Datasets:

autoevaluate

/

autoeval-eval-xsum-default-7c65dc-60294145405

like 0

Follow

Evaluation on the Hub 34

The woman was picked up from Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh, near the Greyfriars Bobby's statue, at 03:30am. She was taken to a layby just past the Hillend Ski Slope, near the Boghall Farm in Midlothian where she was subjected to a serious sexual assault.. She was then left near the Sheriffhall roundabout on the city bypass. Police Scotland are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen the victim or the car. The suspect was described as being of South Asian appearance, aged 35-40, about 5ft 5in - 5ft 6in, of slim build. He had dark, cropped hair and was clean-shaven. He was wearing dark clothing and spoke with an Edinburgh accent. The car was described as being a five-door saloon, which was possibly a navy colour. Det Sgt Keith Mackay said: "This was a frightening experience for the woman, who is now in the care of her family. "We are eager to trace this man and are appealing for witnesses. Anyone who recognises the man's description, or the description of the car, is urged to come forward."

A 31-year-old woman has been sexually assaulted after getting into a car she believed was a private hire taxi.

32277997

Natalia Poplevskaya of the Russian LGBT Network said "we are working to evacuate people". A government spokesman called the reports "lies" and said homosexual people "simply don't exist in the republic". Homophobia is widespread in Chechnya. The mainly Muslim region is run by Ramzan Kadyrov, an authoritarian leader with a notorious private militia, fiercely loyal to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ms Poplevskaya told the BBC that victims - either gay or just perceived as gay - are being held at a detention centre near Argun, 20km (13 miles) from the city of Grozny. She said the LGBT Network, based in St Petersburg, was aware of "an organised campaign to detain gay men" in Chechnya. "Torture is going on with electric shocks, beatings with cables. All the people arrested are homosexual men or perceived as being gay," she said. Three deaths have been reported. More than 30 people were crammed into one cell, she added. Despite appeals to the Russian authorities to stop the abuses, no action has been taken, she complained. Kadyrov spokesman Alvi Karimov denied the alleged persecution. "You can't detain and repress people who simply don't exist in the republic," he said. The gay rights group has an email hotline to help victims, or potential victims, flee to other parts of Russia. Ms Poplevskaya declined to say where those victims were being sheltered. News of the crackdown was broken by the Russian daily Novaya Gazeta, which specialises in human rights investigations. It reported that the detainees included some influential Muslim clerics close to Mr Kadyrov, and two well-known Chechen TV presenters. "We confirm what was said in Novaya Gazeta," Ms Poplevskaya said, while declining to name her sources in Chechnya. Ramzan Kadyrov: Putin's key Chechen ally Putin loyalist Kadyrov unleashed on Russian 'traitors' Russia's mixed messages on LGBT Vigilantes claiming to be enforcing Muslim morals have long targeted gay people in Russia's North Caucasus. But persecution of gay people in Chechnya intensified in late February, she said. LGBT Network submitted reports about the crackdown to the Russian prosecutor-general's office, the Federal Investigative Committee (SK) and federal commissioner for human rights. "We got no response, despite all the appeals. The only thing was that the Russian ombudswoman said she would initiate an investigation. That was only after Amnesty International filed their own statement," she said. "The office of the military commandant is now the unofficial detention centre for torture, near Argun. All the victims confirmed that," she said. But it is not a "concentration camp" for gays, she said, rejecting the description used in some media reports. Foreign governments and human rights groups have voiced concern about the alleged abuses, urging the Russian and Chechen authorities to stop them. The EU, the US state department, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International are among those who have complained. Reporting by the BBC's Laurence Peter

Gay men are fleeing brutal persecution in Chechnya, where police are holding more than 100 people and torturing some of them in an anti-gay crackdown, Russian activists say.

39566136

Nihar Janga, from Austin, Texas, was named co-champion with Jairam Hathwar, 13. The pair battled for 25 rounds in the final of the national competition, which was broadcast live on TV. Each received a $40,000 (£27,343) prize. One of the biggest cheers of the night came when Nihar successfully spelled 'taoiseach'. "Is that an Irish word for prime minister?" he asked, before rattling off the correct letters. Earlier, he had impressed with his grasp of words. When given 'biniou' to spell, he asked, 'Is that a Breton bagpipe?' before successfully answering. In the final round, Jairam spelled 'feldenkrais', a method of education, leaving Nihar with 'gesellschaft', a type of social relationship. The 11-year-old nailed it to secure a tie and become the youngest champion since 2002. Speaking afterwards, Nihar thanked his mother and said: "I can't say anything. I'm just in fifth grade."

An 11-year-old boy in the United States has wowed audiences after successfully spelling 'taoiseach' on his way to becoming joint winner of a national spelling bee competition.

36400121

Akinfenwa chested down in the box and saw his deflected shot fly past Bobby Olejnik to continue Wycombe's impressive home form - they have lost just one of six league games at Adams Park this term. Paul Hayes should have given the hosts the lead after 18 minutes when a bouncing ball fell to him five yards out but his looping header cleared the crossbar. Exeter striker Reuben Reid's driven 27th-minute shot bounced dangerously in front of Wycombe keeper Jamal Blackman, who temporarily spilled, and the visitors were then denied a glorious chance as Ollie Watkins was penalised for a foul when one-on-one. The Chairboys dominated the second period as substitute Akinfenwa nodded over and Paris Cowan-Hall flicked Joe Jacobson's delivery wide. But after 85 minutes, Anthony Stewart's lofted ball from the left fell straight to Akinfenwa, allowing the big striker to turn and smash the ball past Olejnik for his second goal since joining the club. Report supplied by the Press Association. Match ends, Wycombe Wanderers 1, Exeter City 0. Second Half ends, Wycombe Wanderers 1, Exeter City 0. Corner, Wycombe Wanderers. Conceded by Jordan Moore-Taylor. Corner, Wycombe Wanderers. Conceded by Craig Woodman. Substitution, Wycombe Wanderers. Matt Bloomfield replaces Sam Wood. Substitution, Exeter City. Liam McAlinden replaces Robbie Simpson. Hand ball by Robbie Simpson (Exeter City). Substitution, Exeter City. David Wheeler replaces Lee Holmes. Goal! Wycombe Wanderers 1, Exeter City 0. Adebayo Akinfenwa (Wycombe Wanderers) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Anthony Stewart. Jake Taylor (Exeter City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Scott Kashket (Wycombe Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Jake Taylor (Exeter City). Substitution, Wycombe Wanderers. Scott Kashket replaces Paris Cowan-Hall. Foul by Dan Rowe (Wycombe Wanderers). Jake Taylor (Exeter City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Joe Jacobson (Wycombe Wanderers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Foul by Joe Jacobson (Wycombe Wanderers). Ollie Watkins (Exeter City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Substitution, Exeter City. Pierce Sweeney replaces Jack Stacey. Attempt blocked. Sam Wood (Wycombe Wanderers) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Attempt missed. Paris Cowan-Hall (Wycombe Wanderers) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Joe Jacobson (Wycombe Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Jake Taylor (Exeter City). Paris Cowan-Hall (Wycombe Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Luke Croll (Exeter City). Attempt missed. Adebayo Akinfenwa (Wycombe Wanderers) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Substitution, Wycombe Wanderers. Adebayo Akinfenwa replaces Paul Hayes. Corner, Wycombe Wanderers. Conceded by Lloyd James. Foul by Paul Hayes (Wycombe Wanderers). Luke Croll (Exeter City) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Corner, Exeter City. Conceded by Joe Jacobson. Dominic Gape (Wycombe Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Lloyd James (Exeter City). Corner, Wycombe Wanderers. Conceded by Jack Stacey. Joe Jacobson (Wycombe Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Robbie Simpson (Exeter City). Sam Wood (Wycombe Wanderers) wins a free kick on the right wing. Foul by Jake Taylor (Exeter City). Second Half begins Wycombe Wanderers 0, Exeter City 0. First Half ends, Wycombe Wanderers 0, Exeter City 0.

Adebayo Akinfenwa's winner five minutes from time handed Wycombe a hard-fought 1-0 home victory over Exeter in League Two.

37459574

25 October 2015 Last updated at 15:02 GMT Earlier this week, the Lord Advocate appealed for calm following a row between Mr Matheson's predecessor Kenny MacAskill and Aamer Anwar, the lawyer representing Mr Bayoh's family. Mr MacAskill, writing in a police journal, said he believed the outcome of the case would be a "tragic accident". The comments angered Mr Bayoh's family, as the Police Investigations Review Commissioner investigation into his death continues. Mr Matheson told the BBC's Sunday Politics Scotland programme: "There is a robust investigation being taken forward through the Police Investigation and Review Commissioner and that is also being directed by the Crown Office. "As the Lord Advocate has made clear this week, it is better if all parties refrain from making comment while the investigation is taking place. "I don't think it is helpful if people are giving a running commentary on issues around this investigation while it is being undertaken."

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson has said it is not helpful if people give a "running commentary" on the death in police custody of Sheku Bayoh.

34632206

Young and a fluent English speaker, he comes from the Syrian city of Raqqa, the de facto capital of so-called Islamic State. The threat posed by the group is one of the main factors pushing the mass migration of people to Europe. And as we sit beside the stadium in Edirne where 2,000 have gathered, trying to cross Turkey's land border with Greece, he gives me an insight into the heart of the "caliphate". "At first when they arrived, it seemed fine because [Syrian President] Assad's forces were driven out," Mohamed says. "But then they tightened their control. They imposed their rules: anybody who defied them, anyone who was suspected of talking to journalists or TV channels was immediately taken off to be killed. "They have a big intelligence network - foreigners working for them, who inform them about everything. I've seen Germans, Chechens, Turks, Saudis and Tunisians. They're the ones who catch you." What changes has he seen during the IS takeover, I ask? "Until a few months ago we had internet at home. Now we have to go to internet cafes to go online - and they come and check which sites we've visited. "We only have two hours of electricity per day. There's talk that they'll remove satellite dishes from houses so we can only watch TV they control. "And food prices are going up. We're banned from smoking - I was caught twice with a cigarette, put in prison for a day and given 20 lashes. "Men are not allowed to be clean-shaven - anyone who is, will be put in prison." The IS black flag now flies across Raqqa and every official building has "Islamic State" painted on the walls, Mohamed tells me. How are the militants recognised? "They carry guns - all the time." "When you look at the faces of our citizens, they have fear in their eyes," he tells me. "Everyone is afraid that one wrong word will put them in prison or worse. We all love Islam - but this is not Islam. "Now even people say they want Assad to come back. Both are evil - but this is worse." Mohamed is desperate to cross safely into Europe, unable to pay the $2,000 (£1,300) demanded by smugglers for the boat trip to the Greek islands and unwilling to risk his life. But as the EU progresses with plans to redistribute 120,000 asylum seekers, the reality is that he will not be among them. The number only includes those already in the bloc, in Italy or Germany - not those knocking at Europe's door here in Turkey. They will be encouraged to stay. But Mohamed refuses. "Here I cannot make a decent life for myself. I earn so little money, they don't want me here," he says. "If I cannot get to Europe, I will go back to Raqqa. "There, I will live like I have a clamp to my throat - but at least I'll have my family." It is that natural human inclination - the need for safety - that is driving this mass migration. And as Islamic State broadens its control and continues its rampage, those like Mohamed subjected to it will pursue the path to the refuge they crave.

"If they knew I was talking to you, I'd be killed," says Mohamed.

34337476

The 25-year-old, who has helped Sarries to three Premiership titles, has played 152 times for the club since 2008. Farrell has 52 caps for England and four for the British & Irish Lions. "Owen has developed into one of the leading players in world rugby," Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall told the club website. "He is one of our own, so for him to commit his long-term future to the club is huge news - we're delighted that he'll be extending his stay." Farrell was named European player of the year in May, becoming the inaugural winner of the Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy. He added: "It's an opportunity to hopefully grow with this group again for the next few years; to get better and improve on what we've already done." Saracens begin their 2017-18 Premiership campaign at home to Northampton Saints on Saturday.

England fly-half Owen Farrell has signed a new five-year contract with Saracens, keeping him with the European champions until 2022.

41089216

The stone is thought to have been in Soulbury, Buckinghamshire for 11,000 years. The road was built round it. Residents said they would chain themselves to it when the council said the stone may have to be moved. The council has now said it would be "lunacy" to move it, but was looking for ways to make the road safer. Local legend claims the rock, known as the Soulbury Boot, appeared on Chapel Hill after villagers fought with the devil and cut off his foot. Some people also claim it rolls down the hill as the church chimes midnight. More rolling news from Buckinghamshire as it happens It is not known how the boulder gets back up the hill, but it was in its usual place when a motorist allegedly hit it, damaging her car and later claiming compensation, according to the Leighton Buzzard Observer. A Buckinghamshire County Council spokesman told the BBC it had been discussing the future of the stone with the parish council "following the alleged incident". Removing the stone was "an option" but the council was aware it would not be a popular choice. A Facebook community group launched a Save our Soulbury Stone (Soss) campaign calling for residents to reject any proposal to move it, with some vowing to chain themselves to the rock to protect it. However, Conservative councillor Mark Shaw has now told the BBC that "to move it, or even discuss moving it... would be absolute madness". He described it as the "heart and soul" of Soulbury. "What we want to do is clearly make the road safe and secure for all drivers but actually it would be absolute lunacy to move that stone," Mr Shaw said. "Let's bear in mind this is about one person who's crashed into this stone in over 11,000 years."

A large boulder which has sat in the middle of a road for decades is to stay where it is despite a car crashing into it, a council has said.

35918470

Police said the child, who is thought to have been shot by her father who was found dead at the scene in Northiam, is seven years old. Ch Supt Neil Honnor said a firearm had been recovered, but would not confirm the relationship between the girl and the man. The body of the man was found in a car parked outside a house in the Spring Hill area of the village. Prayers have been said at the injured girl's school, Beckley Church of England Primary in Beckley near Rye. The area around the scene has been cordoned off since the shooting, which happened at about 16:00 BST on Thursday. Ch Supt Honnor said officers had identified "the perpetrator of the offence". "This does not appear to be an incident that's necessarily related to Northiam other than the fact that it happened there. "We believe this is a domestic-related incident," he said. In a statement, a spokeswoman for the Beckley CE Primary said: "We have received confirmation that the child who was shot is a pupil at our school. "This is a dreadfully sad and shocking incident and the whole school community are praying for her and her family." The girl is being treated at King's College Hospital in London.

A young girl shot in the head in East Sussex remains gravely ill in hospital.

29171026

Scientists found a single dose of the protein Hi1a worked on lab rats. They said it showed "great promise as a future stroke treatment" but had not yet been tested in human trials. The Stroke Association said the research was at its early stages but it would "welcome any treatment that has the potential to reduce the damage caused by stroke". The researchers, from the University of Queensland and Monash University, travelled to Fraser Island in Australia to hunt for and capture three potentially deadly Australian funnel web spiders. "We regularly collect spiders from Fraser Island off the south coast of Queensland," explained lead researcher Prof Glenn King. "The reason for this is that funnel-web spiders dig burrows that can be as deep as 20-30 cm. Thus, digging them up from hard clay soils is very difficult. Fraser Island is a sand island which makes it easy for us to extract the spiders from their burrows." The team then took the spiders back to their laboratory "for milking". This involved coaxing the spider to release its venom, which could then be sucked up using pipettes. Next the scientists dissected the venom gland of the spiders and honed in on a protein in the venom to recreate a version of it in their lab. They then injected this Hi1a into the lab rats. A stroke is a brain attack that happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off or there is bleeding on the brain Source: Stroke Association They found that the protein blocked acid-sensing ion channels in the brain - something the researchers say are key drivers of brain damage after stroke. Prof King said the protein showed "great promise as a future stroke treatment". "We believe that we have, for the first time, found a way to minimise the effects of brain damage after a stroke. "Hi1a even provides some protection to the core brain region most affected by oxygen deprivation, which is generally considered unrecoverable due to the rapid cell death caused by stroke." The research was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "My lab is interested in developing drugs for human nervous system disorders. Many of these disorders involve either dysfunctional ion channels (e.g. epilepsy) or over-active ion channels (chronic pain and stroke). Thus, we are typically looking for molecules that modulate the activity of ion channels. The venoms of small venomous invertebrates such as spiders, centipedes and scorpions have evolved to target the nervous system of insects, and consequently they are absolutely full of ion channel modulators. Because the human nervous system is more complex and wired differently to insects, ion channel modulators that kill or paralyse insects can actually be beneficial to humans. Thus, looking in venoms for ion channel drugs is not as weird as it seems." Dr Kate Holmes, deputy director for Research at the Stroke Association, said: "We do not have an accurate picture of what happens in human brains from this research, therefore, it is currently unknown if this could be a successful treatment option for humans in the future. "We welcome any treatment that has the potential to reduce the damage caused by stroke, particularly if this can benefit people who are unable to arrive at hospital quickly. "Current treatments must be given in half this time period, and it is too early for us to know if this research can offer an alternative for stroke patients. "We urge for stroke to be treated as an emergency - the sooner a person can get to hospital after a stroke, the sooner the right treatment can be received, which can improve survival and help recovery."

A protein in spider venom may help protect the brain from injury after a stroke, according to research.

39335367

The Dungannon rider suffered chest and pelvic injuries in the crash on 12 May. His condition was described as stable on 16 May and he was moved out of intensive care. The 40-year-old and Dan Cooper came off their bikes on the the Black Hill section of the course. English rider Malachi Mitchell-Thomas was killed in a crash at the same part of the course on Saturday, 14 May. Cooper was taken to the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine with shoulder injuries but was later discharged. Farquhar is a well known-figure in motorcycling and has won five races at the North West 200. He retired from the sport in 2012 following the death of his uncle Trevor Ferguson at that year's Manx Grand Prix in the Isle of Man. However, Farquhar resumed his road racing career in 2014, saying that his family backed his decision to return.

Motorcycle racer Ryan Farquhar, who was hurt in a high-speed crash in the North West 200, is seriously ill and has returned to intensive care, the Belfast Trust have said.

36354895

The Glasgow-born defender, 21, was with Celtic's development squad before spending a season on loan at Dumbarton. He moved on to Alloa in May 2016, helping them reach the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals last season. "Obviously it is a big step up but I feel I am more than capable of making the step up," said Waters, who has signed a two-year contract. "I played a lot of games last season and playing with senior pros helped me a lot, I got my confidence back. "I want to play more games here and the fact the management here are willing to play younger players is what I am looking for at this stage of my development. "The fans can expect a lot of energy from me and someone who will give their all and fight for every ball. That is my game - up and down the line all game." Waters joins fellow defender Daniel Higgins and midfielder Alan Power as new arrivals at Rugby Park. Kilmarnock begin their League Cup campaign away to Ayr United on Friday, 14 July, and open their Scottish Premiership campaign at home to St Johnstone on 5 August. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Kilmarnock have bolstered their squad with the signing of left-back Calum Waters from League One Alloa.

40449303

But this was far from the first time bungling contractors have been left with red faces. BBC News rounds up some of the gaffes that have hit the headlines. When a misspelt road marking appeared outside a school in Chester, the finger of blame was as usual pointed at hapless contractors. The lettering outside Highfield Community Primary School, in Blacon, was "claer" evidence that spelling was not the forte of the person who painted it. The marking was hastily corrected, at no cost to the council, after it appeared in February 2014. At least the simplest of fixes was possible when blundering workmen misspelled the word "minutes" as "minuites" at an NCP car park at Cambridge's railway station. Although it was two years before anything was done about the gaffe, eventually an NCP boss harnessed an inner Mick Jagger and gave the order: "I want it painted black." Thus the offending "I" was covered up to restore basic literacy to this corner of Cambridge. NCP said those responsible for the cock-up were "committed to playing Scrabble in their lunchtimes as spelling revision". A set of double yellow lines that appeared in Cardiff last summer couldn't be faulted in terms of execution - but the location chosen for the markings led to the city council being widely mocked. That's because the road on which the lines were painted is barely 5ft (1.5m) wide and too narrow for anything but a toy car. Despite the markings being branded "ridiculous" and a "waste of money", the beleaguered council stuck to its guns, arguing the double yellows were necessary to "deter anti-social parking on the narrow access lane". Motorists using a supermarket petrol station in Doncaster were amused to find themselves being directed towards a species of low-flying seabird. The word "petrel" was painted in 3ft letters, next to the flawlessly spelt word "exit" and some perfectly drawn arrows, on the approach to the pumps at the Sainsbury's Edenthorpe store in September 2016. In a light-hearted response, Sainsbury's said it was "correcting the misteke". Not wanting to let anything as inconvenient as a parked car get in their way, slapdash council contractors tasked with painting double yellow lines in a suburb of Leeds simply daubed the markings around the vehicle. However, once the car's owner returned and drove away, the lines were left sticking out from the kerb. Leeds City Council branded the markings in Hyde Terrace, Clarendon, as "ridiculous" and said it would remind contractors "to use common sense" in future. The lines were later repainted. Welsh-speaking drivers in Swansea were bemused to encounter a road sign that informed them: "I am not in the office at the moment. Send any work to be translated." Above the baffling statement on the dual-language sign was the correct wording in English: "No entry for heavy goods vehicles. Residential site only". The howler came about because a non-Welsh speaking council employee emailed the authority's in-house translation service, and took the response received as the translation being sought for the new road sign. Brensiach!

A wonky cycle path sign that appeared in the Lincolnshire market town of Sleaford last weekend caused much mirth among local residents, who described it as looking like a penny farthing - albeit one with angular wheels.

