document
stringlengths 0
39k
| summary
stringlengths 1
329
| id
stringlengths 8
8
|
|---|---|---|
The Forestry Commission wants to release the animals into a 16-acre area by the Greathough Brook, near Brierley.
It is hoped they will dam the stream to create new wildlife habitats and reduce the flood risk around Lydbrook.
Beavers were hunted to near-extinction for their highly valuable fur and oil, but have survived in captivity.
Their reintroduction, as part of a three-year trial, would be be the first time the animals have been seen in the Forest for 400 years.
In other areas of the UK where beavers live wild some farmers have complained of damage to their land, but the Forestry Commission says there is no chance of that happening in the Forest.
"The trial here is going to be fenced to stop boar getting in and stop the beavers getting out," said spokesman Kevin Stannard.
"We are well embedded on the public forest estate so there is, I would say, absolutely no chance of the beavers escaping, or if they do escape, getting out onto surrounding farmland." | A family of beaver could be released into a fenced area of the Forest of Dean as soon as September. | 39076621 |
The teachers work at 28 PakTurk schools which Turkey says are linked to US-based Turkish preacher Fethullah Gulen. The schools deny this.
Turkey accuses Mr Gulen of being behind July's failed coup, a claim he rejects.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, visiting Pakistan, welcomed the move.
In a statement, PakTurk International Schools and Colleges said the teachers and their families, who totalled about 450 people, had been asked to leave because of "non-approval of their requests for extension of visa".
What is the Gulen movement?
Who was behind Turkey coup attempt?
Pakistan's interior ministry has so far not commented.
The expulsions are not expected to stop the functioning of the schools as most staff members are Pakistani.
A petition by the school management challenging the decision is to be heard by the Islamabad High Court on Thursday, Pakistani media report.
Mr Erdogan described the decision by Pakistan as "very pleasing".
"They moved rapidly in the direction of ending the [Gulen movement's] presence in Pakistan and toward thwarting their attempts at unrest," he said at Ankara airport as he left for Pakistan.
"As you know, Pakistan has asked persons linked to the organisation to leave the country by November 20. This is very pleasing for us."
According to Pakistan's Dawn newspaper, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu raised the issue of the schools during a visit to Pakistan in August and was told the matter would be investigated.
The Gulen movement, which the Turkish government has declared a terrorist organisation, runs schools all over the world.
Since July's failed coup, Turkey has cracked down on any individuals or groups believed to have links to Fethullah Gulen.
Tens of thousands of people from every level of society have been purged from their jobs, including senior military officers, government officials and school teachers.
Critics of President Erdogan say he has used the coup attempt as a way of removing his opponents. | Pakistan has ordered more than 100 Turkish teachers at a chain of international schools to leave the country, with their families, by the end of the week. | 38005302 |
Lorries with a month's food supply for 40,000 people are stuck at the Turkish border, 48 hours into a ceasefire.
Getting aid to civilians in besieged areas like the rebel-held eastern half of the city of Aleppo is a priority.
But disagreements between warring sides and concerns about safety are delaying emergency deliveries, the UN says.
Criticism has also been levelled at President Bashar al-Assad's government for trying to control aid flows.
"It's crucially important [that] the necessary security arrangements" are made so the convoy can travel, Mr Ban said.
"I have been urging the Russian government to make sure that they exercise influence on the Syrian government, and also the American side to make sure that Syrian armed groups, they also fully co-operate."
The Syrian government says it will only allow aid co-ordinated through itself and the UN to reach Aleppo.
Meanwhile, UK-based monitoring group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it had recorded no casualties in the first 48 hours of the ceasefire, contradicting earlier Russian accounts of two government troop deaths on the Castello Road, which leads to Aleppo.
US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov have agreed in a phone call to extend the truce for another 48 hours, the US State Department says.
"There was agreement that as a whole, despite sporadic reports of violence, the arrangement is holding," spokesman Mark Toner said.
Some 250,000 people are trapped in eastern Aleppo. Protests have been held against the UN as the area waits for aid but people are enjoying the temporary calm, residents say.
"The streets were always empty before," a member of the rebel Free Syrian Army, Abo Haitham, told Reuters news agency.
"But now people are coming and going, children are playing in the playground. But the downside is that the markets are empty."
In government-controlled western Aleppo, pictures showed young people relaxing outside. Before the ceasefire, districts there were regularly targeted by rebel rocket and mortar fire.
Residents of eastern Aleppo are reported to be in desperate need of fuel, flour, wheat, baby formula and medicines.
Two convoys of lorries carrying aid crossed into Syria about 40km (25 miles) west of Aleppo on Tuesday but were not allowed to go much further, Reuters reports.
One issue holding back aid deliveries is that al-Qaeda affiliates operate in the area, which may mean the main route into Aleppo is not yet safe, the BBC's James Longman in Beirut says.
How will the new Syria truce work?
Since the truce came into effect on Monday, accusations have been made against both rebels and government forces for sporadically violating it.
But it appears to have largely held.
The deal, described by Mr Kerry as the "last chance to save a united Syria", was struck on Friday in Geneva after months of talks between Russia and the US. It requires both sides to allow unhindered access for humanitarian aid.
The number of deaths recorded since the beginning of the conflict in March 2011 recently rose above 300,000, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group.
However, it said it estimated the full death toll to be about 430,000.
Mr Kerry said 450,000 had been "slaughtered" in an interview with National Public Radio on Tuesday.
More than 4.8 million people have fled abroad, and an estimated 6.5 million others have been displaced within the country, the UN says.
Jihadist groups like so-called Islamic State and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham face the joint might of the Russian and US air forces
Moderate rebels and civilians in the areas they hold will no longer face the threat of indiscriminate air strikes such as barrel-bombing although the Syrian air force will not be grounded completely; aid deliveries will be allowed to areas currently under siege
President Assad will be in a stronger position as the US and Russia engage two of his most effective military opponents while moderate rebels observe the truce with his forces
February 2012: Syrian government "categorically rejects" an Arab League plan calling for a joint Arab-UN peacekeeping mission
June 2012/January 2014/January 2016: Three failed UN-sponsored peace conferences in Geneva
September 2013: Kerry and Lavrov negotiate a deal to strip the Syrian government of its chemical weapons in return for the US backing away from air strikes. Since then, the government has again and repeatedly been accused of using toxic chemicals against rebel-held areas
February 2016: World powers agree in Munich on a nationwide "cessation of hostilities" in Syria excluding jihadist groups. There is no agreement on any joint US-Russian operations. The "pause" quickly unravels as Assad promises to regain control of the whole country
March 2016: President Vladimir Putin declares "mission accomplished" in Syria and orders removal of "main part" of Russia's air army in Syria. Russian air strikes have continued ever since | UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged Russia and the US to push all warring sides in Syria to allow safe passage for desperately needed aid. | 37364483 |
Gest was best known as the estranged husband of singer Liza Minnelli and a friend of Michael Jackson.
He came to prominence on ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and later featured on talent show Grease Is The Word and Celebrity Big Brother (CBB).
Stars of CBB and other showbusiness friends took to Twitter to pay tribute. | The career of entertainer David Gest was varied, and so tributes for him have come from across the entertainment world. | 36027036 |
Well boss Mark McGhee said he could call for a postponement if any more players are struck down.
He was left with only six of his regular first-team players training on Thursday, but McInnes is "confident and positive the game will go ahead".
'It's very unusual for the league to postpone a game," he said.
"I think it would be very unusual for a game to be cancelled for that, but I have every sympathy for Mark.
''It happened to me before at St Johnstone when it ransacked the club. We had to deal with it. Hopefully the game will go ahead as planned.''
Motherwell were forced to postpone an under-20s game against Celtic on Tuesday after the vast majority of the squad were laid low.
And a request to the Scottish Professional Football League would follow about the Aberdeen game if the illness continues to spread among the first team.
But an SPFL spokesman said that as of 1730 GMT on Thursday, no request from Motherwell had been received.
"We had to shut down the club yesterday," McGhee said.
"If we had another three or four showing these symptoms and unable to train then it would leave me with no choice.
"I might only have nine players including the entire under-20s. I can't go into a football match with eight or nine players."
McGhee believes his team have "a responsibility to the competition", with Celtic also to visit Fir Park on 9 April.
"I don't particularly want to go into the Aberdeen game with half a team and then have my full team out against Celtic," he said.
"I want it to be fair. I want to beat them both with the same team."
Motherwell already had Stephen Pearson ruled out with a punctured lung and broken ribs, with fellow midfielder Keith Lasley a major doubt with a dead leg and defender Louis Laing still sidelined through injury.
"We had the entire under-20s wiped out by a virus," said McGhee. "We had six of the first-team squad showing symptoms.
"At the moment, our count seems to be about 15, which includes two or three of the young boys who have never been involved at first-team level.
"So it's looking pretty grim at the moment with Lasley, Pearson and Laing all injured.
"But if I have nine or 10 of the ones that have been playing every week then I will be quite content to go into the game. I don't want to go in with six though."
Motherwell are hoping to consolidate their place in the top six following their 2-1 win over Dundee United last Friday, while the Dons will arrive aiming to maintain pressure on leaders Celtic at the top.
''Motherwell will be no different to us, they'll want to get all three points, they've got their own motivation," McInnes added. "I can sympathise with Mark - he'll want to get his best team out there.
"They're very competitive and there's no doubt they have some good players, a lot of know-how and they score goals so it'll be tough. But we aim to be a tough opponent for them too."
Ross County's failure to beat St Johnstone on Wednesday means Aberdeen will finish at worst third in the Premiership and have already secured European qualification.
McInnes is confident top scorer Adam Rooney will be fit to bolster their title challenge in the next few weeks, the striker responding well to treatment on a thigh problem.
''He's had another scan and the healing is going well," he added. "I'm confident he'll be back after the split for the last five games. He has a lot to do in terms of coming back before that.'' | Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes expects Saturday's match at Motherwell to go ahead despite the outbreak of a virus affecting the first team at Fir Park. | 35831875 |
Miami Republican Frank Artiles spoke on the floor of the Florida Senate on Wednesday, saying "no one deserves to be spoken to like that".
His apology stems from a late-night tirade at the Governors Club, only steps away from the State Capitol.
He berated two black senators during a chat on politics.
"I stand up before all of you, every one of you, and with great humility, I ask for your forgiveness," Mr Artiles said on Wednesday in a nearly four-minute mea culpa.
According to the Miami Herald, the incident began after 22:00 local time on Monday over drinks at the members-only club.
A lawmaker approached Mr Artiles to ask if his objections to a bill she had filed were political payback for her questions about one of his previous bills.
Mr Artiles reportedly used insults and profanity against African-American Senators Audrey Gibson of Jacksonville and Perry Thurston of Fort Lauderdale.
He allegedly referred to Ms Gibson as a "bitch" and a "girl".
According to witnesses, Mr Artiles also said Republican Senate President Joe Negron, who is white, owed his position to "six [racial slur]".
It is unclear who he was referring to because the chamber's black senators are all Democrats, none of whom voted for Mr Negron.
"I owe you an apology," a contrite Mr Artiles told Mr Negron on Wednesday, begging forgiveness for his "crass and juvenile comments".
But Mr Negron said Mr Artiles would be removed from his position as chair of the chair of the Committee on Communications, Energy and Public Utilities.
During Monday night's discussion, Mr Artiles reportedly sought to justify his use of the n-word, insisting he intended a slang pronunciation that he thought was not offensive.
"I'm from Hialeah" he said, according to Sen Gibson, referring to the racially diverse inner-city neighbourhood of Miami.
The Florida Democratic Party has called on Artiles to quit. | A Florida state senator has apologised to his African-American colleagues after insulting them and using a racial slur during a bar-room chat with them. | 39646008 |
The author of Lady Chatterley's Lover maligned Pangbourne while inquiring about cottages to let in 1919.
He wrote: "Women use scent on their clothes, and petrol plus river plus pavement... I suffer by the nose."
The letter is being sold in Edinburgh on Wednesday. It is estimated it will fetch £1,200.
A spokesman for auction house Lyon and Turnbull said Lawrence had been in "peevish mood" at the time the note was written.
It was sent a year before Women in Love was published and during a period Lawrence complained of living in relative poverty.
This came after he was forced to leave his Cornish home in 1917 following accusations that he and his German wife Frieda had been signalling to enemy submarines off the coast.
Lawrence, whose other novels included Sons and Lovers and The Rainbow, was born in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, in 1885 and died in France in 1930 aged 44. | A letter written by DH Lawrence describing a Berkshire village as repulsive and smelly has been put up for auction. | 38547643 |
Mae NHS Lloegr ac NHS Improvement, ar orchymyn Ysgrifennydd Iechyd Lloegr Jeremy Hunt, yn bwriadu cynnal adolygiad i nifer o farwolaethau dan ofal Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Amwythig a Telford.
Bu farw Jenson, mab Kate and Barny Barnett o'r Drenewydd, ddau ddiwrnod wedi iddo gael ei eni ym mis Mehefin 2013.
Mae'r ymddiriedolaeth wedi "ymddiheuro'n ddiamod" i'r teuluoedd gan ddweud ei fod yn "dysgu gwersi".
Fe ddaeth crwner i'r casgliad fod yr anafiadau yr oedd Jenson wedi ei ddioddef wrth iddo gael ei eni yn rhai yr oedd modd eu hosgoi.
Cafodd y cwest i'w farwolaeth ei gynnal ym mis Mawrth 2014, ac fe glywodd fod y baban wedi marw o achos trawma i'w ymennydd wrth iddo gael ei esgor yn aflwyddiannus gyda gefeiliau.
Fe siaradodd Mrs Barnett gyda BBC Cymru wedi i Ysgrifennydd Iechyd Lloegr Jeremy Hunt gyhoeddi'r adolygiad i'r marwolaethau.
Dywedodd fod y meddygon wedi gorfod defnyddio gefeiliau yn ystod yr enedigaeth "ond nad oedden nhw'n gallu penderfynu pa ffordd oedd ei ben er mwyn eu defnyddio, felly fe gawsant eu defnyddio'n anghywir."
"Pan aethon nhw i'w dynnu fe symudodd y gwely'n ôl ac fe lithrodd y gefeiliau oddi ar ei ben," meddai.
"Yna fe ges i fy rhuthro i gael llawdriniaeth cesaraidd frys."
Ychwanegodd fod Jenson wedi ei eni "sawl awr" wedi iddo ddangos arwyddion ei fod yn anghyfforddus, a bu bron iddi hithau farw hefyd wedi iddi golli tri pheint o waed.
Cafodd ei hebrwng o'r ystafell ac ni welodd ei phlentyn am saith neu wyth awr, a phan welodd ei mab "roedd ganddo diwbiau yn dod allan ohono a marciau ar ei ben."
Clywodd Mrs a Mrs Barnett na fyddai Jenson yn goroesi'r noson a bu farw ar 18 Mehefin.
Fe wnaeth yr ysbyty ymddiheuro wrth Mr a Mrs Barnett yn ystod y cwest.
"Roedden nhw am wneud pethau am y peth ac roedd pethau wedi newid, ond yn amlwg dydyn nhw ddim," meddai Mrs Barnett.
"Mae gweld hyn i gyd ar y newyddion wedi fy ngwneud yn flin yn hytrach na fy siomi. Dydyn nhw heb ddysgu dim.
"Doedden ni ddim am weld neb arall yn mynd drwy'r hyn yr aethon ni drwyddo."
"Dwi mond am i bobl ddysgu o'u camgymeriadau."
Dywedodd Simon Wright, prif weithredwr Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Amwythig a Telford, fod marwolaeth baban yn "ddigwyddiad mwyaf trasig all unrhyw un ei ddychmygu" ac mae wedi ymddiheuro'n "ddiamod" i'r teuluoedd oedd wedi eu heffeithio.
"Yn ystod y blynyddoedd diwethaf mae adolygiadau annibynnol allanol wedi dangos dro ar ôl tro fod yr ymddiriedolaeth yn gwella ac yn dysgu gwersi ond rhaid i ni ymdrechu i wneud mwy," meddai.
"Ers i mi ymuno gyda'r ymddiriedolaeth yn hwyr yn 2015 rwyf wedi gweld sut y mae ein hysbytai wedi bod yn gweithio'n galed i hybu diwylliant o ddysgu ac nid gweld bai.
"Rydym yn agored am unrhyw fethiannau er mwyn i ni arbed y teuluoedd rhag unrhyw dor-calon pellach, neu'r angen i fod yn heriol er mwyn clywed y gwir."
Dywedodd Mr Wright ei fod yn croesawu'r adolygiad a'u bod yn "cydweithio'n llawn ac yn dryloyw."
Ychwanegodd fod y cyrff sy'n gyfrifol am arolygu gofal yn Lloegr ac arbennigwyr annibynol wedi disgrifio eu gwasanaeth fel un da. | Mae mam o Bowys wedi croesawu adolygiad i farwolaethau nifer o fabanod wedi i'w mab farw yn Ysbyty Brenhinol Amwythig. | 39594086 |
Mother-of-two Ms Coggins has been described by her boyfriend as "hardworking" and "just beautiful".
The friends died in the early hours of Thursday while on a girls' holiday in Lloret de Mar on the Costa Brava.
Police said the women were swept away by waves and the beach had been closed to the public the day before.
Ms Coggins, 35, is thought to have worked at the Costco wholesalers in Birmingham.
Rescue teams were alerted at 04:15 local time after the women failed to return from a swim in the sea, a Spanish news website said.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We can confirm the death of two British nationals who had been reported missing in Lloret de Mar on 1 October.
"We are providing support to the families and those who were travelling with the individuals at this difficult time. | Two women from Birmingham believed to have drowned off the coast of Spain have been named as Lisa Coggins and Tracey Aston. | 34433644 |
There are no winning hands in the great game being played in Syria, but Vladimir Putin has reaped a positive return from his military intervention to shore up the position of President Bashar al-Assad's government.
His gamble could still be a loser over the long term, but he currently has command of the table and over what happens next.
Mr Putin's combination of aggression and finesse is in sharp contrast to his American counterpart. Barack Obama has carefully guarded his chips, seeing little to be gained with the lousy cards in Syria.
While the United States is leading a limited military campaign against the Islamic State, Mr Obama has offered little more than the status quo ante when it comes to Mr Assad.
Mr Obama has called for Mr Assad to step down, but there has never been a real strategy behind that rhetoric. Mr Putin and Mr Obama are actually playing two interrelated but different games. Success in each game is the same - a functioning Syrian state that is not a safe haven for extremists.
Their paths are vastly different. One envisages the survival of the existing Syrian regime, with some symbolic accommodation with its political opposition. The other one involves an inclusive political process that results in genuine power-sharing.
Given the events of the past six months, Mr Putin is far closer to his goal than Mr Obama. Mr Obama insists that Syria does not represent a competition between the two leaders, but it is becoming increasingly hard to view it any other way.
While Mr Obama is fond of calling the United States the indispensable nation, it is President Putin who has repeatedly made himself indispensable in Syria.
First, after what he viewed as a fiasco in Libya, he made sure that the United Nations would not sanction a comparable intervention in Syria. There has been no international responsibility to protect the Syrian people from their dictator as there was in Libya.
Second, after Mr Obama threatened military action in response to Syria's crossing of his red line over the use of chemical weapons, Mr Putin imposed on Mr Assad to yield his chemical weapons stocks. However, this provided a de facto green light to attack the opposition through conventional means.
Finally, while Mr Obama hesitated at the use of military force, requesting congressional approval that would likely not have materialised, Mr Putin intervened decisively.
Where Mr Obama's contemplated use of military force would not have affected the military balance in the Syrian civil war, Mr Putin fundamentally changed at least one crucial fact on the ground.
Mr Obama's policy has been based until now on the presumption that Mr Assad's days are numbered. That may still be true but, thanks to Putin, the number is getting larger not smaller.
Mr Obama is right when he said that Syria cannot return to where it was before the civil war. He is also right when he says that the conflict will not end as long as Mr Assad remains in power.
But given that Mr Assad for the moment is not going anywhere, it is very likely that the political process that resumes this week in Syria is not going anywhere either.
As Mr Obama suggested in a recent interview with Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic, he does not see Mr Putin's intervention as a success, but rather as an over-extension.
Washington was content to play Huck Finn and let Moscow be Tom Sawyer and paint the fence.
The problem with the White House analogy is that in regional geo-politics, who actually paints the fence matters. Mr Obama over the past three years has been far too dismissive of the importance of the perceived decline in the credibility of American power.
Mr Obama suggests he wants to leave a "clean barn" for his successor. In fact, his successor will need to rebuild international trust and confidence in American leadership just as he did - albeit from a very different place.
In 2009, the United States was accused of doing too much, with dire consequences in Iraq. Today, the United States is accused of not doing enough, with dire consequences in Syria.
While Mr Obama has never believed that he needed to solve the tragedy in Syria - he has consistently viewed it as someone else's civil war - in all likelihood his successor will have to do more.
US efforts to date have degraded the Islamic State, but it is questionable whether it can be defeated through the existing limited levels of air power and special operations forces.
Mr Obama has been reluctant to do more, understandably fearing that greater involvement might exacerbate the extremist threat to the US and its allies.
While the current operational pause has had a greater effect on the ground than anticipated, the next president will likely inherit the Syrian civil war and find a solution to end it.
Its dangerous ripple effects cannot be ignored, even if the conflict itself does not represent an existential threat.
What is unclear is whether Mr Putin's gamble has made a solution to the Syrian conflict harder or easier to achieve. It could be either one.
PJ Crowley is a former US Assistant Secretary of State, now a professor of practice and fellow at the George Washington University Institute of Public Diplomacy & Global Communication. | Vladimir Putin's surprise announcement of a Russian military pullback from Syria underscores how his country has played a decisive role in the conflict, frequently outmanoeuvring the US, writes PJ Crowley. | 35809507 |
A new cross-Whitehall fund is being set up to help poor nations counter Russian influence and Islamic extremism.
But some MPs fear that this could mean less money spent on relieving poverty in Africa and Asia.
The government's continuing commitment to spend 0.7%, more than £12bn, of its national income on overseas aid every year is controversial.
To address concerns about value for money in aid spending at a time of austerity, ministers want to spend more of the money not only relieving poverty but also promoting Britain's strategic interests.
As such, they are developing a new so-called "empowerment fund" worth £700m over four years.
This could be used by the Foreign Office and other departments to help developing countries counter the threat of Islamic extremism or the clout of Russia.
This could mean, say, more training for Ukraine in cyber defence - or more education for Syrian refugees in the Middle East.
Nadhim Zahawi, a Conservative member of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, welcomed the idea. "If this sort of fund will help push back and allow communities to be stabilised then I think it's a good thing," he said.
