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Unison members voted in favour of industrial action which is due to take place from 22:00 BST on Tuesday. Oxfordshire Unison Health Branch said some porters could lose up to £54 a week if their hours are altered. It is now in talks with private firm Carillion in a bid to reach a deal before strike action. Carillion, which runs the porter service for Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, has not yet responded to a BBC request for comment. Before the ballot Unison said: "The porters at John Radcliffe, who are nearly all Unison members, are facing pay cuts and job losses amid huge pressure from management to accept the proposals."

Porters at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford are set strike for 48 hours in a row over changes to their shift patterns.

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Opposition MPs say an amendment to voting laws manipulates the ballot in favour of pro-government candidates. Carrying banners reading "absolute power corrupts", demonstrators called for an election boycott and for the amendment to be repealed. Kuwait has experienced months of unrest over the rule of Sheikh Sabah al-Sabah. The crisis was sparked in June, when the Constitutional Court annulled parliamentary elections held in February, in which the Islamist-led opposition made significant gains. The court also reinstated the previous assembly, allied to the ruling family. After months of protests and confrontations between the opposition and the government, Kuwait's emir ordered the dissolution of that parliament and announced new elections. Last month, he issued a decree cutting the number of candidates a voter can elect from four to one, saying it would ensure a fairer representation of people in the parliament. But protesters are angry at what they see is a unilateral decision by the emir to skew the election, which will not create a parliament representing the people, says the BBC's Shaimaa Khalil in Kuwait City. By Shaimaa KhalilBBC News, Kuwait City The road from the square on Gulf street to the famous Kuwait Towers was covered in orange, the colour the opposition chose for its campaign called "Moqate'oon" or "boycotters". Despite the tension that's been building up in Kuwait for the last two months, this rally on the eve of the second parliamentary elections felt different. It was defiant and angry at times, but it was also jubilant and confident and, most importantly, peaceful. It was a cross-section of Kuwaiti society: Islamists, tribal elders, young men and women, and parents who even brought their children. Women in black abaya dresses and full face cover marched next to trendy young women in jeans and t-shirts. They looked different , but they all wanted to send the same message. The rally was led by former Islamist MPs, by liberals and by young people, our correspondent says, adding that the mood was jubilant but defiant. Demonstrators marched through Kuwait City chanting, "we are boycotting" and "the people want to bring down the decree". Unlike the recent unauthorised protests, which ended in violent clashes between protesters and police, authorities issued a permit for Friday's peaceful march. Opposition MPs say the amendment breaches the Gulf state's constitution. As a result they decided not to participate in the election. Former MP Falah al-Sawagh told our correspondent the rally was not just about an electoral law, but about a long-term plan for real reform in Kuwait. "This is just the beginning," he said. Demonstrator Rana Abdel Razak said the march would continue even after the election was held. "We want real democracy, having elections doesn't mean we have democracy," she added. Another protester said the aim of the rally was to support the rights of the Kuwaiti people and reject any law issued outside the Kuwaiti National Assembly which was elected by the Kuwaitis. Kuwait's parliament has the most powers of any elected body in the Gulf and opposition MPs openly criticise the ruling Sabah family. However, the Sabahs retain full control over key government and executive posts. The emir has dissolved parliament four times since 2006.

Tens of thousands of people have been protesting in Kuwait City against national assembly elections due to take place on Saturday.

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Ambulance crews and police were called to Kendor Gardens at 08:07 GMT and found the man with stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Metropolitan Police say that a man is in custody on suspicion of murder. Police believe the victim was attacked when people would have been making their way to the station and have appealed for witnesses to contact them. His next of kin have yet to be informed. Det Ch Insp Dave Reid said he was "appealing for anyone who may have seen the stabbing or the events leading up to the incident to get in contact with us". A post-mortem examination and formal identification will take place "in due course", the Met said.

A man in his 20s was stabbed to death during the morning rush hour close to Morden Tube station in south London.

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The bank, which has 140,000 staff in total, said it had already told about half of the staff affected. The cuts came as Barclays said it had increased the total amount it paid on staff bonuses last year. The bank's total bonus pool for 2013 rose by 10% to £2.38bn, from £2.17bn in 2012, with the investment bank's bonus pool increasing by 13%. By Robert PestonBusiness editor 'We have to be competitive on pay and we have to pay for performance," chief executive Antony Jenkins - who has waived his own annual bonus - told the BBC. "We operate in many countries around the world… we compete for talent in global markets." Barclays said the job cuts would hit 820 senior manager roles, of which 220 were managing directors and 600 directors. About 400 of the senior job cuts are from the investment bank. Barclays said it was hopeful it could achieve the majority of the cuts voluntarily. The fresh job cuts come after the bank cut 7,650 roles last year. Barclays released its full-year profit figures on Monday, a day earlier than scheduled. The bank said the early release was to "provide clarity" following a media report. The bank's adjusted pre-tax profits for 2013 fell to £5.2bn, while its statutory pre-tax profits rose to £2.9bn. Pre-tax profits in its investment banking division slumped 37% to £2.5bn over the year. Barclays said its profits were hit by the costs of restructuring the bank last year, including its withdrawal from certain lines of business, as well as legal costs. Overall, the bank's pay-to-income ratio rose to 43.2% from 40% in 2012, well above the bank's mid-30s target. The bank said the bonus increase was in the long-term interests of shareholders, but said it was still aiming for a mid-30s ratio over "the medium term". Canaccord Adams analyst Gareth Hunt said the decision meant that Barclays pay-to-income ratio was above the industry average, currently 40.2% for 2013. And Roger Barker, director of corporate governance at business lobby group the Institute of Directors, noted the executive bonus pool was nearly three times bigger than the total dividend payout to shareholders. "In 2013, the bank paid out £859m in dividends compared to a staff bonus pool of £2.38bn. The question must be asked - for whom is this institution being run?" he added. William Wright, investment banking columnist at Financial News, also criticised Barclays' decision to increase its bonus payouts. "Barclays can talk until it's blue in the face about it being in the longer-term interest of shareholders, but from the outside, it simply looks wrong," he said. Treasury Select Committee chairman Andrew Tyrie also waded into the debate over Barclays' decision to increase its bonus pool. "Shareholders need to make up their minds whether aggregate remuneration is justified by the return on equity," he said. Shares in Barclays fell after the results were released, dropping almost 7% at one point, before recovering slightly to end the day down 3.75%. Ian Gordon, an analyst at Investec, said Barclays had failed to explain how it would continue to grow revenues. "It's what they didn't say... they didn't paint a clear picture of what will drive growth." Mr Jenkins is trying to revamp the image of Britain's third-largest bank, after the aggressive culture of former Barclays boss Bob Diamond culminated in a £290m fine for rigging Libor rates. Mr Jenkins told BBC Radio 4 that Barclays had made "substantial progress" in his aim of transforming the bank into a so-called "go-to" bank which would be attractive to customers. But he said further work was needed. "We do have a long way to go and I acknowledge that," he added.

Barclays plans to cut between 10,000 and 12,000 jobs this year, including 7,000 in the UK.

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Wang Fengying had called herself "Princess Changping" and claimed to be a descendent of the Aisin Gioro Manchu royal family. She and her accomplice conned their victims out of more than 2 million yuan ($313,600; £204,100) within one year. They were caught in 2014 after one of her victims complained to the police. Wang was also fined 500,000 yuan, said the Lianhu District Court in the central Shaanxi province on Monday. The accomplice, Yang Jianglin, received a 12-year jail sentence and a 500,000 yuan fine. The Aisin Gioro family ruled China from 1644 until the 1911 revolution that toppled the monarchy and installed a republican government. Wang and Yang set up a fake company that bought large quantities of counterfeit US dollars and gold bars, which they told victims was just a small portion of Wang's assets. The rest was locked away, they said, and could not be released through usual methods. She said she needed money for "ensuring good relations" to unlock them as well as for delivery fees, according to a 2014 report on her arrest by CNWest news portal. Investors were told that if they managed to help unlock these assets, the government would give them a reward three times the value. Among the items found during a police raid at Wang's office were 41 gold bars - it was not clear whether they were fake or real - ancient-looking keys, and a treasure map. Unusually, the court ruling ended with a personal note from the unnamed judge, who said there was "no such thing as a free lunch". "I hope that members of the public, when encountering someone who says they have a far-fetched and mysterious personal history and who tells you that you can get a high return on your investment, keep an alert mind and not easily be swayed by the lure of money. "Think before you act. Perhaps in this way, you can steer clear of the traps laid by fraudulent cheats."

A court in China has sentenced a woman who posed as a Qing dynasty princess in order to run a fraud scheme to 13 and half years in jail.

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Research by charities Crisis and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation suggested "informal" methods used by councils to tackle the problem had masked a 9% rise in cases in 2013-14 - to 280,000 cases. Official statistics put the number of "accepted homeless" cases at about 52,000 last year, down 3% from 2012-13. The government said the charities' figures were "misleading". The annual independent study - which drew on a survey of England's 326 councils in 2014 - said the rise in the number of people facing homelessness was in part the result of benefit cuts and sanctions. It also blamed a "woeful lack of affordable housing" which meant growing numbers of people were having to live away from their area. Authors said nearly two-thirds of councils thought "headline" homelessness figures no longer reflected local trends because authorities were increasingly reliant on "informal" approaches to homelessness which are recorded separately. The study combined the official "homelessness acceptances" figure from last year (52,270) with the number of homelessness "prevention and relief" cases (227,800) - where councils had taken steps to tackle the problem. Examples of these approaches include offering financial assistance, debt advice, help to stay in a tenancy or family mediation, the report said. Lead author Dr Suzanne Fitzpatrick said that, taking such actions into account, "we see that the number of cases of people facing or at serious risk of homelessness rose sharply last year. "Yet this alarming trend has gone largely unnoticed by politicians or the media". The study also found that: Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Crisis, said the report revealed "the true scale of homelessness in England, which headline figures no longer reflect". "Council officials are clear that benefit cuts and sanctions are taking a dreadful toll on people's lives, with rising numbers facing the loss of their home at a time when councils are being forced to cut services. This is a desperate state of affairs." But Homelessness Minster Kris Hopkins said: "These claims are misleading and the fact is statutory homelessness remains lower than in 27 of the last 30 years. "The figures include those who councils have helped to avoid being made homeless, as well as those accepted as homeless - and shows the wide range of options available to help prevent homelessness in the first place." He said the government had increased spending to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping, making over £500m available to local authorities and the voluntary sector - including £14m for Crisis - which would "help around 10,000 single homeless people find and sustain accommodation in the private rented sector". The research was compiled by academics based at Heriot-Watt University, the University of New South Wales and the University of York.

Rising numbers of people are at risk of homelessness in England, but official data does not show this, a study says.

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Red paint was discovered on Bristol Rovers' memorial gates - which remember rugby players who lost their lives - on Thursday morning. The message - "Merry Xmas from CS.F" - is a reference to a group of hardcore Bristol City fans, although it is not known who left the graffiti. Both clubs have condemned the actions of a "mindless minority". Bristol Rovers spokesman Keith Brookman said: "We don't feel that real City fans would have done this. Hopefully they will help us name and shame the people who did this." In a statement Bristol City executive director Doug Harman said: "Bristol City Football Club are appalled to hear a minority of so-called City supporters have desecrated the Memorial Gates. "Anyone found guilty of carrying out this mindless act of vandalism will face a lifetime ban from Ashton Gate. "In the spirit of Christmas, we are working with Rovers to ensure that the graffiti is removed as soon as possible." Other football supporters have also tweeted their disgust at the vandalism. It is the second time the gates have been vandalised. In 2010 City fans raised funds for a clean-up after tags associated with the club were sprayed on the memorial. Bristol Rovers have said the vandalism has been reported to the police and urged "anyone who knows any of the people involved in this disgraceful incident, we respectfully ask you to report the matter to them as soon as possible".

"Mindless" vandals have daubed graffiti on a World War One memorial at the entrance to a football ground.

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But then the captain says there'll be a delay because there aren't any landing slots available. So you circle the airport in a holding pattern for what seems like ages - groans all round. Well, such annoyances may become a thing of the past if a new air traffic management (ATM) system works as well as promised. Nats - the UK's air traffic control provider formerly known as National Air Traffic Services - is rolling out a new £600m ($747m) computer system known as iTec that could result in more flights, fewer delays and a cleaner airspace for all. Chief architect Simon Daykin describes it as "one of the biggest transformations" in the organisation's 56-year history. The project should be complete by 2020, he says. Managing the 2.2 million flights that cross UK airspace each year is complicated enough, but with that number forecast to rise to three million by 2030, it became clear that the current system - which dates back 40 years - would need an overhaul, explains Mr Daykin. Perhaps the most significant change - although travellers are unlikely to notice it - will be the abandonment of the network of invisible "roads" in the sky - the routes which all aircraft currently follow. Now air traffic controllers, using predictive analytics software called iFacts, will be able to predict the path of aircraft as much as 18 minutes in advance, says Mr Daykin. "In effect we can get an earlier view of where congestion will be in the sky and tweak flight paths, which means less re-routing," he says. "We can now slow traffic down en route so you don't get stuck in a holding pattern over London." Adding time management to the mix means controllers will be operating in four dimensions, not just the usual three of latitude, longitude and altitude. The European Space Agency, satellite company Inmarsat and others are also testing how this "4D" air traffic management could help squeeze more planes into our skies whilst also reducing congestion. Another benefit of applying clever analytics to the skies is that flights can be made more energy efficient. At the moment, planes have to stagger their ascents and descents, climbing or dropping to set altitudes at certain points throughout the journey. "At the moment current air traffic management systems limit the efficiency of aircraft," explains Prof Andrew Rae, engineering professor and aviation expert at the University of the Highlands and Islands. Replacing these hops and jumps with smooth, curving ascents and descents will be more efficient both in terms of fuel and noise, he says. "You can save just under 10% fuel burn that way, but it means not flying at constant height or speed," he says. "That's saving both emissions and cost." The new system will have to handle a huge increase in real-time data, so Nats is building its own private cloud. "We'll be using much more computing and processing power than we ever needed before," says Mr Daykin. "We'll be creating more big data, which we will be storing to mine and dive into, to learn more about how to be better." As mornings tend to be much busier than afternoons when it comes to flights, "we can use cloud technology to flex our resources depending on operational needs," he adds. All the data will be held in dedicated UK-based data centres. "There will be huge cybersecurity," he says. "It's a safety-assured cloud. There will also be a back-up system." Mr Daykin is so conscious about information security that he has an "enterprise-grade" firewall in his own home. As part of the improvements, air traffic controllers will work for the first time on touch screens and use Voip [voice over internet protocol] communications to talk to their colleagues and counterparts. The upgrade is part of the Europe-wide Single European Sky (SES) project, which involves all 28 member states, By 2020, the SES aims to have tripled the number of planes in the sky; made air travel 10 times safer; reduced the environmental impact by a factor of 10; and halved navigational service costs. Achieving all this is "unlikely" in the time frame, says Aimee Turner, editor of Air Traffic Management magazine. But Nats is ahead of the game, she argues - the new system has already been successfully tested at Nats' Prestwick base in Scotland, and in Germany. "Nats is adopting a strategic approach through significantly changing its fundamental ATM [Air Traffic Management] system," she says. As flights pass across different airspaces, the other national air traffic organisations will have to pass their data on in real time to allow the predictive analysis to continue. This means that "each member state still has to develop its own ATM system so it's fit for purpose to meet not only the technological vision of the SES, but also manage the forecast traffic growth which all EU nations will experience," says Ms Turner. But Prof Rae is not convinced that the new system will entirely eliminate delays for travellers. "In practice things like passengers arriving late, or unexpected service needs, will mean complications will still disrupt travel," he says. "It also means different airspace controllers have to talk to each other - so if the French call a strike the whole thing will fall to pieces." Follow Technology of Business editor Matthew Wall on Twitter and Facebook Click here for more Technology of Business features

You're tired and stiff after a long flight and you can't wait to land.

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Under the deal, China will also lift its ban on US beef imports and accept US shipments of liquefied natural gas. In return, Chinese cooked chicken will be allowed into the US market and Chinese banks can enter the US market. US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said the deal should reduce China's trade surplus with the US by the end of 2017. Mr Ross told CNBC that the US had agreed to treat Chinese financial institutions in the same way as other foreign banks that wanted to open up activities in the US. "Clearly China, whose banks are among the largest in the whole world, wants access to the US banking market," he said. "As long as they can comply with the normal rules, they will get access." The deal marks the first tangible results of trade talks that began last month. The agreement is seen as an indication that US President Donald Trump is adopting a less confrontational approach with Beijing than he promised during last year's election campaign. Mr Trump had threatened to label China a "currency manipulator" and impose trade tariffs on its goods, but has since softened his position. He had also attempted to link US-China trade talks to concerns over North Korea's nuclear ambitions, urging Beijing to exert more pressure on Pyongyang. However, after the trade deal was announced, China's vice-minister of finance, Zhu Guangyao, said economic issues should not be politicised. "On the connection between the North Korean nuclear issue and our economic '100 days' plan' negotiations, I can tell you frankly that our economy team focused all their efforts on economic issues," he told journalists. The criticism that foreign investors usually have of doing business with China is that typically it is China that benefits far more than the foreign business partner. That has been the rallying cry of President Trump on the campaign trail, and he has promised to get China to play by the rules. This agreement looks set to at least give the impression that he is doing that. It certainly benefits the US by giving American financial services and American beef exporters more access to China's growing middle classes. But China isn't one to give away something for nothing. In return, Beijing gets an important reshaping of its global image from the US. No longer do you hear the words "currency manipulator" or "unfair trade partner" from Trump's lips. Instead, the US in a statement recognised the importance of China's One Belt and One Road initiatives, and even says it will send representatives to attend the summit - something previous administrations have thus far eschewed. China also gets to sell its cooked poultry products to the US - a market it has been keen to tap too.

The US and China have reached a 10-point trade deal that opens the Chinese market to US credit rating agencies and credit card companies.

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"I have news and unfortunately it is not good," Luca di Montezemolo told reporters on Thursday. When contacted by BBC Sport, Schumacher's official spokesperson Sabine Kehm declined to comment. Seven-time world champion Schumacher, 47, suffered severe head injuries in a skiing accident in December 2013. Schumacher continues to receive intensive treatment at his home in Switzerland following the accident in France. In November, FIA president Jean Todt said Schumacher was "still fighting", almost two years after the accident. "Life is strange," added Di Montezemolo. "He was a fantastic driver and only had one accident with Ferrari in 1999."

F1 great Michael Schumacher's former boss at Ferrari has said the latest news about the German's health "is not good" - but has refused to elaborate.

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Sales from Singles' Day, held on 11 November each year, rose to 120.7bn yuan (£13.9bn) from 91.2bn a year earlier. Alibaba also reported rising numbers of customers shopping on mobiles and paying to use cloud computing. The firm expects annual sales to grow by 53% from a previous forecast of 48%. In the three months to December, total revenue rose by 54%. Alibaba said 114,000 more people signed up to use its cloud computing services, taking the total to 765,000 customers and lifting revenue in the division by 115%. The company also said it had been working to clamp down on counterfeit products being sold on its platform and had recently formed a coalition with major brands such as Louis Vuitton, Samsung and Swarovski to stamp out trading in fake goods. Jack Ma, the founder and chairman of Alibaba, recently held a meeting with US president Donald Trump. While President Trump has been critical of China, he said he had a "great meeting" with Mr Ma, who chose to float Alibaba on the New York Stock Exchange. Mr Ma reportedly discussed a plan to permit one million small American businesses to sell goods on Alibaba's platform. Håkon Helgesen, retail analyst at Conlumino, said: "The international side continues to do well. Here, Alibaba's role as a facilitator for Western brands wanting to sell into China continues to be a major advantage and a significant source of growth. "In short, Alibaba provides a shortcut for retailers looking to expand and grow in China."

China's equivalent of Black Friday helped send Alibaba's sales soaring, prompting the e-commerce giant to lift its full-year forecasts.

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Anna Matseliso Molise, a key witness in the case, was due to testify against her 63-year-old husband at his trial. She was shot four times outside her home in Maseru on Tuesday evening, and later died from her wounds in hospital. Police say investigations are under way over whether Mrs Molise's killing was targeted or not. Peter Frederiksen, who owns two gun shops in the South African city of Bloemfontein, is facing charges of sexual assault, intimidation, domestic violence and contravention of the Medicines Control Act. Last month, police found 21 packages containing parts of women's clitorises, as well as surgical equipment, in his freezer following a tip-off. South African police spokesman Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi told the BBC he was "deeply saddened" by Mrs Molise's killing, describing her as an "integral part of the investigation". She had previously turned down an offer to be placed under witness protection. Brig Mulaudzi said that despite the setback they were committed to seeing the case through to the end. Peter Frederiksen is currently behind bars because he abandoned his bail application in October. He is due to appear in court at the beginning of month. Police have appealed for his victims, who they believe are from neighbouring Lesotho, to come forward with information. They said the defendant was alleged to have sedated the women before operating on them. Mr Frederiksen is also wanted in his native Denmark for alleged illegal dealing in firearms.

The wife of a Danish man who is accused by South African police of mutilating women and keeping genitalia parts in a freezer has been shot dead in Lesotho.

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Indeed, the intensity of the bombardment certainly suggests that a significant push is under way. Aleppo matters. It is one of the few major urban areas to be held - in this case partially - by the rebels. Before the war the city was Syria's great commercial centre, and it thus represents a key strategic and psychological prize. As long as parts of the city are held by the rebels, it is a thorn in the government's side. But if captured by government forces it would be an important step in ensuring Russia's main strategic goal: the survival of a pro-Assad statelet with effective strategic depth, making the President Assad a factor that would have to be dealt with in any future peace arrangements. Of course we have been here before. During the earlier part of this year Syrian government forces, along with various pro-Iranian militias, launched a major offensive that resulted in the siege of the rebel-controlled eastern part of the city. This siege was consolidated in early July, but just a few weeks later the rebels launched an offensive of their own. Islamic State and the crisis in Iraq and Syria in maps This resulted in the cutting of a key communications link to the south-west of Aleppo, effectively bringing the government-held area under siege. Each side can thus hold the others' territory at risk. Russian and Syrian commanders - always sceptical about the merits of the latest ceasefire - now appear to have been given a green light to sort out the Aleppo problem once and for all. Imagery of the shattered city presents a gaunt vista in which thousands of innocent people remain trapped on both sides. Targeted attacks by government forces against medical and civil defence facilities add another element of horror to the situation. The fact that this new onslaught is taking place against a backdrop of the total failure in the US and Russian brokered efforts to implement a ceasefire in Syria is also significant. In the wake of this failure there is a good degree of bitterness on all sides. This provides space for the stepping up of military action on the ground. Indeed the pause may well have enabled government forces to consolidate their positions, reposition in key areas, and to improve their intelligence gathering. The military picture though is complex. In the past, despite support from Russian air power, Syrian government forces and their allies have run out of steam. Rebel groups have been able to draw in fighters from around the city, holding back localised offensives and ultimately going on to the attack themselves. There is no way of knowing if this pattern will be repeated this time. Aleppo, now the epicentre of the Syrian crisis, will draw in forces from many outside players. The Russian are already engaged - certainly from the air - and one can only speculate about other potential niche areas where they may be involved on the ground. Hezbollah and other pro-Iranian fighters may also take a role. And Turkey may encourage rebel groups that it backs to reinforce the eastern part of the city. And the failure of the ceasefire may well serve to drive rebel groups into the arms of more extreme Islamist elements linked to al-Qaeda. So the scene is set for a battle that could mark a significant turning point for rebels and government forces alike. The weakness though of the Assad regime's forces may mean that it simply doesn't have the muscle to impose a definitive outcome on Aleppo. The result then would be a stalemate with an even greater level of destruction and loss of life. US Secretary of State John Kerry warned that in the absence of a ceasefire deal things in Syria could get a lot worse. In Aleppo that seems already to be happening.

