Some patients have been sent hundreds of miles for treatment because no beds are available locally, the data shows. The online journal Community Care sent Freedom of Information requests to all 56 English mental health trusts. NHS England said it was determined to improve mental health services. The Royal College of Psychiatrists said delayed discharge and poor social care were exacerbating the problem. Data from 37 trusts that responded showed there were 4,447 patients sent out of their area for treatment in 2014-15 - up 23.1% from 2013-14, when 3,611 patients were sent out of their area. There was also an increase in the cost of caring for these patients - from Â£51.4m in 2013-14 to Â£65.1m in 2014-15, figures from 29 trusts showed. According to the data, the longest journeys carried out by patients were trips from Bristol to Livingston (370 miles), Cumbria to London (270 miles), and Southampton to Harrogate (260 miles). Daniel Gillan, 40, from Margate, Kent, has suffered from mental health problems since he was 18. In the middle of a crisis in late 2013, he was sent to a hospital in Weston-Super-Mare in Somerset - 226 miles away. When he had to be admitted last month, there were no local beds available again. This time, he spent most of June in Manchester - 281 miles away. "The problem is my admissions have got further and further away from Margate as time goes by," said Daniel. "If the beds are full here, the next closest bed that becomes available is the bed you're going to get. The closest bed in my case was Manchester." The distance meant that neither family nor friends were able to visit him. "I didn't know where I was, I didn't have a clue. I knew I was a long, long way from home as it had taken so long to get there but I didn't know where in the country I was." While some mental health trusts, such as Oxleas and South London & Maudsley, have managed to reduce their use of out-of-area beds, most have increasingly had to transport patients to other parts of the country. The trusts with the biggest increases in patients treated out of area from 2013-14 to 2014-15 were: Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, said the figures showed a "very clear message" that mental health services were struggling to deliver care. He said: "It is unacceptable that so many people are being driven hundreds of miles away from their loved ones in search of a hospital bed, at a time when they are often scared, vulnerable and most in need of the support of family and friends and familiar surroundings." Previous research by BBC News and Community Care found that more than 2,100 psychiatric beds have been closed in England since 2011. The problems have led to the Royal College of Psychiatry launching an inquiry into acute care. Its interim report, published on Wednesday, does not blame the bed closures for the difficulties patients are experiencing. Instead, it says delayed discharges and poor community services are causing

Summary: The number of mental health patients in England who had to travel away from their local area to get care has risen by almost a quarter over the past year, figures seen by the BBC suggest.


Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin agreed over the phone to meet in person, Mr Erdogan's office said. The call came after Turkey expressed "regret" earlier this week to Mr Putin and to the family of the Russian pilot killed in the incident. The fighter jet was shot down near the Syria-Turkey border in November. Turkey claimed that the jet was warned repeatedly after entering Turkish airspace, a claim fiercely denied by Russian officials. In the call, Mr Putin also called an attack on Istanbul's Ataturk on Tuesday "heinous". A spokesman for Mr Erdogan said on Wednesday that "necessary steps" would now be taken to mend the damaged ties between the two countries, and to drop restrictive measures on Russians visiting Turkey. "Reiterating their commitment to reinvigorate bilateral relations and fight terrorism together, the two leaders agreed to remain in contact and meet in person," he said. Turkey angered Moscow in the aftermath of the incident by failing to apologise, despite demands from Russian officials. Mr Putin said he had been stabbed in the back and accused Mr Erdogan of collaborating with so-called Islamic State. Russia responding by hitting Turkey with a raft of sanctions, banning import of Turkish foodstuffs and stopping Russian package holidays to Turkey. Mr Putin said at the time the restrictions would not be lifted until Russia received an apology. The Russian Su-24, an all-weather attack aircraft, was flying in skies above the Turkey-Syria border area on 24 November when it was shot down by Turkish F-16s. The plane crashed in the mountainous Jabal Turkmen area of the Syrian province of Latakia, killing the pilot. A Russian marine involved in a helicopter rescue attempt was killed when the helicopter came under fire from local fighters. The navigator in the jet, Capt Konstantin Murakhtin, survived the crash and was taken to Russia's Hmeimim airbase in Latakia by Syrian government forces. Turkey said planes were warned 10 times during five minutes via an "emergency" channel and asked to change direction. The Russian defence ministry insisted that the aircraft remained within Syria's borders throughout its mission and did not violate Turkish airspace and received no warnings.

