Investigators believe the fire in Nauen, west of Berlin, was started deliberately. No-one was injured. Far-right protesters have demonstrated against asylum seekers in the area. German Chancellor Angela Merkel earlier condemned violent protests at an asylum shelter in the eastern town of Heidenau, near Dresden, at the weekend. Dozens of police officers were injured in the clashes. Mrs Merkel has described the behaviour of far-right activists in Heidenau as "abhorrent" and "shameful" and said she would be visiting the town on Wednesday. Correspondents say most Germans have been welcoming to asylum seekers, but a small minority has been vocal in its opposition. Also on Tuesday, the headquarters of the Social Democrat Party (SPD) in Berlin were evacuated after a bomb threat. It is not clear who was behind the threat and a search of the building found nothing suspicious. Officials in the party say it has received many threats from right-wing extremists after party chairman and Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel visited Heidenau on Monday. Germany expects up to 800,000 people to seek asylum by the end of 2015. The government confirmed on Tuesday that it had decided to consider asylum cases from the majority of Syrian applicants, regardless of how they entered Europe. It announced on Twitter (in German) that it was suspending the EU's Dublin regulation, under which asylum seekers must make their applications in the first member state they reach. The blaze in Nauen gutted the gymnasium - part of a vocational school - in the early hours of Tuesday. The building, about 15km (nine miles) west of Berlin, was due to house about 130 people applying for asylum in Germany, reports say. Dietmar Woidke, state premier for Brandenburg where Nauen is located, said actions against asylum seekers were "shameful and unworthy of Germany". Another planned shelter was burned down in the south-western town of Weissach im Tal on Monday. Police are again investigating the possibility it could have been started deliberately. "Refugees welcome!" exclaims the front page of the Bild newspaper this morning. It speaks for the majority of Germans who are horrified by yet another attack on accommodation intended for asylum seekers. The number of such attacks has risen sharply this year, although they are still relatively low at around 200. Following violent demonstrations outside a shelter in the eastern town of Heidenau over the weekend, many here are at pains to emphasise that a small minority are responsible. Across the political spectrum MPs and ministers have condemned xenophobia. But, in a country still painfully conscious of its World War Two history, there is shame too. In the words of Norbert Lammert, the president of the Bundestag, the violence is "an embarrassment for our country". Security was increased at the newly-opened centre in Heidenau at the weekend after two nights of protests. Police had to use tear gas and pepper spray in the early hours of Saturday morning to lift a blockade of the shelter. Hundreds of people hurled bottles and stones at police, injuring 31 officers. Left-wing activists staging counter-demonstrations also clashed with the right-wing protesters.

Summary: Police in Germany say a school sports hall intended as a temporary shelter for asylum seekers has burned down in a suspected arson attack.


Officials say Scott Stockert - who is from the state of North Dakota - was planning to snatch one of the dogs, either Bo or Sunny. Police in Washington DC found weapons in Mr Stockert's vehicle, including a shotgun, a rifle and a machete. Agents say he made several outlandish claims during his arrest, including that he intended to run for president. He also said he was the son of former President John F Kennedy and actress Marilyn Monroe, according to court documents. Mr Stockert has been charged with violating the District of Columbia's gun laws. The First Family acquired Bo in 2009, with Sunny, referred to by the family as Bo's "little sister", following in 2013.

Summary: US police have arrested a man who allegedly plotted to kidnap one of President Obama's two pet dogs.


The report was commissioned after passenger concerns over the vessel. Naval architects Houlder found it "well suited to operating in the English Channel", but "teething problems are expected with any new vessel". It also suggested changes to improve the ride, the handling and berthing performance of the ferry. The States of Jersey and Guernsey have welcomed the report's findings. Houlder was commissioned to carry out an investigation by Condor Ferries and the States of Guernsey and Jersey. It followed concerns raised by passengers about the vessel, which started serving the Channel Islands to Poole route in March. Report's conclusions Report's recommendations Problems in its first two weeks led to the company issuing a public apology in April and further issues, including with its loading ramp, led to the review in May. Captain Fran Collins, executive director of operations for Condor Ferries, said: "Condor Liberation is a superb ship and, whilst we recognise that there are still opportunities to improve, we are delighted to have her as part of our fleet. "This independent verification of her safety, suitability and performance is obviously very welcome. "We accept all of the report's findings and will implement its recommendations." Deputy Kevin Stewart, chairman of Guernsey's External Transport Group, said it was extremely pleased the report had "categorically confirmed the safety and suitability of the Condor Liberation for operation between the UK and the Channel Islands". Senator Lyndon Farnham, Jersey's Economic Development Minister, said he hoped passengers were "reassured by the report's findings".

Summary: A report into the safety and suitability of the Condor Liberation ferry has ruled there are "no concerns" about its stability.


Media playback is unsupported on your device 29 July 2015 Last updated at 02:23 BST Now he finds himself with a death sentence after having been in prison for almost four years. BBC News charts the rise and fall of Colonel Gaddafi's favourite son. Video by: Mohamed Madi

Summary: Not too long ago, playboy Saif al-Islam Gaddafi was heir-apparent to an oil-rich dictatorship.


India lost no time in sending aircraft to Kathmandu carrying disaster response forces, medical teams, food, medicines and rescue equipment. China promptly flew in rescue teams, sniffer dogs, medical equipment, tents, blankets and generators. Leaders of both the countries - Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping - were also quick to convey their condolences. "For many people of our country, Nepalis are our own people," said Mr Modi in his monthly radio show on Sunday. The competition for influence in Nepal between the Asian giants is not new, but it appears to have escalated in recent years. Nepal's ties with India run deep and are often, according to many, schizophrenic. Many in Nepal - including the Maoists - have criticised its "semi-colonial" relationship with India, spoken about Indian "expansionism" and pointed to how their impoverished country had become India's "bonded market". Indian traders have controlled much of the lucrative parts of Nepal's economy. Asymmetrical water sharing treaties, many argue, have allowed downstream irrigation benefits for India. Nepalese opposition parties, playing the nationalist card, have sometimes thrived on anti-India rhetoric; and Maoists have derided other mainstream parties as India's brokers. On the other hand, Delhi is geographically, linguistically and culturally much closer to Nepal than China. The anti-India rhetoric softens when political parties come to power. "India has been a political player in Nepal as much as any Nepali political party," says Michael Hutt, professor of Nepali and Himalayan studies at the University of London. Nepalese citizens continue to serve in the Gurkha regiment in Indian army; and Nepalese soldiers are trained in India. India also remains a main supplier of weapons to the Himalayan state. The fact that the two countries share an open border means that India's core interest in Nepal is security, writes Prashant Jha, in Battles of the New Republic: A Contemporary History of Nepal, an incisive account of its chequered recent history. "Delhi needs a friendly regime in Kathmandu to prevent China from gaining space at its expense." So it is no surprise that India has rushed relief to its quake-ravaged neighbour. "Nepal is central to India. Nepal has a special place in Indian thinking. It cannot be compared to China. India's response to the earthquake would have been strong and one of a kind, anyway," says Harsh V Pant, professor of international relations at London's Kings College. Yet, things may not be as simple. China's influence in the region appears to be growing rapidly. Last year China overtook India as Nepal's biggest foreign investor, investing heavily, among other things, in roads, power plants, transport and infrastructure. Trade between the two countries is on an upswing. Beijing has not minced words in telling Kathmandu that it needs to tamp down on pro-Tibet activists on its soil. A 2013 Human Rights Watch report said Nepal "forcibly" returns to China many Tibetans arrested at the border in contravention of rules. One report said Taiwan had been asked not to participate in the quake relief effort, although it is not clear whether China had anything to do with it. "Nepal has also

Summary: The alacrity with which India and China have reacted to the massive earthquake in Nepal again demonstrates how the two Asian giants continue to vie for influence in the tiny, landlocked Himalayan country.


Crown said in October 18 staff had been held after a police operation believed to target its marketing activities. Among them were three Australians, including Jason O'Connor, a senior executive in charge of attracting Chinese high-rollers. Casino gambling, and promoting gambling abroad, are illegal in mainland China. The cases have been referred to Shanghai's Baoshan District Court, the company said in a brief statement made to the Australian Stock Exchange. The Australian newspaper reported that the court has set a hearing date for 26 June. Crown Resorts, controlled by Australian billionaire James Packer, said that with the matter now before the court it would not be making further comment.

Summary: Casino operator Crown Resorts says its employees who were detained in China last year have been formally charged with illegally promoting gambling.


As of 2012, Britons must earn more than Â£18,600 before a husband or wife from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) can settle in the UK. Critics claim 15,000 children have been separated from parents because of it. The rule was introduced by the former coalition government to stop foreign spouses becoming reliant on taxpayers. If the government loses, thousands of couples who currently live outside the UK could move to Britain. The minimum income threshold, which also affects people settled in the UK as refugees, rises to Â£22,400 if they have a child who does not have British citizenship - and then by an additional Â£2,400 for each subsequent child. These thresholds replaced a previous, more general requirement to show the Home Office that the incoming partner would not be a drain on public resources and that the couple or family could adequately support themselves. The current rules do not take into account the earnings of the overseas partner - even if they have higher qualifications, or are likely to be employed in higher-paid work than their British spouse. The minimum income threshold does not apply to spouses from within the EEA. In a series of test cases, affected couples argued that the rules breached their right to family life. Two of the claimants, Abdul Majid and Shabana Javed, are British citizens who have partners who are Pakistani nationals. The third claimant is a Lebanese refugee who cannot find suitable work in the UK despite his postgraduate qualifications. He says his similarly-qualified wife has high earning potential and speaks fluent English. The final case concerns another recognised refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo whose wife has been barred from settling. In 2013, the High Court ruled in the couples' favour saying that the rules were "onerous and unjustified" - and the judge urged the home secretary to rewrite them. That decision was overturned at the Court of Appeal, leading to the challenge reaching the Supreme Court. If the Supreme Court rules against the government, it could lead to the minimum income threshold being lowered or, potentially, require Parliament to reconsider the entire law. When the government introduced the measures, it said they aimed to reduce the burden on taxpayers, promote integration and prevent and tackle abuse of the family migration route. But campaigners say that all they have done is split up couples and families for whom the minimum income threshold is unobtainable. They say that nearly half of the British population earns less than the income barrier, meaning they would be affected if they chose a foreign-born spouse.