With Syrian government forces insisting that the air and artillery bombardment of eastern Aleppo is the preliminary for "a comprehensive" ground assault, it would be easy to see the current upsurge in fighting as marking perhaps the start of the final battle for this key city.

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The layouts seem to converge over time to a similar structure regardless of where or over how long they were built. The study, in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface , analysed 14 subway networks around the world. It found common distributions of stations within the networks, as well as common proportions of the numbers of lines, stations, and total distances. In some senses, it is unsurprising that the study found that networks tended over time to comprise a dense core of central stations with a number of lines radiating outward from it. By choosing the world's largest networks, from Beijing to Barcelona, the results were bound to represent networks that serve city centres with a dense collection of stations and bring commuters inward from more distant stations. But the analysis shows a number of less obvious similarities across all 14 networks. It found the total number of stations was proportional to the square of the number of lines - that is, a four-fold increase in station number would result in a doubling of the number of lines. The dense core of central stations all had the same average number of neighbours in the network, and in all cases, about half the total number of stations were found outside the core. In addition, the length of any one branch from the core's centre was about the same as twice the diameter of the core. The number of stations at a given distance from the centre was proportional to the square of that distance, but only up to the edge of the core; at more distant reaches of the network, the number of stations contained was directly proportional to distance. The authors analysed how the networks grew and added lines and stations, finding that they all converged over time to these similar structures. They authors point out that the similarities exist regardless of where the networks were, when they were begun, or how quickly they reached their current layout. "Although these (networks) might appear to be planned in some centralised manner, it is our contention here that subway systems like many other features of city systems evolve and self-organise themselves as the product of a stream of rational but usually uncoordinated decisions taking place through time," they wrote. The authors say that the systems do not appear to be "fractal". Fractal systems follow mathematical patterns that seem equivalent in a number of physical and social systems ranging from the movements of planets to the movements of depressed people, but they may or may not reflect a deeper, more universal organisational principle . Nevertheless, the team wrote that some underlying rule is likely to be driving the way subway systems end up worldwide. "The existence of unique long-time limit topological and spatial features is a universal signature that fundamental mechanisms, independent of historical and geographical differences, contribute to the evolution of these transportation networks," they wrote.

A study of the world's largest subway networks has revealed that they are remarkably mathematically similar.

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Malan struck 118 not out and put on an eighth-wicket stand of 77 with Toby Roland-Jones at Lord's as the hosts closed on 326-8 - a lead of 260. Middlesex, who resumed on 47-0, lost three quick wickets after Sam Robson nicked Ashar Zaidi behind for 77. Malan and Roland-Jones (36) batted for most of the evening session before Roland-Jones was out to the final ball. Malan's 201-ball knock, his second Championship century of 2015, took his average for the summer to 104.40. However, Roland-Jones' hour and a half at the crease could prove to be just as vital as he helped turn what looked like being a modest lead into a big one for Middlesex. Ollie Robinson (3-86) gave Sussex a late boost by removing him lbw with what proved to be the last delivery of the day, but the visitors look set to face a target of around 300.

Dawid Malan's fine century for Middlesex left Sussex facing the prospect of a tricky final day chase.

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Mr McGuigan Sr died after he was shot at his home in east Belfast last week. Mr Adams said the killing of the father-of-nine was carried out by "criminals who do not represent republicanism". The BBC understands that police believe members of the Provisional IRA co-operated with a group called Action Against Drugs to carry out the murder. Detectives believe it was in revenge for the killing of former IRA commander Gerard 'Jock' Davison in Belfast in May. Mr Adams said speculation that the IRA played a part in Mr McGuigan's murder was wrong as the organisation had "left the stage" when it ordered an end to its armed campaign in 2005. Mr Adams criticised those who he said had "opportunistically and cynically seized" on the murder to "undermine Sinn Féin's mandate and the peace process". First Minister Peter Robinson had earlier said he would discuss the prospect of excluding Sinn Féin from the executive with other Northern Ireland parties. Mr Adams said: "Those who threaten to take action against Sinn Féin in the assembly and executive have no basis whatsoever for this. "Sinn Féin's mandate and the rights and entitlements of our electorate deserve exactly the same respect and protection as anyone else's." Mr Adams said Action Against Drugs was "a mix of criminals and former republicans who have engaged in intimidation and violence in pursuit of their criminal ends". "The killing of Kevin McGuigan was wrong [and] my thoughts are with the McGuigan family." he added. "Anyone with any information on this brutal murder should bring it forward to the Police Service of Northern Ireland. "So, too, should anyone with information on the killing of 'Jock' Davison." A 60-year-old man arrested on Friday in connection with Mr McGuigan's murder was later released.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has said the IRA was not involved in the murder of ex-IRA man Kevin McGuigan Sr.

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The Brazilian town of Tabatinga vies for size and importance with Colombia's Leticia. While on the Peruvian side - across the mighty Amazon River - is the tiny hamlet of Santa Rosa. Together they form a unique 'triple town' known as Tres Fronteiras. Though far from the glamour cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro - the engines of Brazil's economic miracle - Tabatinga is experiencing a period of extraordinary growth. This is a city with three universities, a deep-water port, and an international airport - all built within the last five years to serve a population that has doubled in size since 2000. Dilma Rousseff's first two years Cutting the road toll Your pictures: Brazil Working Lives: Rio de Janeiro Country profile: Brazil More from Brazil Direct Tabatinga is now more than a match for its neighbour Leticia, though the capital of Colombia's Amazonas state has also changed beyond recognition in recent years. Three decades ago, this was a key staging post in Pablo Escobar's narco-trafficking network. The man who engineered this network for Escobar - Evaristo Porras - built his personal mansion here, painstakingly reproducing the Carrington Family home from the TV series Dynasty. The mansion is now a ruin, though others have been turned into boutique hotels. Tourism is booming in Leticia, and helping to fill the void left by the collapse of the cartels with honest dollars. The Peruvian side of the trio is very much the junior partner. With a population of only around 600, Santa Rosa is not much more than a single street. There's a handful of cevicherias, or fish restaurants, where tourists staying in Tabatinga or Leticia come to sample Peru's famous cuisine. But no running water, electricity or other basic services. This may soon change as the Brazilian economic miracle sucks in more and more cheap imports from Peru. Among these imports is illegal timber. Deforestation rates on the Brazilian side of the border have fallen dramatically in recent years, according to government figures. But rates in Peru have increased - leading some to accuse Brazil of merely outsourcing the problem to its neighbours. Meanwhile the cocaine trade hasn't gone away, and there are rumours of a new strain of the drug - allegedly genetically modified - that's able to grow in lowland areas like the Amazon basin as well as in its native highland environment. Together with illegal distilleries, drug smuggling and deforestation threaten the survival of indigenous communities living in the forest surrounding our square mile. With hardwoods fetching up to $3,000 (£1,850) (per tree, and a kilo of cocaine worth about the same, the temptations are immense. To protect themselves and their forest, the Huitoto people have taken policing into their own hands with the formation of the Indigenous Guard. Armed with sticks, they patrol the forest and report any wrongdoing to the police. But the nature of the territory does not make things easy for them - with its thousands of small rivers and streams, our square mile is a smuggler's paradise, and Tabatinga is still thought to be the main point of entry of cocaine into Brazil. Behind the development success story, the old sources of wealth are still going strong.

We are in a city deep in the Amazon rainforest, at the point where Brazil meets Colombia and Peru.

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Paul Michael Sadler, 35, from Broughton was taken to hospital following the accident on the A5104 in Broughton at about 21:30 GMT on Saturday. He died during the early hours of Monday. The van driver, a 26-year-old local man, was arrested after failing the roadside drug swipe test. He has since been released on police bail pending the result of further tests. Mr Sadler's family were said to be "completely heartbroken", according to a statement issued by North Wales Police.

A man has been arrested after failing a drugs test following a fatal collision with a pedestrian in Flintshire.

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The rate increased from 27.7% in the previous month. For those under the age of 25, unemployment hit 61.4%. Harsh austerity measures have led the Greek economy to shrink by a quarter in four years. However, other economic indicators have suggested that there are signs of recovery. The BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens says the bleak unemployment numbers are in contrast to a message that the government has been trying to push: that Greece has turned a corner, with six years of recession due to end this year and light on the horizon. He says the contrast with pre-crisis Greece is stark. Before the country received its first 110bn-euro ($150bn; £90bn) bailout in May 2010, the jobless rate was under 12% here. Slight growth is expected this year and the deficit now wiped out, apart from interest payments on the bailout. But our correspondent says that the government fears it will take a big hit in local and European elections in May. Greek unemployment is more than twice the average rate in the eurozone. The number of people out of work in the single currency bloc in December was 19 million, with the jobless rate at 12%, according to official EU figures. Other economic figures such as retail sales, manufacturing activity and construction, have pointed to signs that Greece's recession has bottomed out. However, Greece's unemployment rate is expected to rise further in the first three months of 2014 as firms continue to restructure and cut jobs. "As expected, the labour market showed a lagging reaction to other positive signs in the economy, said economist Nikos Magginas at National Bank in Athens. "The increase in unemployment is also due to a loss of support from tourism which was seen in the previous months." With 1.38 million people officially jobless, turning around the country's economy will take time, even if the recovery does start this year as Athens hopes. Before the crash when Greece was growing at up to 5% annually, about 50,000 jobs a year were added to the economy. At these rates it could take more than 20 years to reduce the jobless totals - without measures to encourage domestic and foreign investment

The jobless rate in Greece reached a record high of 28% in November, according to newly released government figures.

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Crowds applauded her funeral cortege during its two-mile journey to St Mary's RC Church in Woolton. Here are some pictures from the day: Members of the crowd read a copy of the order of service ahead of the funeral. The coffin of Cilla Black made its way to the church through crowds of mourners. Fans travelled from across the UK to pay their respects. Her death and the funeral have dominated headlines in her home city of Liverpool. Carol Vorderman, Sir Tom Jones and Mike McCartney, brother of Sir Paul, arrived at the church together. A Cilla Black tribute singer entertains members of the public outside the church. Carol Vorderman was joined by actress Lorraine Chase inside the church. The coffin went on a two-mile procession as it made its way to St Mary's Church in Woolton, Liverpool, ahead of her funeral service Cilla Black's close friends Christopher Biggins and Paul O'Grady both gave readings during the service. Sir Cliff Richard, who sang during the service, described Black as "our greatest TV presenter, probably of all time". Floral tributes outside St Mary's Church included a message from her record company. Paul O'Grady leaves St Mary's Church after paying tribute to Cilla with a number of anecdotes.

Fans, friends and family have been paying their respects to singer and TV star Cilla Black at her funeral in Liverpool.

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The 45-year-old, who beat Larry Butler 4-0 in round two, is top of the BDO rankings after a successful 2015. "I'd rather be favourite. When I was the outsider, nobody was interested. "Maybe I have got a target on my back but since winning the World Masters, everything's gone really well, so bring them on," he told BBC Sport Martin Adams and Jeffrey de Graaf, who were seeded second and third respectively at Lakeside, were beaten in the first round. But Middlesbrough's Durrant said he has not been affected by other leading contenders making shock exits from the tournament, adding: "The seeds have gone in the bottom half of the draw. "Everything's gone as planned in the top half of the draw, so who I thought I'd be playing is still on. "It's the bottom half, people like Scott Mitchell and Jeff Smith, who will be licking their lips." Durrant recovered from a narrow World Championship semi-final defeat by Adams 12 months ago to win six ranking titles last year. "My confidence is sky high," he continued. "I'm in the quarter-finals at Lakeside - that's what we practice for, why we play local leagues, county darts and the tour. I'm in a great place."

Glen Durrant said he is enjoying the scrutiny that comes with being the number one seed after reaching the last eight of the BDO World Championships.

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They say price rises are putting increasing pressure on catering. Plans for a new fruit and vegetables supply contract covering Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire will be discussed by the city's finance committee next week. Running for up to four years, it would be worth up to £1.1m. Members are being urged to approve the start of a tendering exercise in collaboration with Aberdeenshire. The report says that while the current provider has maintained its prices since 2013, market forces including the declining pound against the Euro, bad weather in Europe and an increased appetites for fruit and vegetables have all contributed to price rises for crops which have to be imported. It warns that if budget funding is not enough to meet increasing costs, the amount of fruit and vegetables offered in school menus and other catering services will need to be reduced. A report last month said eating 10 portions of fruit and vegetables a day may give a longer life. The study, by Imperial College London, calculated such eating habits could prevent 7.8 million premature deaths each year.

Aberdeen City Council officials are warning that the amount of fruit and vegetables served in school meals might have to be cut if budgets are not increased.

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The Force Awakens, the seventh episode, sees the return of some of the original cast members and has already been hailed a success by critics. But how much do you remember about the multi-billion dollar franchise? Blow away the cobwebs with our trivia quiz. Click here to play our quiz

The new Star Wars film opens in cinemas across the UK on Thursday 17 December and in the US a day later, 38 years after the first instalment came out.

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An early converted Dean Hammond try and three Ryan Mills penalties saw dominant Worcester lead 16-0 at half-time. Ben Te'o's unconverted try early in the second period increased the lead as Quins failed to show any attacking impetus in the opening 60 minutes. Charlie Matthews got a try back for Quins, but Mills' fourth penalty sealed it before Alofa Alofa's late try. Tim Swiel's late penalty from in front of the Worcester posts ensured a losing bonus point for Quins. The victory was a vital one for Worcester, who lost at bottom side Bristol on Boxing Day and saw their relegation rivals win at fellow strugglers Sale. Worcester did not look like a side who had only won once all season as they bossed the first half, with Hammond's try and the three penalties from Mills just reward for a confident and disciplined approach. The home side did lose Darren Barry to the sin-bin after 31 minutes, but Quins could not take advantage and lost England prop Joe Marler to a yellow card just before the break. Warriors took advantage of the extra man as a flowing move ended with Te'o going over for his fourth try of the season before Mills missed the conversion and a subsequent penalty. Quins finally came to life in the final 20 minutes, but it was too little too late as Worcester ended a three-month wait for a league win. Meanwhile, Warriors have confirmed the return of former Wales international forward coach Phil Davies to the club in a coaching role. Davies, who was Warriors forwards coach between 2010 and 2012 and is now coach of Namibia, has rejoined the club on 'a short-term secondment'. Worceser head coach Carl Hogg: "After Bristol it was a tough week but we had to come out fighting as we put ourselves in a corner. "Our endeavour and spirit was outstanding in an attritional game but every match is tough and results are decided on tight margins. "Ben Te'o was great and he's a very good player who today showed his commitment to the club." Harlequins director of rugby John Kingston: "We've got to be more competitive though we were excellent in the last 15 minutes. "We deserve to be where we are in the table as we are too inconsistent, we have tried to change our preparation for away games but it didn't work as we had a poor start. "Worcester played really well as there are no weak sides in the division and there was no shock in their ability to perform." Warriors: Adams; Hammond, Te'o, Willison, Vuna; Mills, Dowsett; Rapava Ruskin, Singleton, Schonert, O'Callaghan, Barry, Potgieter (capt), Lewis, Faosiliva. Replacements: Bregvadze, Leleimalefaga, Alo, Cavubati, Dowson, de Cothi, Braid, Olivier. Harlequins: Brown; Yarde, Marchant, Roberts, Alofa; Jackson, Care (capt); Marler, Buchanan, Sinckler, Merrick, Matthews, Robshaw, Wallace, Clifford. Replacements: Ward, Evans, Collier, South, Naoupu, Dickson, Swiel, Walker. For the latest rugby union news follow @bbcrugbyunion on Twitter.

Worcester claimed their second Premiership win of the season as they upset Harlequins.

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Seventy-nine people are either dead or missing presumed dead after the London fire last week. Cardiff council will now review all safety procedures and discuss "the need for sprinklers" in its nine high rises with the fire service. Swansea city council has sprinklers and alarm systems installed in its 11 high rises, as does Flintshire in its three. There are nine high rises in Cardiff, in areas such as Gabalfa, Whitchurch, Butetown and Llanedeyrn, with most 11 storeys but the highest 16. While the Welsh Government made it compulsory for sprinklers to be fitted in all new-builds from 2016, the move was not retrospective. In a briefing, cabinet member for housing Lynda Thorne, said this meant it "cannot be applied to existing unaltered premises". However, despite regular risk assessments taking place, the local authority will now discuss the need for installing sprinklers. In a letter to tenants following the London incident, it said the fire service advises the safest place for residents during a blaze is within their flat, unless it is directly affected. "Each high-rise flat is built to be fire proof; this means fire should be contained within the individual flat," it read. "It is worth noting that while there have been instances of fire in our high-rise blocks in the past, none have spread to adjoining properties." The letter added that cladding used at Grenfell Tower, said to have contributed to the fire spreading, is different to that on Cardiff high rises. "You may be aware that there is concern that a new cladding system installed at Grenfell Tower may have contributed to the spread of fire," the letter added. "While several of our high-rise blocks were over clad in the early 1990s, this was done using traditional fire-retardant materials, different from those used in London. "Your safety is our utmost concern and in order to satisfy any doubts you may have we will be engaging an independent firm of consultants to review the integrity of existing cladding systems." A review of cladding used is now taking place at Channel View, Grangetown and The Maelfa, Llanedeyrn.

Sprinklers could be installed in council-owned Cardiff high rises after the Grenfell Tower fire.

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The hosts looked well set at 96-0 in reply to England's 147-7, but openers Dane van Niekerk and Trisha Chetty's slow scoring put pressure on the tail. Shrubsole removed Van Niekerk, before dismissing Lizelle Lee and Mignon du Preez as the hosts stumbled to 132-6. Sarah Taylor earlier made 74 not out for England in Paarl. Media playback is not supported on this device "Our bowling performance in the last 10 overs was fantastic," Taylor told BBC Sport. "We limited what South Africa could do and were really smart with what we did." The tourists made a slow start and were stuttering at 41-3 after the cheap dismissals of captain Charlotte Edwards, Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones. However, they were boosted by wicketkeeper Taylor's 51-ball effort, in which she struck 11 fours, with Shrubsole arriving to help take 18 from Shabnim Ismail's final over. Van Niekerk and Chetty made 52 and 46 respectively, but struggled to keep pace with the run rate on a playing area with long boundaries. Once they were dismissed within four balls of each other, South Africa's middle order found themselves with too much to do. England play another two Twenty20 internationals against South Africa - in Cape Town on Friday and Johannesburg on Sunday - before travelling to India to prepare for the World Twenty20. You can follow both matches live on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra and the BBC Sport website. Earlier in the tour, England won the one-day series 2-1.

Anya Shrubsole took three late wickets as England women fought back to beat South Africa by 15 runs in the first Twenty20.

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The Culture, Media and Sport Committee said it would investigate concerns about the public being swayed by propaganda and untruths. The inquiry will examine the sources of fake news, how it is spread and its impact on democracy. Claims that voters in the US election were influenced by fake news spurred the inquiry, the committee said. Damian Collins, the committee chairman, said the rise of propaganda and fabrications is "a threat to democracy and undermines confidence in the media in general". "Just as major tech companies have accepted they have a social responsibility to combat piracy online and the illegal sharing of content, they also need to help address the spreading of fake news on social media platforms," he said. "Consumers should also be given new tools to help them assess the origin and likely veracity of news stories they read online. "The committee will be investigating these issues as well as looking into the sources of fake news, what motivates people to spread it and how it has been used around elections and other important political debates." The MPs want to investigate whether the way advertising is bought, sold and placed online has encouraged the growth of fake news. They also want to address the responsibility of search engines and social media to stop spreading it. The way that fake news affects people's understanding of the world and their trust in traditional journalism will also be examined, as will the issue of whether different demographic groups respond to made-up stories in different ways. New research suggests that online hoaxes and propaganda may have only had limited impact in the US presidential election, however. According to a study by two US economists, fake news which favoured Donald Trump was shared 30 million times in the three months before the election, four times more than false stories favouring Hillary Clinton. But the authors said that only half of people who saw a false story believed it, and even the most widely circulated hoaxes were seen by only a fraction of voters. The cross-party Commons committee is seeking written submissions from interested parties by the start of March and is expected to hold hearings in due course. Labour launched its own investigation into fake news earlier this month, led by former shadow culture secretary Michael Dugher. He warned that his party needed to be wary of misinformation coming from the left as well as the right.

MPs are launching a parliamentary inquiry into the "growing phenomenon of fake news".

