Fed up with the way British Airways was handling the issue of his father's lost luggage, businessman Hasan Syed decided to complain about it. But rather than just put out a normal tweet, he paid to have one promoted. Using promoted tweets in this way could represent a new trend, experts believe. The promoted tweet bought by Mr Syed reads: "Don't fly @BritishAirways. Their customer service is horrendous." Promoted tweets are generally bought by advertisers who want to reach a wider audience. The paid-for tweet is given high prominence in the Twitter feed of the relevant company but otherwise acts as a normal message and can be retweeted by others. Mr Syed purchased his paid-for tweet via Twitter's self-service ad platform for an undisclosed sum. He targeted New York and UK markets with the tweet. The decision to highlight BA's customer service came following a trip his parents made from Chicago to Paris at the weekend, during which his father lost his luggage. Six hours after the tweet went live, and was picked up by news website Mashable, it had been read by thousands of Twitter users, retweeted and commented on. But it took another four hours for British Airways to pick up on it: "Sorry for the delay in responding, our twitter feed is open 09:00-17:00 GMT. Please DM [direct message] your baggage ref and we'll look into this." The idea that the ad platform of large corporations can be hijacked by members of the public is an interesting trend, thinks Shashank Nigam, chief executive of aviation consultancy SimpliFlying. "The implications are tremendous for the future of airline customer service, especially on social media," he said in his blog. "These tools are easy to use and brand detractors have the same access to them as corporations. I'd guess that this cost less than a thousand dollars to buy and Mr Syed targeted it smartly," Mr Nigam told the BBC. "Airlines are going to have to start having 24/7 customer services and maybe they need to train up call centre reps to respond to messages on Facebook and Twitter." In this particular case, the tweet appears to have been successful. "We would like to apologise to the customer for the inconvenience caused. We have been in contact with the customer and the bag is due to be delivered today," British Airways told the BBC.

Summary: In a modern spin on the tale of David and Goliath, a disgruntled customer has found a new way to use social media to take on a big corporation.


Armstrong was stripped of his yellow jerseys for doping by cycling's governing body on Monday. "The management committee decided not to award victories to any other rider or upgrade other placings in any of the affected events," said a UCI statement. American Armstrong crossed the line first every year between 1999 and 2005. The UCI acknowledged that "a cloud of suspicion would remain hanging over this dark period - but that while this might appear harsh for those who rode clean, they would understand there was little honour to be gained in reallocating places". The body has also ordered Armstrong and others to pay back all prize money from this period, and has commissioned an independent investigation into the whole Armstrong affair. Pending the results of the report, defamation proceedings against Paul Kimmage, a former cyclist and Sunday Times journalist, have been suspended. The statement added: "The committee agreed that part of the independent commission's remit would be to find ways to ensure that persons caught for doping were no longer able to take part in the sport, including as part of an entourage." Armstrong, 41, and his United States Postal Service team ran "the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme that sport has ever seen", a 1,000-page United States Anti-Doping Agency report concluded. In the report, it was also claimed that Armstrong paid the UCI $100,000 (£62,300) for the fight against anti-doping. Floyd Landis, a former colleague of Armstrong's who now admits to using drugs, claims this was hush money to cover up a positive test for the banned substance EPO that was collected from Armstrong during his victory at the Tour of Switzerland in 2001. The UCI admitted it received money from Armstrong in 2002, but said in 2010 that this was not part of a cover-up. BBC Sport understands that at Friday's UCI management committee hearing there was an attempt by more than one member to force honorary president Hein Verbruggen to resign, but it did not gain enough support and failed. Verbruggen and president Pat McQuaid, who has been asked to resign in an open letter by America's three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond, have come under intense pressure to stand aside in the wake of the Armstrong scandal. There was no attempt to get McQuaid to quit. McQuaid said the governing body are "determined to turn around this painful episode in the history of our sport". "We will take whatever actions are deemed necessary by the independent commission and we will put cycling back on track," said McQuaid. "Today, cycling is a completely different sport from what it was in the period 1998-2005. "Riders are now subject to the most innovative and effective anti-doping procedures and regulations in sport. "Nevertheless, we have listened to the world's reaction to the Lance Armstrong affair and have taken these additional decisive steps in response to the grave concerns raised." World anti-doping body Wada said it backed the UCI's decision to create an independent review commission. British Cycling president Brian Cookson said: "The UCI has taken another worthwhile step

Summary: Lance Armstrong's seven Tour de France titles will not be awarded to any other riders, the International Cycling Union has announced.


The prime minister has said he will set out his case for military action to Parliament later this week but will only call a vote when he believes the government can muster enough support to win. An influential Commons committee urged Mr Cameron earlier this month not to press ahead with a vote on UK air strikes. But their intervention came before the deadly terror attacks in Paris, in which 130 people died, and the UN's subsequent decision to pass a resolution supporting action against Islamic State. Some MPs' minds are said to have changed their minds so where do the parties stand? The majority of Conservative MPs would vote to back extending UK air strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria. Thirty Conservative MPs rebelled against David Cameron in August 2013, when the Commons rejected his first attempt to launch bombing raids on Syria - albeit against the Assad regime rather than IS. A number of MPs who defied their party then - including Charles Walker and Andrew Bridgen - now say they will support the government, Mr Walker suggesting there was "no room for delay" in taking the fight to the extremists. But about 20 Tory MPs are still expected to oppose any kind of intervention, arguing that bombing could be open-ended and will not help achieve a political solution to the civil war in Syria. One of the rebels, John Baron, told BBC News British air strikes would have a "marginal effect" on the battle against so-called Islamic State and could "risk escalating the problem". Total number of Conservative MPs: 331 Labour is split on Syria. Leader Jeremy Corbyn is firmly opposed to military action, arguing for greater efforts to find a "peaceful solution". But some of his MPs, including members of his shadow cabinet, have said they would back air strikes if they had proper military and legal justification, including the approval of the United Nations. They say the onus is on the government to come forward with a "comprehensive" strategy to stabilise Syria and to tackle extremism, demonstrating why it is in the UK's national interest to intervene. About 20 to 30 Labour MPs are thought to be in favour of air strikes and willing to defy the party leadership over the issue. One of those, Mike Gapes, has said he is putting the interests of the country ahead of party by doing so. Some MPs are pressing for what is called a free vote on the issue - where they won't be instructed to vote in a certain way. Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell suggested in the autumn this might be possible but Mr Corbyn has since seemed to rule this out. Total number of Labour MPs: 232 The SNP opposed military action in 2013 but has many more MPs now and can exert real influence. The party says it will listen to the PM's case for military action but remains "unconvinced" about the merits of the UK intervening. Foreign affairs spokesman Alex Salmond told the BBC there was "no shortage" of countries bombing Syria at the

Summary: David Cameron has said it is his "firm conviction" the UK should join other countries bombing Islamic State militants in Syria.


Front row Faletau, 28, has three caps for his country and will arrive from Championship club Yorkshire Carnegie. Fellow prop Cosgrove, 22, is a former Scotland Under-20 international who is also eligible to play for England, and will arrive from the Pro12 outfit. "The Championship has some excellent players and Sione is in his prime," said interim Bristol boss Mark Tainton. "Both players were impressed that there's a clear understanding about what we want to achieve, and they're eager to be a part of that." Bristol are bottom of the Premiership, seven points from safety with five games remaining.

Summary: Bristol have signed Tonga international Sione Faletau and Edinburgh's Jack Cosgrove for next season.


Prison officer Adrian Ismay died days after car bombing in Belfast in March. DUP MP Gavin Robinson alleged in the Commons that a police email said checks were resulting in "too many complaints" from the suspect's solicitor. The Police Service of Northern Ireland said they "rigorously enforce all bail conditions set down by the courts". "If a person is required to wear an electronic tag as part of their bail conditions, there is no reason for police to duplicate this monitoring unless otherwise requested or directed by the investigating officer or senior police officer or the court," a PSNI statement said. The bail checks refer to Christopher Alphonsos Robinson who has been charged with the murder of Mr Ismay, who trained prison officers at Maghaberry Prison. Dissident republicans claimed responsibility for the attack. The accused, from Aspen Park in Dunmurry, west Belfast, was granted bail under strict conditions in May. The conditions including electronic tagging and an exclusion order for an area of east Belfast. Speaking during a Westminster debate, the DUP MP said: "I received information at the weekend that PSNI chiefs sent an email to their officers not to conduct bail checks because it was generating far too many complaints from his solicitor and offending his sensitivities." In response, a PSNI statement said: "Police will continue to rigorously, but impartially, enforce all bail conditions set by the courts and we will not hesitate to arrest those who breach their bail conditions." The House of Commons debate focused on Libyan-sponsored terrorism. The MP said Mr Ismay "was blown up by a bomb planted by the new IRA containing Semtex, which is presumed - since there have been no recent purchases - that it is of the same origin and extraction, sourced from the Czech Republic, through Libya to the IRA and disseminated through their splinter organisations."

Summary: Police officers have been asked to stop conducting bail checks on a man accused of murdering a prison officer, the MP for East Belfast has claimed.