Summary: The Supreme Court is to rule on whether an income barrier stopping thousands of British citizens from bringing a foreign spouse to the UK is lawful.


Their victims were kidnapped from a bar called Heaven not far from the city's main avenue, Paseo de la Reforma. Their bodies were found three months later in a mass grave outside the city, after family members organised large street protests. Prosecutors say they are still questioning dozens of other suspects. The three men who were sentenced were also fined more than $300,000 (Â£197,500) each. According to the investigation, the crime was a reprisal for the murder of a drug trafficker which occurred a few days before in another bar in Mexico City. Seven young men and five women ranging between 16 and 34 years of age were reported missing in the days after the group went to the bar in May 2013. Surveillance footage showed some of them being led to cars outside the after-hours bar. There was no obvious sign of force on the surveillance footage. The men who took them away were not masked and did not seem to be carrying weapons. There was no trace of the missing people until their bodies were discovered in a grave covered with lime, cement and asbestos on the outskirts of Mexico City. All of them came from the rough Tepito neighbourhood of Mexico City. The case had horrified the people of Mexico City, which at the time had appeared to be less exposed to the overt drug violence affecting other areas of the country.

Summary: A Mexico City judge has sentenced three men to 520 years in jail each for their roles in the kidnapping and murder of 13 young people two years ago.


Kym Andrew Walter, 25, of Kings Mill Lane in the town, is also charged with possessing a firearm, production of cannabis and abstracting electricity. The incident happened on Springbank Road, in the early hours of Saturday. Mr Walter was remanded in custody at the town's magistrates' court and is due at Leeds Crown Court on 27 October.

Summary: A 25-year-old man has appeared in court charged with attempted murder after a gun was fired through the window of a house in Huddersfield.


The Dons host the Premiership champions on Friday night before Scotland's top two clubs meet again in the Scottish Cup final on 27 May. "We want to show we can beat Celtic, because we know we've got the players that can," McLean, 25, said. "I think we are the best team to stop the unbeaten run - and stop the treble." Aberdeen were brushed aside by Celtic in November's League Cup final and have lost all three of the sides' previous league encounters this season. "There is a lot at stake because we want to have momentum going into the final," former St Mirren midfielder McLean said. "That's what it's all about now. "We've not taken anything from Celtic this season and we're disappointed from that. "We have done well, but ultimately we've not picked any points up, which is disappointing, no matter how well you do. "Picking up points against Celtic would be a massive boost for us and it would give us confidence going into the final. "They've been outstanding, the best team in the league by far this year, so we know it's going to be a tough task, but we've definitely got the ability in the squad to hurt Celtic." McLean has scored five goals this season, helping Derek McInnes's side all but secure second spot in the top flight. With three league games remaining, the nine-point advantage and significantly superior goal difference Aberdeen have over third-placed Rangers should ensure they finish as runners-up. "At the start of the season, a lot of people didn't think it would be the case, but we were always confident with the squad and ability we had," added McLean, who has one Scotland cap. "It's been a real togetherness this season from everybody; the relationship between the fans and players and staff has been excellent. "We've always been confident that we can be the nearest challengers to Celtic and we've proved that again, and proved most people wrong, I would say. "And it's just up to us to keep pushing ourselves on and keep being in that position, to keep channelling ourselves to get better."

Summary: Kenny McLean insists Aberdeen can end Celtic's unbeaten domestic run - and derail their bid for a treble.


The Rt Revd Philip North turned down the post following objections to his stance against ordaining women priests. He said he had withdrawn for "personal reasons" but added the "attacks" against him were "extremely hard". The archbishops said the incident had raised concerns within the Church. When he stepped down, Mr North said: "It is clear that the level of feeling is such that my arrival would be counter-productive in terms of the mission of the Church in South Yorkshire and that my leadership would not be acceptable to many." In a joint letter, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu, said the events surrounding the appointment raised questions about the Church's 2014 commitment to the consecration of women bishops. They said: "The recent events surrounding the nomination of Bishop Philip North as Bishop of Sheffield, including his withdrawal from the process, have understandably raised great concern amongst many in the Church of England. "The status of the House of Bishops' Declaration, of June 2014 has been questioned by some and its meaning has also been challenged. "We have therefore written to Sir Philip Mawer, the Independent Reviewer under the Declaration on the Ministry of Bishops and Priests, (Resolution of Disputes Procedure Regulations) 2014, to address the concerns that have arisen in the Church following these recent events." It asks Sir Philip to examine five areas, including what efforts have been made to educate clergy and the public about the declaration and whether the nomination of Mr North was consistent with its terms. The archbishops also used the letter to call on all those in the Church to "pray for those with whom they disagree, demonstrate mutual love and overcome those those things which in ourselves we find so divisive".

Summary: The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have called for an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the failed appointment of a new Bishop of Sheffield.


Media playback is not supported on this device The victory means the Irish will face France in Sunday's final at the World League 2 tournament. Wales will also make the final qualifiers in Johannesburg if they beat Scotland in the third place play-off. Gareth Furlong put Wales ahead before Shane O'Donoghue, Ben Walker and Neal Glassey netted for the Irish. Ireland, 10th in the world rankings, were strong favourites to account for the 34th-ranked Welsh but the visitors produced a strong challenge. Furlong's early goal from a penalty corner left Wales ahead after the opening quarter but O'Donoghue and Walker struck in quick succession in the second quarter to give the hosts a half-time lead. Wales had a couple of chances in the third quarter - including a missed penalty corner - before Glassey sealed Ireland's win by netting early in the final quarter. France earned a 2-0 win over the Scots in Saturday's second semi-final.

Summary: Ireland's men guaranteed themselves a spot at the final World Cup qualifying tournament in the summer by beating Wales 3-1 at Stormont on Saturday.


And the world of Formula 1 is no different - some drivers have consistently excelled while others have had a campaign to forget. A record 21-race season gives us plenty to reflect on as the year draws to a close, so we want you to tell us your top three heroes and villains from the past nine months. Hamilton in Monaco? Rosberg in Singapore? Verstappen, um, everywhere? You decide... We've asked BBC F1 experts to give us their three best and three, well, most disappointing drivers of 2016. We will reveal their views, alongside the collective results of what you all thought, later. Who were the best during 2016? Who were the biggest underachievers during 2016?

Summary: It's safe to say 2016 been a truly memorable year for a whole host of reasons - some very good, some utterly awful.


The benchmark Nikkei 225 closed down 3% at 16,883.19 points - its worst day since March. The US oil price fell below the symbolic threshold of $50 a barrel for the first time since April 2009. Meanwhile in London, Brent crude fell as low as $53 a barrel. That prompted energy shares to fall. Concerns over Greece's future also weighed on the euro, which slid to a nine-year low against the dollar. Chinese shares recovered earlier losses after a private survey showed the country's services sector grew at its fastest pace in three months in December. The Shanghai Composite ended up closing flat at 3,351.45 after falling as much as 1.3% earlier in the day. In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng index finished down 1% to 23,485.41, following the global trend. In Australia, investors also reacted to falling oil prices and eurozone worries, with the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 closing down 1.57% at 5,364.80 points. Earlier in the day, the index was down as much as 1.9% - one of its biggest falls in more than a month. One company's shares saw a positive reaction to falling oil prices, however, with Qantas, Australia's national airline, seeing its share price at a four-year high during the Tuesday session. Australia's latest trade figures showed the country's deficit widening in November from October to about 950m Australian dollars ($770m). It is the eighth trade deficit in a row. But analysts said investors largely ignored the numbers, which were smaller than expected and due in part to falling prices for resources such as iron ore. Tristan K'Nell, head of trading at Quay Equities, said there were a number of issues worldwide causing uncertainty in equity markets. "Investors [are] watching closely... US interest rates, growth slowdowns in Europe and the Asia Pacific, political uncertainty in Greece, geopolitical issues between Russia and Ukraine and also the Middle East, and the volatility and crashing prices in crude oil and iron ore," he said. In South Korea, the benchmark Kospi closed down 1.74% to 1,882.45 points, with shares in energy firms leading the declines on oil price worries.

Summary: Japan's stocks led falls across Asia on Tuesday, posting their biggest drop in nearly 10 months, as investors worried about falling oil prices and political turmoil in Greece.


Investors were expected to remain cautious until the Fed announces its decision on Thursday. The Dow Jones rose 140.1 points to 16,739.95, while the S&P 500 added 17.22 points to 1,995.31. The Nasdaq was up 28.72 points at 4,889.24. Figures released on Wednesday showed consumer prices fell 0.1% in August. Prices were up 0.2% from a year earlier, indicating that inflationary pressures within the US economy remain weak. Analysts think the Fed's decision is finely-balanced, as while inflation is weak, the economy is growing and the unemployment rate has fallen to 5.1%. "You can make a strong case either way for the Fed to begin raising interest rates or waiting," Ryan Sweet, a senior economist at Moody's Analytics, told Reuters. "The prudent risk management approach would argue for them to hold off, but if the Fed was really data dependent there is a very strong case to raise rates on Thursday." Among individual stocks, Anheuser-Busch InBev rose 6.8% after it said it had made a takeover approach for rival brewing firm SABMiller. FedEx shares fell 2.8% after the delivery company cut its full-year earnings forecast. The company predicted earnings per share of $10.40-$10.90 for the year to 31 May, down from a previous forecast of $10.60-$11.10.