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The MP for Corby is moving to New York with her three children to be with her husband of a year, Peter Mensch, who is manager of rock band Metallica. Her decision to quit will trigger a by-election in the Northamptonshire constituency, a marginal seat. Before entering politics she made her name as a best-selling chick-lit author, under her maiden name Bagshawe. The MP, who won her Corby and East Northamptonshire seat in 2010 with a 1,951 majority, said she was finding it increasingly difficult to juggle family responsibilities with her political career and her decision to quit politics was "devastating but necessary". The by-election is expected to be held on 15 November - the same day as elections for police and crime commissioners are held across England and Wales. By Robin BrantPolitical Correspondent, BBC News It is now clear the high regard in which Louise Mensch was held by the prime minister. In reply to her resignation letter he makes it clear she was destined for bigger things (a reshuffle is around the corner). "It goes without saying that I had wished to see you serve for longer and at a more senior level," he said. We now know that he had intervened to ensure she had special leave to dedicate more time to her family. In her letter to him she said "it is only through your personal intervention, delivered quietly and without fanfare, that I have been able to manage my duties for this long". Her family life has won out over her political life. The prospect of a by-election in her Corby seat will be mouth watering for Labour. It is a classic barometer seat and Ed Miliband will be determined to win it back. It is the first Conservative-held seat to be contested since the 2010 election and will be a major test for David Cameron and the coalition. The BBC's Political Correspondent Carole Walker said the election was likely to be "awkward" for the prime minister - coming at a time of economic and political difficulties for the government. Writing to the prime minister to announce her resignation, Mrs Mensch said: "As you know, I have been struggling for some time to find the best outcome for my family life, and have decided, in order to keep us together, to move to New York. With the greatest regret, I am thus resigning as a MP." She thanked the prime minister for his support during her time in Parliament, saying it had been an "honour" to fill the role. "It is only through your personal intervention, delivered quietly and without fanfare, that I have been able to manage my duties for this long." But she added: "I am very sorry that despite my best efforts, I have been unable to make the balancing act work for our family." In his response, the prime minister said it had not been an "easy decision" for the MP. "It is with enormous regret that I accept your resignation as the MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire, a seat that had been Labour for thirteen years before you," the PM said. "I do so only because I wish to support you in acting in the best interests of your family, which must come first." Mr Cameron said Mrs Mensch had been a "truly inspiring" MP and had helped "bring politics alive to those outside the Westminster Village" thanks to her "effective appearances on the television and use of social media". Mrs Mensch told the Northamptonshire Telegraph that "when I first took the post I was in a different position but sometimes life throws you a curve ball that you didn't expect". She is one of the highest profile Conservatives from the 2010 intake and has been in the spotlight as a member of the Commons culture committee which has been investigating phone hacking and questioned Rupert and James Murdoch among others. Her profile has been further boosted by a series of outspoken comments on Twitter, which have led to rows with Piers Morgan and other public figures. Mrs Mensch was a prolific user of the micro-blogging site with 102,000 followers. But she said recently she had grown "frustrated" with it and has set up a rival site - Menshn - which aims to keep conversations on topic and allow people to post 180 character messages - 40 more than Twitter. Earlier this year, a 60-year-old Gloucester man was convicted of sending a death threat to the MP by e-mail, threatening her children. She said she had been "very upset" by the incident. Several MPs took to Twitter to praise Mrs Mensch for her contribution to Parliament and for drawing attention to the problems MPs faced in meeting their professional and personal responsibilities. Fellow Conservative Amber Rudd said Mrs Mensch had been a "well-liked, extremely capable and punchy" presence in the House of Commons. But she told Radio 4's The World at One the MP could not carry on "representing her constituents from America" and her situation was not necessarily similar to other MPs juggling work and family. And Brian Binley, who represents the nearby constituency of Northampton South, said aspiring MPs needed to understand the "stresses and strains" that came with the job and warned against a "cult of youth" when it came to choosing parliamentary candidates.

Conservative politician and novelist Louise Mensch is to stand down as an MP, the party has announced.

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Former 007 actor Sir Roger Moore tweeted that he was "incredibly, incredibly saddened to hear the wonderful director Guy Hamilton has gone to the great cutting room in the sky. 2016 is horrid". Hamilton directed Sir Roger in Live and Let Die and The Man with the Golden Gun. He also directed Sir Sean Connery in Goldfinger and Diamonds are Forever. A hospital on the Spanish island of Majorca - where Hamilton lived - confirmed to the Associated Press that the film-maker had died there on Wednesday. Bond producers EON have paid tribute in a statement: "We mourn the loss of our dear friend Guy Hamilton who firmly distilled the Bond formula in his much celebrated direction of Goldfinger and continued to entertain audiences with Diamonds are Forever, Live and Let Die and The Man With The Golden Gun. "We celebrate his enormous contribution to the Bond films." Hamilton's other films included The Battle of Britain, Force 10 From Navarone, Evil Under the Sun and The Mirror Crack'd. He went to school in England but his family lived in France and he started his career in French cinema in the 1930s. He started out as a tea boy in a French studio, and said he "discovered how a studio worked the hard way". He was British director Carol Reed's assistant for five years, but finally moved to become a director after the war. Hamilton said he wanted to be a director before the age of 30 and he "squeezed in just" and directed The Colditz Story, the Devil's Disciple, Funeral in Berlin. He came to Bond as producer Cubby Broccoli was an old friend. "He said 'how would you like to make Goldfinger?' I said 'I would absolutely love to', because I had a very clear idea of what I would like to do and how I'd like to go about it and it was a very happy experience." Hamilton said many people thought there was a formula for making a Bond film but he didn't agree. But he said the key to Bond's survival was "that anyone to do with Bond is not lazy". "I work very hard, I drive people very hard", he admitted. He was at the helm at the golden age of Bond films and oversaw when the role passed from Sean Connery to Roger Moore in 1973. Speaking about his style of directing he said he wanted value for money. "In the making of Bond films we are some of the meanest toughest film makers. If we spend a million dollars it had better be up there on the screen."

Guy Hamilton, who directed four James Bond films, has died aged 93.

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The sport's governing body began its own investigation into Rafael Callejas and Alfredo Hawit after they were among 16 football officials arrested by US authorities in Zurich in December 2015. Hawit and Callejas pleaded guilty to racketeering and wire fraud conspiracy charges in the US earlier this year. They are due to be sentenced in 2017. Fifa's ethics committee says the men, both Honduran nationals, took bribes from marketing companies over the awarding of commercial rights for World Cup qualifying matches. It said the bans would come into force immediately. Hawit, a former Fifa vice-president, was interim president of Concacaf when he was held in Switzerland last year. Concacaf governs football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Callejas, Honduras' president between 1990 and 1994, was a member of Fifa's marketing and TV committee when the arrests were made in a dawn raid at the same hotel where seven other top Fifa officials were held in May 2015. The pair were arrested on suspicion of accepting millions of dollars of bribes, at the request of the US authorities. Media playback is not supported on this device Speaking at the time, US attorney general Loretta Lynch said: "The betrayal of trust set forth here is outrageous. The scale of corruption alleged herein is unconscionable." Callejas will be sentenced in the US on 27 January, while Hawit, who has also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obstruct justice, will be sentenced on 24 March.

Two former senior officials who have pleaded guilty to criminal corruption charges have been banned from football-related activity for life by Fifa.

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The American world number two, 36, needs one major triumph to go clear of the German's 22 Open-era titles. The six-time champion played down the attention on the record, saying she was "just here to play and win". She faces unseeded 19-year-old Swiss Belinda Bencic in the first round in Melbourne on Tuesday. The all-time Grand Slam record is held by Australian Margaret Court, whose 24 titles spanned the amateur and Open era. Williams' only major victory in 2016 was at Wimbledon. She won the first three Slams in 2015 before a shock US Open semi-final exit to unseeded Roberta Vinci as she tried to emulate Graf's 1988 'calendar slam' She said it is difficult to deal with the level of expectation on her. "It's never easy for me. All I can do is do my best," she said. "I didn't come here to lose in the first round or the second round, or at all." Bencic, 19, said she was "super-pumped" to face Williams. "My first reaction was actually really happy. So I think I'm excited I get to play on the big court, I guess," said Bencic. "Everyone is like, 'Oh, bad luck with the draw'. Me, I'm pretty happy and excited about it." British number one Johanna Konta, 25, has had the perfect preparation for the first Grand Slam of 2017, winning her second WTA title in Sydney on Friday. The Australia-born world number 10, who will move up to number nine on Monday, did not drop a set all week as she marched through a high-class field, eventually beating Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4 6-2 in the final. She faces Belgian Kirsten Flipkens in the first round as she looks to better her 2016 Australian Open performance where she reached the semi-finals. British number two Heather Watson, 24, faces Australian Sam Stosur, who has never gone beyond the fourth round in front of her home fans. "I look forward to playing Sam. She's a great player with an all-round game," said Watson. "All the talk will be about her playing in front of her home crowd but I just want to focus on myself and play my game as best as I can. "I'm feeling healthy, fit and ready to go now." Fellow Briton Naomi Broady also faces an Australian opponent in Daria Gavrilova, ranked 25th in the world. Defending champion and world number one Angelique Kerber returns to Melbourne in shaky form, having lost in the second round at the Sydney International last week. The German faces Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko, ranked 61st, in the first match of Monday's night session. Tsurenko took Kerber to three sets in their only previous meeting. If both players progress, Kerber could face French Open champion Garbine Muguruza in the quarter-finals. Victoria Azarenka, Petra Kvitova and Madison Keys are all notable absentees from this year's tournament, providing an open and unpredictable draw.

Serena Williams says she will not be distracted by the thought of moving ahead of Steffi Graf's Grand Slam record at the Australian Open.

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Stephen Cavanagh, 32, of Byron Road, Denton, was on remand at HMP Manchester when he complained of stomach pains. An X-ray revealed the phone, which he later ejected from his body to flush down the toilet. HMP Manchester governor Terri Williams, said the case highlighted the "extreme measures" used to bring "illicit items" into the jail. Greater Manchester Police work with prison staff to prosecute offenders who try to smuggle in forbidden items, she said. "It is now clear that prisoners are likely to be given additional time in custody following successful prosecutions," she added. The Ministry of Justice refused to give any further information on when or how the phone was inserted into Cavanagh's body.

A prisoner who smuggled a mobile phone up his backside into a prison has had his sentence extended.

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The scientists found it improved patients' motor skills. Playing Jenga, bingo or a games consol like Wii worked equally well. They told the Lancet Neurology that the type of task used for motor rehabilitation might be less relevant, as long as it is intensive, repetitive and gets the hands and arms moving. The researchers designed their study to test whether virtual reality gaming, which is increasingly being employed as a rehab therapy for stroke patients, is any better than more traditional games for honing upper limb motor skills. The Canadian team recruited 141 patients who had recently suffered a stroke, and now had some impaired movement in one or both of their hands and arms. Approximately half of the patients, at random, were then allocated to the Wii rehab, while the rest were asked to do other recreational activities, such as playing cards. All of the patients continued to receive usual stroke rehabilitation care and support on top of the 10, one-hour sessions of gaming or card playing for a fortnight. Both groups showed significant improvement in their motor skills at the end of the two weeks and four weeks later. Importantly, both groups fared equally well, say the researchers. While it's not clear from this study how much of the improvement was from the regular stroke care the participants received, other research suggests adding in more therapy is beneficial. Investigator Dr Gustavo Saposnik, from St Michael's Hospital in Toronto, said: "We all like technology and have the tendency to think that new technology is better than old-fashioned strategies, but sometimes that's not the case. In this study, we found that simple recreational activities that can be implemented anywhere may be as effective as technology." Alexis Wieroniey of the UK's Stroke Association said the findings were particularly encouraging because they suggest that inexpensive, easily accessible activities can help some stroke survivors in their recovery. "Thousands of stroke survivors are left with mobility problems, and this can lead to a devastating loss of independence," she added. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off either by a clot or a bleed. This can cause symptoms such as drooping of the face muscles, slurred speech and numbness and weakness of the arms. Stroke is a medical emergency that needs urgent attention and treatment. People may need a long period of rehabilitation to regain independence. Some will have permanent impairment.

Playing simple card games, such as snap, can help stroke patients with their recovery, say Canadian researchers.

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For more than two decades, apparently healthy children in a region of Bihar suffered sudden seizures and lost consciousness. Almost half died, baffling doctors. New research, published in the medical journal The Lancet, now suggests they were poisoned by the fruit. Most of the victims were poor children in India's main lychee-producing region who ate fruit that had fallen on to the ground in orchards, the journal said. Lychees contain toxins that inhibit the body's ability to produce glucose, which affected young children whose blood sugar levels were already low because they were not eating dinner. They woke screaming in the night before suffering convulsions and losing consciousness as they suffered acute swelling of the brain. Researchers examining sick children admitted to hospital in Muzaffarpur between May and July 2014 found a link to an outbreak of sickness that caused brain swelling and convulsions in children in the Caribbean. That outbreak was caused by the ackee fruit, which contained hypoglycin, a toxin that prevents the body from making glucose. Tests then showed that lychees also contained hypoglycin. This led health officials to tell parents to make sure young children got an evening meal and limit the number of lychees they were eating. Children suffering symptoms associated with the outbreak should be rapidly treated for hypoglycaemia, or low blood sugar, officials said. The number of reported cases of the sickness has since fallen from hundreds each year to about 50, the New York Times reported.

US and Indian scientists say a mystery illness that killed more than 100 children a year in northern India was caused by eating lychees on an empty stomach.

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Donald's unbeaten 44 helped Glamorgan beat Somerset on Friday to seal their place in the quarter-finals. The 19-year-old, who scored the joint-fastest first-class double-century in his previous outing, hopes the Welsh county can reach the T20 finals day for the first time since 2004. "We're just trying to carry all this momentum," Donald told BBC Radio Wales. "We had a couple of bad games but we parked that behind us, learnt from them and we're just on a roll. "It's difficult tailing off in the last couple of games like we did but we bounced back and that's what a quality team does. Hopefully we can carry it right through." Glamorgan's win against Somerset followed T20 defeats against Hampshire and Gloucestershire, having lost only one of their previous nine matches in this year's competition. Donald has been in the limelight after his brilliant innings of 234 during Glamorgan's County Championship victory over Derbyshire. He took just 123 balls to reach 200 - equalling Ravi Shastri's record - and brought up his 100, 150 and 200 with sixes. Donald's knock of 44 not out against Somerset came off just 29 balls. "It's nice to be at the centre of attention - it's always good for the ego," he said of his double-ton against Derbyshire. "But it's nice just to be contributing and winning games for Glamorgan. "I was really pleased with how I played [against Somerset] to see us home. That was one of my better knocks in the scheme of things."

Aneurin Donald says Glamorgan are "on a roll" and targeting the T20 Blast final after reaching the last eight.

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Richard Hewitt drove from Cheshire to Newcastle after arranging to meet what he thought was a 13-year-old girl. The 40-year-old, of Ellesmere Port, had used an online teen chat room and sent messages asking for sex. He admitted attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming and was jailed for two years. At an earlier hearing at Newcastle Crown Court he also pleaded guilty to breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which he had been subject to since 2007. The fake profile of a girl called "Jessie" had been created by members of Dark Justice, which describes itself as a group of concerned citizens targeting paedophiles online. Hewitt, who had 26 previous offences on his record, asked for naked selfies and sent WhatsApp messages requesting sex. They included one which said: "I will be your first". In August he drove from his home to Newcastle for what he thought was a meeting with the teenager. Instead, he was confronted by members of Dark Justice who blocked his car to stop him leaving. Speaking outside court, one of its members said: "He snapped his own phone and bent it like a banana, trying to destroy the evidence. "He went crazy, he absolutely flipped out. He looks like a Chihuahua, but he fought like a pitbull." Appearing at the sentencing via videolink, Hewitt said "I'm sorry" and "I need help". Judge Robert Adams told him he had a "bad record for sexual offending". Dark Justice has been running for two years and says its work has led to 64 people being arrested and 34 convictions.

A man confronted by internet paedophile hunters "fought like a pitbull" and tried to smash his phone to destroy evidence.

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A court official confirmed that the papers were lodged, although no date has yet been set for a hearing. Mr Assange, 39, denies three allegations of sexual assault and one of rape last August in Stockholm. The extradition ruling was made last month at Belmarsh Magistrates' Court. Following the extradition ruling at the south London court, Mr Assange criticised the European arrest warrant system and said he had "always known" he would have to appeal against the decision. The ruling against the Australian came as a result of "a European arrest warrant system run amok", he claimed. "There was no consideration during this entire process as to the merit of the allegations made against me, no consideration or examination of even the complaints made in Sweden and of course we have always known we would appeal," said Mr Assange. It is not yet known whether a hearing will take place at the High Court before the Easter break.

Lawyers for Wikileaks founder Julian Assange have lodged papers at the High Court for an appeal against a ruling that he should be extradited to Sweden to face sexual assault allegations.

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Abdul Hafidah was stabbed after being hit by a car on Moss Lane East on 12 May. He died two days later. Thirteen other people, including boys, aged 14 and 17, have previously been arrested in connection with his death. The woman, 20, and man, 18, have been bailed pending further inquiries, Greater Manchester Police said. Police believe Mr Hafidah had been chased near Greenheys Lane before being struck by a blue Vauxhall Corsa and then stabbed, He was taken to hospital with stab wounds to the neck and abdominal injuries. Detectives are continuing to appeal for witnesses.

A woman and a man have been arrested on suspicion of murdering an 18-year-old in the Moss Side area of Manchester.

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The app marks the first time the firm has created a smartphone game based on its most famous character. It follows the successful release of Pokemon Go earlier in the year. Nintendo owns a minority stake in the Pokemon Company, but the title was developed by a third party. Experts predict the new game will also prove popular, but suggest an anti-piracy feature is misguided. "Mario is one of the best loved and established icons of gaming and I think this is going to be tremendously successful," said Piers Harding-Rolls from the IHS Technology consultancy. "To open up the full game you have to make an in-app purchase - it's quite big but it is a one-off and I don't think people will think Nintendo is trying to rinse their audience." But he added that he thought it was a "misstep" to require users to be online in order to play - something the game's producer Shigeru Miyamoto has said was done to limit piracy. "Some demographics will be wanting to use this as they commute and we know that the coverage in some markets is relatively patchy," said Mr Harding-Rolls. "Not having offline capability to play will also be an issue for kids travelling in cars." Super Mario Run takes the Super Mario Bros format - where the character sprints from left to right, collecting coins, jumping over obstacles and squishing enemies - and tweaks the gameplay to make it easy to play one-handed on a touchscreen. The free version acts as a brief demo, but paying a £7.99 fee offers full access to three modes: For now the title is restricted to Apple's iOS platform, but Nintendo has said it will come to Android "at some point in the future". Nintendo had initially shunned smartphones, preferring to focus on its own hardware. However, weak sales of its Wii U console and a decline in demand for its 3DS handheld caused the firm to sustain large financial losses, putting it under pressure to change tack. It launched its first smartphone game, Miitomo, in March to mixed reviews but strong demand. Then in July, the release of Pokemon Go became a global phenomenon, lifting Nintendo's share price despite the fact it only received a relatively small cut of all sales. But last month, the firm revealed that two subsequent Pokemon games released for the 3DS - Sun and Moon - had become the fastest-selling titles in its history in Europe and the Americas. Mr Harding-Rolls said Nintendo would be hoping for a similar knock-on effect when it launches its new console, the Switch, in March for which it is developing a new 3D Mario title. "By launching this smart device game, Nintendo is opening Mario up to people who might be attracted by a sense of nostalgia as well as introducing a new generation of gamers to the brand. "And that's bound to have a halo impact on its other products." Nintendo's domestic rival Sony is also making a fresh efforts to create iOS and Android games based on its PlayStation brands. On Monday, it revealed a new Parappa the Rapper title and an Everybody's Golf game were being developed by its ForwardWorks studio.

Games company Nintendo has rolled out Super Mario Run to iPhones and iPads.

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In euphemistic railway speak, it was ranked as a 25 SPAD at SN45. To you and me, a charter steam train carrying hundreds of leisure passengers ran through a red light approaching a junction on a main line, about a minute after an express train had gone through at about 70mph. The close call happened just before 17:30 on Saturday 7 March at a junction in Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire. It is still being investigated, but the early report from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch suggests something very worrying - that the crew on the steam train may have cancelled the safety systems designed to automatically stop the train. The express train would have had somewhere between 300 and 400 people on board. The steam train, I understand, can carry about the same number. "This was potentially a catastrophe," the editor of Rail Magazine, Nigel Harris, told me. "We were a minute away from a high-speed train hitting a steam train. "Network Rail are quite rightly taking it very seriously." Network Rail took the unprecedented step of suspending the operating licence for West Coast Railways (WCR), effectively banning it from the track, until managers could prove they had beefed up their safety procedures. That licence has only just been handed back, although even now the rail regulator, the Office of Road and Rail (ORR), still has the power to strip the company of its safety certificate. WCR is by far the biggest steam train operator in Britain, running more than 500 charters each year. They include the "Hogwart's Express" from the Harry Potter films, and what it calls one of Scotland's biggest tourist attractions, the Jacobite Steam Train, which runs from Fort William to Mallaig. The heritage train market is big business, attracting tens of thousands of enthusiasts each year. WCR told the BBC: "We realise that measures must be taken to prevent this human error from happening again and put preventative measures and systems in place to ensure just that." "We have worked tirelessly with Network Rail to satisfy both parties' safety requirements," the company added. The steam train involved, locomotive No. 34067 "Tangmere", might be nearly 70 years old but it was fitted with the latest safety kit. Two systems, known as AWS and TPWS, act as a belt and braces arrangement to stop exactly this kind of incident from happening. Put simply, they shout out if there is oncoming danger then hit the brakes automatically if the driver does not react. A klaxon sounds in the cab, and at the same time there is a visual cue, a "sunflower" dial that turns from pure black, to black and yellow. If nothing happens for 2.7 seconds, the train stops itself. Category A signals passed at danger (SPADs) 2011/12: 276 2012/13: 249 2013/14: 293 Potentially severe operational close calls 2011/12: 61 2012/13: 95 2013/14: 102 Source: Network Rail But the system can be deactivated by the crew and that is one of the possibilities investigators are looking at here. The preliminary Rail Accident Investigation Branch report said: "Evidence shows that the driver and fireman instead took an action which cancelled the effect of the AWS (Automatic Warning System) braking demand after a short period and a reduction in train speed of only around 8mph." "The action taken also had the effect of making subsequent AWS or TPWS brake demands ineffective," it said. The preliminary report says that when the crew then realised they were approaching the red signal too fast they braked. But it was too late and the train eventually came to a halt across the junction. Investigators have so far found no evidence of a problem with the signals or safety equipment. It is rare that the regulator launches criminal proceedings against a train driver or their crew but it does happen. Last year another driver was handed a suspended prison sentence for passing through a red light and overriding the automatic braking system. Companies can also be prosecuted for breaking health and safety laws. The ORR is still investigating this latest case so we do not yet know whether it will take any action. There is also some history between Network Rail and the company involved. Look at this line from a letter signed by Network Rail's director of freight, Paul McMahon, and addressed to the WCR company secretary: "You are aware that Network Rail has had concerns about WCR's performance of its Safety Obligations for some time and recent events lead Network Rail to believe that the operations of WCR are a threat to the safe operation of the railway." That hostile view has now been toned down. "I can confirm that as you have now satisfactorily addressed all of the actions we set out in our Suspension Notice of 1 April we will lift the suspension of your Track Access Contracts," said Mr McMahon subsequently. "We welcome the commitment West Coast Railways has made to improving safety management," he added. The boss of Britain's train drivers' union, Mick Whelan at Aslef, told me he wants better regulation of the crews in charge of the steam charters that crisscross the country. Without knowing exactly what happened at Wootton Bassett, he said there is a wider issue in this "more casualised part of the industry", regulating the "people who may have retired but who like driving trains". After a series of horrific accidents in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Britain now has the safest trains in Europe. Lapses like this threaten that enviable record.

There has not been much about it in the media, but at the beginning of March Britain was less than a minute away from what might have been one of the country's worst train crashes.

