DJ Derek, whose real name is Derek Morris, also appeared at the Big Chill and numerous gigs across the UK. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed Mr Morris was reported missing on Thursday and a search for him is under way. Mr Morris's niece, Jennifer Amy, said his disappearance is "completely out of character". She said: "I've left numerous messages for him and he hasn't got back - if he goes away he always lets me know. "His friends have been in touch to say he hasn't been in contact. "We're all extremely worried." And Bristol's elected mayor, George Ferguson, said on Twitter: "DJ Derek is a legend - I'll do all I can to spread word across #Bristol." Geoff Barrow, from the band Portishead, has also tweeted his support while Bestival founder and DJ Rob da Bank hoped one of his "favourite ever" DJs would be found. DJ Derek's disappearance is trending on the social networking site. Mr Morris launched his DJ Derek career in his mid-30s after working in the accounts department of confectionery firm Cadbury's. In 2006, he told the BBC's Inside Out that he left the firm after years of "domestic hell" before starting work as a DJ in a Bristol pub. Over more than 40 years he established himself as a fixture on the city's clubbing scene. As well as playing at Glastonbury, he has also released his own compilation album and appeared in a Dizzee Rascal video. In 2012 he won the Lord Mayor's medal for his "outstanding" contribution to the music scene in the city. Speaking to BBC Radio 4 after he was given the award, he said he finished most sets with the Bob Marley classic One Love. He said: "It's a perfect signing-off record for a reggae set - let's get together and feel all right. So next time, people, let's get together and feel all right." He played his final set before retiring at a London show in 2013.

Summary: A 73-year-old DJ who played sets at Glastonbury has gone missing, his family has said.


The bank earned â‚¬69.3m (Â£49m) last year, compared to just â‚¬2.9m in 2013, when it was hit by bad investments and clean-up costs. Last year the management was replaced as part of an overhaul ordered by the Pope to stamp out corruption. The bank has promised to improve its returns to customers. "The main focus is on fundamentally improving our overall client service standards and further professionalising our asset management services," IOR chairman Jean-Baptiste de Franssu said in a statement. As part of the overhaul, the bank pledged to screen all its accounts, bringing in anti-money laundering experts to carry out the task. As a result it has closed more than 4,000 accounts since May 2013, most of which were dormant, but 554 of which were closed because they did not meet the bank's new standards for clients. The IOR moves money around the world to finance Catholic missions and provides banking services for the Pope, clergy and religious orders.

Summary: The Vatican bank, officially known as the Institute for Religious Works (IOR), has seen a sharp jump in its profits for 2014.


It will feature in Sunday's first episode of the new series of the long-running programme, which was recorded at Tewkesbury Abbey in Gloucestershire. Expert Fergus Gambon said it was "unique" and "one of the most important English baby houses in existence". The doll's house was built in 1705 and is extremely well preserved. In a first for the programme, a camera crew went to film at the home of the object's owner, after just a few dolls were taken to the recording, which took place in May. Mr Gambon, who is the son of actor Sir Michael Gambon, said: "As soon as I saw the dolls I recognised the importance of it. "And it is quite a large object, it's extraordinarily fragile, it's not something that you can just shove in the back of the car and bring over. "So if we wanted to show the viewers what the house was like, this was really our only chance." The doll's house is well preserved, with the dolls in their original clothes, and was made on the Isle of Dogs for a Miss E Westbrook. It has been in the owner's family ever since, being passed down the female line for generations. Mr Gambon said he had known of the existence of the doll's house after having seen photographs of it in a book from the 1950s. "I saw the dolls first and I recognised them immediately from the pictures," he said. "The extraordinary thing about the Westbrook is the fact that it's remained in the family since it was made, and it is essentially a little time capsule." The Antiques Roadshow at Tewkesbury Abbey will be shown on Sunday August 28 at 20:00 BST on BBC One.

Summary: An early 18th Century doll's house, described as "of national importance", has been valued by the BBC's Antiques Roadshow at more than £150,000.


Denis McAinsh, of Glasgow, will stand trial alongside Alexander Chaplin, 51; Barry Jeffrey, 32; and Michael Chaplin, 50, all of Dundee; and James McGing, 50, also of Glasgow. All deny charges of supplying cannabis over a period of more than a year. A warrant was issued for a sixth man - Dean Holmes, 46, of Dundee - after he failed to appear in court. All six men face an allegation that they were concerned in the supply of cannabis between August 2013 and September 2014 at addresses in Dundee, Berwick railway station, the M90 near Glenfarg in Perthshire, and other locations unknown. Alexander Chaplin and Dean Holmes face a further charge of producing cannabis at addresses in Dundee, while Barry Jeffrey is also accused of dealing cocaine in the city. Sheriff Lorna Drummond QC continued the case to a further pre-trial hearing next week.

Summary: A 75-year-old is one of six men set to stand trial in Dundee accused of dealing drugs in Scotland and England.


The department, which employs 247 staff, said it plans to shut the office by 2018 but has not said how many, if any, redundancies there may be. It said the decision was aimed at cutting costs by creating a combined central HQ and policy centre in London. PCS, the union, say a further 100 jobs in the UK are threatened by the move. Permanent secretary Martin Donnelly said the move was intended to "modernise the way we work, reduce operating costs and deliver a simpler, smaller department that is more flexible and responsive to stakeholders and businesses. "The decision to close Sheffield by 2018 has not been taken lightly. "We will provide comprehensive support to all those facing a potential change or loss of job." However, he said the department was planning to create "around six business centres" across the country. The department currently employs about 2,500 people in total across 10 locations. Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services union, said: "The business department is supposed to lead the way in helping local economies grow after the recession, yet it is retreating from towns and cities across the country. "We do not accept the need for these offices to close and for jobs to be at risk and will be opposing these moves." The union has not said where the other 100 jobs could be lost. Julie Dore, leader of Sheffield City Council, described the plan as "appalling" and said she would be writing to the Secretary of State to "make it clear that this is unacceptable". Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrat MP for Sheffield Hallam, said the decision "flies directly in the face of the Northern Powerhouse agenda".

Summary: Nearly 250 jobs have been put at risk after the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills announced it will close its office in Sheffield.


The result meant The Bees are without a win in their last four matches and they have slipped to 18th in League Two. Allen told BBC Radio London: "I thought it was a slow start but Orient started very well. As the game grew, we got stronger and stronger. "Second half we were the dominant team, but I don't think we created too much. We had to keep our concentration." Barnet lost 5-1 at Portsmouth the previous weekend and then drew 2-2 with Morecambe. "We've had a long week," added Allen. "We played well at Portsmouth but ran out of legs. Losing 5-1 hurts and hurts anyone with a brain. "On Tuesday night against Morecambe we played very well and were very dominant. "But we freshened it up here and brought some new players, with fresh legs into the squad."

Summary: Barmet manager Martin Allen says his side did not create enough chances in their 0-0 draw with Orient.


About 76 properties at Lakeminster Park, near Beverley, were granted planning permission as holiday homes. Retrospective permission for people to live there all year-round was refused in 2012 by East Riding Council. That decision was upheld at an inquiry in 2013 but an error by a planning inspector meant the government ordered a new inquiry. The planning inspector had failed to take into account the National Planning Framework. East Riding of Yorkshire Council said its refusal of planning permission and enforcement notices remain in force. More than 120 people will no longer be able to live in the chalets permanently if the fresh inquiry rules in the council's favour. The new inquiry is expected to last up to 12 days.

Summary: A second inquiry into the future of people living in holiday chalets all year round in East Yorkshire has begun.


Acting Insp Marlene MacDonald said residents of the town had complained of reckless driving, including racing, noisy exhausts and horns being blared. Officers will monitor for speeding and use a decibel meter to check car exhausts do not breach noise levels. Police said Operation Route would involve officers going out on patrol and setting up inspection check points. Acting Insp MacDonald said: "It is recognised that the vast majority of road users in Thurso are considerate and respectful of others. "However, there are a small minority who repeatedly and continually drive in an anti-social manner." She added: "This culture of constant cruising around the Thurso town centre, whilst creating excessive noise through loud exhausts or the unnecessary revving of engines and general poor driver behaviour, will no longer be tolerated."

Summary: Police are to begin a month-long operation against anti-social behaviour by some drivers in Thurso.


Media playback is not supported on this device Seventeen-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer did not face a single break point as he beat Frenchman Gasquet 6-3 6-3 6-1 in just 87 minutes. Wawrinka made almost as short work of Andy Murray's conqueror Kevin Anderson, beating the South African 6-4 6-4 6-0. Top seed Novak Djokovic will face holder Marin Cilic in the other semi. Federer has won 16 of his 19 meetings with compatriot Wawrinka, but lost the most recent in this year's French Open quarter-finals and found his wife's courtside conduct called into question after a bad-tempered encounter at last year's World Tour Finals in London. However, he said he was relishing the chance to meet his friend and Davis Cup team-mate in the last four. "Stan played a wonderful match against me in Paris," he said. "He can consistently bring the power on forehand, backhand, and serve out almost anybody when he gets hot. "It is cool for us to have two Swiss in the semi-finals." Anderson's win over Murray in the previous round was built on relentless aggression off the ground as well as his powerful serve, but he could not replicate those tactics against Wawrinka. Anderson hit less than half the number of aces and less than a third of the number of winners that he managed against Murray. By contrast, Wawrinka put together his most impressive performance of the tournament after making relatively heavy weather of beating Albert Ramos-Vinolas and Hyeon Chung in the opening rounds. "Stan didn't make it easy," Anderson said. "He was taking time away from me. He was swinging out and I was just a step slow." While Wawrinka said his relationship with Federer off the court was still good, he added his countryman's demeanour on court had been changed by their increasingly competitive meetings. "Before it was only me," Wawrinka said. "I was nervous because I knew I wasn't at his level, for sure. "Now I think we can see that he was also nervous every time we play each other the past few years. That's a big difference, because that shows how much he knows that I can play at his level." "Seeing all those big serves coming down meant I felt I had more time. " Roger Federer says everything seems easier on return when compared to playing John Isner in the last round. "I needed a shirt change after the fifth game the other night. Don't think Roger changed his shirt all match." John Isner returns the compliment on Twitter. "Hopefully nine to 10 hours." As well as clocking up time on the practice court, Federer advocates getting some serious sleeping done to reach the top.