He was back at the ground for the first time in nearly four years; it was 1,406 days since he was last here for a Champions League game when he wore the famous red, white and black of Manchester United. This time he was in the unfamiliar green kit of Real Madrid for a last-16 tie against United with the score delicately poised at 1-1 after the first leg in Spain. This was to become a bittersweet homecoming for the 28-year-old Portuguese. Ronaldo stayed on the field warming up with his pristine red boots for 16 minutes. His task: to keep his emotions under control and focus on the job of firing nine-time winners Madrid into the Champions League quarter finals. It was all about concentration. Ronaldo never once looked up at the vast Sir Alex Ferguson stand over his left shoulder as he practised shooting from 20 yards just to the left of centre - and finding the net every time. Warm-ups done and it was time for team embraces. High-fives all round. Madrid's players were as one and after a few stretching routines to finish, it was time to head back for the Special One's final instructions - the final team talk from Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho. Ronaldo emerged again at 19:41 GMT. This time the atmosphere was hot, red hot. And at 19:44 there was a special moment as the PA announcer ran through the team line-ups. "And it's a special welcome back to number seven Cristiano Ronaldo," he boomed. Ronaldo waved, thumped his chest, waved again. His head bowed for a respectful moment before putting his hand back on to his chest. Just for a moment, those emotions must have threatened to run away from him. And the Manchester United support welcomed him back with a standing ovation which lasted until after referee Cuneyt Cakir started the match. United had the better of the first half and largely managed to shackle Ronaldo. When Sergio Ramos steered the ball into his own net to give the home side a 1-0 lead on the night, Old Trafford erupted and Ronaldo's head went down. He looked momentarily forlorn. And then the match changed irreversibly. Nani was shown a contentious red card for a high challenge on Real defender Alvaro Arbeloa. Furious United manager Sir Alex Ferguson turned cheerleader from the touchline while Ronaldo - knowing the Red Devils were vulnerable - immediately switched to a more central role. It was emotional, it was unbelievable. I don't have words to explain what I feel With attack-minded midfielder Luka Modric on for right-back Arbeloa, there was much more room for Ronaldo and Real Madrid set about exposing the 10 men of United. When Modric struck with a dipping, 25-yard equaliser, Ronaldo did not celebrate. He was far away to the left and not involved in the move. Three minutes later, he would be. Almost inevitably, it was Ronaldo who secured Madrid's victory when he squeezed Gonzalo Higuain's cross in at the far post to silence the United fans. He held his arms

Summary: It was precisely 19:13 GMT on Tuesday when Cristiano Ronaldo stepped on to the Old Trafford turf.


British Divers Marine Life Rescue said 18 of the animals were floated back out to sea at about 04:00 on Tuesday. Two more were later floated. However, several of the whales then stranded on the shores of nearby Staffin Island. It was understood that eight of the whales have died and nine remain stranded on the small island. The coastguard said it could be high tide at 19:00 before those animals could be pushed back into open water. It was believed the stranding was caused by a female whale getting into difficulty while calving. The calf died. Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust raised the alarm after seeing whales in distress on Monday afternoon. Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said the Scottish government was offering assistance to the effort to save the whales. He said: "I am very concerned to hear about this stranding of pilot whales on Skye. "Marine Scotland and British Divers Marine Life Rescue are currently working hard to alleviate the situation. "We have a patrol vessel and other staff on-site and I am being kept informed of the situation. "Sadly it appears that some of the whales have already died and the situation is becoming increasingly difficult as the outgoing tide is leaving the stranded animals out of the water."

Summary: Rescuers have gone to the aid of 21 long-finned pilot whales which stranded on the shore at Staffin on Skye.


The volcano, which had been dormant for four decades, erupted on Wednesday, sending a plume of smoke and ash 10km (6 miles) into the sky. Authorities evacuated people living within a 21km (13 mile) radius. Road workers used lorries to plough through the ash, which lay up to a metre (3ft) deep in some places. As the massive ash cloud drifted south, emergency workers handed out protective masks in a wide area including parts of Chile and Argentina. "The ash might damage crops, animal feed, bridges, roads, people's work routines, tourism and especially their health," Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile's National Geology and Mines Service, said. The first eruption on Wednesday evening lasted about 90 minutes and send a huge mushroom cloud of ash into the sky. Seven hours later the volcano erupted again, this time shooting lava into the air and generating volcanic lightning. There have been no reports of deaths or injuries.

Summary: Residents and emergency workers in southern Chile have been clearing ash that rained down on towns after an eruption of the Calbuco volcano.


In a letter to The Times, 20 former defence chiefs said to "abandon" Britain's four Trident submarines would be "an enormous gamble" which could threaten "the survival of our nation". Signatories include two retired defence secretaries and two ex-GCHQ directors. A decision on whether to renew Trident is due to be taken in 2016. On Tuesday, Labour's shadow defence secretary Vernon Coaker said his party was committed to renewing all four Trident submarines if it wins the election. The Conservatives have also committed to renewing all four missile submarines, while the Liberal Democrats favour cutting to three. The SNP, Plaid Cymru and the Greens want Trident to be scrapped. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon argued on Wednesday that Britain should strengthen its conventional armed forces instead of "obsessing" about nuclear weapons. UKIP has said it would not scrap Trident, but would consider cutting back to three submarines. Among those to have signed the letter are former Labour defence secretaries Lord Hutton and Lord Robertson, the latter an ex-Nato chief, and retired chief of the general staff Gen Sir Mike Jackson. Three previous heads of the armed forces, three ex-Royal Navy chiefs, and two former directors of government communications agency GCHQ are also among the signatories. Analysis By BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale The list of those who've signed this letter is a who's who of those responsible for Britain's security over the past decade and they have a warning as apocalyptic as the weapon they now defend. With the four submarines that carry the Trident missiles coming to the end of their life, they say any further delay in the decision to replace them will in effect end Britain's nuclear deterrent and ruin its credibility abroad. Abandoning the deterrent would, they say, be an enormous gamble and an irresponsible folly. Though both Labour and the Conservatives say they're committed to keeping it, there are fears that political deals, and the significant costs of replacing Trident - at least Â£25bn - could lead to further delays after the election. The Coalition Government had already postponed the main decision to build the next generation of trident submarines until 2016. The open letter addressed to "the incoming Prime Minister 2015" said a decision not to renew the fleet would "effectively end Britain's nuclear deterrent", and would be "irrevocable". "To abandon Trident now and for good in the hope that no threat will emerge would be to take an enormous gamble on behalf of generations not yet born," they said. "In an uncertain world where some powers are now displaying a worrying faith in nuclear weapons as an instrument of policy and influence, it would be irresponsible folly to abandon Britain's own independent deterrent." The decision would affect "the security and ultimately the survival of our nation", they said. The UK had made reductions in its nuclear arsenal proportionately greater than any other nuclear weapons power, which represented "a huge contribution towards nuclear disarmament", the letter said. "We should stand ready to do more, but only if it can be proved that it does not compromise

Summary: A decision not to renew the UK's nuclear deterrent would be "irresponsible folly", a group of ex-senior military officials has said.


The run-up was dominated by a row over a Vatican priest who on Saturday announced he was in a gay relationship. Poland-born Krzysztof Charamsa said he wanted to challenge the Church's "backward" attitude to homosexuality. He was later dismissed from his post at the Vatican's office in charge of guarding Roman Catholic doctrine. A Vatican spokesman said Monsignor Charamsa's decision to give interviews on the eve of the synod was "grave and irresponsible" and would put Pope Francis under "undue media pressure". In an interview with the Corriere Della Sera newspaper, the 43-year-old priest said: "It's time the Church opened its eyes and realised that offering gay believers total abstinence from a life of love is inhuman." The controversy has set the scene for what some fear could be a fractious three weeks, says BBC religious affairs correspondent Caroline Wyatt. The Synod - a defining moment for Pope Francis Almost 300 Church leaders - and some lay people - will be discussing such issues as the treatment of Catholics who are gay, and how to approach couples who live together without being married or wish to take communion after being divorced. Analysis: Caroline Wyatt, BBC News It is the most highly-anticipated meeting of the leaders of the Roman Catholic church since the Second Vatican council, some 50 years ago. In his homily today, the Pope spoke of the importance of the family - and perhaps rather pointedly, of the love between a man and a woman. He also said that the wealth of the developed world hadn't led to greater happiness, but to loneliness, and higher rates of abortion and divorce. Many campaigners and more liberal Catholics would like to see a change in Catholic doctrine on issues ranging from homosexuality to contraception. But while some bishops here do want reform, others remain fiercely opposed. In the end, though, the synod is not a democracy. It will be up to the Pope to decide what - if anything - changes, and how the Church applies its teaching to its sometimes errant flock. The Pope has called for a more understanding attitude on sexual issues. After his election in 2013, Pope Francis reaffirmed the Roman Catholic Church's position that homosexual acts were sinful, but said homosexual orientation was not. "If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?" he said. The issue of homosexuality was also highlighted during the Pope's visit to the US last week. He had a private meeting with a gay former student of his and his boyfriend at the Vatican mission in Washington. The Pope also met Kim Davis, a Kentucky local official who recently gained attention for refusing to issue marriage licences to same-sex couples.

Summary: Pope Francis has celebrated Mass at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, at the start of a synod of Roman Catholic bishops focusing on family issues.


Media playback is unsupported on your device 25 May 2012 Last updated at 20:09 BST A team of 15 fundraisers is making the 150-mile journey to Tower Bridge to raise funds for the Bristol and Avon Multiple Sclerosis Centre at Bristol's Frenchay Hospital.

Summary: Three rickshaws have crossed Clifton Suspension Bridge at the start of a bridge-to-bridge charity ride from Bristol to London.


The race was expected to be full of high drama, with drivers squeezing cars through narrow sections and an error or two never far away. What happened? An unexpectedly dull inaugural race. With only a 12-point gap between Vettel and Hamilton at the top of the drivers' championship, can Azerbaijan provide an exhilarating show this time around? Choose your top-10 race result below... Who will finish in the top 10 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?

Summary: Baku was the new kid on the Formula 1 block in 2016, presenting fans with the fastest street circuit on the calendar.