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The centre in Telford opened to patients in September. Parent Alison Davies-Friend said the sewage came down the walls of the children's ward two weeks ago. Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust said there had been issues with leaking pipes in the women's services ward, above the children's ward. Debbie Kadum, chief operating officer, said: "This has not impacted on patient safety. "However, we recognise that at times, some people have noticed a smell as a result of leaks. "We are aware of the issues and we and our contractors Balfour Beatty are working hard to resolve them." The centre, which relocated from Shrewsbury, is the main base for children requiring an overnight stay, ongoing cancer treatment and haematology care. But other parents have also said there have been treatment delays since it opened and say it does not cater for families, there are no toys for the children or wi-fi-connection. Heather Noden, from Market Drayton in Shropshire, said her nine-year-old daughter, Molly, had to wait two days for a blood test compared to waiting just 15 minutes at the previous centre in Shrewsbury. Lynne Evans, from Llangadfan, said: "There's nothing for them to do toy-wise, craft-wise, computer-wise, nothing that my daughter relied on to give her some of her life back. "I came away very upset for children who are fighting for their lives now." The trust said it takes time to learn how best to provide a service in a new environment, but it was already seeing big improvements in response times for blood tests and it was confident these would continue. to improve. The spokesman said the first priority had been to ensure the safe transfer of clinical services. "Now that we have moved into the new unit we all have an opportunity to understand what it feels like to work there and to receive care. "This gives us an opportunity over the next few weeks to work with patients and families to design a great environment of care. "This includes choosing the images for the walls, agreeing on the right toys and equipment and installing wi-fi for patients and their families."

Parents of children being treated at a new £28m women and children's centre say sewage leaked on to a ward.

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Liu Tienan was the National Development and Reform Commission deputy head until he was sacked in August 2013. He is accused of receiving about 35.6 million yuan in kickbacks (£3.5m, $5.8m) for granting favours to businesses. The China Daily comments that the process of appointing top officials should be better scrutinised. "It is embarrassing to even acknowledge that Mr Liu and many others who have been caught in the anti-corruption net were repeatedly promoted to higher offices while each time abusing the power they had in hand," writes the paper. The daily urges the authorities to find out "who was behind Liu's promotions". The Beijing Times criticises the notion that Mr Liu was "a clean official" because he "pocketed only a small amount despite his high position". "Such views reflect the lack of concept of right or wrong… He should be punished in accordance with the law as his wrongdoing has serious consequences for to the country and society. We hope that the case… will serve as a lesson to other officials and make them respect the law and not to abuse their power," the paper points out. Some experts are predicting that despite the serious accusations, Mr Liu might not be punished severely. "Judging from Mr Liu's behaviour in court and his attitude toward admitting his guilt, he is likely to get a lighter sentence," Li Fabao, Liu Tienan's attorney, tells the English-language edition of the Global Times. The paper adds that prosecutors have also pointed to Mr Liu's co-operation during the investigation and suggested that the court should be lenient. Meanwhile, commentators have welcomed reports that China and Japan have resumed talks on maritime issues. According to Xinhua news agency, Beijing and Tokyo have restarted high-level consultations to resolve territorial disputes in the East China Sea, which in recent months have strained bilateral relations. Yi Xianliang, deputy director general of the foreign ministry's Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs, met his Japanese counterpart, Makita Shimokawa, in the eastern port city of Qingdao on Tuesday and yesterday, the agency reports. Da Zhigang, an expert in Japanese affairs at the Heilongjiang Academy of Social Sciences, sees the willingness to talk as a "signal of good intentions" by China and Japan. "Though there are some issues of principle between the two nations, neither of them would like to let political tension spread to economic areas, especially in the context of a fragile recovery of the global economy and slower growth in China," he tells the English-language South China Morning Post. Gao Hong, an expert on Japanese affairs at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, says in the Beijing Times that China-Japan ties are not only about territorial disputes, and that "both countries are able to see the bigger picture". He points out that the resumption of talks is "a positive step towards breaking the deadlock in the relationship", but cautions against high expectations. "The maritime issue is too complex and cannot be solved by one or two dialogues or consultation sessions," says the pundit. And finally, some media outlets assure readers that China "does not feel jealous" after India successfully launched its first Mars mission. The South Asian country is the fourth nation or geo-bloc to put a satellite into orbit around the Red Planet. "The Indian public fully expressed their elation at having surpassed China in Mars exploration… There is rhetoric on India's Internet that the success of Mangalyaan is pouring salt into China's wounds," says the Global Times, referring to China's failed 2011 mission Yinghuo-1. The paper, however, is quick to point out that China's fortunes will turn around. "If a country that is relatively backward in scientific research is able to send a probe to Mars, it is highly possible that Yinghuo-2 may succeed in the future," it argues. "India reminds us of the importance of taking the first step… Though Yinghuo-1 was outperformed by Mangalyaan, China's aerospace sector has made precious achievements," concludes the Global Times. The Chinese version of the same editorial adds that India "sees itself as a big country", but will have to pay a price to become one. "Half the 1.2 billion population of this big South Asian country do not have access to toilets, 287 million are illiterate. Instead of using the money to build toilets and schools, it has tightened its belt and spent the money to take pictures in space," says the daily. BBC Monitoring reports and analyses news from TV, radio, web and print media around the world. For more reports from BBC Monitoring, click here. You can follow BBC Monitoring on Twitter and Facebook.

Papers highlight the corruption crackdown as a high-ranking planning official went on trial for accepting millions of dollars in bribes.

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Patients with ulcerative colitis often have to rely on medicine given by enema, but this can be uncomfortable, messy and inconvenient. Now a US team has developed a hydrogel that attaches to ulcers and slowly releases a drug to help treat them. The early findings are reported in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Ulcerative colitis is the most common form of inflammatory bowel disease and mainly affects young people. It causes inflammation and ulceration of the inner lining of the rectum and colon. Symptoms include: Medicines taken orally are often broken down before they reach the affected area. Delivering the drug more directly through an enema - which has to be done regularly - can also be difficult and inconvenient for patients. To overcome this problem, US researchers took a gel called ascorbyl palmitate, which is safe and already approved for use in humans. In tests in mice and on bowel tissue from patients with the disease, the gel was shown to selectively attach to areas of inflammation. The gel could also be loaded with a corticosteroid drug used to treat inflammation. They designed the drugs to be held in place until the gel was broken down by enzymes present in inflamed tissue. Experiments showed the drug was released at sites of inflammation and, in mice, could be given every other day rather than daily. The team also used lower concentrations of the drug in the bloodstream compared with traditional enemas so reducing the exposure - and possible side-effects - in other areas of the body. Study leader Dr Jeff Karp, from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, said the next step was to test a different drug commonly used in the clinic and if that went well, to start trials in humans within a couple of years. "We're hopeful that this technology will allow patients to take an enema once a week rather than every day and without systemic side-effects or the need to retain the enema, as the gel quickly attaches to ulcers, ultimately improving their quality of life," he said. Dr Ayesha Akbar, a consultant gastroenterologist specialising in inflammatory bowel diseases and spokeswoman for the British Gastroenterology Society, said it was an interesting and exciting concept. "The idea does make complete sense, especially for patients with ulcerative colitis," she said.

A gel that "sticks" to affected tissue and delivers medicine gradually over time could help treat some inflammatory bowel problems, researchers say.

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Saxony's state justice ministry said Jaber al-Bakr was found dead and that an investigation had been launched. He had been turned in to police on Monday by three Syrian refugees after being on the run for two days. German police had been watching him for months, but failed to arrest him when they raided his flat on Saturday. Since his arrest, Jaber al-Bakr, 22, had been on hunger strike and was under round-the-clock surveillance, news website Der Spiegel reported. Call to reward Syrian refugees who arrested fugitive He was granted asylum after coming to Germany last year. German intelligence received reports last week that he might be planning an attack, and they alerted police in the eastern state of Saxony. Authorities said they discovered last Thursday that the suspect had used the internet to get bomb-making instructions and had obtained explosives. The BBC's Damien McGuinness in Berlin says al-Bakr's death will now make it even more difficult for police to find concrete information about his plans and about any possible accomplices. When police raided the flat in the eastern city of Chemnitz, they found 1.5kg of TATP, a home-made explosive used in the deadly jihadist attacks in Paris last year and in Brussels last March. The explosives were "extremely dangerous", police said. But al-Bakr managed to slip the net, and made his way to the city of Leipzig where he asked the Syrians for help. The three told police they had heard about the manhunt and tied him up while one of them knelt on him. They alerted police who finally managed to arrest him. Since then there have been calls for authorities to honour the three. Bild newspaper described them as "the Syrian heroes from Leipzig". The authorities believe al-Bakr had links to the group that calls itself Islamic State.

A Syrian migrant suspected of planning a bomb attack on a Berlin airport has killed himself in his prison cell in Leipzig, Germany, officials say.

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There are no sprinklers in flats in more than 300 high-rise buildings in towns and cities across the country, including Glasgow and Edinburgh. Every high-rise built in Scotland since 2005 must have sprinklers, by law. But there is no obligation on councils or social landlords to fit the systems in older tower blocks. There were no sprinkler systems in Grenfell Tower in Kensington, west London, when it was engulfed by a devastating fire last month that killed at least 80 people. It has led to renewed calls from firefighters and politicians to retrofit the devices in high-rise buildings. And the Scottish government has pledged to review the evidence about the effectiveness of the systems. An independent report published earlier this year found that sprinklers were 99% effective at controlling or extinguishing fires. BBC Scotland contacted local authorities and housing associations across Scotland in a bid to determine how many high-rise homes were fitted with sprinklers. Of those which replied to our request, only South Ayrshire Council said it had fitted the system into flats in its tower blocks. They were fitted in 234 homes in three tower blocks in Ayr during a refurbishment of the flats in 2003. Fife Council, the City of Edinburgh Council and Glasgow Housing Association have sprinklers in their bin stores - a move being considered by Aberdeen City Council. But there are no sprinklers in high-rise homes operated by the following social landlords: (South Lanarkshire Council has not yet supplied the information to BBC Scotland) There is no suggestion that any of the councils or housing associations are breaching fire regulations and they have reassured tenants about fire safety in the wake of the Grenfell tragedy. In response to the BBC Scotland inquiry, a number of landlords said they would act on any of the findings or recommendations made following the London fire. Sprinkler systems can be a "cost effective and potentially lifesaving intervention in the early stages of a fire," according to Assistant Chief Officer David McGown, of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). Indeed, an independent report published shortly before the Grenfell tragedy found that sprinklers - or fire suppression systems - were 99% effective at controlling or extinguishing fires when they operate. The study, which was commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs Council and the National Sprinkler Network found that they reduce damage in residential properties by 75%. Lead author Peter Wood, of Edinburgh-based Optimal Economics, told BBC Scotland he was confident of the effectiveness of sprinklers but he had "no idea" whether they would have prevented the Grenfell Tower fire. He said they "very, very occasionally" do not work when they are overwhelmed by a fire but he dismissed concerns that sprinklers could be easily triggered, causing flooding, as a "myth". "Sprinklers don't go off on a whim," he said. "They need heat to go off." According to the SFRS, many sprinklers are only triggered by heats of around 68C - 11C higher than the highest temperature ever recorded in Death Valley in California. They said firefighters often use 15 times more water from hoses to do the same job as a single sprinkler. Earlier this month Strathclyde's former chief fire officer, Brian Sweeney, said the installation of sprinklers in all high-rise buildings should be a "government priority". Writing in the Sunday Post, he said: "As a rough estimate, there is currently up to 1,000 high rise blocks across Scotland, and more could be done to improve their safety." His comments follow a 2015 report commissioned by the Scottish government which examined the "cost benefit analysis" of fitting sprinkler systems in homes across Scotland. It found that the cost of fitting sprinklers in individual flats would range from around £1,000 to £3,000. And it concluded that it was not cost-effective to fit sprinklers in individual houses, but a "targeted installation" would benefit at-risk groups. People who live in deprived areas, those with drug and alcohol problems, or mental health problems, and elderly people are at greater risk from fire. MSP David Stewart pressed the Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Angela Constance, on the issue in the Scottish Parliament earlier this week. "The cabinet secretary will be well aware from the Scottish government's own 2015 report that almost a third of accidental dwelling fires and deaths occur in the 15% most-deprived areas, yet there have been no multiple fire deaths in Scotland where a working sprinkler system has been installed," he said. He told BBC Scotland he would like to see sprinklers installed in the homes of vulnerable people, which included tower blocks. Ms Constance has agreed to meet Mr Stewart - a member of the cross-party working group on accident prevention - to discuss the issue. The Scottish government has confirmed that the provision of sprinklers will be considered in a review of fire legislation and building regulations - to which the fire service will contribute. Assistant Chief Officer David McGown said: "The SFRS recognises the value these installations can add whilst acknowledging that they may not be appropriate in all cases when applied on a risk basis." He added: "The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service works closely with local authorities and housing associations to help ensure the safety of occupants in high-rise buildings. The SFRS is here to support communities, most notably through our free home fire safety visits." A spokesman for the Scottish government said: "While we continue to be confident that we have stringent building and fire safety regulations which contribute to keeping people safe, following the tragic events at Grenfell Tower it is imperative that we undertake a thorough and critical review of our regulations. "The Ministerial Working Group overseeing this process will consider all relevant measures to ensure the safety of residents in high-rise domestic buildings, including a review of evidence on fire suppression systems."

Thousands of homes in tower blocks across Scotland do not have potentially life-saving sprinkler systems, a BBC Scotland investigation has found.

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She said an independent Scotland could play a bigger role at the world body to help promote human rights, gender equality and peace. Ms Sturgeon was addressing diplomats at UN headquarters in New York. "We are a relatively small country, but a country that potentially can have a big, positive and powerful voice," she said. The first minister is on a five-day tour of the US. Ms Sturgeon has insisted her visit is focused on trade rather than pushing for independence. The Scottish Conservatives have accused the SNP leader of using "her taxpayer-funded trip to America to promote independence, and an unwanted referendum". Last week, the Scottish government asked UK Prime Minister Theresa May for a second referendum on independence after Britain launched the process of leaving the European Union. But the UK government has already declined Ms Sturgeon's request to be given the powers to hold a legally-binding independence referendum before the Brexit process is complete. Ms Sturgeon told BBC Scotland's Glenn Campbell that she had "no plans to go to court" to challenge the UK government's decision. She said: "It is absolutely essential that if the will of the Scottish Parliament is for a referendum then that should be respected. "I don't think there is any need, nor is there any intention, to see a matter that should be settled politically end up in the courts." Nicola Sturgeon 'would agree to meet Trump' FM sets out global vision for Scotland Sturgeon signs climate agreement with California Ms Sturgeon used her address to the UN to raise her international profile and draw attention to Scotland's credentials as a "good global citizen." The first minister said she wanted to "explore ways in which the Scottish government can further support the UN and its various different forums," in particular in the area of human rights and gender equality. Scotland is working with the United Nations to offer training to women in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and other conflict areas in the Middle East to help them play a larger role in promoting peace. Last year, 50 women took part in the Scottish programme and the same number will take part in the initiative every year until 2021, said Sturgeon. "My country will take a lead in trying to drive forward progress both within Scotland, but also where possible by helping to promote gender equality," she said. "Women's rights have to be the concern of everybody, not just women." "In order to advance women's rights, we need to make sure that women are in key areas and key positions of influence," she said. Earlier this week, Sturgeon spoke to US investors in California. She is scheduled to address the Women in the World summit in New York on Thursday.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has told the United Nations that Scotland wants to play its part.

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Saints boss Claude Puel says he expects the Dutchman to be out for about two to three months with an ankle problem. The 25-year-old picked up the knock in a challenge by striker Jamie Vardy during Southampton's 3-0 victory over Leicester City on 22 January. Southampton defeated Liverpool last month to book their place in the final at Wembley Stadium on 26 February. Frenchman Puel said that the Saints looked to bring in a replacement before the transfer window shut on Tuesday. "We studied a lot of solutions for a new defender, but we could not find a good opportunity," he said. This content will not work on your device, please check Javascript and cookies are enabled or update your browser

Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk will miss the EFL Cup final against Manchester United because of an injury.

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That was just marginally below the firm's record profit in 2013. Turnover was up slightly from £91m to £92m. Randox is one of Northern Ireland's major exporters, shipping to 145 countries. The firm continued to spend heavily on research and development, with its total R&D spending just over £8m in 2014. At the end of 2013, the firm bought the former Massereene army base in Antrim to develop into a manufacturing and research facility. Randox's owner Dr Peter Fitzgerald bought the 1,200 acre Dundarave estate in north Antrim in 2014.

Randox, the County Antrim healthcare diagnostics company, had another strong performance in 2014 with pre-tax profits of just under £13m.

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Retired church pastor Henry Clarke, 75, admitted he had abused three boys at Northern Ireland care homes, including Billy Brown in 1968. Mr Clarke, who now lives in Canada, confessed his crimes to police in 1985, but has never been prosecuted. Mr Brown said he had gone "through hell" since the abuse, and called for Clarke to prove his remorse is genuine. Prosecutors in Northern Ireland are considering a review of the case after they said police had not provided them with "significant evidence concerning serious offences". "You've admitted it - just jump on the plane and come home yourself, face the music, come and face me," Mr Brown told BBC Radio Ulster's The Stephen Nolan Show. "I'm not hiding from him any more, I'm not scared." Henry Clarke first came to the attention of police in 1982, when the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) started an inquiry into sex abuse at the notorious Kincora boys' home in Belfast. Some of the teenagers who had been abused at Kincora had come from Bawnmore home in Newtownabbey, County Antrim, where they said they had also been abused. Belfast man Mr Brown was 12 years old and in care when he was abused by Clarke, who had invited him to his family home, introduced him to his parents and then abused him while he slept. Mr Brown, now 61, said he was "angry" with Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service (PPS) and the police for their failure to bring his abuser to justice. He said: "Why was I left in the dark all them years, going through alcoholism, taking drugs, trying to kill myself? "He shouldn't have been able to leave this country to get to Canada. "I want him prosecuted - if others have got jailed, why not him?" After carrying out his abuse in Northern Ireland, Clarke later moved to Canada, but returned on a family holiday in 1985. He was taken in for questioning by police and admitted abusing two boys. In spite of his confession, the then director of public prosecutions ordered "no prosecution". That, prosecutors said, was because too much time had elapsed between the offences and the confession. When he returned to Canada, he wrote a letter to police in which he admitted sexually touching another child in in 1968, 17 years before his confession. The RUC decided not to tell prosecutors, given the previous decision not to mount a case against Clarke. The PPS has now requested that the chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) provides information linked to Clarke. Questions have been raised over why the RUC did not alert Canadian authorities to Clarke's history of abuse. For years, he continued to live his life in Canada without anyone in authority knowing about his confessions. In a statement to the BBC, the PSNI said it contacted Canadian police in 2016 to inform them that Clarke was "an alleged abuser at a children's home".

A child sex-abuse victim has challenged his abuser to return to Northern Ireland to face him.

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Vaughan Gething said one of his priorities would be to "maintain the progress" made recently in reducing long delays for treatment. The Welsh Government has faced consistent criticism about lengthening hospital waiting times. The proportion of patients waiting more than nine months to start treatment has risen threefold in five years. It has increased from 2% of patients in December 2011 to 6% of patients in December 2015. But during three months of this year the figure dropped to 4%. The target, however, is that no patient should wait that long. But Mr Gething told BBC Wales that NHS Wales is likely, once again this year, to face a difficult winter as a result of increasing demand for emergency care from an ageing population. "It's a really difficult challenge not just in Wales but in every part of the UK - I won't tell you winter won't be difficult," he said. "But I think when you see the end of year waiting times there'll be good news for people in Wales. Part of our challenge is how to maintain the progress we've made in the second half of last year and continue to improve." Health board still faces 'challenges' Mr Gething went on to claim that the health service in Wales was in a better financial shape than in England. But he confirmed that two Welsh health boards - Betsi Cadwaldr in north Wales and Hywel Dda in west Wales - had overspent during the past financial year. Mr Gething said though that the Welsh NHS as a whole had succeeded in balancing its books. "Within the whole [health] department we lived within our means and that's really important when you look at the comparison with England - where the internal health department in the UK government overspent and the equivalent health bodies in England significantly overspent compared to ours here." The new health secretary also confirmed that he would like to see cross-party discussions about developing a long-term vision and strategy for NHS Wales. As part of an agreement with Plaid Cymru, the first minister announced that he would move to establish a "parliamentary commission" to discuss the NHS's future. Mr Gething said he hoped parties across the political divide in the Welsh Assembly would engage in that process - to inform the development of of a new 10-year health strategy. On the EU referendum, Mr Gething dismissed claims made by those campaigning for a leave vote about the impact migration will have on the NHS's ability to cope if the UK stays within the EU. David Davies MP claimed the Welsh NHS would need an additional £246m a year by 2030 to cope with EU migration. But Mr Gething added: "I think the claims that have been made are outrageously misleading - deliberately designed to cause fear and anxiety and ignore the facts. "We rely on European citizens to staff our health service - doctors, nurses and other professionals. If we took all of those out we wouldn't be able to run the service as we know it and as we want it to be." He also said figures by the Vote Leave campaign ignored the fact that almost all EU migration were young work-active people. "They are not net-detractors - they are net-contributors in the taxes they pay," Mr Gething added.

The public can expect "good news" about NHS waiting times by the end of 2016, the new health secretary has said.

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Hosting rights were awarded to the Manx International Football Alliance (MIFA) last year, but now the week-long tournament will be held in Hungary. The inaugural tournament of the world cup for non-Fifa nations was held last year in Östersund, Sweden. A ConIFA spokesman said the decision is down to "unforseen travelling issues". He added: "The limited numbers of ferry tickets directly after the TT Races made it impossible to fit the needs of the teams and the large number of fans wanting to see the matches. "In addition, financial backing of local companies, investors and government did not materialise as MIFA originally believed. "These reasons combined made it difficult to organise and finance a tournament on the Isle of Man alone." The tournament, which is expected to involve 12 teams from all around the world, will take place in Budapest between the 13 and 21 June.

The Isle of Man has pulled out of hosting the 2015 ConIFA European Football Championship next June, organisers have announced.