"Stability directly feeds into peoples' livelihoods, education, all the things that development should be quite rightly backing."
But others MPs fear the new fund could divert money away from helping the poorest countries in Africa and Asia.
"These cross government funds which have a lot less scrutiny, a lot less transparency than the work that's done through the Department for International Development, I think, are an increasing concern," says Stephen Doughty, a Labour member of the Commons International Development Committee.
"And unfortunately it's quite clear the money isn't necessarily being spent as well as it should be, ironically, as we're diverting it away from the department that does spend it well."
The new fund is being driven by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.
His civil servants have long envied the bulging coffers of the Department for International Development whose officials have, in turn, long doubted the ability of the Foreign Office to spend aid effectively.
But the government wants UK aid tied more closely to UK national interests so it can take on its critics who think Britain spends too much on aid, full stop. | Plans to spend more overseas aid promoting Britain's strategic national interests have been criticised by MPs. | 38959997 |
The so-called Islamic State (IS) group said it carried out both attacks.
A bomber killed at least eight people and wounded 29 in the Jadida district. At least nine died and 30 were injured in another attack in the Bayaa area.
IS has carried out a series of bombings in government-held areas this year, although the group continues to lose ground to US-backed government forces. | Suicide bombers have killed at least 17 people and wounded more than 50 in Shia areas of the Iraqi capital Baghdad. | 37484912 |
The beach at Rosemarkie in the Highlands was closed to the public on Tuesday following the discovery.
A Royal Navy bomb disposal team from HM Clyde at Faslane disposed of the device, thought to be from World War Two, on Wednesday evening.
Lt Cmdr Tony Hampshire said the coastguard had told the team children had been playing with the device.
The Royal Navy officer said: "Despite its era the explosive was probably intact and still dangerous. These devices should be treated with respect.
"The family who realised the danger did absolutely the right thing."
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "Thankfully the children who were reported playing with this live mortar were unharmed.
"Thanks to Inverness Coastguard and Nairn Coastguard for making Rosemarkie Beach safe for the public until the Royal Navy's EOD team arrived to safely dispose of this device." | Children played with an unexploded mortar bomb on a beach before being told what it was. | 39064384 |
There was "a disproportionate amount of mayhem in cyber-space" coming from the country, he told the BBC.
Mr Hannigan urged people to "push back" against the behaviour of the Russian state, adding some form of cyber-retaliation may be necessary in future.
Sanctions could also be imposed to highlight the Russian state's current activity was unacceptable, he added.
"Of course not everything is run by the Russian state," Mr Hannigan told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"There is an overlap of crime and state, and a deeply corrupt system that allows crime to flourish, but the Russian state could do a lot to stop that and it could certainly rein in its own state activity."
Mr Hannigan praised French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel for "calling out" Russian state activity.
"I think starting to talk about it is good. Macron himself said in front of Putin, at a press conference, in a very striking way, that this was unacceptable," he said.
Russia's cyber-operations became a major issue during Robert Hannigan's' time running GCHQ.
Russian cyber-espionage has been going on for years, but recently Western intelligence agencies watched with alarm as hackers operating out of Russia appeared willing to take more aggressive and risky actions.
One sign of that was the takedown of the French TV5 Monde channel, made to look like the work of hackers related to the so-called Islamic State but traced to Russia.
This left British spies wondering whether Moscow had been testing out its disruptive capability.
GCHQ was also the first to spot signs that Russia had penetrated the Democratic Party in the US, and it informed authorities in Washington.
But as Russian operations seemed to become more brazen, the questions have grown over how best to respond and deter such activities.
And that process has been complicated by the controversy in Washington surrounding the investigation of possible links between the US President Donald Trump's election campaign and Russia. | Russian authorities are a threat to democracy, former GCHQ director Robert Hannigan has said. | 40557092 |
Yn 2014 fe gyhoeddodd Sarah Rochira adroddiad a oedd yn seiliedig ar brofiadau preswylwyr mewn cartrefi gofal yng Nghymru.
Un o'r materion a gododd yn gyson oedd y defnydd anaddas o feddyginiaeth gwrthseicotig.
O achos hynny fe wnaeth ei hadroddiad argymell nifer o gynlluniau a fyddai'n gostwng y nifer o gyffuriau cryf a oedd yn cael eu rhoi i bobl â dementia.
Roedd y rhan fwyaf o'r argymhellion yn cyfeirio'n benodol at fyrddau iechyd Cymru.
Nawr mae'r Comisiynydd yn galw arnyn nhw i roi tystiolaeth bod y defnydd o'r cyffuriau wedi gostwng.
"Mae'n sgandal cenedlaethol," meddai Sarah Rochira wrth raglen Radio Wales, Eye on Wales. "Mi wnes i'n glir pan gyhoeddais i fy adolygiad y buaswn yn dychwelyd i weld os oes newid wedi bod.
"Cyn diwedd y flwyddyn mi fyddai'n cyhoeddi fy nghasgliadau ac mae'n hynod bwysig bod byrddau iechyd yn deall pa mor anaddas yw'r sefyllfa o'r fath a bod angen dangos gwelliant."
Mae cyffuriau gwrthseicotig, gan amlaf, yn cael eu defnyddio i drin cyflyrau megis schizophrenia ac anhwylder deubegwn (bipolar disorder).
Nid yw'r rhan fwyaf o'r cyffuriau fod i drin dementia ond maent yn cael eu rhoi i gleifion sy'n dangos symptomau seicolegol o'r cyflwr.
Dangosodd arolwg gan Goleg Brenhinol y Seiciatryddion ym mis Tachwedd y llynedd bod 18% o gleifion dementia wedi derbyn cyffuriau gwrthseicotig.
Pan mae hynny'n digwydd mae'n bwysig bod y claf yn cael dos isel am gyfnod mor fyr ag sy'n bosib.
Yn dilyn cyhoeddiad adroddiad Sarah Rochira fe gyhoeddodd y Gymdeithas Fferyllol yng Nghymru ei adroddiad ei hunain ac maen nhw'n ffyddiog fod y sefyllfa mewn cartrefi gofal yn gwella.
"Mae yna enghreifftiau o arfer arbenigol," meddai Mair Davies, cyfarwyddwr y gymdeithas.
"Be sy'n rhaid i ni ei wneud yw sicrhau bod hyn yn digwydd ym mhob cartref gofal yng Nghymru."
Yn ôl Steve Ford sy'n arwain gofal dementia ar ran Fforwm Gofal Cymru mae'n rhaid edrych yn fwy manwl ar yr achosion cynhenid dros ymddygiad person mewn cartref gofal.
"Mi allan nhw fod mewn poen neu efallai ddim yn cyd dynnu â'r person drws nesaf. Nid ffonio'r meddyg yn gofyn am gyffuriau yw'r ateb o hyd."
Wrth ymateb i sylwadau Sarah Rochira, fe ddywedodd Bwrdd Iechyd Caerdydd a'r Fro eu bod nhw wedi bod yn adolygu'r defnydd o feddyginiaethau gwrthseicotig mewn dau gartref.
"Mae'r adolygiad yma yn dangos faint o fudd sydd 'na i gleifion dementia mewn cartrefi gofal o gydweithio â fferyllwyr arbenigol a nyrsys gofal dementia."
Eye on Wales, BBC Radio Wales, 1230 dydd Sul 19 Chwefror | Dair blynedd wedi i adroddiad nodi bod yn rhaid lleihau'r defnydd anaddas o feddyginiaeth gwrthseicotig mewn cartrefi gofal mae Comisiynydd Pobl Hŷn Cymru yn galw am dystiolaeth fod pethau wedi newid. | 39008096 |
The fall, the third in a row, left the Ifo business climate index at 105.7 from 107.3 in January. Economists had forecast a slip to 106.8.
The fall is being blamed on a drop in demand for German goods in emerging markets.
It leaves business morale at its lowest level in more than a year.
The survey, which is based on monthly responses from around 7,000 firms in Germany, suggests that companies are concerned about the economic outlook for the next six months.
Europe's largest economy has suffered from a drop in demand from emerging markets in Asia and Latin America,
Carsten Brzeski of ING Bank said the numbers were a "wake up call". He added that "global events have finally reached German companies' boardrooms".
German companies have been relying on a strong US economy to offset the falling exports to China, Brazil and other emerging markets.
Ifo President Hans-Werne Sinn said the outlook for the German economy was worrying.
"The majority of companies were pessimistic about their business outlook for the first time in over six months." | German business confidence suffered its steepest drop since 2008, according to a widely watched survey by Ifo institute. | 35641071 |
The hole, estimated to be about 15 ft (4.6m) deep, opened up in Hutcliffe Wood Road, Millhouses, on Sunday.
The route has been closed, with knock-on delays in the Abbeydale Road area.
Staff from Sheffield City Council have attended the scene, and engineers are assessing the extent of the damage. It is not yet known how long the road will remain closed.
BBC Look North reporter Phil Bodmer said people have speculated that old mine workings under the road may have become unstable.
Read live updates on this story and more from across Sheffield and South Yorkshire
A spokesman for the council said staff were working "as quickly and safely as possible" to re-open the road as soon as possible.
Diversions have been put in place. | A large sinkhole in a road in Sheffield continues to cause widespread traffic delays. | 36128768 |
When Hibs host their Championship rivals, and fellow feel-good story, Dundee United on Friday night the 'house full' sign will hang proudly on the gate. More than 20,000 will be there, a number that will drive Hibs' average home attendance in the league this season north of the current figure of 14,857.
That's worth pondering for a second. It's 5,566 more than Hibs' average home crowd last season or, put another way, an increase of 60%. Sure, the campaign is only halfway through but we're supposed to be living in straitened times for football fans, we're supposed to be disillusioned with the state of the game, the cost of it, the quality of it, the administration of it.
Hibs are not so much bucking the trend as taking the trend, rolling it into a ball and volleying it ferociously into the night-time sky. Their average attendance so far this season is their highest since 1972-73 and their third highest since 1960-61.
Their crowds against Raith Rovers and Ayr this season were bigger than the number who turned up for the last top-flight Edinburgh derby in 2014. They drew more for Dumbarton and Queen of the South than they did for a game against Celtic in their last season in the Premiership. The last time Hibs hosted Dundee United in the top division, only 9,608 turned up. Now, in the division below, the number is doubling.
The glory of the Scottish Cup win is part of it, the thrill of a title chase is another. Neil Lennon's team have the ambition of a top-six Premiership side and the budget to match. They have to go up, purely and simply. Lennon has one job - promotion - and the masses are rallying to the cause in a very significant way.
The fact that they have a large financial advantage over Ray McKinnon's United and yet hold just a single-point lead must be a source of frustration. United don't look like they're going away anytime soon. If the return of the Hibs crowd is an extraordinary story then McKinnon's work in rebuilding United from the dog days of last season is another.
Last May, United were an unholy mess. A team had been relegated and needed dismantling. A manager had been sacked and needed replacing. A support had been alienated and needed to know that things were going to change. Not many believed it - or believed in Stephen Thompson, the chairman. There was bitterness in the air. For their last home of the game season, United played Partick Thistle. They couldn't even get 5,000 through the gate.
United's average crowd has fallen this season, but by nowhere near the levels people might have thought back in May. With the Dundee derbies bringing in more than 11,000 a pop and Celtic and Aberdeen bringing in 10,000, give or take, their average attendance in 2015-16 was 7,969.
Now it's 7,124 - a fall, yes, but a soft one compared to the resounding thud that was predicted by so many at the end of last season. McKinnon hasn't just been a fine football manager, he's been akin to King Canute, turning back the Tannadice tide of doom and gloom.
McKinnon has transformed last season's sieve-like defence into something a whole lot more robust, he's brought bite and order to his midfield and in Tony Andreu, he's brought in a reliable goalscorer. He's also galvanised some of the broken men from 2016. They're doing it in a lesser league, of course, but given the calamity he inherited, McKinnon has done a wonderful job.
He's signed well, either permanent deals or loans - and he's had to. He couldn't afford to make too many mistakes in the reconstruction of his team. Of the United team that beat Hibs 1-0 in the league in December, six of them were McKinnon signings and most of them had one thing in common - experience.
Andreu is 28, William Edjenguele is 29, Cammy Bell is 30, Willo Flood is 31, Nick van der Velden is 35. Also, Frank van der Struijk, 31, helped bolster the United defence in the early months of the season, before injury took him out. The rearguard has been their rock. They've conceded just three goals in their last 10 games.
There's been personnel change at Easter Road, too, but nowhere near as much. Lennon hasn't had a lot of luck with injuries but he's in the fortunate position of being able to recruit at a higher level than McKinnon.
The prime example of that is Kris Commons coming in on loan - with the possibility of a permanent deal.
Commons was magnificent for Lennon at Celtic and though he can't yet be match fit after so long on the Parkhead sidelines, he's already had an impact. A goal and an assist last weekend got Hibs over the line against Falkirk. Commons - a creative machine on his best form - could be the pivotal capture of the Championship season.
Friday won't be decisive, but it'll be stirring. Potentially one of the games - and atmospheres - of the season. | Something odd and exhilarating is happening on Easter Road, a sleepy hollow stadium recast as a place of noise and colour and hope. | 38526398 |
The wooden box, which appears to have been abandoned, was found on Brightlingsea promenade in Essex earlier this month.
It is inscribed: "In loving memory of our special friend Rupert, 1978-2003."
Essex Police said they had no idea whether 25-year-old Rupert was a person or a much-loved animal.
If no-one comes forward, the force said the ashes would be interred by the police chaplain.
More news from Essex | A box containing the ashes of someone called Rupert has been found on a seafront, prompting a police appeal for the owner to come forward. | 39026886 |
Media playback is not supported on this device
It was another sell at the end of arguably the greatest sell in boxing history.
Former five-weight world champion Floyd Mayweather stopped the Irish UFC fighter, who was making his boxing debut, in the 10th round after one of the most hyped fights of all time.
Beforehand, the media pored over every word - racist, homophobic or otherwise. Boxing purists despaired, while the MMA community dreamed their relatively young sport would topple the more established form of combat.
Journalists literally pushed and shoved one another for position at media events. Photographers charged towards the fighters as if they were the Beatles reunited.
It was comical, exciting and at times sickeningly transparent in its core purpose - to make as much money as possible.
The figures will be staggering. An hour after picking apart a tiring McGregor, Mayweather said the bout had surpassed the $72.2m (£59.9m) earned at the gate when he overcame Manny Pacquiao in 2015.
Pay-per-view figures will be firmed up next week but bank on the total exceeding $620m (£480m), roughly what Mayweather-Pacquiao delivered.
Probably the richest bout in history then. Mayweather hopes to pick up $300m (£232m) - he was making almost $10m (£7.7m) a minute.
Did he earn it? Yes, the 40-year-old grafted in promoting the fight but when laid bare, the contest was always his.
"Floyd didn't look concerned one bit," said Britain's former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis. "He was smiling, very comfortable, composed. I didn't see the point of the whole thing. I didn't think [McGregor] did well at all."
Media playback is not supported on this device
Punch stats - though at times debatable - show McGregor landed nine more than the victor for six rounds. The next four rounds saw Mayweather throw 70 more than his rival. That is some acceleration in pace, arguably all too easy.
Respected boxing writer Tris Dixon commented: "McGregor won what Mayweather let him win."
It sounds brutally harsh. No-one can deny McGregor's guts or his will to break new ground. He is a credit to UFC but about 5,000 spare seats at the T-Mobile Arena indicates some saw him as part of an overhyped, expensive and flawed product.
Former super-middleweight champion Carl Froch said if McGregor were an established boxer, the term "outclassed" would be used.
"What was it people bought into?" said boxing promoter Frank Warren.
Personality and intrigue undoubtedly. McGregor is not an established boxer and his efforts in the ring were honest.
But when the dust settles, the intricacies of the fight are analysed and the behaviour of all involved in the build-up is dissected, the legacy may be a rather hollow feeling.
McGregor will make do with around $100m (£77.5m) - roughly $3m (£2.3m) a minute. In the ring, he paid for not having Mayweather's 21 years of pure-boxing conditioning.
"Questions or shall I prattle on?" he said on hitting the stage afterwards. The world outside of UFC has learned he needs no invitation.
But from now on, he will have invitations aplenty.
Mayweather might have out-earned him but 'The Notorious' brand has gone stratospheric in recent weeks.
And hence this boxing gamble will pay dividends. New brands will want a slice of him; those who already own a slice will look to protect it.
Asked about McGregor boxing again, UFC president Dana White answered emphatically: "I would rather he did not. I don't think there is anything left to prove."
McGregor - sporting sunglasses and a colourful suit - ruled nothing out, including a trilogy fight in the UFC with Nate Diaz, or more boxing.
"Conor McGregor is now a huge attraction in boxing," said BBC Radio 5 live commentator Mike Costello.
"You've seen the sparring videos and their fall-out, so now Conor McGregor v Paulie Malignaggi on St Patrick's Day next March is a legitimate fight. The build-up for that starts now."
If he doesn't fancy more boxing, McGregor has the microphone skills for WWE - as well as an energy and swagger which some say points to Hollywood.
Refreshingly, he was reflective afterwards. Just as he was after his biggest UFC defeat to date against Diaz last year.
True champions quickly find solutions and he promised to address a lull in energy he believes he feels midway through his MMA fights and says affected him here. Hearing him speak about his craft in this mood is intoxicating. He does not pay lip service; rather, every word he utters has clearly come from deep thought.
This studious nature combined with gripping personality mean that with Mayweather retired, he is the biggest name in combat sports.
"I have many options in MMA and I'm sure there will be options that present themselves in the boxing ring," said the 29-year-old.
"I am open. I love competing. Tonight was a damn good fight. I enjoyed myself and I can't tell you exactly what is next."
Who knows? But it will be big. McGregor did his share to hype this bout in pursuit of more money than he will ever need. Just don't bank on him quietly disappearing with his earnings.
To watch Mayweather is to see a man practically box on autopilot. Those decades spent honing his craft meant even at 40, the American - who had been retired for almost two years - was a force.
Afterwards, he made no attempt to hide his motivation.
"I have retired before but I'm not a damn fool," he said. "If I see an opportunity to make $300m in 36 minutes I will. But this is my last one."
Who wouldn't do the same? And in his defence, amid the hype of recent weeks he was the quieter man. Often his barbs felt forced, delivered because he could not be seen to say nothing as McGregor's antics reached new heights.
But he pushed for this fight, floating it to UFC bosses by his own admission. This win showed his quality to a new audience - those sucked in by the anarchy. Perhaps that is a positive - more people have seen his genius.
And 1950s world heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano's perfect 49-fight record has been surpassed. Hence as it ends - again - Mayweather's career should be lauded.
Making it to the top was not easy. He spoke of his first $100,000 cheque - received at the age of 19. "I came from poverty," he pointed out. "I wasn't listening at that meeting, I just wanted that cheque."
To reach a point where he has now taken part in the two richest fights in history and banked hundreds of millions of dollars shows genius from a business perspective too.
"I look forward to becoming a boxing trainer, helping fighters," he said. "I want to teach fighters about becoming a superstar not just in the ring but outside. It takes a lot of work on the outside to become a megastar."
He is a megastar and boxing has lost its marquee name again.
Perhaps this fight illustrates just how hard it will be to find a replacement. If candidates were plentiful, it would never have happened in the first place.
Boxing purists have their fancied names but the casual fan wants something simple, something they don't have to work to understand amidst the myriad of belts and weight classes.
This bout gave them that and the opportunist in Mayweather pounced.
Inside and outside the ring, that opportunistic nature was key for possibly the greatest the game has seen. | Conor McGregor's first words at his post-fight news conference announced he was at the lectern with his own branded whiskey. | 41065740 |
Commissioner Mike Brown and managing rirector of surface transport Leon Daniels are to tell TfL's board they should not get a performance award for 2016/17 when it meets on 19 September.
Their plan was revealed as TfL released its annual report on remuneration.
Seven people died when the tram derailed in November 2016.
The report also showed the transport authority has reduced day-to-day operating costs by £153m.
Mr Brown said the costs reduction, which is the first in TfL's history, had been achieved "by reducing management layers and reliance on agency staff and eliminating duplication". | Two Transport for London (TfL) bosses will say they should not receive an annual bonus for the last financial year because of the Croydon tram crash. | 40422545 |
About one in ten colleges are closed but the government says most are open or partially open.
On Monday the court rejected the government's bid to stop the National Union of Teachers' action on the grounds that it is political.
NUT members held a rally and march in central London.
They then marched to the Department for Education where they handed in a letter for Education Secretary Nicky Morgan.
The government had argued that the action was unlawful because it was not in furtherance of a trade dispute as it was not predominantly about terms and conditions of employment.
But the judge had refused to grant the government an urgent declaration that the strike was unlawful, saying the likely outcome of any trial of the issue was that the NUT's strategy was to protect members' terms and conditions through its campaign.
NUT deputy general secretary Kevin Courtney has called the decision by Mr Justice Kerr a "victory for democracy and common sense".
The union says government cuts to sixth-form college funding are having a direct impact on members' terms and conditions while risking colleges' financial viability.
David Igoe, chief executive of the Sixth Form Colleges Association, described the impact of the action as "pretty tame" with only a handful of England's 93 sixth form colleges closed - though many had seen classes cancelled.
He told the BBC there were about 3,000 NUT members in sixth forms out of a total teaching staff of about 8,000.
The association says the NUT action is counter-productive, although it agrees colleges are underfunded.
The government says it is disappointed by the strike. It says 16 to 19 core funding is now protected and the unfair difference between school sixth forms and colleges has been ended.
In last month's ballot, 86% of National of Union of Teachers members in England's sixth-form colleges voted in favour of strike action on a 44% turnout.
Members were asked: "In order to persuade the Secretary of State for Education to increase presently inadequate funding levels which cause detrimental changes to terms and conditions within the sixth-form college sector, are you prepared to take a day's strike action?"
In the vote, 1,453 were for the strike and 235 against, with one spoiled paper. | Thousands of teachers in sixth-form colleges in England are staging a one-day strike over funding cuts after the High Court ruled the action was lawful. | 35811555 |
They relate to nine residents at the Brithdir Care Home, near Bargoed, between 2004 and 2006.
They include failing to prevent pressure sores and delays in seeking advice about an infected feeding tube.
A Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) panel is yet to decide whether the nurses will face sanctions.
Rachel Tanta, Rachel Pritchard, Tembakazi Moyana, Beverley Mock, Daphne Richards and Susan Greening had been accused of more than 150 failings.
Other failings found proved at a hearing on Friday included failing to keep adequate records, failing to set up care plans and failing to ensure a resident was prescribed antibiotics for pressure sore when a GP said they were necessary.