Summary: (Close): US markets closed higher as the Federal Reserve begins its two-day meeting which will discuss whether to raise interest rates.


You'd expect such a statement from a player who had played for 11 different clubs in three different countries, but how many players have done that at the age of 23? Meet Jake Jervis, one of Plymouth Argyle's five summer signings, who is preparing for a campaign in League Two having played in Turkey, Scotland and all three tiers of the Football League. "It's made me a better player to have played in different leagues and different places," he tells BBC Sport as he settles into the final week of pre-season at his new club. Jervis began his career as a promising youngster at Birmingham City - he once played against Didier Drogba, David Luiz and Frank Lampard as the Championship club held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup in 2012. After three years of trying to make the Blues first team, he left St Andrew's in January 2013 for Turkey, where he signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with top-flight side Elazigspor. But it was a move that did not go according to plan. Jervis said: "Teams like Fenerbahce and Galatasaray have a crazy atmosphere and it was definitely something that helped me in terms of my football. "But after three games, having started so well, I broke my foot." The Turkish club stopped paying Jervis, but when he tried to leave they held on to his registration and he could not join another club until January 2014, a period of six months where he was not able to play the game he loves. "It was the most difficult thing I've had in my life," he says. "I was at Sheffield United and I was going to sign there, and I trained with a few other teams as well, but I couldn't get it through because of international clearance due to the old club. "I was a handful to be around with my girlfriend and my family because I wasn't happy at all not being able to play football." It was eventually sorted out and Jervis signed a six-month deal at Portsmouth, before moving to Ross County that summer, where he linked up with current Argyle boss Derek Adams for the first time. "He's 23 and he's only at the start of his career, but he's had a lot of experience," Adams told BBC Sport. "We're hopeful of progressing him. He did very well for me at my last club and, although I was only there for a short space of time with him, you could see the potential." Jervis signed a one-year deal at Plymouth in June, so is now the time to try and settle with one club? "You always look to do that," he said. "But it's got to be right and you've got to be able to enjoy it. Hopefully we can settle here and go on and do well."

Summary: "The good of football, the bad of football, I've seen all of it."


Three other members of the family are suspected to have recently died from the virus. The cases were reported in the southern region of Nzerekore, where the outbreak began in December 2013. The Ebola outbreak killed more than 11,300 people - mostly in Guinea and its neighbours Sierra Leone and Liberia. The new cases were reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) hours after it declared the latest Ebola flare-up to be over in Sierra Leone. The WHO has warned that sporadic cases of Ebola are likely to re-emerge as the virus can linger on in body fluids of some survivors. Analysis: Tulip Mazumdar, BBC global health correspondent This is yet another blow in the long lingering fight against Ebola. But it is not unexpected. Guinea was in fact the only one of the three worst affected countries that hadn't had a re-emergence of the virus after the outbreak was officially declared over there on 29 December 2015. Both Sierra Leone and Liberia have reported little clusters of new cases after declaring the outbreaks over. But they've been dealt with quickly. A risk of new flare-ups remains because Ebola can persist in body fluids of some survivors for months after they recover. A very small number of new cases have been linked to sexual transmission. The world is in new territory here - scientists are still learning as the worst Ebola outbreak in history continues to unfold. More than 17,000 Ebola survivors are dealing with a wide range of complications and social stigma. Some scientists say there's a risk the virus may become an ever-present disease in West African society. 11,315 Deaths - probable, confirmed and suspected (Includes one in the US and six in Mali) 4,809 Liberia 3,955 Sierra Leone 2,536 Guinea 8 Nigeria

Summary: Two new Ebola cases have been confirmed in Guinea, almost three months after it celebrated the end of the outbreak.


Among the gripes is that bin collections are getting less frequent and cause a smelly pile-up. So what options do parents have? Nappy bins are not always free - or available - across the UK. Dorset, for example, recently introduced a £13 charge for an annual supply of nappy sacks, which are available for children up to age three. Councils in Bournemouth and Poole let households of five people or more buy an extra bin for £43. Kalpana Fitzpatrick, a journalist from London, thinks the charges are "absolutely ridiculous". She tweeted: "Why not introduce a tax for dog owners where councils have to have poop bins instead of introducing a nappy tax?" About eight million nappies are thrown away every day in the UK, according to local authorities, with one baby using enough disposable nappies to fill 40 black sacks a year. Mother-of-three Wendy Richards, who uses reusable cloth nappies, says a nappy bin charge is "understandable". "The average baby goes through a huge amount of nappies," she says. "People don't realise how much landfill waste that is. Someone's got to pay for it." Young parents have complained of a "poo problem" as the time between bin collections has increased, with some areas in the UK having to wait a whole month. Abi Jones, a PA from Essex who blogs about being mother to two-year-old Alfie, says her family has "definitely found it more difficult" since their local council switched to fortnightly bin collections. "Had Alfie been a newborn - and getting through the amount of disposals newborns do - we would have had to make extra trips to the local refuse centre," she says. Anglesey council, which has three-weekly collections, offers parents an extra nappy bin collection. But once a toddler reaches age three the service stops, as by this age the council says most children are potty trained. In Bridgend, the council introduced purple collection bags for nappies and other items, such as incontinence pads, in June after it said smaller households could throw away up to two rubbish bags a fortnight. Councils say the move from weekly rubbish collections saves money and encourages people to recycle more. Local authorities have a target to recycle at least half of all waste by 2020, to meet the European Union's Waste Framework Directive. Councils often make exceptions for large families, disabled children and for people with medical conditions if they need more space for waste. But Carly Dashwood, responding to the charges on Facebook, said they were "disgusting" if parents with disabled children had to pay. She writes: "I have a disabled child and he is in nappies. This is very unfair on people that don't have a choice in the matter." It is not compulsory to use nappy bins or sacks, but councils can fine families if their household waste gets out of control. If a bin is so full it is deemed littering, councils can issue fixed penalty notices of about £60 to £80 - or slightly less for early payment - under the Environmental Protection Act. If the offence

Summary: Parents have raised a stink over "ridiculous" plans by some councils in England and Wales to charge them to take away nappies on top of their household waste.


The Czech-born American took charge of an hour-long coaching session at Queen's Club in London. Murray will play France's Nicolas Mahut in his Aegon Championships opener, but rain delays mean the match is unlikely to start before 14:00 BST. Murray and Lendl's morning practice was cut short by the weather and more rain is forecast through the day. Lendl arrived from the United States on Monday evening, having last week agreed a deal to resume his coaching role alongside Murray. The pair split in March 2014 after a successful two-year period that saw Murray win his only Grand Slam titles at the US Open and Wimbledon, as well as Olympic gold. Their practice session on Monday lasted an hour before the rain arrived, with British number seven Alex Ward providing the opposition across the net. Lendl worked in tandem with Jamie Delgado, who joined Murray's coaching set-up earlier this year, with the former world number one directing the drills. Mahut, ranked 51st, should provide a stern test of Murray's grass-court level when the pair meet, the Frenchman having won an ATP title on the surface in the Netherlands on Monday. Murray, a four-time champion at Queen's Club, lost to Mahut in the second round in 2012.

Summary: Ivan Lendl returned to coaching duties with Andy Murray for the first time in over two years on Tuesday.


The 22-year-old returns from Scotland duty to the Hibs squad as the league-leaders entertain Morton on Wednesday. "I know it will be a tough game, and the squad do as well," McGinn told Hibs' website. "But we know what the reward is at the end of the season and getting three points will be huge moving forward." McGinn was with the Scotland squad for the 1-1 friendly draw with Canada and the 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Slovenia on Sunday night. The meant he missed Hibs' 2-1 triumph over second-placed Falkirk on Saturday that extended their advantage at the top of the Championship table to 10 points, with seven games to play. Despite being disappointed to miss any match for the Easter Road side, McGinn was delighted to be involved with Scotland and is convinced it will benefit Hibs. "I feel as if it is good for myself and for the club," he said. "I feel as if getting the recognition and going away with Scotland is making me a better player. "I'm thoroughly looking forward to getting back out in a Hibs jersey now and the game against Morton. "I didn't play a lot during my time with Scotland, so I am ready to come back in. It will be a tough tie, Morton have been very good this season, but when we're at our best we can take on anybody and hopefully we can show that on Wednesday." McGinn, who featured as a sub in Scotland's friendly draw with Canada at Easter Road but was not used in the win over Slovenia, hopes to cement his place in Gordon Strachan's plans for the game against England in June and the remaining qualifiers. "I was over the moon that we got a massive result (Hibs' win over Falkirk) and then it was even better when Scotland followed it up and got a result on the Sunday against Slovenia," he said. "The ambition of everyone in the Scotland squad is to qualify for the World Cup and I am privileged to be a part of that. "Looking further down the line it is a huge dream to play at a World Cup. That win against Slovenia keeps us in contention for a play-off spot. There are massive games to come and I hope I'm in contention for those matches and the England game in June."

Summary: Midfielder John McGinn hopes the prospect of securing promotion will ensure Hibernian suffer no slip-ups as they chase the Championship title.