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A total of 798 deaths associated with the disease have been recorded in 19 out of 22 provinces since 27 April. The charity Oxfam said the epidemic was killing one person almost every hour. Yemen's health, water and sanitation systems are collapsing after two years of war between government forces and the rebel Houthi movement. Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholera. Most of those infected will have no or mild symptoms but, in severe cases, the disease can kill within hours if left untreated. On Wednesday, the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the epidemic in Yemen was "of an unprecedented scale". In the past four weeks, it added, the number of deaths had been three times higher than that reported between October 2016 - when Yemen's government first announced an outbreak - and March 2017. The authorities in the rebel-controlled capital Sanaa, which has recorded the highest number of cases, declared a state of emergency on 14 May. More than half of the country's health facilities are no longer functioning, with almost 300 having been damaged or destroyed in the fighting. Health and sanitation workers have not been paid for eight months; only 30% of required medical supplies are being imported into the country; rubbish collection in the cities is irregular; and more than 8 million people lack access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation. The OCHA said the risk of the epidemic spreading further was compounded by the rainy season, widespread food insecurity and malnutrition. The war has left 18.8 million of Yemen's 28 million people needing humanitarian assistance and almost 7 million on the brink of famine. Oxfam's Yemen country director, Sajjad Mohammed Sajid, meanwhile warned that the outbreak was set to be one of the worst this century if there was not a massive and immediate effort to bring it under control. "Cholera is simple to treat and prevent but while the fighting continues the task is made doubly difficult. A massive aid effort is needed now," he said. "Those backers of this war in Western and Middle Eastern capitals need to put pressure on parties to the fighting to agree a ceasefire to allow public health and aid workers to get on with the task." A Saudi-led multinational coalition - backed by the US and UK - launched a military campaign in support of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi in March 2015. Since then, at least 8,050 people have been killed and 45,100 others injured.

The number of suspected cases of cholera resulting from a severe outbreak in Yemen has passed 100,000, the World Health Organization says.

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The defender, 22, spent two seasons with the Eredivisie club, helping them to an 11th-placed finish in 2015-16. After making six appearances in a two-year spell with AZ Alkmaar, Lam joined Zwolle in 2014. Lam has represented Finland at various youth levels and made five appearances for the senior national team. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Nottingham Forest have signed free agent Finland international Thomas Lam on a three-year deal after he left Dutch side PEC Zwolle.

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Laird, 29, spent last season with the Prenton Park side, making 34 league appearances as they suffered relegation from League Two. Tozer, 25, made 165 appearances for the club after joining in 2011 following two earlier loan spells. Meanwhile, midfielder Kevin Dawson has signed a new two-year deal, having made 21 appearances in 2014-15. "I cannot wait for the season to start. It has been a horrendous time with injuries for me but hopefully they are all behind me now," said Dawson, who has been at Huish Park since January 2013. Glovers boss Paul Sturrock, who worked with Tozer at Swindon, told the club website of the former Newcastle man: "I feel Ben's career over the past few seasons has stagnated in a way that he has become a utility player and played in about five different positions. "I would like to settle him down now into playing in just two positions. He has all attributes to be a great signing for the club and I am looking forward to working with him." Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Yeovil have signed Tranmere midfielder Marc Laird and Northampton defender Ben Tozer on one-year deals.

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Young people in the area are being invited to participate in the Wilton Lodge project led by local artist and film-maker Dawn Berry. Events manager Gordon Webber said it was an "exciting year" for the Hawick facility. He said the aim of the scheme was to get a "youth perspective" on the life of the park. "Lots will be going on with the usual events programme but also the addition of the new café, playpark and bridge," he said. "There should be lots of material there to capture." Project manager Ms Berry added: "We will provide the tools and guidance needed to film, edit and score the film but ultimately we want the input from the youth participants on what they want to see in the film and tell their story of the park's life." A first information meeting for the project will take place on Saturday 28 January at 12:00 in the theatre at the Heart of Hawick centre.

A short film is to be made to capture a year in the life of a Borders park currently undergoing a £3.65m overhaul.

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Premises in Linlithgow, Cowdenbeath, Burntisland and Kincardine were targeted on Monday. It follows a robbery in Glenboig, North Lanarkshire, on Friday and an attempted raid in Clarkston, East Renfrewshire, on Saturday. Police were "keeping an open mind" about the same man being responsible. In the first of the latest incidents, a man stole a sum of cash from the till of a post office in Linlithgow at about 11:25. At about 12:15, there was an incident reported in Cowdenbeath High Street where a man tried to get behind the counter of a post office but was refused and left the premises. About half an hour later, a man entered a post office in High Street, Burntisland, with a knife and made off with a sum of cash. A female shopkeeper was assaulted by a man who had a weapon in the final incident, in Elphinstone Street, Kincardine, at about 14:14. He fled with cash. The suspect in all four incidents was described as white, in his 30s with a stocky build, stubbly complexion and wearing dark clothing and a high-visibility jacket. Det Insp Colin Robson from Dunfermline CID said: "These incidents were all extremely alarming for the staff involved and we are providing each of those affected with all the support they require will they assist us with our ongoing inquiries. "We believe the same male was responsible for each of these crimes and would ask that anyone who can help us to identify this individual contacts police immediately. "Anyone with any other information relevant to this investigation is also urged to get in touch." He added: "We are also working closely with post office counters with a view to raising awareness and prevent further crimes." On Saturday, two members of staff were threatened with a knife during a failed robbery bid at the post office within the Premier Store in Busby Road in Clarkston. A 56-year-old woman was threatened by a man wearing a high-vis vest and brandishing a weapon during a robbery at a post office in Glenboig in North Lanarkshire on Friday afternoon.

A spate of incidents involving a man with a knife threatening staff at post offices across central Scotland may be linked, police have said.

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Tye took 18 wickets for Gloucestershire in 14 T20 matches in his first spell with the club last season. The 30-year-old has won three caps for Australia in 20-over cricket, with his last international appearance coming in a defeat by South Africa in March. He has played for Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League for the past two seasons, winning the 2014-15 title.

Gloucestershire have re-signed Australia seam bowler Andrew Tye for the 2017 T20 Blast competition.

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McCormack hit a post in the first half before putting the hosts in front when he slotted in his 20th of the season from Dembele's pinpoint cut-back. Josh Murphy levelled superbly for the Dons when he coolly lobbed over Marcus Bettinelli from Alex Revell's flick. But Fulham won it when Dembele swept in after McCormack teed him up. Slovisa Jokanovic's side remain 21st despite their victory following Rotherham's 2-1 win over Leeds - the Millers' fifth in six matches. The Dons still occupy the final Championship relegation place and are now four points from safety with just seven games of the season to go. Fulham's success was no more than they deserved, but they were frustrated in the first half as Cody Cropper made fine saves to deny Tom Cairney and Dembele. The Dons keeper later thwarted McCormack and Dembele in the space of 30 seconds after the break, but was powerless to keep out the latter's winner, his 14th goal of the season. Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic: Media playback is not supported on this device "It's the end of the run without any wins, in front of us are seven cup finals. We are not safe with this three points today. "I can be satisfied with many things today, with the way my team played, but it's not time for a holiday. "We have a job in front of us. In three days' time we have another cup final in front of us. "We made one mistake and I believe we can avoid this situation where MK Dons scored their goal." MK Dons boss Karl Robinson: "The officials cost us, his goal was onside - they know that, they understand that and they know they made an error. "At 1-1 it's a big decision. It's a bitter pill to take. A draw would have been a fair result on the balance of the game. "I don't think we deserved to win here, but I don't think they deserved to win either. But we've been beat and we have to take it on the chin."

Moussa Dembele and Ross McCormack inspired Fulham's first win in seven games to ease their relegation worries and increase those of visitors MK Dons.

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After 90 years in production, the firm said sultanas had been included "to add more variation" and "ensure it's still an affordable treat". But some chocoholics accused Cadbury of putting cost - sultanas are cheaper than raisins - ahead of taste. Cadbury came under fire earlier this year when it altered the recipe for its Creme Eggs. The packaging for Fruit and Nut will not change, and Cadbury said that in tests, only 10% of people could tell the difference between the old and new versions. In a statement, it said: "While raisins have actually traditionally been the 'fruit' of Cadbury Fruit and Nut, sultanas have been brought into the fold to add more variation. "It's important we have a flexible supply of the dried fruit we use in our famous Fruit and Nut bars to both retain quality and ensure it's still an affordable treat." But some customers took to Twitter to vent their anger at the change, which will appear on the shelves at the end of November. One user Simon Barry wrote: "I hate Cadburys for changing the fruit and nut. Damn the American ownership ruining perfectly good sweets!" Another, Ria Gregory, wrote: "Actually disgusted Cadbury's would think it's OK to put sultanas in Fruit and Nut."

Cadbury has upset some fans of its Fruit and Nut bar by adding sultanas to the recipe as well as raisins.

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The 19-year-old has played a pivotal role in his side's strong start to the League Two campaign, with his five goals in six games in November helping him win the EFL Young Player of the Month award. But the rigours of professional football are a world away from what Mandeville had planned. "I only came here when I was 16. I wasn't really planning on being a footballer really, it was a bit of a last-minute thing," he told BBC Sport. "I was just playing for a Sunday league team back home in Yarm when I got a trial and luckily I got in. "I actually wanted to be a lawyer or an investment banker. I did all right at school and I thought I'd go down that route." He continued: "My first week here was like nothing I had ever experienced before. I couldn't feel my legs by the end of it. "It was a big transition but I started doing well and my belief grew." Mandeville's performances, which also saw him named the Professional Footballers' Association's fans' League Two player of the month for November, have also drawn praise from manager Darren Ferguson. The former Peterborough boss said: "He's done very well. He's now fulfilling the potential we always thought was there. "He's trained very, very well and he's probably the last one off the training ground every day. "He's got a lot of attributes that I want from an attacker; he's got good vision, he can finish with both feet and he's very good technically." Rewind a year and things were not looking quite so bright for the teenager. Mandeville was loaned out to seventh-tier Whitby Town to get some more experience of the senior game but his spell there saw him play just once. "It's a good club but I didn't have the best personal experience there," said Mandeville, who believes it was an important period for his development. "The manager got sacked and it wasn't ideal but it brought me back to reality. "Maybe I wasn't doing things as professionally as I should have been and I really kicked on from that experience." That opinion is shared by Ferguson, who believes Mandeville's tough spell back in North Yorkshire was "a wake-up call". It bodes well for both player and club that the striker is able to handle adversity so well. He missed the first penalty of his professional career as Rovers fell to a 2-0 defeat at fellow promotion hopefuls Plymouth on Saturday. Mandeville, who had scored all three of his previous spot-kicks, has been backed by his manager to overcome the setback. "I think you can learn more about a player after something like that and I would have no hesitation at giving him a penalty again," Ferguson said. "He's very good at them and he sent the keeper the wrong way, it was just a little lapse in concentration. "He's a strong boy mentally and he's shown all his ability now that we've given him a platform to go and play. He's got that confidence and belief that he should be in the team. For young players, that is a big thing." Ferguson, who Mandeville describes as "a great coach", has endured a mixed first 15 months in South Yorkshire. A long winless run saw the club fall to a surprise relegation from League One last season. The board decided to stick with their man in the summer and are reaping the rewards as Rovers are third in the table, five points clear of the play-off places. In different circumstances, Ferguson's father Sir Alex promoted a number of players from Manchester United's academy and they formed the basis of the first team in 1995. With David Beckham, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt all featuring regularly, the Red Devils went on to win the double that season and the treble three years later. However, in an age when managers can feel the seat getting hotter with every defeat, is there a concern that other bosses will not feel safe to risk putting so much trust in young players? "I don't know about that, possibly," Ferguson said. "My philosophy has always been about developing players as a whole but you have to understand that younger players take more time and you'll get some inconsistency. "If I feel they are good enough then it is my job to take the responsibility off them and I am happy to do that. I don't want too much pressure on them, I want them to concentrate on playing. "The most important thing for me is that if they have the ability, then age is irrelevant." If Ferguson can help his young squad to the kind of success that his father enjoyed, then Mandeville might be able to put off his academic career for a little while longer yet.

Things are working out a little differently to how Doncaster Rovers striker Liam Mandeville expected.

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It is part of new measures to provide basic protection for some seven million domestic workers long excluded from Brazil's stringent labour laws. Employers can now be reported and fined several hundred dollars each time they break part of the code. A constitutional amendment limits domestic workers to a 44-hour week. It defined other rights as well - basic entitlements such as an eight-hour working day, the right to the minimum wage, a lunch break, social security and severance pay. Most of these changes have been implemented, but there are still challenges around the government severance fund into which employers have to pay 8% of their employee's total salary each month. If the employee is fired without just cause, the employer has to pay a lump sum worth 40% of the pot, plus an added 10% for the government. Discussions are continuing around how many months' pay workers will be entitled to if they are made redundant. The regulation of working hours has had a big impact. The new legislation has led to many families employing more people to do alternate shifts and some employers are doing more work themselves. But there are other factors too affecting the domestic worker labour market. The number of women choosing to go into domestic service is shrinking. This is because of better access to education and job opportunities particularly in the poor north-east of the country from where many people travelled in search of work. Domestic workers are asking for higher wages so for many in the middle class the live-in maid is no longer feasible. People are employing staff by the day and more household chores are being done by middle-class men and women who are also now buying more household appliances. Brazil has around 7m maids according to the International Labour Organisation, more than any other country in the world.

A new law in Brazil has come into force under which employers can be fined if they fail to register their domestic workers.

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The ship, escorted by UK and Danish naval vessels, was despatched as part of international efforts to remove dangerous stockpiles from the country. Libyan chemical weapons were destroyed under global supervision in 2014. But the presence of hazardous materials in the strife-torn country has caused international concern. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the UK and its international partners were taking "practical and effective action" to eliminate the risks of chemical attacks in Libya. The items on board the Danish vessel travelling through the Mediterranean are believed to be the last known materials to pose a threat. Libya has been beset by chaos since Nato-backed forces overthrew long-serving ruler Col Muammar Gaddafi in October 2011, leading to a power vacuum and instability. Western powers have since become increasingly concerned after so-called Islamic State (IS) built a presence in the North African state.

A Danish ship loaded with materials that can be used to manufacture chemical weapons has left Libya and is making its way to Germany.

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The pilot and a passenger, who were flying from Easterton Airfield, near Elgin, last October, were rescued. The pilot, who was attempting a safe landing after losing power, suspected part of the engine iced up. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report said the pilot landed in the firth because the shore was rocky. RNLI Invergordon and the coastguard responded to the incident. The microlight ditched near Evanton. The two people were winched on board a coastguard helicopter and taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. They were not injured but were "shocked and hypothermic". The AAIB report said: "The pilot flew at an altitude of 5,500 ft across the Moray Firth, but found the temperature cold. He therefore descended to 2,000 ft to cross the Cromarty Firth and then again to approximately 20ft to fly along the shore. "When the pilot attempted to apply power to climb, the engine did not respond and the aircraft descended towards the water. "He decided to ditch the aircraft because the shore, although close by, was rocky. The aircraft flipped as it entered the water." The pilot and his passenger unfastened their seatbelts and escaped from the aircraft's pod. The AAIB report said: "The pilot conjectured that the loss of power may have been caused by carburettor icing during the two previous descents."

The icing up of an engine part most likely caused a microlight aircraft ending up in the Cromarty Firth, according to a report on the incident.

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A cub escapes deep snow by hitching a ride on its mother's backside in Wapusk National Park, Manitoba, Canada. Taken by Daisy Gilardini, from Switzerland, the photo is one of 25 shortlisted for the People's Choice Award in the latest Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition - on show now at the Natural History Museum in London. Scroll down to see all 25 images, pre-selected by the museum from almost 50,000 submissions from 95 countries. A mother's hand Alain Mafart Renodier, France Alain Mafart Renodier was on a winter visit to Japan's Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park when he took this photograph of a sleeping baby Japanese macaque, its mother's hand covering its head protectively. Opportunistic croc Bence Mate, Hungary Although this shot was taken from a safe hide, Bence Mate says it was chilling to see the killing eyes of this 4m (13ft) Nile crocodile. This one had been baited with natural carcasses on an island in the Zimanga Private Game Reserve, South Africa, but crocodiles also come here just to bask in the Sun. The stare of death Johan Kloppers, South Africa Johan Kloppers saw this little wildebeest shortly after it was born in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa. Little did he know that he would witness its death later that same day. The small herd of wildebeest walked right past a pride of lions, and the calf was caught by a lioness and then taken by this male lion. Monkey ball Thomas Kokta, Germany Cold temperatures on Shodoshima Island, Japan, sometimes lead to monkey balls, where a group of five or more snow monkeys huddle together to keep warm. Thomas Kokta climbed a tree to get this image. Facing the storm Gunther Riehle, Germany Gunther Riehle arrived at the sea-ice in Antarctica in sunshine, but by the evening a storm had picked up - and then came snow. He concentrated on taking images of the emperor penguin chicks huddled together to shield themselves. Ghostly snow geese Gordon Illg, US These snow geese almost seemed like ghosts in the pink early morning light as they landed among sandhill cranes in the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, US. Sisters Bernd Wasiolka, Germany Bernd Wasiolka encountered a large lion pride at a waterhole in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa. One of the two males spray-marked the branches of a nearby tree. Later two females sniffed the markings and for a brief moment both adopted the same posture. Into the fray Stephen Belcher, New Zealand Stephen Belcher spent a week photographing golden snub-nosed monkeys in a valley in the Zhouzhi Nature Reserve in the Qinling Mountains, China. The monkeys have very thick fur, which they need to withstand the freezing nights in winter. This image shows two males about to fight, one already up on a rock, the other bounding in with a young male. Head-on Tapio Kaisla, Finland Tapio Kaisla took a trip to Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjell National Park, Norway, to find these oxen in their natural habitat. Even though spring is not rutting season for these animals, they were already seriously testing their strength against each other. The air rang out with the loud bang of the head-on collision. Colorado red Annie Katz, US It was a crisp, clear day in January when Annie Katz saw this Colorado red fox hunting in her neighbour's field in Aspen, Colorado, US. The light was perfect, and she took the photo as the fox approached her, looking right into the lens of her camera. The couple Sergio Sarta, Italy During a dive off the coast of Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia, Sergio Sarta saw a bright-coloured organism - a fire urchin with an elegant couple of little Coleman shrimps. The fire urchin has quills that are very toxic to humans - the shrimps avoid this danger by seeking out safe areas between the quills. Jelly starburst Andrea Marshall, US Andrea Marshall was snorkelling off the coast of Mozambique when she came across hundreds of large jelly-fish. Many were covered with brittle stars - opportunistic riders, taking advantage of this transport system to disperse along the coast. Delicate lighting makes the jelly glow, so the viewer can focus on the subtle colours and textures. The stand-off Michael Lambie, Canada It was breeding season and all the male turkeys were putting on a show for the females, but a number of birds seemed a little confused. This one was more concerned with the potential suitor in front of it, not realising it was its own reflection. Into the night Karine Aigner, US During the summer months, 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats arrive at Bracken Cave in San Antonio, Texas, US, to give birth and raise their young. Each evening at dusk, the hungry mothers emerge into the night in a vortex, circling out through the entrance and rising into the sky to feed on insects. Willow up close David Maitland, UK David Maitland photographed the crystallised chemical salicin, which comes from willow tree bark. Salicin forms the basis of the analgesic Aspirin - no doubt this is why some animals seek out willow bark to chew on. The blue trail Mario Cea, Spain The kingfisher frequented this natural pond every day, and Mario Cea used a high shutter speed with artificial light to photograph it. He used several units of flash for the kingfisher and a continuous light to capture the wake as the bird dived down towards the water. Eye in focus Ally McDowell, US/UK Ally McDowell often focuses on colours and patterns underwater - and this is the eye of a parrotfish during a night dive. Spiral Marco Gargiulo, Italy Sabella spallanzanii is a species of marine polychaete, also known as a bristle worm. The worm secretes mucus that hardens to form a stiff, sandy tube that protrudes from the sand. It has two layers of feeding tentacles that can be retracted into the tube, and one of the layers forms a distinct spiral. Eye contact Guy Edwardes, UK The Dalmatian pelican, seen here on Lake Kerkini, Greece, is the largest species of pelican in the world. It is native to eastern Europe, Russia and Asia. However, its population is currently threatened in some areas from hunting, water pollution and habitat loss, particularly a decline in wetlands. Confusion Rudi Hulshof, South Africa Rudi Hulshof wanted to capture the uncertainty of the future of the southern white rhino in the Welgevonden Game Reserve, South Africa, because of poaching. He anticipated the moment when these two rhinos would walk past each other, creating this silhouette effect and the illusion of a two-headed rhino. Tasty delicacy Cristobal Serrano, Spain The natural world provides countless magical moments, none more so than the delicate moment a tiny, elegant hummingbird softly inserts its slender bill into the corolla of a flower to drink nectar. Cristobal Serrano was lucky enough to capture that exact moment in Los Quetzales National Park, Costa Rica. Breakfast time Cari Hill, New Zealand Shortly after purchasing the Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Kenya, the owners learned that the only remaining Rothschild's giraffes in the country were at risk, as their sole habitat was being subdivided into smallholdings. So they began a breeding programme to reintroduce the Rothschild's giraffe into the wild. Today, guests can enjoy visits from resident giraffes in search of a treat. Caterpillar curl Reinhold Schrank, Austria Reinhold Schrank was at Lake Kerkini, Greece, taking pictures of birds, but the conditions were not ideal, so he looked for other options. He saw this caterpillar on a flower and encouraged it on to a piece of rolled dry straw. He had to work fast because the caterpillar was constantly moving. Rainbow wings Victor Tyakht, Russia The bird's wing acts as a diffraction grating - a surface structure with a repeating pattern of ridges or slits. The structure causes the incoming light rays to spread out, bend and split into spectral colours, producing this shimmering rainbow effect. Vote for the People's Choice Award here before 10 January 2017. The exhibition runs until 10 September 2017. Top image: Hitching a ride - by Daisy Gilardini, Switzerland. A female polar bear and her cub in Wapusk National Park, Manitoba, Canada.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London.

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Writing on Twitter, Lynch said he had not been given enough money "to do the script in the way I felt it needed to be done". "This weekend I started to call actors to let them know I would not be directing," he added. Lynch's departure casts doubt on the revival, which was commissioned by US network Showtime last October. The auteur, whose credits include Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive, created the cult drama with Mark Frost in the 1990s. Revolving around the murder of teenage schoolgirl Laura Palmer, the show was a precursor of dense, cinematic TV shows like The Sopranos and The Wire. It won three Golden Globe awards in 1991, including best TV series and best actor for Kyle MacLachlan. MacLachlan played Special Agent Dale Cooper, an FBI agent who got drawn into the seedy town of Twin Peaks as his murder investigation took several surreal turns. He was due to reprise the role in the Showtime revival when production began later this year. Lynch and Frost have already written scripts for the nine episode series, which was due to air in 2016, marking the 25th anniversary of the original finale. In his statement, Lynch said: "I love the world of Twin Peaks and wish things could have worked out differently." However, he hinted the show might go ahead in his absence. "Twin Peaks may still be very much alive at Showtime," he wrote. Soon after his comments were published on Twitter, Showtime released the following statement. "We were saddened to read David Lynch's statement today since we believed we were working towards solutions with David and his reps on the few remaining deal points. "Showtime also loves the world of Twin Peaks and we continue to hold out hope that we can bring it back in all its glory with both of its extraordinary creators, David Lynch and Mark Frost, at its helm."