There was also no record made of a resident vomiting and no contact made with a dietician in relation to it, the panel found.
A total of 18 failings were proved against Ms Tanta, a registered nurse. Five were proved against Ms Mock.
Twelve were proved against Ms Pritchard in her roles as clinical nurse manager and later nurse director.
Twenty eight were proved against mental health nurse, Miss Moyana.
Fourteen were found proved against against Ms Richards in her roles as registered nurse, acting manager and later bank nurse.
There were also nine proved against Ms Greening, who was a registered nurse and later care home manager.
A further hearing, on a date yet to determined, will be required before the disciplinary panel can decide whether the failings in each nurse's case amount to misconduct and whether their individual fitness to practise is impaired.
Any sanctions they face will then be fixed.
Last year, an NMC panel found seven misconduct charges proved against Christine Hayes, the director of nursing at the Caerphilly Local Health Board between 2003 and 2006.
She was found to have kept moving people to the home despite knowing of serious concerns over standards, and was struck off in January, this year.
Concerns were raised about Mrs Hayes' actions during a major investigation by Gwent Police into allegations of neglect in care homes, called Operation Jasmine.
The £11.6m police inquiry collapsed when the former owner of the Brithdir home, Dr Prana Das, was declared unfit to stand trial as a result of a brain injury suffered in a violent burglary.
The home - which has 40 residents with dementia, mental infirmity and learning difficulties - is now under new management. | A total of 86 failings by six nurses, relating to vulnerable people in their care in Caerphilly county, have been found proven by a disciplinary panel. | 32930423 |
Transport Minister Edwina Hart has confirmed Arriva Trains Wales and Network Rail have broadly agreed with an independent report recommending opening a station at Carno in Powys.
Local people have been campaigning for the move since 2002.
The station shut in 1963 as part of the Beeching cuts to Britain's railways.
In a letter to Montgomeryshire AM Russell George, Mrs Hart said she had asked officials at Arriva Trains Wales and Network Rail to undertake analysis.
"I have now received a letter from Arriva Trains Wales and Network Rail. They broadly accept the specialist's conclusions but express concern that additional stops might impact on performance and punctuality," she wrote.
"They have offered to assist my officials with further technical analysis to identify solutions to any issues and I have requested that this should be completed for further review by February."
Mr George has has long supported the campaign for the station and said it was a "positive step forward".
There have been concerns that re-opening the station would impact on the railway's timetable and cause journeys to be longer, due to the stop, but campaigners say this would be minimal.
Carno Station Action Group chairman, Jeremy Barnes said: "At most, stopping at Carno would add three minutes on to the passengers' journey.
"This part of Wales is neglected when it comes to rail services. It is located on the longest stretch of railway without an intermediate station in the whole of Wales, the 22 miles [35km] between Caersws and Machynlleth."
The original station closed in 1963. Even though the Cambrian railway survived, this was one of the stations that closed along the line.
It became part of the Laura Ashley site in Carno, which closed in 2004. | A 14-year campaign to reopen a railway station that closed in the 1960s on the Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury line has taken a step forward. | 35235671 |
Scientists in the US "decoded" the calls of male elephant seals, revealing that vocal communication played a crucial part in their social lives.
This showed seals communicating their identity with deep, rhythmic calls.
In their Current Biology paper, the team says this is the first example of non-human mammals "using rhythm" in everyday life.
Just as humans can identify a particular song based on its distinctive rhythm, this research revealed that male elephant seals could identify each other from the pulsing pattern of their calls.
Lead author Prof Nicolas Mathevon, from the University of Lyon and St Etienne, described these grumping vocalisations as "distinctive".
They were "very rhythmic, like a metronome", he told BBC News.
"In the colony, everyone knows who is who… they recognise the voice of all the other males in the colony."
And this is important in a congested beach colony - at the site the team studied, more than 4,000 seals are packed on to the beach, so it is important to know your neighbours.
"If you think about the social life of a male elephant seal, it's actually quite complicated," said co-author Caroline Casey, from the University of California Santa Cruz.
"Within his own social network, he's potentially interacting with 20-30 other individuals."
In these situations, it can be crucial to distinguish quickly between dominant and subordinate males - to avoid a potentially lethal conflict.
"If he gets it wrong, the costs of that mistake are pretty high. We saw a male die last year from a canine through the skull," Ms Casey said.
In this context, the rhythmic call of a male elephant seal acts as a distinctive "fingerprint", helping other males decide whether to flee the vicinity.
The research team spent six years studying the colony of more 4,000 elephant seals in Ano Nuevo National Park, California.
They recorded the vocalisations of dominant males, then played back those calls through loudspeakers to subordinate males.
As expected, less dominant males fled the sound of the high status seals, which are referred to as "beachmasters".
Crucially though, when the researchers artificially modified the rhythm of a call, subordinate males no longer recognised it and did not respond.
If they did not recognise a voice, "they wait and see", said Prof Mathevon. "It's their strategy."
While doing nothing might seem lazy, this "very efficient strategy" is also potentially life-saving.
During the breeding season, elephant seals haul out from the ocean and stay in the colony for almost 100 days without any food or water.
So, if males do not recognise the rhythm of a call, they simply do not move, and therefore avoid a waste of vital energy.
Prof Patricia Gray, from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, who was not involved in the research, said it had captured "natural animal behaviour in the wild" and shown how important producing and recognising rhythm was to their survival.
She added that understanding how other species used rhythm could "unlock many answers" about how they perceived other animals and their surroundings and how these qualities related to human perception. | Male elephant seals recognise the rhythm of one another's voices, researchers say. | 40668649 |
Health Minister Anna Soubry admitted the system for identifying people who are not entitled to free care is complex and at times "flawed".
Hospitals in England and Wales are obliged to ensure NHS patients have lived in the UK for the past 12 months.
But 45 out of 133 hospital trusts which gave details said they do not check.
In responding to Freedom of Information requests from the BBC's Panorama programme, those hospitals that had identified overseas visitors who had received treatment on the NHS had written off more than £40m in losses.
That is a figure that one MP described as "the tip of the iceberg" of overall costs of treating visitors who should not be given free access to the health care system.
A six-month long investigation by the BBC also uncovered a thriving black market in medical referrals and treatment in which access to GPs and hospital care was being fraudulently bought and sold.
In Birmingham, a practice manager was secretly filmed selling places at a doctor's surgery for as much as £800 per patient.
An undercover reporter, posing as a health tourist, paid £800 to register at the practice and was then able to obtain an MRI scan for free at a local hospital.
Following today's reports on BBC News, the practice manager has been removed from their duties by the Primary Care Trust.
In two other instances, after middlemen were paid to arrange GP access, London-area hospitals performed both X-rays and blood tests for other undercover reporters using fake identities.
Jim Gee, the former head of NHS Protect, the body charged with combating fraud within the health service, called the the system in hospitals "unworkable".
The grey area hinges on the term "ordinarily resident" which is the threshold by which people are entitled to free NHS care.
"Ordinarily resident is a phrase which sounds good common sense, but when it comes down to actually implementing it the policy is often unworkable," Mr Gee said.
Pamela Ward, a retired NHS overseas manager, said in many cases hospitals assume that patients referred by NHS GP surgeries qualify for free care.
"They have an English address, a registered GP, an NHS number - so there is really no way that the hospital will pick up from that," she said of the lack of checks.
The Freedom of Information requests sent to all 171 hospital trusts in England and Wales - of which 133 responded - found that one third were not asking patients whether or not they were resident in the UK and therefore eligible for treatment.
The FOI results showed that hospitals had written off at least £40m worth of care given to health tourists over a four year period, a figure that Conservative MP Chris Skidmore said did not reveal the extent of the cost to the NHS.
Then available in the UK on the BBC iPlayer
"When you look at some of the trusts who have come back and have said 'We have no bills whatsoever that are owed to us,' that is clearly not the case - they've clearly not been collecting the data."
Health Minister Ms Soubry said she disagreed with current policy that requires hospitals to even pose the question of patients, saying it is not what patients should face when they arrive at a hospital.
"There are many people…myself among them, who would be offended frankly if every time I went to hospital I was effectively being asked to prove that I was entitled to free NHS treatment. I don't think anybody wants that system."
She agreed that the guidance, as it stands, is complex and said the system has failures and is flawed. The minister said an ongoing government review of how to determine NHS eligibility aims to address the shortcomings.
Recent Department of Health guidance issued to primary care trusts states: "Overseas visitors, whether lawfully in the UK or not, are eligible to register with a GP practice."
It said that GPs should not turn patients down, even if they fail to provide identification or proof of address.
Dr Chris Clayton-Payne, a GP from Saffron Walden, said of the new guidance: "It seems very strange when we're shaving off the pennies here and there to actually open the door wide to the citizens of the world to walk in and have free medical care at primary care level in the UK."
Panorama: Britain's Secret Health Tourists, BBC One, Wednesday, 3 October at 21:00 BST and then available in the UK on theBBC iPlayer. | The NHS has lost at least £40m in four years by failing to identify so-called "health tourists" accessing hospital care, a BBC investigation has found. | 19789397 |
Kingsmead Nursing Home was branded "unsatisfactory" in an earlier report by the Care Home Inspectorate.
Some staff were accused of not treating people with "dignity and respect".
The report ordered major improvements, but now Aberdeen City Council has confirmed it has intervened.
A spokesman said: "Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership has put measures in place to deal with issues concerning the quality of care at the privately-run Kingsmead Care Home in Kingswells.
"Care Inspectorate inspectors visited the home this week and have told us that they have concerns around the services currently provided there.
"The safety and wellbeing of the home's residents is our paramount concern. We are therefore acting swiftly to place a new team of nurses, carers and care managers into the home to provide expert care for the residents.
"Our partner organisations, including NHS Grampian and independent sector care providers, are assisting us in this regard."
He added: "Family members and residents in the home can have confidence that continuity of service will be maintained at Kingsmead.
"This interim measure has been taken promptly. We will ensure a good standard of care and support in the home in the immediate term as we plan longer-term solutions.
"We will keep families informed of our actions regularly. The welfare of the residents will be our primary concern throughout this process."
The Care Inspectorate report in February found that some residents had lost weight, with concerns being raised that their nutritional needs were not being met.
The family of an 84-year-old mother who had dementia told BBC Scotland that she was forcibly evicted from the care home after they complained about her treatment.
Mary Gray died in August last year, seven months after moving out of Kingsmead.
Mrs Gray's son David said: "She was evicted against the advice of her GP. We were treated as trouble-makers."
Mr Gray's wife Carol added: "It was disgusting. There were some very good staff. Sadly, I think some of them are no longer there."
Management said at the time that Mrs Gray was asked to leave because her son and daughter-in-law were "disruptive".
The report said that in some incidences, people were being treated like "objects".
Following the latest visit, the Care Inspectorate said they had identified "serious concerns about the quality of care in this home".
A spokesman said: "We have shared this with Aberdeen City Council and the Health and Care Inspectorate.
"We are working closely with them and considering all the powers open to us to protect people's health, safety and wellbeing."
The home can provide care for up to 55 older people, and up to 10 adults with learning disabilities. | Council bosses are to place a new team of nurses, carers and managers into an Aberdeen nursing home which has been criticised over the service it provides. | 39461930 |
The new code of conduct means journalists can apply for permits to record proceedings in the chamber.
It brings the Isle of Man into line with the rest of the British Isles 27 years after the first House of Commons speech was televised in 1989.
House of Keys and Tynwald sittings are currently broadcast live on Manx Radio.
Previously, filming inside Tynwald has been tightly restricted, which Speaker of the House of Keys Juan Watterson said is "no longer justifiable."
He told the BBC: "It is quite legitimate to have people come and film as part of access to parliament. It is important and I think it is more widely recognised now than it ever has been.
"The move won't cost the taxpayer anything but will allow journalists to come and film what they consider newsworthy". | Isle of Man politicians have unanimously backed a move to allow cameras inside the Manx parliament, Tynwald. | 38649422 |
The victim, in her 60s, was found at a property in Stoney Grove, Chesham on Thursday morning. She has not been formally identified but next of kin have been informed.
A 41-year-old man from Chesham is in custody, Thames Valley Police said.
The force said it was believed to be an isolated incident but there would be an increased police presence in the area.
A post-mortem examination is due to take place later. | A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was found dead at a house in Buckinghamshire. | 37515681 |
With 624 studios, Hackney Wick claims to have one of the highest concentrations of artists in the world.
The Hackney WickED Art Festival is promoting the work of international and local artists through local galleries.
With the Olympics close by, many works will depict the impact and opportunities of the Games on artists.
About 25,000 people went to the three-day festival last year.
Artists have been given access to more than 20 buildings in the area to create "pop-up" galleries and studios, in addition to random events on the streets.
"The buildings probably lend themselves to artistic practice," said Laura-May Lewis, the artistic director and co-founder of the festival.
There was "lots of natural light and affordable rent" in an area which had previously been "quite cut off" by the canal, she added. | Galleries and studios in east London have opened their doors to the public for a festival to showcase the East End's art scene. | 14342074 |
A military source told the Yonhap news agency every part of Pyongyang "will be completely destroyed by ballistic missiles and high-explosives shells".
Yonhap has close ties to South Korea's government and is publicly funded.
On Friday North Korea carried out what it said was its fifth, and largest, nuclear test.
The international community is considering its response.
The US says it is considering its own sanctions, in addition to any imposed by the UN Security Council, Japan and South Korea.
Pyongyang responded on Sunday by calling the threats of "meaningless sanctions... highly laughable".
The South Korean military official told Yonhap that Pyongyang districts thought to be hiding the North's leadership would be particularly targeted in any attack. The city, the source said, "will be reduced to ashes and removed from the map".
The BBC's Korea correspondent Steve Evans says the South is using the same bloodcurdling rhetoric that the North frequently uses about the South Korean government in Seoul.
He says there has been rising criticism within South Korea of the government as its attempts to isolate the North have failed to deter leader Kim Jong-un's nuclear ambitions.
News of South Korea's attack plan for the North is believed to have been revealed to parliament following Friday's nuclear test.
Meanwhile, the US's special envoy for North Korea says Washington is considering taking unilateral action against Pyongyang.
"North Korea continues to present a growing threat to the region, to our allies, to ourselves, and we will do everything possible to defend against that growing threat," Sung Kim said.
"In addition to sanctions in the Security Council, both the US and Japan, together with [South Korea], will be looking at any unilateral measures as well as bilateral measures as well as possible trilateral cooperation."
North Korea is banned by the UN from any tests of nuclear or missile technology and has been hit by five sets of UN sanctions since its first test in 2006.
The North said Friday's test had been of a "nuclear warhead that has been standardised to be able to be mounted on strategic ballistic rockets".
Estimates of the explosive yield of the latest blast have varied. South Korea's military said it was about 10 kilotonnes, enough to make it the North's "strongest nuclear test ever". Other experts say initial indications suggest 20 kilotonnes or more.
The nuclear bomb dropped by the US on Hiroshima in 1945 had a yield of about 15 kilotonnes. | South Korea has a plan to annihilate the North Korean capital if it shows any signs of mounting a nuclear attack, according to reports from Seoul. | 37331852 |
Media playback is not supported on this device
The 40-year-old made 127 before being bowled by Gareth Batty, while Craig Overton (44) and Lewis Gregory (47 not out) added 78 for the eighth wicket.
Ravi Rampaul (5-85) took five wickets to keep the hosts on top, as Somerset were all out for 353, trailing by 110.
Bad light and rain then brought about an early close of play to prevent Surrey from adding to their lead.
Trescothick's innings, which included 20 fours and one six, was his third century in his last six first-class innings.
The former England opener lost partners regularly during his 296-minute knock, with no other Somerset batsman able to surpass 50 runs.
West Indies seamer Rampaul was the pick of the bowlers, taking the key wickets of Chris Rogers and James Hildreth on his way to his second five-wicket haul since joining Surrey in March.
But Trescothick's resistance, coupled with further delays for snow during the second session, means a draw appears the most likely result on day four.
Surrey bowler Ravi Rampaul told BBC Radio London:
"There was not much movement in the pitch, the ball wasn't swinging around.
"It was that kind of day, the weather had a big part to play. I just ran in, hit the deck and tried to test the batsman.
"We were not patient enough [as a bowling unit] in the first game. We decided we needed to build more pressure, bowl maidens, and come out today with Tom [Curran] and [Mark] Footitt.
"I've never seen weather like it in my life, it had a bit of everything. It was a good experience for me and I am glad I got wickets in those conditions too." | Marcus Trescothick hit a century as Somerset avoided the follow-on on a weather-affected third day at Surrey. | 36135352 |
The Rt Rev Philip North's consecration was led by the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu at York Minster.
However, in a break from tradition, some parts of the service were overseen by the Bishop of Chichester.
Dr Sentamu said he had not led those parts of the service to "demonstrate respect" for the new bishop's views.
The service saw the Rt Rev Martin Warner lead two other bishops in "laying hands" on the new bishop.
The Bishop of Chichester also presided over the service's Communion, at the request of the archbishop.
Writing in the Yorkshire Post, Dr Sentamu said he was "delegating, not abdicating" his position in the service and his decision was "not an indelible pattern to be adopted by me or anyone else in the future".
"I have decided to delegate part of my function at his ordination to other bishops who share his theological conviction regarding the ordination of women," he said.
"It is my prayer that the Church of England's gracious magnanimity, restraint and respect for theological convictions on this matter may help others to substitute love for fear and hope for despair."
Speaking before the service, the Rt Rev North said "the thing about Anglicans is that we can hold difference together and we can hold very diverse views on all sorts of things and still work together".
He said that beginning with last week's consecration of the Church's first female bishop, the Rt Rev Libby Lane, "the Archbishop of York has set two wonderful precedents".
"First, he consecrated the first woman bishop, which was an occasion of really wonderful joy and was the answer to the prayers of many Anglicans," he said.
"My consecration sets another precedent, which is to make it possible that those who cannot accept this development in the Church's life to remain as loyal Anglicans."
He said that while only three bishops would take part in the "laying on of hands", that only showed that the Church was "honest".
"We are saying yes, there is a division here and there are different opinions on this, but we're also saying we can work around those opinions and still be one family."
Source: Church of England
The Rt Rev North has become a suffragan - or assistant bishop - in the Diocese of Blackburn and replaces the Rt Rev John Goddard, who retired in July.
The bishop was born in north London and studied history at the University of York.
He has previously been forced to turn down an appointment as bishop because his new flock did not accept his views on the ordination of women. | A service to consecrate the new Bishop of Burnley that was changed to take into account his opposition to female bishops has taken place. | 31085569 |
Laser pointers directed at helicopter and aeroplane pilots can temporarily blind those piloting the aircraft.
The FBI says it has seen a sharp increase in such incidents since they began tracking them in 2005.
Initially US officials offered the reward as an experiment in 12 cities in February.
Now it will expand the effort across all 56 field offices in the US, Puerto Rico and Guam for 90 days.
The latest known incident happened on 23 May, when a pilot approaching New York's LaGuardia Airport said someone shone a laser into his aircraft at 5,000 ft (1,524m).
The beam was tracked to a residential area eight miles away.
And in March, a California man was sentenced to 14 years in prison for shining a laser pointer at police and hospital helicopters.
The law enforcement agency and the Federal Aviation Administration recorded fewer than 300 laser attacks in 2005. In 2013, they recorded nearly 4,000.
The FBI began the reward programme in February in a dozen field offices, including Chicago, Houston, New York, Phoenix and Washington.
The agency said it had seen a 19% reduction in those areas during the time period of the trial programme.
As part of the FBI's push there will be public service announcements about the programme during film previews in a theatre chain in the Mid-West. | The FBI has said it will expand a reward programme offering $10,000 (£6,000) for information leading to arrests over "lasing" incidents. | 27690471 |
The US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) cuts trade tariffs and sets common standards in member countries including Japan and the US.
China said it was "open to any mechanism" that follows World Trade Organization rules.
But it did not indicate it would join the TPP, which still needs to be ratified by lawmakers in each country.
China, which was not part of the negotiations, has announced its own rival trade agreement.
The TPP, which covers about 40% of the world economy, was struck on Monday after five days of talks in Atlanta in the US.
Those talks were the culmination of five years of negotiations between member countries led by the US. The deal is seen by some as a counter balance to China's growing economic influence in the Asia Pacific region.
China's Ministry of Commerce called the TPP "one of the key free trade agreements for the Asia-Pacific region", according to a statement on Xinhua state news agency website.
"China hopes the TPP pact and other free trade arrangements in the region can boost each other and contribute to the Asia-Pacific's trade, investment and economic growth," it said.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Tuesday the deal signified a "new Asia-Pacific century", but added that it would have strategic meaning if China joined in the future.
"It would contribute largely to our nation's security and Asia-Pacific regional stability," he said.
How did it start? With a trade agreement signed 10 years ago between Brunei, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore.
How big is it? Pretty big. The 12 countries have a population of about 800 million and are responsible for 40% of world trade.
What are the criticisms? That negotiations have been conducted in secret, and that it favours big corporations.
Who benefits most? Japan stands to reap huge economic benefits from the deal, while for the US it is an important strategic move.
What happens next? The agreement will need to be ratified by each of the individual member countries.
What people say about TPP
What is the TPP and why does it matter?
TPP trade deal: Winners and losers
Japan has made concessions to open its market wider to food exporters including Australia, New Zealand and the US.
Under the deal, 98% of tariffs will be eliminated on a wide range of products including: dairy, beef, sugar, wine, rice, horticulture and seafood, manufactured products, resources and energy.
Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called the TPP "a gigantic foundation stone for our future prosperity".
Australian sugar cane-growers are unhappy, however, because they wanted more access to the US market than was agreed upon.
Canada and Japan have agreed to allow greater access to their tightly controlled dairy markets, while New Zealand convinced the US to accept more of its milk products.
Prime Minister John Key said this meant "more jobs, higher incomes and a better standard of living". | China has cautiously welcomed a free trade deal struck between 12 Pacific Rim countries, the biggest in decades. | 34451326 |
Third-place City visit second-place Liverpool on Saturday (17:30 GMT) as they look to close the gap on leaders Chelsea, who are six points clear.
Such is the size of the advantage that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says it is "Chelsea's title to lose".
But Guardiola said: "Six teams are fighting for the title and the Champions League qualification."
The Reds have won their last three league games against City, who have not won at Anfield since 2003 - a run of 14 Premier League and cup games.
The two sides are separated by just a single point, but they could find themselves even further behind the Blues, who host Stoke earlier on Saturday (15:00 GMT).
Former Barcelona boss Guardiola added: "Liverpool are a contender. The contenders are really tough. It will be a good fight until the end of the season. Anfield will be a big role for them. We have to match their intensity."