Summary: Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka will meet in an all-Swiss semi-final at the US Open after impressive wins over Richard Gasquet and Kevin Anderson.


The protesters stormed the Congress and set fire to the building. The authorities have arrested four police officers after a protester, Rodrigo Quintana, was killed. Political leaders on Saturday paid their respects to the dead man. His body was laid out at the headquarters of the opposition Liberal party in the capital, Asuncion. They condemned the killing and called for an investigation into his death. Around 200 protesters were detained but many have since been released. The protesters had taken to the streets following a private meeting of 25 senators - a slight majority of the house - which approved a bill to amend the constitution. Paraguay was controlled by military ruler General Alfredo Stroessner, who seized power in a coup, from 1954 until 1989. The current constitution, created in 1992 after the dictatorship, limits the head of state to a single five-year term. Protesters were angered by the bill which would have allowed President Cartes' to remove the restriction and run for re-election. An opposition senator, Desiree Masi, called the move a coup and called on supporters to resist it. The bill must also be approved by the other house of parliament - the chamber of deputies - where President Cartes' party holds a majority. President Cartes' term is due to end in 2018.

Summary: Paraguay's President Horacio Cartes has sacked the interior minister and the chief of police after violent protests on Friday against a bill that would allow the president to run for a second term in office.


Phil Gormley said he would be "foolish" to rule out more armed police following the Paris terror attacks He suggested armed police on routine duties may be appropriate in certain circumstances. The current UK threat level for international terrorism is "severe" meaning an attack is highly likely. Mr Gormley's predecessor, Sir Stephen House, withdrew armed police from routine patrols following a public outcry about police with guns attending minor incidents. In a briefing at Police Scotland's Tulliallan headquarters on his second day in the job, the chief constable said Police Scotland "needs to have a very careful look" at armed policing. "There are lessons to be learned post-Paris around tactics, techniques, the numbers of officers that we have got and their deployment," he said. "So that is a question that constantly needs to be revisited as the threat level around serious and organised crime alters and the threat level around CT (counter-terrorism) alters." When asked if he will rule out more armed police in Scotland, he said: "I would be foolish to do so, wouldn't I? "If the threat from CT and serious organised crime demands that we increase our armed capacity to protect the people of Scotland, then I will need to do that." He said a decision on deploying armed police on routine patrols "depends what those routine duties are and it depends on the context that they are operating in". He added: "If the threat level is sufficiently high that we need armed officers to protect the public, then that is what we will need to provide." Mr Gormley said he respected the Scottish government's decision to maintain its commitment to having 1,000 more police officers than the SNP inherited when it came to power. But he warned choices would have to be made to protect citizens that involve new techniques and technology as well as police officer numbers and the right mix of resources. He said Police Scotland "do need to think about what capabilities we need for the future" in relation to police officer numbers. "Some of that will absolutely be about people, and some of it will be about skills, technical kit and investment," he said. "Choices will have to be made. I don't want to get into a specific conversation about numbers, but I do think in the next five to 10 years the sorts of demands that police all over the UK will face will require both people and investments and new techniques and technology." Mr Gormley backed the existing programme of control room closures, which has been slowed down following a damning inspection in the wake of two deaths after a crash on the M9 last year. He also pledged to close Police Scotland's spiralling Â£25m budget gap before the end of this financial year in April.

Summary: Scotland's new chief constable has said he will deploy more armed police officers if the threat from terrorism or serious crime renders it necessary.


But the town, in northern China's Hebei province, is actually devoted to waste recycling. Mountains of glass bottles and scraps of plastic crowd every available space. Sitting in the middle of it all is a boarding school. Not one for the wealthy but, like many boarding schools in China, a school for the sons and daughters of local farmers and migrant workers. Poor families send their children here, hoping they'll get an education that will elevate them above the grime and dirt pervading this place. The Zhang family sent their teenage son there after a visit from recruiters. "We were told the school was one of the best out here. It was supposed to have military-style discipline and good teachers," Mr Zhang explains. Those were empty promises, they now say. Last December, a teacher at the school - a man named Li Jian - was sent to prison. For years, he had abused the Zhangs' son and several other teenage boys. We've changed the family's name to protect the boy's identity. Li Jian admitted to forcing the students back to his home. There, they were bound and gagged, tortured and raped, a court heard. Li Jian threatened his victims with death if they told anyone what took place in his apartment. As the abuse stretched on, the boy became extremely depressed. "He used to cry and refuse to return to school," his mother remembers. "At first, we didn't understand why. My husband became very angry. But now we know. Our son was suffering." Eventually, the boy became the first to speak up. "The situation was getting worse so I told my parents," he whispers. "But the memories still haunt me." Li Jian, the teacher, was in charge of discipline at the school. In court, the boys testified that Li would pick on the students who made mistakes during the school's morning exercise drills. Those are the ones he would bring back to his home for "extra instruction". Li received a prison sentence of two years and 10 months. China has no laws banning male rape over the age of 14. The victims could not prove the sexual abuse started before they were 14, so the court only found Li Jian guilty of detaining his students. Frustrated with China's piecemeal child abuse laws, the victim's families are appealing for a harsher punishment. They're pushing Li Jian to pay compensation so the boys can receive costly psychological counselling. They feel other parts of the system, too, failed their sons. When the Zhangs first went to the police station to report the crime, police there appeared to be familiar with Li Jian, who had worked at other boarding schools in the province before coming to Erliban village. "When we said the teacher's name, the officer said "Li Jian? That creep is doing it again!" So they knew about this before but didn't do anything to stop him," Mr Zhang fumes. The police ignored our repeated interview requests. School officials refused to answer similar allegations from the victims' families and several teachers that the school had

Summary: At first glance, Erliban village appears to be covered in rubbish.


The defending champions have been criticised in recent times for a series of uninspiring displays. Victory at Hearts on Saturday will seal a fifth straight title, should Aberdeen fail to secure maximum points. "The players know there is a good game coming up and of course we want to do it tomorrow," said Deila. "We are in a great position. We know it is going to be a great atmosphere and nothing would please me more than to do it tomorrow." Celtic enjoy a nine-point lead over Aberdeen with four matches remaining and also have a vastly superior goal difference. However, Hearts, in third place, have made life difficult for Celtic this season, earning two draws in the league. "If we win, it's essentially over," added Deila, who will leave at the end of the season. "Training has shown a lot of energy and now everything is about winning the games that are left. "It's so important to be together now and see what we can achieve. "Five-in-a-row is fantastic and it's something to build on. Hopefully, tomorrow we can start and the club can get to 10-in-a-row. "It's always emotional when you achieve something. The road to it is fun, but getting over the line is emotional for everybody." When the possibility of him returning to Scandinavia to manage one of their top teams and then meeting Celtic in European competition was put to Deila, he joked: "It could be Real Madrid as well, you never know, we will see. "If I came back here with another team it would be fun. But that is not in my mind right now."

Summary: Manager Ronny Deila says he expects the lure of securing the Premiership title this weekend will help raise the performance of his Celtic players.


She wore it to his 45th birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden in New York, but the garment was so tight she had to be sewn into it. Monroe died less than three months later, and the president died in 1963. The dress was sold in 1999 for $1.26m but Julien's Auctions thinks it could fetch up to $3m (Â£2.2m) this November. The dress, made of silk gauze and covered in thousands of rhinestone beads and sequins, will go under the hammer in Los Angeles on 17 November. Before then, it will be on show at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City, New Jersey, and the Museum of Style Icons in Newbridge, Ireland.

Summary: The flesh-coloured dress Marilyn Monroe wore when she breathlessly sang Happy Birthday to President John F Kennedy in 1962, is to be auctioned.


In the year to October 2015, 135 transgender hate offences were recorded, compared with 108 last year. The Met said the rise was partly explained by more people reporting such crimes, and urged any victims of transphobia to come forward. One London-based LGBT charity said the real number of offences was higher. The Met figures also show that homophobic crime has risen by 21% - from 1,421 offences in 2014 to 1,724 in 2015. Melanie Stray, from LGBT charity Galop, told the BBC this type of crime was still being underreported. She said: "The figures that are being reported in London in a year, we have clients that experience that themselves in a year. "I think it's the everyday stuff that happens - people couldn't report all of it because they'd spend their lives speaking to the police." Commander Mark Chishty from the Met stressed the need for victims to contact the police in every instance, saying: "However mundane you think it is, it's very serious to us. "It's important that we tackle this so we start curbing this type of behaviour within society - it's not tolerable, it's not part of our values and we want to deal with it." The Met recently formed a special hate crime senior partnership group between the police and community representatives, working alongside its dedicated LGBT Liaison Officers.

Summary: A 25% increase in hate crimes against transgender people has been recorded in London this year, according to figures released by the Met Police.