Director David Lynch has confirmed he will not direct the sequel to Twin Peaks, citing disagreement over money.

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Harlequins face the Welsh region in the European Champions Cup on Sunday. The Wales and British and Irish Lions centre joined Harlequins in December after spending two seasons with Racing 92 in France. "On a personal level it will be nice to play against my old team because I've never had a chance to do that before," Roberts told BBC Radio Wales. "I'm looking forward to it. "I'll come up against players I've played with at the club and players I've played with at international level, and I'm pretty good friends with a lot of those guys and it'll be a different experience and I'm looking forward to it." Harlequins lead the Challenge Cup qualifying pool ahead of the Blues, who are nine points behind the Aviva Premiership club. They beat the Blues 32-20 in November, when Roberts did not play because he was preparing to play for Cambridge in the Varsity match. The return fixture comes two days before Wales coach Warren Gatland names his squad for the Six Nations championship, though Roberts says that will make no difference to his approach. "It's a bit of a mini trial of sorts," said Roberts. "But that's always in the back of your mind whenever you play - regardless of how close it is to the Six Nations - you're always in the shop window and never more so than in Europe. "That's the same for the Cardiff Blues boys - I know they name the squad next week - so it's about putting in a good performance and putting your hand up for selection I suppose." Sunday's match will see Roberts come up against Blues head coach Danny Wilson, who played a key role in his formative years as a junior player. "He was my first coach when I played for Rumney RFC growing up, and he's a guy I have a huge amount of respect for," added Roberts. "He's doing a good job in rebuilding that squad. He's a top bloke, and the players are responding to what he's trying to achieve on the field."

Jamie Roberts is looking forward to playing against Cardiff Blues for the first time since leaving in 2013.

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Deputy minister Rebecca Evans has effectively blocked the plans for 16 turbines at Mynydd y Gwair, near Felindre, after considering a planning inspector's report. RWE Innogy UK has permission for the turbines but it needed to deregister the common land and provide alternative space but that has been refused. The firm may resubmit an application. Swansea council gave the plans for the turbines the go ahead in 2013. But the planning inspector, after a string of hearings in Swansea last year, found that ancient rights of way and sheep hefts would have vanished and the drainage of the area, which is riddled with old mine workings, would have been disrupted by the development. Local people, including farmers, have been fighting the plans for years, taking their case to the appeal court. Their judges overturned permission for 19 turbines, forcing RWE to submit a smaller scheme. Campaigners at the Open Spaces Society welcomed the decision of the deputy minister for farming and food, with general secretary Kate Ashbrook claiming the plans would have allowed the land to be "degraded and destroyed by industrial development". She added: "Mynydd y Gwair is a very special place on Swansea's doorstep, where walkers and riders have the right to roam and can enjoy the freedom, fresh air and exhilarating views. "It is loved by thousands of people, and the graziers rely on it for their livelihoods." RWE Innogy UK's development manager Gwenllian Elias said: "For this application to be turned down, despite the project itself aligning with Welsh government policy on renewables and onshore wind is profoundly disappointing and frustrating. "It is within Welsh government's own TAN 8 designated development area, already has planning permission from the City and County of Swansea, and a seal of approval as a value for money scheme from the Department of Energy and Climate Change in its first CfD subsidy auction earlier this year. "We will need to review the reasons behind the decision with a view to resubmitting a new common land application."

Campaigners are claiming victory in a fight to stop a £52m wind farm from being built on common land in Swansea.

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Standing up in almost empty chamber in Strasbourg, he denounced the body as "ridiculous, totally ridiculous". Estimating the number of MEPs present at about 30, he said it proved that the parliament was "not serious". Parliament President Antonio Tajani reacted furiously, accusing him of a lack of respect. "You can criticise the Parliament, but it's not the Commission's job to control the parliament, it's the Parliament that has to control the Commission," he said. But the clash continued. Mr Juncker, who is in charge of the EU's executive body, angrily rebuked MEPs for failing to attend the session reviewing the six-month presidency of Malta, the bloc's smallest member state. It was one of the most acrimonious public rows between top EU officials in recent years. A Parliament spokesman said later that the two men had met and Mr Juncker had expressed regret for the words he had chosen. Rows of empty seats - Adam Fleming in Strasbourg writes: It is rare for the head of one European institution to take such a public swipe at the legitimacy of another. I counted fewer than 100 people in the chamber this morning, and that included the officials accompanying Mr Juncker and the Maltese prime minister. "People can't be bothered to turn up," a British MEP told me. "Some have started their seven weeks of paid holiday already." Others point out that much of the work in this place is done in low-profile committees, and that the building has become busier throughout the day. Nevertheless, parliamentary authorities will be unhappy they have been criticised so publicly by such a high profile figure as Mr Juncker. Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat looked on with a broad grin as the argument unfolded. The debate was due to focus primarily on the EU's struggle to relocate 160,000 refugees from Italy and Greece. "There are only a few members in the plenary to control the commission. You are ridiculous," Mr Juncker repeated. In total, the parliament has 751 deputies. Ignoring a further objection by the Parliament president to his choice of language, Mr Juncker told the few MEPs in the chamber: "I will never again attend a meeting of this kind." Mr Juncker complained that if Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel or French President Emmanuel Macron had been in the chamber, it would have been full. The spat overshadowed Mr Muscat's own assessment of the EU's response to the migrant crisis. Describing the situation as a "fiasco", the Maltese leader called for an honest debate on Europe's values. The vast majority of the 101,000 migrants entering Europe in 2017 so far have crossed the Mediterranean towards Italy. According to latest figures, 2,247 people have died or are missing at sea.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has launched a bitter attack on members of the European Parliament for failing to show up.

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Police called to Bramble Road in Witham, Essex, on Friday found a man had been burned on the face and hands. A spokesman said they could not say which of two suspected attackers was in custody for "investigative reasons". Last week police said they wanted to question two men about the attack and on Sunday released an e-fit. Police said the 56-year-old victim had gone down to collect his post from the communal entrance to the block of flats when he encountered two men banging on the door. A spokeswoman said it was now thought he was in "the wrong place at the wrong time" and "was not the intended target of this attack". The victim is receiving treatment at the specialist burns unit at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. "The two suspects are described as a white man and a black man and if anyone saw them either in the area prior to this attack or afterwards we would urgently like to speak to them," a spokeswoman said.

A 19-year-old man has been arrested after a man suffered "potentially life-changing" injuries when a harmful chemical was thrown over him.

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The 502 sq ft (46.64 sq m) public toilet block had provided ladies and gents facilities for visitors to St Austell Bay, Cornwall. Auctioneer Graham Barton said the plot had "huge potential" to become a "fantastic family or holiday home." It also includes land to the front of and opposite the main block, with possible permission to extend. Mr Barton said the final selling price had been "a breathtaking outcome". "It was a spectacular lot, I haven't seen something with so much potential in as long as I can remember," he said. However, some expressed concerns at the loss of toilet facilities in the popular Charlestown beauty spot. One local resident said: "I can see why they are being sold off as they have a fantastic view but you do need public toilets. "I hope they build new ones somewhere else nearby."

A "loo with a view" overlooking the Cornish coast has sold at auction for £115,000.

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Ms Cafferkey remains in a serious condition after being readmitted to the Royal Free Hospital in London last week. She underwent a month of treatment at the same hospital in January. Health officials said 40 of the 58 people identified had been offered vaccinations. They were thought to have potentially had contact with Ms Cafferkey's bodily fluids. Of these, 25 have now been vaccinated, with the remaining 15 either declining to be vaccinated or unable to receive it due to other medical conditions. The close contacts of Ms Cafferkey were said to be a mixture of healthcare workers, her family, friends and community contacts. A statement released by the health board said: "All 58 close contacts are being closely monitored. This includes a period of 21 days since their last exposure where they will have their temperature taken twice daily, restrictions placed on travel and, in the case of healthcare workers they have been asked not to have direct patient contact during this period. "The 25 who were vaccinated will undergo additional monitoring because the vaccine is still being evaluated. "It is important to stress once again that there is no risk to the general public. Ebola is not spread through ordinary social contact, such as shaking hands or sitting next to someone. Nor is it spread through airborne particles." The rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine offered to close contacts of Ms Cafferkey is currently being trialled in collaboration with the World Health Organisation and has been tested in more than 7,000 people during the recent outbreak of Ebola virus infection in Guinea. It is an unlicensed vaccine, which is currently being trialled. Ms Cafferkey was flown in a military aircraft to the specialist infectious diseases unit at the Royal Free last week. She had earlier been admitted to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow after feeling unwell. Subsequent tests showed that the Ebola virus was still present in her body. Ms Cafferkey had contracted Ebola while working as a volunteer with Save the Children at a treatment centre in Kerry Town, in Sierra Leone. She was diagnosed on 29 December last year, after returning to Glasgow via London, and was treated at the Royal Free. At the time of her release from the hospital, Dr Michael Jacobs, who had been helping to treat her, said Ms Cafferkey had completely recovered and was "not infectious in any way".

A total of 58 people who had been in close contact with Scottish nurse Pauline Cafferkey, who contracted Ebola in Sierra Leone, have been identified.

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Matisyahu, a reggae singer, had been due to appear at the Rototom Sunsplash near Valencia on 22 August. But he says he was asked by organisers to state his "positions on Zionism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict". In a post on his Facebook page, Matisyahu said the pressure to air his views was "appalling and offensive". A campaign to cancel Matisyahu's appearance was launched by the Valencia branch of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign. The pro-Palestinian group calls for a boycott of Israeli goods until it complies with international law - Israel calls the campaign misleading and anti-Semitic. BDS Valencia said that, because of some of Matisyahu's previous comments he had made on Israeli affairs, his values did not tally with those of the festival, namely "peace, equality, human rights and social justice". The festival's organisers said Matisyahu's appearance was cancelled after they had "repeatedly sought dialogue in the face of the artist's unavailability to give a clear statement against war and on the right of the Palestinian people". "The festival kept insisting that I clarify my personal views; which felt like clear pressure to agree with the BDS political agenda," Matisyahu - whose real name is Matthew Miller - wrote on his Facebook page. "Honestly it was appalling and offensive, that as the one publicly Jewish-American artist scheduled for the festival they were trying to coerce me into political statements." The singer, born in Pennsylvania, said he did not insert politics into his music, and that he wanted it to be accessible to all. Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, criticised the decision and urged Spanish authorities "to take appropriate action against those responsible for it". The Spanish Federation of Jewish Communities said the move was "cowardly, unfair and discriminatory". The festival's organisers have since tried to dampen the controversy, saying in a statement: "We did not say no to Matisyahu because he has Hebrew roots or as a Zionist, but we just simply considered inappropriate organising something that would certainly generate a conflict."

Jewish groups have criticised a Spanish festival for cancelling an appearance by a Jewish-American singer because he refused to air his political views.

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A state board is weighing disciplinary action against Dr Allen Palmer over the procedure he carried out in 2014 at the women's group Planned Parenthood. State law requires that foetal tissue from abortions on patients younger than 14 be preserved. Dr Palmer said he relied on staff to tell him the age of patients. Under state law in Kansas, abortions can be provided to children with parental consent. The part-time Planned Parenthood contractor told medical regulators on Thursday he typically did not perform abortions on patients so young. The Missouri resident has been licensed to practise osteopathic medicine and surgery in Kansas since 2008, according to a petition against him by the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts. He was filling in for a doctor on holiday when he performed an in-clinic abortion on the 13-year-old girl. She had been impregnated by her 19-year-old boyfriend. The foetus was nearly 11 weeks old. The organisation self-reported the violation to the state. "I'm as shocked and awed by this failure as anybody here, but they want to hang it on me, and maybe that's the way it is," Dr Palmer told the state board, which deferred its ruling after the hearing. "I'm telling you that I did not know and I would not have proceeded if I had known." The petition against Dr Palmer was filed by the board's deputy litigation counsel, Susan Gering, and alleged that he failed to preserve the tissue and submit it to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. It called for revoking, suspending and censuring Dr Palmer's licence, or placing him on probation for the incident. When asked by a board member whether he thought to ask the patient's age, Dr Palmer said: "I really don't ask them, because teenagers today, the way they dress, I can't tell how old anybody is." He added that patients typically go through counselling and screening before meeting him. "I'm the last person in line for them. If there's a problem, the staff raised it to me or they notified me somehow," he added. His lawyer argues Dr Palmer had not received proper training on Planned Parenthood policies and procedures regarding operations on minors. Meanwhile, the women's group has argued that Dr Palmer "found it unnecessary to familiarise himself in detail with [state] laws requiring the preservation of foetal tissue extracted during an abortion procedure" on a minor.

A Kansas doctor is accused of breaking the law in his handling of an abortion on a 13-year-old girl, but he says he did not realise her age.

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Back then, the Pharaohs were tenth after winning Africa Cup of Nations crowns in 2006, 2008 and 2010. They returned to the top of the African rankings last month, for the first time in six years, after finishing runners-up at this year's Nations Cup. Burkina Faso, who finished third at the Nations Cup, have moved up to 36th, the best ranking in their history. Africa's top 10 in Fifa's rankings for March (last month's rankings in brackets): 1 (1) Egypt 2 (2) Senegal 3 (3) Cameroon 4 (6) Burkina Faso 5 (4) Tunisia 6 (5) DR Congo 7 (7) Nigeria 8 (8) Ghana 9 (9) Ivory Coast 10 (10) Morocco

Egypt have moved into the Top 20 of the Fifa world rankings for the first time since January 2011.

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Cyclone Winston brought winds of over 320 kph (200 mph), torrential rain and waves of up to 12m (40ft). Flights have been cancelled, evacuation centres activated and a nationwide curfew put in place. The category five storm - the highest level - is expected to move westwards over the main island overnight Saturday and into Sunday morning. Before it landed, Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama warned that Fiji was facing "an ordeal of the most grievous kind". "We must stick together as a people and look after each other. Be alert and be prepared," he said. Cyclone Winston has already brushed some of Fiji's smaller islands, but the extent of the damage is unclear. Assessment teams are being sent to the affected areas, the Fiji Times reported. The Fijian capital Suva is likely to be spared the full forces of the storm but tourist resorts are close to the cyclone's centre. About 900,000 people live on Fiji.

The most powerful storm to hit Fiji has made landfall on the Pacific nation's main island, Viti Levu.

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McLaren have been unable to choose whether to retain Button, 34, or Dane Kevin Magnussen, 22, to partner two-time champion Fernando Alonso in 2015. Warwick, who competed at 162 grands prix between 1981 and 1993, added: "Button deserves to stay." The 60-year-old Englishman also felt that Alonso and Button would make "a great combination". Warwick, chairman of the British Racing Drivers' Club, said it was a "difficult situation" for McLaren because Magnussen had risen through the ranks and had impressed the team in his debut season in 2014, "They've invested heavily in Kevin Magnussen," Warwick told BBC Radio 5 live. "He's obviously someone for the future, so I think it's a difficult situation for them." He added that Button's continued presence at McLaren was important for the British Racing Drivers' Club, which owns Silverstone. "Our fingers are crossed for Jenson because he brings a lot of people to the British Grand Prix," said Warwick. "That's important for us." McLaren, who are starting a new engine partnership with Honda next season, have completed a deal for Alonso to re-join the team but will not make it official until they have decided on the identity of the second driver. The decision is solely that of McLaren chairman Ron Dennis, according to sources. A McLaren board meeting on Thursday broke up without the team deciding on their driver line-up. Asked what was causing the delay, a spokesman said: "The team declines to add further details." He added McLaren would be making "no driver selection announcements until next week at the earliest". Button, the 2009 world champion, was at a sponsor's event with Magnussen in Scotland on Thursday. "There are options, but nothing set in stone yet," said the Englishman. "What I can say is I'll definitely be racing next year - and in a series I'll be very excited to race in - so there's no worry of me not racing next year. "If it's a new challenge, it will be exciting. If it's in Formula 1, it will be very exciting as well because that will be a new challenge with Honda. "But I just want to get it done. I want to hear the decision - as we all do - so we can all move on in whatever direction." Button is keen to stay in F1 and test himself against Alonso, who many observers regard as the best driver in the world. But he has to decide whether to hang on for a decision from Dennis - which could take weeks - and risk losing his other options, among which is a move to the world endurance championship, with the Le Mans 24 Hours as its centrepiece. Button added: "It's been an important week, but a really good week. Whatever happens, I will have a great year next year." Writing on Twitter, Magnussen said of Button: "He is an awesome guy and, no matter what happens next year, I'm cheering for him."

McLaren's treatment of Jenson Button has been "disgusting", according to former grand prix driver Derek Warwick.

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Media playback is not supported on this device Houston has been named Scottish Championship manager of the month, while Rogers has the player prize. Falkirk won three of their league games, including beating leaders Rangers, and drawing with Hibernian. Houston's side have leapfrogged Hibs into second place, although the Edinburgh side have a game in hand. Both sides are three points behind leaders Rangers, who have also played one less game than the Bairns. Their wins during December included a 2-1 home success against the Glasgow side and they also defeated Livingston and Dumbarton. Rogers, who is on loan from Aberdeen, only conceded two goals in those four games. News of the 21-year-old's award comes a day after Liverpool's decision to recall current Dons number one Danny Ward from his loan at Pittodrie. Rogers, who was born in the United States but has played three times for Republic of Ireland Under-21s, has made 24 appearances for Falkirk this season. He has had previous loans with Airdrieonians and Dumbarton. Rogers had another clean sheet in Falkirk's first game of 2016 - a 1-0 victory over Alloa Athletic.

Falkirk goalkeeper Danny Rogers and manager Peter Houston have won an awards double after their side's fine form during December.

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The 24-year-old was also charged with possessing class B drugs. He is due to appear at Antrim Magistrates Court next month. He was bailed pending further enquiries in relation to a number of other offences. Mr Cheung, 65, was attacked and stabbed near Randalstown, on 8 January. He was attacked after his car was forced off the road. His wife, Winnie, 57, was injured in the attack on Caddy Road. Earlier this year, two teenage girls arrested in connection with the murder were released on bail. Three men have been charged with his murder. They deny the charge.

Police investigating the murder of restaurateur Nelson Cheung in County Antrim have charged a man with perverting the course of justice.

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Barton, who was charged in December, has requested a personal hearing before being sanctioned for breaking FA rules by betting on "matches or competitions" between 26 March 2006 and 13 May 2016. It is expected Barton will offer mitigation for the breaches. Players in England's top eight tiers are banned from betting on football. Barton, 34, rejoined Burnley last month, having left Rangers in November. In the same month, he was given a one-match ban for breaking Scottish Football Association rules on gambling. Barton admitted the Scottish FA charge of placing 44 bets between 1 July and 15 September, while he was a player at Ibrox. The FA brought in new rules in 2014 banning players and staff at clubs down as far as the eighth tier of the English men's football pyramid - as well as at clubs in the Women's Super League - from betting on any football match or competition anywhere in the world. Players and staff are also prohibited from betting on football-related matters, such as player transfers, the employment of managers or team selection. That outright ban on football-related betting applies to all involved in the game from Premier League level down to - and including - the Northern Premier, Southern and Isthmian Leagues. Previously, participants were prohibited from betting on a match or competition in which they were involved or which could influence. Barton has been charged with offences allegedly committed under both the new and old rules. His Rangers contract was terminated following a training ground row which led to a falling-out with manager Mark Warburton and he played only eight games for the club. Barton began his career at Manchester City in 2001, joined Newcastle in 2007 and then signed for QPR in 2011. He had a loan spell with Marseille in France for 12 months, before joining Burnley for the first time in August 2015. It is understood that the FA was only made aware of the bets by the betting company prior to his second charge in December 2016, which led to its investigation. The high number of bets has resulted in a detailed and complex investigation and the timing of the charge is not related to Barton rejoining Burnley. He was expected to have been charged even if he had remained a free agent.

Burnley midfielder Joey Barton has accepted a Football Association charge that he placed 1,260 bets on matches over the past 10 years.

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The closures in Edinburgh, Twickenham in London and Sleaford in Lincolnshire are likely to lead to the loss of 355 jobs. Greggs is in the process of switching its focus from being a traditional baker to selling more food on the go. It confirmed it was investing in its Clydesmill bakery in Glasgow to create a "centre of excellence" in Scotland. The reorganisation of Greggs was announced as the company reported a 25% increase in underlying annual profits to £73m for 2015. In 2013, Greggs announced a plan to focus on the £6bn food-on-the-go market. The Newcastle-based company has concentrated on selling sandwiches, sausage rolls and pastries, but it said customers were now buying healthier foods such as salads and soups. Greggs has about 1,700 shops and said it was confident it could increase the number to 2,000. As part of a £100m investment over five years, the company said it planned to upgrade its Enfield bakery in London as well as the the bakery in Glasgow. A spokesman said: "Greggs currently operates from 12 bakeries; unfortunately not all are suitable for long-term investment due to their location and size. "These are difficult changes that we believe are needed to support the long-term growth of the business; however our immediate priority is to work to minimise the negative impact on our people, many of whom have worked in these roles for a significant number of years. "Wherever possible we would look to offer alternative employment to affected employees but, due to the location of our sites, we anticipate that unfortunately many will leave the business." He added: "Our recently-acquired distribution facility in London will enable us to invest in our Enfield bakery to create a manufacturing centre of excellence in the south east region and we now propose to invest in the extension of our Clydesmill bakery in Glasgow to create a centre of excellence in Scotland." Last year, leading Scottish politicians including Nicola Sturgeon and Kezia Dugdale backed a Scotland-wide campaign for Greggs to "save the macaroni pie" after the savoury treats were axed.

High Street chain Greggs is to close three of its 12 bakeries in the UK, including one in Scotland.