The Spaniard also confirmed striker Sergio Aguero is "ready" to return after serving a four-game domestic suspension.
...but Chelsea are making it look just that at the moment.
Victory over Bournemouth in their last league game stretched Antonio Conte's side's winning run to 12 games - a club record - and they last dropped points in September against Arsenal.
Italian manager Conte said: "We have only played 18 games. Another 20 to finish the season. At the start of the season no-one trusted in this team to fight for the title. We have only six points more than the second team. There is still a long way to go. I am pleased with the players.
"I think the most important thing in our head is to continue to work very hard and be focussed game by game. This league is not easy. Twelve wins in a row is a great achievement but it is not enough to win the league. I want to keep this run going."
Arsenal had momentarily taken top spot early in December after beating Stoke, albeit having played a game more than Chelsea, but back-to-back defeats against Everton and title rivals City has seen them slip nine points off the pace.
Frenchman Wenger said: "Chelsea is the super favourite. They have a big difference, it is theirs to lose. At the moment they have won it but they can still lose it. The head to head games are of vital importance." | Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola feels there are still six clubs in the Premier League title race. | 38471832 |
Austen Harrison suffered fatal head injuries at the Hugo Boss shop in Bicester, Oxfordshire, in June 2013.
He had been playing with the 120kg steel-framed fitting-room mirror which toppled on to him while his father tried on a suit
An inquest jury at Oxford Coroner's Court returned a narrative verdict.
The jury found: "The mirror came to fall on Austen after he moved the wings, causing the unfixed mirror to become unstable.
"The jury believes that the mirror should have been fixed to the wall and that the wall should have been reinforced. We do not believe the mirror was fixed to the wall.
"We believe there were health and safety systems in place but are not confident that these systems would have avoided any danger posed by the mirror. In any case, these systems do not seem to have been followed."
Senior Oxfordshire coroner Darren Salter said he would be writing a report about the case to the chief coroner in the hope of preventing future incidents.
"It is surprising to me that the mirror stayed in its position for possibly up to six months.
"Sadly, this was an accident waiting to happen and sadly it happened to young Austen," he stated.
The coroner also said he would write to the managing director of Hugo Boss calling for improvements to be made to health and safety training.
Austen of Crawley, West Sussex, was with his parents Simon and Irina Harrison at the Bicester outlet village in Oxfordshire on June 4 2013.
He underwent an emergency operation to relieve pressure on his brain but died four days later in hospital after life-support was switched off.
Austen's family declined to comment after the inquest, nor were they prepared to say if they would be taking any further legal action.
However, the BBC understands Cherwell District Council is likely to seek a prosecution against Hugo Boss under section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act. | A four-year-old boy crushed when a mirror fell on him in a designer store died in an "accident waiting to happen", a coroner has said. | 32055526 |
The bill, passed by 320 to 129, also permits strikes against Syrian targets.
But Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay insisted this was a deterrent and not a mandate for war.
Turkey has been firing at targets inside Syria since Wednesday's shelling of the town of Akcakale, which killed two women and three children.
Ankara's military response marks the first time it has fired into Syria during the 18-month-long unrest there.
Syria's UN envoy said two Syrian army officials were injured in the retaliatory shelling.
The Turkish parliament passed the bill in a closed-doors emergency session.
By Cagil KasapogluBBC Turkish
Parliament approved cross-border military action against Syria with an overwhelming majority. But the vote also showed that a considerable number of MPs (more than 50) from the Yes camp, which consists of the ruling party AKP and the smaller nationalist party MHP, decided to stay away.
Because the meeting was a closed session, it won't be possible to determine exactly how many defections they were from each party. But sources in Ankara say that dozens of AKP MPs did not attend the session or, if they did, they didn't vote.
The main opposition CHP party and the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) voted against. Government sources stress that the motion is meant as "deterrence" against Damascus and that Turkey is not keen on a "unilateral military operation". This will come as a relief to the international community as well as a considerable segment of its own citizens.
It permits military action, if required by the government, for the period of one year.
However, Mr Atalay insisted the priority was to act in co-ordination with international bodies.
He told Turkish television: "This mandate is not a war mandate but it is in our hands to be used when need be in order to protect Turkey's own interests."
He said Syria had accepted responsibility for the deaths.
"The Syrian side has admitted what it did and apologised," Mr Atalay said.
Zeliha Timucin, her three daughters and her sister died in Akcakale when a shell fell in their courtyard as they prepared the evening meal.
They were buried in a local cemetery on Thursday.
Turkey had called for the UN Security Council to meet and take "necessary action" to stop Syrian "aggression".
However, Mr Atalay said that UN and Syrian representatives had spoken on Wednesday evening.
He said: "Syria... said nothing like this will happen again. That's good. The UN mediated and spoke to Syria."
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was "alarmed by escalating tensions along the Syrian-Turkish border", according to his spokesman, Martin Nesirky, and has called for "maximum restraint".
"As the situation inside Syria deteriorates yet further... the risks of regional conflict and the threat to international peace and security are also increasing," Mr Nesirky said.
The UN Security Council drafted a resolution on Thursday condemning the Syrian shelling "in the strongest terms", calling it a "violation of international law".
Sources: Turkish Statistical Institute, Sanliurfa Municipality
Strikes in Syria: Turks react
In pictures: Turkey-Syria tension
Turkish media fear consequences of war
However, Russia, Syria's main ally, has blocked the text and instead proposed one that does not refer to international law, and which calls on all parties to "exercise restraint".
Syria's UN envoy, Bashar Ja'afari, said his country had offered deepest condolences over the deaths, but not an apology, because an investigation into the incident had not been completed.
Nato has held an urgent meeting to support Turkey, demanding "the immediate cessation of such aggressive acts against an ally".
The US, the UK, France and the European Union have already condemned Syria's actions.
The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says neither Turkey nor Syria wants this to develop into a war. He says there is no appetite in Nato or the West for military conflict and that it is noticeable how conciliatory Syria has been since the news of the shelling broke.
Many social media users in Turkey have been reacting strongly against the possibility of war with Syria.
Hashtags such as #notowar drew a lot of attention.
One user, coymak, tweeted: "There is no victory in war, only victory is the happiness in the eye of the children when it is ended!"
There were many tweets referring to the call for an anti-war rally in central Istanbul on Thursday evening.
Reports later said many hundreds of people had gathered in the city's Taksim Square.
In Syria itself as many as 21 members of Syria's elite Republican Guards have been killed in an explosion and firefight in the Qudsaya district of Damascus, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) told the BBC.
The SOHR is one of the most prominent organisations documenting and reporting incidents and casualties in the Syrian conflict. The group says its reports are impartial, though its information cannot be independently verified. | Turkey's parliament has authorised troops to launch cross-border action against Syria, following Syria's deadly shelling of a Turkish town. | 19830928 |
Married father-of-two Michael Furniss, 50, shot Andrew Dosiuk three times in the chest as he lay in his bed at his Nottingham home.
In the eight week trial, the prosecution said Furniss was a contract killer but two other men accused of hiring him were cleared.
Furniss was handed a life term with a minimum of 32 years and 11 months.
The judge, Mr Justice Haddon-Cave said: "This was a cold-blooded, brutal murder of a defenceless man, asleep in his bed at home."
The court heard Furniss had a key to Mr Dosiuk's Laneham Avenue house and let himself into the building on several aborted attempts to kill him.
On one occasion the killer called at the house while his victim was taking his eight-year-old son to Alton Towers.
Mr Dosiuk, 33, known as "Dosh", was described in court as leading a double life, one a "fairly normal" social and family life, the other in the "murky and destructive" world of drugs.
He was due to be tried for several drugs offences when he died.
On the morning of 11 November last year, Furniss shot his victim three times as he slept, holding the 9mm pistol so close that blood and DNA was found in the barrel of the gun.
"This was a cold-blooded execution," Mr Justice Haddon-Cave said. "It was fortunate that [his son] was not staying over that night."
After the killing, Furniss hid the gun and burnt his clothes.
He later returned to retrieve the weapon with his work lorry which was equipped with a camera, filming him picking it up and stashing it elsewhere, the court was told.
"The prosecution argued that this was a contract killing and you Furniss clearly shot Andrew Dosiuk in the expectation of getting paid," the judge said.
But because two other men were cleared of any involvement, this could not form part of his sentencing.
Mr Justice Haddon-Cave said there was little to mitigate the case except Furniss' age.
The murder was aggravated by the amount of planning that went in to it, the fact that it was in cold blood and the destruction of evidence afterwards, he said.
The 395 days he has spent on remand were taken into account in the sentence. | A man who executed his sleeping victim in a "cold-blooded, brutal murder" has been jailed for a minimum of 32 years. | 30437876 |
The concert at the Excelsior Stadium - the home of Airdrieonians FC - will take place on 24 June next year.
Securing a date on the Wonderful Crazy Night tour was hailed as "a major coup" for the club, stadium and town.
Sir Elton is not a stranger to touring across Scotland, having played Kilmarnock in 2005, Inverness in 2007, Perth in 2008 and Falkirk in 2012.
Excelsior Stadium owner Paul Hetherington and Tom Wotherspoon, owner of Airdrieonians FC, said in joint statement: "To have secured Airdrie FC's ground as the only Scottish venue of Sir Elton John's 2017 UK tour is something we should all take pride in.
"This will be a night to remember for all of us. Indeed, a wonderful, crazy night in our town."
The three other dates on the tour will see performances in Derby, Birmingham and Leeds. | Pop superstar Sir Elton John has lined up a gig in Airdrie as part of a four-date UK tour. | 37341213 |
He tweeted that Dhoni would "always be his captain" and he was "the leader a youngster wants to have around him".
Kohli - ranked second in the world's ODI batting rankings - is most likely to replace Dhoni.
Dhoni, 35, has led the Indian team to the 2007 World Twenty20, 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy titles.
Why MS Dhoni's place in cricket history is assured
Reliving Dhoni's 'unorthodox' decisions as captain
He has led India's limited-overs side since September 2007, and is widely acknowledged as being India's most successful captain.
Kohli on Friday thanked Dhoni for his services to Indian cricket in an emotional tweet.
Kohli made his debut in all formats of the game under Dhoni, and flourished as a prolific batsman. He has always given credit to Dhoni for his transformation from a domestic cricketer to a world-class batsman.
Dhoni led his country in 199 ODIs and 72 Twenty20 internationals, also taking charge of 60 Tests between 2008 and 2014, to hold the overall record for the most international matches as captain with 331. | Test captain Virat Kohli has paid an emotional tribute to Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who has stepped down as India's limited-overs skipper. | 38527611 |
The Ibrox club were ejected from the first qualifying round of the Europa League by a team that finished fourth in their domestic league last season.
"It's an embarrassing result, given the investment (in the squad)," said Rae of his former club's 2-1 aggregate defeat.
"I have never seen them lose to a team of this calibre."
Rae, now 48, told BBC Scotland that he felt Pedro Caixinha's new-look team lacked the drive he would have expected to see as Rangers returned to European football for the first time in six years.
They had won the Ibrox leg 1-0 and in the starting XI in Luxembourg fielded four of their summer signings - Fabio Cardoso, Ryan Jack, Daniel Candeias and Alfredo Morelos, with a further two, Dalcio and Eduardo Herrera, making substitute appearances.
"They are only three or four weeks into their pre-season but with the quality that Rangers have allegedly brought in you would expect them to go through in a tie like this," said Rae, who played in the Champions League and Uefa Cup with Rangers in 2004 and 2005.
"It's OK if it's a one-off, you can lose cup games, but over two games you would expect them to get through.
"I was disappointed with the manner in which they played. They never got any combinations, there was no tempo or intensity and you could actually see it coming. It's as bad a performance and result as you're going to get.
"They just didn't create enough good chances. They had a couple of headers that you would have expected them to score, with (Niko) Kranjcar and (Josh) Windass and Kenny Miller hitting the bar.
"It would have to be up there with one of their worst performances and results in Europe. I think everybody is in shock.
"The way Scottish football is going, we're going to be a laughing stock."
Rae predicted that the Portuguese manager would come in for scrutiny in the coming weeks but he did not think Caixinha would resign or be sacked.
"He seems quite a confident guy in his ability and what he's trying to do," he said.
"The board have backed him to the hilt. I would expect them to back him and give him time to turn it around.
"The eight signings are just in the door. The season starts in four weeks. This will give Caixinha time to work with them. They will need to hit the ground running." | Alex Rae lamented Rangers' defeat by Luxembourg outfit Progres Niederkorn and fears it is likely to make Scottish football "a laughing stock". | 40499989 |
Carmarthen Park, which opened in 1900, will be turned into a training and competition venue for cyclists.
Carmarthenshire council agreed on Monday to give £286,000 to the project, after Sport Wales pledged £296,000.
The local authority hopes it will increase interest in cycling and bring high class racing to the area.
With an original grandstand, bandstand and lodge, it has been used for a wide range of sports, eisteddfodau, circuses and concerts.
The investment will see the track upgraded and improved safety fencing put in.
The council's executive board member Meryl Gravell told Monday's meeting that "cycling was on the up" in the county and across Wales and the project was "worthy of support". | A £580,000 investment will see one of Wales' oldest outdoor velodromes turned into a regional centre of excellence. | 34964261 |
Applying it to the 21st century news media involved the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) striking a balance between the freedom of the press to probe and find out what is happening on the one hand, and protecting and maintaining impartial and incorrupt public services on the other.
It has always been a difficult balance.
For many years some journalists have paid public officials for information.
In 2003 Rebekah Brooks, then editor of the Sun, told a committee of MPs that News International had paid the police for stories.
For decades the practice was largely ignored or tolerated.
The phone-hacking scandal proved to be a game changer.
In early 2007, when the News of the World's royal editor Clive Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire were jailed for phone hacking, the true extent of the practice was not exposed - despite copious evidence of it.
The criminal justice system failed.
When it was revealed in 2011 that the phone of the murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler had been hacked, the system kicked into action.
A fuller and broader investigation, Operation Weeting, rigorously investigated the practice.
Evidence was given to the police by News International's "management and standards committee", set up to investigate internal business practices in the wake of the hacking revelations, which showed that some of its journalists had also made corrupt payments to public officials.
Operation Elveden was established.
This time law enforcement was determined to investigate and prosecute the misdeeds of the press with rigour.
For the offence of misconduct in public office to be prosecuted, a public official has to misconduct himself to such a degree as to amount to an abuse of the public's trust in his office, without having a reasonable excuse or justification.
Prosecution guidance focused on whether there was a strong benefit to the public interest in the story.
Applying this and other guidance, the CPS decided not to prosecute 14 journalists but did prosecute 29 others.
In this context, the offence itself is essentially one of bribery, and it criminalises both the giver and the taker of the bribe.
However, only one Elveden conviction against a journalist now stands.
Thirteen others have been acquitted, including last month four senior figures at the Sun.
In recent trials juries simply did not seem keen to convict the giver of the bribe, the journalists.
Expensive prosecutions failed and that put pressure on the CPS.
However, it was the intervention of the Court of Appeal that has led to today's change in prosecuting policy.
In March the Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas gave judgement in two appeals against conviction in Elveden cases.
His ruling emphasised the high threshold of seriousness needed to prosecute the offence.
Critically, it also said that more consideration should be given to the potential harm, or lack of it, to the public interest in the disclosure of information, as opposed to relying on the strong benefit to the public interest in any resulting story.
A subtle but important difference.
Under the new guidance, sustained corruption of police officers is seen as particularly grave.
The police have access to confidential databases with information about suspects, victims and witnesses.
A journalist who corrupts a police officer over a period of time would certainly face prosecution.
However, it may not be in the public interest for journalists paying other public officials to be prosecuted.
Here the degree of harm to the public interest by the corrupt payments and lack of harm caused by any story that results from it, may mean it is not appropriate to prosecute.
The CPS has accordingly amended its prosecuting guidance and dropped many of the Elveden prosecutions against journalists.
It may claim that this is a result of the normal development of the law where prosecutors amend their policy in response to Court of Appeal judgements.
However, the very press that has been on the receiving end of CPS decisions to prosecute its journalists, will not be so kind in its assessment.
A simmering fury at the treatment of those arrested and prosecuted for paying money to the likes of prison officers for stories is about the erupt. | Misconduct in public office is an ancient common law offence, created by judges, which can be traced back to the 13th century. | 32358284 |
Mr Bezos owns 18% of Amazon's shares, which rose 2% in trading on Thursday. Forbes estimated his fortune to be $65.3bn (£49.5bn).
Amazon's revenue beat analysts' expectations, climbing 31% from last year to $30.4bn in the second quarter.
Profit for the e-commerce giant was $857m, compared with $92m in 2015.
According to Forbes estimates, Mr Bezos's fortune is only surpassed by Microsoft founder Bill Gates, worth $78bn (£59bn), and the $73.1bn (£55bn) fortune of Zara founder Amancio Ortega.
Amazon had developed a reputation for announcing little or no profit each quarter, but appeared to hit a turning point last year and has seen improving earnings since.
Amazon shares have spiked 50% since February.
•Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1964
•Studied at Princeton University and worked on Wall Street
•Launched Amazon as online book retailer in Seattle in 1994
•Company expanded dramatically but struggled to make a profit
•A lifelong Star Trek fan, he launched Blue Origin spaceflight and aerospace firm in 2000
•Bought The Washington Post newspaper in 2013
•Reputation as a driven boss, intensely focused on customers
Amazon's Prime membership, which offers extra services including free shipping for an annual fee, saw impressive international growth.
In June, Amazon launched Prime in India to take advantage of the country's large consumer market.
"It's been a busy few months for Amazon around the world, and particularly in India - where we launched a new [Amazon Web Services] Region, introduced Prime with unlimited free shipping, and announced that Prime Video is coming soon, offering Prime members in India exclusive access to Amazon Original Series and Movies - including original content featuring top Indian creators and talent," said Mr Bezos.
Amazon has boosted Prime membership by improving its video streaming offerings, an area in which it competes with Netflix.
Prime Day, Amazon's annual promotional shopping festival earlier this month, was the company's largest ever sales day.
Amazon does not release figures for its Prime membership, but Consumer Intelligence Research Partners estimated US membership to be close to 63 million. Members spend an average of $1,200 a year, compared with $500 by non-members, according to the research firm.
Amazon's cloud computing unit also spiked. Revenue for Amazon Web Services (AWS), climbed 58.2% to $2.89bn, beating analysts' exceptions of $2.83bn.
Sales growth for the unit in North America climbed 10% and 8% in the rest of the world.
Amazon has grown its market share in cloud computing compared with rivals such as Microsoft and Google.
It introduced a new Asia Pacific region for its cloud unit this quarter.
Amazon has also been looking to expand its presence in other areas. The company has now launched its online grocery store in the UK.
Earlier this month, it announced a partnership with US bank Wells Fargo to offer discounts on student loans for members of its Prime Student services. | Strong earnings from Amazon and a boost to the company's stock have made its founder, Jeff Bezos, the world's third richest person, according to Forbes. | 36917516 |
Alun Cairns gave his commitment as he made a site visit to see upgrading work at the Severn Tunnel.
He also highlighted the importance of transport links to the economy in a speech to business leaders in Cardiff.
Mr Cairns said the benefits of electrification will "vastly outweigh" the six-week closure of the tunnel.
"It will be delivered," the Welsh secretary told a gathering of the Institute of Directors on Thursday.
"Our £500m contribution to the Cardiff city deal will support electrification of the Valley Lines railways," he said, referring to a £1.2bn plan to boost infrastructure across south east Wales.
"Crossrail [in London] will enhance the shorter journey times offered by electrification of the mainline - bringing Cardiff closer to Canary Wharf.
"And we're investing to link Heathrow airport to the Great Western mainline - cutting half an hour off the journey between Heathrow and south Wales."
Mr Cairns also highlighted the UK government's promise to halve tolls on the Severn Crossings when they return to public ownership in 2018.
In 2015, the then Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said he hoped the main line would be electrified as far as Swansea by 2020 or 2021, after Network Rail said it would complete the London to Cardiff upgrade by March 2019.
Meanwhile the Welsh Government has named four preferred bidders in the competition to run the new not-for-profit Wales and Borders rail franchise from October 2018. | Electrifying the main rail line between south Wales and London remains a "top priority" for the UK government, according to the Welsh secretary. | 37632117 |
The shop on Glasgow's Buchanan Street opened three years ago but the Californian-based company has told staff it is closing the outlet.
Retailer H&M has announced it will move into the property as it opens a new flagship store.
H&M will also retain its existing unit in nearby Buchanan Galleries to house one of its other brands.
A spokeswoman for Forever 21 said: ""Forever 21 is constantly evaluating our portfolio of stores and has proposed one recent store closure in Glasgow.
"We made the proposal to close this store after careful consideration of the long-term profitability of the particular location.
"Forever 21 operates multiple stores across Europe, where our customers will continue to have access to the fast fashion they have come to love and expect from Forever 21."
Owners of the Buchanan Quarter building said there had been strong demand from parties interested in the 65,000sq ft space being vacated by Forever 21.
A spokesman for Land Securities said: "Immediately following the Forever 21 decision to exit, we received strong interest in the store on Buchanan Street and subsequently let the unit to H&M as a flagship.
"The strong demand for the space reinforces Glasgow city centre's position as the UK's top retail destination outside London."
H&M country manager Carlos Duarte said: "We are delighted to be relocating to 185 Buchanan Street. This is a very exciting opportunity to expand our brand.
"The store will offer something for everyone, no matter your age, budget or personal style." | Fashion retailer Forever 21 is to shut its flagship Scottish store where it employs 75 people. | 35997198 |
The bodies of Sophia Christopher and Emanuel Amphahasa, in his 40s, were found by police at Colville Square, Notting Hill in February.
Shelley Christopher, 36, denied two courts of murder and a further count of attempted murder of a third victim at the Old Bailey.
Ms Christopher is due to stand trial at the Old Bailey in October.
The man and girl were pronounced dead at the scene after police forced their way into the property following concerns raised about their welfare. | A mother has denied murdering her four-year-old daughter and her partner at their west London home. | 34118567 |
The woman was attacked in Muirhouse View at about 13:45 on Wednesday.
A 41-year-old man is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court later. | A man has been charged following a sexual assault in a street in north Edinburgh. | 36558840 |
A study led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) gathered data from 8.6m people across London's 32 boroughs.
Scientists found deaths were 4% more common in adults and the elderly where the daytime traffic noise was more than 60dB compared to less than 55dB.
Experts said the study did not imply a causal link.
Researchers looked at data for people living in London between 2003 and 2010.
They analysed road traffic noise levels during the day, between 07:00 and 23:00 and at night, between 23:00 and 07:00.