40520746

Funding given to the charity, which collapsed in August, included at least £28m from the Department for Education, the National Audit Office said. It received the money despite warnings about its financial management. But founder Camila Batmanghelidjh said an "extremely distorted picture" of the charity was being painted. She said former staff and mentors at Kids Company were now "too scared" to defend it because of a "media frenzy and biased reporting". She added: "The state gave Kids Company money to do the job it couldn't do. It wasn't doing the charity a favour." Evidence would have demonstrated Kids Company's "exceptional clinical and financial value as well as its rigorous accountability", had it not been "lost" by the Department for Education, Ms Batmanghelidjh said. But a Department for Education spokesman said: "We do not recognise Camila's version of events." Prime Minister David Cameron said he thought it had been right to give Kids Company the chance to keep going, and that was why it had access to public money. The NAO found that Kids Company received public funding for at least 15 years, with at least £42m provided in government grants, including £28m from the Department for Education and its predecessors. It also received about £2m from councils and £2m from the National Lottery. The key findings of the report were: The NAO, an independent body which audits government departments, found that despite "repeatedly expressed concerns" from officials, the government "continued to respond to the charity's requests for funding". Its report said civil servants had noted that other organisations "appeared to offer better value for money" than Kids Company. It found "a consistent pattern of behaviour" of the charity writing to ministers to express fears of redundancies and the impact of service closures, while raising the same concerns in the media. This meant that from 2013 it did not have to compete for grants, the NAO found. Ashley McDougall, from the NAO, said it was not clear why government had continued to fund Kids Company "year after year" when concerns were known. 2002: Officials criticised Kids Company's record of financial management and said other similar organisations were more effective. 2003: Kids Company had not complied with conditions attached to a previous emergency grant, debts at the charity were mounting, and its long-term financial viability needed to be evaluated, officials said. 2008: Officials raised concerns Kids Company's dependency on government funding was being prolonged and the government could be accused of favouritism. 2013: Kids Company grants were significantly higher than those to similar charities, yet it had limited reserves and consistent cash flow difficulties, officials said. March 2015: Cash flow problems were persisting and officials were concerned that the charity would continue to rely on public funding. June 2015: Officials cast doubt on the financial figures produced by Kids Company, and said they had limited confidence in the charity's willingness or ability to change. They advised ministers not to provide emergency funds - but were overruled. What went wrong at Kids Company? BBC's Chris Cook: How ministers were 'bullied' Do Kids Company's sums add up? Former children's minister Tim Loughton said he warned the Department for Education against giving a "very sizeable" grant to Kids Company in 2012. But he said he was "overruled" by Downing Street after Ms Batmanghelidjh wrote a "Dear David letter" to Number 10. Asked if he had he personally approved a loan for the charity, Mr Cameron said: "I'll have to look and see precisely the actual letter you're referring to, but my role in this has always been to try and help keep that organisation going because it was doing very good and important work." He said the government - and the last Labour government - had been "confronted by difficult situations where this organisation doing this good work was finding it difficult to be financially viable". Labour MP Meg Hillier, who chairs the Commons Public Accounts Committee, which will question officials on Monday, said it was "unbelievable" so much was given to the charity with "little focus" on its achievements. Speaking in the Commons, Labour MP Paul Flynn said: "There is compelling evidence now that three prime ministers were unwittingly but directly involved in an enterprise that cost the tax payers many millions of pounds." Kids Company was founded in 1996 in south London. It provided support to inner-city children and ran youth centres in London, Bristol and Liverpool.

The founder of Kids Company has defended the charity's "exceptional" value, after a report revealed it received at least £46m of public money.

34668760

The Blues started their title defence with a 2-0 win over Carrick while Ards were beaten 6-3 by the Reds. "Ards had a disappointing result so they will be eager to put that right - it will be tough for us," said Mulgrew. "They gave us a hard match at their place last season so we know we have to be on top of our game." The Bangor Fuels Arena encounter is part of a full Premiership programme on Tuesday night. Crusaders began their bid for a third Gibson Cup success in four seasons by defeating Ballymena United 4-1 at the Showgrounds on Friday night. Paul Heatley bagged a double and the winger is upbeat for a Seaview meeting with Warrenpoint Town, who lost 3-2 to Glenavon on their return to the top flight. "Warrenpoint have done fantastic to come back up straight away," said Heatley. "They will work hard, they'll be well drilled and disciplined and tactically they will have looked very closely at our team. "But we have dynamism in our team and versatility with our players - will will go into the game with a lot of confidence." Cliftronville also caught the eye at the weekend with Barry Gray enjoying a winning start to his managerial reign at Solitude. The Reds will travel to face a Coleraine side missing the suspended Steven Douglas after his dismissal in Saturday's 3-1 win at Dungannon Swifts. Dungannon keeper Andy Coleman was also sent-off in the game so he is banned for the visit to Glentoran. Glenavon will hope to build on their win at Warrenpoint in the Mourneview Park game against Ballinamallard United. Ballymena and Carrick will be eager to chalk up a first win of the campaign when they meet at Belfast Loughshore Arena.

Linfield captain Jamie Mulgrew says the champions will face an Ards side determined to bounce back from an opening day thumping at Cliftonville.

40923794

Crews were called to a building site in Bloomery Circle, Llanwern, at 21:15 BST on Wednesday. The blaze burned for more than 10 hours before it was extinguished. It is understood the burning material included a large amount of scrapped railway sleepers. A Gwent Police spokesman said: "Officers are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire... which is believed to have been deliberately set."

A fire involving about 100 tonnes of waste wood and rubbish in Newport was started deliberately, the police and fire service have said.

33002541

But there are about 500 deaths a year in the UK from cardiac arrest among the under-30s. When it happens it is shocking. Doubly so when it affects a sports star like 23-year-old Fabrice Muamba. He is said to be one of the fittest players at his club, Bolton Wanderers. The same sentiments were expressed about Marc-Vivien Foe, the Cameroon footballer who collapsed and died during an international match in 2003. But the underlying cause of such deaths are likely to be inherited rather than a reflection on their fitness. Genetic abnormalities are usually associated with arrhythmias - irregular heart beats - or cardiomyopathies, which is a disease of the heart muscle. But where sport can play a role is on the likelihood of these conditions leading to a cardiac arrest. The evidence is not clear-cut. But research has suggested that those with inherited conditions are twice as likely to suffer a cardiac arrest if they play sport at a high level. Dr Leonard Shapiro, a consultant cardiologist and medical adviser to the Football Association, says it is always difficult to know exactly what triggers the attack. But he says: "There is a predisposition in some individuals to have a cardiac event under very high physical and emotional stress." The question that is always asked after such events is whether anything can be done to prevent them. Many sports in Britain regularly screen top athletes, although it is not mandatory as it is in some countries such as Italy. In football, players are checked at 16 and then are likely to have regular check-ups as their career goes on. Those that are diagnosed with a problem often have to give up top-level sport. Sports cardiologist Sanjay Sharma, who also works for the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young, says the tests are thorough, but not perfect. "It involves taking a history relating to cardiac symptoms, which include chest pain during exertion or breath which is disproportionate to the amount of exercise being performed, and blackouts, and asking about a family history because many of these conditions that can cause cardiac arrest are hereditary. "We then perform a cardiac examination and following that we do an ECG (electrocardiogram), which is an electrical tracing of the heart which looks for electric faults of the heart, and a cardiac ultrasound, which looks at heart muscle problems or problems with the heart valves." However, they do not guarantee that an abnormality will be picked up. The difficulty is that such abnormalities are not always permanent. They can come and go - as the Muamba case suggests. It has been reported that the Bolton player had four such screenings during his career, the latest of which was done last summer.

Most people associate heart problems - and cardiac arrest in particular - with older people.

17429446

They say 40% of coral has died at the Dongsha Atoll in the South China Sea. Nothing as severe has happened on Dongsha for at least 40 years, according to experts. Anne Cohen of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts, US, said the high water temperatures of 2015/16 were devastating for reef systems globally, including Dongsha. Coral bleaching - where corals turn white and may die - was the worst on record for Australia's iconic Great Barrier Reef in 2016. The barrier reef has absorbed a lot of the attention, but other reefs around the world were also severely affected, said Dr Cohen. "The 2015/2016 El Nino was devastating for reef systems in other parts of the world as well, including Dongsha Atoll and reefs in the central Pacific, where some of the most pristine coral reefs are located and of course, the US Pacific Remote Marine National Monument," she said. "We observed devastating bleaching in that area as well." Only last week, scientists published observations of three major die-offs of coral at the Great Barrier Reef in 2016, 2002 and 1998. They concluded that the only way to preserve the world's coral reefs is to take drastic action to reduce global warming. The study of the Dongsha Atoll, reported in the journal, Scientific Reports, echoes this finding. "Based on what we observed on Dongsha, a 2 degree cap on ocean warming may not be enough to save coral reefs," Dr Cohen told BBC News. "This is because coral reefs are shallow water ecosystems and a tweak in the local weather can turn that 2 degrees Celsius into a 6 degrees Celsius warming." The Dongsha Atoll, located in the South China Sea, near south-eastern China and the Philippines, is rich in marine life and is regarded as one of the world's most important coral reefs. The researchers said on its own, a 2 degrees Celsius rise in temperatures was unlikely to cause widespread damage to coral reefs in the region. But, a high-pressure system caused temperatures to spike to 6 degrees, leading to the death of 40% of coral over the course of six weeks. They argue that predictions of the future of coral reefs may be "overly optimistic" for some reefs in shallow water. Bleaching happens when high water temperatures cause corals to expel the algae they depend upon. The Australian government confirmed in March that widespread coral bleaching is happening on the Great Barrier Reef for the fourth time in history. Follow Helen on Twitter.

Scientists are warning of another "devastating" loss of coral due to a spike in sea temperatures.

39365690

The 23-year-old midfielder has scored 21 goals in 53 league appearances since joining the Gunners from Sunderland Ladies in 2010. Nobbs has won two league titles, three FA Cups and four Continental Cups during her time in north London. She has won 24 international caps and helped England finish third at the World Cup in Canada last summer. Arsenal Ladies have not disclosed the length of Nobbs' new deal.

England international Jordan Nobbs has signed a new contract with FA Women's Super League 1 side Arsenal Ladies.

35588188

Specialist newsprint manufacturer Palm Paper has submitted the planning application in a bid to cut its reliance on imported energy. Due to its size, the application will be decided by the secretary of state instead of West Norfolk Borough Council. The plan includes a gas-fired turbine. Palm Paper's King's Lynn mill began production in August 2009 and in January this year produced its second millionth tonne of newsprint paper. The company said generating its own electricity and steam would help reduce its carbon footprint. The proposed new plant would replace existing boilers. No concerns have been raised about air quality issues but an environmental management plan is proposed. It would prevent construction work generating dust and emissions, which would constitute a risk to health or nuisance to local people or industry.

A paper manufacturer has applied to build a new plant to generate electricity and steam for its mill in West Norfolk.

32132840

In front of a home crowd in Birmingham, 27-year-old Yafai won 118-108, 119-107 and 119-107 on the judges' scorecards. Yafai knocked down the 31-year-old Japanese in the second round, but was caught several times himself on the way to recording his 22nd unbeaten fight. "I had to box my way through. My hands were in a bad way after two rounds but I did what I had to to win," he said. "I'm a work in progress, I have to learn how to slow the pace down a bit." Yafai landed a barrage of punches in the first round, and a slick combination rocked Muranaka in the second, causing him to touch down on to the canvas with a knee. But Muranaka recovered, walking through Yafai's punches and landing with left and right hooks of his own. The home fighter took back control in the later rounds and, despite being docked a point for a low blow, Yafai ran out a comfortable winner. Promoter Eddie Hearn is looking ahead to big things for his fighter after "a great performance". "One more defence and he has to chase the big unification fights," Hearn said. Yafai's victory made it a double success for his family, with younger brother Gamal victorious on the undercard. The younger Yafai was impressive in a seventh-round stoppage of the previously undefeated Sean Davis - a fellow Birmingham super-bantamweight. The 25-year-old worked the head and body superbly, dropping his opponent six times on his way to claiming the WBC International super-bantamweight title. Birmingham's Sam Eggington won the European welterweight title with an emphatic ninth-round win over Spain's Ceferino Rodriguez.

Britain's Kal Yafai retained his WBA super-flyweight title with a points win over a game Suguru Muranaka.

39909747

London 2012 Olympian Andrew Lawrence scored 14 points while NBA player Ben Gordon added 13. Coach Joe Prunty's team led for most of the first three quarters before being overhauled by their guests in the last 10 minutes of a well-contested game. GB now begin their Eurobasket qualifying campaign with a game in Hungary in midweek. "The key to the qualifiers will be completing on every play. We have to make sure that we're going as hard as we can on both ends of the floor," Prunty told BBC Sport. "I think at times tonight we lost a little of our fire." Prunty turned to his strongest line-up in the final warm-up match before he cuts the roster for the six-game qualifying programme. GB led 35-24 on Lawrence's three in the second quarter but the Dutch took the lead early in the third. Gordon then hit three threes in a row - his first points of the game - to restore GB's advantage. Netherlands, who were led by 18 points from Worthy De Jong, scored the first 10 points of the fourth quarter to lead 71-60 and held on to win despite the hosts' comeback in the last six minutes. Prunty was pleased with the contribution of Gordon, a player who has joined the team despite missing out on the place available to him for London 2012. He said: "You're always trying to find to your rhythm as a player and with one another. I thought he [Gordon] had a good showing tonight, he certainly had a very good stretch in the third quarter."

Great Britain lost to the Netherlands in Manchester for the second time in two days, going down 79-68.

37207414

The city's Labour council unveiled the proposal as part of the city's new development plan. The report said the new homes are needed to cope with a predicted increase in the city's population of 40,000 people by 2030. A Lib Dem councillor described the figures as "unrealistic". The document identifies 62 sites across the city that could be used for housing, including Holme Hill which could see 5,580 properties built and Clifton Gate which the report said has potential for 4,020 new homes. Some of the proposed new homes would be built on greenbelt land. Councillor James Alexander, Labour leader of City of York Council, said the biggest challenge facing the city was the need for affordable housing. He said: "We've taken the tough decision to allocate 1.8% of draft greenbelt land for development in order to meet the needs of our rapidly growing city and deliver key developments such as York Central, and to deliver jobs, homes and protect York's unique built environment for future generations." Councillor Ann Reid, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for planning and sustainability, claimed that the city's population had only grown at 1% per year over the last decade, a figure which only required 400 new homes each year. She said the target of 1,090 new homes a year had been "plucked from nowhere". Ms Reid said: "What we do know is that growth on this scale would radically alter the character of York and put a strain on existing infrastructure." The plan is to be out to public consultation.

Plans to build more than 1,000 homes a year in York over the next 15 years have been criticised by opposition councillors.

22273214

Former Newmarket Town player Shaun Whiter lost both his legs when he was hit helping his friend Joey Abbs to change a tyre near the Suffolk town. Abbs suffered a serious leg injury. Cambridge United will host a Football Family Day on 9 October to raise funds. Messi's shirt and one from team-mate Arda Turan will be auctioned off. Wayne Rooney and John Terry have also donated signed shirts, as well as the first teams of Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and West Ham, and the England senior squad. Newmarket Town, Soham Town Rangers, Cambridge City and Fulbourn Institute - teams for whom the pair played - will take part in a mini-tournament at the League Two club's stadium as one of a number of activities on the day. "I can't thank Lionel Messi and Arda Turan enough for donating their shirts and getting them to Cambridge," Whiter told BBC Look East. "We're going to auction them off and see what we can get." Jan Adamec, 40, from Haverhill, pleaded guilty to two charges of causing injury by dangerous driving and was jailed earlier this month for three years and four months. And Whiter, who has previously said he would like to compete at the 2020 Paralympics, spoke of the bond between him and Abbs following the incident. "He's a great friend. I've asked him to be one of the ushers at my wedding next year. He made that call that night to the paramedics to save my life," he added. "He saved my life and I can't repay him any more than with my friendship and support him through this time as well."

Barcelona's Lionel Messi has donated a signed shirt to raise funds for two former non-league footballers who were victims of a hit-and-run driver.

37509872

The 58-year-old spent three months in charge of the Addicks at the end of the 2013-14 campaign, keeping the club in the Championship. Since leaving The Valley the Belgian has spent time in charge of Blackpool, Standard Liege and Metz. Riga replaces compatriot Karel Fraeye, who was sacked from his post as interim head coach on Wednesday. Charlton are currently 23rd in the Championship table, three points from safety, and are on a run of 10 games without a win in all competitions. Fraeye was appointed in late October following the departure of Guy Luzon, but only won two of his 14 matches in charge of the first team. In a statement on the club website, Addicks owner Roland Duchatelet admitted the club had made errors in player recruitment and said the board of directors accepted responsibility for "a disappointing season". "It was crucial we dealt with the position of the head coach," the Belgian businessman added. "Jose did an excellent job in his short period with Charlton two seasons ago. He was very popular with supporters and I believe that he will get us back on track." Riga won seven of his 16 games during his stint at The Valley in 2014 but left the south-east London club when his contract was not renewed that summer and joined Blackpool. BBC Radio London's Andy Rowley Charlton fans are increasingly angry with how the club is being run by Roland Duchatelet, who is now onto his sixth head coach since taking over the club in January 2014. There have been a number of recent protests at The Valley aimed at Duchatelet and chief executive Katrien Meire from supporters, who have now come together to form a group called "Coalition Against Roland Duchatelet" in an attempt to bring about a sale of the club. Riga has far more managerial experience than his predecessor Karel Fraeye but, given his previous links to Duchatelet and the antipathy towards the board of directors, the appointment could only serve to fan the flames for further supporter unrest.

Championship strugglers Charlton Athletic have reappointed Jose Riga as head coach on an 18-month deal.

35312174

The 27-year-old Scot, who is back at number four in the world after dropping down the rankings following back surgery, is to marry girlfriend Kim Sears in April. Murray is as relaxed about that as he has been this week at the ATP event in Indian Wells, where he has progressed to the quarter-finals. He loosened up in more ways than one as he chatted to BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller and BBC Scotland's Kheredine Idessane in the commentary box... "It is three weeks on Saturday, that's all I know. Tennis players aren't normally very good with dates. "We just know it is the Indian Wells week or the Monte Carlo week or whatever. So I know it is the weekend before Monte Carlo and the weekend after Miami. "We will probably do the honeymoon later in the year, probably in the off-season. I am not sure where we're going to go yet, but there's a few ideas. "I am actually not nervous about getting married because we've been together like nine-and-a-half years and we've lived together for six or seven years as well. "So I don't think a whole lot's going to change. I kind of feel like we have been married already in terms of the way we spend our lives together and live together. "I think I will be more nervous about starting a family because that would be more life-changing, in a good way." "My brother Jamie's one. Ross Hutchins is also going to be a best man and hopefully a good friend in Barcelona [Peruvian Carlos Mier, who was Murray's room-mate at the Sanchez-Casal Academy]. "But I'm not sure yet if he [Mier] is going to be able to come. He's in Singapore just now and I'm going to try to get him over. "Kim has four bridesmaids and no maid of honour and I was saying, 'imagine you had to pick one of your four best friends you've had since you were at school'. "It is very, very difficult to choose one. She was like 'go on, pick one', but I said no. "I didn't spend a lot of time with my brother when we were 15 to 20 really, because he was training in France and I was training in Spain. "Carlos, he was my best friend during that time, which were very important years in my life, when I moved away from my family and friends. "He was the guy who was always there for me. I feel like he knows me extremely well. "My brother obviously knows me from a child - and Ross over the last six or seven years. We've become extremely close and been through a lot together as well. "Picking one was a very difficult thing to do because I had three guys that were clearly my three best friends and I would like all them to be involved in some way." "It looks a lot easier from up here, that's for sure. It's extremely simple. Every shot looks easy when you're watching from the commentary box, but it certainly isn't. "The one thing I think I would do as a commentator is give more credit to the players, because I have a good idea how tricky the conditions are here. But I don't think I have the voice to be a good broadcaster."

It is a big year for Andy Murray - and not only because he is looking to add to his two Grand Slam titles.

31959259

A 38-year-old man, who was a back seat car passenger, is in a critical but stable condition in hospital following the B9080 crash at about 22:15 on Wednesday. The injured passenger suffered serious stomach and abdomen injuries. The Vauxhall Zafira was travelling south when it crashed with a First bus between Kirkliston and Winchburgh. The driver of the car, a 58-year-old man, suffered spinal injuries and a fractured ankle. The front seat passenger, a 34-year-old man, had injuries to his face and leg. All were admitted to hospital. Three of the bus passengers were treated in hospital for minor injuries. They have all since been discharged. Police said the driver and six other passengers on the single-decker bus were treated at the scene. The bus had 26 people on board. A First Bluebird spokeswoman: "We can confirm that one of our Service 38 vehicles was involved in a collision yesterday at around 22:15 between Kirkliston and Winchburgh. The bus was travelling to Falkirk from Edinburgh. "Unfortunately the incident resulted in a number of injuries and our thoughts are with the injured at this time. "We have launched an investigation to establish exactly what happened and are assisting Police Scotland with their inquiries."

Police are appealing for witnesses following a head-on crash between a car and a bus in West Lothian.