Summary: The leaders of Turkey and Russia have spoken for the first time since the downing of a Russian military jet by Turkey sparked a diplomatic crisis.


The Gunners have a 2-1 lead over Potsdam from the first leg and are favourites to reach the quarter-finals. Captain Katie Chapman said: "We dominated Thursday's game and could have put the tie to bed if we'd finished a few more chances. "We'll go to Germany believing we can get the result we need to go through." Arsenal, who won the competition in 2007, are in their 11th season in European football's elite competition and have never failed to reach the last eight. But twice-winners Potsdam, who last lifted the trophy in 2010, have likewise always made it through to at least the quarter-finals. Chapman, one of the first-leg goalscorers, added: "Potsdam are one of the very best teams in Europe and it's going to be really tough over there. "But we've beaten them once, and if we can maybe get an early goal it will make it very difficult for them."

Summary: Arsenal Ladies will aim to become the first British side to knock out German opposition in the Women's Champions League on Wednesday.


Media playback is not supported on this device This was a dead rubber after England's losses to Italy and Uruguay - and there was nothing on show here to offer any belated cheer at the end of a miserable tournament. Costa Rica's status as the surprise package of Group D was cemented by a result that ensured they finished top - and will face Greece in Recife on Sunday. Meanwhile, England manager Roy Hodgson has presided over a dismal campaign. Daniel Sturridge came closest for the group's bottom side but wasted a succession of chances while goalkeeper Ben Foster - deputising for rested Joe Hart - did brilliantly to turn Celso Borges' free-kick on to the bar in the first half. "Apart from first the 10 to 12 minutes, we dominated totally. We didn't take our goal chances - if we did we would have comfortably won. "We created the chances and that's important. "I'm not concerned about Daniel Sturridge - he'll take goal chances in the future. I thought we were really unlucky not to win this game. "I thought the whole back four was absolutely excellent. We restricted the team to almost no chances. In midfield we dominated and outplayed them." Hodgson gave Frank Lampard the captain's armband and used Steven Gerrard as a late substitute as the veteran duo played out what may be their final England appearances. If so, it was an inglorious conclusion for the pair as this developed into the sort of low-key game many feared after England arrived in Belo Horizonte with their World Cup ambitions already shattered. Hodgson had hoped England might be inspired by the selection of fresh faces, but as he and England's squad applauded their travelling fans at the final whistle, there was an air of disappointment and anti-climax. England had found themselves on the back foot almost from the kick-off, when Joel Campbell's shot was deflected just wide off Gary Cahill - although both sides looked puzzled when a goal kick was awarded. Sturridge was presented with England's best chances, shooting just wide from 20 yards after good control then heading over from six yards after Phil Jones knocked back Ross Barkley's corner. He also had presentable claims for a penalty ignored when he fell in a tangle with Costa Rica's Oscar Duarte but referee Djamal Haimoudi was not interested. Foster was impressive, especially in dealing with a Borges free-kick bound for the top corner - but otherwise it was a first half that was as low key as expected in such a meaningless fixture. Sturridge also had England's first opportunity of the second half but the Liverpool striker's control let him down and keeper Keylor Navas was able to block, albeit sustaining a knock in the process that left him requiring treatment. All of England's best chances were falling to Sturridge and he was off target again when he tried to be too precise from Jack Wilshere's flick and curled a shot wide of the far post. Hodgson then made his substitutions in quick succession, sending on Raheem Sterling

Summary: England's World Cup ended without even the scant consolation of a victory as they played out a tame draw with Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte.