A retired British doctor is hoping to trace the descendants of allied soldiers and nurses portrayed in a celebrated collection of World War One pastels. Doug Jenkinson, 70, became aware of the work of Swiss artist Eugene Burnand while exploring his own family history. From 1917-21 Burnand scoured three French cities finding sitters from over 40 nations. Not only did he seek out decorated officers, but ordinary soldiers, nurses, stretcher bearers and labourers. His portraits hang in the Museum of the Legion of Honour in Paris which is planning a centennial exhibition. A friend of Dr Jenkinson, Shirley Darlington, was so captivated by the images she wrote a book about the artist. "When you look at the portraits you can see their individual characteristics and their humanity. I think if their relatives knew of these portraits they would be so interested and proud of their ancestors." she added. Eugene Burnand's wife, Julia Girardet, would help him look for potential sitters by approaching people in uniform on the Paris Metro. His friend, Louis Gillet, who was an art historian and critic, described the sittings as "resembling a confessional", with Burnand sitting knee-to-knee with his subjects at his home. Burnand was quite well known at the time and the French military allowed him to visit barracks, where soldiers would be either recuperating or resting from action on the front line. Australian soldier Robert Hamilton later wrote in his diary about being approached by the artist while he was having breakfast. "Thought I was a typical Aussie, so more out of curiosity and to break the monotony of sightseeing I went. He treated me well and for two days I was well dug in at his home." The great-great granddaughter of French Alpine infantryman Fernand Ruan contacted Dr Jenkinson after finding her relative's picture on his website. The family sent him a photograph of Mr Ruan taken in 1973 (below right). He died seven years later. I tracked down the descendants of one of Eugene Burnand's British sitters, Rear Adm Sir Edward Heaton-Ellis. His great-great niece, Charlotte Chichester, had no idea about the portrait and said that despite his calm air of authority he had a tough life. Rear Adm Heaton-Ellis lost his parents as a small child and was brought up by his grandmother before going to a naval college at 14 and was sent to sea soon afterwards. He was decorated for his bravery and daring as Captain of the Inflexible at the Battle of Jutland. Despite surviving World War One he lost both his sons, one in action and the other to the flu epidemic of 1918. Eugene Burnand's great-granddaughter Francoise Witheridge said the portraits were his way of recognising the sacrifice made by so many different nationalities. "There were people coming from completely different countries to save France. I think that is what is most moving. "You see the portrait of the Sikh, the man from Baluchistan, the New Zealander, the Fijian. "Really it was his way of wanting to remember them all and thank them and the way he drew

Summary: Portraits courtesy Museum of the Legion of Honour


The moneyed men were from the town's trawling fleets and made their living working "at the hardest job in the world". After about three weeks toiling in the fishing grounds, they would return for just three days on land to spend their hard-earned cash before going back to sea. Their lives and other aspects of the booming Grimsby fishing industry of the 1950s are being marked in an exhibition called Fish, Ships and Rock 'n' Roll. Local history enthusiast Alf Ludlam, 71, said: "The men would stand out in what almost amounted to a uniform. "They would wear pale grey or blue suits with lots of pleats in the back of the jackets and baggy trousers." Mr Ludlam, a museum volunteer with Grimsby Council, said the suits were a fashion statement but also a way of saying "look at my money" because the trawlermen could afford to buy a extravagant quantity of cloth. And the men wore open-necked shirts as "however cold it was in town, it was never as cold as on a trawler off Iceland," he added Mr Ludlam remembers watching the men roaming his home town during the 1950s, a time when "thanks to fishing Grimsby was making more money than ever". At its peak in that decade, Mr Ludlam said Grimsby was "the largest fishing port in the world". The vibrancy of the fishing trade had a spin-off for the rest of the town until the mid-1970s. It was a great period to grow up in Grimsby, Mr Ludlam said, because "everything was in the melting pot". "Fishing was Grimsby's raison d'etre - no fishing, no Grimsby, " he added. The heyday for the trade lasted about 20 years but the reliance on fishing proved to be a problem for the town as the trawler fleet contracted during, and after, the two decades of the Cod Wars. Iceland started extending its territorial limit around the island to exclude foreign vessels from the water it claimed as its own. The limit was extended on three occasions between 1958 and 1976, each time forcing British fishing vessels further offshore. The limit was finally extended 200 miles off Iceland. This led to confrontations at sea between the Icelandic coastguard and trawlers from Grimsby and Hull. Several ships were even rammed as trawlers continued to try to fish within the new limit. The neighbouring fishing ports of Grimsby and Hull vied with each other in the size and skill of their trawler fleet, and the quality and quantity of fish landed. Mr Ludlam said the ports had "always been at daggers drawn" and their fishing fleets were a source of civic pride. He said the collapse of the trawler industry in Grimsby mirrored the similar economic and social struggle former mining towns experienced after the pits closed. The two industries of fishing and mining were also linked by the level of danger encountered. Mr Ludlam said: "Fishing was the most dangerous - when you set sail you didn't know if you were going to come back." The free exhibition Fish, Ships and

Summary: It was easy to spot a so-called "three-day millionaire" in Grimsby in the 1950s.


The London-wide annual target for new units of affordable housing is 17,000, although councils set their own levels. Only 8,550 such units were built in developments with affordability requirements in 2015-16 - down from 10,962 the previous year. Lewisham was the only borough to meet or exceed all its targets over the past three years. "House prices are rising six times faster than wages and rents [are] sky high," said Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter. He said "thousands of homeless families in London right now - over 2000 in Hackney alone" were "trapped in temporary accommodation because there's nowhere they can afford to live." Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, has promised "thousands of new affordable homes to both buy and rent". Under the London Plan, the councils' self-set affordable homes targets range from an overall target of 25% in Croydon to 50% in boroughs such as Hackney, Lewisham, Islington and Camden. Councils met only two-thirds of their targets in the last three years, and 16 of the 21 councils that responded to the BBC's Freedom of Information request missed their targets every year. While the number of homes built in developments with affordability requirements between 2013-16 rose, the percentage that were affordable fell from 31.3% to 23.5%. Councils can require large housing projects with more than 10 units to provide affordable housing under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. However, they are not doing so and developers are using viability assessments to argue that to provide affordable housing would make the development non-viable, and thus exempt from housing requirements. Instead, councils are taking payments in kind, with so-called s106 payments (money given to councils to secure planning permission) increasing from £184m to £235m between 2014 and 2016. Greenwich alone received more than £71m in s106 payments last year - up from just under £10m in 2013-14. Only a quarter of its new housing was affordable, against a target of 35%. Mayor Sir Steve Bullock, London Councils' executive member for housing, said planning affordable housing "can be a complex process". "For instance, putting pressure on developers to build higher proportions of affordable housing can result in fewer homes in total being built," he said. "Should developers prove that affordable housing requirements will threaten the viability of an entire project due to market conditions, boroughs try to negotiate a compromise that still benefits their local communities." One council, Harrow, did not respond to the BBC's request for data.

Summary: London boroughs are failing to ensure developers provide affordable housing, figures obtained by the BBC show.


The militants targeted villages under government control, and clashed with the army and its militia allies. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said at least 15 of the dead were civilians. The fighting is near a strategically important highway linking Hama city with the Aleppo area further north. The SOHR said at least 27 government troops or militia were killed in the attack, on the villages of Aqareb and al-Mabujeh. Another 10 bodies had yet to be identified. Some of the civilians killed were put to death after being captured by IS, the observatory added. State news agency Sana also reported the attack in Aqareb, saying 20 civilians were killed there, but made no mention of al-Mabujeh. Why is there a war in Syria? IS was now fully in control of Aqareb, SOHR said, adding that the government had sent reinforcements to the area. Hama province is divided three ways between government forces, rebels and IS, with the militants mainly occupying the eastern part.

Summary: More than 50 people are reported to have been killed in heavy fighting in Syria after so-called Islamic State launched an attack in Hama province.


The Leeds site is home to rugby league side Leeds Rhinos, rugby union side Yorkshire Carnegie and Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Plans include a new South Stand on the rugby ground and a new joint stand overlooking both the rugby pitch and cricket ground. A public consultation over the proposals is due to start in February. The capacity of the cricket ground would increase under the plans with the aim of hosting matches in the 2019 Cricket World Cup and securing future Test matches. Plans were revealed in 2014 for a Â£50m revamp of the cricket ground, which currently holds about 17,000 spectators. The new combined stand proposes about 4,200 seats for cricket and 3,800 facing the rugby pitch. The new South Stand for the rugby stadium has a planned capacity of 7,700 with 2,200 being seated. Gary Hetherington, Leeds Rhinos chief executive, said: "It will present a major construction challenge and inevitably cause some disruption for all teams during that period. "Our [rugby] stadium capacity will reduce to just over 13,000 for a period during the 2017 season." Funding is to be provided by a combination of public and private sources including Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Leeds Rhinos. Leeds Rhinos also plan to sell sites in Weetwood and Tingley for housing development with the receipts invested in the scheme. Consultation events are planned including a four-day exhibition at the Headingley ground.

Summary: New proposals for the redevelopment of the Headingley Stadium have been revealed.


The Belfast women alleged they were abused over a three-year period in the late 1990s, when they were teenagers. They claim the case was delayed because prosecutors gave precedence to a separate court case, involving allegations made by MÃ¡iria Cahill. The PPS said the decision had been made by the court and not them. The women said they had been "utterly let down by the criminal justice system". Both women, who have retained their right to anonymity, released a statement through their solicitor, outlining the background to their case and the delays they faced in bringing the matter to court. The two women said they first reported the alleged abuse to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in January 2010. They said their case was "constantly adjourned" and then postponed two days before the trial was due to begin. In November 2012, the women's legal representatives made complaints about the handling of the prosecution case to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS), the Office of Attorney General and the Department of Justice. The solicitor said that shortly after a meeting with police and prosecutors in December 2012, during which there was a "frank exchange of views", the two women "reluctantly withdrew their statements". The statement issued on behalf of two women said: "They had lost all faith and trust in the criminal justice system and believed they were being exploited, merely for political point scoring." The statement also made reference to appointment of Keir Starmer QC to lead an independent review of three prosecution cases linked to Ms Cahill's allegations. The women questioned the independence of the review and called for clarification on its powers and terms of reference. Five people accused in connection with the cases linked to Ms Cahill's allegations were all acquitted in court. A PPS spokesperson said: "The Public Prosecution Service has commissioned an independent review of these interlinked cases. "It is intended that the review will consider all aspects of the cases, which may be unprecedented in complexity as they involve not only multiple complainants but also serious charges relating to sex abuse offences and terrorist-related offences. "We can confirm that all of the complainants in the cases have been invited to participate in the process and it is our hope that each of the individuals involved will agree to do so. "The approach will be robust and rigorous and any lessons to be learned from the cases will be addressed openly and transparently."