More than 1.6 million people in the city are exposed to road traffic noise levels during the day above 55dB, the level defined by the World Health Organisation as causing health problems.
The increase in the number of deaths was most likely to be linked to heart or blood vessel disease, possibly due to increased blood pressure, sleep problems and stress from the noise, they said.
Jaana Halonen from LSHTM said: "Our findings contribute to the body of evidence suggesting reductions in traffic noise could be beneficial to our health."
Prof Francesco Cappuccio at the University of Warwick said the study was a "welcome addition" to the body of evidence about the role the environment plays in health.
"Public health policies must pay more attention to this emerging evidence," he said.
He warned the study did not imply a direct cause between noise pollution and early deaths and strokes, but added to evidence suggesting there was a link between the two. | High levels of noise pollution in the capital have been linked to early death and a greater risk of stroke. | 33255542 |
The Museum of Orange Heritage will allow visitors to learn more about the roots and history of Orangeism in Ireland and around the world.
The museum was part-funded by £3.6m of EU peace-fund money.
Dr David Hume of the Orange Order said he wanted to give people a "better, more informed view of who we are".
"We, in turn, will have a better, more informed view of their opinions," he added.
Charles Thomas Hall, an Orangeman from Connecticut in the United States, was the first visitor to the new museum.
Visitors will be able to learn about Orange symbols and regalia, play instruments, and listen to different types of band music.
A collarette belonging to former Manchester United and Northern Ireland footballer George Best when he was in the junior Royal Black Institution is on display.
A roll of honour of famous members of the Orange details the history of people, like Dr Thomas Barnardo, whose philanthropic work led to the foundation of children's charity Barnardos.
Dr Hume said the museum aims to promote reconciliation through education, and there was a desire to "challenge people in terms of their perceptions of Orangeism".
"We want anybody who wants to come in here," he said.
"We have a very strong engagement with the maintained school sector, we definitely want children from that sector to be here and to learn about our traditions.
"We also want pupils from the state sector to be here because we feel there's a deficit there in terms of their understanding and knowledge." | The Orange Order has opened the doors of its new history museum in east Belfast that it hopes will be "transformational in Northern Ireland". | 33223167 |
However, Guidolin, appointed permanent head coach at the Liberty Stadium on a two-year contract, has praised his relationship with chairman Huw Jenkins.
Guidolin wants to build a "good team" even though he will not be in control of transfers.
"I have spoken with the chairman, but in my career I have always left the decision for players with the club."
Guidolin said getting a new deal meant he'd "won his first challenge" at the club, but is now focused on what his squad will look like next season.
It is understood the club won't sign anyone without Guidolin's knowledge, but ultimately the final decision will be made by chairman Huw Jenkins who admitted to having held talks with former boss Brendan Rodgers about a return to the Liberty Stadium.
"I spoke with him about my favoured shape and characteristics of new players," Guidolin said.
"I can only say the characteristics of players that I want in new players, then the decision will be made by the club.
"I can't say I want this player or that player, I can only talk about characteristics. The decision is with our chairman.
"There is a good relationship and good communication between me and the chairman."
Guidolin, 60, was appointed in January on a six-month contract after Alan Curtis' temporary spell in charge, with the club in the relegation zone.
The Italian has led them to 11th place - 12 points clear of the bottom three, and they could finish in the top half.
Swansea end their Premier League season at home to Manchester City on Sunday and Guidolin believes the club will be stronger next term.
He said: "This season could be a lesson for the future because Swansea in the last 10 years, every year has been up and up," he said.
"It is not easy to keep going up in football. It is important to have a season that is complicated to understand and learn new things."
When asked what his target for next season was, Guidolin replied with: "40 points. And if it is possible, to play well."
Goalkeeper Lukas Fabianski is set to be rested for Sunday's game, with Kristoffer Nordfeldt ready to make his Premier League debut. | Swansea City manager Francesco Guidolin has admitted he will not have the final say on transfers this summer. | 36280188 |
Marine Jonathan Crookes from 40 Commando Royal Marines was killed in an explosion while on foot patrol in Sangin on Friday.
Sgt David Monkhouse, 35, from Royal Dragoon Guards, died on Saturday after an explosion in Nahr-e Saraj.
Airman Kinikki Griffiths, 20, died in a road accident near Camp Bastion.
The three were among four UK servicemen killed in Afghanistan in 24 hours.
Marine Crookes, 26, from Halesowen, West Midlands, was a reservist on his third deployment to Afghanistan, having volunteered for service in 2007 and 2009.
His fiancée Danni Davies said: "I can't explain how much I loved him but I am so very proud of him."
Marine Crookes' mother Sue Crookes said: "Jon was a caring, thoughtful son, full of life. If he made up his mind to do something he always achieved it to a high standard."
Outside of the Royal Marines he was studying for a degree in International Relations and worked as a tree surgeon and labourer.
Exceptional soldier
Sgt Monkhouse, a medical technician from Aspatria, Cumbria, was described as a devoted father, an "exceptional" soldier and a "character".
He leaves his mother, Bobby, sister Deborah and daughter, Daisy-Twinkle.
In a statement, his family said: "He was an exceptional soldier and loving and devoted parent. He would not have changed his life for anything."
Based at RAF Honington in Suffolk, Senior Aircraftman Kinikki Griffiths was selected as his flight commander's signaller and driver and he died while carrying out those duties near Camp Bastion in Helmand, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Wing Commander Paul Weaver Smith said: "Kinikki was the consummate professional gunner and, even at this early stage, had much promise; he will be sorely missed by all who knew him in the RAF Regiment.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and girlfriend at this very difficult time."
Squadron Leader David Crook said: "He loved his job, took pride in his work, and gave his all to every task he was given.
"But more importantly, Kinikki was an affable, modest and thoughtful young man, who was a pleasure to know, and whom I had the privilege to command." | Three British servicemen killed in Afghanistan within 24 hours of each other have been named by the Ministry of Defence. | 10678674 |
Confirmation that Esa's Rosetta spacecraft had achieved its historic rendezvous with a comet was greeted with applause, wide grins and shouts of "yes, yes!", but none of the wild cheering we saw when Curiosity touched down on Mars two years ago.
But although Europe's style may be more muted, what's been achieved in the dark reaches of space far beyond Mars is remarkable by any standards.
You could almost feel the sense of relief in the corridors that, after managing a 10-year trek through space with extraordinary accuracy, and after investing more than one billion euros, all has gone so well.
The signal took nearly 23 minutes to reach us and, when it came, it was a dip in a line on a graph.
But this showed that the final burn to reach the comet had finished and this key moment was the trigger for a wave of pride rather than jubilation.
Getting a spacecraft to match the speed of a comet and effectively ride alongside it is a landmark in space exploration.
But the hard work starts now.
Just trying to comprehend the weird structure and shape of the comet is difficult enough, according to many here.
As one scientist put it, it's like driving along the motorway for hours and then turning off into a busy town where everything is confusing.
The next batches of pictures, taken from just 100km away, should provide some answers.
Another challenge is coping with the slight but irregular pulls of the comet's gravity - Rosetta is now just close enough to feel them.
The plan is to fly around the comet in a series of loops, and managing that task will take real care.
One of many puzzles is why the first readings of the surface temperature are not colder, an indicator that there might not be as much ice as expected.
On the other hand, one instrument has picked up traces of water flowing from the comet so we know there must be ice there.
The destination has been reached but the journey of understanding is only just starting. | Europe's mission control here at Darmstadt in Germany cannot match the sheer exuberance of Nasa when it comes to celebrating triumphs. | 28674154 |
The victims are thought to have been conducting a search inside the building when its roof collapsed.
Earlier, they had managed to lead to safety more than 100 workers at the warehouse where plastic materials and gas canisters were stored.
A search is continuing at the site in Golyanovo, north-east Moscow.
There are suspicions that the fire was caused by a violation of safety regulations.
"The corpses of eight colleagues have been found in the main area where the search was located," the emergency services ministry said in a statement.
"Until the end there was hope that they would be alive. But due to the intense fire, the high temperatures and the thick smoke the firefighters were unable to get out."
Firefighters prevented the explosion of 30 cylinders of household gas in the warehouse, as well as discharging 67kg (148lb) of ammonium from a compressor facility, the emergency ministry also said, quoted by Tass news agency.
The fire - which reportedly engulfed an area of 4,000 sq m (43,000 sq feet) - was finally extinguished at 07:44 local time (04:44 GMT).
There are suspicions that radiators had been left on, overwhelming the building's electricity circuit.
This is the latest deadly inferno to hit the Russian capital, where safety standards are often low.
In January, 12 people including three children died in a huge fire at a textile factory in the east of the city. | Russian rescuers in Moscow have found the bodies of eight firefighters in the remains of a large warehouse that was engulfed by fire late on Thursday. | 37449897 |
Welsh duo Dan Salmon and Damian Doubler are up against fellow countryman Jason Greenslade, who partners Englishman Les Gillett in the pairs world title final.
Salmon and Doubler beat Jamie Chestney and Mark Davies 7-8, 9-1, 1-2 to reach the final.
Greenslade and Gillett saw off David Gourlay and Mervyn King 8-4, 3-7, 1-2 to set up their title chance. | Wales will have at least one new men's indoor bowls world champion on Monday at Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk. | 38716416 |
James Allen was jailed for life in November 2012 for killing Colin Dunford, 81, in Middlesbrough, and Julie Davison, 50, in Whitby.
An investigation commissioned by NHS England found there were "missed opportunities" in Allen's case.
A spokesman said it was clear his care fell "well below expected standards".
Blackpool-born Allen's trial heard he had numerous previous convictions, and had served an eight-year jail sentence for causing grievous bodily harm.
The independent investigation was carried out by Niche Patient Safety to see if lessons could be learned by those involved in his care.
At the time of the offences, Allen was receiving care from Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, provider of mental health services.
The report found there was enough evidence to indicate Allen was a "vulnerable individual" and services should have identified that there was a "significant probability" that he would reoffend.
However, what was "not predictable" was his choice of victims.
Allen attacked and killed Mr Dunford at his home on 23 April 2012 while lying low at a friend's house after being accused of a serious crime.
Ms Davison was discovered dead in her flat two days later.
The report, which refers to Allen as Mr F, concluded: "Mr F was a serial offender who was either unwilling or unable to engage in any meaningful rehabilitation programme.
"The evidence indicates that there were many deficiencies and missed opportunities by both primary and secondary health care services where important information could have been sought and shared.
"If obtained, this information would have enabled a more accurate assessment of Mr F's risk factors and would have alerted agencies to his potential for reoffending."
Karen Conway, head of investigations for NHS England North, said: "The circumstances surrounding the tragic death of these two victims are extremely upsetting and our deepest sympathies go to their family and friends.
"The report rightly highlights a number of issues around roles, responsibilities and working practices which must be resolved for positive progress to be made... we will be ensuring that all recommendations relating to primary care are implemented and embedded into general practice." | A man who brutally murdered two people while on the run from police was "vulnerable" and had "significant known risk factors", a report has found. | 32915346 |
4 August 2016 Last updated at 18:12 BST
The BBC's Chris Foxx explains what it is and how you can protect yourself. | Phishing remains one of the most common ways that cybercriminals get hold of your personal details. | 36981625 |
Fleming, 21, has scored one try in four games for the Centurions but was ruled out of the derby win against Wigan with an ankle injury.
The former Sale Sharks rugby union product has run in seven tries in 19 appearances for his parent club.
"He has done exactly what we expected and has come in and done a good job for us," Leigh head coach Neil Jukes said. | St Helens centre Matty Fleming has extended his loan to Leigh Centurions by a further month. | 40268796 |
The armchair fan from Bolton phoned Suffolk Police alleging that Ipswich player Tyrone Mings had been abused during the 1-1 draw at Portman Road.
Officers scanned footage and arrested a 17-year-old during the match.
The fan admitted using non-racist but abusive language. He will not go to the final under a community resolution.
Police said the television viewer phoned them during the first half of the match on Saturday, 9 May.
The 17-year-old fan from Cromer was removed from the crowd during the second half and taken into custody.
Suffolk Police would not disclose the actual language used by the supporter but a spokeswoman said it was not racist.
Mings told officers he had not heard anything and the person who reported it then declined to give an official statement, according to the force.
It was agreed to use the community resolution rather than charge the Norwich fan and take him to court.
The resolution meant the 17-year-old agreed to stay away from the second leg of the play-off semi-final at Carrow Road and any subsequent trip to Wembley.
Norwich won that match 3-1 to progress to the final which takes place against Middlesbrough on Monday.
Suffolk Police said it was unable to confirm whether the 17-year-old had been planning to go to Wembley.
Some Canaries fans have expressed disappointment that Norwich's allocation of 38,888 tickets for the final have not been put on general sale. | A Norwich City football fan was reported for "racially abusive" language by a television viewer during the play-off match at Ipswich Town. | 32825676 |
In an emotional ceremony in the capital Abuja, one of the girls said they had survived for 40 days without food and narrowly escaped death at least once.
It is unclear how the release was negotiated, but an official says talks are under way to free some more girls.
Of the 276 students kidnapped in April 2014, 197 are still missing.
One of the girls freed said during a Christian ceremony in Abuja: "I was... [in] the woods when the plane dropped a bomb near me but I wasn't hurt.
"We had no food for one month and 10 days but we did not die. We thank God," she added, speaking in the local Hausa language.
Many of the kidnapped students were Christian but had been forcibly converted to Islam during captivity.
Another girl said: "We never imagined that we would see this day but, with the help of God, we were able to come out of enslavement."
Excited relatives were waiting to be reunited with the girls, who were released last Thursday.
One parent said: "We thank God. I never thought I was going to see my daughter again but here she is... Those who are still out there - may God bring them back to be reunited with their parents."
Nigerian authorities have denied reports that captured Boko Haram fighters were swapped for the girls. But one security official told the BBC that four commanders had been freed.
The AP news agency also reported that a "handsome ransom", in the millions of dollars, was paid by the Swiss government on behalf of the Nigerian government.
Nigeria's Information Minister Lai Mohammed said Thursday's release was "the first step" for the liberation of all the remaining girls.
"Already we are on phase two and we are already in discussions," he told journalists on Sunday.
"But of course you know these are very delicate negotiations, there are some promises we made also about the confidentiality of the entire exercise and we intend to keep them."
Some of the kidnapped girls managed to escape within hours of their kidnapping, mostly by jumping off lorries and running into nearby bushes.
In total, 219 girls were captured and taken away. But it appears that some of the girls may have died in captivity.
And reports say that, following more than two years in captivity and after being married off to Boko Haram fighters, some of the girls do not want to go home. | Twenty-one schoolgirls who had been kidnapped by the Islamist group Boko Haram in the Nigerian town of Chibok have been reunited with their families. | 37674597 |
The female pug, thought to be three or four years old, was thrown from a car in Writtle, near Chelmsford, on Sunday.
Vets fear the tan-coloured dog, which they have named Crumble, may not survive.
The RSPCA said there are signs she had given birth to several litters and may have been discarded by a breeder. It is not known if she was paralysed before, or during, the incident.
RSPCA inspector Lucy Brennan said: "It isn't clear whether Crumble sustained these injuries during this horrific incident, or whether she had already suffered these injuries and those responsible were simply trying to get rid of her.
"As our extensive investigations into the unscrupulous, underground puppy trade have revealed, puppy farmers have little use for a breeding bitch when she can no longer produce puppies for them to sell."
Ms Brennan added: "If Crumble had come to the end of her puppy-bearing life then it may be that her cruel and callous owners have decided to discard her.
"Similarly, puppy dealers are looking to make as much money as possible from their stock so do not want to be faced with unexpected veterinary costs.
"If Crumble became injured or sick, then that would be another reason for them to get rid of her."
The RSPCA is appealing for anyone who may know where Crumble has come from or who may have seen her being thrown from the car to get in touch with the charity. | A dog was found paralysed after it was thrown from the window of a moving car. | 38254081 |
The peacekeepers were escorting an aid convoy when a "powerful current" swept them away, Rania Abdulrahman told the BBC.
Another two peacekeepers were found alive by a rescue team, she said.
More than 300,000 people across Sudan have been affected by floods that have killed nearly 50 people in August, the World Health Organization has said.
The region around the capital Khartoum had been particularly badly hit and was experiencing the worst floods in 25 years, it said.
The joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur, Unamid, is one of the largest in the world, with about 20,000 soldiers and police.
The peacekeepers were en route to Misterei, about 50 kilometres (30 miles) south-west of the regional capital Geneina, with a World Food Programme (WFP) convoy when a flash flood hit, Ms Abdulrahman said.
"The incident occurred while the peacekeepers attempted to pull out their truck which was stuck in the mud of a river valley," she said.
The seven WFP staff members who were in the convoy - five Sudanese and two foreigners - are all safe, WFP spokeswoman Amor Almagro told AFP news agency.
The UN has not released the nationality of the missing peacekeepers.
In August last year three peacekeepers from Tanzania drowned after their armoured vehicle became stranded while crossing a swollen river in Sudan, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reported to the Security Council last year.
He has also raised concerns about equipment shortfalls "which mainly pertain to the serviceability of armoured personnel carriers," and adversely affect the mission's operations, AFP reports.
The peacekeepers are deployed in Darfur to end a decade-long conflict between government and rebel forces.
The UN estimates that more than 300,000 people have died in Darfur, mostly from disease, since rebels took up arms in 2003. | Four peacekeepers are missing in Sudan's Darfur region after being swept away by floods, a UN official has said. | 23848897 |
The vehicle became wedged under the railway bridge in Upper Elmers End Road in Beckenham in south-east London.
Southeastern services were stopped between Elmers End and West Wickham for about an hour until about 10:30 BST on Saturday.
Last October another Halfords 'We Fit' lorry became trapped under a bridge less than a mile away.
Train services were also suspended on that occasion after the truck was jammed under the crossing in South Eden Road.
Danny Speed tweeted: "@Halfords_uk second time one of your lorries didn't fit under a bridge less than 500 yards from last time." | A Halfords "We Fit" lorry got stuck under a bridge, causing train services to be suspended. | 34026667 |
The scheme, which was first mooted in 2003, is designed to reduce congestion and improve air quality in the town.
However, original and revised plans have already been rejected after proving unpopular with local residents.
A BBC Freedom of Information request to the county council revealed the authority has spent £862,000.
The cash has been spent on elements including design, consultation and investigating a park and ride scheme, the council said.
The original Dorchester Transport and Environment Plan (DTEP) scheme included implementing various road closures and one way streets in the town, but was put on hold due to funding issues until 2013.
Plans were then altered and included a one-way system on High West Street and High East Street and restricted turns at Great Western Junction, but these were rejected by local residents in October 2013.
Concerns included traffic being transferred onto residential streets.
On 3 September, a revised scheme was rejected by the county council's cabinet after it again proved unpopular with local residents.
A scaled back version of the revised plan is now being investigated and includes pedestrianising the southern end of South Street, and upgrading traffic lights at the junction of High Street with Trinity Street.
County councillor Trevor Jones said the latest plans had shown to have "broad approval" amongst residents.
He added the council was now "intent on pushing it through, implementing it and helping to alleviate some of the traffic problems in the town". | More than £800,000 has been spent trying to develop plans for a £5m traffic scheme in Dorchester, it has been revealed. | 30310187 |
Media playback is not supported on this device
City extended their lead at the top of the table to five points as United set some unhappy statistics and left boss Sir Alex Ferguson confessing to being "shattered" by the scale of the defeat.
The margin of defeat was United's worst at home since 1955 and the first time they had conceded six at Old Trafford since 1930 as City ran riot, with Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko scoring twice and Sergio Aguero and David Silva completing the rout.
But Mancini said: "United are still one yard above us and we can only change this if we win the title. After that it might be different but until then United are better than us."
Man City
Man Utd
He added: "I still have big respect for United and for their squad. There are still four or five teams who can win the title and the season is long."
Mancini also insisted that Balotelli, in the headlines after a firework went off inside his house on Saturday morning, can become one of the top three players in the world.
The 21-year-old Italian scored twice but was booked by referee Mark Clattenburg for displaying a T-shirt bearing the slogan "Why Always Me?" after his opening goal.
Mancini said: "I hope for him, and for football in general, that the day will arrive when Mario changes his mind completely because after this he will become one of the best three players in the world like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
"The supporters like Mario because he is crazy. I love him as a guy. I don't know what has happened [over the fireworks]. The only important thing is that Mario and his friend were OK.
"I think Mario played very well. If we want to talk about Mario as a football player, I think we can put him in the first five players in the world. The problem is that he is young and can make mistakes."
Mancini also explained a positive tactical approach that saw Aguero, Balotelli, Silva and James Milner all start, adding: "If we had played with [defensive midfielder] Nigel de Jong, we would have played with only one striker and I wanted to play with two strikers.
City had outstanding full-backs and in front of them the wide midfielders were superb - at times Silva became almost an emergency left-back while on the other side Milner provided great cover. City, though, haven't won anything yet and the three points won are the same as for any other game
"I watched three or four games United had in the last month and they conceded a lot of chances. Also we started the season with two strikers and played very well.
"I am satisfied because we beat United away. I don't think there are a lot of teams that can win here. This is important for our squad and I am happy for the three points, but in the end it is three points - we don't take six points."
City keeper Joe Hart also warned his team-mates to keep their feet on the ground.
"We've got to stay level headed," he said. "We're a winning side and a team of winners but you don't get extra points by winning by that margin or by beating Manchester United.
"You could hear the fans today and we are delighted for them. We're a unit - the players, the staff, the fans - and that is how we roll."
For the latest updates and reaction to this story, read Sportsday Live. Have your say on Twitter via the hashtag #bbcsportsday. | Roberto Mancini insisted Manchester City had not overtaken Manchester United as the Premier League's major power - despite thrashing the champions 6-1 at Old Trafford on Sunday. | 15422655 |
Darren McInally, 28, pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to possessing the gun and ammunition.
He also admitted assaulting his partner Hazel King, 22, at her cottage in Uplawmoor, Renfrewshire, last November.
McInally faces a minimum of five years in jail when he is sentenced next month.
The court heard that McInally had turned up at Ms King's home and started yelling abuse at her as well as accusing her of being unfaithful.
Prosecutor Angela Gray told the court the accused had refused to leave Ms King's home. He grabbed her, threw her onto a sofa, brandished a bottle at her and left her fearing she was going to be hit.
Police were called and traced McInally to his father's home in Neilston, Renfrewshire, where they found a loaded Scorpion sub-machine gun in the boot of his Audi car.
McInally's DNA was later found on the weapon and the ammunition.