28783748

Six people were aboard a raft on the Thunder River Rapids ride when it flipped after a collision with another raft. Police said it was "almost a miracle" that a boy and a girl who were on the raft survived. Friends and colleagues of those who died have been speaking out. Kate Goodchild, 32, was on a family holiday to attend a wedding, and decided to extend their trip to go the Gold Coast theme park. She was a public servant in Canberra and had two daughters with her husband Dave, a 12-year-old girl and an eight-month-old baby. She was travelling on the ride with her 12-year-old, who survived the collision, and with her brother Luke Dorsett and his partner Roozbeh Araghi, both of whom died. Ms Goodchild's mother, Kim Dorsett, having lost a son and a daughter, said her family has been "wiped out". "They really were just wonderful people - that would be the best way to describe them. They were kind, loving souls that would honestly do anything for anyone," she told News Corp Australia. "I have two granddaughters ... and it truly breaks my heart to know that my eight-month-old is never going to get to know her mum." Luke Dorsett, 35, and his partner Roozbeh Araghi, were known for winning a high-profile legal battle with Canberra's local government over stamp duty in 2014. Mr Dorsett and his sister both worked for the Department of Human Services. "Kate and Luke were well-liked and respected by their colleagues and will be greatly missed," a department spokeswoman said in a statement. Radio presenter Patricia Karvelas praised Mr Araghi and Mr Dorsett as loyal friends. "They never missed one of my girls' birthdays. They never forgot to check in," she said. "Words fail me." A friend said both men were amazing. "Canberra is a very small gay community, everyone knew them or knows someone who knew them," Douglas Robinson said on Facebook. It is understood that Mr Araghi, 38, was originally from Sydney where he studied history and edited the student newspaper, Honi Soit. He worked for the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which in a statement described him as a hardworking member of its communications team "who brought joy and fun to the workplace". Australian Senator Sam Dastyari said he grew up with Mr Araghi. "I'm devastated that such a caring, loving, sweet and sensitive friend has been lost," Mr Dastyari wrote on Twitter. "I'm angry that this could happen at a venue like Dreamworld." Mr Araghi's family found out about his death from a TV news report. "My second son found out accidentally on the news," said Mr Araghi's father, Behrooz. "We've lost one son," he added, "The mother of my son's partner lost two [children]." Cindy Low, 42, originally from New Zealand, lived in Sydney with her husband Matthew and their 10-year-old son and six-year-old daughter. She was on a holiday to the Gold Coast with her family and some other friends, according to media reports. Whilst queuing for the ride, she decided to separate from her husband and daughter, choosing instead to travel in a separate raft with her son and four strangers. The decision proved fateful to her, though her son miraculously survived. Her husband and her daughter who were in the other raft, were both unharmed but extremely distressed. "She just kept screaming 'Where's Mummy? Where's Mummy?' eyewitness Claire Wooley said of the young girl moments after the accident. Ms Low's father-in-law, Bruce, described her as a "lovely, fantastic person" and said her husband was "really struggling to come to terms with her death".

Emotional tributes have been flowing in for the two men and two women killed on Tuesday at the Dreamworld theme park on Australia's Gold Coast.

37772349

He accepted the offer of an alliance from Francois Bayrou, another centrist and devout Roman Catholic. Recent polls suggest support for Mr Macron, tipped by many to win the election, has dropped slightly. Two of far-right candidate Marine Le Pen's staff were detained on Wednesday as part of a financial inquiry. Her chief of staff was placed under formal investigation over the alleged misuse of EU funds to pay parliamentary assistants, French media report. Her bodyguard was also questioned. The National Front (FN) leader, who denies any wrongdoing, dismissed the investigation as a "political dirty trick". She enjoys a solid lead in opinion polls for the first round in April but is seen as being easily defeated in the second. Mr Bayrou has run three times for president, winning more than 18% of the vote in the 2007 election. Announcing that he would not stand this year, he offered to join forces with Mr Macron to prevent "the failure of France". Ms Le Pen, he said, posed a "major and immediate threat for our country and Europe". Welcoming the news, Mr Macron, a free-market liberal, told Reuters news agency: "The alliance proposed by Francois Bayrou... fully matches our commitment to renewal and unity." Analysts say Mr Bayrou's support base is likely to split now between Mr Macron and his conservative opponent Francois Fillon. A new opinion poll indicates that Mr Macron and Mr Fillon are neck and neck in the race for the all-important second place in the first round - with both on about 19%. According to the same poll, taken before the alliance was announced, Mr Bayrou would net 5.5% while Ms Le Pen would take 26%. In the second round, Mr Macron would beat Ms Le Pen by 61% to 39%, while Mr Fillon would also defeat the far-right candidate, but by 57% to 43%. Early on in the campaign, Mr Fillon was viewed as the clear favourite to reach the run-off along with Ms Le Pen and win, but a scandal over payments to his family dented his image in January. He had talks with his fellow conservative former prime minister Alain Juppe, whom he beat in the Republican party primaries, on Wednesday, Le Figaro newspaper reports. Ms Le Pen has been accused by the European Parliament of misusing a total of some 340,000 euros (£289,000; $359,000), AFP news agency reports. It is alleged that she claimed a salary for her bodyguard Thierry Legier for a bogus job and paid her chief of staff, Catherine Griset, as her EU assistant in Brussels when Ms Griset was actually working for the party. Mr Legier and Ms Griset were taken in for questioning on Wednesday. "The French can tell the difference between genuine scandals and political dirty tricks," Ms Le Pen responded, drawing a distinction between her case and that of Mr Fillon. This election promises to one of the most dramatic in decades in France, a core member of the EU with the world's sixth-largest economy. Fillon apologises over family payments Le Pen refuses to repay 'misused EU cash'

The leading centrist candidate in France's presidential election, Emmanuel Macron, has received a boost after allying with a veteran moderate.

39058386

Up to a dozen A-29 Super Tucano aircraft would be sold to Nigeria to help fight Islamist militant group Boko Haram, unnamed US officials said. The deal, which is not yet official, will require approval from Congress. Boko Haram's deadly insurgency has displaced more than two million people. The deal, said to be worth up to $600m (£490m), was agreed by the Obama administration, but was reportedly halted on the day it was due to be sent to Congress, after a catastrophic incident involving the Nigerian military. About 90 people, mainly women and children, were killed in January when the Nigerian Air Force mistakenly bombed a camp in the country's north-east, which was hosting thousands of those who had fled Boko Haram. An aid distribution was taking place at the time of the attack, according to medical charity MSF. The Nigerian government indicated last month that the deal might be back on, following the first phone call between President Muhammadu Buhari and President Donald Trump. "President Trump assured the Nigerian president of US readiness to cut a new deal in helping Nigeria in terms of military weapons to combat terrorism," Mr Buhari's office said in a statement. The US congressional source said human rights concerns remain, despite support for the sale from some lawmakers, Reuters news agency reports. The US Air Force described the A-29 aircraft as a "game-changer" when they were deployed in Afghanistan in 2016. They can be armed with two wing-mounted machine guns and can carry up to 1,550 kg of weapons. But the aircraft that would be sold to Nigeria come with a "very basic armed configuration," one of the unnamed US officials told Reuters.

The Trump administration plans to sell military planes to Nigeria despite concerns over rights abuses and a botched air strike that killed scores of civilians in January, US media say.

39564855

David McGoldrick volleyed in his first goal since August to put Ipswich ahead. Revell, who recently saved a penalty as an emergency goalkeeper against Preston, levelled from the spot. Brett Pitman's glancing header restored Ipswich's lead, and Revell poked home Josh Murphy's free-kick to equalise before Varney's header sealed victory. Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy: "It was exciting for both sets of fans but frustrating for me. "We have already started thinking about next season - that is an ongoing process." MK Dons manager Karl Robinson: "It was disappointing for us but it summed up our whole season. We were good but also poor in certain key areas. "It has been a massive learning curve. Some of these players deserve to be in the Championship but some don't and that is why we are where we are."

Luke Varney's late winner secured Ipswich's first win in eight games, despite Alex Revell's brace for already-relegated MK Dons.

36118081

But there is one country that, while producing its worst ever performance at the Rio Olympics last month, becomes a world superpower once the Paralympics start - Ukraine. Sixth in Athens in 2004, they finished fourth at both Beijing 2008 and London 2012. Now they are poised to go one better, sitting a comfortable third in the medal table in Rio. But the Rio performance is particularly astonishing given the country's recent history, with an economic crisis, war in the east and the loss of their main training centre in Crimea after the region was taken over by Russia. The country's President, Petro Poroshenko, has described the performance of the Ukrainian Paralympians as "incredible", adding that the athletes prove "that the impossible is possible". Ukraine's own Paralympic chief, Valeriy Sushkevych, is the man credited with much of the success, in particular a programme he developed called Invasport. Invasport works by having schools and facilities dedicated to Paralympic sports in every oblast (region) of Ukraine. "In Ukraine we have set up the best system of physical education, sport and rehabilitation for people with disability," Mr Sushkevych told the BBC. "There is infrastructure in all regions of Ukraine, with schools for children with disabilities. This system works and brings results. "But the system can't work without people… people who withstand all these problems: lack of money, political crisis, war and all other troubles. And these people are extremely dedicated." Mr Sushkevych, who himself had polio as a child and who has spent most of his life using a wheelchair for mobility, says the system emphasises rehabilitation for all disabled children who enter it - but promises much more for those who appear promising at sport. "We invite people for rehabilitation, and amongst those 100 who come, we find maybe five who are good at swimming, or football or athletics," he explains. "We have to give them opportunity to realise their own potential." The way that Invasport works means that facilities and recruitment are spread out through the country, rather than concentrated in one area. As Mr Sushkevych told the BBC, this meant that Ukraine's Paralympians were able to come even when the main training base, the Yevpatoria facility in Crimea, was taken over by Russia in 2014. "We had to find other options for athletes to train - and I have to say that those were not the best conditions," he said. "But we had to adjust to those conditions, and even had to train in old post-Soviet facilities. Experience, knowledge and huge professionalism of the team made this result possible." The pay-off has been an extraordinary 72 medals at the time of writing - some 42 of which are in the pool. Powerlifter Lidiya Solovyova, who has won a gold medal, says that her main motivation to succeed is the fact that Ukraine does not offer many opportunities to people with disabilities outside of sport. For many, it is quite literally sink or swim. "This is my main job," she explains. "In our country it is very difficult to find a job for people with disability... Paralympic sport is my main income. I live off it." After the loss of the Yevpatoria camp, she has been training at her hotel - which she acknowledges may have affected some of her teammates and prevented them from achieving even more. "The camp was specifically designed for athletes with disability, all facilities," says Solovyova, who has dwarfism. "!We felt like home over there and at the hotel we were like guests. For me it was OK, I don't know about others." Mr Sushkevych says he agrees that - not least because of the war - the level of preparation was "not the highest possible". "The world sees the successful side of my team, what has been achieved - but no-one sees what has not been achieved," he says. "I can definitely tell you that we could have performed better if there was no war in Ukraine. And the aim for my whole team in the Ukrainian Paralympics movement is to show the best possible as it is so important for my country."

When it comes to the Olympics and Paralympics, China, the US, Russia and Britain (these days) are usually to be found near the top of both medal tables.

37348969

Downing Street backed a report by think tank Policy Exchange which said selling high value homes when they become vacant would raise £4.5bn a year. That would be enough to build 80,000 to 170,000 social homes, the report said. Labour said new homes were urgently needed but "driving out hard-working families on low wages from whole neighbourhoods" was not the answer. In its Ending Expensive Social Tenancies report, Policy Exchange argues the move could create the largest social house building programme since the 1970s - giving the economy a kickstart. Neil O'Brien, the think tank's director, told the BBC that social housing would still exist in very expensive areas under its proposal, but there would just be "less of it". "The truth is I don't believe anybody has the right to live in the most expensive parts of town. "People do have a right to get housed, just not in the very most expensive areas," he said. He also suggested that the overall number of people waiting for social housing, currently around 1.8 million, could be reduced by about 500,000 if the scheme was implemented. The prime minister's official spokesman said: "This is something that councils can choose to do already. "Councils should be looking for ways to use their social housing stock as efficiently as they can. The waiting list for social housing has increased a lot over passing years. "They need to think about how they can use that social housing stock efficiently. "If they can sell high-value housing to invest in more social housing and find more homes for more people, then that is certainly something they should look at." But Labour said the coalition's "failed" polices were "making the housing crisis worse not better". Shadow housing minister Jack Dromey said: "Councils and housing associations should make effective use of their housing stock but the government should not force them to arbitrarily sell off social homes, breaking up mixed communities and driving out hard-working families on low wages from whole neighbourhoods." He said the government should use a bank bonus tax to fund 250,000 affordable homes and "put unemployed builders back to work" and boost the construction industry. 'Lucky family' Expensive social housing - which Policy Exchange defines as housing worth more than the average property in each region - accounts for 21.8% of the total social housing stock in the UK, it says. This equates to 816,000 properties - out of a total of 3.78 million - which the think tank says could raise up to £159bn if sold. It says London alone has more than £70bn of expensive social housing. About 3.5% of the total stock becomes vacant every year owing to people moving out or dying, the think tank said. This meant the government could sell a total of 28,500 properties each year, raising £5.5bn a year. The figure would stand at £4.5bn after paying off the debt held against the stock, the report said. Mr O'Brien argued that many hard-working people might want to live in a nicer area or in a bigger house but could not afford to. "Rather than having one lucky family with a very expensive house, you would have two families perhaps desperately waiting for social housing, now having a roof over their heads. "That seems fairer to me," he added. The think tank also said the move would be "extremely popular" with all sections of society, claiming that 73% of people, including social tenants, think people should not be given council houses worth more than the average property in a local authority. 'Dramatic erosion' Critics say such a move would push the least well-off out of expensive streets, and into new ghettos. The National Housing Federation, which represents housing associations, says many towns would be "cleansed" of "hardworking people who can't afford to pay high prices". Labour MP Karen Buck, who represents Westminster North, is concerned that lower income families, particularly in London, will be forced out of more affluent areas creating segregated communities of rich and poor. Ms Buck also argued that the Labour government's £8bn social and affordable housing building programme was cut by 60% when the coalition came to power. Housing Minister Grant Shapps - who is in favour of a sell-off - said the government had introduced "radical reforms" to "get Britain building" and to reduce social housing waiting lists. They included investing £19.5bn public and private funding into an affordable housing programme "set to exceed expectations and deliver up to 170,000 homes". Councils could now offer fixed-term tenancies to new tenants to make sure "social housing goes to those in greatest need", he added.

Councils should consider selling off their most expensive houses to build more cheap homes, the government says.

19311364

Omar Al Shaikh and Amie Cresswell, both 16, tied the knot in front of family, friends and patients on a ward at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Omar, from Brierley Hill in the West Midlands, died on Monday after a suitable stem cell donor could not be found in time. He had proposed to Amie after learning he only had days left to live. Omar's aunt Anca Dumitriu said: "It was beautiful and he was happy... after he put the ring on Amie's finger he held her and was like 'you're mine now'. He was proper happy." What is it? Why does it happen? A number of factors which can increase the risk of developing AML have been identified. These include: Source: NHS Choices Former Air Cadet Omar, who wore his dressing gown during the Islamic ceremony, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia after fainting during a football match. His mixed Arabic and Romanian heritage made it difficult to find a stem cell donor and by the time one was eventually found, he was too ill to have the transplant. Medical staff broke news the cancer had gone into his bone marrow earlier this month. His mother said he was strong right until the end. "He died in peace," she said. Friends and relatives are urging people to sign the Anthony Nolan register. The charity recruits stem cell donors and carries out research to make bone marrow transplants more effective.

A terminally ill teenager married his school sweetheart three days before dying from leukaemia.

33262276

The 30-year-old joined City for £13.8m from Celta Vigo last summer and made 30 appearances, scoring six times. Half of those goals came in his first three games. He did not start a league game - or score a goal - in 2017. Last month he claimed his "daughter's face has changed colour" because of the English weather. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Sevilla have signed Spain forward Nolito from Manchester City on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee, reported to be £7.9m.

40622173

Wandsworth inmate Neil Moore was on remand when he used an illicit mobile phone to create a fake email account. He posed as a senior court clerk and sent bail instructions to prison staff, who released him on 10 March 2014. His deception was uncovered when solicitors went to interview him three days later, only to find him gone. Moore, 28, from Ilford, east London, handed himself in three days later. Southwark Crown Court heard he had set up a fake web domain which closely resembled that of the court service's official address. He then emailed the prison's custody inbox with instructions for his release. The court heard Moore registered the bogus website in the name of investigating officer Det Insp Chris Soole, giving the address and contact details for the Royal Courts of Justice. Prosecutor Ian Paton said: "A lot of criminal ingenuity harbours in the mind of Mr Moore. The case is one of extraordinary criminal inventiveness, deviousness and creativity, all apparently the developed expertise of this defendant". The judge, Recorder David Hunt QC, described the behaviour as "ingenious" criminality. Moore had previously used four different aliases to commit fraud worth £1,819,000 in total. Posing as staff from Barclays Bank, Lloyds Bank, and Santander he managed to persuade large organisations to give him vast sums of money. Sometimes he answered calls from victims using a man's voice and then pretended to transfer the call to a colleague before resuming the conversation in a woman's voice, the court heard earlier. He was so convincing police initially co-charged his partner Kristen Moore with the deception. All charges against her have now been dropped. Moore, who has pleaded guilty to eight counts of fraud and one count of escape from lawful custody, will be sentenced on 20 April.

A convicted fraudster used an "ingenious" escape plot to trick prison wardens into letting him go free, a court has heard.

32095189

29 July 2016 Last updated at 08:38 BST It's now reached the Pacific Ocean and video filmed from a helicopter shows the hot liquid rock from the Kilauea volcano falling off the cliffs. Officials there say that the lava isn't putting any towns in danger but have warned tourists to keep their distance.

Lava from a volcano in Hawaii that has been erupting for two months, has been moving towards the coast.

36922001

It is currently negotiating with the landlord of an office block but has other options if those discussions are not successful. The paper has sold its current premises on Royal Avenue to the developer McAleer and Rushe. Its owner, INM, decided to move due to the closure of the printing operation within the Royal Avenue premises. When it made the announcement in August, INM (Independent News & Media) said it would find new premises for the paper in the "very heart of the city".

The BBC understands that the Belfast Telegraph is planning to move to Clarendon Dock.

35666659

Ward, the world number 111, recovered from two sets down to win 6-7 (5-7) 5-7 6-3 7-6 (7-3) 15-13 in Glasgow. The Englishman needed six match points before finally seeing off the world number 20 after almost five hours. Andy Murray, playing his first match in Scotland for four years, had earlier beaten Donald Young 6-1 6-1 4-6 6-2. Media playback is not supported on this device The best-of-five tie continues with Saturday's doubles, before the reverse singles on Sunday. "It's really tough for the USA now at two matches down," said GB captain Leon Smith. "But they have Jim Courier as captain and he will not let them go down without a fight." There is now every prospect of Britain repeating last year's win over the US at the same stage, after Ward again produced an upset in the second singles match. Last year it was Sam Querrey in four sets - this time the Londoner came through a 111-minute final set to see off Isner and claim the win of his life. And if Murray had been expected to dominate proceedings on his return home, the opening day ended with Ward acclaimed by the 7,700 spectators at the Emirates Arena. "This is by far the best atmosphere I've ever been involved in and thank you very much to all the crowd," said Ward. "It was difficult. I had a lot of chances in the last set. It was an unbelievable match." A downcast Isner admitted: "It's brutal. I'm barely going to sleep tonight, it's awful. "I'm healthy. Mentally I'm certainly a bit shaken right now but I've got to be a professional and bring my best on Sunday. I don't feel too chipper right now but I'll let it rip on Sunday if that match is live." Isner looked in control after taking the opening tie-break and breaking serve for the first time in the match on his way to a two-set lead. Ward has been in the best form of his career over the last 12 months, however, and backed up by a gruelling off-season training block with Murray, he dug in and worked his way back into the contest. Two terrific passes helped him finally break the Isner serve in the third set and the Briton levelled in a tie-break as the momentum swung steadily in his favour. Ward dominated the decider, earning a break point and then five match points, only for the 6ft 10in Isner to keep him at bay with his huge serve. With no tie-break in the deciding set, the games ticked by, prompting memories of Isner's 11-hour marathon against Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon 2010. Ward had his own moment of danger at 11-11 but saved two break points, the second in a long and desperately tense rally, but for the most part he looked the more likely winner. Media playback is not supported on this device It took until the 28th game of a gripping final set but there was no escape when Isner slipped 0-40 down, and he netted a volley to spark wild celebrations among the British squad. Ward shared a long hug with Murray, who had been dispensing advice via Smith from the sidelines throughout. The Scot had earlier seen off Young with a fine display in front of his home crowd, who gave him a rousing reception. "It was very nice," said the Scot. "I used the energy and emotion very well at the beginning of the match. I would say I played extremely well. "I'm going to praise myself today - I hit one unforced error in two sets."

James Ward produced a stunning comeback to beat John Isner 15-13 in the fifth set and give Great Britain a 2-0 Davis Cup lead over the United States.

31763774

Mark Turner, 55, tried to use an EpiPen to counter the severe allergic reaction but spilled the contents, a hearing at Exeter's County Hall was told. His wife then successfully used another pen to administer an injection, but he died from the reaction to the sting at his home on Dartmoor, Devon. A coroner recorded a conclusion of accidental death. More on this story plus more Devon and Cornwall news Mr Turner kept three hives near his home as a hobby and to make honey. He had previously been diagnosed with an allergy to bee stings, but tests had found the severity of his condition was on the "lower end". His wife Ali said on the day of his death in November 2015 the father of three ran into the house and then collapsed on the floor gasping for breath. He got out of the protective suit and grabbed the EpiPen but it misfired and the contents ended up on the floor. Mrs Turner then got a second pen and injected his leg. She said: "He was still conscious but delirious. He was grey and pale and his breath was shallow. He was not responding." He died about 20 minutes later despite the efforts of paramedics. A post-mortem examination concluded Mr Turner died from the anaphylactic allergic reaction caused by the sting to his neck. His wife said he had gone to see his GP in May 2015 and was given antihistamines and Epinephrine injections after suffering a reaction. Mrs Turner said her husband was "fit and healthy" and said had he known there was a risk of dying "he would have given up the bees". Assistant coroner Luisa Nicholson said both EpiPens had been tested and did not have any defects.

An amateur beekeeper died after he was stung on the neck inside his protective suit, an inquest has heard.