Summary: Two women who claim they were sexually abused by an alleged IRA man have said they withdrew their statements because of how prosecutors dealt with the case.


Dyfed-Powys Police said its officers made arrests relating to controlled drugs at the dance party near Llanddewi Brefi over the bank holiday weekend. Local people and councillors have called for action to ensure more raves are not held. Organisers of the event had relayed the remote location to people via text and email rather than social media. Police said they became aware of a "large gathering" late on Saturday, 28 May but because it was already on a "a very large scale" the decision was made not to break up the party. Instead, officers stayed at the event to ensure more people could not enter the site. The police helicopter helped to gather intelligence and evidence and arrests were made. Llanddewi Brefi councillor Rhodri Evans said: "I have had quite a few people in Llandewi expressing their concerns - people driving through the village at very high speeds and perhaps putting people in danger." He added that the area was "quiet and peaceful" and villagers wanted to ensure more raves were not held. Officers have urged landowners to be vigilant to people enquiring about their land in the guise of hiring it for apparently acceptable activities such as gymkhanas and scouts and guides events.

Summary: Police are investigating after about 2,000 people turned up for a three-day illegal rave in Ceredigion.


The 26-year-old left-armer, who replaced the injured Zafar Ansari in the squad, has represented England at Twenty20 and one-day level. England are 3-0 down in the series heading into the fifth and final match of the series. Pace bowler James Anderson has been ruled out though general soreness from England's fourth-Test defeat in Mumbai. After Cyclone Vardah recently passed through Chennai, the ground staff at the MA Chidambaram Stadium have dried the wicket using trays of hot coals. England are likely to opt for a three-spinner attack with Dawson, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid supplemented by Joe Root's part-time off-spin. Hampshire's Dawson took three wickets in England's Twenty20 win over Sri Lanka in July and two in the one-day defeat by Pakistan in Cardiff in September - his only two international appearances. England's leading wicket-taker had been out since August with a shoulder injury before returning to play the second Test of the five-match series in India. "It's a tough one. He is body sore from the Test match and we don't think he is worth the risk in this situation," said England captain Alastair Cook. Anderson has taken just four wickets in his three Tests in the series in India. Cook added: "If it was 1-1, we would probably take that risk but history over the last six months or so has shown us that, when he has played in these situations, injuries have happened. "We need to look after him. He has got a big part to play for England cricket over the next 18 months or so. He is disappointed but I think it is the right call." Fellow bowler Stuart Broad has missed the past two Tests with a tendon strain in his right foot and a decision on his fitness will be taken after practice on Thursday. "Broady is fit and has a chance. He bowled at a local ground on Wednesday. It's great to have him back," said Cook. England, having drawn the first Test, are 3-0 down in the series going into the final match. Cook, who said he had "questions" about his role as England Test captain after the fourth match was lost by an innings and 36 runs, will meet with director of cricket Andrew Strauss in January to discuss his position. "It's a natural thing that happens with me and Straussy now," 31-year-old Cook told BBC Test Match Special. "Often my future comes up and how we want to move forward. "This would be no different to any of those other meetings and we are going to have to discuss what is the best thing for English cricket. "You have to be very careful about decisions that are made in the heat of the moment that have a long-term effect on yourself and the team." Cook, who captained England in Bangladesh in 2010 before taking on the role permanently in 2012, has won 24 of his 58 Tests in charge. He has also overseen 21 Test defeats, including a 5-0 Ashes whitewash in Australia in January 2014 and England's first Test loss

Summary: Spinner Liam Dawson is set to make his Test debut for England in Friday's dead rubber against India in Chennai.


24 January 2017 Last updated at 07:07 GMT Alice is blind and needs help getting around, so now she has a furry friend to help her out. She is one of the youngest person in England to be given a guide dog and Billy has made a big difference to her life. Check out the video to hear Alice and Billy's story.

Summary: Meet Alice and her guide dog, Billy.


Three men, two women, and a girl under 18 years of age, were arrested on Thursday evening after police carried out a planned search of a house in Castletown, Navan, County Meath. It followed a report alleging false imprisonment. It is understood those living in the house are from Romania. The men and women appeared in court on Saturday. They were remanded in custody.

Summary: Five people have appeared in court in Trim on charges of theft.


Safety equipment had allegedly been bypassed on the Tangmere locomotive which meant it passed a signal at danger in Wiltshire earlier this year. The legal proceedings have been brought by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). It said its investigation established a high-speed train had passed over the junction about a minute before. Both West Coast Railway Company and the train driver have been charged under the Health and Safety at Work Act. The driver has been charged over "alleged intentional misuse of the Train Protection and Warning System equipment", the ORR said. The firm is facing similar charges, the office said, "on account of its alleged failure to implement managerial controls, procedures, training and monitoring to prevent staff turning off the TPWS equipment". Both have been ordered to appear before Swindon magistrates in January. Ian Prosser, HM Chief Inspector of Railways at the ORR, said: "The safety of staff, volunteers, passengers and members of the public is our absolute priority. "Britain's railways have a good safety record. However, there have been a number of incidents over the past year involving West Coast Railway Company (WCRC) trains. "The incident at Wootton Bassett junction, where a WCRC train passed a signal at danger, was caused by alleged intentional misuse of a key safety system. This could have easily led to a catastrophic train collision. "ORR inspectors are working with the rail industry, in particular the mainline heritage sector, to ensure that lessons are learned, and public safety is not put at risk." At the time of the incident, WCRC - which is based in Carnforth, Lancashire - was operating the steam train as a charter service. A spokeswoman said "safety remains our paramount priority" and the firm had "worked hard to ensure that we have learned lessons to enhance our safety performance". "At this time we have not received any papers from the ORR in relation to the prosecution and therefore we are unable to comment on the proceedings," she added.

Summary: A steam train driver and their employer have been charged over a near miss in which a locomotive stopped across a busy main line railway junction.


The Independent Schools Council (ISC) says if the government pays £5,550 per place - the cost in the state system - the schools will cover the rest. This is expected to cost up to £80m. Some pupils would be tested for academic ability but the scheme would not just target the brightest children. Chief inspector of schools Sir Michael Wilshaw said the plan was not enough. The proposal, originally seen by the BBC and now confirmed, will be made in the ISC's response to a government consultation on the future of education. The scheme would be open to primary and secondary school-age children. But details about which families would benefit and what form the tests would take are yet to be settled and the scheme could not take place without the government's approval. Currently it costs an average of £30,000 to send a pupil to board and £15,500 for a day school for a year. The plan is designed to meet government demands that - in exchange for its tax-free, charitable status - the private education sector does more for potential pupils whose families cannot afford to pay the fees. This status saves independent schools at least £150m a year. But Sir Michael said the proposal did not go far enough, adding: "I think they can do better than that and if I was government I would be asking them to do more as a quid pro quo for their tax privileges." There are roughly 600,000 pupils in each year group in England, and private schools educate only 7% of the total school population. Analysis By BBC education correspondent Sean Coughlan If the debate about bringing back grammar schools felt like a blast from the past, then the proposal for state-subsidised places in private schools is another case of "back to the future". It would mean reviving something similar to the Assisted Places Scheme, which supported means-tested places in private schools in the 1980s and 1990s. They were not "free" places, but taxpayer-funded. Scrapping this scheme was one of the first symbolic acts of the Blair government in 1997. Labour argued that public money should be focused on improving state education for the majority - and not used for life rafts into the private sector for a minority. But now the independent schools are testing the water with the May government. It's an ideological choice as much as a practical one, because the numbers of subsidised places proposed - 10,000 a year - are against a school population of more than 8.5 million in England. The government already has a fight on its hands over grammars. Will it want to be seen as lining up with independent schools and snubbing the state sector? The ISC says independent schools will also help set up new free schools and academies in areas identified as needing extra help by ministers. The government's Schools that Work for Everyone consultation, which set out plans for new grammar schools, included demands on independent schools. It said they must support existing state schools, open new ones or offer funded

Summary: Private schools will offer to provide up to 10,000 free places a year to low-income families in England.


Exeter suffered a blow on five minutes when, after narrowly failing to connect with a Ryan Harley cross, Robbie Simpson landed awkwardly and was stretchered from the field of play in considerable pain. Blackpool went in front on 19 minutes when Christy Pym spilled Brad Potts' shot and Colin Daniel tapped in the rebound. The away side then went 2-0 in front on 39 minutes when a poor punch by Exeter goalkeeper Pym went straight to Potts, 15 yards out, and he lashed a first-time volley into the back of the net. Exeter pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time and it owed much to the great work and perseverance of Jack Stacey, who got down the right and crossed low for Ollie Watkins to ram the ball in from eight yards. Exeter had plenty of the ball in the second half but found chances hard to come by until, in stoppage time, Reuben Reid stooped to head in Watkins' cross to grab a deserved equaliser for the Grecians. Match report supplied by the Press Association. Match ends, Exeter City 2, Blackpool 2. Second Half ends, Exeter City 2, Blackpool 2. Corner, Exeter City. Conceded by Clark Robertson. Attempt missed. David Wheeler (Exeter City) header from the centre of the box misses to the right following a set piece situation. Joel Grant (Exeter City) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Kelvin Mellor (Blackpool). Attempt missed. Clark Robertson (Blackpool) header from the centre of the box is too high following a corner. Corner, Blackpool. Conceded by Jordan Moore-Taylor. Goal! Exeter City 2, Blackpool 2. Reuben Reid (Exeter City) header from the right side of the six yard box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ollie Watkins with a cross. Attempt missed. Reuben Reid (Exeter City) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Corner, Exeter City. Conceded by Sam Slocombe. Attempt saved. Reuben Reid (Exeter City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Attempt saved. Reuben Reid (Exeter City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Foul by Joel Grant (Exeter City). Kelvin Mellor (Blackpool) wins a free kick on the left wing. Substitution, Blackpool. Danny Philliskirk replaces Bright Samuel. Substitution, Blackpool. Mark Cullen replaces Jamille Matt. Corner, Exeter City. Conceded by Will Aimson. Ian Black (Blackpool) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Ryan Harley (Exeter City) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Ian Black (Blackpool). Substitution, Exeter City. Joel Grant replaces Lloyd James. Substitution, Blackpool. Ian Black replaces Sanmi Odelusi. Jake Taylor (Exeter City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Foul by Jake Taylor (Exeter City). Jordan Flores (Blackpool) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Substitution, Exeter City. Reuben Reid replaces Liam McAlinden. Jordan Flores (Blackpool) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Ollie Watkins (Exeter City) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by

Summary: Exeter City fought back from two goals down to salvage a point in a draw at home to Blackpool.