He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 8 April at the High Court in Edinburgh. | A man was caught with a sub-machine gun after police were called to a disturbance with his partner, a court has heard. | 31752565 |
John Mason, a Scottish parliament member, made the remarks when asked to support a justice campaign for three soldiers killed by the IRA in 1971.
Dougald McCaughey and brothers John and Joseph McCaig were off-duty when they were lured from a Belfast bar.
Mr Mason apologised after the family of one of the soldiers took offence.
A cousin of Mr McCaughey said the SNP man's original tweet was an "insult" to his family.
Earlier, David McCaughey told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme that his family had asked Scottish First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon for a public apology and to take disciplinary action against Mr Mason.
The Glasgow Shettleston MSP said his comments "were general" and not specifically about the gunmen who killed the three soldiers.
However, on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Mason issued a statement to the Belfast News Letter through the SNP press office.
It said: "I deeply regret the offence and upset that has been caused to the relatives who lost loved ones and am extremely sorry that this has happened.
"I condemn and deplore all acts of terrorism."
When he was first asked to back the justice campaign, Mr Mason initially tweeted: "Happy to support all campaigns to bring about justice. But not taking sides between Irish and British."
After being challenged about "not taking sides between Scottish soldiers and Irish murderers", he replied: "You say Irish murderers. Others say Irish freedom fighters. I support Scottish soldiers if they do good but not if they do bad."
He later tweeted: "I have been asked to clarify my comments were general and not about any specific case. I certainly did not intend to cause any offence".
Mr McCaughey had complained that the remarks were "deplorable" and made him "sick to the stomach".
"To turn around and say an organisation like the Provisional IRA are freedom fighters - that means you'd need to put ISIS, the Basque separatists and any other terrorist organisation down this freedom fighter route," he said.
"It was an insult to my family and also to other people who have lost their lives at the hands of the IRA."
"The man should be ashamed to be Scottish," Mr McCaughey added.
He also said his family were planning to take a civil case over the murders.
He said they had contacted the legal firm that won a civil case which found two men liable for the 1998 Omagh bombing.
Dougald McCaughey was 23 when he was shot dead in the Ligoniel area of Belfast along with teenage brothers John and Joseph McCaig.
A memorial was placed on the site of their deaths in 2009, and it has been repeatedly targeted by vandals. | A Scottish National Party politician has said he is "extremely sorry" after he sent a tweet suggesting some people view IRA killers as "freedom fighters". | 38886821 |
The 32-year-old triggered a clause in his contract entitling him to a further year at Griffin Park after making his 25th league appearance of the season against Cardiff on Tuesday.
McCormack joined the Bees from Swindon in 2013 and has scored three goals in 90 games for the west London side.
The Irishman previously had spells at Preston, Southend and Charlton. | Midfielder Alan McCormack has extended his Brentford contract until the summer of 2017. | 36092338 |
In the Commons, it's the Scotland Bill and the EU Referendum Bill - and the House will move with unusual rapidity into detailed debate on both, the following week.
Meanwhile, the Commons is inching towards re-establishing its select committee system, with nominations for 26 committee chairs due to close at 5pm on Wednesday, and the elections due to be held the following Wednesday.
But one committee will swing back into action - yes, the High Speed Rail (London-West Midlands) Bill Committee resumes its yomp through objections along the proposed route with two sittings on Monday and a further sitting on Tuesday.
Monday
The Commons meets at 2.30pm for defence questions, and any ministerial statements or urgent questions (a regular occurrence on a Monday) will be dealt with after 3.30pm.
The day's legislating is on the second reading of the Scotland Bill - which will deliver the proposals of the Smith Commission agreement devolving further powers over tax and welfare to the Scottish Parliament.
(The first day of detailed debate by a committee of the whole House is scheduled for Monday 15 June.)
Over in the Lords (2.30pm), questions include one from the Plaid Cymru peer, Lord Wigley, on the recommendations of the Smith Commission in response to the outcome of the general election in Scotland. The SNP don't take seats in the Upper House, so their allies from the Plaid contingent are the closest thing they have to representation there.
Then, peers turn to the second reading of the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill, which will allow city regions to install a "Metro Mayor" - which is one of the conditions for the government devolving extra power to them, along the lines of the deal already reached in Manchester.
This legislation is the key to advancing the government's Northern Powerhouse agenda, bus some critics have concerns about imposing powerful new mayors on large cities, particularly without holding a referendum. Communities Minister Baroness Williams of Trafford, herself a former council leader, will speak for the government.
Tuesday
In the Commons, business begins at 11.30am with Foreign Office questions - after which the Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, will remain in the chamber to launch the second reading debate on the European Union Referendum Bill.
This is a beefed-up version of the two private members' bills the Conservatives tried to pass in the last Parliament - but this time they will have control of the timetable (watch out for the debate on the accompanying timetable motion) so they should be impervious to any filibuster.
Watch out for markers going down on such issues as the right of 16 and 17-year-olds to vote, on balance in reporting, and on funding for the rival "In" and "Out" campaigns. There is a particular concern on the Eurosceptic side that the government and the EU Commission should not put their resources behind the "In" campaign.
The government seems to be moving pretty fast with this measure; and two days of committee of the whole House debate have been scheduled for the following week. That suggests that the bill should clear the Commons, and quite possibly have its second reading in the Lords, well before the summer.
In Westminster Hall, my eye was caught be the day's opening debate, on air pollution in London (9.30am - 11am) led by Labour's Diane Abbott.
In the Lords (2.30pm), watch out for the question from the Conservative Baroness Gardner of Parkes on the government policy of extending the right to buy to Housing Association properties - this is an issue where ministers could run into heavy cross-party resistance in the Lords (a lot of peers are heavily involved in Housing Associations) - and always remember the government whips don't have a majority behind them, and can be defeated when Labour and the Lib Dems join forces. So this could be a preliminary skirmish on what may be a long-running battle.
The day's legislative business is the second reading of the Psychoactive Substances Bill - the measure to crack down on so-called legal highs, which has been criticised in some quarters as too sweeping.
It should not be in trouble because Labour supports controls on legal highs and their manifesto included a pledge to ban the sale and distribution of dangerous psychoactive substances.
But watch out for Lord Paddick, now the Lib Dem spokesman on Home Affairs who said this about the bill in the Queen's Speech debate on June 2:
"It will outlaw not just specific so-called legal highs but anything and everything that has a mind-altering effect unless it is specifically listed as being exempt or is covered by other legislation such as the Misuse of Drugs Act.
"I believe that an authoritarian approach, where blanket laws prohibit everything unless the Government allow it, sets a potentially dangerous precedent. The Bill is well meaning, with the current practice of selling so-called legal highs on the high street, one molecule different from a banned substance, in packets marked "not fit for human consumption", is a nonsense. But we must ask ourselves, what is the purpose of this Bill? If the purpose, as it surely should be, is to prevent harm, the misuse of drugs should be treated as a health issue and not a criminal one."
Wednesday
The Commons meets at 11.30am for the debut question time for the new Scottish Secretary David Mundell. Then David Cameron takes prime minister's questions at noon and follows that with a Statement on the G7 Summit
The day's main debate will be on an Opposition motion - the first of the new parliament - yet to be announced.
In Westminster Hall (9:30am - 11am) the Conservative Damian Collins, who is in the running for chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, raises the topical issue of the UK relationship with Fifa. He held an adjournment debate in December 2014 on the "Jurisdiction of the Serious Fraud Office and 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup bids" in which he accused Fifa of stumbling "from one crisis to another, dogged by consistent allegations of bribery and corruption, involving some of its most senior officials, and unable to shake off the perception that it is a rotten organisation."
Later (4pm - 4.30pm) Labour MP Jessica Morden leads a debate on organophosphate sheepdip poisoning - there have been calls (including from Andy Burnham) for an independent inquiry into the use of organophosphate sheep dip during 1970s and 1980s, which, farmers say, has caused long-term health problems including blackouts and paralysis. That is followed (4.30pm - 5.30pm) by Conservative Phillip Hollobone's debate on the Effect of Gypsies and Travellers on local communities - in 2013 he proposed a private members' bill removing special provisions for Gypsies and Travellers in the planning system, arguing they led to the "ghettoisation of the countryside".
In the Lords (3pm), question time includes a call from the Shadow Attorney General, Lord Bach, for a review of Part 1 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 - which included restrictions on legal aid.
Then it's the second reading debate on the Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Bill - which aims to protect charities from serious abuse and give them the power to make social investments. After that, the Crossbench peer and Cobra Beer magnate, Lord Bilimoria, leads a debate on the 200th anniversary of the Gurkhas' service to the Crown and the government's support of the Gurkha Welfare Trust.
Thursday
The Commons meets at 9.30am for transport questions, followed by the weekly Business Statement from the Leader of the House, Chris Grayling. In the last Parliament, Thursdays were usually devoted to debates chosen by the Backbench Business Committee - but that has not yet been reformed in the new Parliament.
Instead we have the second reading of the European Union (Finance) Bill - which puts changes in the EU's financial system into UK law. And there is talk that substantive whipped votes will become rather less unusual on a Thursday - ending the semi-voluntary status of Commons Thursdays, which grew up over the last couple of years.
In Westminster Hall, Labour's Kerry McCarthy has a debate on tackling food waste (3pm - 4.30pm). She previously introduced the Food Waste Bill, which sought to ensure that supermarkets donated more left-over food to charity instead of chucking produce away, however the bill didn't make it past second reading.
In the Lords (11am), there are debates on subjects chosen by backbench peers. The first is on the role played by civil society, in the light of the pastoral letter from the Church of England's House of Bishops 'Who is my neighbour' - led by the Bishop of St Albans.
Then Lord Loomba discusses empowering women, including widows, in the developing world to aid conflict resolution and the long-term sustainability of more stable societies and the Labour peer and former minister, Lord Wills, discusses encouraging innovation by NHS England. | From the generalised debates on the Queen's Speech, Parliament makes a handbrake turn into hard legislating this week - with both Houses devoting much of their time to second reading debates on a series of heavyweight bills. | 33027431 |
A married couple and three teenagers were on board the flight, which had just taken off from Riverside airport on Monday.
They were returning home to San Jose following a cheerleading event at the Disneyland theme park.
The identities of the victims have not been released.
Residents of the two homes hit by the plane have been accounted for.
One of the teenagers, a girl, was thrown from the back seat of the light aircraft but suffered only minor injuries, Riverside fire chief Michael Moore said.
"Upon impact, the plane pretty much split apart, and luckily she was ejected," he said.
The girl managed to crawl to safety from the wreckage of the house and ask for help. She was later able to talk to firefighters about what had happened before she was taken to hospital, Mr Moore added.
One witness said that the plane's wings were "nearly perpendicular to the ground" moments before it "went into a nosedive" and crashed into the two homes, AP news agency reports.
Firefighters pulled another passenger from one of the burning properties. The victim was unconscious and said to be in a San Bernardino hospital in critical condition.
Three bodies, all from the plane, were found in the wreckage of the aircraft and the homes.
The plane, which broke up on impact, was still burning several hours after the crash because of the fuel it was carrying. | Three people were killed and two others injured when a small plane crashed and burst into flames in a residential area in California, officials said. | 39117744 |
Christy Walsh, who runs the bar in Listowel, County Kerry, has been fined a total of 700 euros (£605) after his pub was raided twice in one night.
He had helped to organise a charity event in the town last July, in which hundreds of people dressed up as nuns.
Mr Walsh said he was "disappointed" but vowed to continue his charity work.
The Nunday event took place in Listowel on 30 June 2012, and set a new record for the "largest gathering of people dressed as nuns".
In total, 1,436 adults made a holy show of themselves at a GAA sports ground in the town.
The volunteers donned nuns' outfits and gathered in the field, where they were counted by officials acting on behalf of Guinness World Records.
The adjudicators also made sure that the 'sisters' observed a strict dress code. It had to include a habit, a veil, black shoes and black socks or tights.
Mr Walsh, who was a member of the Nunday organising committee, said the small town's population doubled for the day as up to 3,000 extra people came to Listowel to either participate in or witness the unusual event.
It was staged in aid of Pieta House, a suicide and self-harm awareness charity.
However, after pub closing time, in the early hours of the following morning, police entered Mr Christy's bar on two separate occasions, and found 51 'nuns' on the premises.
The officers first came in to the pub at about 01:45 BST, 45 minutes after closing time and found 30 people dressed as nuns.
Their second visit was at about 04:10 BST, when they observed 21 'sisters' still at the bar.
Mr Walsh said he was at the premises for the first police visit and accepted that the police were "doing their job".
He said he was not there in person for the second visit, because he was driving people home.
He claimed that many people found to be in the pub after hours were waiting on taxis.
Mr Walsh said Listowel had a population of about 3,000 people and on a typical Saturday night there were only about 10 taxis to cater for late night revellers.
The publican said he was disappointed by the decision to proceed with the prosecution.
However, he appeared philosophical about it, adding that the event had raised around 26,000 euros (£22,500) for charity.
The idea had come from a County Kerry couple, who had lost their 17-year-old son to suicide.
Mr Walsh said when the nun costumes were suggested, the organising committee sought reaction from a local convent and from a parish priest before going ahead with it.
He claimed that both saw the humour, agreed it was for a good cause, and "gave their blessing" to Nunday. | An Irish publican has been prosecuted after police found dozens of "nuns" drinking illegally, several hours past closing time on his premises. | 21534215 |
It also presents a chance for firms to partner with the sport during the RWC.
Computer technology firm Dell has joined forces with a number of charities to launch a festival of touch rugby on the Thursday before the final.
The event, for disadvantaged youngsters, is intended to increase their resilience and confidence.
"We believe sport can change people's lives," says Dell UK boss Tim Griffin.
The firm is partnering sport social inclusion organisations Action for Children, Hitz Rugby, Beyond Sport and England Touch in backing the event.
The event, which takes place at Richmond Athletic Ground on 29 October, will be competed for by teams of young people aged 14-18 from around the UK.
"This is the first year of the rugby event and we all hope it goes well," says Mr Griffin, an independent non-executive director of the Welsh Rugby Union board. "On a personal level, rugby is a passion for me."
Mr Griffin played at No 8 for the Newbridge rugby club, as well as serving as captain of Cross Keys and Monmouthshire U23s. He also represented Cardiff, Wales and British Universities in the back row.
"It is an exciting time for rugby and for Dell. Businesses have an important part to play in actively changing the lives of today's children - we have the means to provide the support and skills they need to succeed," says Mr Griffin.
On the day, charity Action for Children and Dell staff will be advising the youngsters about how to connect and seek opportunities from companies and educational establishments.
Mr Griffin was speaking to the BBC at the recent Beyond Rugby conference, part of the Beyond Sport Summit, which seeks to promote the role of rugby in bringing about positive social change worldwide. | As the Rugby World Cup (RWC) ends on Saturday, a final, high-profile, window of opportunity exists for the sport to promote itself to a new audience. | 34602791 |
One of the most obvious changes is the integration of black and white students into the same residences - a move which was met with great resistance at first.
Junior Mqingwana and Willem Libenberg are room-mates at one of the most conservative universities in South Africa.
Until two years ago, Armentum male hostel was white.
But now students seem to have bought into the idea of racial integration.
"The rugby posters on the wall are mine, not his," smiles Mr Mqingwana, pointing to his white room-mate.
It is a casual comment that would ordinarily be insignificant were it not for the fact that South Africa is still struggling under the burden of racial stereotypes.
Rugby is still largely the preserve of the white population here.
But this pair of law students are a curiosity beyond their sporting preferences.
The institution is situated in Bloemfontein - the birthplace of the National Party, which in 1948 became the architect of apartheid.
The city is also where the African National Congress (ANC) was born - the liberation movement that challenged white-minority rule and continues to govern today.
It is therefore not surprising that traditions run deep in this part of the world and the racial harmony that anti-apartheid campaigner and former President Nelson Mandela dreamed of is still an aspiration rather than a daily reality in parts of the Free State.
In 2008, four white students posted a racist video showing a mock initiation ceremony on the internet.
In it five black university workers were made to kneel and forced to eat food which had apparently been urinated on by one of the students
Though it shocked many around the world, many in South Africa were not surprised.
I talked to one student at the time, when halls of residence were segregated along racial lines, who said she had been reprimanded for parking her car in a "white space" while visiting a friend.
To outsiders this might seem bizarre. She was not surprised.
More than a decade after the end of white minority rule, apartheid felt alive and well on campus.
Now with a court case behind it and the hostel where the guilty students lived closed down, the university's first black Vice Chancellor Professor Jonathan Jansen has made it his mission to smash the racial shackles that tainted the university's reputation.
About 65% of the 30,000 students here are black and most of the 23 halls of residence house students of all races.
It is part of a quota system which has earned Mr Jansen some criticism in the past 18 months.
He has also courted controversy with tough new rules banning mainstream political parties and the consumption of alcohol on campus.
But he defends his hard line approach.
"This initiation culture is very strong at this university. We said: 'You won't take your studies seriously if you turn the university into a pub,' and though it is not the kind of language I like to use, we needed to act firmly in the beginning - otherwise we wouldn't have got the kind of leadership and change that we see today," he says.
"Now we can hand it over to student leaders and let them run the place."
His top-down approach alarmed a minority of students.
Tammy Breedt, a student leader from Freedom Front Plus, the party that serves to protect Afrikaner interests which had much influence in student politics until the ban on political parties, says some students moved off campus in protest against the new rules.
"They felt it was window-dressing. You can change the university but you have got to carry the students with it," she says.
Some students, she admits, have not changed their views, perpetuating the prejudices of their parents' generations.
"There's a lot of stereotyping - a lot of baggage we have got to deal with on all sides."
The university made the student leaders responsible for some of the changes, but there are vast cultural differences that need to be overcome and understood.
Locating a new institute for the study of racial reconciliation on site is a small step towards trying to achieve this.
"The difficulty with change is how to give a sense of continuity, especially for the students whose parents studied here," explains Mr Jansen.
Despite the impressive progress, it will take years to turn this university around - small cultural norms can seem exclusive for some communities and language is still a big cultural barrier.
Lectures are delivered in both English and Afrikaans.
We found students preparing floats for the traditional rag week parade, when brightly decorated vehicles traverse the town raising money for charity.
Most of the students doing the decorating were white.
"Why don't our black students join in?" hisses one woman, who then went on to make a racist jibe that I refuse to repeat.
Next to us a black student was watching the activity from the sidelines.
I asked her whether she enjoys the loud Afrikaans music that blares from the speakers outside. She just smiled.
The university is undergoing an "extreme make-over" and there is clearly much more work to be done.
But the vast majority of students at Kovsies, as the university is affectionately known, are determined the reforms are real not simply cosmetic. | Two years after a video which shocked the world and exposed racial divisions at South Africa's Free State University, the institution is trying to re-invent itself. | 12345773 |
The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) figure for December fell to 54, down from November's figure of 54.2, according to Markit.
Any figure above 50 indicates growth.
Eurozone inflation was also revised up to 0.2% in November, down from the previous month, and down 7.3% compared with the same period the year before.
The greatest price increase in November was for unprocessed food, which rose 2.7% - however, that is lower than October's rise of 3.2%.
Despite eurozone economic growth dipping in December, the last three months of 2015 saw the strongest quarterly growth in more than four years, Markit said, with the services sector showing its largest monthly gain since November 2010.
The pace of growth in the manufacturing industry sped up at the fastest rate in 20 months, outpacing the growth in the services sector for the first time in more than a year - although costs and wages in manufacturing continued to rise.
Growth in employment in manufacturing was reported to be "stuck at a modest pace".
Germany enjoyed "ongoing solid growth", while France "slowed closer to stagnation".
Markit's chief economist Chris Williamson said: "Most encouraging of all is the upturn in the rate of job creation, which will hopefully pave the way for unemployment to start falling in earnest as we move into 2016.
"The survey is signalling a quarterly GDP rise of 0.4%, meaning the region grew 1.5% in 2015," Mr Williamson wrote, adding that the growth in hiring indicated growing business confidence. | Growth in the eurozone economy slowed slightly in December from the previous month, new monthly figures suggest. | 35111199 |
The French hosts started brightly, with Kylian Mbappe heading at Gianluigi Buffon before forcing another low save.
But Higuain ruthlessly finished two fine Dani Alves assists, sweeping the Brazilian's back heel in on 29 minutes.
Radamel Falcao went close for Monaco after the break before Alves' measured cross saw Higuain put Juve in control.
After Real Madrid's comprehensive first-leg win over city rivals Atletico on Tuesday, it now looks almost certain the two teams in Cardiff on 3 June will form a repeat of the 1998 final, in which the Spanish side beat Juve 1-0.
It will prove fitting, as the two sides sport the only unbeaten records in this season's competition.
Monaco, free scoring and dangerous with their youthful side all season, showed moments of threat which could unnerve Juve in the second leg on 9 May.
But at Stade Louis II, Massimiliano Allegri's side showed just how efficient they can be and Monaco's task looks huge as Juve have not lost a home fixture by two goals since April 2013.
This was another victory built on organised defensive work, with Buffon making a couple of key saves to help usher in a ninth Juve clean sheet in 11 Champions League matches this season.
Buffon's low stop from 18-year-old Mbappe inside 10 minutes illustrated the narrative this fixture threw up as experience met youthful exuberance.
Allegri's squad boasted almost three times as many Champions League appearances in total as their hosts, who are seeking a first final appearance since 2004.
The Italian side sat deep for spells, hitting Monaco with a flowing move for the opener before pouncing to rob Tiemoue Bakayoko deep in his own half before the second.
Buffon's low save from Falcao at 1-0 underlined the resistance Monaco faced.
Ultimately the experience 39-year-old keeper said would be crucial before kick-off shone through as his side squeezed the life from Monaco, preventing the Ligue 1 leaders from scoring at home for the first time since November 2015.
Juve could win Serie A this weekend as they chase a treble, having already booked their place in the Italian Cup final.
They look machine-like in their winning approach. Stalwarts Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci look driven to ensure the Italian side go one better than their 2015 final defeat to Barcelona, while Higuain, signed for £78m in 2016, offers a killer instinct.
Alves played on the right of midfield rather than in his customary role at right-back and despite now being 33, he showed clear energy to gallop forward and provide an opportunistic back heel to lay on the opener.
His delivery for the second was inch perfect and in creating both goals he now has six assists in the competition, bettering his best tally of five when at Barcelona in 2007-08 and 2010-11.
Feeding off such quality was Higuain, who refused to be overshadowed by the much-hyped Mbappe in the battle of the goalscorers.
The 29-year-old finished without breaking stride for the opener and peeled to the back post expertly to prod a 31st goal of the season in all competitions - one which looks set to send Juventus to the final in Cardiff.
Monaco midfielder Fabinho: "They were better and deserved to win but we're going to try everything in the return match."
Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini: "We have to congratulate Dani Alves and Gonzalo Higuain - sometimes we look to Gianluigi Buffon. We concede chances but when they come we have Gigi."
Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain: "I fight so hard for these moments. Goals were not coming for me in this competition but I knew I just had to stay calm and keep working hard."
Match ends, Monaco 0, Juventus 2.
Second Half ends, Monaco 0, Juventus 2.
Corner, Juventus. Conceded by Danijel Subasic.
Corner, Monaco. Conceded by Gianluigi Buffon.
Attempt saved. Valère Germain (Monaco) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by João Moutinho with a cross.
Valère Germain (Monaco) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus).
Substitution, Juventus. Mario Lemina replaces Miralem Pjanic.
Foul by Tomás Rincón (Juventus).
João Moutinho (Monaco) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Corner, Monaco. Conceded by Leonardo Bonucci.
Attempt blocked. Falcao (Monaco) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Kamil Glik.
Substitution, Monaco. Almamy Touré replaces Bernardo Silva.
Substitution, Juventus. Tomás Rincón replaces Claudio Marchisio.
Hand ball by Falcao (Monaco).
Hand ball by Paulo Dybala (Juventus).
Substitution, Juventus. Juan Cuadrado replaces Gonzalo Higuaín.
Hand ball by Bernardo Silva (Monaco).
Attempt missed. João Moutinho (Monaco) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
Attempt missed. Jemerson (Monaco) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left following a set piece situation.
Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus).
Falcao (Monaco) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Paulo Dybala (Juventus) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Djibril Sidibe (Monaco).
Substitution, Monaco. Valère Germain replaces Thomas Lemar.
Substitution, Monaco. João Moutinho replaces Tiemoué Bakayoko.
Andrea Barzagli (Juventus) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Djibril Sidibe (Monaco).
Attempt blocked. Djibril Sidibe (Monaco) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Foul by Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus).
Falcao (Monaco) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match Nabil Dirar (Monaco) because of an injury.
Goal! Monaco 0, Juventus 2. Gonzalo Higuaín (Juventus) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Dani Alves.
Claudio Marchisio (Juventus) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Claudio Marchisio (Juventus).
Fabinho (Monaco) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt blocked. Kylian Mbappe (Monaco) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Djibril Sidibe.
Attempt saved. Claudio Marchisio (Juventus) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. | Juventus closed in on a second Champions League final in three seasons as Gonzalo Higuain struck twice to beat Monaco in the semi-final first leg. | 39743929 |
A new four-part BBC Alba documentary takes a tour on the North Coast 500.
At times lonely, often enchanting, but almost always surrounded by the beauty of nature.
Stunning deserted beaches, deliciously fresh seafood, picture-perfect lochs, old golf courses, proper hospitality, a diverse array of wildlife and enough outdoor activities to tire out even the most active of adventurers.
But what could I be talking about?
The Amalfi Coast in Italy? Côte d'Azur in France? The Great Ocean Road down under? Nope, it's our very own Bonnie Scotland and the country's answer to Route 66 - the North Coast 500.
It forms a loop around the whole northern tip of Scotland, from Inverness venturing round the capital of the Highlands, up the West Coast and back via the rugged north coast.
The itinerary was designed by the North Highland Initiative, a non-profit organisation established by Prince Charles to spread the love across less-visited parts of the northern Highlands.
As an islander, I'm fairly well travelled.
I'm very fortunate to have visited many places all over the world for both work and pleasure - but what is sitting on our doorstep here is unrivalled anywhere I've ever been on this earth.
I'm a bit biased when it comes to the islands.
The thought that anywhere else in Scotland could be as beautiful and spectacular in terms of scenery, isn't a notion that we often entertain.
The mainland comes pretty close though - and this route certainly does not disappoint.
For one, the driving experience is pretty spectacular.
Many of the roads encountered on the route are not for the faint-hearted.
For example, the sign at the foot of Bealach na BÃ leading to Applecross reads "not advised for learner drivers".
The weather turned on me a bit here - but I survived to tell the tale.
Narrow, single-track country roads are commonplace for many parts of the route.
Blind summits, hairpin bends and vertiginous edges are commonplace.
Throw in the odd sheep, cow or deer at the side or in the middle of the road, and, of course, increased traffic, with a mixture of cyclists, motorbikes, cars, and campervans, and it is certainly a drive unlike any other.
I would say that activities, and facilities along the way cater to quite a diverse variety of tastes and budgets.
From campsites and dormitories to hostels and B&B's and hotels.
Food can be as luxurious as you like. From grabbing something on the go to some serious fine dining.
If you're into seafood - I can say that I've never tasted seafood so fresh and delicious as I did on the west coast.
We were very fortunate with the weather.
We travelled in September because we thought the route would be quiet.
I'm not sure it's ever that quiet though these days.
We met many people along the way.
But do be aware that beautiful weather may not last. This is Scotland after all, where four seasons can be experienced in one afternoon - or even in one hour.
And we've had hail and snow in May this year.
Therefore it is essential that you pack for (and mentally prepare yourself) to have some rain and potentially 'dreech' weather while on the route.
Strong winds and sideways rain are common for coastal areas of Scotland.
Although coming from the Isle of Lewis - this doesn't faze me in the slightest.
I would say that not having to beg "Mrs Macdonald" in a B&B along the way to dry my clothes in her tumble dryer from getting soaked to the skin in sideways rain would mean that we were pretty lucky.
And, I'm happy to say, that this trip more than lives up to the hype.
Perhaps my favourite thing about this whole route was the limited phone signal and lack of 4G.
In a world where many people rely on the internet or telephone as part of their daily lives; what better way to get away from it all than on one of the best road trips you'll ever see in your life?
With many people choosing a "staycation" over travelling abroad these days - I would highly recommend the route.
Perhaps a word of warning - or advice.
Be prepared for all weathers. From a bikini and sunscreen to a midge net and a rain jacket.
Ah yes, the dreaded midges.
I did actually meet some foreign travellers setting out on their journey as I was finishing, who had never heard of them. Oh dear.
I still wonder how they got on, or how they coped with no repellent or midge net.
I would love to do the route anti-clockwise - just to see everything from a different perspective - and I would also spend more time.
We had eight days to do it and although still made the most of the whole experience - I would have liked more time.
But if you are lucky enough to have good weather when you visit - and even if you're not -- I'm quite sure that you will leave with no doubt that this is one of best road trips in Europe, perhaps even the world. | North Coast 500 with Anne Lundon is on BBC Alba for the four weeks from Tuesday 16 May at 20:30. | 39894789 |
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Norwegian authorities have allowed flights to resume if operators meet new safety conditions.
A crash involving the helicopter off the coast of Norway killed 13 people, including Iain Stewart from Aberdeenshire, in April 2016.
The Unite Union has expressed concern about the decision.
CAA head of airworthiness John McColl said: "This is not a decision we have taken lightly. It has only been made after receiving extensive information from the Norwegian accident investigators and being satisfied with the subsequent changes introduced by Airbus Helicopters through detailed assessment and analysis.
"The safety of those who travel on offshore helicopter flights is a key priority for both the UK and Norwegian aviation authorities.
"We would not have made this decision unless we were convinced that the changes to the helicopters and their maintenance restore the required airworthiness standards."
The CAA said that helicopters would not begin flying immediately. A plan of checks, modifications and inspections will be undertaken before any flights take place.
These include:
Mr McColl added: "We continue to work with the helicopter operators, the offshore industries, international regulators, unions and pilot representatives to enhance offshore safety standards still further and all these parties are actively involved in ongoing discussions."
The Unite Union has expressed concern at the decision, saying its members were "very nervous" about flying in the helicopter.
The union's regional organiser in Aberdeen, Tommy Campbell, said Unite was still waiting to see a full analysis of the April 2016 accident and its causes.
"The offshore work force have been surveyed, they've been surveyed by the unions, they've been surveyed by magazines in the industry and there is a lack of confidence," he told the BBC.
"There's a significant issue and it's very understandable. Offshore workers - or any workers - want to go to their work and come back home safely and there's been far, far too many deaths now as a result of helicopter accidents."
Les Linklater, executive director of the offshore industry safety group, Step Change in Safety, said: "At this time, there is an ongoing Airbus survey for pilots and passengers regarding these specific helicopters' flight safety and comfort, which was issued just one week ago. It's our understanding that this survey still has a further three weeks to run.
"Given the importance of the workforce's opinion regarding this highly emotive subject, we do not feel it's appropriate to make any further comment until Airbus has gathered, and shared, the survey's results and can demonstrate how they intend to address any concerns raised by the workforce.
"We would encourage all members of the workforce to participate and have their voices heard." | Super Puma 225 helicopters, which were grounded after a fatal crash in Norway, are to fly over the North Sea again. | 40538083 |
The reconstruction and drainage improvement works on the A22 Godstone bypass were completed on Tuesday, more than three weeks later than scheduled.
Drivers had complained about unacceptable traffic gridlock in Caterham, Tandridge and Godstone since its closure on 4 January.
The work was held up when the foundations were found to be dangerous.
It was necessary as the bypass was previously subject to flooding. | A Surrey trunk road has reopened after repairs caused weeks of delays for frustrated motorists. | 35651552 |
The 34-year-old suffered a serious head injury in the shooting on Athena Avenue, Crookhorn, on 13 February.
Two Surrey men, aged 30 and 21, were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, but have since been released without charge.
Police said they would face no further action "at this stage".
Police said the shooting "may be related to the drugs trade" and finding the weapon "remains a priority for the investigation".
Three people previously held over the shooting have been bailed.
A man and woman, aged 37 and 38, were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, while a 31-year-old woman was questioned on suspicion of conspiring to murder.
The victim remains in hospital. | Two more people have been arrested after a man was shot and critically injured in Hampshire. | 39039193 |
The Englishman, 40, announced on Friday he will be out for four months with arthritic problems in his right foot.
Poulter said he was "truly honoured", adding: "Everyone who knows me knows how much the Ryder Cup means."
Thomas Bjorn, Paul Lawrie and Padraig Harrington have already been named as vice-captains by skipper Darren Clarke.
This year's Ryder Cup takes place at Hazeltine National in Minnesota, USA, from 30 September-2 October.
Poulter has competed for Europe at the past five Ryder Cups, taking 14 points from 18 matches.
"The best moments of my career have come when I have been wearing the blue and gold crest of Europe on my chest, knowing at the same time that the contest means so much to every player and fan," he added.
"We have a tremendous record in the Ryder Cup in recent times, having played with passion, desire and commitment," he said.
"It is something we should be proud of and I will do everything in my power to maintain that intensity and help Europe's quest to retain the trophy." | Ian Poulter has been named one of Europe's vice-captains for the Ryder Cup after being ruled out of this year's event with injury. | 36458851 |
Following its defeat at the hands of the Soviet Union in the Second World War, the country endured strong influence from Moscow during the Cold War, though retaining its sovereignty.
When the Soviet Union collapsed Finland joined the EU and is the only Nordic EU member to use the euro as its national currency.
The country spends heavily on education, training and research - investment which pays dividends by delivering one of the best-qualified workforces in the world.
Two pillars of the Finnish economy have been in serious decline in recent years: the timber industry, amid a drop in global demand for paper, and Nokia, once a source of national pride but which lost its spot as world leader in mobile phones in 2012, before its mobile phone unit was finally sold.
Population 5.4 million
Area 338,145 sq km (130,559 sq miles)
Major languages Finnish, Swedish
Major religion Christianity
Life expectancy 77 years (men), 83 years (women)
Currency euro
President: Sauli Niinisto
Sauli Niinisto (left) won the presidential election in 2012 to become the country's first conservative head of state in five decades.
He is the first president from the conservative National Coalition Party since 1956, and the first in 30 years from a party other than the Social Democrats.
The victory of the pro-Europe politician suggested that voters wanted to keep the country in the eurozone despite misgivings over European Union bailouts.
Mr Niinisto is credited with leading Finland's economy towards growth following the collapse of the Soviet Union, during his tenure as finance minister from 1996 to 2001.
Finland's president has a largely ceremonial role with fewer powers now than in previous decades, and is not directly involved in daily politics, but is seen as an important shaper of public opinion.
Prime Minister: Juha Sipila
Juha Sipila became prime minister in April 2015 following his Centre Party victory in the parliamentary election.
He heads a coalition government made up of the Centre Party, the Finns Party and the National Coalition Party.
In 2016, he faced accusations of trying to suppress an online report by public broadcast YLE of an alleged conflict of interest relating to his family; he insisted he did not try to influence the editor into taking down the story.
Described as a millionaire, Mr Sipila made his fortune managing several electronics and financial services companies in the late 1980s and 1990s.
He entered politics in 2011, becoming a member of parliament for the first time, and a year later was elected chairman of the Centre Party.
Finland has made broadband access a legal right for every citizen.
By 2015 more than 93% of the population was online, one of the highest rates of internet penetration in the European Union.
Some key events in Finland's history:
1809 - Finland is ceded to Russia by Sweden, which has dominated the country since the 1300s. The Finns retain a considerable amount of autonomy.
1899 onwards - Attempt at Russification of Finland, including conscription of Finnish men into the Russian army and the imposition of Russian as an official language. Campaign of civil disobedience begins.
1906 - Parliament Act establishes universal suffrage, including the right for women to stand for elected office, for the first time in Europe.
1917 - The Russian Revolution allows Finland to declare its independence.
1918 - Civil war. A rebellion by leftwing Red Guards is put down by General Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim.
1939 - Winter War: Despite fierce resistance to invading Soviet troops, the Finns are forced to concede 10% of their territory.
1941-44 - The Continuation War: Conflict between Finland and the Soviet Union during the Second World War, which ended in an armistice and Finland having to pay reparations.
1948 - Finland signs friendship treaty with the Soviet Union, and throughout Cold War pursues a policy of friendly neutrality towards Moscow.
1992 - Friendship treaty with Soviet Union of 1948 declared null and void following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Finland turns increasingly towards the west.
1995 - Finland joins the European Union. | After having lived for decades in the shadow of the Soviet Union, Finland is now well settled in the European Union. | 17288360 |
The Selhurst Park pitch has been having problems with microscopic parasites that weaken the roots within the turf.
Liquid garlic is a pungent but effective way of treating the problem.
"Think of your garlic at home and times that by 100," Palace head groundsman Bruce Elliott told cpfc.co.uk.
"We have a problem with nematodes, which are a microscopic, parasitic worm-like creatures that live within the root zone.
"When it gets in there it can distort the roots system and creates a weak plant that is susceptible to disease and wear and tear."
Palace's first pre-season friendly at Selhurst Park is on 5 August against German side Schalke.
Frank de Boer's side host Huddersfield on the opening day of the Premier League campaign on 12 August.
Hopefully, Palace will have more luck with this unusual method than Darlington did with their own novel approach in 1999.
The Quakers introduced 500lbs of worms to their flooded pitch to help irrigate it, only for them to drown. | Crystal Palace have kicked up a stink around Selhurst Park this summer after using garlic to prepare their playing surface for the new Premier League season. | 40497542 |
The daughter of pop star Whitney Houston, Brown was found unresponsive in a bath in her Atlanta home in 2015.
Her family accused her partner Nick Gordon of plying her with a "toxic mixture" before putting her face down in the water.
Mr Gordon has not been criminally charged in connection with her death.
But he was found liable in September following a default judgment in a civil case because he failed to appear in court.
He did not appear at the civil hearing, nor did he appoint a lawyer, but his legal representatives have previously described the allegations as baseless.
Brown was in a coma for six months before dying in a hospice aged 22 in July 2015 as a result of immersion in water and drug intoxication, according to medical records.
A post-mortem report was unable to determine whether death was due to intentional or accidental causes.
She died in similar circumstances to her mother - one of the world's best-selling music artists - who also died in a bathtub in 2012 with heart disease and cocaine use listed as contributing factors.
Her estate had been seeking at least $40m from Gordon in its wrongful death lawsuit against him, which was filed in October 2015.
Mr Gordon was accused of assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and transferring money from Brown's account into his own without authorisation.
In a statement after Thursday's court order one of the lawyers acting for her family said that "Bobbi suffered such horrific pain and degradation at the hands of Nick Gordon".
"[He was] the man she loved and trusted. No one should suffer the way she did and the judge sent a strong message in the award of punitive damages that this despicable behaviour is inexcusable and will not be tolerated," Glenda Hatchett was quoted by Atlanta Alive as saying.
Brown's father, the R&B singer Bobby Brown, contended his daughter had a major career ahead of her in the entertainment industry before her untimely death.
He said in a statement after Thursday's ruling that he was pleased with the judgment and called on prosecutors to file criminal charges.
"I do know Mr Gordon will be unable to slander my daughter's name in the future or obtain any benefits from the use of Krissy's name," NBC News quoted him as saying.
Brown was the only daughter of Houston and Bobby Brown.
Houston took in Gordon at age 12. He lived with the family for years before he and Bobbi Kristina Brown began a romantic relationship. | The partner of Bobbi Kristina Brown has been ordered by a US judge to pay $36m (£29m) in a wrongful death case, her estate's lawyers have said. | 38021904 |
Plaid voted against the bill in a last-minute move, meaning the assembly was tied 26-26 and the bill failed to pass.
It comes after Public Services Minister Leighton Andrews said a previous deal with the party was a "cheap date".
Health Minister Mark Drakeford said he was "deeply disappointed" the bill would not become law.
But Plaid AM Simon Thomas said Labour needed a "lesson".
The bill failed to pass after the presiding officer was required, because of the tie, to also vote against the law, bringing the vote to 27 AMs against, 26 for.
As well as the e-cigarette measure, it aimed to create a compulsory licensing system for tattooists, prohibit intimate piercing of children under 16 and require councils to produce a local toilets strategy.
Plaid originally planned a free vote and some of its AMs were expected to support the bill on Wednesday evening.
But a spokeswoman for the party said Mr Andrews' comments - made about a deal over a bill on local government with Plaid - were disrespectful.
She said Mr Andrews "chose to belittle cooperation and put his own government's legislation in jeopardy.
"This afternoon, Plaid Cymru proposed to the Welsh Government that the bill should be withdrawn before the vote and that the assembly should be reconvened immediately after Easter to vote on a bill with all sections on e-cigarettes removed.
"Plaid Cymru would have supported that legislation."
Mr Drakeford said there would be "widespread anger" at the opposition parties.
"It puts to waste five years of careful preparation and constructive work with a very wide range of stakeholders and supporters," he added.
Plaid joined the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives in voting against the law because of the e-cigarette ban.
Elin Jones, one of the Plaid AMs who was expected to vote for the ban, tweeted: "I worked with Labour on a fair compromise on e-cigs, but my party is not their 'cheap date'."
Mr Thomas told BBC Wales: "Certain things were said today that made people feel that they weren't being taken seriously".
Labour "perhaps needed a lesson in how they should be working with all parties in the assembly to get the legislation through," he added.
Kirsty Williams, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: "While that is utterly bizarre and somewhat farcical, I of course welcome their U-turn."
Darran Millar, Tory shadow health minister, said there was no evidence to support the e-cigarette plans.
The vote came despite AMs previously backing revised e-cigarette plans. | A public health bill which included a ban on e-cigarette use in some public places has been rejected by AMs after a row between Labour and Plaid Cymru. | 35812561 |
If you walked past a newspaper stand, or flicked through a news app, this morning then you would have been left with that impression.
Well the short answer, if you're in a hurry, is no.
But something truly exciting is happening - the field of immunotherapy is coming of age.
It will not be a universal "cure" but immunotherapy is fast becoming a powerful new weapon alongside chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.
Your immune system is your body's internal guardian and protector as it purges anything that is not "you".
It has a series of checks and brakes that prevent the immune system turning on healthy tissue (this is what goes wrong in autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis).
But cancer is a corrupted version of healthy tissue and can masquerade as normal to dodge our immune defences.
It performs the chemical equivalent of shouting "move along, nothing to see here".
And it does this by producing proteins on its surface that perform a chemical handshake with immune system cells to switch them off.
The immunotherapy drugs that have got people excited are like an oven-mitt that covers one of the hands, preventing the handshake.
The field has been developing for some time, but the explosion of front page newspaper headlines was triggered by data presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
UK-led research showed that 60% of advanced melanoma skin cancers shrank when two immunotherapies were given in combination. The dual treatment stopped some of these deadliest cancers progressing for nearly a year.
The ASCO announcement came two days after another immunotherapy trial showed some lung cancer patients had their life expectancy doubled by immunotherapy drugs.
Smaller trials in a wide range of other cancers have also been presented - suggesting immunotherapy will have a role in many tumour-types.
Exciting? Certainly. A cure? No.
As Prof Karol Sikora, the dean of the University of Buckingham's medical school, told the BBC: "You would think cancer was being cured tomorrow.
"It's not the case, we've got a lot to learn."
So what are the words of caution?
For starters, these drugs do not work equally in everyone. Some people do spectacularly well, some do ok, and some do not respond at all.
The reason why is still unclear. Are cancers susceptible during just a short window in their development? Is it down to the type or quantity of proteins the tumours produce on their surface? We don't yet know.
Also, the therapies are likely to be very expensive, which means targeting the drugs on those who will respond will be key.
Long-term side effects are another a big uncertainty. Will the change to the immune system increase the risk of autoimmune diseases? So far the side effects seem to appear only during treatment, but long-term follow of patients who do respond has not taken place.
The research outside of melanoma and lung cancer is also still at a very early stage.
This is not a sudden breakthrough, or even the first set of really promising immunotherapy data.
The melanoma trial used a combination of two drugs - ipilimumab and nivolumab.
Ipilimumab is already recommended as the primary treatment for advanced melanoma in the UK.
So what we are seeing is a series of advances in a field that holds huge promise for the future. And that's exciting without throwing in the "cure" word. | Have we cured cancer? | 32958504 |
Police said the boy, aged eight, was kept locked in a small room in the compound for several weeks and was allowed outside only to do chores.
The compound, located 300km north of Sydney, was hidden beneath an outdoor deck and accessible by trapdoor.
It allegedly contained 225 cannabis plants.
Three other children, aged between one and nine, were also found to be living on the property. All have been placed in care.
It was reported that the three people arrested are the children's mother, her fiance, and the children's uncle.
"The door to the small room in the shed was locked from the outside and police will allege that the boy was mistreated and only allowed out of the shed for chores and sometimes food,'' Detective Inspector Peter McKenna told the Newcastle Herald.
News.com.au quoted police as saying the boy was kept in the room for long periods of time in the past few weeks. The family is understood to have moved into the property earlier this year.
Neighbours interviewed by the Sydney Morning Herald said they rarely saw the boy, though they saw the other children more frequently.
Police from the Manning-Great Lakes command initially struggled to find the bunker when they raided the property on 19 December.