A poll carried out on behalf of the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) suggested 68% of Londoners were behind the measure. Boris Johnson said there was "broad support". However more than 37,000 people have signed an online petition against the purchase. The cannon will be purchased if Home Secretary Theresa May licences them. The Metropolitan Police and Mayor of London Mr Johnson want to buy three cannon from Germany for Â£90,000. They have been linked to causing broken bones and blindness. Mr Johnson said: "No-one wants to see water cannon routinely deployed on the streets of London but having carefully weighed up all the evidence, I have concluded there is broad support amongst Londoners for the use of this measure by the police in limited circumstances. "However, it is critical that Londoners are assured that there are robust safeguards in place before seeing water cannon in action." The mayor said he would now write to the Home Secretary to support the request for water cannon. The independent poll conducted by TNS questioned 4,223 people and found 52% said they would have greater confidence in the Met Police's ability to respond to serious public disorder if water cannon were available. In addition the mayor carried out a six-week consultation in January and February to gather the views of Londoners on the use of water cannon. There were 2,606 consultation responses received via email and 4,048 email petition responses. From the email consultation 59 people supported the introduction of water cannon. Concerns were raised by more than 2,500 email respondents and more than 4,000 people responded to the "Boris: stop the water cannon" and the "No to water cannon" email petitions. Respondents also mentioned a change.org petition with more than 37,000 signatures against the proposals. London Assembly member Jenny Jones, of the Green Party, said: "He has ignored the members of the public who responded to the consultation, and the views of the Assembly including members of his own party and team, to push ahead with his plans for this weapon." Water cannon have been used in Northern Ireland but they are not currently authorised in Britain. The Home Secretary must approve their introduction in England and Wales. An ethics panel, headed by barrister Lord Carlile, will be put in place to look at when water cannon should be used, if they are licensed by the home secretary. She has refused to provide central government funding for the machines in London. A Home Office spokesperson said: "It is for Chief Constable David Shaw, as the national policing lead, formally to request that water cannon be authorised for use and present the necessary information for the home secretary to make a decision. We await that request."

Summary: The Mayor of London has agreed to support the Met Police's call for water cannon to be purchased.


Doctors are currently treating 24 casualties in four hospitals: 12 are in a critical condition. All are said to be suffering from damage to the throat, lungs and airways caused by breathing in smoke. This is the major priority for doctors, rather than external burns. In fact, the BBC understands that no-one is being treated for burns to the skin or body. However, breathing in smoke can cause damaging internal burns and swelling to the throat, which may not be immediately obvious. The most serious cases will need a general anaesthetic. This means they can be kept well-hydrated using an intravenous drip and kept under close supervision while their airways heal. Most will also be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, caused by breathing in noxious fumes from the fire. They need urgent treatment with oxygen through a face mask. Breathing in concentrated oxygen this way enables the body to recover quickly when carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream. Babies, young children, pregnant women and people with asthma are most vulnerable to the dangers of carbon monoxide. Most people in big cities have a level of carbon monoxide of between nought and three, and smokers of five or six. After the fire, the Guardian reported that doctors were treating people whose readings were between 10 and 20. In total, nearly 80 people have required hospital treatment for the effects of the fire. At least 30 people are confirmed to have died. While treating the physical effects of smoke inhalation is a priority in the four London hospitals - King's College Hospital, Chelsea and Westminster, Royal Free Hospital and St Mary's Paddington - the psychological impact is not being ignored. Psychiatrists and chaplains have been on hand to help support the injured, relatives and staff. Survivors will have witnessed traumatic sights and many may also have to deal with the loss of loved ones. Prof Sir Simon Wessely, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, recommends turning to friends, family and religious leaders to talk through feelings. "While mental health professionals are invaluable in times of psychological need, immediately after a traumatic event it is our own strength, and those of our friends and family, that can be the most beneficial. "Speaking to a mental health professional - a complete stranger - when you are in a state of shock, is not always the solution." He said the public could play a part by offering practical support and information to those involved in the fire - as the community of North Kensington has been doing in force in the past few days.

Summary: Hospital doctors are keeping some casualties from the Grenfell Tower fire unconscious for several days to allow them to recover from the effects of smoke inhalation.


Sean Caffrey hacked into the US Department of Defense system in 2014, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said. He accessed and stole the ranks, usernames and email addresses of more than 800 users, as well as of about 30,000 satellite phones. At Birmingham Crown Court Caffrey, 25, of Sutton Coldfield, admitted an offence under the Computer Misuse Act. See more stories from across Birmingham and the Black Country here The NCA said the theft took place on 15 June 2014 and Caffrey was arrested in in March 2015 after intelligence showed the hack originated from his internet connection. Forensic examination of his computers found the stolen data on the hard drives. Officers also found that an online messaging account linked to the attack had been opened and operated under a pseudonym using Caffrey's computers. The Department of Defense said it cost about $628,000 to fix the damage. Caffrey, of Lichfield Road, admitted causing a computer to perform a function to secure unauthorised access to a program or data. He will be sentenced on 14 August.

Summary: A computer hacker has admitted stealing hundreds of user accounts from a US military communications system.


Confusion about what is covered by insurance policies is one of the reasons that policyholders fail to receive a payout. Wear and tear, as well as damage caused by a lack of maintenance in homes are also key reasons for claims being rejected, an insurers' group said. In contrast, 99% of motor insurance claims result in a payout. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has published the industry-wide figures for the first time, after analysis of claims made during 2013 and 2014. The success rate figures are based on 6.9 million claims handed by 19 insurers, including 4.3 million motor insurance claims, 1.8 million home insurance claims, and 800,000 travel insurance claims. The analysis showed that 79% of home insurance policyholders who made a claim were successful, receiving a typical payout of Â£2,520. Of those whose claims were turned down, some made claims that were valued below the policy excess and others had bought the wrong kind of cover. Many home insurance policies have add-ons that cover certain eventualities, but add extra complexity to renewals. Many were denied due to a failure to maintain their property. For example, roof damage caused by a storm that affects numerous homes in an area is likely to be successful. Roof damage caused because previous faults had been left without the homeowner's attention were less likely to succeed, the ABI said. Policies were designed to cover "sudden, unexpected and accidental" events, an ABI spokesman said. Travel insurance claims recorded a success rate of 87%, the ABI said, with an average payout of Â£884. Reasons for rejection include failure to declare a pre-existing medical condition and failure to prove that belongings have been lost. Motor insurance claims were successful in 99% of cases, with an average payout of Â£2,160. Cases and policies tended to be simpler, leading to fewer denied claims. Huw Evans, ABI director general, said that the figures were published in order to gain greater trust from consumers. "Contrary to popular belief, insurers want to pay honest claims. It helps nobody when customers have bought the wrong product or have not disclosed important information," he said. "So we will use the analysis we are publishing today to drive awareness campaigns to improve even further the acceptance rates for home and travel. Buying insurance should never just be about getting the cheapest price in the quickest time possible, it should be about ensuring you have the right product for your hour of need." The ABI suggested that people take time to read the terms and conditions when buying or renewing home insurance to check exactly what is covered. Disputes between insurers and individuals that are unresolved often end up with the financial ombudsman. In separate figures published on Tuesday, the Financial Ombudsman Service said there were 5,504 inquiries about buildings insurance from disgruntled customers between April and December last year. Some 38% of cases looked at by the ombudsman were upheld in the customers' favour. Cases were dwarfed by the 178,715 enquiries about payment protection insurance (PPI) received over the same period. In PPI cases, 70%

Summary: More than one in five home insurance claims is unsuccessful owing, in part, to the complexity of policies.


The 39-year-old Zimbabwean has scored over 24,000 runs in all competitions during a 12-year stay with the county, winning seven trophies along the way. He said: "It deeply saddens me that I have to leave at the end of the season. I have thoroughly enjoyed my 12 years. "My family have loved every year here, and we feel so privileged to have been associated with this wonderful club." Goodwin has scored 48 centuries and averages 49.24 for Sussex in first-class competition. Source: Sussex CCC. Figures correct as of 4 September 2012 In total, he has racked up almost 14,500 runs in 190 matches. He has hit two triple centuries and holds the record for the county's highest innings, a score of 344 not out against Somerset in 2009. Goodwin said it had been "a privilege" to be a part of the Sussex side which won the County Championship three times in the space of five seasons, secured back-to-back Pro40 triumphs and lifted the Twenty20 Cup in 2009. He scored the winning runs which won the county's first Championship in 2003 and hit a six off the final ball of the match to win the Pro40 title in 2008. "To the coaches, support staff and most of all, my wonderful team mates that I have been blessed to play alongside over the years, it has been an honour to have had so much success in winning trophies for ourselves and the club," Goodwin continued. "I feel so humbled to be a part of such a wonderful team, club and ethos and offer huge thanks to so many wonderful sponsors and supporters." Sussex cricket manager Mark Robinson paid tribute to the batsman, who played 17 Test matches for Zimbabwe. "Murray is arguably the best ever batsman Sussex have had and he will be greatly missed," Robinson said "Not only on the pitch, but [also] in the dressing room as well by all those he has helped and supported in his time at the club. "I would like to thank Murray for the help he has given me, and the great service he has given to this club. I wish him and his family all the very best for the future." Despite his previous achievements, Goodwin has struggled for form in the County Championship this year. He has scored 267 runs in 21 innings in Division One this season, leaving him with an average of 13.35 in the four-day game in 2012.

Summary: Sussex have announced that veteran batsman Murray Goodwin will leave the club at the end of the season.


The Gateway offices are occupied by Citi, the global financial services group. Selling agents CBRE say it is the largest office investment to come onto the market in Northern Ireland in the last decade. In 2014, Ulster Bank sold most of its Titanic Quarter loans to the US hedge fund Davidson Kempner. Such a fund will typically look to get a return on its money within a few years either through asset sales or loan refinancing. The Gateway offices are likely to be attractive to institutional investors such as pension funds.