He is wounded and dying, writing a moving final letter to his loved ones. But he is not fighting and he is not in a war. Piaras is, in fact, only 11 years old, and he is portraying the last hours of Michael Joseph O'Rahilly, killed while taking part in the 1916 Easter Rising. The drama "The Death of The O'Rahilly" is just one of the ways Holy Cross Boys Primary School in Ardoyne in north Belfast is marking the centenary. The school has devised a special 1916-2016 education programme, placing the rising at the centre of their curriculum. They have been teaching special lessons in geography, music, art and English. But it was O'Rahilly's story, and letter, which captivated Piaras. "It is a myth that he wrote it in his own blood," he said. "But by the time the letter was delivered, he was already dead." The school's short drama now has a chance of being performed on the stage of the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. They have been shortlisted as one of only six schools across Ireland in a competition run by the famous theatre. Meanwhile, in another classroom, P4 to P7 boys who are members of the school council are updating the 1916 proclamation. Their 'Proclamation for a New Generation' takes the form of Padraig Pearse's famous document, but updates it for the 21st century. It contains hopes for "a good job and good health care" and a commitment that "Ireland will be litter free". "It does not matter what gender you are, what colour your skin is, what religion you believe in," it reads. "All children of the nation will be cherished equally. "Our Irish traditions, language and sport will be passed on to our children and grandchildren." The proclamation will be revealed to the whole school at a special assembly in mid-March. Elsewhere, pupils have been learning the names and locations of Ireland's 32 counties in geography, while others have been composing a song on the theme of 1916. But is there a danger the focus on the rising could lead to indoctrination rather than education? It is concern answered by the school's vice-principal Chris Donnelly, who said they take a rounded approach to history. "What we're about is teaching across the length and breadth of historical issues," he said. "In this school we teach the world wars, and the boys in primary four go to the Northern Ireland war museum every year. "The principal has taken boys to meet Queen Elizabeth when she came here. "The Easter Rising was a significant event in Irish history and therefore it does need to be talked about and taught. "The boys will be aware from the community and what they see around them that it's the 100th anniversary. "We're using that theme in a forward looking sense with the proclamation for a new generation."

Summary: Piaras Millar sits before me, bloodied and bruised, in the green uniform of a soldier.


He accused the government of failing on its deficit target, debt target and welfare cap - while pledging more taxes, debt and borrowing. "The verdict could not be clearer - the so-called long-term economic plan has failed," he said. Mr Hammond said there were not enough high earners to fund Labour ambitions. Single market access Giving his response to Mr Hammond's first Autumn Statement as chancellor, Mr McDonnell said the government was "ill-prepared and ill-equipped" to face Brexit - "the greatest economic challenge of a generation". "The chaotic Tory handling of Brexit threatens the future," he told MPs. "You must now do the right thing for British workers and businesses - you must insist on full, tariff-free access to the single market.... "If you stand up for British business and jobs in fighting for single market access, you will have our support." Turning to the rest of the statement, Mr McDonnell claimed six million people were earning less than the living wage and accused the Conservatives of treating so-called Jams - those who are "just about managing" - as being an "electoral demographic", adding "to us they are our friends and the people we represent". "If you really want to make a fair tax system as well, you can start by bringing back the 50p rate for the very richest in our country." 'Race to the bottom' He said it was regrettable that the chancellor was still going ahead with some of the cuts to Universal Credits, accusing him of "betraying" working single parents who he claims are at least Â£2,300 worse off. He called for additional support for the social care budget, stressing: "We now have 3.9 million people on NHS waiting lists ... Many of those are waiting in pain and they have got no relief today." He described the scrapping of tenant and letting fees as "a victory for Labour campaigning", but said home ownership was still "a dream" for the under 25s because fewer houses had been built under the Conservatives since the 1920s. He said the chancellor was "continuing a race to the bottom" on corporation tax, while continuing to cut public services and cut taxes for big businesses. But in response, Mr Hammond said the top 1% of earners contribute 27% of the tax paid. "Unfortunately, there aren't enough of them to finance all your ambitions."

Summary: Chancellor Philip Hammond's spending plans "offer no hope for the future" after six "wasted" years, his Labour counterpart John McDonnell has claimed.


There were 11,002 casualties in total, with a 37% increase in women affected and 14% for children. The Afghan government accused the Taliban of targeting civilians, especially women, to spread fear. The UN's human rights chief said such "brutal and unprincipled attacks" were forbidden under international law. "This is happening with almost complete impunity," Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein said in the report produced by the UN Assistance Mission for Afghanistan (Unama). "The perpetrators of the violations... must be held to account." Since the withdrawal of international troops from Afghanistan began after 2011 and the official end of Nato's combat mission in December 2014 , the number of civilian casualties has risen year on year. The report blamed ground fighting in and around populated areas, along with suicide bombings and other attacks in cities for the 3,545 deaths and 7,457 injuries it recorded. This is a 4% increase on last year's figures. Although there were 156 fewer civilian deaths compared to 2014, the number of injuries soared, pushing the overall casualty figure to the highest level since the UN started keeping records in 2009. "Unprecedented numbers of children were needlessly killed and injured last year," Unama's Danielle Bell said in a statement. The Afghan government said the UN's report did not accurately reflect how many civilians were killed in suicide attacks as it only covered "high-conflict areas" whereas its statistics covered the whole country. A brother of a man who had gone out to fetch water for his family in Kunduz city on 1 October told the UN: "He called my mobile and said, 'Hey brother… I was shot in my stomach… I don't know who shot me… my injuries are serious… I can see pieces of my own intestines on my motorcycle.' "After that, the line went dead... no-one could reach the site of the incident to take him back because of the fighting. His body remained in the streets for three days, until my relatives could recover it and bury him." The Taliban over-ran the northern Afghan city of Kunduz in September and left several weeks later after a counter-attack. Find out more about the Taliban conflict The number of causalities caused by militants fell, but still constituted 62% of the total, Unama said. The government blamed the drop on the fact that civilians in areas of consistent shelling, attacks and harassment by the Taliban had fled their homes. The UN report said anti-government elements were increasingly using tactics to deliberately cause civilian harm and there was an indiscriminate use of pressure-plate-triggered improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The number of casualties inflicted by pro-government forces, including Nato, which continues to provide some military support, rose by 42% compared to 2014. These were mainly attributable to the Afghan security forces during ground engagements and aerial operations. Unama said it continued to document human rights abuses carried out by pro-government armed groups in 2015 which included "deliberate killings, assaults, extortion, intimidation and theft".

Summary: The number of people killed and wounded in conflict in Afghanistan rose in 2015 to the highest level yet recorded, the UN mission in the country says.


Seamer Porter dismissed Richard Levi in the third over of the final morning. Ryan ten Doeschate (4-31) then took 3-17 from nine overs as Adam Rossington and Azharullah fell lbw and David Murphy was caught at mid-on. Essex wrapped up victory after lunch as Graham Napier bowled Ben Sanderson as the visitors were all out for 230. Rory Kleinveldt finished unbeaten on 35, having hit five boundaries, and Richard Gleeson made a career-best 13 but Northants folded against the hosts' pace bowlers. Porter, who has now claimed 22 wickets at 17.18 from his first three Championship matches of 2016, also picked up a career best of 5-46 in the first innings to help Essex maintain their unbeaten start to the season. BBC Radio Northampton's Alex Winter: "A pretty poor all-round performance from Northamptonshire here. They bowled waywardly on the first day and have been chasing the game since. "The batting was marginally better in the second innings but nowhere near good enough to get back in the game. "Essex have put in an efficient display for a huge win and their second victory of the season. Promotion challenge on?"

Summary: Jamie Porter's career-best first-class match figures of 8-91 helped Essex ease to an innings and 92-run victory over Northamptonshire at Chelmsford.


