that the dancers had chosen to perform again, one judges' choice and a showdance.
For their choice, Jay and Aliona chose to do the paso doble to It's My Life by Bon Jovi, while Georgia and Giovanni returned to the charleston, dancing to Hot Honey Rag from Chicago.
Katie and Anton went back to the Viennese waltz, set to Elvis Presley's If I Can Dream, while Kellie and Kevin picked the charleston, accompanied by Star Wars Cantina Band by John Williams.
They had survived to the final from the 15 celebrities who took to the dancefloor at the start of the series in September. Peter Andre, Carol Kirkwood, Daniel O'Donnell, Ainsley Harriott and Jeremy Vine were among those who were knocked out along the way.
This was the 13th series, and the BBC One show has remained popular with viewers, with more than 10 million households tuning in to every instalment this year.
Last year's winners were TV presenter Caroline Flack and partner Pasha Kovalev. | Former boy band star Jay McGuinness has been crowned the winner of this year's Strictly Come Dancing. | 35136848 |
In recent weeks, six arrests have been made in connection with the illegal practice, with hare coursing taking place in the north and the south of Scotland.
Hare coursing involves chasing hares with large dogs.
Some farmers are concerned about confronting those involved because of the possibility of violence.
Farmer and NFU representative Ian Wilson told BBC Scotland about those involved in the illegal hunting.
He said: "Not only are they disturbing hares but they could potentially be disturbing livestock too.
"Also there's any damage that's been done when they're in the fields and the crops.
"Some of them they'll take vehicles anywhere, not necessarily keeping them on the road."
Recent arrests for hare coursing have been at least in part due to the work of specialist wildlife crime officers.
PC Daniel Sutherland said: "The hare, it suffers a terrible death. It's chased around the field for several minutes, sometimes up to five minutes.
"It's exhausted and at the end it's torn apart by a chasing dog.
"It's not nice. It's a barbaric sport that's been banned for good reason."
Although farmers may suspect hare coursing is going on in their areas, it can be difficult to tackle those involved.
Mr Wilson added: "I suppose another concern that farmers have is if they ever confront them they seem to be quite threatening and potentially violent people.
"There's a wee feeling that they might also be involved in other crimes as well." | Farmers and wildlife officers have reported an apparent upsurge in incidents of hare coursing. | 38949595 |
Francis Habgood joined Thames Valley Police 11 years ago from West Yorkshire Police and has been deputy chief constable since 2008.
He replaces former chief Sara Thornton, now chair of the National Police Chiefs Council.
Mr Habgood said he was "honoured and privileged" to have been appointed.
An interim deputy chief constable is in place during the recruitment process. | The new chief constable of the largest non-metropolitan police force in England and Wales has taken up his post. | 32142293 |
Jeamie Deacon, Mairead Coyne and Aine Donnelly are the backs debutants in a game which will be Ireland women's first-ever autumn international.
Hooker Cliodhna Moloney will earn her first cap with Elaine Anthony and Ciara Cooney named in the second row.
The replacements include uncapped Ulster player Claire McLaughlin.
Tierney said the team's first autumn international would be "another step in the development in women's rugby".
"We have an opportunity to have a look at some new players and combinations building towards the Six Nations," he added.
Ireland will be defending the women's Six Nations title next spring.
Ireland: Niamh Briggs (Munster), capt; Jeamie Deacon (Leinster), Aine Donnelly (Leinster), Jackie Shiels (Richmond), Mairead Coyne (Connacht); Sene Naoupu (Connacht), Larissa Muldoon (Skewen); Ruth O'Reilly (Connacht), Cliodhna Moloney (Leinster), Ailis Egan (Leinster); Elaine Anthony (Munster), Ciara Cooney (Connacht); Sophie Spence (Leinster), Paula Fitzpatrick (Toulouse), Heather O'Brien (Toulouse).