The International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board approved moving the track cycling and mountain bike events to an existing venue in Izu. Both were due to be in temporary venues - track cycling in the Ariake district and mountain biking at Sea Forest. The changes to the programme will bring savings of £66m to the Games budget. Earlier this year, the Japanese government scrapped plans for a £1.3bn Olympic stadium designed by British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid - the designer of the London 2012 aquatics centre. A new plan costing about 60% of the original is expected to be agreed. Sea Forest will still host the canoe sprint and rowing events, plus the cross-country and eventing elements of the equestrian programme. An IOC statement said: "The athlete experience will be guaranteed, as all athletes and team officials whose events will be at Izu will have the option to stay in the main athletes' village before and after their competition. "During the competitions, they will stay at a satellite village located close to the event venues." International Cycling Union president Brian Cookson said his organisation had embraced the IOC's cost-cutting programme and the UCI would work with local authorities to build on the sport's legacy in Japan. All sports have now been assigned venues for Tokyo 2020 except football, with a decision on that expected after next year's Rio Olympics.

Summary: Cycling events at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will be held 75 miles away from the city as part of a £1.2bn programme of cuts.


The Ivorian's agent, Dimitri Seluk, said this week that he would "listen to any offers on the table" this summer. Pellegrini dismissed the speculation, suggesting the 32-year-old midfielder should "think in the present". "Yaya is mentally absolutely involved in this season, and not thinking about his future," he said. "I know what Yaya thinks. He wants to continue being the same important player that he has been for this team in other years." Manchester City sit third in the Premier League table, one point behind Arsenal and Leicester City, and travel to West Ham for Saturday's late kick-off at 17:30BST.

Summary: Yaya Toure is focused on Manchester City's season and will not be distracted by transfer speculation, according to manager Manuel Pellegrini.


Paul Doyle, a Translink Metro driver based at the Falls Road depot, stopped in November to give the man a winter coat he had bought for him. He received the special award from the National Campaign for Courtesy. The charity described him as a true inspiration whose generosity had touched the hearts of the nation. Mr Doyle's act of kindness was witnessed by passengers - one of whom posted to Translink's Facebook page. The post was shared on Facebook by AnnaMarie McDaniel. She wrote: "Couldn't believe how kind the bus driver was, such a thoughtful act". The post was seen by more than 65,000 people and was shared more than 3,700 times. Mr Doyle noticed the young man outside while out driving during his shifts and was concerned by his lack of suitable clothing in cold and often wet winter weather conditions. He decided to buy the man a warm coat and give it to him the next time he passed by in his bus. Paul received a special certificate from Paul Smith, from National Campaign for Courtesy, who said: "I came across Paul's story while reading the 'Metro' newspaper on my daily commute through London - just as his act of kindness went viral. "Paul is a true inspiration," he said. "It shows how even one simple act of generosity can be so powerful it touches the hearts of an entire nation and raises the profile of a serious societal issue. "Kindness has a knock-on effect. Paul tells me that both he and other Belfast bus drivers have observed that car drivers are more patient since this story went viral. "On behalf of the National Campaign for Courtesy, I would like to thank Paul and officially recognize his exceptional thoughtfulness." On receiving his award, Mr Doyle said: "It's brilliant - I'm pleased I've made more people think about people in need out there. "I'm blown away by the reaction - my passengers are still talking about it."

Summary: A Belfast bus driver who stopped his bus to give a homeless man a winter coat has won a national award for his kindness.


On Monday, thermometers reached 32.5C (90.5F) in north-west London - hotter than Rome, Ibiza or Miami. But on Tuesday, while much of the country continued to bake, a weather front cutting across the British Isles meant temperatures in Newcastle struggled to get above 16C. The Met Office has issued a level three amber heatwave warning until Thursday. The warning, which is one step down from a national emergency, covers the whole of Britain and means "there is a 90% probability of heatwave conditions". Public Health England (PHE) repeated its advice on how to "beat the heat", urging people to practise common sense by staying cool, drinking plenty of water and avoiding sunburn. It also urged people to look out for others who may be in high-risk groups such as people with underlying heart and lung conditions, older people, babies and young children. Dr Angie Bone, Head of PHE's Extreme Events team, said: "Some people in these groups may not be able to take steps to keep themselves cooler - so if you're able, ask your friends, family and neighbours if they need any support." The RSPCA urged pet owners to walk their dogs in the morning or evening when it was less likely they could burn their paws and to keep fish tanks out of direct sunlight. BBC weather presenter Chris Fawkes said: "Wednesday is probably going to be the hottest day of the heatwave with temperatures of up to 34C. If we do see highs of 34C - that would be the hottest June day we would have seen for 40 years." The heatwave, however, is due to come to an abrupt end after thunderstorms, predicted on Wednesday night and into Thursday, bring fresher air in from the Atlantic.

Summary: A weather warning has been issued as temperatures are predicted to reach 34C (93F) in parts of England on Wednesday.


They only confirmed 23 deaths at the Zasyadko coal mine. Ukraine's officials say as many as 33 people may have died. There are fears the rebels lack the resources to deal with the disaster, the BBC's Tom Burridge reports. Zasyadko was the scene of Ukraine's worst mine disaster nearly eight years ago, when 101 people were killed. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has demanded access to the mine for government rescuers and police. The mine is close to a front line where the pro-Russian rebels have been battling Ukrainian government troops. However, Ukraine's mine unions head Mykhailo Volynets told a Ukrainian TV channel there had been no fighting in the area in recent days. While Ukraine's economy has significantly shrunk since fighting began in April, many coal mines continue to operate in the conflict zone. Mining safety standards are poor, and there are frequent accidents. 18 November 2007: 101 miners killed after a methane explosion at Zasyadko Mine, Donetsk 11 March 2000: 80 killed after a methane explosion at Barakova Mine, Luhansk region 4 March 2015: 33 feared dead after suspected methane gas blast at Zasyadko Confusion surrounded the death toll in the hours after the blast, which occurred more than 1,000m (3,200ft) underground at 05:20 local time (03:20 GMT). In the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev, speaker Volodymyr Hroisman announced that 32 people had been killed and called for a minute's silence. However, he later retracted the figure, saying instead that one person was dead and the fate of about 30 others was unknown. The rebels said 23 miners were confirmed dead. But the Ukraine-controlled Donetsk regional administration said later on Wednesday that 33 people died, and nine bodies had already been recovered. It is known that, at the time of the blast, 230 people were in the shaft. About 200 have now been accounted for. The sister of one miner who was in the pit at the time of the explosion, Alexei Novoselsky, stood at the entrance to the mine, in tears, Reuters reports. "Tell me, are there survivors?" she asked a passing rescue worker. "Why are you concealing the truth?" A welder at the mine, who gave his name as Oleg, said: "I've been down the pit for 23 years, and this is the fourth explosion that I can recall. "If they didn't get them out straight away, then later they will only retrieve bodies. An explosion is a terrible thing." The mine is one of Ukraine's biggest coal producers. At the end of last year, the mine was reportedly still supplying coal to coke and chemical works owned by Ukraine's wealthiest businessman, Rinat Akhmetov, in Donetsk region. In the old coal-mining area of Donbas, the Zasyadko mine is one of the newest. It started operations in 1958 and is now said to be part-owned by Yukhym Zvyahilsky, a local leader with money and influence who was once an acting prime minister of Ukraine and is now an MP. The mine is also one of the most dangerous. It is deep and it has particularly hazardous levels of methane. The year

Summary: A suspected methane gas blast at a mine in a rebel-held area of east Ukraine is believed to have killed at least 30 people, the rebels told the BBC.


After seizing alleged collaborators of the gang, including the mother of the leader "El Tequilero", the locals have recorded video messages for the gang. "In return for my husband's life, I will deliver your mother," says the kidnap victim's wife in one video, which has been broadcast on local TV. Police have been sent to the village. "We have your mother here, mister known as El Tequilero," says Yadira Guillermo Garcia, whose husband, an engineer, was seized by the gang, addressing the gang leader. "I request an exchange.... I want him safe and sound." In another video, residents of San Miguel Totolapan, carrying guns, explain that they have suffered for too long from the violence and intimidation meted out by El Tequilero and his gang, which is feared for carrying out mass kidnappings. "They have humiliated us, they have killed our families and we won't let it happen again," one of them says. Police have been trying to track down El Tequilero, whose real name is Raybel Jacobo de Almonte, for weeks now. At the end of November, police used helicopters to search the mountainous area in Guerrero state where he is believed to be hiding but failed to catch him. The governor of Guerrero state, Arturo Astudillo, said more than 200 police officers and soldiers had been sent to San Miguel Totolapan to defuse the stand-off. He said the villagers had released five of the people they were holding but that El Tequilero's mother was not among them. Guerrero state officials said that a team had been set up to negotiate between the vigilantes and the gang. "The goal of the team is to ensure that no injury is done to the missing person, nor to the mother of the head of the Tequileros gang, who has apparently been taken by the self-defence forces," a statement read. Guerrero state is a hotbed of gangs and violent crime, where local gangs fight for control of the opium trade, and disappearances and kidnapping for ransom are common. In a number of towns and villages, residents have created vigilante groups in response, but human rights groups say these have only further contributed to the spiral of violence.

Summary: Vigilantes in a Mexican village have seized the mother of a local gang leader and proposed swapping her for a kidnap victim taken on Monday.


Media playback is unsupported on your device 21 December 2014 Last updated at 18:39 GMT Thieves broke into the family's home in Bangor just days after the burial of eight year old Chloe who suffered from a rare condition. Christmas presents were also stolen when the robbers gained entry to the house in the Sinclair Avenue area on Friday night. BBC Newsline's Martin Cassidy reports.

Summary: A young mother has appealed for the return of a laptop containing the last photographs of her terminally ill child.