Media playback is not supported on this device Carlos Tuimavave and Fetuli Talanoa tries and a Jake Connor penalty gave Hull a 14-12 half-time lead, Cas' Ben Roberts and Zak Hardaker replying. Connor kicked three more penalties and Roberts crossed again before Hull pulled away when Mahe Fonua and Jamie Shaul scored within two minutes. Greg Minikin's late try set up a tense finish but Hull's defence stood strong. Hull's victory set up a semi-final with Leeds Rhinos, while Wigan Warriors, winners against rivals Warrington on Saturday, face Salford Red Devils. The defeat was only the Tigers' fourth of the season, having won eight successive matches going into the game, with their last loss also coming against Lee Radford's side. The hosts had flown into a 12-0 lead early on when Tuimavave intercepted a pass to run nearly the full length of the pitch before Talanoa muscled off two defenders to cross. But Roberts showed fleet of foot to find a gap and score, while Hardaker touched down Luke Gale's smart kick. Connor's penalty kept Hull in the driving seat, and his kicks kept the score ticking over in the second, as Roberts once more found a gap to get his second try. But Hull took a firm grip on the match thanks to two quickfire tries, and although Minikin barrelled his way through down the right, Cas' handling mistakes throughout the match came back to haunt them. Hull head coach Lee Radford: "I'm very proud of my players. There were plenty of special efforts and that was needed. "This is the juicy part of the season, the excitement starts now. "Leeds will be a tough semi-final. I don't think we've beaten them in nine games so it will be a challenging and tough Yorkshire derby. But these are the exciting game to be involved in." Castleford boss Daryl Powell: "Obviously I'm disappointed because it was a poor performance. We didn't handle the start well but we battled back well and we thought we could resettle at half-time. "When we got in front, the way we tried to manage the game was crazy with offloads. "Hull were too good for us but we have an opportunity against these boys again in the season. They have beaten us twice now this season and we have to find a way to knock them off." Hull FC: Shaul, Michaels, Fonua, Tuimavave, Talanoa, Kelly, Connor, Taylor, Houghton, Watts, Washbrook, Minichiello, Manu. Replacements: Bowden, Fash, Thompson, Turgut. Castleford: Hardaker, Minikin, Webster, Shenton, Eden, Roberts, Gale, Lynch, McShane, Massey, Sene-Lefao, McMeeken, Milner. Replacements: Millington, Patrick, Larroyer, Foster. Referee: Phil Bentham

Summary: Defending champions Hull FC defeated Super League leaders Castleford Tigers to reach the Challenge Cup semi-finals.


Donaldson is back in training following a lengthy lay-off with a heel injury which has kept him out for the whole of Gianfranco Zola's 16 games in charge. Wigan have lost Sam Morsy, who starts a two-game ban after being booked for the 10th time this season at Blackburn. They are also waiting form a verdict on the severity of fellow midfielder Shaun MacDonald's knee injury. MacDonald went off early at Ewood Park, but the Latics are hopeful he has not suffered ligament damage. Boss Warren Joyce could be back in the Wigan dug-out having watched from the stand on Saturday after undergoing minor surgery.

Summary: Birmingham City remain without Clayton Donaldson and Michael Morrison for the visit of Wigan Athletic to St Andrew's.


Only three of the Brazilian club's players survived November's crash, when 71 of 77 people on board died. Top clubs from Brazil and Argentina offered to loan players to Chapocense, who signed 25 new players this season and promoted nine from the youth team. They lifted the Santa Catarina state championship on Sunday for the second straight year, despite losing to Avai. Media playback is not supported on this device Chapecoense were beaten 1-0 in Sunday's final play-off, but their 1-0 victory in the first leg meant their better record over the course of the season was decisive. The club dedicated the win to those who were killed, with new coach Vagner Mancini saying: "We knew that Chape would have a lot of difficulties because of the rebuilding of the team, but because of the work we reached the title, beating opponents who are rivals and difficult to beat." The crash happened on 29 November as the squad travelled to face Colombian side Atletico Nacional in the final of the Copa Sudamericana. Nineteen players and staff died.

Summary: Chapecoense have won their first title since most of their team were killed in a plane crash.


Simon Hall, 36, was found hanged at Wayland Prison, Norfolk, in 2014. Hall, jailed for killing Joan Albert, 79, claimed his innocence until 2013 when he said he was "seriously violent" and there had been "sexual aspects" to the murder, the inquest heard. His widow Stephanie said she had believed in Hall's innocence. Read live updates on this story Dr William Long, a senior forensic psychologist with the prison service, told Norfolk Coroner's Court that after he made his confession, Hall "had changed from resisting his conviction to a man that admitted he was seriously violent". Meetings at Hollesley Bay Open Prison, where Hall was held before being transferred to Wayland after he took an overdose of his anti-smoking medication on 8 September 2013, he spoke openly about his issues and was under constant supervision. He was considered to be at high risk of suicide and self-harm. Jurors have heard that Hall was also a user of Spice, a substance smoked by some inmates that was recently made illegal under new legislation. Mrs Hall, who had campaigned for Hall to be cleared before his confession, said he was not "receiving the adequate help and support he needed". She told the inquest: "The year after we married I publicly campaigned to clear his name, believing him to be a gross miscarriage of justice victim." Mrs Hall told the jury when she first met Hall, he did nothing to suggest he had murdered Mrs Albert. She said she kept in touch with her husband after he confessed to the murder. She said when he was in Hollesley Bay Prison, near Woodbridge, they spoke "all the time". By the time he moved to Wayland Prison, near Watton however, contact was "minimal". However, she said she had her final phone conversation with her husband, the night before he died. "The telephone conversation ended with him telling me he loved me and I told him the same back. He certainly didn't seem suicidal," she said. Mrs Albert, 79, was murdered at her home in Capel St Mary, near Ipswich, Suffolk, in December 2001. The inquest continues.

Summary: A killer who spent a decade protesting his innocence before confessing his guilt, was a "highly disturbed individual", his widow told an inquest.


The cards, for the Scottish parliamentary election on 5 May, spell Scotland as "Scotalnd". The error was not spotted until the official notification started to be delivered to voters in the city. The authority said it accepted the mistake was "disappointing and embarrassing". A spokeswoman for the Returning officer said: "This is a very disappointing, and of course, a very embarrassing proofing error. "The 175,000 poll cards distributed will not be replaced as this unfortunate spelling mistake in no way invalidates the poll cards."

Summary: Aberdeen City Council has said it did not plan to reprint thousands of polling cards which contain a prominent spelling error.


The 13,000-year-old object is on show as the centrepiece of an exhibition celebrating Ice Age Llandudno. The bone was found at the Great Orme in the 1870s by a retired copper miner who polished pebbles to sell to tourists. Dr Jill Cook of the British Museum said it was "very special" to reunite it with other rare items found there. The decorated bone has been in London as part of the British Museum's display of Ice Age art almost continuously since its discovery around 140 years ago. Decorated deer foot bones and perforated animal teeth found at the same site are also being loaned to Llandudno Museum by National Museum Wales. New research by the British Museum has shown that the art and burial items found in Llandudno belonged to people who migrated into Britain 13,000 to 14,000 years ago, during the last Ice Age. They arrived in north Wales with jewellery made from bear, deer and wild cattle teeth in the same style as those found in Belgium and France. But they also had their own distinctive style, shown by the decoration of the horse jaw and the deer foot bones. At this time, the Great Orme was not by the sea but dominated a wide coastal plain. It had views over the coast, hills and distant mountains - an ideal place for people living by hunting and gathering. The skeletons of three adults and a young person were also found in the cave, but few tools, suggesting Kendrick's Cave was a rare example of an Ice Age burial place. The bones and teeth were found by accident by retired copper miner Thomas Kendrick, who used a cave on the Great Orme as a workshop to cut and polish pebbles to sell to tourists as souvenirs. Dr Jill Cook, deputy keeper of prehistory and Europe at the British Museum, said the items were of international significance. "The decorated horse chin from Kendrick's Cave is a reminder of our deep history," she said. "It is usually on display in the British Museum with Ice Age art from France. Seeing it reunited with the other rare items found on the Great Orme is very special and a great start to Llandudno's plans to develop its museum." The exhibition is backed by Â£37,000 from the Â£1.7m Cadw-funded Our Heritage Project aimed at boosting tourism in Gwynedd, Conwy and Snowdonia. The items were previously on show at Llandudno Museum in 2008 and 2010. Museum chair Roy Haley said: "We are very excited to welcome this rare and internationally important object back to Llandudno. "Thanks to the support of the Our Heritage project, we have been given the opportunity to display a first-class collection that helps to tell the story of Llandudno - and we hope to see many more visitors as a result." Phil Edwards, Conwy council cabinet member for communities, added: "The objects from Kendrick's Cave offer a unique and fascinating insight into our distant past here in Llandudno." Ice Age Llandudno runs at the town's museum until 30 September.

Summary: A horse's jaw bone, which features what is believed to be the oldest work of art in Wales, has returned to the town where it was found in a cave.


29 March 2016 Last updated at 15:44 BST Peter Brown watched the footage on his computer at home in Cumbria after it was put online by the University of Manchester to show the Dunkirk evacuation - and lighter moments on HMS Whitehall. North West Tonight reporter Stuart Flinders spoke to Mr Brown.

Summary: A man spotted his father performing cartwheels and tightrope walking on a Royal Navy destroyer in a World War Two archive film.