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Regular assessments were recommended in Andreas Lubitz's official notes after a serious episode some years ago. The Barcelona-Duesseldorf plane crashed on Tuesday, killing 150 people. Data from the plane's voice recorder suggest Mr Lubitz purposely started a descent as the pilot was locked out of the cockpit. Several airlines have now pledged to change their rules to ensure at least two crew members are present in the cockpit at all times. Police have searched two German properties used by Mr Lubitz, taking away boxes and a computer. When Mr Lubitz finished training in 2009, he was diagnosed with a serious depressive episode and went on to receive treatment for a year and a half, the German news site Bild reports. Internal documents quoted by Bild and German broadcaster ARD say a note on Mr Lubitz's aviation authority file recommended regular psychological assessment. Who was Andreas Lubitz? Mr Lubitz's employers have confirmed that his training was interrupted for several months six years ago. But they have not said why. Carsten Spohr - the head of Lufthansa, the German carrier that owns Germanwings - said on Thursday that Mr Lubitz was only able to resume training after his suitability was "re-established". "He passed all the subsequent tests and checks with flying colours," Mr Spohr was quoted as saying. German media are also reporting that investigators have found evidence of mental health problems at Mr Lubitz's Duesseldorf flat. Earlier, another media report quoted a police spokesman as saying "a very significant clue as to what has happened" had been found during the search of the house the 27-year-old shared with his parents in Montabaur, north of Frankfurt, without specifying what. Police said the discovery was not a suicide note. French Prime Minister Manual Valls said the investigation was ongoing, but that "everything is pointing to a criminal, crazy, suicidal action that we cannot comprehend". He said investigators and Lufthansa would have to "shed light on the career and profile of this pilot". Police continued to come and go at the Montabaur house throughout Thursday morning, reports the BBC's Anna Holligan who is outside. She says there are concerns for Mr Lubitz's parents, who have suffered not just one trauma - their son dying in a crash - but the subsequent shock of finding out he may have been responsible for the tragedy. Based on data from the recovered "black box" voice recorder, Marseille prosecutor Brice Robin said on Thursday that Mr Lubitz appeared to want to "destroy the plane". The evidence suggested the pilot had left the cockpit, probably to go to the toilet, during which the door was barred. He fought unsuccessfully to get back in, he said. Bild quotes security sources as saying that the pilot used an axe to try to break down the door. A Germanwings spokesperson would only confirm that an emergency axe is part of the equipment on board an A320. What happened in the final half hour? Family members of some of the 150 passengers and crew who died have visited Seyne-les-Alpes, near the crash site, reported Reuters news agency. They were accompanied by psychologists, paramedics and Red Cross workers, and a youth centre in the town was set up to receive them, it said. Families are providing DNA samples to allow for identification of victims' remains. Meanwhile, investigators continue to comb the crash site for body parts, debris and the second "black box", which records flight data and still has not been found three days after the plane crashed. Members of the Westerwald flight club, where the co-pilot was a member, expressed their shock at the revelations about Mr Lubitz's mental history. "Andreas was a very nice young man, who did his training here. He was part of the club," Peter Reucker said. "[He was] funny, sometimes a bit quiet, but apart from that a young man like many others that we have here. He integrated well. "I'm absolutely speechless. I have no explanation for this," Mr Reucker added. Source: Aviation Safety Network

The man suspected of deliberately crashing a Germanwings A320 plane in the French Alps required treatment for depression, German media say.

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It was the most searched for city in a 12-month period and had more than one million reviews last year, the travel review company said. The 2016 Travellers' Choice Award is based on an algorithm that takes into account reviews of accommodation, eateries and attractions. It is the second time London has come first. Istanbul came second this time. The first time London won the award was in 2012 when it benefitted from the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games uplift, a spokesman for the firm said. The current award period runs from November 2014 until November 2015. A ceramic poppy installation at the Tower of London helped propel it into the most highly-rated London landmark and attracted more than five million visitors in 2014. The cascade segment of the display then went on tour across the north of England. The birth of Princess Charlotte in May 2015 may also have contributed to London's renewed popularity as a visitor destination, the company said. London attracted more than 1m reviews Istanbul placed second Marrakech placed third Paris placed fourth Siem Reap placed fifth In order, the most popular world cities by customer rankings for the 2016 award were: London, Istanbul, Marrakech, Paris, Siem Reap, Prague, Rome, Hanoi, New York and Ubud in Indonesia, which made its debut in the top 10. Chris Gottlieb, on behalf of Visit London, the mayor's official promotional company for London, said he was "delighted" at the result. He said: "London boasts an unrivalled mix of history, cutting-edge contemporary culture and a rich calendar of special happenings to entice international visitors and encourage online reviews. "Our latest tourism campaign, Fans of London, will shine a spotlight on some very exciting events to come, including the celebrations around 400 years of Shakespeare's legacy and the first international exhibition of the Rolling Stones, Exhibitionism."

London is the top-ranked city destination in the world, according to TripAdvisor users.

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The package will allow women a greater chance to be full-time professionals, chief executive James Sutherland said. Men's pay will also be increased under the proposed deal, with internationals to earn £504,000 by 2021-22. The Australian Cricketers' Association said the offer needed closer scrutiny. A bitter dispute between Cricket Australia (CA) and the ACA has lasted for several months. Leading male and female players, including both captains, have also rejected CA's attempt to deal with the players directly, bypassing the ACA, and have insisted that the union be involved. With the current pay deal expiring at the end of June, Sutherland said the proposed five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) - the first such agreement to encompass female players - had "gender equity at its heart". Since 1997, elite male players have earned a fixed percentage of Australian cricket's revenue - so that they directly benefit when CA has received an upturn in income, such as from television rights sales. But while the ACA wants to extend the revenue-sharing model to include women, CA wants to switch to a system whereby players receive a guaranteed minimum amount instead. CA's proposed deal would see international women cricketers' average pay jump from A$79,000 (£48,800) to A$179,000 (£110,580) from 1 July, with an expectation that it will rise to A$210,000 (£129,700) by 2021, while fees for the domestic Women's National Cricket League and Women's Big Bash would also rise. Men who represent Australia at international level would see their average yearly retainer rise to A$816,000 (£504,000) by 2021-22. With match fees and performance bonuses, the expected average income for these players, which would include Big Bash League payments, would increase by 25% to A$1.45m (£895,680) over the same period. The ACA said there was a lack of detail in CA's proposals. "The way in which these changes will be both funded and embedded in the MOU does require much closer scrutiny," ACA chief executive Alistair Nicholson said in a statement. "There is a lot of fine print to examine and a lot more forecast information still needed by the players." Sutherland declined to specify over whether the proposed new MOU would continue to include an annual grant from CA to fund the ACA, as has previously been the case. In December, Cricket Australia defended its policy of requiring its female players to declare if they are pregnant before signing a central contract - another issue raised by the ACA.

Cricket Australia has offered to more than double what it pays international women players, to around £110,000, the latest move in a long-running pay dispute with the players' union.

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In August, a Cabinet Office Report recommended that Paul Scott be replaced as chair of the group. It found relations behind the scenes were "broken", and it would be at least another year before another planning application could be submitted. Mr McSorley is a former council boss. He served as chief executive of Omagh District Council and was later interim chief executive of Strabane District Council from 2011 to 2015. Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has welcomed Mr McSorley's appointment and wished him "every success in helping to bring the Casement Park project to fruition". She said Mr Scott had "played an important role in providing technical advice and guidance in relation to the stadia programme and, as Casement Park progresses, he will continue to play an important role". "Although the skill-set of the chair of the group has been redefined, Paul's safety and technical expertise will remain vital to the STG and to the overall project," she added. The Cabinet Office report was commissioned after Mr Scott told a Stormont committee in April that the emergency-exiting arrangements in the proposed 38,000-capacity stadium were flawed.

Danny McSorley has been appointed as chair of the safety technical group (STG) overseeing the planned new stadium at Casement Park in west Belfast.

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The 21-year-old, who can also play in defence, returns to League Two with the Spireites, having helped Blackpool win promotion from the division while on loan at Bloomfield Road last season. He scored in his only appearance for Wigan this term, in a 2-1 win over Blackpool in the League Cup. Flores is reunited with former Latics manger Gary Caldwell at Chesterfield. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Chesterfield have signed versatile midfielder Jordan Flores on a season-long loan from League One club Wigan.

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Land Rover Ben Ainslie Racing finished second behind Swedish team Artemis Racing in Toulon on Sunday but still top the leaderboard ahead of Oracle Team USA - with one leg to go in Japan. Four-time Olympic gold medallist Ainslee's team have 437 points and defending champions Oracle have 423. The final leg is on 19-20 November. Fukuoka, Japan, will host the eighth stage of a lengthy qualification process that will count towards the 2017 America's Cup Challenger Series, the winner of which will take on Oracle in the 2017 America's Cup in Bermuda.

Sir Ben Ainslie's bid to win Britain's first America's Cup in 165 years continued strongly in France as his team increased their World Series lead.

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Holyrood's Public Petitions Committee said that while good practice did exist the overall picture was "piecemeal". The committee's report said more research was needed into the "hidden" problem so the full scale of exploitation could be established. Charities who had called for the inquiry have welcomed the report. The committee pointed to a number of complexities surrounding the issue, including the fact that young people sometimes did not recognise themselves as victims, a normalisation of intimate sexual relations and online and mobile technology allowing peer sexual bullying and "sexting". It said education programmes showing young people how to recognise and challenge sexual exploitation and bullying should be made available across all communities in Scotland. The investigation began after the child protection charity Barnardo's handed in a petition calling for new research into the nature and scope of child sexual exploitation in Scotland and urging new government guidelines. The committee's report included powerful first-hand accounts which have been made anonymous. One victim, known as Jessica, said when she was 14 she was involved with a group of older children who introduced her to drugs which she could not afford to buy. "My new mates said that it was fine and introduced me to a new boy in the group," she said. "After I had slept with him, I realised that I'd been used, but it was too late. I ended up hooked on drugs. "The need and the want became more and more. Next thing was, he made me sleep with one of his friends to clear a drugs debt.‟ In a series of recommendations the MSPs said Scotland lacked a clear strategy to deal with the problem, although they recognised there was no hard evidence on the full extent of child sexual exploitation (CSE) and bullying. They called for further research to improve the way it was being tackled. Committee convener David Stewart said there was a very real danger that CSE would continue to be hidden if the full extent was not uncovered. "The committee recognises that although there is a lot of positive work being done, it can be piecemeal. "It lacks the clear leadership and co-ordination needed to tackle effectively the sexual exploitation of our children." The Labour MSP told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "It did appear to us that there were gaps in the system. There's evidence of not enough co-ordination, certainly evidence of lack of training. "We also need to look at using existing legislation in a much more comprehensive way. For example, we find that Risk of Sexual Harm Orders are not being used sufficiently. "And we have good legislation like the Protection of Children and Sexual and Prevention of Sexual Offences Act 2005. "Frankly, it's not being used." Barnardo's Scotland welcomed the report. Its director, Martin Crewe, said: "The sexual exploitation of children is a sickening crime, and I think the committee has been shocked by the evidence Barnardo's Scotland and others have presented. "We launched out petition on this subject in 2011 because of concerns from our frontline staff about a lack of focus on tackling the sexual exploitation of children in Scotland. "The committee took on board these concerns, and have identified a series of important measures in the inquiry that followed our petition to tackle sexual exploitation of children." Among the other recommendations in the report were: A spokesman for the Scottish government said it did not tolerate any form of child abuse, and the wellbeing and safety of children and young people was paramount. He added: "That's why we have already taken several important steps including working with child protection experts to produce a report examining the problem of child sexual exploitation in Scotland and established an expert working group to build on the progress made in strengthening the support for vulnerable young people. "While we will consider the recommendations of this report, it is welcome that both the committee and working group findings recognise progress has been made. We are also further updating the National Child Protection Guidance and other work to ensure robust procedures are in place for all children at risk." Matt Forde, head of service for child welfare charity NSPCC Scotland, described the committee's report as a "critical step forward". He added: "There is no doubt that child sexual exploitation is a significant issue for young people in Scotland, and one which requires a coordinated, national solution. "While children from all walks of life - and from the most loving of families - can be affected, some will inevitably be more vulnerable than others. For this reason, the committee's recommendation on tackling other factors such as neglect, which put children at particular risk, is most welcome. "There is still a great deal we don't know about the extent of child sexual exploitation and its long-term impact on victims, however we do know that interventions must be appropriate and timely. "Importantly, we need to dispel the myth that CSE is simply the outworkings of 'unsavoury' generational norms. It is not - it is child abuse."

MSPs have called on the Scottish government to develop a co-ordinated national approach to tackle the sexual exploitation of children.

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While they are as well known as Caerphilly Castle and Cardiff's Principality Stadium, the M4 tunnels at Newport are renowned for all the wrong reasons. But the notorious traffic bottleneck, once described by a former prime minister as a "foot on the windpipe of the Welsh economy", is also a feat of engineering and a motorway milestone in the UK. The 360m (1,180ft) twin bore, two lane holes are significant because they were the first tunnels to be built on the British motorway network. "The tunnels are not only of historical importance to Wales, they opened up social opportunities that we struggle to comprehend today," said Brian Hawker, assistant engineer on the Brynglas tunnels. "When you're stuck in a traffic jam, you don't tend to appreciate the historic significance of the tunnel you are sitting in. It is an engineering marvel and helped the economic and social well-being of south Wales overnight." The £3m tunnels project - led by engineer Sir Owen Williams, chief engineer on the old Wembley Stadium, the Spaghetti Junction, and the Newport bypass - relieved the "crippling congestion" in a stroke when it opened on 5 May 1967. "Its success has ultimately led to its biggest criticism," said Mr Hawker. "Built to accommodate 30,000 vehicles a day, it is nearing breaking point and traffic data says its the UK's most-congested stretch of motorway away from the M25. "The opening of the Brynglas tunnels bypass around Newport and the Severn Bridge opened up the area, as getting around Newport and going to England was previously like going on safari," added Mr Hawker, the Welsh Office's former head of roads and major projects. He added: "Now it took 30 minutes and gave relief to Newport and gave quick access to schools, work and hospitals. "The tunnels and the ease of movement around south Wales raised people's expectations, but the tunnels have outgrown their capacity as demand for road travel rose beyond all recognition." The Welsh Government have acknowledged the current M4 at Newport is "not fit for purpose" and said it wants to build a £1bn M4 relief road to ease congestion. A six-lane motorway to the south of Newport was first proposed as far back as 1991 and only now is a public inquiry being held into building a 15-mile (24km) relief road. The benefit of hindsight shows today's problems could have been averted way back in the early 1960s. One plan was to make a cut in the hill, but the Monmouthshire railway company line - between Newport and Pontypool on the east side of Crindau Ridge - meant the tunnel was the only option at the time. Mr Hawker said: "The shame is Dr Beeching's cuts closed that line in 1963, half way through construction. "With a little planning, some of the subsequent traffic problems could have been averted as we would have built the road through the hill." The initial M4 route - from the Severn Bridge to Tredegar Park in Newport, now junction 28 - was strategically located through the middle of Newport to generate traffic numbers to justify its existence to government. Then, Newport was unique as, despite being a relatively small town, it had five motorway junctions to attract local traffic to use the M4 as a bypass and not a long-haul route, the intention of a motorway. The line of the Newport bypass was dictated by the need to open the south Wales valleys, towns like Pontypool, Newbridge, Risca and the new town of Cwmbran, according to Mr Hawker. "These were important strategic areas of economic resurgence following the demise of heavy industry. The development of a new, vibrant valleys economy was absolutely dependant on good road access," he said. But the UK-first was not without its challenges and it cost one local his prized vegetables. "I remember a representation to our site office from a house owner on the hill, who said he was concerned because he had just lost his prized leeks," said Mr Hawker. "They were due to be shown at a horticultural show the following week," he said. "It turned out that there was diagonal movement in the rock and that couldn't be controlled. Engineers found his house was cracked from top to bottom and had to be demolished. "As a result of that movement, a dozen families had to be moved from their homes, put into a hotel while the necessary engineering work was carried out."

They are one of Wales' most notable landmarks and on Friday the Brynglas tunnels are celebrating their 50th birthday.

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I like the look and balance of the squad. The players are good enough to win the series, the challenge will be whether they can. New Zealand at home are pretty much unbeatable. The statistics and a great deal of logic suggests a Lions win would be unlikely, but they have the best possible chance. This is a talented squad of players. They have an opportunity to create a serious part of history against the best team in the world. The omissions from the squad are down to the level of competition for places. I am just glad it was Warren who had to do it and not me. England captain Dylan Hartley's absence was not a massive surprise, given the quality of what Gatland is left with at hooker in Rory Best, Ken Owens and Jamie George. Dylan said himself in the lead-up to the announcement that it would be a bonus if he was selected. I guess that was him preparing himself for the news. Gatland will have different requirements from his hooker than Eddie Jones has with England. Personally it has to be disappointing but Hartley will be prepared for it and will be thinking 'Argentina, here we come' as England tour there this summer. The second row must have been the most talked about selection of all. So many great players, performing at a high quality in the Six Nations and in other domestic and European competition. You could look at Scotland's Jonny Gray and ask 'how, on statistics alone, can he possibly be left out?' Look at England lock Joe Launchbury and say 'how can a player of his quality be left out?' But look at who Gatland has picked in that position - Iain Henderson, Maro Itoje, Alun Wyn Jones, George Kruis and Courtney Lawes. There were some who Gatland could not possibly leave out: Conor Murray, Jonathan Sexton, CJ Stander, Owen Farrell, George Kruis and Stuart Hogg to name a few - and there are more. At least two-thirds of the squad was inked in before selection. There are a number of first-timers that will challenge guys that have been there before. Jared Payne is seen as a slight surprise because he's been injured. Kyle Sinckler is a dynamic, powerful ball carrier. You have to beat the All Blacks by being confrontational. There is nothing better than smashing through defenders, running aggressively. Sinckler has the ability to produce that kind of form. Ben Te'o's power and the damage he does will fit Gatland's style to a tee. His Welsh team was all about thrust, power and dominance. If Sonny Bill Williams starts, who knows him better than Te'o, who has played against him more than anyone in rugby league? I can comfortably see Te'o starting. Gatland has in mind how he believes he can beat the All Blacks with the players he has available. Now he has selected those players who best fit that style. But he does also have players like Payne, Jonathan Joseph, Jack Nowell and Liam Williams who are not all smash and grab and bulk. There is some finesse and skill in that squad. Media playback is not supported on this device Sam Warburton carries some great credentials and is highly regarded and respected at international level. His performances in this year's Six Nations just got better and better, which got rid of any doubts over his performance. His pedigree is first class, what he has won throughout his career to date stands up against some quality competition. He is proven, tried and tested. Hopefully he can lead them playing well and stay the course. He plays in a position where he does get battered. He is likely to be at open-side flanker because another player in CJ Stander picks himself at blind-side. The All Blacks play with a great ferocity at the breakdown, Warburton knows that and I hope he is in a great position to withstand that for the series. England and Ireland performed well in the Six Nations and autumn internationals, they knew they had a good chance of having good representation in the squad. When you put together a Lions squad you are not always thinking of the very best players, but also the best blend to tour for five to six weeks and who can get the best out of one another. What contribution can players make outside the game of rugby? The form of a player goes a long way to determine if they make it. When there is a close decision to be made, the personality and character of a player can get them across the line and onto the tour. None of these players had shocking seasons, not one does not deserve to be where they are. At one time or another they have shown world-class form. We know some will get injured, some that are selected might not make it to the plane. I know on average six to eight replacements might make their way to New Zealand for the tour. Even those who have not made the official line-up will keep themselves ready. Media playback is not supported on this device It is hard enough to choose the 41, let alone 23 for a match-day squad. Jonathan Davies might not be in world-class form but he has a Lions pedigree. Some players move up a notch when they play for the Lions. Davies' last tour against Australia in 2013 was sensational, Warren will believe he can get the best out of him again. But Davies will know he is in one hell of a fight to retain his Test jersey. Alun Wyn Jones is not captain and he is not safe either. Everyone has a chance. As a virgin tourist or an established tourist, I always knew I had a chance and a threat of someone coming and taking your place. People will think what chance does Peter O'Mahony have of starting in that Test team? I think he has every chance, just look at his performance in his last game against England. If he goes out and plays before the first Test with that kind of intensity and impact he will stand a chance. Every player in that 41 has every chance of playing in the first Test. They are all high-quality international players. The coach has a pre-determined idea of how he feels that squad will play, but that can evolve. We will see the shaping of the Test team evolve over the first few weeks. Certain players, no doubt, will play themselves into that Test team. It will be fascinating to watch, brilliant for us as supporters. There is nothing better than watching players come through and pick themselves. I got a late call-up because of an injury to Will Carling in 1989. I could not take the smile from my face for the rest of my career because of the opportunity to be part of something incredibly special. You never want to stop going on Lions tours. It is one of the biggest parts of a rugby career if you get on a good one. I was fortunate to go on three enjoyable tours, which gave me fantastic experiences that will live with me forever. Every time a Lions squad announcement is made, excitement courses through me. I relate to the players that are selected and what they are looking forward to. There are quite a few first-timers who will be delirious with excitement. As a former Lion, I am envious of the opportunity these guys are are about to embark on. This is why you play rugby, to have these sorts of opportunities. It is mind-blowing. You will try and take it in your strike, but you want to explode. The key thing is keeping a lid on that explosion. The way to beat New Zealand is playing with super intensity, some fortune and a very low level of mistakes. It sounds obvious, but not many teams are able to do it. Gatland and his coaches have to get their players at a level of intensity so they are looking forward to what they are facing, simmering but not boiling over. Look at the intensity England played with last summer in Australia, the intensity Ireland took to Chicago. The intensity Wales took to New Zealand last year for 40 to 60 minutes. You combine all of that and you have got some serious intensity. I think they're going to be a tremendous squad. In 1993 we ran them to the last Test and then they put us away. In 2005 it was a non-contest, they were way too good. This time the balance is changing, we will see how far when they get there. In times gone by, the New Zealand side had players that would walk into a world XV, but there aren't many players who would do that now. That for me is world rugby balancing off. It will be hard and tough, especially if they play their best players in the provincial games. But if I was part of the Lions squad I would want to face the Test players in the warm-up matches. The challenge is there and they have to rise to it. They are more than capable of giving a good account of themselves. Lions tours are one of adversity, you are not given much chance as a squad, your job is to earn the respect of a country and the only way to do that is by performing well and winning games. They have a big opportunity to create some brilliant history. To win would be sensational, as sensational as any series win in New Zealand in any Lions era. This is truly the biggest challenge of any Lions tour. If I was part of that squad I would have high hopes of being successful. The question Gatland and his coaches will ask is 'why can't you win?' Jeremy Guscott was speaking to BBC Sport's Matthew Davis.

Warren Gatland has got it right.