37825677

After 11 years in the role, Prof Christianne Glossop told BBC Wales: "There hasn't been a day gone by where I haven't been focusing on TB." She defended the Welsh Government's efforts to fight the disease, after accusations of "dithering" by unions. Farmers' leaders have renewed calls for a badger cull. They claimed at the Royal Welsh Show in Llanelwedd that post-Brexit trade deals could be at risk. Government statistics show 8,103 cattle were slaughtered in Wales as a result of bovine TB in 2015 - up more than a quarter on 2014, when 6,378 cattle were killed. Prof Glossop said it was important not to judge the eradication programme in Wales based on one indicator alone. "If we're winning the battle we have to understand everything about the disease. "We are digging deeper into the farms that have TB, we are testing harder, we're using more sensitive tests and we're also taking more animals that have an inconclusive reaction. "The aim is to get infection out of the farm as quickly as possible - and as a result of that we are taking more animals right now." Since the start of the Welsh Government's TB eradication programme in 2008 there has been a 37% reduction in incidents of TB. Prof Glossop said about 5% of farms in Wales were currently experiencing problems. But the issue is concentrated, with far higher incidence levels in west Wales and along the border with England. A five-year project to vaccinate badgers in north Pembrokeshire is currently on hold due to a global shortage of the BCG jab. Farming unions have urged the government to cut its losses and scrap what they say is "pointless and costly" trial. Prof Glossop said it was too early to tell whether it had worked or whether the government would restart the project in 2017. "Should we be in a position to access vaccine next year we'd have to look at computer modelling and ask is a fifth year of vaccine in one area going to deliver benefits that are worth the cost," she said. "It's an expensive business and very labour intensive". Gareth Richards, a dairy farmer from Abergwili in Carmarthen whose farm has been hit three times by bovine TB, described the government's efforts to eradicate the disease as "basically terrible". He added: "It's too much of a political hot potato and it's decimating the Welsh countryside as a result." FUW president Glyn Roberts said: "We know that the current rates of bovine TB may represent a significant threat in terms of meat and dairy exports once we are outside the EU, and there is a real risk that our current TB status could be used against us during trade negotiations. "This means that we have to proactively address the problem, otherwise we might jeopardise all UK trade negotiations with Europe." This autumn will see the return of badger culling in England, with pilot culls ongoing in Gloucestershire, Somerset and Dorset. Prof Glossop will address farmers at a seminar at the FUW pavilion at the Royal Welsh Showground on Wednesday on the issue of tackling bovine TB in future. Rural Affairs Secretary Lesley Griffiths has made a commitment to making a statement on the programme early in the autumn. "There is more work being done over the summer," she told BBC Wales. "I know it's an area of great concern to farmers."

Bovine TB is the "single biggest problem" facing animal health and welfare in a generation, Wales's chief veterinary officer has said.

36836020

Andrea Lewis, 51, was found dead at a home in Fairyland Road, Tonna, Neath, on 30 January 2016, with 43 injuries including to her skull and torso. Rhys Hobbs, 46, of Tonna, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in July and was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court. On Tuesday, the Court of Appeal upped his sentence to 12-and-a-half years. A statement from the Attorney General said the case was returned to the courts by the Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC MP, under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. Speaking after the hearing, he said: "Hobbs has a history of violent abuse and has shown very little remorse or regret concerning the incident. "It's important we send a message that violence in a domestic setting is completely unacceptable and I'm pleased the court has agreed Hobbs should spend longer in jail for his crimes." During the original sentencing, Swansea Crown Court heard Ms Lewis had been stamped on following a drunken row. In the weeks running up to her death, she was covered in bruises and had a black eye - but told friends she had fallen. After Hobbs attacked her in his home, Ms Lewis was dragged outside while half-dressed. She was found dead the next day.

A man who was jailed for killing his ex-girlfriend in a "violent and protracted" attack has had his eight-year sentence increased.

37618934

Nick Dunn, 28, from Northumberland, was one of six Britons accused of illegally possessing weapons while working on a ship providing anti-piracy protection. They were arrested in October 2013, but despite the charges being quashed, a police appeal has blocked their return. Their case was due to be heard later, but has now been adjourned to 22 April. After the announcement by India's Supreme Court, Nick Dunn's sister, Lisa, said: "This isn't the news we wanted to hear." Along with Mr Dunn, the men arrested on 12 October 2013 are: Mr Dunn, who is living in a hostel on the outskirts of Chennai, formally Madras, had said he was "anxious" ahead of the court hearing, which would have been presided over by a judge. The 28-year-old, from Ashington, said he hoped "that we get the decision we so justly deserve". Mr Dunn is staying with two Estonians who were also part of the crew of the private US-owned ship MV Seaman Guard Ohio. Andrew Linnington, of the maritime union Nautilus International, which has been lobbying the UK government on behalf of the crew members, said he feared the six men were being made examples of. He said: "The Indian authorities want to set a deterrent to operators of similar vessels to the one these six men were working on. Just about every element of this case has been disputed." A UK Foreign Office spokesman said: "We appreciate that this continues to be a very difficult time for these men and their families and we are committed to keeping them up to date on the latest developments." He said the prime minister had discussed their case with the with Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Indian High Commissioner Ranjan Mathai on 14 March. "We have lobbied regularly on the importance of ensuring that this case is resolved as quickly as possible," he said.

The family of a British man stuck in India, despite being cleared of weapons charges, has expressed disappointment over a delay in his return home.

32238976

Scottish Fire and Rescue's water rescue units from Perth and Glenrothes attended the incident under the Gannochy Bridge in Edzell. Fire crews from Montrose and Forfar also attended the scene after the alarm was raised at about 12:55. A Scottish Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said the dog's body was later recovered from the water.

A dog has died after falling into the River North Esk in Angus despite a major rescue effort to save the animal.

39924277

Media playback is not supported on this device First-half tries from Vincent Clerc and Maxime Medard opened a lead of 16 unanswered points as England shipped penalties and made basic errors across the park. England struck back with a fine try from Ben Foden and closed to within seven points with three minutes left when Mark Cueto capitalised on a break from replacement Matt Banahan. But they ran out of time and inspiration as Les Bleus set up a deserved semi-final clash with Wales. France, so poor in their pool matches, were a side transformed as they took revenge for their World Cup defeats of 2007 and 2003. "England were blown away in the first half and probably got a proper telling off. They came out with a little more pace and precision but they made too many mistakes with knock-ons, penalites and turnovers. England were never going to score from 80m out. "Those who have watched England before could see they were not any different but whereas Scotland and Argentina couldn't last the distance and England won late on, France were a different outfit." The defeat will leave manager Martin Johnson under pressure after his gamble of pairing Jonny Wilkinson and Toby Flood at 10 and 12 failed to ignite the England back line, while his forwards were repeatedly second best at the set-piece and in the loose. Johnson's contract expires in November, and four weeks as memorable for scandals off the pitch as any achievements on it will do little to appease the notoriously twitchy committee-men at the Rugby Football Union. France were supposedly a team in pieces, beaten by Tonga just a week ago and with coach Marc Lievremont publicly berating his players, but so clear-cut was their victory that much of the atmosphere had been sucked from the contest long before the end. England had an early opportunity with a line-out deep in French territory after a clever grubber from Foden only for Lionel Nallet to burgle back possession, and they then tore into France again as Alexis Palisson was smashed backwards after taking a garryowen and Manu Tuilagi thundered into Morgan Parra. After spluttering sporadically for four games, England's Kiwi campaign ended as it probably deserved to: in defeat, to a team that was more dynamic, more clinical and far more composed when it mattered most. Read more from Tom's blog But it was the most fleeting of false dawns. Dmitri Yachvilli slotted a penalty from distance after Flood failed to release his man on the deck, and France took a grip they would never relinquish. Wilkinson was struggling, sending the re-start straight into touch and flinging a pass the same way, and France then went close to the first try of the contest as Clerc took a long pass out on the left and was just bundled into touch by the corner flag. Yachvilli made it 6-0 with a second sweet strike from 45 metres after Matt Stevens was penalised for collapsing a scrum, and then slid another penalty just wide from the same spot. England's players had talked of "blitzing" France in the first 20 minutes, but it was Lievremont's men with all the menace and danger. Another line-out was stolen, and when the ball was sent left Clerc stepped and spun through limp challenges from Wilkinson, Chris Ashton and Foden to dive over and make it 11-0. England were once again static in their few attacks, only Tuilagi's bullocking runs offering any threat, Flood reduced to aiming a long-range drop-goal pit which missed by a street. Louis Deacon shipped another sloppy penalty, allowing Yachvili to kick to the corner, and after thunderous drives from the forwards left wing Alexis Palisson and Medard combined out wide to put the full-back in for France's second try. England were in disarray, only Yachvili's failures with the conversions keeping them in the game, and when they finally created space for their wingers Cueto was dragged down metres from the line before another wayward pass from Wilkinson shut the door on Ashton wide out right. England had never before come back to win from a margin of more than 12 points, and the errors continued to come thick and fast as Tom Croft became the latest to cough up the ball. They grabbed an unlikely lifeline when Ben Youngs took a quick tap and go to release Foden, who jinked and dummied his way over to make it 16-5 with 23 minutes left on the clock, Wilkinson popping over the conversion for 16-7. Johnson threw on his replacements but England kept wasting what good field possession they could work. Flood popped out a careless off-load deep in the French 22 to allow a clearing kick to snuff out the danger, and when Nick Easter tried to rumble from deep within his own 22 his hospital pass to Tuilagi triggered another knock-on. France, led by man-of-the-match Imanol Harinordoquy, set up camp in front of the English posts, and when the ball was fed back to Trinh-Duc the replacement fly-half slotted the drop-goal to make it 19-7. Banahan's late charge allowed Cueto to touch down for a try at the death, but with Flood's conversion sliding wide England needed a converted try to force extra time - something they could neither conjure nor say their performance deserved. England: Foden, Ashton, Tuilagi, Flood, Cueto, Wilkinson, Youngs, Stevens, Thompson, Cole, Deacon, Palmer, Croft, Moody, Easter. Replacements: Wigglesworth for Wilkinson (65), Banahan for Youngs (65), Corbisiero for Stevens (49), Hartley for Thompson (56), Shaw for Deacon (49), Lawes for Croft (46), Haskell for Moody (63). France: Medard, Clerc, Rougerie, Mermoz, Palisson, Parra, Yachvili, Poux, Servat, Mas, Pape, Nallet, Dusautoir, Bonnaire, Harinordoquy. Replacements: Marty for Rougerie (68), Trinh-Duc for Yachvili (53), Barcella for Poux (56), Szarzewski for Servat (56), Pierre for Pape (65), Picamoles for Harinordoquy (72). Not Used: Heymans.

England's World Cup dreams fell apart under a French onslaught on a night when their shortcomings were brutally exposed at the quarter-final stage.

15210221

Paula Palmer said jewellery given to her by husband Dennis on their wedding day was among the items stolen from the house in Barnett Road, Brighton. "It's devastating to think people can do that," she said. "I am numb." Mrs Palmer said she believed the thieves knew where the occupants of the house were when the break-in happened on Friday evening. "We were waiting outside for the hearse to come for a good 20 minutes," she said. "It doesn't take long for people to know what you are doing." She said she knew something was wrong when she returned home with a group of people. "By the time I reached the top of the stairs I could see the devastation in the main bedroom," she said. "My husband's jewellery box was broken open, the wardrobe doors were open and all drawers tipped out. "I was numb anyway from burying my husband - but to come back, to that I was speechless." The stolen jewellery included gold earrings, necklaces and bracelets. The thieves also took the keys to Mrs Palmer's grey Kia Ce'ed car, registration BJ09 YBK, and drove it away from the front of the house. "It is quite brazen and quite unusual for people to walk out of the front door, get in the car and drive off," said Det Con Richard Valder-Davies. "This is an awful crime. This lady was at her husband's funeral. It doesn't get much worse than that." Sussex Police have appealed to anyone with information, or who is offered jewellery in suspicious circumstances, to come forward.

Thieves ransacked a widow's home and stole jewellery, cash and her car while she was at her husband's funeral.

32387779

Kerry Reeves died two days after being shot in Abingdon on 3 November. Billy Johnson, 20, from Ripon Court, Corby, Northamptonshire, and Charles Noble, 20, from Kempton Avenue, Northolt, Ealing, have both been charged with her murder. They appeared at Oxford Magistrates' Court and will next appear at Oxford Crown Court on Monday. Ms Reeves, 26, was found in Thornhill Walk. She was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in a critical condition where she later died. A post-mortem examination was carried out on Monday, where the preliminary cause of death was given as a gunshot wound to the head.

Two men have appeared in court charged with the murder of a woman who was shot in the head in Oxfordshire.

34799146

Menstruation is generally a taboo topic in India, something that is rarely talked about openly. But at the weekend, several photographs popped up on my Facebook page of young Indian women holding placards - some made up of sanitary napkins and tampons - with the slogan "Happy To Bleed". A little bit of research led me to this petition, started by college student Nikita Azad, who was annoyed by the sexist remarks made by the head of the famous Sabarimala temple in Kerala. "A time will come when people will ask if all women should be disallowed from entering the temple throughout the year," Prayar Gopalakrishnan, who recently took charge of the hilltop temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, told reporters earlier this month. "These days there are machines that can scan bodies and check for weapons. There will be a day when a machine is invented to scan if it is the 'right time' for a woman to enter the temple. When that machine is invented, we will talk about letting women inside," he added. Ms Azad insists that there is no "right time" to go into a temple and that women should have to right to go "wherever they want to and whenever they want to". The temple priest's comments, she says, reinforce misogyny and strengthen the myths that revolve around women, and that "Happy To Bleed" is a counter-campaign against menstrual taboos. Hinduism regards menstruating women as unclean so, during her periods, a woman is not allowed to enter the temple, touch any idols, enter the kitchen or even touch the pickle jar. Many Hindu temples in India - and also globally - have prominent notices displayed at the entrance telling menstruating women that they are not welcome, and many devout Hindu women voluntarily keep away from temples when they are menstruating. But the Sabarimala bars all women in the reproductive age from entering the temple. The temple website explains that as Lord Ayyappa was "Nithya Brahmachari - or celibate - women between the 10-50 age group are not allowed to enter Sabarimala". The website adds, rather threateningly, that "such women who try to enter Sabarimala will be prevented by (the) authorities" from doing so. Ms Azad says "we don't believe in religion that considers half the world impure" and that theirs is "not a temple-entry campaign" - it's "a protest against patriarchy and gender discriminatory practices prevalent in our society" and that they are fighting against sexism and age-old taboos. Since its launch on Saturday, #HappyToBleed has received a lot of responses, especially from young urban Indian women. "More than 100 women have posted their photographs on Facebook holding banners and placards, with catchy slogans, and many more have shared these photos on their timelines," Ms Azad told the BBC. The campaign has also been picked up by many people on Twitter who have written in with messages of support. Some, however, have also wondered how women can be "happy" to bleed since periods can often be pretty painful. "We are using happy as a word to express sarcasm - as a satire, to taunt the authorities, the patriarchal forces which attach impurity with menstruation," Ms Azad explains. "It may be painful, but it's perfectly normal to bleed and it does not make me impure," she adds. Listen to BBC 100 Women programmes here.

After an Indian temple chief recently said he would allow women to enter the shrine only after a machine was invented to detect if they were "pure" - meaning that they weren't menstruating - outraged women have launched a #HappyToBleed campaign on Facebook to protest against the "sexist statement", writes the BBC's Geeta Pandey in Delhi.

34900825

The former England player opened the batting and made 101, with nine fours, before he was stumped off Ashar Zaidi. Laurie Evans provided late impetus with an unbeaten 70 off 53 balls as they posted a total of 283-7 at Edgbaston. Tom Westley made 61 for Essex and Ryan ten Doeschate was last to go for 50 as they were all out for 213. It was a disappointing batting effort which left 7.5 overs unused, and Warwickshire will now be at home to Somerset - who beat Worcestershire by nine wickets - on 28 or 29 August, with a place in the Lord's final at stake. With England seamer Chris Woakes conceding 47 from seven wicketless overs, it was Warwickshire's spinners who undermined the Essex run chase after openers Westley and Nick Browne put on 75 in 12 overs, claiming eight wickets between them. Browne was stumped off Ateeq Javid and Jesse Ryder, Jaik Mickleburgh and Zaidi were all guilty of poor shots as numbers three to six in the order all failed to reach double figures. Essex slumped to 134-6 in the 28th over, with leg-spinner Josh Poysden claiming 3-46, and it was Jeetan Patel (3-32) who ended the game by having ten Doeschate lbw after he reached a run-a-ball half-century. Earlier Trott, who now averages 77.80 in this season's competition, anchored the Warwickshire innings after skipper Ian Bell was caught behind for a fourth-ball duck. He shared a stand of 136 with Tim Ambrose (60) and although his dismissal sparked a mini-slump from 227-3 to 257-7, Evans hit three sixes and three fours to boost the total in the closing overs.

Jonathan Trott made his third One-Day Cup century in four innings as Warwickshire reached the semi-finals with a 70-run home win over Essex.

37106568

The post is being advertised at the 125-year-old Peebles Hydro. General Manager Patrick Diack said he could not think of a better time of year to recruit for the post. He said Blue Monday on 18 January, which is meant to be the gloomiest day of the year, might inspire some "amazing applicants" for the "energetic and creative" job. The successful applicant will take the lead on "all the fun things" to do at the hotel, including running its Bike Zone and creating activities for its Kids Club. "The position is certainly not a desk job, this is a hands-on position for someone who gets a kick out of bringing a smile to the faces of people of all ages and is adept at connecting with people," Mr Diack said.

A historic hotel in the Scottish Borders is seeking applications for the position of "Head of Fun".

35321909

Media playback is not supported on this device The Alan King-trained seven-year-old, a 16-1 shot, led all the way for the 19-time Champion jockey, who is retiring this season. Ma Filleule (5-1) was second with 5-2 favourite Don Cossack third. McCoy said: "I would love to say it's a relief, but I actually got such a thrill riding him." The Northern Irishman did not seem to fancy his chances much pre-race, but trainer King's seven-year-old put in some spectacular leaps on the way round. "I was actually thinking I wouldn't mind riding the horse in next year's Champion Chase," said McCoy after his victory. "He ran away with me for a mile and a half and I thought he would never keep it up but I was quite happy coming down the hill." McCoy's wife Chanelle and several of his family members were waiting in the winner's enclosure to greet him after his victory. "He wanted that feeling one more time," said Chanelle. "Heading into day three he wanted one more time to ride a winner at Cheltenham, to soak up the atmosphere and not finish his career without one more winner."

AP McCoy won his first race of his final Cheltenham Festival on day three, riding Uxizandre to victory in the Ryanair Chase.

31858546

Prof Simon Wessely, said he was "genuinely surprised and incredibly honoured" by the award. He now heads the department of psychological medicine at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London. He became interested in "medically unexplained symptoms and syndromes" early in his career, and studied chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) - or ME. In 1991 he was involved in setting up one of the first NHS clinics for people with CFS symptoms and in the mid 1990s, he started to investigate Gulf War Syndrome. This disputed condition had been linked to personnel who served in the first Gulf conflict in 1990-91. Reported symptoms ranged from chronic fatigue, headaches and sleep disturbances to joint pains, irritable bowel, stomach and respiratory disorders and psychological problems. Prof Wessely has said there may not be a distinct illness. He said: "Gulf War Syndrome is a misnomer," he said. "Rather it's an illness or health effect. "We established something happened, but we found no specific cause. "The fascinating thing is that it didn't happen again in Iraq, and the reason for that remains enigmatic." Prof Wessely continues to study the long-term effects on those now serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. But he said that there had been improvements in the mental health care for armed forces personnel and those close to them. "There is now improved psychological support, particularly for reservists and families." He was among a large number of researchers, charity workers and NHS staff to receive honours. Other health experts recognised included Stephen O'Brien, Chair of Barts and The London NHS Trust, who also receives a knighthood. Respiratory health expert Prof John Britton and Caroline Shaw, chief executive of Manchester's specialist cancer hospital, The Christie are among those made CBEs. One of those is Caroline Shaw, who is appointed a CBE for her work running The Christie cancer hospital in Manchester. A former midwife, Ms Shaw was one of the youngest female NHS chief executives when she took over at the Christie in 2005. She said: "I am incredibly proud... It is such a huge honour to be recognised in this way for my work in an industry I believe in and care passionately about."

A leading researcher into the mental health of military personnel has been knighted in the New Year's Honours.

20850694

The former Liverpool boss succeeded Ronny Deila 10 days ago and has already moved into his office at the club's Lennoxtown training ground. Rodgers, 43, revealed he invited captain Scott Brown, 30, to his London home for a discussion over dinner. "It was good to get his opinion on how things are and how it looks for him at the club," Rodgers told Celtic TV. "It was also good for me to introduce myself to him as the club captain and talk through my ideas and how I'd like to work. "He's been here a long time, so he's been here through good times and tough times." Brown's fellow Scotland international Charlie Mulgrew, 30, is out of contract at Celtic and revealed that Rodgers telephoned him to ask if he would stay for another season. "I've spoken to a number of the players on the phone also," said Rodgers. The Northern Irishman will have six weeks to prepare the Premiership champions for their first competitive outing, in the second qualifying round of the Champions League on 12 or 13 July. "I'm really looking forward to 20 June, the first day back in and getting to meet all the players and talk through how we want to go forward," Rodgers added. "That's when the hard work begins. It will be a long season, a hard season, but it will be really exciting. I can't wait to get started."

New Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says he has been discussing his future plans with some of his senior players.

36436162

Officials say 108 tons of corn will be delivered by the end of the weekend. Last month, eight people were killed in Oaxaca in clashes between the demonstrators and police. The protesters oppose reforms that allow the federal authorities to remove teachers who fail evaluation exams. Members of the CNTE union, which has a history of radical activism, have been blocking roads in Oaxaca and other states ever since the union leaders were arrested in early June. The roadblocks have prevented food deliveries to some remote areas in the region, the government says. "There are no products," says Araceli Hernandez Ramirez, manager of a grocery store in Puente de Coyula. She says she has no rice, corn or flour to sell to her customers. "They go home empty-handed," she said. In a strongly worded message on Friday, Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong said the unrest had hurt millions of people and "the blockades and damages to the citizenry must end". "The time is up," he said, warning that "the necessary decisions will soon be taken to allow transit on strategic roads". The CNTE union opposes education reforms introduced by President Enrique Pena Nieto in 2013. The changes include new measures to assess teachers' performance.

Mexico's air force has been flying tons of grain into Oaxaca state in the south of the country to deal with dwindling food supplies caused by roadblocks set up by protesting teachers.