Replacements: Zoe Grattage (Munster), Fiona Reidy (Munster), Fiona O'Brien (Leinster), Katie Norris (Leinster), Lindsay Peat (Leinster), Mary Healy (Connacht), Nora Stapleton (Leinster), Claire McLaughlin (Ulster) | Ireland coach Tom Tierney has named six new caps in his starting side for Saturday's game against England at Twickenham Stoop (15:00 GMT kick-off). | 34782735 |
A third man, the driver of the wagon, has also been suspended in relation to his job as a supervisor.
But a South Tyneside Council spokesman confirmed there was no suggestion he was under the influence of alcohol during the round on 27 December.
All three men have been suspended pending the outcome of an internal probe, the spokesman said.
He added: "We are aware of the alleged incident and the matter is subject to an internal investigation. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.
"However, our ongoing investigations do not relate to any driving offences." | Two binmen have been suspended amid claims they were drinking while out on their round in South Tyneside. | 30820126 |
The 31-year-old joins New Zealand international Grant Elliott in the Foxes squad for the competition.
O'Brien has played 125 T20 games, scoring 1,980 runs with a strike rate of 132, and has taken 68 wickets at an average of 22.94, with an economy rate of just under 7.5 runs per over.
In 2011 he hit the fastest-ever World Cup century as Ireland beat England.
O'Brien, who played in the recent tournament in Australia and New Zealand, is the brother of Leicestershire batsman and wicketkeeper Niall and will be at Grace Road between 15 May and 26 June.
He has had previous spells with Gloucestershire, Nottinghamshire, Somerset and Surrey, and has played in the Bangladesh Premier League and Caribbean Premier League. | Leicestershire have signed Ireland all-rounder Kevin O'Brien for this season's T20 Blast campaign. | 32132125 |
Reid joined Wolves from Wrexham for an undisclosed fee in September 2013 but has yet to make a first team appearance for the Championship club.
The 20-year-old was on loan at Wrexham at the end of the 2013-14 season and spent a month at Telford last season.
Wrexham have also extended the loan of striker Gerry McDonagh until January.
The 18-year-old Nottingham Forest player joined on a initial one-month loan earlier in August.
Fellow striker Michael Bakare suffered a hamstring injury in Saturday's 0-0 draw at home to Eastleigh while Jordan White remains sidelined with a blood disorder.
Meanwhile coach Mark Creighton has left the club with immediate effect.
The former defender returned to the Racecourse in the summer but has left "to pursue other opportunities."
"I've loved working with both Gary Mills and Darren Caskey, they're great guys who are desperate to do well for Wrexham and see the club back into the Football League," Creighton said.
"It's been a great experience working with them and the players, and I hope I have contributed, even though my most recent spell at the Racecourse has been brief. | Former Wrexham striker Bradley Reid has rejoined the National League club on a month's loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers. | 37185921 |
Tokyo's Nikkei 225 closed down 1.32% to 16,819.59 points as a stronger yen against the dollar hurt the country's big exporters for a second day.
Toyota and Honda shares finished the day down about 2%, while Mazda shed nearly 5%.
At the close of trade, Toyota reported a 4.7% rise in net income for the three months to December.
However, the firm's operating profit for the quarter fell by 5.3%, missing forecasts.
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 spent the day in negative territory and closed flat, down 0.08% to 16,819.59.
The country's big lenders had weighed on the market and analysts said traders were being cautious ahead of a US jobs report due out later.
Energy firms regained lost territory late in the day, however, with Woodside finishing up 0.41% and rival Santos up 2.2%. Mining giant BHP finished up close to 5%.
Official numbers released earlier showed Australia's retail sales had come in flat for the month of December - a 0.4% gain was expected. But analysts said the numbers still supported economic growth.
"December quarter real retail sales rose by 0.6%, which was less than expected, but similar to the last few quarters," said AMP Capital's head economist Shane Oliver.
"It implies that consumer spending has again helped support December quarter GDP growth," he added.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng was up 0.4% to 19,255.88 points in afternoon trade, while the mainland's benchmark Shanghai Composite closed down 0.63% to 2,763.49.
South Korea's Kospi index closed flat, up just 0.08% to 1,917.79. | Shares in Asia were in mixed territory on Friday ahead of a closely watched US monthly jobs report. | 35499340 |
The 25-year-old, however, continues to train with the English Championship club, who lost manager Simon Grayson to Sunderland on Thursday.