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A takeover by the Pompey Supporters' Trust can now be completed after the club Their takeover is conditional on taking control of Fratton Park which was owned by the club's major creditor Portpin. Now the next chapter of hard work begins to transform our club into something the community of Portsmouth can be proud of Portpin, led by Balram Chainrai, claimed they were owed £12m by the club and held Portsmouth's home as security. The PST had offered £3m for the ground but with Portpin unwilling to sell at that price, administrators BDO went to the High Court to force the sale. But it did not get that far, with an agreement reached out of court between administrators and Portpin, thought to be a figure of £3m plus add-ons. It means the fans' group can now go ahead with their purchase of Fratton Park and BDO can start the process of finally bringing the club out of administration. "It's fantastic, it's exactly the news we wanted. It's really exciting," PST chairman Ashley Brown told BBC Sport. "It's taken a lot longer than we wanted but in the end we got the result we wanted. It's brilliant news, we're over the moon. "Of course we believed it was possible otherwise we would not have put so much effort into it. "There have been times where we thought we would definitely do it and times where we thought we wouldn't. "Recently we've been very bullish, we've kept at it and we were right to as we've brought it home. "The belief kept us going, we knew we were the right answer for the club and we all knew that we had to keep plugging away at what we wanted to achieve. "This moment should be something special for all fans, not just Pompey. This should give a belief of what is achievable. "We like to say we are the biggest community club in the country and we hope other clubs will follow. "This club now has a very bright future. It is not going to be easy. We're going down to League Two but we have to accept that and use it as an excuse to rebuild." Administrator at BDO Trevor Birch added: "I'm completely relieved. My reaction is that - relief that's is all finally over. "It's taken quite a bit out of me personally. It's been a very difficult and complex case. "It's been hugely frustrating, but at the end of the day it's all been worth it and Pompey are alive and kicking." The club had been in danger of losing their 'Golden Share' - and effectively membership - with the Football League, who had warned Pompey they must come out of administration before the end of the season. The PST have raised around £2m in pledges with fans' donating £1,000 each to save the club. They are also backed by several High Net Worth individuals, who also support the club, and they have bankrolled the Hampshire outfit for several months now, One of those HNW's is Iain McInnes and he will become chairman of the club as and when the PST takeover is complete. This was the second case to determine the future of Pompey with the initial hearing in December adjourned. It marks the end of several torturous years for a club that has been in administration twice in three years and suffered relegation from the Premier League to the Championship and now League One. With another 10-point penalty on the way, a further relegation to League Two is expected. On a day of drama at the High Court after two adjournments the case was finally heard and lasted only several minutes as Katharine Holland QC revealed an "agreement in principle" had been struck. Holland asked for further time to seal the deal and after BDO returned at 15:00 BST several more adjournments followed before the judge declared it had been completed and the sorry saga was finally over. It means Chainrai's four-year hold on the club is at an end. Birch will now start the process of bringing the club out of administration, which is expected to be completed on 22 April.

League One Portsmouth are on the verge of salvation after administrators of the club struck a late deal with Portpin for the sale of Fratton Park.

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The party said they used 15-year-old Windows XP software which Microsoft stopped supporting in April 2014. Computer expert Graham Cluley said hackers could potentially access confidential information when the machines are connected to the internet. NHS Wales said there was "a very clear programme" to replace Windows software and called Plaid's figures "outdated". Plaid claimed the Welsh NHS had 19,282 computers that use Windows XP technology, which Microsoft has stopped supporting against malicious software. The party's health spokesperson Elin Jones said the situation reflected "a wider lethargy in utilising modern technology". Mr Cluley told BBC Radio Wales on Friday that there was a potential security problem. "If computers [using Windows XP] are connected to the internet, hackers might find a way to install malware, or Trojan horses, potentially to steal records and confidential data," he said. The health service said it was taking steps to upgrade outdated computers. A statement from its National Infrastructure Management Board said: "NHS Wales takes IT security very seriously and operating systems are one of several layers of security utilised. "There is a very clear programme to replace Windows XP and we have prioritised the replacement of any devices that could impact patient care, implementing modern technology. "The number of devices running Windows XP is reducing daily and the figures in the article are already now significantly outdated due to the work conducted both locally and nationally. "There is no record of any technology not being implemented or delayed due to the presence of Windows XP."

Almost 20,000 NHS computers in Wales are in danger of being hacked into, Plaid Cymru has claimed.

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His side lost all six of their matches at the 2015 World Cup. "We were absolutely gutted not to win a game at the World Cup in the spring, but we were really close," Bradburn told BBC Scotland. "The side have made big gains in the last 12 months and I couldn't be happier with where the guys are at." The Scots fly out to Abu Dhabi this weekend for a training camp as they begin preparations for the T20 World Cup in India in March and Bradburn believes they are close to recording a historic first win over one of the top cricketing nations. "Currently we sit 12th in the world in T20 and 13th in one-day cricket and our major aim is to break into that top 10 eventually," said the New Zealander. "That might not seem a lot, but there are some powerful associate (non-Test playing) members competing for that honour as well. "Don't forget that Scotland have never won a match at the World Cup before and we've never beaten a full member nation. "Myself and my squad believe that that time is coming and we're just keeping our heads down and building our skills to a point where we know that, if we can get over the line against a full member nation, this side has every ability to break into that top 10 eventually. "It is a real credit to the squad for embracing that and making the changes that we know we need to make." Scotland's first target is to become the top associate nation and they will have to come through a group also containing Hong Kong, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan if they are to face the full member nations in the Second/Super 10 round in India. "This side has made some huge strides since the World Cup down under in early 2015," said Bradburn. "We are very confident in our white ball game. We love playing one-day cricket and we love T20 and we've got a very skilled T20 side. "There's no reason why we can't go to that pre-qualifier to the World Cup very confident, but we're well aware we're up against some very good sides and that, in T20, anything can happen."

Scotland are targeting a place in the top 10 of world cricket, with head coach Grant Bradburn claiming his squad have made huge strides.

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Mike and Diane Hockin had been claiming £30m in damages after losing their property business in 2012. Mr Hockin told the BBC's Wake Up to Money that he had wanted to expose the bank on behalf of other small businesses, but felt he had to settle. RBS has admitted no liability and the final amount has not been disclosed. The two sides reached an agreement three days into a five-week trial earlier this month, ending a four-year legal battle. "I was gutted, I didn't want to (settle) because I don't feel that justice has been done," Mr Hockin told the BBC. "It's not us, it's hundreds of small businesses who have been completely stuffed by this crowd and we weren't able to completely expose them because it would have put us in jeopardy basically. "I made the decision to call it a day but I wasn't happy. But I really had no choice with it," Mr Hockin said. A number of small business owners have claimed RBS pushed them towards its former turnaround division known as the Global Restructuring Group (GRG). They then alleged it attempted to profit from their problems by charging them high fees and buying their properties at discounted prices. The Financial Conduct Authority is investigating GRG but has cleared RBS of trying to deliberately profit from those business transferred to it. RBS has admitted some shortcomings in the level of service it provided and has set aside £400m to compensate affected small business owners The Hockins ran London and Westcountry Estates, a commercial property business based in Plymouth, with hundreds of small business tenants across 27 business parks. They had banked with RBS for years, and as the business grew, so did their debts - reaching £55m by 2008. That year they took on an insurance product called an interest rate swap that was designed to protect against the impact of rising rates on their repayments. But during the financial crisis interest rates plunged to record lows which meant the company incurred extra heavy repayments. This put the company under pressure and it was moved into GRG. London and Westcountry's debt was later sold on to another company, Isobel Assetco - 75% owned by RBS - which appointed administrators in 2012. RBS strongly contests the allegation that it caused London and Westcountry to fail, arguing in court papers that the business had prior experience of interest rate hedging products. It said the company went to GRG because the downturn had caused cash flow problems and it had too much debt. Mr Hockin said: "People say to me, 'you've been paid out'. But I'm still angry - what makes me angry is this has gone on for eight years. "It's been completely deceitful. It's been done by a government-sponsored bank with effectively my money, it's cost a fortune and our business was a good business, a perfectly good business." The Hockins' legal fight began with an action against the accountancy group EY. As administrator, EY held the right to sue RBS, but would not pass that on to the Hockins until it was forced to do so in a 2014 court judgement. Mrs Hockin said: "Until the assignment court (the EY case) we spent about £250,000 and then subsequently the costs have risen greatly to circa £12m. "The RBS solicitors kept going back to court and each time you go to court it costs you a fortune. "We went to mediation in September which was an absolute total waste of time - and that's £100,000. The costs are horrendous," she said. The case was initially funded by a large inheritance, but the couple then turned to a litigation funder, which invested in the case in the hope of securing high returns if the case was settled. In a statement RBS said: "We have a duty to act in the best interests of all of our shareholders, including the UK taxpayer. We had strong defences to this claim and were thus prepared to defend ourselves vigorously in court." "We are pleased to have resolved this matter, with no admission of liability. The settlement allows the bank to minimise material litigation expense and management distraction."

A couple say they still feel "gutted" after settling with Royal Bank of Scotland for allegedly mis-selling them a financial insurance product.

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In its latest paper on the 2014 referendum, it raises the possibility of Scottish callers facing roaming fees when they visit England. The paper also claims independence could threaten postal services and rural broadband provision. The Scottish government has pointed out that EU rules mean roaming charges will fall from Monday. The paper drawn up in Westminster will claim that, after independence, Scottish mobile users travelling to the rest of the UK would be charged a premium for making calls "abroad". It warns that people close to the border could inadvertently incur these charges if their mobile phone connected to a mast on the English side. The paper also suggests the "world class services and economies of scale" of the post office could be put at risk and claims there might be less money to roll out high speed internet services for smaller communities. UK Consumer Minister Jo Swinson said: "The UK's integrated infrastructure connects people and communities, creates jobs and supports trade. "The government is committed to maintaining world class postal and broadband services. This includes continuation of a six-day-a-week postal delivery service and the provision of broadband to rural areas." She added: "If Scotland left the UK, posting a letter or making a call could cost more - and there could be less choice for customers." The Scottish government dismissed the claims and said successive Westminster governments had "substantially weakened" Scotland's communications infrastructure. A spokeswoman said: "Since 2002, more than 400 Scottish post offices have closed and plans for privatisation of Royal Mail threatens jobs and the operation of the universal service obligation whilst people across rural Scotland regularly struggle with the lack of mobile phone coverage as the current system fails to deliver for Scotland. "Independence will provide an opportunity to properly support the postal network with access to our fair share of UK assets." On mobile phone charges, she added: "The UK government should acknowledge that the EU is looking to remove roaming charges completely and they are widely expected to be abolished well before 2016." A senior Tory MSP described the claim that mobile phone bills could rise under Scottish independence as "silly". Reacting on social networking site Twitter, Scottish Conservatives deputy leader Jackson Carlaw wrote: "Some of the arguments against #indy are becoming a bit silly." Clarifying that he was referring to the mobile phone warning, he also urged the pro-union camp to "win playing at the highest level".

The UK government is to claim that Scottish independence would leave mobile phone users facing higher bills.

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You might think, therefore, that the crash in the price of oil must be dealing a potentially fatal blow to renewable power. An illustration from recent history seems to back that up. When the oil price spiked in the 1970s, the then US president Jimmy Carter had solar panels fixed to the White House roof, only to see his successor Ronald Reagan rip them off when the oil price tumbled. Fast forward to the past few months and at first sight a similar effect appears to be happening as the share prices of many renewable energy companies take a hit. However, things are not so straightforward. The world of energy has changed. For a start, oil does not compete with wind or solar power. They perform different roles - oil is still dominant in transport while renewables generate electricity. Since the 1970s, the use of oil at power stations has dwindled. It was replaced by gas, which was seen as a cleaner and more secure option with supplies less vulnerable to international crises. So the oil price does not directly affect the market that renewables are operating in. Then there are the wind turbines and solar panels themselves. As technologies develop and become mass-produced, costs usually fall and that is what has happened in the last 10-15 years. Better manufacturing techniques, soaring demand, intense competition - all have driven down prices for turbines and panels and further encouraged their spread. And government policies to support renewables with subsidies - to help young green industries find their feet - show no sign of changing in the near future. China, in particular, facing a profound crisis of filthy air, is presiding over the largest programme of investment in clean power that the world has ever seen. The Beijing government is under pressure from its citizens to do something about the pollution and one obvious response is to keep driving investment in renewables. A shift in the oil price, however profound, isn't likely to unpick that. Too much is at stake. And in other countries pushing green power, ministers seem determined to stay the course - Britain with its carbon targets under the Climate Change Act, and the United States with as many as 30 states mandating that power companies produce a certain proportion of their output from green sources. But there are complications which hover over this whole question. In some parts of the world, a fall in the oil price will drive a fall in the gas price - and since gas is the fuel that directly competes with renewables, this scenario in the long-term could obviously threaten them. Meanwhile in the United States, the revolution in shale gas produced such a flood of the stuff that the gas price almost collapsed - which would pose a really serious challenge to wind and solar if they were not protected by government policy. That situation may yet change someday in the future. And then there are the green technologies which are designed for transport rather than electricity generation. These may be at more risk. Biofuels, derived from plants and included in European fuels, start to look much pricier if crude oil cheapens. And electric cars may seem less attractive if owners, while charging their vehicles up from the grid, cast envious glances at yet another discount for fuel at the forecourts. But perhaps the biggest factor is one of the least tangible: uncertainty. No one can tell how long the oil price will stay so low - less than a year, more than a year, several years? People working in renewables say that the volatility in oil is precisely the reason to go green - prices are more stable, with fewer ups and downs. But big renewable projects, such as the vast offshore wind farms planned for UK waters, need massive funding. And, for investors, an unquiet market may not exactly be a draw, especially when the energy giants are cancelling a lot of capital spending. On the horizon, at the end of the year, looms another issue: a summit on climate change in Paris. This is where 190 countries are meant to agree a deal on cutting greenhouse gases and on the table will be ideas for using less fossil fuel. So, will the low oil price be an uninvited guest? The delegations from the oil economies of Russia, Iran and Venezuela are not likely to be in the best of moods. Saudi Arabia will probably repeat a demand, which infuriates others, to be compensated if the world does eventually ditch fossil fuels. And this is the kind of event where consensus and concession are badly needed. On the other hand, there is a view is that if lower oil prices help boost growth in the coming months, some governments, especially the Europeans, might feel secure enough financially to take more action on climate change. By this reasoning, the failure of the last summit - at Copenhagen in 2009 - was because world leaders were distracted and weakened by the banking and financial crisis still unfolding at that time. And, according to this scenario, if there is a deal, almost any outcome will lead to the development of more renewables, whatever the oil price. That's one perspective. There are plenty of others. I've been speaking to a wide range of experts in this field. And none of them sounds totally certain.

Common sense would surely tell you that if you slash the cost of one source of energy, then alternatives look less appealing.

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It follows claims that the draft Wales Bill was confusing, and would leave Welsh ministers with fewer powers. The bill will be delayed until summer to allow time for changes, Mr Crabb said. But First Minister Carwyn Jones called it an "avoidable delay to clear up an avoidable mess". Mr Crabb said he would shorten the list of powers kept back by Westminster, cut red tape over new laws, and better reflect Wales in the legal system. The new legislation is supposed to settle constitutional wrangling by making clear which powers were to be devolved and which not. It includes areas such as energy, transport and elections. But Welsh ministers have criticised the draft Wales Bill, saying some aspects of it would see them with fewer powers. A report by the Welsh Affairs Select Committee, published on Sunday, called for a "pause" in the process. The MPs said a proposed list of powers that are not devolved needed a re-think, with Whitehall departments forced to give a clearer reason why some issues should not be handed over to Cardiff Bay. Responding to the report on Monday, Mr Crabb said: "It's become clear to me that there are some areas of the bill where we need to make significant and substantial changes." He said he would scrap the so-called "necessity test" which Welsh ministers would have had to consider before passing any laws. The Welsh secretary said he would also limit the need for them to check permission with the UK government before passing certain laws - what Mr Jones had described as an "English veto". It was "never the intention of this bill to increase constitutional red tape", Mr Crabb said. A working group will also be set up to look at whether distinct arrangements are needed for Welsh law, without setting up a separate legal system to that shared with England. The final version of the bill - due in February - will not be published until May at the earliest. Monmouth MP David Davies, who chairs the Welsh Affairs Committee, welcomed the minister's response and decision to delay the bill as a "responsible step". "He must use this additional time to reflect on the aspects of the draft bill that have caused controversy and come up with workable solutions," Mr Davies said. First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "Let's be clear, this is an avoidable delay to clear up an avoidable mess. "The UK Government need to get into the habit of treating Wales and the National Assembly for Wales with proper respect. "We now have the opportunity, if the will is truly there, to repair the damage done by a flawed process and produce a genuinely meaningful piece of legislation." Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood welcomed the removal of the necessity test and the plans to shorten the list of reserved powers, but was disappointed Mr Crabb "still refuses to acknowledge the need for Wales to have its own legal jurisdiction". She claimed "inaction and lack of ambition by governments at both ends of the M4 have resulted in a flawed piece of legislation". Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams said: "A pause in this process is the right decision." She said the draft bill "was seriously flawed and not in any fit state to move forward". Assembly presiding officer Dame Rosemary Butler said a delay was right for the assembly and the UK government "to forge together a lasting constitutional settlement for Wales". She urged UK ministers to use the time "constructively" to deliver "a clear, workable settlement that does not roll back on the powers already devolved to Wales".

Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb has promised "significant changes" to his plans for further devolution, after MPs called for a re-think.

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Across Athens Greeks had been glued to their television sets to see him, along with crowds of journalists parachuted in here of late, desperately trying to follow the nebulous twists and turns of the story. I can only imagine the expression that might have been on German Chancellor Angela Merkel's face if she was settled in front of her TV. I doubt that she was smiling. Prime Minister Tsipras raged at Europe and its leadership, accusing them of being autocratic and anti-democratic. This, the same day that headlines here and across the world screamed of Mr Tsipras's "complete capitulation" to his creditors' demands, after the leaking of his letter last night to eurozone finance ministers. In that letter he agreed to many of the bailout extension conditions, dismissed by him just a few days ago as attempts to humiliate Greece. In fact, Mr Tsipras did not agree to all the creditor demands, though he made significant concessions. But according to EU officials the gap still amounted to hundreds of millions of euros. And - importantly - the letter was sent: Confused? You are not alone. It's worth remembering that what's happening now in the fast-moving Greek narrative is as much about politics as economics. Many of the politicians involved take actions and make statements on Greece and its future in the eurozone but are really aiming their message at their domestic audience. Mrs Merkel, for example, is keen to be seen as tough on Greece now. She's long been portrayed as taking a softer line than her stern finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble - and that may well reflect her personal view. She wants to maintain eurozone cohesion and keep Greece inside the currency if she can. But German taxpayers are fed up with their money being "thrown" at Greece, as they see it. And Mrs Merkel is known to keep a very close eye on opinion polls. She's also very aware that her political brothers in centre-right parties governing Spain, Portugal and Ireland face general elections in the coming months. They accepted tough austerity measures at home when their economies hit crisis point. If they accept far more lenient terms for Greece, they'll be political toast. As for Alexis Tsipras, it's conceivable that sending a "capitulation letter" to his eurozone colleagues but then berating them - and the way Europe is currently run - on Greek public television, a couple of hours before those colleagues were to discuss Greece by phone, indicates that his actions, too, were focused on the Greek people ahead of Sunday's referendum. Mr Tsipras was unequivocal in his televised address. He said the "very conservative banking circles" and the "sirens of destruction" of Europe were calling on voters to say Yes to everything, but offering no way out of Greece's crisis. He called on Greeks to vote No on Sunday, "to address (Greece's) humanitarian crisis". He said a No vote would put pressure on Europe to agree a better deal for Greece, and he insisted again that a No vote did not mean a No to Europe or a No to staying in the euro. But many of his fellow Greeks and European counterparts are of quite a different opinion.

So Alexis Tsipras has spoken.

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Forney scored his first in the opening period but the Giants trailed 2-1 after Curtis Leinweber and Riley Wetmore found the net for the hosts. Justin Faryna and Lou Dickenson extended the lead but James Desmarais pulled one back for the visitors. Derrick Walser and Forney scored in the third period and Forney in overtime. Forney's decisive strike in the first period of overtime ensured four points from the weekend's two Elite League games for the Giants, who defeated Sheffield Steelers 4-1 in Belfast on Saturday. The Giants were without Matt Nickerson and Chris Higgins for the clash with Dundee because of injury, but Craig Peacock and Darryl Lloyd were back after suspension.

Mike Forney grabbed a treble as the Belfast Giants beat Dundee Stars 5-4 after overtime on Sunday to stay level with Cardiff at the top of the league.

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The 45-year-old had been linked with the role for some time, and in January he had announced he would be leaving The Stoop at the end of the season. He will succeed Frenchman Jacques Brunel, 62, in the Italy post. O'Shea said he was "honoured, humbled and excited" to coach Italy, who lost all five of their matches in the recent Six Nations Championship. "I feel the end of this season is the right time for me to take on a new challenge," he added. "I am honoured, humbled and excited that I will be working with everyone in Italian Rugby to ensure they can achieve on the undoubted potential they have as a rugby nation." Mike Catt, who won the 2003 World Cup with England, has been named as attack coach three months after leaving the same post in the wake of England's disatrous 2015 World Cup campaign. O'Shea, who won 35 Ireland caps between 1993 and 2000, guided Harlequins to the 2012 Premiership title as well as the European Challenge Cup and the LV= Cup during his six years at the club. Quins are currently sixth in the Premiership with five matches remaining, and will face London Irish, the club where O'Shea spent five years as a player, in the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup. Brunel coached Italy in 50 Test matches after taking over following the 2011 World Cup.

Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea has confirmed that he will become head coach of Italy.

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Dennehy, 33, from Peterborough, is serving life for murdering three men whose bodies were found in ditches in Cambridgeshire in 2013. She also attempted to murder two men in Hereford. Dennehy had claimed continued isolation left her "tearful and upset". More on this and other stories from Cambridgeshire She was refused permission to appeal the decision herself but Dennehy's legal team has been given 35 days to ask the Court of Appeal to hear her case. The killer, who was given a whole-life sentence at her Old Bailey trial and jailed in February 2014, challenged Justice Secretary Michael Gove over HMP Bronzefield's decision to continue to keep her separated from other prisoners, which entailed long periods of isolation. The High Court heard Dennehy was initially segregated while on remand after a "credible escape plan" involving her and two other prisoners had been uncovered. One aspect of the alleged plan was that "the finger of an officer would be cut off in an attempt to deceive the biometric security system at the prison". Government lawyers conceded the segregation period between 19 September 2013 and 4 September 2015 was technically unlawful because it was not properly authorised by former Justice Secretary Chris Grayling but said it was fair, justified and lawful due to the nature of Dennehy's offending and the escape risk she posed. In her High Court challenge, she claimed she had been "unfairly and unlawfully" held, with barrister Hugh Southey QC arguing continued isolation left her "tearful and upset" and she had at times resumed her practice of self-harming. The woman who murdered men for fun My sister, the multiple murderer He said the escape allegations were never properly put to her and no further action was taken. She insisted that the alleged plot was nothing more than a "doodle" found in her diary, Mr Southey said. Jenni Richards QC, for the prison, had said she was "arguably the most dangerous female prisoner in custody". At today's hearing, Mr Justice Singh ruled her segregation since September 2015 had been "in accordance with law" and "at all material times it has been necessary and proportionate". Dennehy murdered Lukasz Slaboszewski, 31, Kevin Lee, 48, and John Chapman, 56, in March 2013 before dumping their bodies in ditches in and around Peterborough. She went on the run and subsequently stabbed dog walkers Robin Bereza, 64, and 56-year-old John Rogers. Dennehy is only the third woman to be given a whole-life prison term. Moors murderer Myra Hindley and serial killer Rose West are the other two.

Triple killer Joanne Dennehy has failed in a bid to get compensation for solitary confinement in jail after claiming it was a violation of her human rights.

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