Whether it's politicians, leaders from the world of business and finance, or tabloid celebrities - the faces keep coming around. But every so often a new star makes it into the headlines and a relative unknown is propelled into the spotlight before quietly fading away again. Let's celebrate the stand-out newcomers of 2014, the characters who made the day just that little bit different. One minute you're on TV, talking about all the amazing science you've done to land a spacecraft on a comet, the next you're being given a telling-off for your shirt. Matt Taylor later broke down during a press conference and apologised for his "big mistake". Austrian drag act Conchita Wurst took first place at the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest. Collecting her trophy on stage the singer said: "This night is dedicated to everyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom." England's head physio Gary Lewin suffered a dislocated ankle during the celebrations for Daniel Sturridge's goal against Italy during the World Cup. Roy Hodgson described the incident, which resulted in Lewin being stretchered off the pitch, as a "sad moment". Former baseball player Pete Frates inspired thousands of people around the world to film themselves tipping cold water over themselves. An ALS sufferer himself, his ice bucket challenge helped to raise millions of dollars for charities which tackle the disease. ALS is known as motor neurone disease in the UK. Dean Farley caused a security alert when he bumped into the prime minister in Leeds. He claimed he didn't recognise the PM. A later investigation confirmed he had been jogging on his way to the gym. Despite the fact that Amal Alamuddin did not feature regularly on chat shows and gossip websites before meeting and marrying "Hollywood's most eligible bachelor" (aka George Clooney), she did manage a few other accomplishments. As many pointed out, these minor achievements included being a successful human rights lawyer, publishing books and working with the United Nations. Jessie Helt, a homeless man from the US, was invited up on stage by Miley Cyrus when she won at the MTV VMAs. He was later jailed for six months after violating his probation. He handed himself into police having been spotted on national television with Miley. Follow @BBCNewsbeat on Twitter and Radio1Newsbeat on YouTube

Summary: Often the news features the same old cast of characters.


The tale, designed to while away a long car journey, turned into a best-seller. Yet Richard Adams, who has died aged 96, spent his first 52 years in relative anonymity. And when he did complete his book, he struggled to find anyone to publish it. Richard George Adams was born on 9 May 1920, in Newbury, Berkshire. He was the son of a country doctor and was brought up in the rolling countryside with views towards the real Watership Down, on the Hampshire border. One of his earliest memories was seeing a local man pushing a handcart full of dead rabbits down the street. "It made me realise, in an instant, that rabbits were things and that it was only in a baby's world that they were not." He suffered the fate of many middle-class boys of the period when he was sent to boarding school at the age of nine, where, by all accounts, he had a miserable time. He won a scholarship to Worcester College, Oxford, but his education was interrupted by World War Two and he served for five years in the Army before returning to his studies. He joined the civil service and spent part of his career managing the clean air programme designed to reduce pollution, especially that caused by the many coal fires still burning in British households. The event that changed his life occurred on a car journey with his family to see Twelfth Night at Stratford-upon-Avon. His bored children asked for a story and he began telling them a tale about a group of rabbits attempting to escape from their threatened warren. Adams was persuaded to write it all down, a process that took him more than two years, but he was, at first, unable to find a publisher. Many of his rejection letters complained that the book was too long and his characters did not fit the common perception of cuddly bunnies. His rabbits were described with biological realism; they defecated, had sex and engaged in violent battles for dominance. Eventually, in 1972, after 14 rejections, the publisher Rex Collings saw the potential and agreed to take it on with an initial print run of 2,500 copies. It was hailed as a children's classic, going on to sell more than 50 million copies, helped along by readings on BBC radio, and a dramatic performance in London's Regent's Park. Watership Down sold particularly well in the US where canny distributors placed it on the adult publishing list. On his promotional tours across the Atlantic, Adams played the American idea of the archetypical Englishman, wearing a bowler hat and insisting on English marmalade and mustard wherever he went. The book, and a subsequent animated film in 1978, became synonymous with rabbits and at least one enterprising butcher advertised: "You've read the book, you've seen the film, now eat the cast." Inevitably it attracted criticism from some highbrow reviewers. "There is something to be said for myxomatosis," was one caustic comment. The sudden flow of wealth enabled Adams to retire from the civil service and become

Summary: Once upon a time there was a middle-aged civil servant who told his children a story about rabbits.