Flight testing suffered a tragic setback last October when Virgin's Enterprise spaceship broke up in flight over California's Mojave desert, killing one of its test pilots. Newsnight has spoken to several Virgin customers or "future astronauts", two of them on camera. One, Norwich-based Richard Burr, says he was originally told he would fly in 2007 or 2008, but is sympathetic to the company and has no intention of asking for a refund. Another, Texas stockbroker BJ Bjorklund, told Newsnight that doubts about Virgin's ability to succeed in getting its customers into space caused him to decide he was "just going to back out of this programme". Mr Bjorklund, one of the company's first 100 "founder astronauts" got his money back late last year. After the October accident, Virgin Galactic chief executive George Whitesides said the company would be flight testing its replacement spacecraft by April 2015. This hope has not materialised either and even plans to resume flying trials before the end of the year now appear to be in doubt. Asked when the company might get someone into space, Mr Whitesides told Newsnight: "I am hesitant to give a specific date because I want to give our flight test team the time that they need to do it right." The company insists that safety is its paramount concern. Many test flights will be necessary before paying customers fly. As to when that commercial service might actually be ready, one former Virgin Galactic employee told Newsnight: "I can't say whether it will be two years or whether it will be fiveâ€¦ They have a huge, huge, way to go." A customer who did not want to go on camera, and has not yet asked for a refund, told Newsnight: "Like most customers we're really not very confident" that the spaceship will fly as advertised. But he said he wouldn't ask for a refund "until there's absolutely no hope". A report by the US National Transportation Safety Board on the causes of Virgin Galactic's accident is expected imminently. There has been speculation about whether the crash resulted from pilot error or a fault in the craft's braking or "feathering" system. Asked whether Virgin Galactic has made changes to its new craft in anticipation of the NTSB findings, Mr Whitesides said its design was "basically the same" as the crashed Enterprise. Mr Whitesides told Newsnight that the precise amount invested in the ambitious plan was confidential but amounted to "hundreds of millions". Doug Messier, editor of the Parabolic Arc space blog, has told Newsnight that $600m (Â£392m) of Virgin money has so far been spent. A further sum of up to $380m has been made available by UAE investment fund Aabar. Mr Messier says: "This programme's claimed four lives already and it's had four powered flights and they haven't gotten anywhere near space in 10 years." In addition to the test pilot lost last October, three engineers were killed in an accident on the ground in 2007.

Summary: Virgin Galactic's planned commercial space service may still be years away from taking flight, and its chief executive admits, "we've got work to do, that's for sure", in a Newsnight report on the project.


The former astronaut cheered as the United States won the women's gymnastics team title on Tuesday and saluted the special quintet, one of whom was the extraordinary Simone Biles. Biles, the innovator, the ground-breaker, is a gymnast who comes along every other generation or so - a 19-year-old hailed as the most talented anyone has seen. She is already a superstar of her sport and, by the time the Olympic flame is extinguished, is likely to orbit the same space as the planet's most recognisable stars. This 4ft 8in gymnast from Texas, placed into foster care because of her mother's struggles with drugs and alcohol and adopted when she was five by her maternal grandfather and his wife, has already won two Olympic golds at her debut Games. She could win five. She is expected to win five. She is almost untouchable. It is the end of June, at the American national championships in St Louis, and the Olympics are fewer than two months away. Biles is in the middle of her floor routine. Watching on is 2008 Olympic all-around silver medallist Shawn Johnson. The reigning champion spots Johnson in the crowd, cheekily winks at her and flashes a smile, before continuing to perform vertigo-inducing somersaults. No-one else would have the chutzpah. No-one else looks like they're having so much fun. The athlete herself says it is her ability to enjoy the spotlight which sets her apart. "It's how it works best for me and how I get success out there," she says. But cheer and calmness are not the only attributes that separate the ebullient American from the rest. It has been three years since Biles, her sport's first black female world champion, entered an all-around competition and did not win. No female gymnast has ever had her power, reached such soaring heights, been so consistent and performed jaw-dropping routines with such joy. "I would make the case that she's the best athlete in Rio," says ESPN's TJ Quinn. The differences between the three-time world champion and the others are not subtle. She is faster, stronger - her powerful run allows the teenager to include more elements in her routine than competitors who have to go further before they can start tumbling. On the floor, the girl described as having legs made by Nasa can leap a foot or two higher than her rivals. Her coach Aimee Boorman has said her pupil has exceptional "air sense", the innate ability to know where she is in mid-air. Biles is also bolder and more consistent, too. Small and light, her compact body is also perfect for her sport. "She's certainly doing the most difficult work we've ever seen," says Christine Still, a gymnastics coach and member of BBC Sport's commentary team. "In terms of performance and her ability to perform again and again, she's the best I've ever seen." As a child, Biles would watch older girls and copy them with ease. According to her coach, she will learn a new skill in three days, while most gymnasts take months or years to

Summary: It made sense that Buzz Aldrin, a man who has walked on the moon and lived without gravity, was in Rio to watch a teenage compatriot defy the earth's forces like no other athlete in history.


The man was wearing headphones as he worked in his home in Westfield Street in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, when the attacker struck on Wednesday. He managed to call police when he regained consciousness and nothing was taken from the house. Police said he was hit on the back of the head and treated in hospital for a minor head injury. Any witnesses are urged to contact police.

Summary: A man knocked unconscious while he was doing DIY at his home came round to find racist graffiti on the wall.


The announcement came at the annual meeting of the International Football Association Board (Ifab) on Friday. Ifab is also reviewing the order of penalty shootouts, as there is a "clear advantage" to going first. It also confirmed that clubs will be allowed to use a fourth substitute during extra time from the quarter-finals of this season's FA Cup. Proposals for sin-bins for yellow-card offences and rolling substitutions at lower levels of football, to be introduced from June, were also approved at the Wembley meeting. It is a move to "encourage more people to take part" in youth and amateur leagues. Ifab is made up of world governing body Fifa and the four British home associations - the FAs of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - and is responsible for deciding on law changes. Friday's meeting, which was chaired by Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn, also agreed a strategy to improve player behaviour. That could lead to captains being the only players permitted to speak to referees about "major incidents". The FA Cup quarter-finals will take place from 11-13 March, including Manchester United's Monday night trip to Premier League leaders Chelsea. The trial of a fourth substitute in extra time is a first in England, though the format was used at last year's Copa America and the Rio Olympics. Glenn said the rule change will bring "extra intrigue and interest" to the ties. "From a technical point of view, it will be interesting to see how managers use the chance to make an additional substitution in such high-profile games and the impact it has on the final result," he added. Fifa president Gianni Infantino attended Friday's meeting and said the aim is for video assistant referees to be used at the World Cup in Russia next year. He confirmed the technology will be used at this June's Confederations Cup and May's Under-20 World Cup. Video assistant referees will review "match-changing" situations before informing the on-field official. Video replays were first used at international level during a friendly between Italy and France in September and then again during an friendly between Italy and Germany in November. The system has been tested in six other countries, including in the third-tier United Soccer League in America and the Dutch Cup. Its first use in a Fifa competition was during December's Club World Cup. Glenn said it would be too early for the technology to be used at August's Community Shield. He added it was a question of "when, not if" the system is introduced to English football. Ifab is considering changing penalty shootouts, citing the example of a tennis tie-break to combat the "statistically proven advantage" of the team that goes first. Teams alternate in shootouts, but Ifab says research shows the first team taking kicks has a 60% chance of winning. It is seeking trials in the lower levels of football that would see one team take the first penalty, then the teams alternate two kicks at a time. "We believe that approach could remove that statistical bias and this is something that

Summary: The Football Association wants to test a video assistant referee system from next season's FA Cup third round.


European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has said it would be "extremely difficult, if not impossible" for Scotland to join. Jim Currie, a former European Commission director general, said Scotland had a right to membership. Mr Currie was giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament Europe committee. He also warned there could be tough negotiations on Scotland's share of the UK's EU opt-outs, in the event of a "Yes" vote in the 18 September referendum. Mr Currie said: "We would be talking about a territory which is currently part of a full member state. "We're dealing with people who would have certain rights as EU citizens and which would be very difficult to take away, and nobody would want to. "The bottom line for me is that it would be dealt with in a pragmatic way, and it would involve inevitable negotiations which would be rather tough." Mr Barosso has said he doubted Scotland could obtain the agreement of all of the EU's 28 members states, which would be a requirement for entry. He previously told the BBC's Andrew Marr show: "We've seen that Spain has been opposing even the recognition of Kosovo, for instance, so it's to some extent a similar case because it's a new country and so I believe it's going to be extremely difficult, if not impossible, a new member state coming out of one of our countries getting the agreement of the other." Commenting on Mr Barosso's words, Mr Currie said: "The statement he made was extremely unwise and I also think it was inaccurate." He added that he thought "Kosovo was an unfortunate example" for the European Commission president to use. Spain has seen a dramatic rise in support for Catalan independence in recent years, leading to speculation that Madrid could oppose Scotland's EU membership as it does not want to encourage the movement in Catalonia. However, the Spanish government has not indicated that this would be the case.

Summary: Claims that an independent Scotland may not be able to join the EU were "unwise and inaccurate", a former senior European official has said.