Summary: An office development in Belfast's Titanic Quarter has been put up for sale with a price tag of £29m.


Media playback is not supported on this device The midfielder agreed personal terms with the Canaries this week and, having passed his medical, he has penned a three-and-a-half-year deal. "He can add goals to our midfield, which I think we need," said Norwich manager Paul Lambert. "He'll get better as a player the higher the level he goes up. If he does that he'll be a great player for us." Former England Under-21 international Howson, a product of the Leeds academy, has made almost 200 appearances since his debut in 2006, but his contract was due to expire in the summer. He has featured 22 times for his home town club this season, although he has not played since picking up a knee injury in the 2-0 win over Millwall at the beginning of December. Meanwhile, Lambert has outlined a back injury as the reason for terminating the season-long loan of Manchester United defender Ritchie de Laet five months early. The 23-year-old Belgian has played seven times for the Canaries, but has not featured since the 2-0 Premier League loss to Tottenham on 27 December. "Ritchie's done great for us," said Lambert. "But he has a back injury which was keeping him out for periods of time."

Summary: Norwich City have completed the signing of 23-year-old Leeds captain Jonny Howson for an undisclosed fee.


Sidibe, who died on Thursday, is known for his black and white studio portraits that captured the lives of young Malians in the 1960s and 1970s. Critics say his photos of Mali's post-colonial period helped people see the West African nation in a new light. In 2007, he became the first African winner of the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement at the Venice Biennale. People on Twitter describe him as a talent whose images of popular and youth culture still resonate among young photographers across Africa. Sidibe's work captures the lives of young men and women, often showing off a prized possession like a watch or a motorbike. He also captures street scenes and young men seducing girls at parties with a sense of newfound freedom and identity. Sidibe has work in several private and public museums around the world. He became famous around the world after holding his first exhibition in France in 1996 Andres Magnin, Malick Sidibe's close friend and owner of the Parisian gallery which represented him, called the photographer an author "of thousands of images of tenderness and beauty". "A photographer of the young generation of an independent Mali, untroubled, free, modern, full of joy and hope... He was generous, welcoming, loved by all the young people in Bamako."

Summary: Tributes are being paid to the award-winning Malian photographer, Malick Sidibe, who has died at the age of 80.


The building at Devesulu, which houses radar and 12 interceptor missile tubes, appears remarkably similar to the "sensors and shooters" that have already been placed on US Aegis warships. It has even been painted in the same battleship grey and is manned and operated by US Navy personnel who will rotate on six-month tours as if they were at sea. They might as well be, because there are few signs of human life nearby. Devesulu is the first land-based ballistic interceptor system to be set up in Europe. At a ceremony attended by Romanian, US and Nato leaders on Thursday it was declared "operational". It is now able to fire "a bullet at a bullet": the interceptor missile tries to hit a ballistic missile on re-entry into the earth's atmosphere. Work is now starting on building a second base in northern Poland. Together with four US Aegis warships, these Aegis Ashore sites will provide a network that can identify, track and shoot down ballistic missiles fired towards Europe. Turkey already has an early warning radar that activates the Aegis system and will eventually be joined by one in the UK. Dutch and Danish warships are also being fitted with sensors that will plug into the system. It will all be controlled from the US base in Ramstein, Germany. Ostensibly under Nato control, in reality it is the US that is largely driving and funding this programme. So where does the threat come from? Nato's Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, says "many countries are seeking to develop or acquire their own ballistic missiles". The Middle East region is often mentioned but US officials have been more specific in naming Iran as a potential aggressor. Despite the recent agreement on Tehran's nuclear programme, it is pressing ahead with its own ballistic missile programme. Still, it seems odd to ramp up the pressure on Iran so soon after it's made concessions to the West. As for other "threats from the Middle East" it is all rather vague. Strangely, the clearest language from both Nato and US officials is about what the system is not. "It's not about Russia" is the prefix to any description of the system. At the Deveselu ceremony the US Deputy Defence Secretary, Robert Work, said: "I want to make clear - neither this site, nor the site going into Poland - will have the capacity to undermine Russia's strategic (nuclear) deterrent." Mr Stoltenberg insisted: "The interceptors are too few and located too far south to intercept Russian intercontinental ballistic missiles." The language, though, appears to be deliberately precise. There is no mention of Russian short and medium range ballistic missiles. Nor is there any denial that the sensors will be able to look into Russian territory. Few would argue the two nations housing the land-based interceptors, Romania and Poland, are more worried about say Iran or North Korea's actions than their biggest and nearest neighbour. There are, of course, plenty of good reasons to play down any potential impact on Russia as tensions are already high. Russia has been flexing its military

Summary: America's latest addition to its Ballistic Missile Defence System looks out of place surrounded by mile after mile of flat Romanian farmland.


England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) rules need to be altered to remove the right of all 18 counties to play in the new tournament. Essex follow Middlesex in their refusal to support the change. But Durham chairman Sir Ian Botham said his county were fully committed in their support for the new tournament. He said: "It's financially very sensible to do it and if we prepare properly and come up with the right formula throughout the summer - just look at the success of the Big Bash in Australia and the IPL - then it's proven that the format has great benefit." Meanwhile, Essex chairman John Faragher said the County Championship, one-day and T20 competitions "must be protected". The changes require the support of 31 out of 41 of the ECB's voting members. Faragher continued: "We are focused on expanding cricket in Essex, East Anglia and Metropolitan London, ensuring there are opportunities for all age and ability groups, male and female, to be actively involved in the game. "We believe that as a result of the proposed changes, these opportunities will be reduced, that our income overall will suffer and the first-class game will be diminished, in contradiction to the ECB's objective which is to grow the game in this country - an objective that is unlikely to be advanced by a competition which would exclude large areas of the country from any involvement in it." The 41 voting members comprise the 18 first-class counties, 21 recreational boards, the Minor Counties Cricket Association, and MCC - owners of Lord's and therefore Middlesex's landlord. A number of counties have come out in support of the proposals for the new tournament, with Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Somerset, Sussex and Yorkshire all announcing that they will back the ECB rule change, while others including Glamorgan, Hampshire and Warwickshire have been vocal in their support for a city-based competition. Kent have asked their members and supporters to give them further feedback before making a decision, while Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart has expressed concern over the details of the new event.

Summary: Essex have become the second county to announce their intention to stand against a new city-based Twenty20 competition, planned for 2020.


The prosecutors, from Spain's top criminal court, allege Neymar and his father hid the true value of the player's multi-million-euro transfer from Santos to Barcelona. A Brazilian investment fund that owned 40% of Neymar's sports rights argues it was deprived of its full share. In previous interviews, Neymar, 24, has denied any wrongdoing. Barcelona said it paid €57m (£43m) for Neymar in 2013, with the player's parents, Neymar da Silva Santos and Nadine Goncalves da Silva Santos, receiving €40m and his former club, Santos, €17m. But investigators say the fee was closer to €83m and Barcelona concealed part of the deal. The club also denies any wrongdoing. The Brazilian third-party investment fund, DIS, alleges it was financially harmed by the transfer when it received €6.8m of Santos's €17m fee and argues it was deprived of its full share. Neymar and his parents, along with Barcelona's ex-President Sandro Rosell and President Josep Maria Bartomeu, had all given statements at an earlier court hearing in February. Speaking to O Globo TV in Brazil in February, Neymar said: "Before saying nonsense - that we hid this, or hid that - they should prove it. "My father is doing everything to ensure that I can just focus on playing football. He handles the books. But in the moment when you see someone you love suffering, it starts to hurt." Neymar and his father also face accusations in a separate case of defrauding the Spanish tax office, while the player faces a tax evasion investigation in Brazil. He denies wrongdoing. Neymar's move to Barcelona FC has been a big success on the pitch. The striker became part of a goal-scoring trio with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. In 2015, Neymar helped the club win five trophies and came third in the Fifa Ballon d'Or competition. He also scored in the Uefa Champions League final against Juventus. He won the Spanish league and cup double with Barcelona in 2016.

Summary: Spanish prosecutors have called for Brazil and Barcelona football star Neymar to be tried for fraud.


Under the plans announced by Chancellor George Osborne in July, the minimum wage for over-25s will rise from £6.50 an hour to £7.20 in April next year. It will rise to at least £9 by 2020. The Scottish government said the proposals were "simply an enhancement of the national minimum wage" rather than a true living wage. Its Fair Work Secretary, Roseanna Cunningham, also argued that the plan discriminated against under-25s and will bring further complications and inequalities to the national minimum wage structure. But a UK government spokesman said its proposals were an "essential part of moving to a higher wage, lower tax, lower welfare society where work always pays and the majority of households are better off." Ms Cunningham has outlined the Scottish government's criticisms in a submission to the Low Pay Commission's consultation on the proposals. And she called on the UK government to set out a clear plan for moving towards a living wage that "truly reflects the cost of living" rather than merely setting an "arbitrary rate". Ms Cunningham added: "The so-called national living wage announced in the UK government budget is not a living wage and should not be referred to as such. "It is simply an enhancement of the national minimum wage which disgracefully discriminates against the under 25s. "Employers also do not need further complications in the national minimum wage structure and I would encourage all bodies looking at this to ensure that younger workers are treated fairly." The Scottish government promotes a living wage of £7.85 an hour, with businesses north of the border encouraged to sign up to a voluntary accreditation scheme. Ms Cunningham said: "We are working hard to increase the number of employers paying the living wage. By this I mean the real living wage, which is calculated according to the cost of living. "There are now over 300 organisations across Scotland that recognise the tangible benefits to their business of being accredited, huge progress in the last 12 months." In response, the UK government spokesman said its proposals were expected to directly boost the wages of nearly three million people and would mean a full-time worker would earn £2,000 more per year by 2020. He added: "For younger workers, the priority is to secure work and gain experience. "In order to maximise the opportunities for younger workers to gain that experience the national living wage will only apply to workers aged 25 and over. "The wages of younger workers will continue to be underpinned by the core national minimum wage."