At one point, she says, "there was no-one to turn to in the school and I felt so low I didn't want to go on". According to research for BBC School Report, half of teenagers with mental wellbeing issues try to cope alone. And a third said they were not confident enough to speak to a teacher. At her lowest point, Grace made a "suicide video", which she posted on YouTube. "I'd get beaten up every week," she says. "Teachers wouldn't do anything. I even heard the teachers talking about me behind my back." According to her mother, Sarah, Grace got some help through external music therapy and counselling but little support directly from her first two schools. Support is better at her third school, where she helps as an anti-bullying ambassador. She is also a member of the National Anti-Bullying Youthboard. ComRes researchers questioned a representative sample of more than 1,000 UK-based 11- to 16-year-olds for BBC School Report: They said the most important thing schools could do to support pupils' mental wellbeing was to provide someone trustworthy to talk to confidentially, but: Separate research on just over 700 teachers found: In January, Prime Minister Theresa May announced plans to transform attitudes to mental health, with a focus on children and young people. The plans include better links between schools and NHS specialist staff and mental health first aid training for every secondary school. Reacting to the School Report research, Edward Timpson, Minister for Vulnerable Children and Families, said the government would "transform mental health services in schools" and was commissioning research to help schools identify which approaches worked best. "Growing up in today's world can be a challenge for children and young people, so it's vital that they get the help and support they need," said Mr Timpson. Last year, research for the children's commissioner for England suggested more than a quarter of children referred for mental health support received no treatment. And on Thursday, commissioner Anne Longfield said the School Report study highlighted "many desperately sad stories" of children with serious conditions being denied support. She called for urgent action from schools, the NHS and government. The Family Links and Nurturing Schools Network said schools needed better staff training and enough resources to support and improve pupils' emotional and mental health. "We must go further to invest in preventative approaches in schools and at home," said the network's chief executive, Nick Haisman-Smith.

Summary: Grace, 16, has been bullied for the past nine years, has moved schools twice, struggled with suicidal thoughts and taken medication for anxiety and depression.


Dave Tarpey was a constant threat to the visitors early on, narrowly missing the target a few times as he looked to add to his seven goals from the first four games. But it was Harry Pritchard who instead got the breakthrough the hosts deserved, curling home delightfully from 25 yards out after 26 minutes. Luke Coulson equalised for Ebbsfleet after 50 minutes to score his third goal in five games and it was enough to keep his side's long unbeaten run going. Match report supplied by the Press Association. Match ends, Maidenhead United 1, Ebbsfleet United 1. Second Half ends, Maidenhead United 1, Ebbsfleet United 1. Substitution, Maidenhead United. Adrian Clifton replaces Sean Marks. Substitution, Ebbsfleet United. Danny Mills replaces Myles Weston. Substitution, Maidenhead United. Dean Inman replaces Jake Goodman. Substitution, Ebbsfleet United. Andy Drury replaces Jack Payne. Substitution, Maidenhead United. Jake Hyde replaces Dave Tarpey. Substitution, Ebbsfleet United. Darren McQueen replaces Aaron McLean. Jack Payne (Ebbsfleet United) is shown the yellow card. Goal! Maidenhead United 1, Ebbsfleet United 1. Luke Coulson (Ebbsfleet United). Second Half begins Maidenhead United 1, Ebbsfleet United 0. First Half ends, Maidenhead United 1, Ebbsfleet United 0. Goal! Maidenhead United 1, Ebbsfleet United 0. Harry Pritchard (Maidenhead United). First Half begins. Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

Summary: Ebbsfleet salvaged a late draw at Maidenhead to extend their unbeaten run to 31 league games.


Irishman Sir Terry died on Sunday after a "short but brave battle with cancer". Born in County Limerick in 1938, he had a career in radio and television that spanned 50 years, and included his BBC Radio 2 Wake Up To Wogan programme to which Fr D'Arcy contributed. Fr D'Arcy said Sir Terry "perfected the art of radio from a very early age". "He was the only man I ever met who could make a pause sound interesting," the County Fermanagh priest told BBC Radio Ulster's The Sunday News programme. "Terry actually milked it and everybody was hanging on his every word after that. "He was just that kind of broadcaster who made everybody feel at home and feel as if they were the only one in the world he was talking to." An emotional Fr D'Arcy visited Sir Terry on Thursday "to say my goodbyes". He said it was "a sad but beautiful occasion". "The family will be awfully, awfully sad because the centre of his life was his family, his children and his wife Lady Helen especially." As a young fan and before he was ordained, Fr D'Arcy travelled to Rathmines in County Dublin to see Sir Terry's marriage to Helen in 1965. The two men became friends a short time later, but as Fr D'Arcy said, they often joked about how long their friendship had lasted. "The two of us could never remember, we used to talk about that. "[Terry] said: 'What's the difference between 40 and 50 years? We're two old curmudgeons lucky to be alive.'" Sir Terry started his broadcasting career with the Irish state broadcaster RTÉ, where he became friends with Irish icons Gay Byrne and Larry Gogan. "He began in a very dull, old building in Henry Street in Dublin, a terrible place where mice would appear in the middle of his broadcast," Fr D'Arcy said. "One day the great Mike Murphy was reading the news and Terry went in and set the bottom of the news sheet he was reading on fire. "We didn't think his broadcasting would work in England but he actually loved England, loved broadcasting and nothing better than getting reaction from his people. "As he used to say, the scriptwriters for his programme were the listeners - they sent in hundreds [of faxes and emails]." And according to Fr D'Arcy, tales of Sir Terry's antics will live long in the memories of his friends and many fans. "There will be Terry Wogan stories for eternity," he said. "It was incredible that he would take a morning programme and, by codology and foolology, lighten the days of over eight million people. "That's a legacy that anybody would be proud of." Gay Byrne, best known for presenting television and radio programmes in the Republic of Ireland, said Sir Terry was "born with a monster advantage over the rest of us". "He had a permanently funny disposition - he saw the fun in everything, and this is a huge gift to have," he told RTÉ. "He probably was the most popular and most