The Crues commence the defence of their title against Ballymena United on 6 August, with the Blues travelling away to play Ballinamallard United. Newly-promoted Ards host Cliftonville in their opening fixture of the season. Also on 6 August, Glenavon play Carrick Rangers, Glentoran host Dungannon Swifts and Coleraine play Portadown. A round of midweek league matches is scheduled for Wednesday 10 August. Portadown will begin the season with a 12-point deduction handed out for a registration breach involving Peter McMahon. The publication of the fixtures was delayed because of Warrenpoint Town's appeal against their Premiership relegation, which was rejected at an arbitration hearing. The club appealed the IFA's decision not to impose a penalty on Carrick Rangers after then manager Gary Haveron incorrectly served a ban. A successful appeal would have left Carrick relegated and Warrenpoint taking part in a promotion/relegation play-off. Full list of 2016-17 Danske Bank Premiership fixtures (Dates and kick-off times are subject to change by NIFL)

Summary: Irish Premiership champions Crusaders will face last year's runners-up Linfield in the third round of fixtures of the 2016-17 campaign on 13 August.


Boxer Hasan Karkardi was banned for six months for taking part but will not appeal against his punishment. Blackwell had retired after suffering a bleed on the skull in March and spending a week in an induced coma. But he subsequently sparred with Karkadi and was again left in a coma. The British Boxing Board of Control said Wilkins' conduct was "detrimental to the interests of boxing". Wilkins and Karkadi were both set to appeal after releasing a joint statement on Thursday, before the latter changed his decision. Blackwell was placed in an induced coma in March after losing his British middleweight title fight with Chris Eubank Jr. Despite not having a licence to fight, and despite him being advised not to return to the ring, Blackwell sparred with Karkardi, 29, on 22 November at a boxing club in Devizes, Wiltshire. It left Blackwell in a coma for the second time and requiring surgery to reduce swelling on his brain. A family member has told BBC Sport that although Blackwell is out of the coma he is still unable to walk, and is a year away from making a full recovery.

Summary: Trainer Liam Wilkins will appeal against his licence being withdrawn for the sparring session in November that left retired fighter Nick Blackwell in a coma for the second time in a year.


In a personal interview with blog Humans of New York, she said she was told at the admissions exam she should forfeit her place so a man would not be drafted and sent to Vietnam. She also revealed that as a young woman she learned to "control her emotions". The Democratic candidate was criticised this week by the Republican party chairman for not smiling enough. Reince Priebus was accused of sexism when he said Mrs Clinton had appeared to be defensive and angry when she was questioned by veterans at an event in New York on Wednesday. Her Republican rival Donald Trump has also criticised her looks, saying he does not "look presidential" enough. How do you 'look presidential'? On the Humans of New York Facebook page, Mrs Clinton said she felt pressured into not going through with the law school exam. "My friend and I were some of the only women in the room. I was feeling nervous. I was a senior in college. I wasn't sure how well I'd do. And while we're waiting for the exam to start, a group of men began to yell things like: 'You don't need to be here.' And 'There's plenty else you can do.' It turned into a real 'pile on.' One of them even said: 'If you take my spot, I'll get drafted, and I'll go to Vietnam, and I'll die.' And they weren't kidding around. It was intense. It got very personal." She said that she can sometimes be perceived as "cold or unemotional" but she had learned to control her emotions when she was younger. "That's a hard path to walk. Because you need to protect yourself, you need to keep steady, but at the same time you don't want to seem 'walled off.'"

Summary: Hillary Clinton has said she was singled out as one of the only women applying to go to Harvard law school.


Dr Alan Parker, a senior lecturer at Cardiff University, will lead a team to examine and alter the Ad5 virus. In its original form it can can cause airways infections and is usually spread through coughing and sneezing. But Dr Parker will use new technology to see if it can be genetically modified to destroy cancer cells. Ovarian cancer is the sixth most-common cancer among women in the UK, with around 7,400 women diagnosed each year and around 4,100 women dying from it annually. "Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage and five-year survival has remained stubbornly unchanged, at around 40%, for almost 25 years," Dr Parker said. "Using viruses as a way to treat cancer is becoming more common and we're already seeing that some are showing great promise. "People often think viruses are bad. However, they can actually be 'trained' to be an effective cancer treatment." He said he often compares the complex research to the children's film How to Train Your Dragon. "At the beginning of the film the dragon comes across as being destructive and deadly, but one of the characters then trains the dragon to be a force for great good," Dr Parker added. "It's very similar to viruses. The viruses we use in their original form can cause a cough or cold. "We want to understand how the virus infects cells so we can engineer or 'train' the virus to be a force for good by identifying and killing cancer cells." The research is estimated to take between five and 10 years to complete and, if successful, it is hoped it could also treat other forms of the disease including breast, prostate and pancreatic cancers. Ruth Amies, Cancer Research UK spokeswoman for Wales, said: "We hope this research will improve our understanding of ovarian cancer and help lead to the development of new treatments in the future, which could ultimately improve survival for those diagnosed with the disease."

Summary: A Cardiff scientist is to explore whether viruses can be "trained" to tackle ovarian cancer after being given a Â£250,000 Cancer Research UK grant.


RSPB Scotland said video footage shot at the Perthshire estate showed an osprey attempting to rebuild a nest. However, festival organiser DF Concerts said the video did not correspond with reports from their ornithologist monitoring the site. Police were called to the scene on Monday and are investigating. Consultations are ongoing over a planning application to host the annual music festival at Strathallan, which has drawn a mixed response from locals. Ospreys are a protected species and cannot be disturbed while nesting. DF Concerts had hoped to encourage the birds to move to a specially constructed new nest further away from the festival site, having been unable to gain access to remove the old nest entirely. However, the group's tactic of flying a flag from a cherry picker near the old nest was criticised by nature groups and local campaigners. RSPB Scotland called in the police after the video footage emerged on Monday, stating that the nest was now "active", and the cherry picker was later removed. A spokeswoman for DF Concerts said it had been taken down while they awaited further information. She said: "We've seen a copy of the video referred to by RSPB and it does not correspond with the ongoing monitoring from our ornithologist onsite. "We are fully aware of and compliant with the legal protocol and as such, we have asked the police and RSPB to seek further information so that the video's authenticity can be fully examined."

Summary: Police and nature groups are examining a video purporting to show an osprey attempting to nest near the proposed T in the Park site at Strathallan Castle.


MP Damian Collins has asked the body to investigate whether the payment breached bribery laws. The £3.9m payment was made to the FIA for entering into an agreement with the teams and sport's commercial arm. The FIA says the payment was remuneration "for its regulatory role" and denies wrongdoing. Collins, chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport Parliamentary select committee, said he was "very concerned" about why the sport would need to make a payment to its governing body and regulator as part of the so-called Concorde Agreement, which was signed in 2013. "That's why I've written to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) asking them 'do they feel there was a breach of the Bribery Act and does it warrant investigation'?" he told ITV. An SFO spokesperson told BBC Sport: "The Serious Fraud Office is reviewing material in its possession in relation to these allegations. All matters referred to the SFO are assessed against criteria to establish whether they may fall within its remit to investigate." The FIA confirmed in a statement that it had received the payment and explained: "The Concorde Implementation Agreement entered into by the commercial rights holder of Formula 1 and the FIA in 2013 introduced a new governance structure for Formula 1 and redefined certain conditions applicable to their relationship, in particular to ensure that the FIA be properly remunerated for its regulatory role. "Within this agreement, a lump sum payment of $5m (£3.9m) was made to the FIA as part of the global consideration received in connection with the renegotiation of the terms of the agreements between the commercial rights holder and the FIA, and of the Concorde Agreement, at that time. "Following its approval, the Concorde Implementation Agreement came into force and this sum was paid to the FIA and properly accounted for. No individual received any payment out of this sum. Any allegation to the contrary would be defamatory."

Summary: The Serious Fraud Office is "reviewing material" relating to a payment made by Formula 1's commercial rights holder to the sport's governing body the FIA.


Maria Pridmore, 36, was jailed for three years in August after she admitted a string of frauds. They included obtaining more than £16,000 in housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support. Pridmore, who was described in court as a "Walter Mitty" fraudster, also stole over £30,000 from four women. She appeared by video-link at Lincoln Crown Court from Drake Hall prison in Staffordshire where she is serving her sentence. The court heard Pridmore, a former drug addict, benefitted by £56,679 from her crimes but had no available assets which could be confiscated to pay back her victims. Judge Simon Hirst ruled that in the circumstances a nominal sum of £1 should be paid. Pridmore made news in 2012 when she gave birth to a daughter after previously suffering 14 miscarriages, a stillbirth and the death of an infant son. At her sentence hearing, the court heard the former nurse had been claiming to be a lone-parent with dependent children in order to get benefits, but at various times failed to declare she had moved or was living with her then partner as man and wife. Pridmore also pocketed more than £30,000 from friends and two elderly women, and used the bank details of one of her victims to pay for a £60 taxi fare to attend a court hearing. She stole almost £8,000 from one victim, an 84-year-old vulnerable woman. Pridmore, of Angel Lane, Holbeach, Lincolnshire, previously admitted seven charges of benefit fraud between August 2010 and March 2013, 19 charges of fraud and theft between January 2013 and May 2016 and stealing her father's flat-packed kitchen in April 2015.

Summary: A woman who pocketed over £50,000 by claiming false benefits and targeting vulnerable people has been ordered to pay back a token amount of £1.


The 40-year-old German replaces Alex Neil, who left the club in March. Farke, who spent his playing career in Germany's lower leagues, replaced Huddersfield boss David Wagner at Dortmund's second team in 2015. Norwich's sporting director Stuart Webber was part of the Terriers' backroom team when Wagner joined. Edmund Riemer, Farke's assistant at Dortmund, has been appointed assistant head coach at Carrow Road. "I had a really good time with Borussia Dortmund, but Stuart Webber has told me all about Norwich City, its traditions and history, and I know what a great club it is," Farke told the club website. "The more I know about Norwich City, the more excited I get. I'm very glad to be here and can't wait to get started." Norwich finished eighth in the Championship table this season, 10 points outside the play-off places.