Summary: The UK government's National Living Wage plans have been criticised as a "misappropriation of the term" by the Scottish government.


Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead spent Â£160,000 trying to move 10 caravans from Shurlock Row, Berkshire. Those occupying the land lost appeals and finally a judicial review bid to remain at the site in 2016. The authority said the group had now left voluntarily and an order imposed to restore the site to its original condition within 28 days. Councillor Derek Wilson said residents in the area had been "waiting for this day". He added: "The occupiers were in breach of planning control and we followed every procedure correctly to get to this point as swiftly as was legally possible." Grass had been paved over and machinery installed without planning permission following the group's arrival in December 2009, the council said. An enforcement notice was issued ordering them to stop using the land. The travellers lodged an appeal in 2010 which was unsuccessful and they were given until February 2013 to leave but failed to do so. After another unsuccessful appeal, they applied for a judicial review. This was refused by the High Court, the Court of Appeal and finally the Supreme Court in August 2016.

Summary: Travellers who sparked a Supreme Court legal battle by pitching at a site for more than seven years have left.


Tory PCC Adam Simmonds' plans include employing a chief of staff, four assistant commissioners, and a value for money officer. Under the old police authority, there were seven staff members. The new organisation will have 10 extra posts. Mr Simmonds said a team was vital in overseeing the county force. He said: "This is not an empire. This is about building something which is brand new. No-one has been PCC for Northamptonshire before. "The public voted for me to do a job to support frontline policing. I can't do it physically on my own." He said his plans had been put forward to the public for consultation. Mr Simmonds said he would be judged on whether he had achieved his objectives of more police and a reduction in drug crime. In a report Mr Simmonds said he hoped to create three new departments, for drugs eradication, faith-based and neighbourhood initiatives, and the protection and security of the county, would also be created. The commission will carry out the work that the previous police authority did of overseeing targets and setting budgets. But the office also has new responsibilities of prevention and taking care of victims of crime. For 2012-13, the budget for Northamptonshire Police is Â£120.55m - Â£2m less than 2011-12. Savings of Â£20m have to be made over four years. A spokesman for the commissioner said staff would be consulted about the plans in the first four months of next year.

Summary: The new police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Northamptonshire has denied he is "empire building" with his plans for a 17-strong team.


18 February 2016 Last updated at 11:41 GMT The black saloon car hit the man at about 18:50 GMT as he crossed Copyground Lane on 9 February. Police have appealed for the driver and witnesses who came to help the victim, to come forward The man was taken to hospital for treatment and has since been discharged.

Summary: A 50-year-old man was left with knee injuries after a car hit him in High Wycombe before driving off.


The 15cm high concrete wall is topped with razor wire, miniature US flags and includes 'Keep Out' signs written in both Spanish and English. It was created by LA-based street artist Plastic Jesus and was inspired by comments made by the Republican Presidential nominee last year when he outlined plans to build a wall along the US-Mexico border to stop illegal immigrants. Curious tourists snapped photographs of the Los Angeles structure, while a picture of the unusual artwork posted on the artist's Instagram account received more than 14,000 likes by Thursday morning. One person called the wall "the most genius vandalism of the star yet," while another said it was the "best thing I've seen all day." There were also those who were unimpressed by the Trump-attacking artwork, with one user exclaiming that "A Trump presidency is what the US needs." In an interview with the BBC, Plastic Jesus explained why he had built the 'wall': "I wanted to create a piece that drew attention to [Trump's] potential policies," he says. "I knew this week was the republican convention and I suppose I was capitalising on the momentum of the convention." And so, on Tuesday afternoon he took his tiny wall made from wood and concrete, and placed it on top of Donald Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He says the response to his wall has been largely supportive. "I went to Hollywood Boulevard yesterday to take photographs and found myself in an absolute bottleneck of people taking photographs of the piece - it's been absolutely crazy." The artist, who emigrated to the US from the UK nine years ago, says he's not a fan of Donald Trump, "In the US you'll interact with immigrants from all over the world and it's one of the things that makes the US so great. Donald Trump's policy proposals are a threat to all of the immigrants." Donald Trump received the 2,327th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007 for his work on America's The Apprentice. By Daniel Avis, BBC's UGC and Social News team

Summary: Donald Trump's controversial call for a "great, great wall" on the US-Mexico border has yet to be realised but a tiny, tiny one has been built instead - surrounding his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.


Jon Trickett, who had been close to Ed Miliband, declined to stand and Diane Abbott, who came last in her previous attempt, was concentrating on her bid to become Labour's candidate for London Mayor. Twice, in 2007 and 2010, John McDonnell tried to get on the ballot to lead his party. Twice he failed to garner enough support from his fellow Labour MPs. He has had a heart attack since - and didn't feel like a third attempt. But Mr McDonnell was a lynchpin of the Corbyn campaign - the "agent" that helped persuade 36 MPs, just one more than the minimum necessary to get on the ballot, to support the Islington North MP. Remarkably, this included 14 who "lent" him their backing in order to broaden the debate. Mr McDonnell will be hugely influential. He is the chair of the Socialist Campaign Group. He was elected for Hayes and Harlington in 1997 when Tony Blair swept to power but in many ways he formed - with Jeremy Corbyn - an unofficial opposition. He voted against many things which defined the Blair era. He opposed the Iraq war, foundation hospitals, and top-up tuition fees. He had represented the same area of west London on the Greater London Council between 1981 and its abolition by Mrs Thatcher's government five years later, serving as deputy leader to Ken Livingstone. He championed causes which were dubbed "loony left" by opponents at the time - from support for women's sections within the Labour Party to campaigning for a united Ireland. He would argue when it came to positive discrimination, and a peace process in Northern Ireland, he was ahead of the curve. He - unlike some on the left - has widespread experience of running things. He was chief executive of the Association of London Authorities and its successor body, the Association of London Government. A former colleague once said life at the ALG was a bit like in medieval times - "nasty, brutish and short." Mr McDonnell is certainly more personally pugnacious than the new Labour leader but is not without charm and certainly not without intelligence. 24 things that Jeremy Corbyn believes A guide to Labour's new leader The Jeremy Corbyn Story Corbyn victory: How did he do it? What Corbyn's victory means for Labour When Jon Cruddas - Labour's former policy chief - suggested swing voters had abandoned the party because it wasn't trusted on the economy, he posted this on his website: "First, it is unarguable that no modern party leader can win an election if behind in the polls on economic competence. Ed Miliband, sadly, was proof of this truism. Second, deficit denial is a non-starter for anyone to have any economic credibility with the electorate. This was a key finding of the poll recently published by Jon Cruddas, examining why Labour lost the election. "So let me make it absolutely clear that Labour under Jeremy Corbyn is committed to eliminating the deficit and creating an economy in which we live within our means. Where the Corbyn campaign parts company with

Summary: Jeremy Corbyn wasn't the left's first choice for Labour leader.


The jet-set "pseudo-corporate" lifestyle of Fifa executive committee members has long been a wonder to fans and media alike, but the trappings of an international corporation have unfortunately not come with the sort of oversight that a true business organisation should possess. Mr Blatter's decision to go later this year or early next year, after a continuing investigation by US authorities into allegations of corruption at Fifa is only the first of many steps that need to be taken, according its critics. "Their current governance model is not fit for purpose," Oliver Parry, senior corporate governance partner at the UK-based business body the Institute of Directors, told the BBC website. "It is not clear, transparent, or open, and people on the outside looking in do not have an understanding of how decisions are reached. There is a complete lack of transparency. "Bringing in a new man, or woman, is not going to change the problem. There needs to be a root-and-branch re-organisation." Fifa's centre of power is its executive committee (ExCo), and the fact that this small body of 24 people (one President, eight Vice-Presidents and 15 members) has such power over global football is a concern for many. Members are appointed for a four year term, from among the six continental Confederations (eg Uefa in Europe) and 209 national football associations around the world. The ExCo meets at least twice a year and among its major powers is determining the dates, locations and format of tournaments, including of course the World Cup. It is this particular function which has aroused so much controversy - over the awards of the 2010 (South Africa), 2018 (Russia), and 2022 (Qatar) World Cups. Mr Parry says - using good corporate practice as a guide - there are three main changes that the IoD would like to see Fifa make: "This is a massive juncture for Fifa," says Mr Parry. "If they get things right now, they have the chance to make a really positive change to world football for decades to come. "If they have the appetite and desire, then they have the opportunity to become a beacon for other sports around the world." Making sure the executive is held to account over its decisions will be key. Simon Chadwick, who is professor of sport business strategy and marketing at Coventry University Business School, says a reformed Fifa must have clear and published governance rules in place. He agrees there must be a division of powers within Fifa, with a separate board and executive, and says it is crucial that "those making the executive decisions should be separate from the people responsible for holding the financial purse strings". In addition Prof Chadwick believes that the membership of any new executive body should be widened "to include not just members of football associations, but also fan representatives, sponsor representatives and other stakeholders". Sponsors, who invest millions in supporting Fifa events, have a particular interest in seeing that the sport they are backing is run cleanly, as association with a murkily-run organisation can easily tarnish a corporate

Summary: No sooner has Sepp Blatter said he is heading for the exit door at Fifa's plush headquarters in Zurich, than urgent questions are being asked about how football's tarnished governing body should reinvent itself.