It consisted of three shipping containers buried beneath a hydraulic-powered deck that rolled away at the flick of a switch.
A 28-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman were charged with offences relating to drug cultivation and detaining a person for financial advantage, while a 19-year-old man was charged with drug offences.
The tiny room in which the boy was found contained only a mattress and a bucket for going to the toilet. | Australian police have charged three people after a child was reportedly found locked inside an elaborate underground drugs compound. | 35173310 |
A lack of investment means most practices feel they can't provide enough appointments for patients.
A survey of 441 practices in Scotland found more than half have seen no investment in the last 10 years.
The Scottish government has said its programme of investment in primary health care facilities is one of the largest of its kind.
But BMA Scotland's Dr Alan McDevitt said: "We need investment that enables GPs to provide 21st century healthcare in 21st century buildings."
The key findings from the BMA survey indicate:
Dr McDevitt added: "Not only is general practice bursting at the seams, but the buildings where we provide care for our patients are crumbling.
"A number of health centres have been rebuilt in recent years, but the vast majority of GPs and their staff are struggling by in buildings that are not fit for purpose.
"New ways of getting funding for GP premises are now urgently required.
"In order to achieve the government's intention to shift care out of hospitals and into local communities, they need to build the capacity to enable general practice to provide this care."
A Scottish government spokeswoman said: "The Scottish government is investing £250m in community-based health facilities across Scotland through the hub programme, which represents one of the largest ever investments of its kind in the NHS estate.
"During 2013, over £65m worth of new health and medical centres were completed and opened, including facilities in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen."
She added: "We will continue to work with a range of stakeholders, including the BMA, to ensure primary care services continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of the people of Scotland."
Perthshire GP Dr Claire Hutton said her building has consistently failed infection control inspections because of a lack of investment.
She said: "The building is outdated and in need of repair and renovation.
"There is limited practice space and we are unable to expand as there is no more room.
"Our practice list is growing and this has placed increased pressure on rooms and staff.
"Where we have flagged up the need for improvement measures on grounds of safety, for example for reception staff, we have been told there is no money available." | GPs say patient care is being hindered by cramped and inadequate practice buildings, according to BMA Scotland. | 28232095 |
The schools were closed in the west African country as a precaution to try to stop the spread of the Ebola virus.
There are strict rules about washing hands to make sure schools are safe.
The outbreak began in December 2013, over 3,500 miles from the UK in Guinea, and then spread to other countries in west Africa, with Sierra Leone and Liberia the worst affected.
Liberia was the country worst hit, with nearly 4,000 people killed there.
The children's charity, Unicef, said it doesn't expect all schools to reopen immediately as some aren't ready.
Guinea reopened its schools a month ago; Sierra Leone plans to do so at the end of March.
While the schools were closed, over a million children weren't able to go to class.
Instead lessons were broadcast on the radio, enabling students to carry on learning.
As students go back to school today, they must wash their hands thoroughly to disinfect themselves, and they have their temperature taken to make sure they don't have the disease.
Schools are also being asked to limit the number of kids per classroom to avoid overcrowding.
More than 9,000 people have been killed by the latest outbreak in West Africa, but charities helping fight the disease say things are getting much better.
The number of new cases of Ebola each week is much lower now than a few months ago, and authorities are hopeful that means they're getting the disease under control. | Hundreds of thousands of kids are back at school in Liberia, after schools were closed for more than six months. | 31484655 |
PSG took the lead in the third minute when Cavani headed in at the near post from Angel di Maria's cross.
Cavani scored twice on Wednesday in the Champions League against Ludogorets and got another double with a clever backheeled flick on the half-hour mark.
PSG are a point behind table-topping Nice, who host Lorient on Sunday.
Match ends, Paris Saint Germain 2, Bordeaux 0.
Second Half ends, Paris Saint Germain 2, Bordeaux 0.
Blaise Matuidi (Paris Saint Germain) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Jérémy Toulalan (Bordeaux).
Substitution, Paris Saint Germain. Jonathan Ikone replaces Ángel Di María.
Nicolas Pallois (Bordeaux) is shown the yellow card.
Attempt saved. Ángel Di María (Paris Saint Germain) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Thomas Meunier.
Attempt saved. Gaetan Laborde (Bordeaux) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Substitution, Bordeaux. Gaetan Laborde replaces Jérémy Menez.
Corner, Paris Saint Germain. Conceded by Nicolas Pallois.
Substitution, Paris Saint Germain. Hatem Ben Arfa replaces Lucas Moura.
Corner, Bordeaux. Conceded by Thiago Motta.
Attempt blocked. Diego Rolan (Bordeaux) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jérémy Toulalan.
Offside, Bordeaux. Igor Lewczuk tries a through ball, but Jérémy Menez is caught offside.
Foul by Blaise Matuidi (Paris Saint Germain).
Grégory Sertic (Bordeaux) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Bordeaux. Thomas Touré replaces Malcom.
Substitution, Paris Saint Germain. Adrien Rabiot replaces Marco Verratti.
Offside, Paris Saint Germain. Marco Verratti tries a through ball, but Ángel Di María is caught offside.
Corner, Paris Saint Germain. Conceded by Nicolas Pallois.
Attempt missed. Blaise Matuidi (Paris Saint Germain) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Lucas Moura with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Paris Saint Germain. Conceded by Youssouf Sabaly.
Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint Germain) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Grégory Sertic (Bordeaux).
Attempt missed. Adam Ounas (Bordeaux) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Malcom.
Foul by Marquinhos (Paris Saint Germain).
Adam Ounas (Bordeaux) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt saved. Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint Germain) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Lucas Moura with a through ball.
Corner, Paris Saint Germain. Conceded by Igor Lewczuk.
Attempt missed. Jérémy Menez (Bordeaux) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Thomas Meunier (Paris Saint Germain) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Jérémy Toulalan (Bordeaux).
Offside, Paris Saint Germain. Marco Verratti tries a through ball, but Edinson Cavani is caught offside.
Thiago Motta (Paris Saint Germain) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Jérémy Menez (Bordeaux).
Substitution, Bordeaux. Adam Ounas replaces Jaroslav Plasil.
Offside, Bordeaux. Jaroslav Plasil tries a through ball, but Jérémy Menez is caught offside.
Attempt saved. Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint Germain) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Thomas Meunier with a cross.
Ángel Di María (Paris Saint Germain) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Youssouf Sabaly (Bordeaux). | Paris St-Germain kept up the pressure on Ligue 1 leaders Nice with victory over Bordeaux thanks to two goals from Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani. | 37467800 |
The 31-year-old was arrested at a business address on Tuesday afternoon.
He was detained on suspicion of "being involved in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism".
The man is being held in custody in a central London police station, while officers search a residential address in south London.
Armed officers were present when the man was arrested, but no shots were fired.
The arrest comes during a period of increased counter-terrorism activity.
Police have been making about one arrest a day in connection with alleged terror offences, and have been conducting hundreds of investigations.
A total of 315 terrorism-related arrests were made in the year ending September 2015, recent Home Office figures revealed - the highest yearly figure on record, and an increase of a third on the previous year.
The data also showed that the number of women and girls being detained had more than doubled compared to the previous year. | A man has been arrested in south London in connection with "extremist Islamist terrorism", the Metropolitan Police says. | 35166807 |
The £82,500 funding package will allow Eyemouth and District Community Trust (EDCT) to buy and redevelop the Burgh Chambers and Town Hall.
They want to create a Social Eco Innovation Centre providing training, IT and business space.
Sina Anderson, of EDCT, said they were delighted with the "generous award".
"This funding will enable us to proceed with the proposed Eyemouth Social Innovation Centre, a project set right in the centre of Eyemouth, supporting the regeneration of the town and bringing a much-loved building back into community use," she said.
"Whilst the community has always been keen to retain the old Burgh Chambers and Town Hall as a community space, now with the conversion to a multi-use space, it will give added benefit to the town.
"Eyemouth until recent times was one of the largest fishing ports in the whole of Scotland but now needs to look to other opportunities to sustain the town."
She said the project would address a variety of training, office and business needs.
John Watt, who chairs the Scottish Land Fund committee, said: "This is an important Scottish Land Fund award that will help the people of Eyemouth embark on an exciting journey of community ownership.
"This project will bring tremendous benefits by helping to increase skills, opportunities and training for local people, as well as encouraging innovation and helping new and emerging businesses to flourish."
Land Reform Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said she was pleased to see the award given.
"The community ownership of these iconic buildings in Eyemouth will allow the community to make more decisions about the use of these historical buildings," she said.
"The plans for training areas, community activities and spaces for new businesses are all key to community empowerment and it is pleasing to see EDCT's innovation here."
A second Scottish Land Fund award of £20,755 to North Harris Trust has also been announced.
It will allow them to purchase and convert a former elderly care unit to provide two affordable housing units. | A historic building in the heart of Eyemouth will be brought into community ownership thanks to a Scottish Land Fund award. | 37653996 |
Lt Gen Ben Hodges said Russia's "disregard for civilian casualties... is not the conduct of a nation that wants to be treated like a superpower".
Russia's defence minister said on Thursday that its air force had killed 35,000 fighters in Syria.
But Russia has been accused of using heavy weapons in civilian areas.
It has consistently denied targeting civilians.
Russia's aerial intervention in the Syrian conflict last year has helped the Syrian army capture eastern Aleppo. But it has further heightened tensions with the West, after it annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in March 2014.
Aleppo evacuation nears its end
Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said 162 types of modern armaments had been tested during the campaign in Syria, which included 18,800 aerial sorties.
"What we see in Syria of course is a demonstration of capabilities and using weapons that are not necessary," Gen Hodges told the BBC.
President-elect Donald Trump is known to want better relations with Moscow, but Gen Hodges said the US military was pushing ahead with plans to bolster its presence in Europe.
"All the indications show we are going to continue our commitment," he said.
President Vladimir Putin gave a bullish account on Thursday of Russia's military strength at the defence ministry's final meeting of 2016, describing it as "currently stronger than any potential aggressor".
But he said Russia had to "strengthen the military potential of strategic nuclear forces, especially with missile complexes that can reliably penetrate any existing and prospective missile defence systems".
Mr Shoigu accused Nato of doubling the intensity of its military exercises, mainly with the focus on Russia.
He singled out the UK, accusing British armed forces of using Russian tanks and army uniforms to identify the enemy during exercises on Salisbury Plain in southern England.
"The last time this way of training troops was used was by Nazi Germany," he added. | The US army's commander in Europe has accused Russia of using its military campaign in Syria as a "live-fire training opportunity". | 38402506 |
The Stags started the game positively and should have been ahead through Matt Green who was denied by Callum Preston.
The breakthrough came in the second half when Beardsley flicked home a header past Preston on 60 minutes.
Mansfield ended the game with 10 men after Green received his second booking, but the Stags held out to record back-to-back wins.
Crawley's fifth home defeat of the season came just hours after it was announced that the League Two side are close to agreeing a takeover with an overseas-based business consortium.
Crawley Town boss Mark Yates told BBC Sussex:
Media playback is not supported on this device
"It was a tight game. They had a couple of chances in the first half, then they hit us on the break with one ball and Callum Preston has made a couple of good saves.
"We probably got what we deserve. It's the end of a frustrating couple of weeks. Our lads are a little low on confidence and obviously Mansfield's late win the other night gave them a confidence boost.
"We were a little bit sluggish. There was nothing really in the game apart from hitting us on the break. We are making mistakes that are costing us." | Chris Beardsley's first goal of the season saw Mansfield beat Crawley to move into League Two's play-off spots. | 35389557 |
The victim was plied with drink and drugs between the ages of 13 and 15 and passed around "like a piece of meat".
The offences included rape and indecent assault. On one occasion the girl was taken to woodland and told she would have her neck snapped.
She was in the care system when the abuse started and it continued between 1999 and 2007.
The defendants, charges, and sentences:
Prosecutors said the crimes took place in wooded areas around Oxford and private addresses.
In sentencing, Judge Ian Pringle said: "This victim was perfect prey for those who wanted to sexually exploit her. There was clearly never any consent given."
He said Akhtar Dogar had been the "principal player" in the "shocking" threats to kill, saying that he "used friendly companionship and turned it into an opportunity to serve his sexual desires".
Following the verdict the victim, who cannot be named in order to protect her identity, gave a statement describing the "challenging and painful" experience.
"Looking back now I am relieved that I found the strength to speak out," she said.
"It was easier to make myself heard than it was to hold it all inside.
"This process has been therapeutic for me, as I now feel stronger and I am no longer consumed by my past."
Det Ch Insp Mark Glover paid tribute to the woman's "immense bravery" for having to "relive the abuse...in court."
Adrian Foster, chief crown prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service described her as a "vulnerable girl with a difficult background" who was "robbed her of her childhood".
"A number of tactics were deployed to condition the victim and ensure compliance ranging from insincere flattery, the giving of gifts, plying with alcohol and drugs, and the use of threats," he said.
"Ultimately, fear of non-compliance eroded her free will to consent. Emotional abuse, coercion and bribery provide no basis for free consent in law."
The men were already handed jail sentences for their part in a sadistic sex grooming ring which abused children between 2004 and 2012.
In 2013 Akhtar Dogar and Anjum Dogar were jailed for life with a minimum term of 17 years at the Old Bailey as part of Operation Bullfinch.
Assad Hussain was found guilty of two counts of sexual activity with a child at the same time and received seven years.
The more recent trial lasted for six weeks at Oxford Crown Court and it took the jury more than 45 hours to reach their verdicts.
Owais Khan, 32, was found not guilty of five counts of rape and Alladitta Yousaf, 46, was cleared of four counts of indecent assault. | Three men have been jailed for a string of sexual offences against a teenage girl in Oxford. | 36526128 |
Two bodies were retrieved from the rubble at Hawkeswood Metal in Nechells on Thursday, with the third being removed on Friday morning.
The men, originally from Gambia, died when a 15ft wall of concrete and scrap metal fell on them as they worked.
Relatives wanted the bodies recovered for burial as soon as possible, in accordance with Muslim custom.
The fourth and fifth bodies were removed from the scene on Friday afternoon and it is thought they have been taken to a mortuary in Coventry.
Wall collapse deaths: Live updates
"This is killing me. My brother is there."
Community rallies to help bereaved families
Forensic post-mortem examinations will then be carried out on Monday.
Det Supt Mark Payne, of West Midlands Police, said some identification "may not be straightforward" and DNA methods maybe used.
He said officers were in contact with all of the families and the coroner's office "to take the families through the next stage of the process".
"Today we will be carrying out the final stages of the search and making everything safe," he said.
"Then we will work with the HSE [Health and Safety Executive] to see exactly what the cause of this incident was. Then we will take appropriate action once we know."
The men, Spanish citizens of Gambian heritage, have been named locally as Bangaly Dukureh, Ousman Jabbie, Alimamo Jammeh, Mohammed Jangana and Saibo Sillah. All are believed to married with children.
A sixth man, who escaped with a broken leg, is also a Spanish citizen of Gambian heritage.
Lamin Yaffa, chairman of the Gambian Islamic Centre, on Raglan Road in Cape Hill, Smethwick, said the man, who he knows as Kamera, was recovering well in hospital.
"Some people have been to see him and they say he is doing well," he said.
Simon Hardiman, group commander of West Midlands Fire Service, said they had to juggle the safety of its crews and respect the dignity of the victims.
He said that although scenes of crime officers were at the site, the incident was not being treated as a crime.
Money has been pouring into a fundraising initiative launched by the Birmingham Mail and the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, with more than £15,000 raised.
Crowds gathered at the gates of Hawkeswood Recycling during the morning but most left at lunchtime to attend Friday prayers.
The local branch of the Gambian Association, based in Ladywood, said it was "devastated" by the news.
Fizar Mahmood, who lives next to the recycling site, said he heard the sound of the wall collapsing but only found out what had happened when his brother called him later.
"I heard the noise in the morning, I didn't expect that this would be happening here," he said.
I've been at a meeting between West Midlands Police and the Gambian community at a mosque in Smethwick.
The force wants to reassure people that it will do what it can to support the victims' families.
Supt Andy Parsons said specially trained officers were helping relatives and that uniformed police would remain at the site all weekend while investigations continue.
Lamin Yaffa, from the Gambian Islamic Centre, said there were several more members of his community who worked at the Hawkeswood Metal plant.
He said he hoped the incident would highlight the difficult conditions some poorly paid people are working in.
"Not just in my community, but in every community there are these problems," he said.
He said the Gambian people would now unite to help them through the tragedy.
"We are a very strong community. As Muslims, this is our way of life. This is what motivates us - to come together at these times."
The Spanish Embassy has been in touch with West Midlands Police offering support to the families.
Mr Yaffa said the Gambian community in Birmingham, which numbers about 10,000 people, had been deeply affected by the deaths.
"There are quite a lot of Gambians in Birmingham, it's a close community and we all know each other. Gambians are still like the olden days of the UK, people are very close," he said.
At the meeting with the Gambian community in Smethwick earlier, Supt Andy Parsons promised to keep the community informed of the investigation.
But he warned that the bodies could not be released for the funerals until the cause of death had been established and initial investigations had been carried out.
Detectives have said they had a "reasonable idea" about what happened.
Several members of the audience voiced their concerns about health and safety at the site, highlighting a serious accident there in 2012 when a worker trapped his arm in machinery.
Hawkeswood Metal Recycling Ltd, which employs about 50 people, was fined £50,000 for the incident. It also pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court to a breach of health and safety law.
The company, which was established more than 40 years ago, says it deals with more than 500,000 tonnes of scrap metal each year at its Nechells site.
The plant was also the scene of a major fire in February this year, as 700 tonnes of scrap metal went up in flames. | The bodies of all five workers killed in a wall collapse at a recycling plant in Birmingham have been recovered. | 36743623 |
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 12 children were among those who died in the raids near a school and a hospital in Deir al-Asafir.
The US said it condemned any attacks directed at civilians.
The air strikes came despite a month-long cessation of hostilities between government and rebel forces.
The partial truce has resulted in a significant reduction in violence in much of Syria and has largely held despite both sides accusing each other of violations.
Thursday's attack on Deir al-Asafir, a town in the rebel-dominated rural eastern Ghouta region, was one of the deadliest incidents involving civilians since the cessation of hostilities began on 27 February.
The Syrian Observatory, a UK-based monitoring group, said that 12 children, nine women, a teacher and a volunteer emergency response worker from the Syrian Civil Defence, an organisation also known as the "White Helmets", were among the 33 people killed.
The Syrian Civil Defence published a video of what it described as the last moments of the emergency worker, Mohammed Walid al-Ghorani.
It showed an ambulance arriving at the scene of one of the strikes in Deir al-Asafir and a man, carrying a stretcher over his shoulder, rushing towards damaged buildings.
The organisation also published photos showing the destruction of its headquarters in the town, including a fuel depot. Fire hoses, extinguishers and helmets could be seen among the rubble.
The US - which backs the opposition to President Bashar al-Assad and is monitoring the cessation of hostilities in co-ordination with his staunch ally, Russia - said late on Thursday that it condemned "in the strongest terms any such attacks directed at civilians".
"In joining the cessation of hostilities, even apart from its commitments to avoid attacking groups participating in the cessation of hostilities, the regime committed to full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, which called for an immediate end to any attacks against civilians and for all parties to comply with their obligations under international law," state department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.
Much of the eastern Ghouta is in the hands of various armed factions that are covered by the cessation of hostilities. However, the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front also has a presence in the area and it is not included, along with the rival jihadist group Islamic State (IS).
The Syrian Observatory said government troops had been trying to encircle Deir al-Asafir, which is home to about 2,700 families, for several weeks. | The US says it is "appalled" by reports that Syrian government air strikes killed more than 30 people in a rebel-held suburb of Damascus on Thursday. | 35941675 |
They were found with improvised detonators, fuel, sandbags and empty ammunition boxes, reports the BBC Ibrahim Aden in the capital, Mogadishu.
Amisom has not commented beyond saying it is trying to confirm the arrests.
The mission is fighting alongside Somali government forces against al-Shabab Islamist militants.
BBC African news updates
The police have not said who the equipment was being sold to. | Five peacekeepers with the African Union mission in Somalia (Amisom) and 10 Somalis have been arrested for selling military equipment, police say. | 36459005 |
Based at the Dorset County Hospital, it will provide radiotherapy treatment to cancer patients in West Dorset who have previously had to travel to Poole.
Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust will fund the new centre, which is set to be be staffed and managed by staff from the Dorset Cancer Centre.
The scheme is a partnership between the Dorchester hospital and Poole Hospital.
Chief executive of Dorset County Hospital Patricia Miller said the new centre would benefit patients across the county.
Poole Hospital currently has four specialist radiotherapy machines, called linear accelerators or linacs, which a spokesman said were among the most used in England.
The Dorset County Hospital is now set to receive two new linacs of its own, one of which is a replacement for one in Poole.
Clinical director for oncology at the Dorchester hospital Dr Tamas Hickish said: "Specialist radiotherapy treatment should be given to around half of those patients with cancer and its use is expanding.
"We are expanding capacity and implementing a solution which will bring huge benefits to cancer patients in Dorset, especially those in the west of the region."
Patients will be able to receive their radiotherapy treatment in Dorchester by the end of 2017. | A new £7m specialist radiotherapy centre will be built at a Dorset hospital. | 33882929 |
Residents in Port Tennant claim the odour from the Welsh Water plant on Fabian Way has become so bad it can be "tasted".
Swansea Eastside Against The Smell is calling for the company to fix the issue.
Welsh Water has apologised to residents and said it is investigating the cause.
The company is holding an information event at the treatment works on 25 November so residents can hear about plans to resolve the problem.
Resident Andy Smith, 53, who founded the group, said: "The smell gets into everything. We have to light candles in the house to make the smell go away. Welsh Water needs to rectify the problem."
Councillor Joe Hale, whose ward covers the area, said the problem has been going on "for a number of years" but residents are "getting to the stage where enough is enough".
"It's no exaggeration when there are emissions you can taste it. It's disgusting," he added.
Welsh Water said it has stopped using the site's digester plant, used to convert sewage gases into renewable energy, and has introduced extra treatment to the processes to help mask the smell.
"Whilst unpleasant, the smell does not pose a danger to health. We would like to reassure anyone affected by the odours that we are investigating the cause," a spokeswoman added.
"Welsh Water has invested significantly in measures to help address these odours and we are committed to solving these odour problems as quickly as possible." | A "disgusting" smell of sewage from a water treatment works in Swansea has led affected residents to form a new campaign group. | 34655939 |
Subsets and Splits
No saved queries yet
Save your SQL queries to embed, download, and access them later. Queries will appear here once saved.