Summary: Championship club Norwich City have appointed Borussia Dortmund reserve-team coach Daniel Farke as their new head coach on a two-year deal.


New South Wales on Tuesday unveiled changes to its high school syllabus for the first time in 18 years. The new focus eschews "social context" teaching - which had drawn criticism - for more in-depth, critical thinking. It comes after an international study in December showed Australia's maths and science ranking had tumbled. The changes address recent criticism over a lack of rigour, said Tom Alegounarias, the head of the state's Education Standards Authority. "We reviewed the whole [syllabus], we looked at what the community is demanding for now and in the future," Mr Alegounarias told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "The major shift is towards greater depth, rigour, and mastery of content learning." One of Australia's leading scientists, quantum physicist Michelle Simmons, recently attacked what she called attempts to "feminise" the teaching of physics. Prof Simmons said learning by essays rather than formulas, in an apparent attempt to interest more women the subject, was a mistake. "There is a big cost in this type of thinking," she said in an address last month. Education officials said these concerns had been addressed, with the new curriculum putting "more science in science" by focusing on its mathematical bases. Maths will now include more statistics and algorithms, such as those used by internet search engines. In English, texts will no longer be studied through themes like "journey" or "discovery" but examined for their individual merit. In history, subjects such as the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution will be explored in depth, rather than focusing on a breadth of topics. The new curriculum will be introduced from next year.

Summary: Australia's most populous state will focus on better preparing students for university and employment in a major overhaul of its school curriculum.


The board of Walgreens will now seek shareholder approval for the Â£9bn deal to go through. Walgreens bought a 45% stake in the company in 2012 and now wants to buy the remaining 55% stake. The firm said it would not use the deal to alter its current tax structure, and expects the merged company to be based in Chicago. Boots will remain at its UK headquarters in Nottingham. The pharmacy chain has long been a mainstay of the UK retail scene, with 2,487 stores across the country. It employs more than 60,000 people in the UK, including more than 6,500 pharmacists. The impact of the buy-out on jobs is not yet clear. Walgreens has said it will look to make cost reductions of $1bn over three years at "corporate, field and store-level" across all of its businesses. However, it will also invest "across core businesses at suitable returns to drive organic growth". Walgreens shares slumped 14% on the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday. Investors had expected the firm to move its headquarters abroad in order to cut its tax bill. "We are excited to move forward with the next important step in becoming a new kind of global health care leader," said Walgreens chief executive Greg Wasson. The new combined company will be called "Walgreens Boots Alliance", and its headquarters will be in the Chicago area, Walgreens said. Mr Wasson will become chief executive of the new company, and Stefano Pessina, who is currently executive chairman of Alliance Boots, will report to Mr Wasson. Walgreens, which started out in Chicago in 1901, had 248,000 employees in 2013. It has 8,231 shops across all 50 US states and the federal District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the US Virgin Islands. Walgreens said it had thoroughly evaluated moving its headquarters abroad for tax purposes, but that the move would not have been feasible under current US tax rules. A move would have put it at too much risk from scrutiny by the US tax authority, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the company said. "We took into account all factors, including that we could not arrive at a structure that provided the company and our board with the requisite level of confidence that a transaction of this significance would need to withstand extensive IRS review and scrutiny," Mr Wasson said. In addition, public opinion may have been against a move for tax purposes, the company added. In May, pharmaceutical company Pfizer dropped a bid for UK company AstraZeneca following an outcry that it was partly motivated by a wish to buy the firm for tax reasons. Being domiciled abroad is attractive for US companies because of the relatively high rate of US corporation tax compared with other countries. Analysis Kim Gittleson, BBC business reporter, New York The first time I walked into a Boots in London, I was in search of something to soothe a scratchy throat - British dampness having taken its toll. I scouted the shelves, only to be perplexed when there seemed to be just a handful of lozenges

Summary: High Street chemist Alliance Boots is to be bought up by US pharmacy giant Walgreens.


The latest march, in central Istanbul, was one of the demonstrations prompted by the recent murder of a 20-year-old Turkish woman. Ozgecan Aslan, a university student, was killed in an attempted rape. "The way of thinking that 'a woman wearing a miniskirt deserves rape' is sick," said Ali Erkazan, who represented the men wearing the skirts. "We demand, as democratic and intellectual men of this country, freedom for women, free expression, opportunities for women, and equal rights for women as for men." Men and women marched through the streets carrying photographs of Aslan, whose body was found on 13 February in a riverbed in the southern province of Mersin. She had last been seen two days earlier on a minibus, the driver of which has since confessed to killing her and mutilating her body, Turkish media reports. He was arrested along with his father and one other man. Follow @BBCNewsbeat on Twitter, BBCNewsbeat on Instagram and Radio1Newsbeat on YouTube

Summary: Groups of men in Turkey are wearing skirts to protest against violence towards women.


That is the finding of a survey carried out by the pollsters, Ipsos Mori, for BBC Northern Ireland's political programme, The View. In the wake of June's EU referendum result, Sinn Féin demanded that the secretary of state should call a border poll as provided for under the Good Friday Agreement. The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin also reported a sharp rise in the number of people from Northern Ireland applying for Irish passports. However, this survey reveals that less than a fifth of the people interviewed by Ipsos Mori say the Brexit decision has influenced how they would vote in a referendum to decide whether Northern Ireland remains in the UK or joins the Irish Republic. More than 1,000 people were interviewed by the pollsters face to face at locations across Northern Ireland between mid-August and early September. A third of those interviewed (33%) want the government to call a border referendum. However, more than a half (52%) oppose such a move. Opposition was strongest among those with a Protestant background with 72% against holding a border poll. If such a poll is held, a clear majority of people, 63%, say they will vote for Northern Ireland to remain in the UK, while only 22% would support a United Ireland. Some 13% of those polled don't know how they would vote, whilst another 2% would not participate in a border poll. The same question was asked for the BBC by Ipsos Mori three years ago. A direct comparison with that survey shows a slight decrease in support for staying in the UK, estimated at 65% in 2013, two points higher than the latest figure - which is within the margin of error so not statistically significant. Ipsos Mori reported a 5 point increase in support for a United Ireland (22%), which was just 17% in the 2013 survey - an increase which is regarded as a significant change. The overwhelming majority of those with a Protestant background (88%) would vote to stay in the UK. More than third of those with a Catholic background (37%) would also opt to stay in the UK, similar to the 2013 figure of 38%. More than four out of 10 people with a Catholic background (43%) would back a United Ireland, up 8% on the 2013 figure of 35% - an increase which is regarded as statistically significant. People were asked whether the result of June's EU referendum had changed their views on Northern Ireland's constitutional future. Some 83% said the Brexit decision had not altered their position, while 17% indicated it had changed their thinking. Those whose views had been influenced by the EU result were slightly more likely to be female, from a Catholic background and drawn from the affluent AB social classes. In the immediate aftermath of the EU referendum, the Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that a second Scottish independence vote was "highly likely". Earlier this month, Ms Sturgeon asked SNP activists to take the lead in what she described as a "new conversation" on independence. In the past,

Summary: More than eight out of 10 people in Northern Ireland say the UK's decision to leave the European Union has not changed the way they would vote in a future border poll.


The two sides meet on Saturday with Wasps on top of the Premiership and Saracens two points behind in third, with Exeter sandwiched between them. The winner will guarantee themselves a home semi-final in the play-offs. "When the fixtures came out, I looked at this one and thought 'this will have a prize on it'," said the 49-year-old. "It has proved to be the case." Wasps, who have headed the table throughout 2017, secured a second successive play-off semi-final despite losing at Harlequins last weekend. But they are level on points with Exeter - and a Saracens victory at the Ricoh Arena could leave the club in third position. "We targeted 75 points at the start of the season, which on average would have given us a top-two finish in previous seasons," said Young. "We've exceeded that, but we still have Exeter and Saracens around us." The Coventry-based side, who have won all 10 league matches at the Ricoh this season, are the only side in the competition with a 100% home record. But Saracens have only lost one of their past 12 meetings with Wasps, and beat Young's side in the Champions Cup semi-final last season on their way to the title. "It's a new experience," added former Wales international Young. "There's lots of talk about the weekend, and lots of people have already written us off. "These players are not used to being in this position, and I'd be lying if I sat here and said there weren't going to be nerves. "But this is what the hard work is all about. Through pre-season and right throughout this season, to arrive at this spot and make a big impression."

Summary: Wasps director of rugby Dai Young says he always expected their final game of the league campaign against Saracens to have special significance.


Dujardin, 30, and Valegro won individual and team dressage gold for Britain at London 2012 and have since won World and European titles. But, she says, the Olympics in Brazil next summer will be the horse's last. "This will be Valegro's retirement after Rio so I want to go out there and want to enjoy every last minute," Dujardin told BBC Points West. Media playback is not supported on this device Dujardin partnered Valegro to victory in London as the two performed to movie themes including The Great Escape and Live And Let Die. And the Gloucestershire rider says she is hugely excited at the prospect of defending her title, while admitting the Games in Brazil represents a huge logistical challenge. "He's got to stay fit and healthy and get ready for the flight," she said. "It's a 16-hour flight and he needs to acclimatise. "I'm really, really excited heading towards Rio. We get to go out in February and have a look around and fingers crossed it all goes well. "Hopefully it won't be too hot, it's their winter time so high 20s." Dujardin also says she will not let the pressure of being Olympic champion affect her. "I just take it all on board," she said. "I try not to let that all bother me. Riding Valegro always makes you smile so I enjoy it."

Summary: Double Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin says her horse Valegro will retire after the Rio Games in 2016.