36692269

The Sorrento was travelling to the coastal city of Valencia when the blaze began and quickly got out of control. The passengers were evacuated from the burning ship on to lifeboats and have been rescued by another ship. At least three people have been injured and have been taken to hospital by helicopter, Spanish media say. One is reported to be seriously hurt. The ship was about 27km (17 miles) from Mallorca when the fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon on one of the car decks. The reason for the fire was unclear. Several ships including two passenger ferries were sent to help. The passengers and crew on the life rafts eventually boarded one of the ferries, the Puglia. Spanish officials said the rescued passengers were on their way back to Palma de Mallorca and were expected to arrive at the port in a few hours' time. Psychologists were being asked to go to the port to provide counselling. "Due to the fire that it has suffered, The Sorrento may sink in the position in which it finds itself," the Balearic Islands port authority said in a tweet (in Spanish). The ferry, owned by Italian company Atlantica di Navigazione, sent out distress signals at 13:50 local time (11:50 GMT), said Spain's Ministry of Public Works. At first, the ministry said the captain did not believe it would be necessary to abandon the ship but the fire became so intense that a full evacuation was called for.

A fire has broken out on a Spanish ferry from Mallorca, forcing some 150 passengers and crew to abandon ship.

32504766

Jordan's significance results partly from its strategic location at the crossroads of what Christians, Jews and Muslims call the Holy Land. It is a key ally of the US and, together with Egypt, one of only two Arab nations to have made peace with Israel. The desert kingdom emerged out of the post-First World War division of the Middle East by Britain and France. Population 6.5 million Area 89,342 sq km (34,492 sq miles) Major language Arabic Major religion Islam Life expectancy 72 years (men), 75 years Head of state: King Abdullah II King Abdullah II, Jordan's monarch since 1999, has extensive powers: he appoints governments, approves legislation and is able to dissolve parliament. Over the past few years, he has been facing growing demands for political reform, and following the popular uprising in Tunisia which led to the flight of the president in January 2011, King Abdullah dismissed his government and appointed the first in a series of prime ministers to oversee the introduction of political change. The Jordanian media have traditionally been under tight state control. "Veneration for the monarchy, religion, but also state institutions and the men who head them are all 'red lines' that journalists must not cross," said Reporters Without Borders in its 2011-12 country report. Jordan Media City - one of the first such ventures in the region - aims to attract media investments and operates as a regional hub for satellite TV broadcasts. Some key dates in Jordan's history: 1946 - The United Nations recognizes Jordan as an independent sovereign kingdom. 1948 - State of Israel created in British-mandate Palestine. Thousands of Palestinians flee Arab-Israeli fighting to West Bank and Jordan. 1950 - Jordan annexes West Bank. 1951 - King Abdullah assassinated by Palestinian gunman angry at his apparent collusion with Israel in the carve-up of Palestine. 1952 - Hussein proclaimed king after his father, Talal, is declared mentally unfit to rule. 1957 - British troops complete their withdrawal from Jordan. 1967 - Israel takes control of Jerusalem and West Bank during Six-Day War, major influx of refugees into Jordan. 1994 - Jordan signs peace treaty with Israel, ending 46-year official state of war. 1999 - King Hussein dies. His eldest son Crown Prince Abdullah succeeds to the throne.

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a small country with few natural resources, but it has played a pivotal role in the struggle for power in the Middle East.

14631981

More than 130 owners have reported overheating problems behind the glove-box area, some of which have resulted in fires. Vauxhall is investigating the problem, but has not yet issued a full recall. The affected model is the Zafira B. It is thought that 280,000 of them are currently on the road in the UK. The alarm was raised by three different women, who say their cars burst into flames. Among them was Sue Freemantle, from Devon, who had four children in her Zafira when a fire began behind the dashboard. Claire Wheatley also from Devon, had to evacuate her car along with her husband when a similar incident occurred. They and others have posted pictures of the fires on Facebook. Vauxhall has already examined 20 such cars which have been burned out, and has summoned engineers from Germany to investigate. In a statement, it said it thought the heating and ventilation system was to blame. It said previous repairs may have been carried out improperly, or in some cases, non-genuine parts may have caused the fires. The affected models have manual air-conditioning, as pictured above. Owners who have electronic climate control have not reported any problems. The cars, all right-hand drive, were built between 2005 and 2014. Anyone who has concerns about their vehicle is being asked to contact their dealer.

Carmaker Vauxhall is trying to contact hundreds of thousands of British drivers, over worries their Zafira models could catch fire.

34603927

The BBC, in collaboration with tech company This Place, has developed a way people can select programmes using a cheap, brainwave-reading headset. The headset works with an experimental version of the BBC's iPlayer on-demand platform. Users can turn on and operate the app by concentrating or relaxing their minds. "It's an internal prototype designed to give our programme makers, technologists and other users an idea of how this technology might be used in future," said Cyrus Saihan, head of business development for the BBC's Digital division. In the first trial, 10 BBC staff tried out the app and were able to launch iPlayer and start viewing a programme via the headset, he said. "It was much easier for some than it was for others, but they all managed to get it to work," said Mr Saihan. This type of technology could be used to help people with a broad range of disabilities who cannot use traditional TV remote controls very easily, Mr Saihan believes. Manipulating electronic devices using brainwaves is becoming more widespread. For example, in February technology firm Tekever demonstrated how a drone could be remotely controlled using brainpower alone. The pilot controlled the aircraft wearing a skullcap embedded with electronic sensors that could read his brain activity. You can watch a video about the iPlayer mind control project here.

If you think controlling your TV with your mind is the stuff of science fiction, think again.

33163593

The exercise was carried out in Todmorden, Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd, Sowerby Bridge, Elland and Brighouse. About 2,700 homes were flooded along with more than 4,400 businesses in the area in 2015, said Calderdale Council. Scenarios played for the exercise included a mock rescue of casualties from a sinking canal boat. Operation Calderdale16 was its biggest ever live training exercise, the council said. The Environment Agency has eight flood sirens to warn the upper Calder valley when rivers are expected to flood. The sirens sounded for about two minutes during the exercise. Source: Eye on Calderdale

Flood sirens have sounded as the "biggest ever" training exercise has been held in parts of West Yorkshire inundated by flooding in December 2015.

37654405

The Bournemouth striker, who has been included in a 27-man final squad, has yet to receive official clearance from Fifa to play for the country of his parents. The 23-year-old has represented England at youth level since 2005, having captained the Under-12s, won the Victory Shield with the U16s, and turned out for the U17s, U19s and U21s. Afobe is expected to join up with his prospective teammates next week in Kinshasa, but Fifa is yet to approve his application to switch nationality under world football's governing body regulations. According to the rules, players who have represented one country at junior level can play for another at senior level if they meet the qualifying stipulations. He holds dual nationality and has not played for England's senior side, making him eligible for the Leopards - once an application has been made to Fifa and approved. Afobe, who moved to Bournemouth from Wolves for £10m in January, has scored four goals in 10 appearances for the Cherries so far this season. The former Arsenal striker scored 23 goals in two seasons with Wolves. Meanwhile, the DR Congo squad will officially commence their preparations at Béatrice de la Gombe hotel in the capital on 20 March. They are currently third in Group B after a home win over Madagascar and a shock 2-0 defeat at Central African Republic in September. CHAN winner Florent Ibenge, who also guided DR Congo to third place at last year's Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, is desperate for positive results against group leaders Angola. Only group winners are guaranteed automatic qualification to the 2017 tournament in Gabon. The Leopards have also progressed to the final round of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

Ex-England youth international Benik Afobe will not play for DR Congo in next weekend's 2017 Africa Cup of Nations clash with Angola.

35856587

"There's a lot going on right now," the singer tells us. And she's not wrong. The follow-up to her Mercury Prize-nominated debut, 2013's Sing To The Moon, is imminent. Second album The Dreaming Room is due in June and her newest track Phenomenal Woman has just debuted as Annie Mac's hottest record on BBC Radio 1. "And then we have probably the most important live moment on TV in this country today," she adds. "It's all potentially extremely exciting - and that just means that I'm naturally terrified." The singer's struggles with stage fright and anxiety are well-documented and live TV is a particular fear. Describing the concept as "just hellish", she tells us: "I'd rather die. That's how I feel sometimes - I think, 'if I dropped dead I wouldn't have to do it!'." So, it's perhaps surprising that the singer let us tag along as she kicked off the new series of Later... with Jools Holland. But it seems BBC Two's esteemed music show has a special place in her heart. "In the musician's world, you say 'Jools Holland' and all of a sudden you've got massive respect - it's like saying you got Glastonbury." Her third time on Later... she calls respected musician and presenter Holland a "genuine champion". "He called me this afternoon just to say that he'd been listening to my new record and he wanted to tell me specifically what song and what parts and why. "I tell you, in the TV world, it's not the kind of place where there's room for those kind of genuine interactions, just because there's so much pressure on everyone. It's very special." Here the diary of Laura's day. Tour manager Paul picks us up in sunny east London. Laura's assistant Mariama is laden with popcorn and snacks as we pile into the silver Mercedes van bound for the studios in Kent. The singer takes some me-time behind her shades, safe in the knowledge it's going to be a long day. "I'm such a weird person to be around before anything big," she admits. "I can't normally talk, so my team tend to just leave me to it, but I'll pick up. "Right now I want to be jumping up, but you don't want to celebrate before the main event, so I'm just trying to be as relaxed as I can." We arrive to the sounds of Kano and his brass section sound-checking. He's on the bill along with Paul Simon, The Coral, Jason Isbell and Lake Street Dive. Laura has the honour of opening and closing both the live and pre-recorded shows, something she says she's "glad you only find out on the day". "I'm doing Phenomenal Woman, Kiss My Feet - which the Jools team requested - and Overcome, the first single, which featured Nile Rogers. "I wanted to explode back onto the scene with something that was captivating in a much rawer and darker way. That's why there's dance and so much movement this time around, and why it's such a visual album." Backstage the band are split across two dressing rooms - one for the boys and one for the girls, where we're quickly made welcome as they debate which of the many black items of clothing they've brought will get worn. "There's nine of us - it's huge by pop terms, but I refused to compromise," says Laura. "With Sing To The Moon, six of us were trying to sound like an orchestra and a choir. It was a stress. "My sister Dionne went from violin to guitar - literally learnt the guitar [and] is killing it - my brother's playing cello. It feels much more like a band than me trying to do the solo artist thing. We feel like a really solid family." Still in her fur-lined boots and denim dress from the journey, Laura and the band head to the camera rehearsal. Jools arrives and gives Laura a hug, waving hello to the production team. Giant white cue cards are being written to help him introduce the acts. Running through each of their tracks twice, Laura sports her new keytar in place of her trademark piano. "Lady Mariama was up until 4am trying to make my keytar white. I mean what the hell is that about?" she laughs. "Initially it was a joke idea, I was just messing about jamming with it, but it made so much sense. I'm not stuck behind anything in a static way anymore, I can move and I can see people. If I want to turn and feel the band I can do that. We have such a good time now." Time for some nourishment. The team ("there's like millions of them... making it work") are handed pocket money for the canteen, while Laura retreats to her dressing room. As well as make-up, wardrobe and calming those nerves, she also has a TV interview to fit in. "I used to not eat, I couldn't eat. But I've learned to, so you don't drop off after one song. I have meatballs and sweet potato fries. And a balance of water and red wine." "[Designer] Alex Noble has done a lot of my clothes recently," says Laura. "He is just on another planet. He text me yesterday and I was just weeping emojis because the clothes are just... I mean you'll see with the outfit tonight. "I made a visual essay for the album, this massive book [filled with] images, as stimulus for new music but also to help anybody I might be collaborating with. Stylists or people in the label, anyone could take the book and go 'oh yeah, I'm listening and I'm looking'. "It means I get to talk less. That's probably surprising to some people because I do love to natter! But it helps." Minutes before show time, Laura's designer and assistant are still huddled together in one of the dressing rooms with a needle and thread and the singer's fabulous outfit in their hands. She's set to do an interview at Jools's famous piano, but the purple corset she'll be wearing (with matching super-flared trousers) will be too tight to sit down in. Cue furious unpicking and re-stitching. Eventually it's decided she'll do the interview standing up. Problem solved. With the audience in place and schooled on how to cheer and clap in the correct manner, Laura's up first - opening the pre-recorded show with Maya Angelou-inspired anthem Phenomenal Woman. "If you're first out of the blocks - you're the thing in the room that makes the first sound. I've been second and third before and everybody breathes when the sound's been made," says Laura. There's mild panic when the lighting desk freezes after The Coral perform, but after a few minutes of confusion they're rolling again. Later, a respectful hush descends as Paul Simon performs Sounds Of Silence in the centre of the studio. "He made me cry so much," says Laura. "I kept thinking, 'why didn't I bring Mum to this gig?'. She was raised on Simon and Garfunkel. "I ended up thinking about my whole life, my creative life... what is this all about? Here I am literally stood in front of Mr Paul Simon." With all the stars limbered up (and the shortest of toilet breaks), the second show goes live on BBC Two. "It's an amazing feeling because you know that it's happening now and everybody's tuned in, but at the same time - the fear and the dread. You can't correct anything, so whatever comes out is it. " Laura ends the live show on a high with Phenomenal Woman. "That for me was surprisingly wonderful, because live television literally - there's nothing that I'm more terrified of! And the live performance was better than the pre-record - what?!" It's all over. The audience files out and the set's dismantled as artists and their teams pack up their gear and rush to congratulate each other. US outfit Lake Street Dive collar Laura for a picture, while she and sister Dionne seek out Kano for a snap ("Because he's fine. And obviously amazing"). "I always forget how emotionally exhausting it is," says Laura. "The amount I invest into any performance is always bucket loads of sweat or tension that doesn't get released until I'm in that moment. "That's the uniqueness of a show like Jools's - you are getting that concentrated performance." So what now? "Everybody laughs at me because I literally make a beeline for my bed after. I'll probably eat again later because I always get a major appetite, which is why I have this thing [grabs belly area] that will never go away. "But yeah, I just conk out. If I think about stuff I'll go nuts, because you've just put something out. "I mean I haven't had a child, but I imagine - like when you have a baby - it's out there. I can't push it back in!" You can catch the extended edition of Later... with Jools Holland on BBC Two on Friday 22 April at 23:15 BST or watch Tuesday night's live episode on the iPlayer now.

We go behind the scenes with singer Laura Mvula as she prepares to debut her new material and kick off the 48th series of Later... with Jools Holland.

36101502

Council officials will meet on Tuesday to start the process of identifying where the Maes will be. A cabinet report said 140 acres were needed, along with good mobile phone signal and, if possible, fibre broadband. Town and community councils will be contacted, asking for suggestions to be sent to Ceredigion council by March. Once these have been received, they will be forwarded to the National Eisteddfod board, which is responsible for choosing the host site. The county hosted the first known eisteddfod, when Lord Rhys, prince of Deheubarth, gathered poets and musicians at his castle in Cardigan in AD 1176.

Suggestions for the potential host site of the 2020 National Eisteddfod in Ceredigion are being sought.

35054684

Starting the day on 90-4, Australia reached 156-6 before declaring for the second time in the match. England were quickly reduced to 29-5, with Sarah Taylor out for a second consecutive duck. Lydia Greenway and Georgia Elwiss stemmed the tide before England lost their last five wickets in 39 balls. Australia seamer Ellyse Perry took career-best figures of six wickets for 32 runs, including removing Greenway and Laura Marsh with consecutive balls, as England collapsed from 80-6 to 101 all out. It means Australia are now up 8-2 on points in the seven-match series, with three Twenty20 matches remaining that are each worth two points to the winner. Ashes holders England can no longer win the series, but they could secure an unlikely draw by winning all three T20s. Media playback is not supported on this device With the 263 runs required for victory an unlikely target, England's main task was to survive 89 overs. In a repeat of the first innings, Sarah Coyte trapped Heather Knight lbw to bring Taylor, arguably England's best batter, to the crease. Taylor, looking for vital runs after struggling with the bat during the series, survived only five balls as she played a delivery from Perry on to her stumps for a second duck in the Test. Scraping through to lunch on 16-2, Charlotte Edwards was caught behind off the first ball after the break from Perry to start a collapse to 29-5. Megan Schutt dismissed Lauren Winfield and Natalie Sciver cheaply before Greenway and Elwiss dropped anchor. Greenway defended stoutly, with 128 dot balls from the 137 deliveries she faced, before a devastating spell from Perry sent England tumbling to defeat. Australia's Jess Jonassen was the only player to pass 50 in the match, her effort seeming even more impressive given England's struggles on the same pitch. Edwards' side were incapable of coping with the brilliance of Perry, who took Greenway's wicket in bizarre fashion as the English player attempted to duck out of the way of a short ball only for it to stay low and clip her leg stump. The wicket was part of a majestic spell that saw all-rounder Perry take four wickets in 20 balls for just eight runs. England's meek demise against arch rivals Australia left much to be desired - as they lost their second consecutive Test since becoming a fully professional side. And ex-England batter Ebony Rainford-Brent believes the hosts lacked the resilience in their batting to ever have had a realistic chance of drawing the match. "The manner in which England rolled over today, in particular with the batting, hasn't shown enough fight," she said. "They are going to feel the pain of this because the way they have approached the match just hasn't been good enough. "Australia adapted to the match situation much quicker and their captaincy was much more dynamic, aggressive and inventive - whereas England looked like it was a pre-planned process. "I think the players need to find some guts and fight for the country and to turn themselves around in a week mentally is going to be a tough challenge." England captain Charlotte Edwards: "It's really disappointing. I thought at tea time we had a sniff of holding on. We simply weren't good enough over the four days. "We're not delivering as a batting unit. There's poor shot selection, but it's not through lack of trying. We're not learning quickly enough. "It's down to the players, not the coaches. There are world-class players not delivering. "We're going to fight to the bitter end. A change of format might be able to help us express ourselves." Australia captain Meg Lanning: "This Test match was massive for us. We knew it would put us in the box seat. "Winning the Ashes is the one thing that we haven't been able to do in the last five years. We came here really confident. "England are a class side and they've got players there who can win games. We'll have to play well to win the T20s. "Jess Jonassen was batting on a different deck to the rest of us, so she was certainly a big difference in this game. She's one to watch."

England need to win all three remaining games of the series to retain the Women's Ashes after Australia clinched the Test by 161 runs.

33940324

Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email [email protected].

Wimbledon has begun, which means the stars are out watching the tennis - wearing a mixture of smiles, sunglasses and serious looks on their faces.

40555682

Sarries' Australian lock Skelton slapped the GB Olympic Sevens Rio silver medallist in the face late in the 22-22 European Champions Cup draw. BBC pundit Brian Moore was among those to accuse Davies, 26, of over-reacting. "It's not good is it? If one of our players did that I'd be devastated," said McCall. "But I don't think they would. It's terrible, but you don't need me to tell you that." Moore wrote: "Scarlets should have won but, had they done so, it would have been spoiled by another example of simulation (cheating by exaggeration) from Davies." Scarlets head coach Pivac defended Davies' behaviour - and questioned how clean former England hooker Moore was as a player. "I've spoken to our medical staff, and they tell me he [Davies] is getting acupuncture on his neck," Pivac said. "The facts speak for themselves: 140kg, swinging arm, hit him on the chin. We've confirmed that. "Unless you've been hit by 140kg or been struck on the jaw, you really should keep your comments to yourself. "James tells me it [falling over] was more shock from being struck. He fell to the ground and he got straight back up. "If I was the Saracens coach I'd be sanctioning my player for throwing a punch which is against the rules of the game." Asked about Moore's criticism, Pivac added: "I don't condone taking a dive, that's why I don't watch football. "Brian Moore? Well, he was squeaky clean as a player wasn't he?"

Saracens boss Mark McCall has criticised Scarlets' James Davies after Will Skelton was sin-binned during the meeting of the side last weekend.

38662557

The prime minister faced cries of "coward" and "shame on you". One woman wept, saying it was because the PM declined to speak to anyone outside the meeting which lasted less than hour. Mrs May pledged £5m of support, housing guarantees and help with access to bank accounts and cash. "The package of support I'm announcing today is to give the victims the immediate support they need to care for themselves and for loved ones. We will continue to look at what more needs to be done," Mrs May said in a statement issued by her office. Dozens of demonstrators surged towards the entrance of St Clement's church and there were scuffles outside as organisers appealed for calm. Earlier on Friday, the prime minister spent almost an hour speaking to patients and staff at London's Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. It came a day after she faced criticism for meeting firefighters but not residents at the scene of the blaze. She also chaired the government's Civil Contingencies Committee, which deals with major crises such as terrorism or natural disasters, in Whitehall. But local people have contrasted the style of Mrs May's private visit to the scene with those of London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who was seen with his arm around the shoulders of people affected by the disaster. Also on Friday, the Queen and the Duke of Cambridge met volunteers, local residents and community representatives while visiting Westway Sports Centre, near the tower block in north Kensington. During interview with the BBC, Mrs May sidestepped questions over her response to the disaster. Pressed on whether she had failed to understand the anger felt by the community, she said: "This was a terrible tragedy that took place. People have lost their lives and others have lost everything, all their possessions, their home and everything. "What we are doing is putting in place the support that will help them." She said she had worked to ensure public services had the support they needed in order to be able to deal with the immediate aftermath. Conservative former Cabinet minister Michael Portillo said Mrs May should have been prepared to face residents' anger. He told BBC's This Week: "Alas Mrs May was what she has been for the last five or six weeks, that is to say she wanted an entirely controlled situation in which she didn't use her humanity. "She met in private with the emergency services, a good thing to do no doubt, but she should have been there with the residents, which is what Jeremy Corbyn was." But Commons leader Andrea Leadsom, who also faced some anger when she visited a community centre in the area on Friday, insisted that Mrs May was "absolutely heartbroken" by the blaze and was simply trying to make sure the government did everything it could to deal with its aftermath. Mrs Leadsom said: "In reality, every single member of the House of Commons, every member of the government from the prime minister downwards are absolutely horrified by what's happened and we are all trying to do the best we can. "I don't really think it is appropriate to be talking about whether people have humanity or not." As she spoke to Sky News at the site in west London, she was confronted by a local resident, who said opportunities had been missed to make the 24-storey block safe following a report into the 2009 Lakanal House fire in Camberwell, south London. "Why are Sadiq Khan and Corbyn coming down here to speak to people and Theresa May is coming here with police, walking around, not meeting no-one, not meeting families?" the man said. "This fire could have been stopped a long, long time ago... There's not even sprinklers in there. "In 2009, the last block was on fire. What has changed since then? Nothing. Enough is enough, I have got friends in that tower. I have a right to be angry. Because of people saving money, people are dying." Former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman said it was "not OK" for the prime minister to go to the area but not meet residents, and called on her to invite them to talk to her in Downing Street, as victims of the 2009 Lakanal House fire had been. But on the BBC's Question Time programme on Thursday, Conservative defence minister Tobias Ellwood said there were "security reasons" why Mrs May had not met residents. And former housing minister Mark Prisk said Mrs May would not have wanted "to bring the whole weight of the media circus down on families who are going through some pretty grim days". But BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt said there would be questions about why the Queen was able to make such a visit, and the prime minister was not. Downing Street said that Mrs May's visit on Thursday had been made to get a briefing from the emergency services to ensure that they had the resources they needed. On Friday, Mrs May visited the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital which is treating eight people, three of whom are in critical care. Communities Secretary Sajid Javid told the BBC on Friday there would be immediate action following early conclusions from an investigative report into the fire. "We need to do whatever it takes to make people that live in those properties safe: that's either make the properties safe or find some other accommodation, it has to be done," Mr Javid told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. "In this country, in this century, for this kind of thing to happen it is horrific and we cannot allow anything like this to ever happen again." Councils say they are carrying out urgent reviews of high-rise buildings in their areas in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire. The chairman of the Local Government Association, which represent about 150 councils in England, said councils were reviewing fire risk assessments and the construction of buildings along with partners.