It shows May driving with a broken arm, Clarkson driving on the Game of Thrones set and Hammond waking up in a buggy to find it has been hoisted into the air. The footage was shown to delegates at the Edinburgh Television Festival. The Grand Tour producer Andy Wilman said: "Like them or loathe them, they are still doing their thing." Wilman, who worked with the trio on Top Gear, followed the presenters from the BBC to Amazon after Clarkson's high-profile altercation with a producer last year. Screening a montage of clips at the festival, he said: "This is not a trailer but I put something together to show we have been busy. We have been going around the world with big ambition in the films." In the footage, May could be seen with his arm in a sling, and Wilman revealed: "He fell over the night before filming, coming out of a pub. "He rang me up and said 'I've broken my arm'. His car was automatic so we stuck him on Eurostar, pumped him full of drugs and left him to it. "He did more damage to it because he had to keep on going but he's falling to bits anyway. We are not in Usain Bolt territory with that body." The footage also showed the trio racing Maseratis, a Rolls Royce and a Porsche, as well as Clarkson on a jet ski. Radio Times reporter Jonathan Holmes wrote afterwards: "From this short tease, The Grand Tour looks like the biggest, brashest, loudest, most extreme version of Top Gear imaginable." The first episode will be 70 minutes long and the team have signed up to make 12 shows a year for three years. Wilman said everything was being filmed in 4K and that 90% of the pre-recorded films had been shot. But he rubbished press reports that each episode had a £4.5m budget. The furore that led to Clarkson's sacking after punching a producer during an argument over hot food "was a perfect storm that was coming", Wilman explained. "[Top Gear] got bigger and bigger by accident. We never adjusted to that and were collapsing under the weight of the work we were doing. "We had [things] like Argentina go wrong, so it was all building," he added - referring to an attack on the Top Gear team in the country during filming in 2014. Locals threw rocks at crew members' cars in an apparent protest at a number plate which appeared to refer to the 1982 Falklands war. "I'm speaking as someone who loves the BBC and there were a lot of people who were great with us and some people there weren't great with us and didn't want us there, so it became a battle," Wilman said. "It became personal and confrontational and when everything went [wrong] in March, that was critical because it was going to be a victory for somebody. "It wasn't going to be a resolution because I think some people didn't have the will to make it work on the management side, and I

Summary: The first footage has given a glimpse of what to expect from ex-Top Gear trio Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond's new car show The Grand Tour.


The winner of the award, previously known as the Samuel Johnson Prize, will receive £30,000. It aims to recognise high quality non-fiction works published in English. It is open to books in the areas of current affairs, history, politics, science, sport, travel, biography and the arts. Flanders, now a chief market strategist at JP Morgan Asset Management, said: "The Samuel Johnson Prize has helped changed the way we think about non-fiction writing in this country, with a yearly reminder that great books truly can come out of anywhere - and anything. "Personally I'm delighted to be chairing the award in its new incarnation." Prize director Toby Mundy said: "This is the beginning of a very significant new chapter in the story of Britain's most prestigious non-fiction prize." Submissions will be accepted from 23 May, with the winner announced on 15 November.

Summary: Former BBC Economics Editor Stephanie Flanders is to chair the judges of the 2016 Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction.


The ruling ends an eight-year legal battle over the documents. The manuscripts were in the possession of the family of Esther Hoffe, the secretary of Kafka's friend Max Brod. The family had argued that it rightfully owned the manuscripts after her death. David Blumberg, chairman the National Library of Israel, said the ruling was "a celebratory day for any person of culture, in Israel and abroad". He said: "The Supreme Court asked the National Library to do its utmost to reveal Brod's estate to the public. The National Library will follow the court's ruling and will preserve the cultural assets by keeping them in the country as well as making them accessible to the general public." Before Kafka died of tuberculosis at the age of 41 in 1924, he left instructions that his works should be burned. But Brod ignored his request and published some of them. Those works included The Trial, Metamorphosis and The Castle, which helped turn Kafka into one of the 20th Century's most famous novelists. Brod smuggled Kafka's writings out of his home city of Prague in 1939, saving them from the Nazis. Brod died in 1968 and bequeathed his collection to his secretary Esther Hoffe. She had kept the collection in her Tel Aviv apartment as well as in safety deposit boxes in Israel and Switzerland. The legal battle over who rightfully owned them started after she died in 2007. Some of the deposit boxes were opened at in Zurich in 2010, but their contents were only revealed to an Israeli judge. In 2012, a Tel Aviv family court ruled that Brod had explicitly ordered Hoffe to catalogue and transfer his collection "to the library of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem or the Tel Aviv municipal library, or any other public institution in Israel or abroad". The Supreme Court has now agreed with this ruling. A statement on The National Library website said the materials that the National Library will receive include "correspondences in Kafka's handwriting to Max Brod, Kafka's Paris journals, drawings, and many of Max Brod's works and the letters to Kafka". "It is fair to assume that many other treasures are hidden among Max Brod's personal material which will be exposed and catalogued by the National Library. "As time goes by they will be made accessible in the broadest way for generations to come."

Summary: Israel's Supreme Court has ruled that a collection of unpublished Franz Kafka manuscripts must be transferred from an Israeli family to the country's national library.


Subsea UK chief executive Neil Gordon said capital expenditure cuts and low crude price were starting to bite. But he added that the fundamentals of the sector, which supports 60,000 jobs, remained relatively strong. He was speaking at the start of Subsea Expo in Aberdeen. Subsea firms play a key role in North Sea activities, which have been coming under pressure following a sustained fall in the price of oil. This week accountants PwC said many oil and gas firms would need to transform the way they operate in order to grasp future opportunities in the sector. Its report argued companies should be looking to deploy fresh strategies, including looking to reduce costs "in a sustainable manner". Mr Gordon told delegates at Subsea Expo: "The UK's subsea sector came out of a strong 2013 to a relatively flat second half of 2014. "The existing order book kept the industry going but, as this dries up and projects are abandoned or postponed until the oil price recovers, we are in for major challenges." Mr Gordon said research suggested that overall capital expenditure growth forecasts should start to become more positive after 2016. He continued: "It is therefore imperative that during this period Subsea UK demonstrates strong leadership by pushing the industry to more quickly adopt innovation and technology. "We need to better explore how projects are currently delivered and then make the step-change to deliver major efficiencies. "While subsea companies must speed up the development of new technologies, the industry must be prepared to embrace new technology. "It has to become less risk-averse and more receptive to supporting field trials and implementation of new technology." Subsea UK is urging companies to turn to the National Subsea Research Initiative, which brings academia and industry together to collaborate on getting new technology to market much more quickly. NSRI will be focusing new research and development on a number of themes, including decommissioning methods and techniques, well intervention and small field cluster development.

Summary: The UK's subsea sector is in for two years of tough times and will only weather the storm if it embraces innovation and new technology, an industry body has warned.


Enda Kenny was making a speech on the implications of Brexit on Wednesday. He said the move posed a serious threat to the Republic's economic prosperity. He also said the negotiations would be the most significant that Ireland had faced as an independent state. Mr Kenny also warned that if no executive was formed after the election on 2 March, Northern Ireland would struggle to have its concerns heard. While the UK as a whole voted to leave the EU, Northern Ireland voted to remain by a majority of 56% to 44%. The border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has been the subject of much discussion following the referendum, as it is set to become the UK's only land border with the EU. "With the dissolution of the assembly, there is a very real danger that the absence of political leadership in Northern Ireland will lead to a retreat to partisan debate and an even greater marginalization of Northern Ireland's concerns," Mr Kenny said. "The Brexit process will not wait for another round of lengthy talks in Stormont. "When Article 50 is triggered, the world will move on, and it will move on quickly. "Of course I will do my best to put forward the interests of the north in the Brexit negotiations." Mr Kenny said he would defend the Good Friday Agreement, oppose a hard border, argue for free movement on this island of Ireland, seek EU funding for cross-border projects and protect the rights of EU citizens in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland during negotiations.

Summary: It is a matter of vital national interest that there is no return to a hard border on the island of Ireland when the UK leaves the European Union, the taoiseach (Irish prime minister) has said.


Above a link to an article about the fund hitting £1m, Dominic Peacock wrote "I've just donated", before making an offensive comment. The East Riding of Yorkshire councillor later deleted it and said: "I shouldn't have put it on in the first place." Council leader Stephen Parnaby said he would not tolerate such remarks. Labour MP Mrs Cox died when she was shot and stabbed in Birstall, West Yorkshire, on Thursday. A fund set up in her memory has received more than £1m in donations. Mr Parnaby said: "Following inappropriate and offensive comments made on social media relating to the sad and tragic death of Jo Cox MP, I have suspended councillor Dominic Peacock from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Conservative Group with immediate effect. "I shall be reporting this to a meeting of the full group and my recommendation will be that he be expelled. "This is not the time for inappropriate remarks, however intended, and I will not tolerate them in my group, and residents should expect their elected representatives to act in an appropriate and compassionate way." He said he would be asking the Conservative group to make a donation to the memorial fund. Mr Peacock posted the comment in the Vote Leave Beverley & Holderness, Haltemprice & Howden page on Facebook. A spokesperson for the Vote Leave campaign also condemned the remark, saying: "These comments are appalling, abhorrent and we believe that he should be thrown out of the Conservative Party. "He is not welcome to campaign with us." Mr Peacock, who is the councillor for Minster and Woodmansey Ward, "apologised unreservedly" but declined to comment further when approached by the BBC. His comments have also sparked a series of angry responses on social media. Chevan Ilangaratne wrote on Facebook : "What an utterly odious and inappropriate comment to make following what was an absolute tragedy for mankind last week." Jonathan Ware described the comment as "absolutely ghastly", while Tony Green called it "an absolute disgrace".