Thirty years ago, the boy from the Gellideg estate challenged Mexican Lupe Pintor for his WBC Bantamweight belt. Despite defying the odds to dominate the early stages of the fight, he was knocked out in the 12th round, never to regain consciousness again. In a typically hard-fought battle for life, he survived for another two months, but on 4 November 1980, Johnny Owen eventually succumbed to his terrible head injuries. Born to a large Merthyr family, Johnny soon learned to stick up for himself, and started his interest in boxing aged just eight. He was to remain in the amateur sport until he was 20, an unusually long time by modern standards; winning 106 of his 124 bouts. He fought for Wales 17 times, and was victorious on 15 occasions. Yet despite this impressive record, Merthyr boxing writer and professional referee, Winford Jones, says that Johnny's true talent didn't lie in the shorter format of the sport. "Johnny was a machine. His great skill wasn't his strength - though he never took a backwards step and could punch as hard as anyone of his weight - it was his stamina. "He could fight for hours, and would wear opponents down by outlasting them. You could see this talent far more in 12 and 15-round professional fights, than you could in the three rounds allowed in amateur boxing." His professional career lasted just four years, from 1976 to 1980, but in that time Johnny Owen crammed in 28 fights; winning 25, drawing one and losing two. Though in a sense it is possible to argue that he never lost fair and square. His first defeat came against Spain's Juan Francisco Rodriguez, in a fight for the European belt. In what's now widely regarded by experts to have been a travesty of a home-town decision, the judges awarded Rodriguez a fight which Owen had clearly bossed. His second, and final defeat came in the fatal clash with Pintor, a fight in which he at least held his own, and may have won, were it not for the head injuries which he'd sustained. But at one stage Owen's record read 22-0, winning his first fight against a former Welsh champion, George Sutton. In his sixth fight he again saw off Sutton to claim the Welsh title. By bout nine he had the British belt, beating Paddy Maguire, and in November 1978 he became the Commonwealth champion, stopping Italian-Australian Paul Ferreri. Owen wasted no time in avenging the controversial defeat to Rodriguez in the spring of 1979. Just a year later he convincingly bettered him in a re-match in Ebbw Vale, setting up his World title chance against Pintor. Winford Jones was lucky enough to referee some of those early fights. "In what I think must have been his fourth or fifth fight, I remember he was taking on an Irish lad, and I had to stop it in the fourth round because Johnny was murdering him. "It makes you think about what happened a few years later on to Johnny. "But he was fearless, you

Summary: In the firmament of Welsh boxing legends, no star has burned so brightly, or for such a tragically short time, as the "Merthyr Matchstick", Johnny Owen.


Canon Jeremy Pemberton is a chaplain at Lincoln Hospital and has Permission to Officiate and leads occasional services in Nottinghamshire. Gay marriage became legal in England and Wales last month but the move was not supported by the Church of England. The Bishop of Lincoln said Mr Pemberton had been reminded of this policy. Mr Pemberton, who describes himself as activist for LGBT equality in church and workplace, married his long-term partner on Saturday. Supporters on social media predicted he would be the first of many gay clergy to wed. The Bishop of Lincoln, the Right Reverend Christopher Lowson, said: "I am aware that a member of the clergy who works in the Diocese of Lincoln has married a partner of the same sex. "The priest concerned wrote to me in advance to explain his intention and we had a subsequent meeting in which I explained the guidelines of the House of Bishops." Commenting on Twitter last night, Mr Pemberton thanked well wishers but said "Nay-sayers we can talk another timeâ€¦maybe?"

Summary: An Anglican hospital chaplain has become what is believed to be the first member of the clergy in Britain to have a gay marriage.


The group, known as Iffley Open House, had previously occupied a former car showroom on Iffley Road, owned by Wadham College, on New Year's Eve. They were asked to leave and then moved into the disused Osney Mill site in February. The university said the former power station was unsafe won a court order to evict the group. Creative Solutions It added that the building was due to be redeveloped by the Said Business School. Some of the squatters said they were offered sleeping space at a local church, but most will now be back on the streets, the group said. Volunteer Miranda Shaw said: "One good thing is that it has created enough of a stir that there are big conversations happening. "We will be coming together in the coming weeks to meet churches, councils, the university, service providers and police. There is the intention to find creative solutions." Oxford University has always maintained that it is sympathetic to plight of the homeless and has been working towards resolving the situation.

Summary: Squatters who had taken over a disused power station owned by Oxford University have vacated the building.


The roof of the building on Main Road in Otterbourne, near Eastleigh, collapsed during the blaze, which broke out at about 03:30 GMT. No injuries were reported at the site, which also contains workshops and offices. An investigation is under way. The neighbouring convenience store, which was saved, is due to reopen later. Ty Whitlock, commanding officer at the scene, said: "When we pulled up we were faced with flames coming out of the roof, coming out of the glass doors and windows and obviously huge amounts of smoke coming from the eaves."

Summary: Up to 40 firefighters have been tackling a large fire which destroyed a garage in Hampshire.


Stenson won his first major on Sunday with a record-low total at Royal Troon. Compatriot Ibrahimovic, 34, is one of sport's most iconic figures and has won trophies in Spain, Italy and France. "I think I said I needed to win 10 majors to get up to his recognition," said Stenson, 40. "Maybe five will do it. We'll see! One at a time." Ibrahimovic recently signed for Manchester United after scoring 50 goals in 51 matches for French champions Paris St-Germain last season. He also won 12 trophies in four seasons with the French club. Stenson has little time to savour his Open win given the fourth major of the year, the USPGA Championship, starts at Baltusrol on 28 July. "This is huge back home and it has been quite chaotic with all the media, but it's all good and I'm just going to try to recharge," he said. The world's top four players - Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson - have all withdrawn from next month's Rio Olympics. They have cited concerns over the Zika virus, which has been linked to defects in newborn babies and also found to cause Guillain-Barre, a rare neurological syndrome that leads to temporary paralysis in adults. Stenson, now fifth in the world rankings, said he is looking forward to competing in Rio in what is golf's first appearance at the Olympics for 112 years. "I'm a huge sporting fan in general and to see an Olympic Games from the inside and participate is going to be huge," he told BBC Radio 5 live. "If I can do myself and my country proud by bringing home a medal, that would be awesome. I've got a Claret Jug now and any Olympic medal would be quite nice to put next to it in the trophy cabinet." Media playback is not supported on this device Stenson birdied four of his final five holes at Royal Troon and had 10 in total in a round of 63 to finish three shots clear of American Phil Mickelson. "I was so zoned in the last five holes I didn't know how many birdies I had made in that round," said Stenson. "I was so focused on getting the job done, it was not until I had that birdie putt at the last that I could let go and realise I've done the achievement of my career. "It was just an added bonus for that putt to drop and set a new Open record, but it was all about bringing that Claret Jug home to Sweden and be the first Swedish male to win a major championship. "It's huge and it's going to get better and better with time I'm sure."

Summary: Open champion Henrik Stenson says he may need nine more majors before he can be compared to another Swedish sporting legend - footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic.


Crews were called to the market town's High Street just before 14:30 GMT. A number of people have been evacuated from nearby properties amid concerns the car could be fuelled by Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG). A fire service spokeswoman said: "We don't get many vehicle fires involving LPG but but it is explosive so we do take precautions."

Summary: Firefighters have been tackling a car blaze in the centre of Skipton.


The Bob Smith Spring Cup meeting at Scarborough was abandoned following the Manx soldier's accident on Sunday. A spokesman for the event said the 25-year-old was taken to Middlesbrough Hospital where he is "undergoing treatment for his injuries". He added that he is "breathing on his own and his condition is improving". Redmayne won the Junior Manx Grand Prix last year and is regarded as one of the brightest prospects in the sport. His crash came after the feature Spring Cup race had been restarted when Northern Ireland's TT star suffering a leg injury. Johnston was also taken to hospital for X-rays following the incident. The organisers were forced to abandon the meeting in North Yorkshire because of a lack of medical cover at the course following the crashes. The feature race will now be held at the Cock of the North Road Races in June.

Summary: Isle of Man rider Billy Redmayne has suffered serious injuries in a crash at the Oliver's Mount Spring Cup meeting in England.


The work, originally due to start next month, is now planned to begin in September subject to a procurement process. £16.2m has been allocated to Translink for the railway upgrade. Last year, Translink said an hourly service on the route was a "priority". The second stage of the upgrade involves major re-signalling between Derry and Coleraine and the introduction of a passing loop.

Summary: Work on a second major upgrade to the Londonderry-to-Coleraine railway line has been delayed by four months.


It is to the eternal misfortune of his closest competitor, Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, that he plays in the time of the great Argentine otherwise he would surely have claimed the coveted crown more than once. Ronaldo and Messi's Barcelona team-mate Andres Iniesta - a Euro 2012 winner with Spain - were the other contenders and would be fitting and worthy winners in any era. This, however, is not any era - it is the Lionel Messi era. Media playback is not supported on this device Messi's brilliance is backed up by a blizzard of compelling statistics, not least his recent feat of breaking German striker Gerd Mueller's 40-year-old record by ending the calendar year with 91 goals for club and country. The manner in which Messi has individually dominated the game's recent years is only emphasised by the fact that he has effectively made its highest individual honour his personal property. And at the relatively tender age of 25, and with a recently agreed deal to keep him at the Nou Camp until 2018, he has power and talent to add to his unique collection of Ballon d'Or honours. The latest coronation will also give fresh impetus to a debate that now rages with more intensity around Messi. Namely - is he the greatest to have played the game? He can justifiably take his place alongside other legends such as France's Michel Platini, who won three times in succession from 1983. Johann Cruyff won three times between 1971 and 1974 but his sequence was interrupted when Franz Beckenbauer won in 1972. Brazil's Pele and Messi's fellow countryman Diego Maradona are inevitably the other names always factored into the equation when working out who is the greatest - but this is a question that is almost impossible to answer definitively. The argument is shaped by, and in, different generations. The game and players change, which makes the debate even more of an inexact science. And of course, who is to say Pele or Maradona would not have emulated Messi's feat had they been eligible to win the Ballon d'Or? The award was created by France Football magazine in 1956 to honour the finest European player of the previous calendar year - non-Europeans were only eligible from 1997, a time way beyond that of Pele and Maradona. Those who support the cases of Pele and Maradona instantly evoke their impact on the highest stage of all, the World Cup, a place where Messi has yet to deliver the brilliance he does on a weekly basis for Barcelona. Pele's name burst into football's psyche as a 17-year-old when Brazil won the World Cup in Sweden in 1958. Injury curtailed his involvement when Brazil won again four years later and he was effectively kicked out of the tournament as an ageing team faded in England in 1966. And yet it was a sign of his enduring brilliance that he won another World Cup with Brazil in Mexico in 1970 as the outstanding figure in a team still widely regarded as the greatest there has ever

Summary: Lionel Messi's status as the planet's finest footballer was further cemented as he won Fifa's Ballon d'Or for an unprecedented fourth successive time.