A large police presence held back angry crowds outside a Kensington church where Theresa May was meeting victims of the Grenfell Tower disaster.

40300369

Speaking in Athens, Moshe Yaalon said IS had "enjoyed Turkish money for oil for a very, very long period of time". Turkey denies allowing IS smuggling and the US recently rejected Russian claims that Turkish government officials were in league with the militants. IS has captured swathes of Syria and Iraq, including operational oil fields. "It's up to Turkey, the Turkish government, the Turkish leadership, to decide whether they want to be part of any kind of cooperation to fight terrorism," Mr Yaalon told reporters after a meeting with his Greek counterpart. "This is not the case so far. As you know, Daesh [Islamic State] enjoyed Turkish money for oil for a very, very long period of time. I hope that it will be ended." Mr Yaalon also alleged that Turkey had "permitted jihadists to move from Europe to Syria and Iraq and back". US state department officials last month rejected Russian allegations of Turkish government involvement but a state department spokesman said IS oil was being smuggled into Turkey via middlemen. Efforts by Israel and Turkey to repair damaged ties already hit a setback this month over demands for compensation for the deaths of 10 Turkish activists on a ship carrying pro-Palestinian activists in 2010. They were killed in clashes with Israeli commandos who intercepted a flotilla trying to break Israel's blockade of Gaza. Senior Israeli and Turkish officials met in December to try to repair relations, raising hopes of progress in negotiations to import Israeli natural gas. Q&A: What happened on the Gaza flotilla?

Israel's defence minister has accused Turkey of buying oil from the so-called Islamic State (IS) group, thereby funding the militants' activities.

35415956

The 18-year-old can play at right-back, centre-half and in central midfield. Born in Birmingham, Suliman signed a professional deal with Villa in January 2015 until 2017, but is yet to make a senior, competitive first-team appearance for the Championship club. He has represented England since under-16 level and made 16 international appearances for the under-17 side. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Cheltenham Town have signed Aston Villa and England Under-18 defender Easah Suliman on loan until 2 January.

36976969

Media playback is not supported on this device Clement's side dropped to 17th place after the loss and are three points clear of the relegation zone. The Swans, who have let in nine goals in their past four games, also have the league's worst defensive record. "Bournemouth have just shown when you put two good home results, it gives them breathing space," Clement said. "We have to reflect on the bigger picture as well, we started January rock-bottom. We play two home games and we have to respond quickly." Swansea were bottom of the Premier League when Clement took over in January but have won four of their nine league matches since. However, they have conceded 63 goals this season - the highest in the league - and have managed just one clean sheet in their last 14 games. "The fact is, we're 17th, out of the bottom three with two home games coming up. There's lots of football," added Clement. "We've come a long way in the last two and a half months. We're confident we can still go on and do well this year." Swansea resume after the international break with a home game against fellow strugglers Middlesbrough, before hosting Tottenham just three days later.

Swansea City manager Paul Clement has said his side must reflect on the "bigger picture" after their 2-0 defeat by Bournemouth in the Premier League.

39305912

The Pirates of the Caribbean star will play the title role in Therese Raquin, based on Emile Zola's 1867 classic. Described as "a tale of love, lust, betrayal, and guilt," the play will cast her as a young woman trapped in a loveless marriage who has an affair with one of her husband's friends. The Roundabout Theatre Company show opens in October 2015 in New York. Knightley, who turns 30 next year, previously trod the boards in London in The Misanthrope and The Children's Hour. The actress has two films out next month in the UK - World War Two drama The Imitation Game and US comedy Say When. Therese Raquin has been staged and filmed many times, most recently as the film In Secret starring Elizabeth Olsen. The new version is by British playwright Helen Edmundson, who previously adapted the Tolstoy novels Anna Karenina and War and Peace for the stage. Knightley appeared in a 2012 film of Anna Karenina and has also appeared in film adaptations of Pride and Prejudice and Ian McEwan's Atonement. Therese Raquin begins previews on 1 October and has its opening night on 29 October at a Broadway theatre yet to be announced. Earlier this year Knightley revealed she had hoped to take The Children's Hour to Broadway but could not work out the scheduling with co-star Elisabeth Moss. "We tried to make it happen, but our scheduling didn't work out," she told The Advocate. "It was a real shame, because it would be great doing it on Broadway."

British actress Keira Knightley is to make her Broadway debut next year in a stage version of a famous French novel.

29747341

Umpires Ian Gould and Richard Illingworth, the former Worcestershire and England slow left-armer, made several inspections. But the previous day's incessant rain had left an already wet outfield totally sodden at New Road. Overnight frost on the covers also led to melting ice dripping onto the pitch. The two sides still hope to get underway promptly on Monday morning (11:00 BST). Worcestershire assistant coach Matt Mason: "We can't do anything about it. It's one of those things that is out of our control. "We have given the ground a good chance to dry out today and it has not quite done it. Player safety has got to come first." Kent captain Sam Northeast: "It's extremely frustrating. After four weeks of preparation in pre-season, we get to the first day and we are unable to play and the sun's out as well. "The boys are raring to go, so it's pretty disappointing. We hoped for the best but looking at the ground this morning, we knew it was going to be tough to get on."

Worcestershire and Kent spent a frustrating first day of the new County Championship season before play was called off in mid-afternoon.

35960992

Norah Boyle, 85, suffered a head injury as Sabrina Duncan and Benter Ouma put her to bed at The Green Nursing Home in Kings Norton. She died 23 days later. The workers delayed calling 999 and pretended Mrs Boyle knocked her head on the head board. They must do 160 hours' unpaid work and pay £500 court costs each. The pair were not prosecuted for being responsible for the fall, but for being "grossly negligent in their response". Mrs Boyle died in hospital after developing pneumonia. In sentencing, judge Mark Wall said it was impossible to say whether reporting the incident any earlier would have made any difference to Mrs Boyle's eventual death. Her daughter, Ellen Boyle, said: "I'm appalled that that's what they got for what happened to my mum. "I'm appalled that my mother's life is only worth 12 months of a community order." Speaking after the court hearing Det Sgt Victoria Lee said the pair had delayed calling an ambulance while they came up with a cover story. "While [Duncan and Ouma] plotted, Mrs Boyle laid in bed with a serious head injury, her head bleeding onto the pillow," she said. "Most of us have relatives who are frail, disabled or vulnerable… we expect them to be cared for professionally and compassionately." Duncan, 40, of Shartlands Close, Cotteridge, and Ouma, 31, of Summerfield Crescent, Edgbaston, had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing at Birmingham Crown Court to neglect and ill-treatment.

Two care workers who admitted neglect after a pensioner fell from a hoist at a Birmingham care home have been sentenced to 12-month community orders.

33825206

The University of Wisconsin successfully claimed that Apple used its microchip technology without permission in some iPhones and iPads. The patent, filed in 1998, is said to improve the power efficiency of microchips. The case relates to use of the technology in the iPhone 5s, 6 and 6 Plus - but an additional lawsuit making the same claim against Apple's newest models, the 6S and 6S Plus, has also been filed. The University of Wisconsin sued Intel over the same patent in 2008. The case was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum. In court papers, the university claimed Apple ignored its offers to license the patent, which would mean paying a fee for its continued use. Therefore the university said Apple was wilfully infringing the patent, something which, if the court agrees, could carry a heavier fine. The precise amount Apple may have to pay will be decided at a later stage in the court proceedings. Despite recent well-publicised truces between some big tech firms, fierce patent battles are still being fought in courts globally. Last week, a judge threw out claims by graphic card specialist Nvidia that Samsung and others had infringed three of its patents. Follow Dave Lee on Twitter @DaveLeeBBC

Apple faces a bill of $862m (£565m) after losing a patent lawsuit.

34524785

In Northern Ireland, weather warnings have also been issued as the third storm of the season, Storm Clodagh, moved in. The Met Office issued a yellow warning for severe gales with gusts up to 60mph (100km/h) for exposed areas. A yellow warning means plan ahead and consider possible travel delays and disruption. Wind and heavy rain across Northern Ireland is making driving conditions hazardous. Police have advised drivers to slow down, use lights and drive with extra care. As the weather deteriorated, a Christmas market in Magherafelt, County Londonderry, had to be cancelled as gales ripped through the stalls. A tree fell on a house in Drumbeemore in County Armagh during high winds The Irish meteorological office issued multiple weather warnings on Sunday as Storm Clodagh swept across the country. South-westerly winds were expected to reach speeds of 60-80km/h (37-49mph) with gusts of 100-130km/h (62-80mph). The storm is expected to move across Ireland and then on to Scotland. In the Republic of Ireland, the areas hit by power cuts include Cratloe, County Limerick, where 449 customers were affected; Buncrana, County Donegal where there were 269 outages and 185 customers were without electricity in Clonminch, County Offaly. More than 45,000 people were left without power when Storm Barney hit Ireland less than two weeks ago.

Up to 3,500 people have been left without electricity in heavy storms in the Republic of Ireland.

34957397

The 26-year-old was sent off for a foul on Gaston Ramirez during the 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough on Saturday. The FA rejected a claim of wrongful dismissal and excessive punishment. He will miss both legs of the semi-final against Sheffield Wednesday and, if the Seagulls progress, the Championship play-off final on 28 May. Brighton travel to Hillsborough for the first leg on Friday, with the return at the Amex Stadium on 16 May. Should Chris Hughton's side fail to overcome the Owls and reach Wembley, Stephens will miss the opening game of the 2016-17 season instead. The former Charlton player has only missed one league game for Brighton this season, scoring seven goals in 45 appearances.

Brighton will be without Dale Stephens for their play-off campaign after the midfielder's three-match ban was upheld by the Football Association.

36261242

Published in the Lancet and backed by a number of major health organisations, it says statins lower heart attack and stroke risk. The review also suggests side effects such as muscle pain do occur, although in relatively few people. But critics say healthy people are unnecessarily taking medication. Q&A: Statins Statins reduce the build-up of fatty plaques that lead to blockages in blood vessels. According to the report authors: The Lancet review, led by Prof Rory Collins from the Clinical Trial Service Unit at the University of Oxford, looked at the available evidence for the effects of taking an average 40mg daily dose of statins in 10,000 patients over five years. It suggested cholesterol levels would be lowered enough to prevent 1,000 "major cardiovascular events" such as heart attacks, strokes and coronary artery bypasses in people who had existing vascular disease - and 500 in people who were at risk due to age or other illnesses such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Stephen Sangster, who lives in Orpington with his wife and two children explains why he takes the drugs. "I've been taking statins for three months now. I'm 34. My high cholesterol was picked up by a work health assessment. Dietary changes made no impact. "With my dad dying of heart attack young last year, statins give me comfort that they will probably give me a longer life. So I can live with the small chance of side effects. "So far I've only experienced a bit of dizziness, and I don't know even if that's related to statins. Also it's better than the risk of a heart attack. "My cholesterol was 9.3 and within a month of taking statins it's back down to below four. "Cholesterol is a hidden danger. It's such a simple test. More people should be encouraged to take it. "I wonder how many other younger people would benefit from a statin, but don't realise they have an issue. " The review also said randomised controlled trials - where neither patient nor doctor know who is on the real drug and who is on a dummy version - suggested the average dose led to a relatively low level of side effects. In the same 10,000 population, there would be some side effects, including between 50 and 100 cases of adverse events such as muscle pain, it said. Observational studies - where people know they are taking the drug and will have been told of known side effects including muscle pain - had higher rates. Prof Collins said: "Our review shows that the numbers of people who avoid heart attacks and strokes by taking statin therapy are very much larger than the numbers who have side effects with it. "In addition, whereas most of the side effects can be reversed with no residual effects by stopping the statin, the effects of a heart attack or stroke not being prevented are irreversible and can be devastating. "Consequently, there is a serious cost to public health from making misleading claims about high side effect rates that inappropriately dissuade people from taking statin therapy despite the proven benefits." The Royal College of GPs (RCGP) and the British Heart Foundation are among a number of major organisations backing the report. Dr Maureen Baker, who chairs the RCGP, said: "We hope this research reassures patients that in the majority of cases statins are safe and effective drugs - but in most cases where adverse side effects are seen, these are reversible by stopping taking statins." Dr June Raine, of medicines watchdog the Medicines and healthcare products Regulatory Agency said: "The benefits of statins are well established and are considered to outweigh the risk of side-effects in the majority of patients. "Any new significant information on the efficacy or safety of statins will be carefully reviewed and action will be taken if required." However, critics said the review was not the final word on statins. Fiona Godlee, editor of the British Medical Journal, said: "This still does not address the calls for a thorough, independent review of the evidence of statins. "This is especially important in view of the guidance which recommends that large numbers of healthy people should take a tablet every day." And London cardiologist Dr Assem Malhotra said: "There are serious question marks about the reliability of industry-sponsored studies on the side effects of statins, and essentially that's what this review is. "And a lot of the scientists involved in the original studies were involved in this review. It is not an independent review."

The benefits of the cholesterol-reducing drug statins are underestimated and the harms exaggerated, a major review suggests.

37306736

Rovers made a positive start and took the lead in the seventh minute thanks to Liam Noble's deflected free-kick, but the hosts were soon back on level terms. Miller was in the right place to convert a cross from Aswad Thomas, and the striker added a second early in the second half with a coolly-taken penalty. The see-saw nature of the contest continued as Rovers equalised through Rhys Murphy before Ross Lafayette restored Dover's advantage with a smart finish in the 68th minute. Christian Doidge looked to have rescued a point for the visitors in the 85th minute, but there was still time for Miller to complete his treble and clinch victory with a fine strike. Report supplied by the Press Association. Match ends, Dover Athletic 4, Forest Green Rovers 3. Liam Noble (Forest Green Rovers) is shown the yellow card. Second Half ends, Dover Athletic 4, Forest Green Rovers 3. Charlie Clough (Forest Green Rovers) is shown the yellow card. Goal! Dover Athletic 4, Forest Green Rovers 3. Ricky Miller (Dover Athletic). Goal! Dover Athletic 3, Forest Green Rovers 3. Christian Doidge (Forest Green Rovers). Substitution, Dover Athletic. Loui Fazackerley replaces Sammy Moore. Substitution, Forest Green Rovers. Kieffer Moore replaces Rhys Murphy. Substitution, Forest Green Rovers. Elliott Frear replaces Drissa Traoré. Substitution, Dover Athletic. Tyrone Sterling replaces Sam Magri. Goal! Dover Athletic 3, Forest Green Rovers 2. Ross Lafayette (Dover Athletic). Substitution, Forest Green Rovers. Christian Doidge replaces Matt Tubbs. Aswad Thomas (Dover Athletic) is shown the yellow card. Goal! Dover Athletic 2, Forest Green Rovers 2. Rhys Murphy (Forest Green Rovers). Goal! Dover Athletic 2, Forest Green Rovers 1. Ricky Miller (Dover Athletic) converts the penalty with a. Second Half begins Dover Athletic 1, Forest Green Rovers 1. First Half ends, Dover Athletic 1, Forest Green Rovers 1. Dale Bennett (Forest Green Rovers) is shown the yellow card. Drissa Traoré (Forest Green Rovers) is shown the yellow card. Aarran Racine (Forest Green Rovers) is shown the yellow card. Goal! Dover Athletic 1, Forest Green Rovers 1. Ricky Miller (Dover Athletic). Goal! Dover Athletic 0, Forest Green Rovers 1. Liam Noble (Forest Green Rovers). First Half begins. Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

Ricky Miller scored a superb hat-trick as Dover made it two wins on the bounce with a thrilling victory over National League leaders Forest Green.

37264012

In July, Conor McGinn, who is from south Armagh, claimed the Labour leader suggested phoning his father. It followed an interview in which he called for Mr Corbyn to "reach out beyond his comfort zone". A spokesman for Mr Corbyn said at the time that it was "untrue". The St Helens MP told BBC Radio Four's Westminster Hour: "The modus operandi that he (Mr Corbyn) and the people around him were trying to do, involving my family, was to isolate and ostracise me from them and from the community I am very proud to come from - which is an Irish, nationalist community in south Armagh." The MP claimed that after he spoke out about Mr Corbyn in May, he got a call from the Labour whips' office saying the party leader had initially asked for his resignation and then considered sacking him. But subsequently, through his spokesman, he had asked for an apology and retraction, which Mr McGinn refused to make. The MP said he then texted the Labour leader to make clear no offence was intended and reiterate that their friendship was important to him and asking for a meeting. He received no response, but said he was then informed by the whips' office that Mr Corbyn had proposed asking the MP's father, Pat, to intervene. Pat McGinn was Sinn Féin councillor in Newry for many years, serving as the council's mayor between 2005 and 2006.

A Labour MP who accused Jeremy Corbyn of threatening to use his father - former Sinn Féin mayor Pat McGinn - to "bully me into submission" has spoken publicly about the row.

37152397

Trott hit 175 as Warwickshire totalled 413 at Taunton, backed by half-centuries from Tim Ambrose (63) and Rikki Clarke (57). Young paceman Grant Thornton then took two of the four Somerset wickets to fall on his Championship debut. But Marcus Trescothick was still there at the close on 41, out of 94-4. After two badly rain-interrupted days. the draw remains the most likely result. But the Bears, so badly beaten by an innings in their opening two matches, have at least given themselves a chance of forcing victory, although it would take 16 wickets in the day to do it - and getting Trescothick out twice. Bottom club Somerset's target on day four will simply be to avoid the follow-on - and they need a further 170 to do that. Somerset's Marcus Trescothick told BBC Radio Bristol: "One of the office staff told me around 10 days ago how close I was to 25,000 runs and I have been sweating on it since then. "I knew when I went in that I was 29 away. It got a bit tense as I moved closer. "It is an achievement I am proud of but there is still a big job for me to do in this game. "It wasn't a great day for us and we need to concentrate hard tomorrow to make sure we come away with a draw." Warwickshire's Jonathan Trott told BBC Coventry & Warwickshire: "It's great that Marcus is still playing county cricket and setting an example to the young players in his dressing room and opposition teams. "There is no chance I will be still be playing at 41. That's just silly! His will be a huge wicket for us tomorrow. "I had just got past 100 when the new ball was taken so it was important I hung around for longer if we were to get a decent score. I started to think in terms of 400 when Rikki Clarke came in and played so well. "There is a bit of turn because it is a used pitch. With so much rain, the crustiness has taken longer to form, but hopefully Jeetan Patel can cause them a few problems."

Warwickshire took command of the battle of Division One's bottom two after Jonathan Trott had reached the 42nd first-class century of his career.

39988875

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe hailed an "historic decision" and said it was "forever grateful" to President Obama. Instead, the US Army Corps of Engineers will look at alternative routes, a statement by the campaigners said. The Sioux have been protesting since April against the pipeline which is near a reservation. "Today, the US Army Corps of Engineers announced that it will not be granting the easement to cross Lake Oahe for the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline," the tribe's statement read. "Instead, the Corps will be undertaking an environmental impact statement to look at possible alternative routes." The multi-billion dollar pipeline, which runs close to the Standing Rock Sioux Native American Indian reservation, is nearly 1,200 miles (1,900km) long. It is nearly complete except for the lake section. The Dakota Pipeline stand-off explained The Sioux, along with other Native Americans, oppose the pipeline because they fear it will contaminate drinking water and run over sacred burial sites. Hundreds of US military veterans joined the activists last week. The campaigners, who have numbered thousands, have endured bitter temperatures and had been ordered to leave the area by Monday. President-elect Donald Trump, who has had stocks in Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners, the project's builder, and Phillips 66, which owns one-quarter of the pipeline, has said he supports the project. But he denies his policy is related to any financial interest. North Dakota Republican Representative Kevin Cramer said the Army Corps' decision amounted to "a very chilling signal" for US infrastructure. North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple called the decision a "serious mistake". The protests, on federal land, have seen clashes between the demonstrators and law enforcement.

The US Army has decided not to allow an oil pipeline to cross under a reservoir on land it controls in North Dakota in a move praised by protesters.