Summary: A Conservative councillor has been suspended over an offensive Facebook post he wrote mocking fundraising in memory of killed MP Jo Cox.


McIlroy has opted out of the European Tour's flagship event because he does not want to play four weeks in a row. The world number three is returning from a three-week break to defend the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte. "I am still working on it but I feel better than I did when I put the clubs away for a couple of weeks," he said. The 27-year-old is the only member of the world's top five not to win a tournament in 2016. Speaking to the Golf Channel, he added: "I'd got into a couple of bad habits leading up to the Masters and it's never really a good time to work on them - you are just trying to play golf and shoot a score. "I took basically a full two weeks off from golf. I went home to Ireland for a week and then had a bit of a break; I was island-hopping for about 10 days, which was nice." After the Wells Fargo at Quail Hollow, McIlroy will go on to compete in the Players' Championship and the Irish Open, where he will be tournament host at the K Club. The four-time major winner will play in the Memorial Tournament in the United States a week after the Wentworth event in preparation for the US Open. "The reason I took three weeks off after Augusta was that I'm not going to have more than a week off [at a time] until after the Ryder Cup in October," said the Northern Irishman. "I'm playing here, next week at the Players, the Irish Open and then it's basically week on, week off from there. "Memorial, week off, US Open, week off, French Open, week off, Open, week off, PGA, week off, Olympics, week off, Fed Ex Cup, Ryder Cup. "There's a little bit of travel in there as well so it's a busy stretch coming up and you can't play every week."

Summary: Rory McIlroy has pulled out of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth later in May, but says he is close to removing the "bad habits" from his game.


After their defiance of the government on Monday, peers are waiting to see what instrument the government will devise for their punishment. And in particular they're keen to guess whether their former leader, Lord Strathclyde, will place a silken noose about their noble necks, or merely slap their noble wrists. Conservative MPs are not amused about Monday's rebuff: "they've got to bleed," growled one senior Tory backbencher, but the options for punishment are far from simple. Despite the chuntering from sources close to ministers about "suspending" the Lords, or otherwise clipping its wings, such extreme constitutional surgery is simply not in the gift of the government. Serious constitutional reform requires passing a bill, and the investment of time and political capital necessary may simply be too great to be worth the bother. The basic problem is that any measure to cut the powers of the Lords has to be approved by, er, the House of Lords. And should peers reject the proposals, the Government could only over-ride them through the cumbersome means of the Parliament Act. Thus the same Lords reform bill would have to be passed by MPs two years running, to become law. There is no real consensus in the Commons about how to reform the Upper House and that would become painfully clear, whatever scheme was laid before it. By immemorial convention, constitutional measures are debated in detail by a committee of the whole House, and to bring the Parliament Act into play, that process would have to be gone through twice. That means two years in which, potentially, weeks of Commons time was devoted to debating constitutional arcana. "Oh but it can be kept manageable by timetabling the committee stage." Really? Without that elusive consensus about the shape of Lords reform, there's a good chance that, for any given reform proposal, enough Conservative MPs would oppose a timetable motion, allowing it to be defeated and tipping the government into the prospect of an open-ended committee stage, lasting for months, not weeks. It was this that caused the Coalition to abandon the Clegg Lords Reform Bill, and it could well happen again. Labour played Clegg pretty mercilessly and seem unlikely to be more sympathetic to any Conservative proposal. No Labour government has ever had a majority in the Lords, and their MPs think the government should suck these defeats up, just as Tony Blair and his predecessors had to. And let's not even think about the consequences for government legislation if peers were really riled. So, if a Lords reform bill of some kind is a politically expensive and difficult exercise, what about creating a new wave of Tory peers to swamp the opposition parties? That would mean more than a hundred. Again, that is difficult, for different reasons. For a start the government has created a lot of new Tory peers already, new noble Lords are being introduced to the House at the rate of four or so a week, there are four more due next week. And it's not a done deal that the Queen would simply

Summary: As every viewer of the Alec Guiness comedy classic, Kind Hearts and Coronets, knows, when peers are hanged, the execution is performed with a silken cord.


Transport links and water and power supplies in the city of 10 million are severely affected, and some residents are trapped in their homes. Flooding has killed more than 180 people and caused chaos across China. Police in neighbouring Anhui province even warned that alligators from a farm there had escaped due to the flooding. Source: The Office of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, figures accurate as of 3 July Wuhan's meteorological office released the red alert on Wednesday. It said to expect wind and rain, and flooding in both urban and rural areas. Chinese media is reporting that more than 560mm (1.8ft) of rain has fallen over the past week, the heaviest ever in the history of the city, which is on the Yangtze River. Roads and metro stations were inundated with water, and trains cancelled. The last leg of the journey home for some people leaving Wuhan train station tonight is on foot, wading through the water. A handful of couples passed me as I stood, almost up to my knees in it, at the traffic lights under the highway overpass by the railway station. A few coaches made it through the temporary pond, as did a few lorries. But there was no rush hour traffic in the worst hit suburbs tonight. There is some respite; the rain has stopped for now. But as I write this there are still cars driving the wrong way down a highway slip road because the rain has blocked their route. Water supplies have been cut off in some areas, and one residential district experienced a complete power black-out, according to local media. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, to oversee relief and rescue operations. Meanwhile, China's President Xi Jinping, has ordered the army to step up its relief efforts across the country. Amid the crisis, official figures for the number of dead have fluctuated. On Wednesday state television put the overall toll at about 170. Social media is awash with pictures of torrents of water thundering through metro stations, submerged cars and buildings, and firemen rescuing stranded people from across fast-flowing rivers that had previously been residential streets. Police in Anhui shared a notice from Wuhu County's tourism bureau, which said that alligators had escaped from a farm due to the flooding. The notice said people were still trying to verify how many alligators had escaped. It is not the only animal story to have grabbed the public's attention. On Tuesday a rescue team saved 6,000 pigs which had been stranded at their farm. Photos of farmers emotionally bidding the animals farewell had been widely shared on social media.

Summary: The Chinese city of Wuhan is on red alert for more heavy rainfall, after torrential downpours overnight left parts of the city submerged.


Trustees of the Cwmaman Institute said they had six-figure debts and were struggling to keep the building open. Opened in 1892 for the local mining community, the building had a Â£3.8m lottery-funded facelift in 2001 unveiled by the Prince of Wales. Trust chairman John Oliver said they were warning groups using the venue it faced closure by the end of the year. "It's been a struggle for a number of years, and we've been running it on a voluntary basis for the main part," he said. "We hope something will crop up - we've written to Stereophonics but haven't heard back from them yet," Mr Oliver added. "We'd be pleased if they said they could help us." Stereophonics - formed in Cwmaman in the 1990s by Kelly Jones, Richard Jones and the late Stuart Cable - played some of their first gigs at the institute before winning international fame. In July trustees sold a neighbouring pub - the Shepherd's Arms - to raise funds as part of the effort to save the venue.

Summary: Rock stars Stereophonics have been asked to help save a venue where they played some of their first gigs.


The 34-year-old's deal is the third short-term contract he has signed since joining the Championship club last summer after four injury-plagued years. Barker only made five substitute appearances, but helped the Brewers avoid relegation and boss Nigel Clough sees him as a valuable squad member. "I am not signing as a player expected to play 90 minutes or a couple of games a week," Barker told BBC Radio Derby. "Six months is perfect. Physically I feel no different than I did in my mid-20s. I am fit enough and can still do sessions like everyone else. But I have a reaction with my knee so have to be careful." The former Derby County centre-back said his aerial ability means both he and Clough are sure he can continue to contribute. "There is definitely use for me in certain games," Barker added. "To play 90 minutes is a little bit too much, but you never know. "If pre-season goes well and I am fit and able that would be lovely, but it is not something the gaffer and me are expecting."

Summary: Defender Shaun Barker has signed a new six-month contract with Burton Albion.


Speaking in advance of their trips, they proposed very different solutions. Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said he would be asking US officials to help convince the UK government to take a new approach to welfare funding. But Secretary of State Theresa Villiers will say those blocking welfare reform are putting more strain on the budget. Mr McGuinness travelled to Washington on Monday while Ms Villiers will begin a three-day visit to the US on Tuesday. She will update members of the US administration, members of Congress and senior figures in the Irish American community on the current political situation in Northern Ireland. She said her message during the trip to Washington and New York is that the Stormont House Agreement remains the best hope for building a brighter more secure future. The agreement, signed by Northern Ireland's five main political parties last December, was a wide-ranging deal that addressed some of Stormont's current financial difficulties, after a reduction in its block grant from Westminster. However, Mr McGuinness' Sinn FÃ©in party withdrew its support for the bill in March because of a row over the implementation of welfare reforms. The Sinn FÃ©in MLA is due to meet influential Irish Americans, representatives of the US State Department representatives and other senior US officials. Speaking on Sunday evening, he said Northern Ireland's political institutions were in an "extremely grave situation". "The institutions of the Good Friday Agreement, which have underpinned the Irish peace process for almost two decades, are facing crisis," Mr McGuinness said. He repeated his call for the UK government to change its approach and ensure the institutions are "politically and economically viable and able to meet the needs of a society emerging from a long and bitter conflict". "It is my hope that the US administration - which has been a key ally since the inception of the peace process - can help convince the British government of the gravity of the current situation and to end their current approach which threatens to undermine the incredible progress we have made," Mr McGuinness added.

Summary: Northern Ireland's secretary of state and deputy first minister are taking separate visits to the US to brief the government about the Stormont crisis.