May played under Dons boss Derek McInnes when he came through the youth ranks with St Johnstone.
Preston bought May, who earned his only Scotland cap in a 2014 friendly with England, from Sheffield Wednesday for an undisclosed fee in September 2015.
The striker suffered a serious knee ligament injury that December and did not make his return to action until this February.
He went on to make 10 appearances, scoring once, as his side finished 11th in England's second tier.
May had previously spent a season with Wednesday after being signed from St Johnstone, scoring seven goals in 41 games.
The striker, who spent time on loan to Alloa Athletic and Hamilton Academical before breaking into Saints' first-team under McInnes, has a year left on his Preston contract.
Grayson had bolstered Preston's striking options this summer by paying compensation fees to Manchester United for 21-year-old Josh Harrop and to Cork City for Sean Maguire.
Veteran forward Jermaine Beckford was among the players released.
Aberdeen have added striker Greg Stewart on loan from Birmingham City and agreed a deal to sign attacking midfielder Shaun Maloney from Hull City after Jonny Hayes was sold to Celtic and forward Niall McGinn rejected a new contract. | Aberdeen have made a bid for Preston North End striker Stevie May. | 40455340 |
PC Paul Sharp, from North Tyneside, was dismissed after receiving a suspended jail term by magistrates last month.
The 34-year-old admitted two counts of making indecent images of children and one of possessing extreme pornography.
In a statement, the force said it "completely condemned" PC Sharp's actions, which had been dealt with by its Professional Standards Department.
The statement added: "Both we and the public quite rightly expect the highest standards from our police officers and staff.
"When the behaviour of one of our officers falls below our high standards we investigate thoroughly and take appropriate action, which in this case led to Paul Sharp being dismissed from Northumbria Police." | A Northumbria Police officer has been sacked after downloading indecent images of children, the force said. | 39015682 |
Ben Gerring, 29, was in the water near Mandurah, south of Perth, when the attack occurred.
The attack occurred at around 16:00 local time (07:00 GMT) on Tuesday, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported.
Local media reports said Mr Gerring was resuscitated before he was taken to hospital. He has undergone surgery and remains in a critical condition.
"He was right out the back looking to get a big wave, one of the set waves that had been coming through during the day," Brian Williams, president of the Mandurah Boardriders Club and friend of the victim, told ABC.
"He'd sort of paddled out the back, sort of past the pack slightly. And next thing all hell broke loose and they were trying to bring him in.
"His board was broken in half, they found the tail part of his board," Mr Williams said.
Surf Lifesaving Western Australia reportedly issued a warning before the attack, after an unknown species of shark was seen in the local area. | A surfer is in a critical condition after a shark bit off his leg at a beach in Western Australia. | 36423080 |
Peter Foster, who works in a Sheringham tea room, says he spotted the dolphin about 20 yards (18m) off shore on Sunday.
Regional Sea Watch Foundation co-ordinator Carl Chapman believes it was a common dolphin.
"Although it's not a rare breed in itself, it is very scarce in this area of Norfolk," he said.
"It looks pretty healthy and from what I've been told about its actions, it isn't too stressed.
"It sounds like it's a bit of a wayward individual - maybe it's on holiday!"
Mr Foster said he had worked in Whelk Coppers tea room, from where he spotted the dolphin, for about 25 years and had never seen one before.
"We get quite a few seals round here, they're fairly common, but I've never seen a dolphin," he said. | A dolphin has been spotted off the north Norfolk coast, one of only 10 sightings in the area since the 1800s. | 34699292 |
The Super Puma 225 came down near the island of Turoey, near Bergen, while it was returning from an oil field.
Iain Stuart 41, from Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire, was one of 13 people who died in the crash last April.
The helicopter crashed after the main rotor detached. Part of the gearbox has been found in the sea.
It is now being examined.
An interim report from the Air Accident Investigation Board Norway said the most likely cause was a fatigue fracture within the helicopter gearbox. | Investigators probing a fatal helicopter crash off Norway last year have found what they describe as a "vital" missing part. | 39208668 |
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