About 12,000 people attended Saturday's Ar Waith Ar Daith (Work On Tour) performance in Cardiff Bay. Walk the Plank's production involved dance, aerial artistry, storytelling and pyrotechnics. Before the performance, two slate plaques will were unveiled. The plaques had been engraved with poetic lines created by two school pupils, Charlotte Hunt from Harlech, Gwynedd, and Lena Mikulova from Cardiff. School pupils from across Wales were invited to come up with their own verse for the plaques on the theme of what it means to be Welsh or living in Wales, taking inspiration from the words by poet Gwyneth Lewis which are on the front of the centre.

Summary: The 10th birthday of Wales Millennium Centre has been celebrated with an "outdoor theatrical spectacle" involving 700 people.


Labour donor and ex-parliamentary candidate Michael Foster was challenging Mr Corbyn's inclusion without having to get MPs' nominations. Mr Corbyn called the court case a "waste of time and resources". Mr Foster said he would not be challenging the decision: "We wanted the courts to adjudicate... they have." It means the leadership contest - between Mr Corbyn and challenger Owen Smith, a former work and pensions spokesman - will continue as planned, with the outcome due on 24 September. Under the party's rules Mr Smith had to win the support of 20% of its MPs and MEPs to trigger a contest. In the end, he secured 162 nominations after the other potential challenger Angela Eagle, who also initially passed the threshold for nominations, withdrew from the race. At a highly-charged meeting earlier this month, Labour's National Executive Committee decided that, as an incumbent, Mr Corbyn was entitled to a place on the ballot paper without having to go through the same process. Reacting to the court ruling, Mr Corbyn said: "The National Executive interpreted the rules to say that a challenger has to be challenging somebody, therefore the incumbent is there. And I am the incumbent. A challenge has been mounted, therefore I do not require any nominations. "The National Executive decided that was the position, somebody took the case to the High Court - we've spent some time in the court on this and we got a complete vindication today - and the leadership election now goes ahead." Mr Corbyn lost a motion of no confidence in his leadership last month. In the vote, which was not binding on him, 172 out of Labour's 231 MPs opposed Mr Corbyn while 40 voted in his favour. However, the Labour leader retains the support of many party members and activists who will vote in the election. The legal challenge was brought by Mr Foster, who unsuccessfully stood as a Labour candidate at last year's general election in the Cornish seat of Camborne and Redruth, coming second to the Conservatives. In his 17 page judgement, Mr Justice Foskett said the court's decision was on a narrow point of law and unaffected by political considerations. He said his interpretation of Labour's leadership rules was that "the leader would not in that situation (where there is no vacancy) be someone who was a 'challenger' for the leadership and, accordingly, would require no nominations in order to compete in the ballot to retain his/her position as leader". It concluded: "Accordingly, the judge accepted that the decision of the NEC was correct and that Mr Corbyn was entitled to be a candidate in the forthcoming election without the need for nominations." Reacting to the judgement, leadership challenger Mr Smith said he was pleased, saying the court had "done the right thing". "This now puts to bed any questions about the process, so we can get on with discussing the issues that really matter," he added, saying he looked forward to debating his rival "as often as possible about our plans for Labour's future".

Summary: A judge has rejected a challenge to Labour's decision to allow Jeremy Corbyn to automatically stand for re-election as leader.


Media playback is not supported on this device The 16-year-old beat Anne Keothavong's record as the youngest British player to play in the Fed Cup in February. Swan won her first two titles on the second-tier ITF tour in 2015, and made her WTA debut at Birmingham in June. "There's a few big grass tournaments before Wimbledon so I'm hoping I get to play in some of them, whether it's qualifying or main draw," she said. "There's a chance I might get a Wimbledon main draw wildcard, but I'm not sure about that yet. "Definitely I'll keep working towards that and it'll be amazing if I can make my Grand Slam debut this year." Swan also said she hopes to improve her results in Junior Grand Slam tournaments in 2016. The Bristol-born player is ranked number 12 in the world at junior level, and reached the final of the Australian Open junior tournament in 2015. "My goal this year in juniors is to try to do really well in the Grand Slams. I'd like to aim to win a Grand Slam, which would obviously be amazing for me," she continued. "On the women's tour, I just want to keep working on my ranking and try to do the best I can in all those tournaments, and maybe be able to get into qualifying for the Australian Open next year."

Summary: British world number 512 Katie Swan says she hopes to earn a wildcard entry into the main Wimbledon draw this year.


The Sky Blues had warned the academy would be under threat if the rugby club got council permission for the facility at the Alan Higgs Centre. The football club said it was "not against" Wasps having a facility in the city, but was "bitterly disappointed". Wasps has said the football club could share the proposed centre. Coventry City, which leases the land from Coventry Sports Foundation (CSF), has said any reduction in hours its youth players could use facilities may diminish the status of its development programme in the eyes of the Football Association. Football club chairman Tim Fisher said: "Nobody can tell us what will happen with regard to the scheduling or the facilities that accommodate the academy today. "We've got nine players in and around the first-team group who all came through the academy." The planning application was approved with conditions, including over parking and roofing materials. Wasps Group CEO David Armstrong said it understood "sensitivities regarding the location". He said the football academy had been offered "use of the indoor kicking barn facility on a commercial basis during set periods" and was keen to hold discussions with the club "about how this may work". Mr Armstrong said it was open to further talks "with CSF and CCFC about any other ways we might be able to assist" with the academy's future. A council spokesperson said: "In this case the application seeks to use existing sport and leisure facilities for sport and leisure purposes - planning committee can't make its decision on whether this should be rugby or football. "If the owners of the site that is currently used by the academy wanted to change that use it would be a private matter between the two parties and is not a planning consideration." CSF has said it repeatedly invited the football club to meet about the academy's future and that the football club chose not to attend a meeting set up with Wasps last month. "The offer to sit down and discuss the matter is still very much on the table," a spokesman said.

Summary: Plans for rugby club Wasps to build a training centre on the site of Coventry City FC's youth academy have been approved.


The 57-year-old, from Montrose, was killed north of Dunkeld, near Jubilee Bridge, in Perthshire. Several other stretches of the A9 have been the scene of fatal and serious accidents this year. November was marked by the death of a couple in a two-car crash near Dalwhinnie. Care assistant Dennish Michael and nurse Manju Dennish, both 32 and from Inverness, were originally from India. Earlier in the month, the parents of a five-year-old boy and three-year-old girl were taken to hospital after a crash near Calvine, in Perthshire. In October, three people were killed in a collision near Pitlochry involving four cars. Firefighters described the accident as a "scene of carnage". Denny couple James Forbes, 73, and his 66-year-old wife wife Anne died when their car was involved in a crash with another car. The driver of the other car - John Potter, 63, from Scarborough - also died at the scene. In a separate accident, Roy Greene, 41, a joiner from Kilsyth, died in a collision between a van and tipper truck near Auchterarder. August saw the deaths of motorcyclist Peter Corris, 54, and wife Jacqueline Corris, 53, from Leyland, Lancashire. The crash which also involved a car happened three miles south of Dalwhinnie. Another motorcyclist, Fergus Cooney, 41, from Helmsdale, died in hospital after coming off his bike at Daviot. Mother-of-two Sharon Topping, 38, from Moodiesburn in Glasgow, was killed after her motorbike hit the central reservation on the A9 near Pitlochry. The accident happened just hours after buying her first motorcycle. Her 40-year-old husband Stephen, who was travelling behind her on his own motorbike, collided with her bike and was injured. In May, two men were injured after a coach with 37 people on board crashed north of the Berriedale Braes. And in April, 13 elderly holidaymakers were hurt when their coach collided with a lorry near Dalwhinnie. The same month also saw one of Scotland's most promising chefs was killed in a motorbike crash just hours before he was awarded a top accolade at the Scottish Hotel Awards. Ryan Young, 38, who was nominated in three categories at the prestigious awards, died after his bike collided with a 4X4 vehicle. A 44-year-old pedestrian also died after being struck by a lorry a mile north of Dunkeld. Wintry weather affected travelling conditions earlier this year. In February, lorry driver Andrew Raeside, of Kirkintilloch, died after his cab plunged 40ft (12m) from a bridge into a loch. He was driving south on the A9 when his fuel lorry jack-knifed as he was crossing Coronation Bridge at Faskally. Eight people were hurt in January in two multi-vehicle accidents. Five cars were involved in a collision during blizzard conditions three miles south of Dalwhinnie, while the other earlier accident happened at the Cromarty Bridge.

Summary: The death of lorry driver Gordon Cooper in a crash involving three articulated lorries on Thursday was the latest in a series on the A9 this year.


Dominic Colella was called out on 9 March 2013 when the 85-year-old man collapsed in a queue at a London branch of the store. A colleague told a disciplinary hearing Mr Colella had returned to the ambulance with two "full bags of shopping" after 20 minutes. He did not attend the hearing. Giving evidence to the Health and Care Professionals Council, fellow paramedic Yvonne Purves said the elderly man had passed out in M&S and then regained consciousness before being moved into Mr Colella's ambulance. She told the panel she had wondered where her colleague had gone after waiting for some time in the ambulance. "The wife was understandably anxious about what had happened to her husband and was wondering why we weren't leaving to go to hospital," she said. "He then came back with two full bags of shopping and loaded them in to the front of the ambulance and flippantly said 'do you want to go to hospital then?'. "Obviously, I wanted to go to hospital some time ago. I waited 20 minutes for Mr Colella while alone in the ambulance," she added. On another occasion, Mr Colella is alleged to have got a hair cut instead of taking a head injury patient to hospital. The panel heard Mr Colella, who faces two counts of misconduct, did not turn up at the hearing because he was working. He has since resigned from the London Ambulance Service. The hearing continues.