38203131

Now the carmaker has confirmed that it will release an all-new version of the Defender in 2015. A concept car on which the new Defender will be based is set to make its public debut at next month's Frankfurt motor show. Arguably, the overhaul cannot come too soon for a vehicle that now feels hopelessly outdated next to the company's latest offering, the Range Rover Evoque. Going from a rugged Defender to a flashy-looking Evoque is a major step. However, whether it is a step in the right direction is not clear - it really depends on what you want. With its roomy, minimalist cabin and a square body, which many say only looks better once it has had a few knocks, the current Defender is obviously better suited as a serious workhorse. But for the fashion-conscious who prefer a more comfortable ride and a lavishly fitted out interior, the Evoque might be a better bet. The same may well be true for Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), the UK-based Tata Motors subsidiary that hopes to boost the profits it makes from both Range Rover and Land Rover vehicles. Land Rover is eager to conquer new markets at a time when competent rivals are enjoying great success in attracting farmers, workers and soldiers, offering them working vehicles that are often both better and cheaper than the Defender. Land Rover's global brand director, John Edwards, is hopeful the Evoque's lightweight construction and relatively low fuel consumption and emissions make it well suited to the job. "This car will be our best-selling model," he says in an interview with BBC News, predicting that it will outsell Land Rover's Freelander, Discovery and Defender models, as well as the full-size Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. "The sports utility vehicle (SUV) market is growing, but downsizing, and the premium market is growing in general," he observes. "This meets those two trends quite well." Crowned Car of the Year 2011 by Auto Express, the Evoque is expected to broaden Land Rover's customer base. About half the buyers of the compact Evoque SUV are expected to be women, compared with just a quarter of Land Rover's current customers, and it is also expected to appear to a younger audience. Many of them will probably opt for a cheaper and more frugal two-wheel-drive version, rather than one kitted out with four-wheel-drive. Moreover, some 80% of the Evoques, which will be made at Land Rover's Halewood factory, will be sold abroad. "We intend it to be a global car," Mr Edwards says. But the Evoque is more than just a response to the market, according to Land Rover's managing director, Colin Green. "With previous cars like the Freelander and Discovery, we've been looking at emerging segments, whereas with the Evoque we're trying to identify 'white space'," he tells BBC News in an interview. "The design has led the package, rather than the functionality leading the design." That seems to be a major change in philosophy for Land Rover, which has traditionally been one of the most pragmatic, problem-solving companies in the motor industry. It is also a strategy that is changing the company's makeup, with its upmarket Range Rover models destined to outshine its Land Rover models. "I think Range Rover will make up more than 50% of sales by 2030," Mr Green says. This might suggest a shift away from the company's core offroad values. But Mr Edwards is eager to stress that the Evoque is "just as capable, if not more capable on some surfaces, than some of our other models". "They offer luxury, plus the Land Rover capability," he says. Driving the Evoque on rutted tracks in Snowdonia makes it clear that the company's smaller, cheaper Range Rover is not a soft-roader. It is a perfectly able offroad vehicle, even when faced with fairly serious challenges. And with most of its offroad capabilities controlled by electronics, such as an adaptive damping system, it is also much smoother in the rough, with little room for human error by the button-pressing iPad generation that is expected to be buying it. That prompts the question: redesign or no redesign, is the Defender quite simply obsolete? "It's very long in the tooth," acknowledges Mr Edwards, though he nevertheless insists the Defender remains relevant. "It's very important that we don't forget Land Rover and its capability. We are working very hard on the non-Range Rover badge products in our range. "Replacing [the Defender] is going to be quite a challenge, but also an opportunity," says Mr Edwards. "But we're definitely doing it. "We'll want to replace the car as it currently occupies the market. We certainly don't want to move it upmarket and become a sort of 'Range Rover Defender'. That doesn't work at all." "One of our problems in the past looking to replace the Defender has been to get the business case together," observes managing director Mr Green. "Military contracts are fine, but you might get 5,000 orders one year, 200 the next." A more promising market might be in developing countries such as Brazil, Russia, India and China, where working vehicle sales are booming in parallel with rapid economic growth that is predicted to continue for decades yet. To succeed in these markets, a new Defender will need to be able to compete on both price and quality. It will need to be both cheaper - so the cost of production will need to come down - and better, in terms of both capabilities and fuel economy. And that may well prove an even trickier challenge than the creation of an urban warrior with designer looks.

The Land Rover Defender has become an automotive icon, remaining largely unchanged since the first Land Rover was introduced in 1948, before going on to enjoy sales of more than two million around the world.

14528047

Donald Skene grappled with worshippers and headbutted prayers posted on the walls of the Taj Madina Mosque in Victoria Road last December. Skene, 38, was ordered to complete 156 days of the unexpired portion of his jail term for breaching his licence. He was also sentenced to a year's supervision following his release. Dundee Sheriff Court was told Skene shouted: "I'm white but I'm one of you, brothers", to the Muslim congregation after being arrested. In CCTV footage shown to the court, Skene was seen entering the mosque's wash room and wandering around crying, as members of the congregation prepared to enter the prayer room. Depute fiscal Charmaine Gilmartin the court: "His behaviour is bizarre - attempts are made to try and calm him down." Skene is then seen running in circles around the prayer room as worshippers speak to him. Mrs Gilmartin said: "There are various religious texts in glass frames around the room. "The accused punches some of them and latterly headbutts them. "He had entered using Islamic greetings, and when he was arrested he refers to members of the congregation as brothers and shouts 'I'm white but I'm one of you'." Ross Donnelly, defending, said: "He is very apologetic." Skene admitted charges of breach of the peace and resisting arrest. Allegations that the offence was religiously aggravated were deleted by the Crown. The court was told Skene had already spent 10 weeks on remand for the offence.

A man who rampaged through a Dundee mosque while on licence for seriously assaulting his sister has been returned to prison.

36746310

Groups who use the hall in Llanwinio said they would hand in their keys after the rent tripled and they were asked to sign up to a 25-year lease. Peter Walton, from the association that runs the hall, described the changes as "unreasonable and unfair". But the Diocese of St Davids said as a charity it was "obliged by law" to charge market-value rent. Rent costs charged to the Community Association of Volunteers are set to increase from £250 to £750 a year and it will also have to meet the costs of the insurance for the first time. The St Davids Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF) said: "A proper valuation of [the rental value] was undertaken and the rental charge increased in line with that. "The rental goes to the parish, not the DBF, hence keeping it within the local community." But Mr Walton from the Community Association of Volunteers told Newyddion 9 the finance board was behaving in an "unfair, unreasonable and unjust manner". He added: "It's not just the money... we will be taking all of our belongings out of this building on Saturday 27 February and we'll be handing the keys back unless there's a change of heart."

A row has broken out between community groups and a Carmarthenshire diocese over the cost of using a church hall.

35645325

The UN committee on the rights of the child said all children should receive a "truly inclusive education". The committee is composed of 18 members drawn from countries including Bahrain, Spain, Italy and Ethiopia. Their latest report explores how the UK is implementing the UN charter on the rights of the child. However, it includes a number of recommendations specific to Northern Ireland. It says that in Northern Ireland education, "segregation by religion persists", and calls for the executive to "actively promote a fully integrated education system and carefully monitor the provision of shared education". The report goes on to say that abortion should be decriminalised in Northern Ireland "in all circumstances" and that the executive should "review its legislation with a view to ensuring girls' access to safe abortion and post-abortion care services." It also recommends that children should be able to decide on their own not to attend religious worship in schools, rather than having to be withdrawn by their parents. Religious education and acts of collective worship are currently compulsory in Northern Ireland schools. Parents do have the option to withdraw their child from these on the grounds of conscience. The CEO of the Integrated Education Fund (IEF), Tina Merron, welcomed the committee's support for integrated education. "This is a very welcome endorsement of the aims of the integrated education movement and represents recognition at the highest level that young people in Northern Ireland are largely growing up in a context of division and separation according to religious tradition," she said. "I am very pleased to see such a clear expression of support for education reform and would hope that it now becomes central in the new Executive mandate." Save the Children NI said another of the report's findings highlighted high levels of child poverty here. "We hope the NI Executive will take the UN Committee's recommendations seriously and implement them through the new Programme for Government," they said. The committee's full report makes almost 100 observations or recommendations in a number of areas including education, civil rights, care and mental health provision. However, the committee cannot compel UK governments to change legislation.

Unregulated transfer tests in Northern Ireland should be abolished, a United Nations (UN) committee has said.

36504584

sportscotland says it has yet to decide where the cuts will fall amid concerns that elite athletes could suffer. The cuts are being blamed on reduced government spending and a drop in National Lottery ticket sales - a major contributor to sports backing. Governing bodies are bracing themselves for potential job losses. About 60% of funding is made up from Scottish Government money, with lottery sales making up the rest. In the year ending 2015, total revenue was £65.1m, which is divided up and awarded to 52 sports. By the end of next year, that figure will have fallen to £51.8m - a cut to the Scottish sporting budget of 20% in just three years. sportscotland chairman Mel Young said: "It's heartbreaking to me because I know the effort the sport governing bodies and the community that's around it; the volunteers and the mums and dads. "And, to have to say that we're having to cut some money back is, I believe, not the right way to go." Former badminton player Susan Egelstaff, a double bronze medallist at the Commonwealth Games [in 2002 and 2006] and an Olympian, fears the cuts will have "a huge impact". "What that means in the future is that Scotland will be constantly playing catch-up," she said. "It's almost impossible to catch up if you fall too far behind the leading nations." The Scottish Government said sport and physical activity play a "key role" in a healthy Scotland and that "significant" investment would continue in those areas. "Having successfully delivered the Commonwealth Games [in 2014] we are now focusing on protecting or raising investment in areas intended to decrease health inequality and improve life chances, and the small reduction in the sport budget allows us to support those priorities," Minister for Sport Aileen Campbell said. "There is on-going support for active lifestyles through capital investment in cycling and walking, and over the last 10 years we have invested £168m in sport infrastructure - from grassroots to the elite performance which has increased the facilities and opportunities to get people active and achieve on the world stage at both the Olympics and Commonwealth Games."

Sport funding in Scotland is facing a 20% reduction over a three-year period, a move described as "heartbreaking" by the national agency.

39066087

He will also answer questions from the audience at the event, which is being held to raise money for charity. The dinner in Edinburgh on 26 May is thought to be one of his first major addresses since his term as president came to an end. The event at the EICC is being organised by The Hunter Foundation. The charity was set up by leading businessman and philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter. Tickets for a table of 10 at the dinner are expected to go on sale for approximately £5,000. The Hunter Foundation has previously arranged for US politicians and actors including Bill Clinton, Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney to come to Scotland. Last year, Leonardo DiCaprio travelled to Edinburgh to speak at the Scottish Business Awards at the EICC. He also visited Home, a restaurant in Queensferry Street, which gives its profits to the homeless. Hundreds of fans were waiting for his arrival. Many had queued in the rain for hours. The previous year, George Clooney visited Social Bite in Rose Street. The actor visited the cafe, which donates all its profits to homeless people, leaving $1,000 (about £650) for the cause. He stayed at the cafe for around 15 minutes, and greeted the 200-strong crowd who were waiting outside. Mr Clooney shook hands, posed for selfies and chatted with fans. All of the cash raised will be split between children's charities in Scotland and the Obama Foundation, set up by the former president and his wife Michelle. Sir Tom also plans to set aside some seats at the event for local young people. He said: "From the South Side of Chicago to the White House has been an epic, historic journey and it will be a true honour to hear that story from the man who made that journey. "We are both truly proud and delighted to be hosting the 44th president of the United States in Scotland at this event." Sir Tom told the Press Association he is "really chuffed" Mr Obama is coming to Scotland. "We're always looking for really inspiring speakers to come along to Scotland, and really inspire and inform," Sir Tom said. "To be able to get president Obama, we're really chuffed." The entrepreneur-turned-philanthropist also revealed he is planning a special surprise for the 44th US president. He said: "President Obama loves his music, so we're getting some interesting guests." Speaking from New York as she continued her five-day visit to the US, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told BBC Scotland she was "really excited" about the announcement. Ms Sturgeon added: "Lots of people back home in Scotland will be really looking forward to welcoming President Obama and hearing what he has to say".

Former US president Barack Obama is to make his first visit to Scotland when he addresses business leaders in the capital next month.

39514503

Ian Toothill said he believes he is the first cancer patient to scale the world's highest mountain. The Sheffield Wednesday fan planted a flag of rivals Sheffield United at the summit for charity. The 47-year-old personal trainer, who reached the summit on Monday, has raised almost £31,500 ($40,600) for Macmillan. He tweeted: "Nothing to see here, just some cancer dude [Sheffield Wednesday] fan on the summit of Everest with a @SUFC_tweets flag." Live updates and this and other stories from Yorkshire Mr Toothill, originally from Sheffield, lives in Willesden Green in London and has climbed in the Himalayas. He was diagnosed with bowel cancer in June 2015 and told in early 2016 that he had beaten the disease, but later found out it had returned. He said he has been told he has "just several months left to live". Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield in February, he said: "I'm determined to prove anything is possible." He reached the top of the North Col route on 16 May and the summit of Everest on 5 June. Miss NJP tweeted: "What an amazing achievement and a wonderful moment for @IanToothill. Feeling emotional. So glad you made it to the top #climbingforcancer". The Sheffield Wednesday fan planted the rival Sheffield United flag at the summit after a friend donated £1,000. Mr Toothill was accompanied part-way of the climb by Leslie Binns, from Rotherham, who abandoned his climb to the summit after saving the life of a fellow climber last June. His fundraising bid raised almost £31,500, beating the target of £29,100.

A terminal cancer patient who has been told he has just months to live has conquered Mount Everest.

40172258

Menzies said rectifying "operational issues" at the airport would cost an extra £6m in the second half of 2015. It warned full-year profits could be £2m lower than previously forecast. However, it reported strong profit growth at its US hubs, while its distribution arm was "delivering ahead of forecast". In a trading update for the 10 months to 30 October, Edinburgh-based Menzies said: "Within the aviation division, service levels at London Gatwick have been restored. "However, the actions we have put in place to mitigate the operational issues and deliver the customer's operational requirements will cost £6m of additional investment, mainly in manpower, in the second half of the year, and will impact this year's earnings. "Contract negotiations with this customer continue, and we are working towards a resolution before the year end." Menzies said its aviation division continued to perform well in all regions outside the UK. Ground handling turns and cargo tonnes were up 9% and 4% respectively, with revenue in the period up 6% on last year. Chief executive Jeremy Stafford said: "During a busy period of transition, we continue to progress with the group's strategic objectives. "Our distribution business is quickly gaining traction in the UK e-logistics market, whilst continuing to deliver cost and cash improvement initiatives. "Aviation continues to benefit from growth in the Americas, whilst we continue to work through UK operational matters. "I am disappointed that contractual issues at London Gatwick have led us to revise our aviation outlook for this year, albeit largely offset with strong progress in our distribution business. "The group remains well placed to drive earnings."

Logistics group John Menzies has issued a profits warning following problems with its ground handling contract at London Gatwick Airport.

34909744

He claims Universal Music have only paid the band a "miniscule fraction" of the money they were owed from downloads on sites like iTunes and Amazon. The musician is suing for compensation, according to legal documents filed in Los Angeles on Wednesday. The claim is also filed on behalf of his sister, Karen, who died in 1983. Carpenter hired accountants to examine financial statements from Universal Music and its subsidiary, A&M Records, which has released The Carpenters' music since their debut album in 1969. He says they found multiple errors, and that the labels "improperly classified" revenue from digital downloads of The Carpenters' music as sales of physical records - which attract a lower royalty rate. He also claims that digital downloads were undercounted. In a statement, Carpenter said he had been unable to resolve the dispute without suing. "The Carpenters recordings are among the best sellers in the history of popular music, and after 48 years continue to contribute a substantial amount to [Universal's] annual bottom line," he wrote. "It seems only fair that these companies account fairly to my sister's estate and to me." Specialising in radio-friendly soft rock, The Carpenters sold millions of records in the 1970s. The brother-sister duo won three Grammy Awards in 1970 and 1971, including best new artist and best vocal performance for the ballad (They Long to Be) Close to You. The band's career was cut short when Karen developed anorexia nervosa in 1975. Although they continued to record, the condition eventually led to her death, from heart failure. Richard Carpenter's legal claim is one of many filed in the US after a 2010 court case involving Eminem, which resulted in a ruling that artists should receive higher royalty payments for digital downloads than they do when a CD or vinyl album is sold. The difference is substantial. According to Billboard, artists get 15% of the money generated by the sale of a record. For downloads, which are counted as "licensed content", the figure 50%. Artists including Peter Frampton, Public Enemy, Whitesnake and The Temptations have all sued, or threatened to sue, in order to obtain the higher rate. Universal Music were not immediately available to respond to the latest case. Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email [email protected].

Richard Carpenter has said he is owed at least $2m (£1.6m) in royalties for the hits he recorded in The Carpenters, including Yesterday Once More.

38584606

Kent closed on 288-5, a lead of 437, opting not to set Essex a target. Essex earlier were bowled out for 292, avoiding the follow-on by one run. Kent were reduced to 40-4 but Northeast shared an unbroken 185 with Will Gidman (63 not out) as runners-up Kent batted through the remainder of the day. The hosts had already secured the six points that guaranteed second place, a promotion spot in any other season. In reality, the prospects of a result were slim as soon as David Masters and Matt Dixon scored the three runs Essex needed to avoid the follow-on, with Dixon then out from the very next ball. Even when Kent slipped to 40-4 and 103-5, it never seemed likely that Essex would be able to force victory without the aid of a declaration. Northeast, an immovable figure, ensured as much, the only excitement coming when he took 30 off one Kishen Velani over - three fours and three sixes. The final over was bowled by retiring Essex seamer David Masters, the 38-year-old ending his first-class career with 672 wickets from 202 matches. He was given a guard of honour that included England Test captain Alastair Cook as he left the field.

Sam Northeast made 178 not out as his Kent side batted out a tame draw against County Championship Division Two champions Essex on the final day of the season at Canterbury.

37446462

The listed properties on London Road were last used by the Witan International College 10 years ago. The university, which owns the buildings, and a private developer plan to convert them into 53 apartments. Christopher Reeve of the university said the buildings "create a sense of heritage" in the town. If planning permission is granted by Reading Borough Council, restoration work will start in early 2016 and is expected to take approximately nine months.

Three early 19th Century buildings in Reading are to be converted into private homes, under plans published by the University of Reading.

32701506

But how does today's technology compare with that from 30 years ago? We sent Ricky to the Centre for Computing History to try out some old school tech with some local kids. Take a look at how they got on. Released in 1981 the top end model of the BBC Micro had 128KB of memory, to put that into perspective you would need almost 8,000 Micro Computers, to equal the same memory as an average smartphone today! The memory was so small you couldn't even fit one photo taken from today's smartphones on there. The BBC Micro Computer was hugely popular, and was in around 80% of school classrooms in the UK at the time. However, they stopped making the it in 1994, when it couldn't compete with the more advanced models. Check out what these kids thought of it... The Apple Newton was one of the first touch screen tablet devices made by Apple, and was released in 1993. The only way you could make the touch feature work, was by using a pen called a stylus. One of its main features was it's ability to recognise handwriting, however many people said it was a bit rubbish and it got it wrong - a lot! The Newton was stopped five years later because it was very expensive, and not very popular.

Tablets, computers and phones have advanced super quickly in the last few years, and are a huge part of our daily lives.

35716623

A university researcher sent 1,500 identical CVs to German firms - except that some bore the name Meryem Ozturk and others the name Sandra Bauer. In 18.8% of cases Sandra Bauer was invited for interview, whereas the figure for Meryem was just 13.5%. When the photo of Meryem showed her in a headscarf only 4.2% invited her. The study was published by the Institute for the Study of Labour, in Bonn. The researcher was Doris Weichselbaumer from the University of Linz, in Austria. The findings are especially significant in light of Germany's current efforts to integrate record numbers of Muslim migrants, many of them refugees from the conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. More than a million asylum seekers reached Germany last year, and there has been a backlash from nationalist groups, especially Pegida and Alternative for Germany (AfD). With an estimated three million people of Turkish origin, Germany is home to the largest Turkish diaspora. In her study, Ms Weichselbaumer said that "a very modern binding of the headscarf was chosen to signal that the applicant was a young, modern woman who could easily fit into a secular environment". It is normal in Germany to attach a photo to a job application, she pointed out. The result of the experiment "implies that the candidate with the headscarf had to send 4.5 times as many applications as an identical applicant with a German name and no headscarf to receive the same number of callbacks for interview", she said. Discrimination appeared to intensify when the job required a higher skill level. When Ms Ozturk in a headscarf was applying for a secretarial job she had to send off 3.5 times more applications than Ms Bauer. For the post of chief accountant Ms Ozturk had to make 7.6 times more applications. Ms Weichselbaumer has found similar levels of discrimination in Austria. A female Nigerian job applicant was only half as successful as an Austrian woman in getting invitations to interview, her research showed in 2013. German restaurant in Islamic veil row Restaurant 'turns away Muslim women'

An experiment in Germany has found evidence of job discrimination against women with Turkish names - and even more if they wear an Islamic headscarf.

37420486

Ethiopia's world champion Mare Dibaba took the bronze medal as her compatriot and race favourite Tigist Tufa pulled out before the halfway mark. London Marathon winner Sumgong, 31, finished in two hours 24 minutes four seconds to end a run of three straight silvers in the event for Kenya. GB's Alyson Dixon and Sonia Samuels finished 28th and 30th respectively. Sumgong, who fell on her way to victory in London this year, and Kirwa pulled away from Dibaba in the final 2km in humid conditions in Rio. Find out how to get into running with our special guide Kenya-born Kirwa, who secured Bahrain's first ever Olympic silver and second medal of all time, failed to stay with Sumgong and both women looked physically exhausted after they crossed the line. "I was never worried that I'd lose this," said Sumgong. "At 40km I knew the gold was mine. At 35km I noticed that my other two team-mates had dropped off and that gave me the motivation to carry on. "At 40km I saw there were three of us but I knew whatever happened I couldn't lose the gold and then I knew I was on the way to history." Women's marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe "The conditions will have taken their toll. The way Sumgong stumbled over the line shows that. "It was a race of attrition and about who could hold and leave enough. Sumgong dominated that race mentally as well as physically." Subscribe to the BBC Sport newsletter to get our pick of news, features and video sent to your inbox.

Jemima Sumgong became the first Kenyan woman to win the Olympic marathon, beating Eunice Kirwa of Bahrain.