The budding star, coached by Kaiser Chiefs front man Ricky Wilson, beat off stiff competition from Lucy O'Byrne to take the crown. The 29-year-old, from Alva in Clackmannanshire, had been the bookies' favourite to win the final. After his victory was announced, Stevie said: "I never thought this was possible." His debut single - a cover of Lost Stars - has already been released. He has also been asked to perform at this year's T in the Park. The firefighter only ended up on the show after his workmates entered him. Asked what colleagues at his fire station would think, he said: "I think they're over the moon for me because they all wanted me to go for it. "A lot of people have saw something in me that I didn't see, and even standing up there I've still got that self-doubt and I think it's going to take a while to click in, to take in, that I've actually won The Voice 2015." A spokesman for bookmakers Coral said: "Stevie has proved a popular winner in this year's series of The Voice as he was well backed to win the show ever since his blind audition. "All three previous winners of The Voice have struggled in the charts but our odds suggest Stevie could have some success with his debut single and album." Ricky Wilson said Stevie had won by simply singing the song and "connecting with people". He added: "Stevie's a typical Scotsman. Although on paper he was the favourite all along, he still felt like the massive underdog." You can watch Stevie's winning performance on The Voice here.

Summary: Scottish firefighter Stevie McCrorie has won the grand final of the BBC show, The Voice.


Efforts to find the family began in August after India accepted the woman, named Geeta, was one of its citizens. Geeta, who has speech and hearing impairments, was about 11 when she is believed to have strayed into Pakistan. Her plight emerged following a Bollywood film Bajrangi Bhaijaan, which told the story of a Pakistani girl who cannot speak and is trapped in India. For most of her time in Pakistan, Geeta has lived at an Edhi shelter home in Karachi, reports the BBC's Shahzeb Jillani. Staff at the charity gave her her name - she is now thought to be about 22. "The Indian high commissioner has lately sent a family photo to us and Geeta has recognised the family," Anwer Kazmi, a senior official at the foundation, told AFP news agency. "We have showed the picture to Geeta and she says they are her family... We hope she will confirm the family identification during the Skype chat through sign language." Geeta was unable to provide a name, address or any documentation to the Pakistani border guards who found her over a decade ago. Nor could she explain how she ended up across the border. Once her travel documents are sorted, she could leave for India as early as 26 October, Faisal Edhi, the son of Pakistan's leading charity worker Abdul Sattar Edhi, said on Thursday. The Edhi Foundation was trying to arrange a Skype call between Geeta and her family, who live in the Indian state of Bihar, he added. It was not clear when the Skype chat would be held. Although it was long thought that Geeta was Indian, it was only in August that the authorities in Delhi accepted her as a citizen - and said she would be brought back home soon. Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said then that she would be handed over to her family after a DNA test.

Summary: An Indian woman stranded in Pakistan for a decade has identified her family in photos sent from across the border.


"Assessing and reporting major risks does not mean becoming involved in politics; rather it would be political to suppress important judgments," he told a House of Lords committee. Mr Carney said the vote was the biggest domestic risk to the UK's financial stability. He added that uncertainty was already hitting the growth outlook. The referendum takes place on 23 June. The governor said that while the Bank of England had not made "and will not make" any overall assessment of the economics of the UK's EU membership, assessing the implications were necessary for it to do its job - maintaining monetary and financial stability. "As with the Scottish Referendum, we will communicate as much as is prudent about those plans in advance of any risk materialising and as comprehensively as possible once risks have dissipated," he added. The governor also reiterated he saw "signs of growing uncertainty about the UK's macroeconomic outlook related to the referendum". There is the possibility that a vote to leave the EU would "reinforce existing vulnerabilities" in the UK economy, including a risk around the UK's trade deficit, he added. "I think it's safe to say that it [the UK current account deficit] is running at a rate around 5%... and that is remarkably high for a large advanced economy... The risk around the challenge... is that the financing terms change on that current account. Increased cost to the economy - [a] consequence of that is a sharp slowing of the economy." Mr Carney also refused to comment in detail on Monday's Treasury report which warned that the UK economy could be 6% smaller by 2010 if it left the EU, but said the report's "broad approach, to me, makes sense". He said a vote to Leave "might result in an extended period of uncertainty about the economic outlook" which would be likely to affect demand in the short term and could affect the supply side economy. Mr Carney's appearance in front of the committee comes just days after the Bank of England warned the EU referendum could hurt growth in the first half of this year. The Bank warned uncertainty over the EU referendum could cause "some softening" in growth in the first half of 2016. It also said sterling had also been affected by the uncertainty ahead of the vote.

Summary: It is the Bank's duty to talk about EU referendum risks, says Bank of England governor Mark Carney, dismissing accusations the Bank is too political.


Essiedu scooped best performance in a play at the UK Theatre Awards, which reward shows produced outside London. The 26-year-old played Shakespeare's prince in Stratford-upon-Avon. Two musicals from Sheffield's Crucible Theatre - Flowers For Mrs Harris and Show Boat - led the other winners, while Vanessa Redgrave and Sir Ian McKellen received honorary awards. Essiedu said his award was "a huge honour" and that the fact he was the RSC's first black Hamlet was "significant and insignificant at the same time". He said: "It's significant in that the RSC is a national organisation that should represent everyone in our country regardless of your creed, colour, religion, sexuality, whatever. "As such you would expect something like this to have happened before. But I think it was really important that it was happening now and we were really proud of the work that we did." Sir Ian McKellen was given an award for his outstanding contribution to British theatre and told the ceremony about the importance of his visits to the three theatres in his home town of Bolton in his youth. "If it hadn't been for those local theatres, where I did my first theatregoing, I wouldn't be an actor, of course not," the 77-year-old said. The number of theatres around the country has declined since then, he said - but he added that the standards in those that now exist, like Bolton's Octagon, were often higher than in the past. Vanessa Redgrave was presented with the Gielgud Award for excellence in the dramatic arts and told the audience she believed theatre "helps keep society sane". "And boy do we need to be kept sane at the moment. And if I've helped along the way," she added with a laugh, "I'm glad." Among the other winners, Flowers For Mrs Harris and Show Boat, both directed by Sheffield Theatres' former artistic director Daniel Evans, shared the award for best musical production. Clare Burt won best performance in a musical for Flowers for Mrs Harris, a new musical that was adapted from a 1958 novel by Paul Gallico. Rebecca Trehearn picked up best supporting performance for playing Julie La Verne in Sheffield's production of classic musical Show Boat, which later transferred to the West End. The prize for best new play went to Cuttin' It by Charlene James, a drama about female genital mutilation among teenage girls in the UK. An operatic adaptation of Sarah Kane's innovative and intense play 4:48 Psychosis by the Royal Opera and Guildhall School Of Music and Drama earned the prize for achievement in opera. Choreographer Gary Clarke, who picked up the achievement in dance accolade for Coal, his show about the 1980s mining industry, dedicated it to his home town of Grimethorpe, South Yorkshire, and other mining communities. And a theatre in a restored 18th Century flour mill on the outskirts of Reading, The Mill at Sonning, was voted the UK's most welcoming theatre. The UK Theatre Awards do not cover National Theatre productions or West End shows unless they have transferred from a theatre outside the capital. The

Summary: Paapa Essiedu, the first black actor to play Hamlet for the Royal Shakespeare Company, has won a top theatre award.


Mr Obama, who is on a three-day visit with his wife Michelle, is meeting PM David Cameron for talks. Mr Obama has told the Daily Telegraph being in the EU magnified Britain's influence across the world. But London Mayor Boris Johnson called his view "hypocritical", describing the EU system as "alien" to US traditions. Prime Minister David Cameron is hosting Mr Obama at Downing Street. The leaders are holding talks on the fight against so-called Islamic State (IS) and will later be joined by the UK's home, foreign and defence secretaries, and the chancellor. Mr Cameron and Mr Obama are expected to discuss the progress being made in combating IS in Iraq and what more can be done to tackle the group in Syria. The situation in Libya, where the West is considering how to support the newly-established Government of National Accord (GNA) in the battle against IS, will also be discussed. The pair will later hold a joint press conference. Earlier the president and First Lady Michelle Obama attended a private lunch with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle - the day after the Queen's 90th birthday celebrations. The Obamas brought the Queen a photo album of her many visits with US presidents and first ladies. The album begins with her visit to the United States in 1951. Then known as Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh, she toured George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and met with President Harry Truman at the White House. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry will welcome the Obamas for dinner at Kensington Palace on Friday evening. BBC deputy royal correspondent Sarah Campbell The Duke of Edinburgh drove the Queen into the Castle grounds to meet the president and first lady as they disembarked from their helicopter. After a quick chat, there was some discussion over where people should sit, with Mr Obama opting for the front seat. Prince Philip, aged 94, returned to the wheel. This is the third time the couples have met and the first time in the historic surrounds of Windsor Castle. Their last meeting was during a visit in 2011 when the Obamas stayed in Buckingham Palace. In 2009, in what was taken to be a sign of a friendly relationship between the families, the first lady was photographed with her arm around the Queen's waist. In their meetings since, including today, there does seem to be a genuine warmth between the two families. Today's lunch is private. To the frustration of the many journalists covering this visit, whatever the Queen makes of the president's views on Britain in Europe will remain within the castle walls. The president's intervention in the UK's forthcoming EU referendum on 23 June has been hotly debated and sparked claims of "hypocrisy" from those who want to leave the EU. They claim the US "would never contemplate anything like the EU for itself". In an article for the newspaper, President Obama acknowledged that ultimately the matter was for British voters to decide for themselves. But he also said: "The outcome of

Summary: Barack Obama has urged the UK to stick with the EU, as he began his final trip to Britain as US president by having lunch with the Queen.