Summary: A paramedic shopped in Marks and Spencer while an elderly patient with severe blood poisoning waited in an ambulance, a conduct panel has heard.


The searchable digital collection will include images taken using glass plate photography 160 years ago. Glasgow-born climber, keen photographer and founder of Rab mountain clothing, Rab Carrington, has been helping to head up the project. It will be officially unveiled at the Kendal Mountain Festival in November. Among the oldest images that will be available to the public in the archive were taken by brothers George and Ashley Abraham of the Lake District in the late 19th Century. Pictures of Gwen Moffat, Britain's first female mountain guide, will also feature. Other photographs have been provided by climbing clubs, including the Alpine Club and Fell and Rock Climbing Club. Mr Carrington told BBC News Scotland online that one of the features of the archive would be that it would show the changes in climbing styles over the centuries. He said: "We have already obtained permission to put a range of images from the Alpine Club and Fell and Rock, and the Abraham Brothers family will be making a strong contribution. "The Climbers Club have also chipped in with some 1950s images of Gwen Moffat climbing in the style of that day. "We will now be seeking to have further representation from private individuals depicting Himalayan achievements from the 1970s right up to getting cutting edge first ascents from 2010s. "The archive will show how styles of climbing have changed over the last 150-160 years, from the use of hobnail boots to plimsolls and bare feet to the footwear worn by today's climbers."

Summary: A National Archive of Historic Mountaineering Images is to be launched by the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) later this year.


Wales will appear in their first semi-final of a major tournament when they play Portugal in Lyon at 20:00 BST. The winners of that game will face either France or Germany in Sunday's Euro 2016 final. Fan zones have been set up around Wales, including at Cardiff's Principality Stadium which will hold 27,500 fans who obtained tickets. An extra 7,500 tickets made available for the Cardiff venue sold out on Wednesday morning in just over an hour. Those who have secured tickets have been advised to arrive early as extra security measures are in place which may delay entry to the stadium. Westgate Street in Cardiff will close from 18:00 until 23:30 and Arriva Trains Wales is adding capacity to services where possible. But Mark Jones, the Blackwood student who campaigned for a Cardiff fan zone, did not manage to get a ticket. "It's not just gutted for myself but I'm gutted for what seem to be the vast majority of fans who haven't been able to get a ticket and had been to the previous games," he said. "I can't understand why the council can't open Coopers Field [where the fan zone previously was] as well." There will also be fan zones in Singleton Park, Swansea, Colwyn Bay, Rhyl, Denbighshire, Aberystwyth, Anglesey, Newport, Pontypridd and Wrexham. One of the many proud Welshmen watching tonight will be Michael Davies - the head teacher at Joe Allen's former school, Ysgol Y Preseli in Crymych, Pembrokeshire. He said: "His performances have been quite inspirational - he's the man that brings everything together in terms of the Welsh midfield." Insurance giant Admiral is closing its Cardiff, Swansea and Newport offices at 19:00 instead of the usual 22:00 so the 600 employees in those sites can watch the game, with staff outside Wales covering customer calls. Prince Charles has sent a message to the team, saying: "Throughout the whole championship, you have set an inspiring example of teamwork and sportsmanship and I have no doubt that in this latest game you will continue to give your country even greater cause for pride." First Minister Carwyn Jones said, after waiting 58 years for a place in a major football tournament, "Euro 2016 really is turning into a dream come true for Wales". Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns added: "You have to look to the fairytale triumph of Leicester City Football Club for something similarly inspiring. This Welsh team truly are the history boys." At Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, David Cameron said: "They have played superbly and we wish them all the best." The Football Supporters' Federation Cymru said it expected more than 20,000 Welsh fans to head to Lyon. John Welch, 57, who has made the trip from Australia, said he was "getting goosies" thinking about the game. Mr Welch, originally of Cardiff but now of Perth, flew from Australia to Lyon after his wife, Jacqui, surprised him with a flight ticket. The father of five said he was desperate to "be here and taste the atmosphere" - even if it was just in the city's fan

Summary: Thousands of Wales fans have travelled to France for the biggest football match in the nation's history.


Simon Brown, 24, from East Grinstead, West Sussex, hit his head on a signal gantry on 7 August. The hearing in London was told that passenger Kirstin Duffield heard a "loud thud". In a statement read by the coroner, she said she found Mr Brown with an injury that was "not survivable". The train from Gatwick to London Victoria was travelling at about 60mph when the incident happened near Balham, south London. Mark Young, from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), told the hearing Mr Brown's head was out of the window with no evidence to indicate why. He said Mr Brown suffered a fatal head injury as a result of striking a signal gantry. Ms Duffield said she saw Mr Brown had collapsed in the corridor after she stood up from her seat, but saw he was still breathing. "There was a lot of blood on the floor and around his head. There was a massive trauma to the top of his head," she said. She said it became apparent there was nothing she could do for him. The inquest heard Ms Duffield got off the train at Wandsworth Common after the alarm was raised and the driver had been alerted. She said she saw "blood splatter" on the outside of the carriage, but had not seen Mr Brown with his head out of the window. Mr Brown's mother, Jane Street, said her son had a passion for railways and "was neither reckless nor ignorant of the dangers of that environment". In a statement, she said her son first volunteered on the Bluebell Railway as a nine-year-old and had recently become an engineering technician with Hitachi Rail Europe in Bristol. Mr Brown's father, Mike Brown, said his son had been due to move in with his girlfriend and he had "never seen him so relaxed, happy and enthusiastic about his future". Questioned about findings by the RAIB, Mr Young said the distance between the window and gantry was found to be 26cm while the train was static. He said it complied with standards for existing structures but was less than an industry-recommended minimum for new structures. He also said it had been found the distance between the gantry and a moving carriage could have been as little as 68mm. He said the window opposite the guard's compartment was not intended for passenger use, although it was accessible to anyone on the train and open when the train left Gatwick. A yellow sticker on the door warning people not to lean out of the window was "in a rather cluttered environment" among many other signs, he noted. The inquest continues.

Summary: A man who died on the Gatwick Express was found by another passenger with a "massive trauma" to his head, an inquest has heard.


Stephen Dodd tweeted an image of solicitors Asif Bodi and Abubakar Bhula on prayer mats in a stairwell. He captioned the tweet: "Muslims praying at half time at the match yesterday. Disgrace." The Premier League club reported the tweet to Merseyside Police following a number of complaints. A number of social media users shared the photograph, taken during Liverpool's FA Cup quarter-final against Blackburn on 8 March. In a statement it said police had now referred the issue back to the club, which was "currently in the process of determining the appropriate action to take". It added: "Liverpool Football Club would like to remind its supporters that it does not tolerate any form of discrimination and is committed to ensuring that the club and Anfield provides a welcoming and safe environment for all fans regardless of race, religion, gender, age, disability or sexual orientation." The club said a further statement would be made in due course. Speaking last month, Mr Bodi, 46, from Preston, told the Liverpool Echo: "We have a small window in which to pray, a bit like the transfer window in football. Once that closes the chance has gone. "That day, the time came for prayer and the window would have closed before the game finished so we did it at half-time. "Most people are absolutely fine with it...but it only takes one or two people to react in the wrong way and you could have a nasty situation."

Summary: Liverpool FC is considering what action to take against a supporter who branded two Muslim fans "a disgrace" for praying during half-time at a match.


But you get to appreciate the area's natural beauty whilst wading across lily covered creeks and trekking deep into the forest, accompanied by birdsong. Welcome to the Niger Delta before the oil. "I'm on the plank now so walk right behind me," a guide said as we squelched across a muddy swamp trying not to sink in too deep. After walking for about an hour and a half from the village of Kalaba in Bayelsa state, I caught the first glimpse of an expansive tranquil lake through the trees. On the shore are shelters made of wooden poles draped in material. Every two years several families set up a camp at Lake Masi where they fish for just three months. "After preparing the nylon and woven basket nets we go into the lake and drive the fish into one area," Woloko Inebisa told me. "By fishing every two years we allow the fish to grow large. If we fished every year there would only be very small fish here," the 78 year old told me as two men in dug out canoes adjusted the nets inside a section of the lake that had been fenced off with cane reeds. Smoke drifted across the camp as women dried the fish over home made grills above smouldering fires. "I will use this money to pay my children's school fees, to buy books for them, to buy their school uniforms and to do everything for them," said mother-of-three Ovie Joe. When these families return to their villages they will continue to grow crops but will have raised some capital from the fishing season. "We have water for drinking and plenty of fish. But I'm not just here to feed my stomach - I'll save up money for when I go back to the village," Mr Inebisa said. Just a few kilometres away near Taylor Creek is a very different picture. An oil spill from June 2012 has left the ground covered in a dark sludge and the trees are all blackened by fire. Environmentalists believe local contractors often pay youths to set fire to the area where the spill has occurred. This can reduce the spread of the oil but has other detrimental effects on the environment. Despite extensive flooding late last year the oil has not dispersed and there are still signs of the rainbow sheen on the surface. Your ears also tell you all is not well - there is hardly any birdsong as the pollution has sucked the life out of the area. "When I walked here the crude oil was spilling out so fast I couldn't even get near the spill point itself," said Samuel Oburo, a youth leader from Kalaba. Running through this area is an underground pipeline belonging to Nigeria AGIP Oil Company - which is partly owned by the Italian oil giant, Eni. It says numerous leaks near Taylor Creek were all caused by people breaking into the pipe - sabotage. On 23 March Eni issued a statement announcing the closure of all its activities in the area

Summary: A pristine paradise - these are not words you often hear to describe the Niger Delta in southern Nigeria.