36688208

An ISI official told the BBC the compound in Abbottabad where Bin Laden was killed by US forces on Sunday had been raided several years ago. But the compound "was not on our radar" since then, the official said. The government of Pakistan has categorically denied any knowledge of the raid before it took place. No base within Pakistan was used by US forces, the ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement. It went on: "US helicopters entered Pakistani airspace making use of blind spots in the radar coverage due to hilly terrain." However, the ministry defended the ISI, saying: "As far as the target compound is concerned, ISI had been sharing information with CIA and other friendly intelligence agencies since 2009." Bin Laden, 54, was the founder and leader of al-Qaeda. He is believed to have ordered the attacks on New York and Washington on 11 September 2001, as well as a number of other deadly bombings. The ISI official gave new details of the raid, saying Bin Laden's young daughter had said she saw her father shot. He told the BBC's Owen Bennett-Jones in Islamabad that the compound in Abbottabad, just 100km (62 miles) from the capital, was raided when under construction in 2003. It was believed an al-Qaeda operative, Abu Faraj al-Libi, was there. But since then, "the compound was not on our radar, it is an embarrassment for the ISI", the official said. "We're good, but we're not God." He added: "This one failure should not make us look totally incompetent. Look at our track record. For the last 10 years, we have captured Taliban and al-Qaeda in their hundreds - more than any other countries put together." The compound is about a kilometre from the Pakistan Military Academy - the country's equivalent of West Point or Sandhurst. The ISI official also gave new or differing accounts of some of the events of Sunday's raid. They included: The official said it was thought the Americans wanted to take away the surviving women and children but had to abandon the plan when one of the helicopters malfunctioned. By Owen Bennett-JonesBBC News, Islamabad Clearly there were people helping Bin Laden in this location... were they state employees, were they simply from Taliban-related groups, were they from the intelligence agencies? For all Americans may ask the questions, I doubt they will get any answers. There will be ambiguity about this and the Pakistanis will deny they had any knowledge whatsoever. The establishment here is made up of army leadership, intelligence agency leadership and some senior civil servants, and they have always run Pakistan, whether democratic governments or military governments, and those people do have connections with jihadis. The difficulty the West has is in appreciating there are more than 20 different types of jihadi organisations, and al-Qaeda is just one of them. The state has different policies towards different types of group and that subtlety is often lost on Western policy-makers. The helicopter was destroyed by the special forces unit. The US has not commented on anyone it captured or had planned to capture, other than saying it had taken Bin Laden's body. The ISI official said the organisation had recovered some documents from the compound. The CIA is already said to be going through a large number of hard drives and storage devices seized in the raid. The White House has not disclosed whether anyone has claimed the $25m (£15m) reward for leading the US to Bin Laden. White House counter-terrorism adviser John Brennan said there had been concern Pakistani forces would deploy to counter the US Navy Seal team conducting the raid but it had avoided any confrontation. The ISI official said: "We were totally caught by surprise. They were in and out before we could react." Our correspondent says residents near the compound in Abbottabad reported that Pakistani soldiers had asked them to switch off their lights an hour before the attack, but the ISI official said this was not true and that it had no advance knowledge of the raid. Earlier, in an opinion piece in the Washington Post, President Asif Ali Zardari admitted Bin Laden "was not anywhere we had anticipated he would be". But he denied the killing suggested Pakistan was failing in its efforts to tackle terrorism. Mr Zardari said Pakistan had "never been and never will be the hotbed of fanaticism that is often described by the media". "Such baseless speculation may make exciting cable news, but it doesn't reflect fact," he said. "Pakistan had as much reason to despise al-Qaeda as any nation. The war on terrorism is as much Pakistan's war as it is America's." Mr Brennan had said it was "inconceivable that Bin Laden did not have a support system" in Pakistan. He estimated Bin Laden had been living in the compound in Abbottabad for five or six years. Pakistani Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir tried to draw a line under the matter, saying: "Who did what is beside the point... This issue of Osama Bin Laden is history." Bin Laden was America's most wanted man but had eluded capture for more than a decade. US officials say that after DNA tests they are "99.9%" sure that the man they shot and killed and later buried at sea was Bin Laden. US President Barack Obama watched the entire operation in real time in the White House with his national security team. Mr Brennan said: "The minutes passed like days." CIA director Leon Panetta narrated via a video screen from a separate Washington office, with Bin Laden given the code name Geronimo. Mr Panetta's narration lasted several minutes. "They've reached the target... We have a visual on Geronimo... Geronimo EKIA (enemy killed in action)." Mr Obama said: "We got him." Bin Laden, his son Khalid, trusted personal courier Sheikh Abu Ahmed and the courier's brother were all killed, along with an unidentified woman. Bin Laden was shot above his left eye, blowing away a section of his skull, and was also shot in the chest. The BBC's Andrew North in Washington says the White House is still discussing whether to release a video that was made of Bin Laden's burial from an aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea, which some Islamic scholars have said did not conform with tradition. Our correspondent says many people will want proof that Bin Laden is dead but the White House will be concerned about the reaction if the video, and still photographs of the body, are released.

Pakistan's main intelligence agency, the ISI, has said it is embarrassed by its failures on al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden.

13268517

Concern is mounting about the potential of a vicious power struggle in Addis Ababa, triggering a negative chain reaction across the region. For many of Ethiopia's Horn allies, the death has come at an awkward moment, not least because a delicate political transition in Somalia is incomplete and under serious strain, and a stand-off between South Sudan and Sudan risks dragging the region into a new armed conflagration. Mr Meles was a complex figure, hard to pigeon-hole, much less force into a one-dimensional portrait frame. A mystique has over the years grown around his personality and politics, making the task to objectively assess his legacy difficult and highly fraught. To use a Churchillian phrase, the man was a riddle and a mystery inside an enigma, and by extension so too the secretive state he presided over. But he was the one African leader who was impossible to ignore. The diminutive ex-guerilla leader was a towering figure whose austere, unsmiling and understated public persona often belied his great influence and charisma. Since 1991 he has been the undisputed and pre-eminent key player in the Horn - a formidable strategist whose role remained indispensable in the regional efforts to resolve deadly conflicts and contain militant Islamism. Domestically, his legacy is contested. To his ardent fans, he was a true revolutionary impelled by a great sense of mission to overturn the residual feudal and Stalinist structures of the ancient regime. He was the outsider whose genius led to the overthrow of an entrenched and deeply loathed dictatorship. His message of social justice and modernisation resonated with many in the homeland, especially the marginalised "lowlanders" in Oromia and Ogadenia. His concept of revolutionary democracy and ethnic federalism promised to create a fairer and inclusive order. Measured against these lofty and progressive ideals, his record has, at best, been patchy and rather uninspiring. The much-vaunted ambitious economic modernisation and liberalisation programme has created a new middle class, attracted huge foreign investment, spawned massive infrastructure projects, spurred economic growth and generally transformed the skylines of the major cities such as Addis Ababa and Mekele. But it has not tackled the deep structural and systemic problems and inefficiencies that have hampered real growth. The Stalinist land tenure system and the complex bureaucratic system are still intact, and the vast majority remain trapped in poverty. The democratisation and political reform process, which Mr Meles himself termed "work in progress", has long stalled. Since the disputed May 2005 polls, the regime has increasingly become intolerant and autocratic, using a raft of new legislation to stifle and criminalise dissent and lock up opponents. Why West will miss Meles Obituary: Meles Zenawi Life in pictures: Ethiopia's Meles Zenawi A plethora of old and new armed ethnic factions continue to wage low-level insurgencies in the periphery. The new policy of engagement and piecemeal peace pacts with a select few has so far only succeeded in managing the problem and buying the regime more time. Feeling vulnerable and insecure, Mr Meles has in the last few years become a leader whose overriding domestic political manoeuvres and calculations are driven by one instinct: regime survival. He orchestrated a discreet purge of the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and the administration, demoting, sidelining or reassigning key potential rivals and opponents. His death has certainly created a leadership vacuum at the top and with no clear figure groomed to succeed him, the battle for succession could prove destabilising. That said, the prospect of a large-scale upheaval, as some fear, is highly unlikely, partly because the country has a powerful, highly disciplined and cohesive army and security apparatus. The opposition can, in theory, capitalise on the disarray within the ruling party to advance its goals and press for an early poll, but that looks difficult given the narrow factionalism and disorganisation within its ranks, not to mention the fact most of the influential opposition figures are either in exile or locked up. Mr Meles has continued to enjoy good press in the region and across much of Africa, even as his stature diminished domestically. He is hugely admired and many seem prepared to overlook his personal frailties and forgive his leadership shortcomings for one simple reason: no other African leader has in recent times deployed such great intellectual energy and firepower and used his diplomatic talent and influence to articulate the continent's key priorities and demands at global forums. He did put Africa on the map, and as a skilled and effective negotiator and spokesman he certainly forced leaders in the developed world to listen. But whether this feat alone qualifies him to join the pantheon of the continent's great visionaries, like Kwame Nkrumah and Nelson Mandela, remains debatable. Not in contention though is the fact that the late prime minister - almost single-handedly - transformed Ethiopia from a deeply conflicted and war-wracked peripheral Horn of Africa state into a supremely self-assured African diplomatic and military powerhouse. From the mid-1990s and up until 2005, Ethiopia was a key stop for high-level Western dignitaries visiting the continent, and Mr Meles the must-see African leader whose advice and counsel was sought. Many embraced him as a reformer and an elite member of the so-called "new breed" of African leaders. The Ethiopian leader cultivated the new friendship and used it to forge strategic partnerships to raise his country's profile and advance its geopolitical and strategic national interests. He swiftly rebuilt and modernised the army, initially in a bid to achieve parity with Sudan and negotiate a detente from a position of strength, but subsequently to "tame" a belligerent Eritrea, with whom relations had began to dramatically deteriorate a few years after its independence in 1991. The two countries have since fought two bloody and costly border wars beginning from 1998. A peace pact and a border arbitration treaty brokered by international mediators failed to end to conflict permanently, partly because Addis Ababa refused to fully abide by the terms of the accords and to return the tiny barren piece of land awarded to Eritrea. Hostilities have continued to simmer ever since, and periodic flare-ups are common along the volatile border. It is plausible the death of Mr Meles may - far from creating opportunities for dialogue - spur Eritrea into escalating the tension. That would be a disastrous and risky gamble which Eritrea must be dissuaded from taking. It is unlikely this is a course of action that would help it secure its perceived legitimate rights, much less win it friends in the region and beyond. In Somalia, Ethiopia's military presence in the past year has been instrumental in putting the pressure on the militant group al-Shabab. Thousands of Ethiopian troops now control a number of key strategic areas in south-central Somalia. The death of Mr Meles has raised new anxieties among the regional allies with troops in Somalia. There are growing fears a destabilising succession battle and power struggle in Addis could potentially complicate matters and jeopardise the whole mission. Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga said as much in a recent radio interview. Such fears are understandable, considering Ethiopia's history and political fragility. However, there is hope too the country has achieved a level of maturity and that it has the institutional mechanisms and the structural resilience to weather the current storm and ensure a smooth transition that allows for policy continuity in Somalia.

The death of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has thrown the populous Horn of Africa giant into a period of deep uncertainty and created a serious leadership vacuum in the region with profound geopolitical implications.

19341954

About 300 Jews went to Jasenovac a week ahead of the official ceremony. Jewish association chief Ognjen Kraus said the snub was a warning to the new centre-right government, which took power in January. Tens of thousands died at the camp known as the "Croatian Auschwitz". Ethnic Serbs and anti-fascist groups are also boycotting next week's official ceremony. The death camp - whose victims included Jews, Serbs and Gypsies - operated under the Ustashe regime, which ran Croatia as a Nazi puppet state. However, activists say some Croatians see the Ustashe as the country's founding fathers and play down their crimes. "This is an avalanche that has been rolling for more than a year," said Mr Kraus, president of the Co-ordinating Committee of the Jewish Communities. In January, ultra-nationalists shouted pro-Nazi slogans at a rally attended by thousands of people, including Deputy Parliamentary Speaker Ivan Tepes. Similar slogans were also chanted during a football match between Israel and Croatia in March, attended by Prime Minister Tihomir Oreskovic. Three-quarters of about 40,000 Croatian Jews were killed by the Ustashe and Jews now make up less than 1% of the population.

Croatian Jews have held their own Holocaust commemoration at a World War Two death camp, in protest at what they say is government inaction in the face of surging neo-Nazi sentiment.

36059463

Gwilym Joseph MBE served the club for nearly 50 years and was given the honour earlier this year. A statement from the club said it was in recognition of his "tireless work and commitment" and said his energy and enthusiasm was "boundless". Mr Joseph, who died early on Friday, was also the club lead on building the Liberty Stadium and the training grounds at Landore and Fairwood. Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins said: "It's a very sad day for the club. "We will always be extremely grateful for his commitment, knowledge and dedication to this football club. "On a personal note, I have to say that ever since I have been chairman he was always a trusted ally and supporter of my work, something I will always be eternally grateful for.'' The club stalwart, awarded his MBE in the 2014 Honours List for services to football and the economy in Swansea, was born in Morriston in 1927. Between the ages of 14 and 16 he set up the only youth club in the area, which opened at Pentrepoeth School in 1941. Having established two football teams within the youth club - Morriston Athletic and Morriston United - he continued to support them and various charities through fundraising dances. He also formed the club's Executive Fund Raising Committee in 1974 which has so far raised more than £500,000. He leaves his wife, Jan.

The honorary president of Swansea City FC has died aged 90.

40900719

Inside was an old and decaying roll of film. The contents were too damaged to be played on a reel, but since the discovery in March, Ms Cappa has managed to digitise and restore a few frames - enough to show that the documentary was of a key event in Bolivia's history. The flickering black and white images show the execution of Alfredo Jauregui, who was convicted of killing former President Jose Manuel Pando in 1917. The silent documentary, filmed in 1927 after Jauregui and three others had spent 10 years in jail, captures the young man moments before his execution, smiling nervously at the camera. With officials and spectators gathered at the scene of the execution outside La Paz, the firing squad takes aim and shoots. Jauregui slumps and two priests approach to pray over his body. Punishment duly meted out, the huge crowd heads back home down the hillsides. The film fragments are shocking enough, but they are part of an even more dramatic story. According to Bolivian law at the time, when three or more people were found guilty of the same crime, only one faced execution. Their fate was sealed by drawing lots - in this case a black ball. But there was another twist - it subsequently emerged Jauregui was in all likelihood innocent, as were the other three. The film, the last work by Bolivian filmmaker Luis del Castillo, a photojournalist turned movie director, was censored as soon as it was released and remained unseen for 85 years. News cuttings from the time show the film was not banned because of its violent images, but rather from the fear that if it were seen abroad, it could expose Bolivia and its judicial system to international criticism. There was also concern among Bolivia's European-descended elite that the people shown in the film were mainly indigenous men and women, which, in their eyes, would also damage Bolivia's reputation. Jauregui, who was only 16 when Pando died, was caught up in the political machinations of the era. Historian Mariano Baptista Gumucio, author of a book called The Death of Pando And The Execution of Jauregui, told the BBC the four men, who were all related, had been accused because Pando had died in their house. They had killed Pando, founder of Bolivia's Republican party, as part of a Liberal Party plot, it was alleged. But the version of events as told by Jauregui's uncle Nestor Villegas, who was also convicted of Pando's murder, was more a combination of bad luck and bad judgement. According to Villegas, Pando had dropped by their house unexpectedly on his way to La Paz. They were sharing a couple of bottles of wine he had given them when suddenly Pando had a stroke and died. Panicking and fearing they would be accused of his death, they wrapped him in a blanket and threw his body over a cliff. The corpse was found and a post-mortem examination indicated that Pando had died of natural causes, said Mr Gumucio. But these findings were never revealed and a second examination, apparently ordered by the leader of the Republican opposition Bautista Saavedra, concluded Pando had died as a result of injuries inflicted by the men. "The men were falsely accused by Bautista Saavedra..., who used Pando's death as an excuse to overthrow the Liberal government and take over the presidency," Mr Gumucio said. The legacy of those events resonates to this day. Elda Jauregui, Alfredo's great-niece and granddaughter of another of the convicted men, said the discovery of the documentary would help to finally prove the men's innocence. "We have suffered a lot due to what happened. This film will speak for itself," she said. Mr Gumucio also believes this film could make Bolivia re-examine its past and learn the truth about Pando's death and Saavedra's accession to power. However for that to happen the film, which runs for some 17 minutes, must first be digitised, but the FCB - a private institution- says it cannot afford the $10,000 (£6,000) needed. The organisation has asked other Latin American film institutes for help but has been unsuccessful. Without financial help the FCB (Bolivian Film Foundation) warns that this vital piece of Bolivian history could remain unseen forever. Editing by Liz Throssell, BBC News

When Carolina Cappa, a film researcher working in Bolivia, was invited to go though the archives of an old cinema in La Paz that was being demolished, she came upon a battered, unmarked tin.

20693561

For the second week in a row the outcome hinged on the final kick, with Lions full-back Leigh Halfpenny falling short with a penalty from halfway. The Welshman's five penalties had seen the Lions lead 15-9 until five minutes from time. But Wallabies centre Adam Ashley-Cooper crashed over for the only try, and Christian Leali'ifano held his nerve to land the conversion. It was another riveting conclusion to a tourniquet-tight contest, but the Lions' hopes of a first series win in 16 years now hang in the balance. Australia showed tremendous courage to pull the game out of the fire, and it is they rather than the Lions who will now head to Sydney with momentum. The Lions, who saw captain Sam Warburton hobble off with 13 minutes left, defended heroically at times, but must now regroup for a final throw of the dice in Sydney. Four first-half penalties from Halfpenny, to three from Leali'ifano, nudged the Lions into a 12-9 interval lead in front of a record Etihad Stadium crowd of 56,771. Brian O'Driscoll's tackle on Ashley-Cooper in midfield forced the Wallabies to concede the first of eight first-half penalties. Halfpenny's 48-metre kick missed by the narrowest of margins, coming back off the cross-bar, but thereafter the Welshman was in his usual immaculate form. Penalties in the ninth, 27th, 33rd and 40th minutes saw the Lions edge a cagey first half in which neither side was able to exercise authority for any extended period. The Lions appeared to have the edge at the breakdown, Australia conceding four penalties inside the opening eight minutes to earn an early warning from referee Craig Joubert. Halfpenny landed his first kick after the Lions drove a line-out and the Wallabies took down the maul. But after a composed start, errors starting to creep into the tourists' game, with the scrum a cause for concern. (provided by Opta Sports) Joubert awarded a free-kick against scrum-half Ben Youngs for not getting the ball in quickly enough, before loose-head Mako Vunipola was twice penalised for collapsing. Leali'ifano, knocked out in the first minute in Brisbane but fit to take over the kicking duties this week, landed both shots at goal to edge the hosts in front. A knock-on as he over-stretched for a pass completed a miserable 10 minutes for Vunipola, but he responded well. First, opposite number Ben Alexander was penalised for incorrect binding, then the Lions drove the Wallabies backwards at the next scrum to earn another. Halfpenny landed two confident blows with the boot to nudge the Lions back in front. Leali'ifano levelled matters again when Dan Lydiate fell offside trying to stem a dangerous Wallabies counter-attack. But the Lions twice benefited from hoisting up high kicks as the interval approached, the second falling to George North, with Jonny Sexton maintaining the momentum through a half-break. When Ben Mowen was penalised at the ensuing breakdown, Halfpenny's fourth penalty gave the Lions a slender half-time lead. Australia threw everything at the Lions in a tense and scoreless third quarter, but their defence - led by the obdurate Lydiate - initially held firm. There were nervous moments aplenty and further frustrations at the scrum. The Lions lost one against the head after Youngs delayed the put-in, while O'Driscoll's pass straight to Folau allowed Australia to counter dangerously, before the Irish centre was penalised for hands in a ruck. The Lions sent on Conor Murray for Youngs at scrum-half, and the Irishman immediately helped win a relieving penalty over the ball as Australia built up a head of steam. Media playback is not supported on this device North had precious few opportunities with ball in hand, but he caught a pass and proceeded to pick up Folau and drive him backwards to galvanise his side. When they sent the Wallabies back-pedalling again at the next scrum, Halfpenny's fifth penalty in the 63rd minute stretched the lead to six points for the first time. The strains of "Swing Low, Swing Chariot" - a demonstration of four-nation unity among the legions of red - echoed around the cavernous arena, but Australia were not done yet. The dangerous Folau, stepping off his wing, was twice denied before the pressure finally told with five minutes left, O'Connor sending Ashley-Cooper crashing over. Leali'ifano nailed the conversion, but the Lions still had a line-out to save themselves with two minutes left. However, replacement hooker Richard Hibbard could not find his target. With time up on the stadium clock, the Lions ran a penalty from their own half and got to halfway, where Australia conceded a penalty. But Halfpenny's kick fell agonisingly short. Australia: Kurtley Beale; Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Christian Leali'ifano, Joe Tomane; James O'Connor, Will Genia; Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, James Horwill, Kane Douglas, Ben Mowen, Michael Hooper, Wycliff Palu. Replacements: Saia Fainga'a, James Slipper (for Robinson 60), Sekope Kepu (for Alexander 58), Rob Simmons (for Douglas 53), Liam Gill (for Palu 60), Nick Phipps, Rob Horne (for Ashley-Cooper 79), Jesse Mogg. Lions: Leigh Halfpenny, Tommy Bowe, Brian O'Driscoll, Jonathan Davies, George North, Jonathan Sexton, Ben Youngs; Mako Vunipola, Tom Youngs, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Geoff Parling, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton, Jamie Heaslip. Replacements: Richard Hibbard (for T Youngs 56), Ryan Grant, Dan Cole (for Jones 58), Tom Croft (for Warburton 66), Sean O'Brien (for Heaslip 62), Conor Murray (for B Youngs 53), Owen Farrell, Alex Cuthbert. Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa) Attendance: 56,771

The British and Irish Lions face a final-Test decider in Sydney next Saturday after Australia hit back to win a desperately tense second Test in Melbourne.

23111416