Summary: Sir Terry Wogan "was the one who made radio in an age of television", his close friend and fellow broadcaster Father Brian D'Arcy has said.


The firm is to license a new cancer treatment to Californian company Genentech. The treatment is a class of drug molecules developed by Almac's discovery division. Genentech will make an upfront payment of around £9m with further payments and possible royalties to follow. Almac will be eligible to receive up to £225m in milestone payments plus royalties on commercial sales of any products developed by Genentech The two companies will also run a two-year joint research programme funded by Genentech The drug molecules are called inhibitors of ubiquitin specific proteases. They block the activity of an important cancer pathway which is believed to play a key role in tumour development. Tim Harrison, vice president of drug discovery at Almac, said they have been "a highly sought after, yet elusive drug class, proving difficult to identify despite significant efforts from both pharmaceutical and biotech companies". He added that there was now "an exciting opportunity to fully exploit this novel biology". Genentech was founded in San Francisco in 1976 and is widely considered to be the world's most successful biotechnology company. It has developed products such as the cancer drug Avastin and the stroke treatment Activase. In 2009, the Swiss drug company Roche took control of Genentech, paying £30bn for the 44% of the firm it did not own. Meanwhile, California-based CV6 Therapeutics Ltd is to partner with the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology at Queen's University, Belfast for a research and development project. The project aims to develop a new drug with the potential to make chemotherapy more effective and represents a total investment of £5.5m. Invest NI has offered assistance of £2.5m towards the project, which includes part funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Summary: Craigavon-based pharmaceutical firm Almac has signed a deal with one of the world's largest biotech firms that could be worth more than £200m.


A rule change has reduced the number of foreigners allowed in a move which could slow down the wave of big-money signings from Europe. Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been linked with a move to China that would be worth £30m a year. A statement said the new measures will address "irrational investments". Media playback is not supported on this device Previously the rule was "4+1" - four foreigners of any nationality plus one Asian player in a matchday squad. Teams will now also be required to name two Chinese players aged under 23 in their matchday squads, with at least one in the starting XI, with the Chinese Football Association also looking into "signature fees and other illegal activities" in recent transfers. Chelsea midfielders Oscar and John Mikel Obi have already moved to China this month, while former Manchester United and Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez reportedly became the world's highest-paid player when he joined Shanghai Shenhua last month. Shenhua would be one club hit by the new rules as they have six non-Chinese players in their squad, including Tevez, former Chelsea forward Demba Ba and ex-Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins. Costa has been linked with a move to Tianjin Quanjian, who signed Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel for a salary of more than £15m a year this month. BBC China correspondent Stephen McDonell Chinese teams have been paying reportedly exorbitant sums to lure international stars like Carlos Tevez and Axel Witsel. Now, the new rules will especially affect players from the Asian region - like Australians and Koreans - who were able to be chosen on top of the previous international count of four. It is hoped the changes will foster more local talent at the expense of overseas players.

Summary: Chinese Super League clubs will only be allowed to play three non-Chinese players per game in their next season - which begins in March.


The average rent stands at Â£774 in England and Wales, according to data from Your Move and Reeds Rains. It said that rental costs had risen by 0.8% in April compared with March. Adrian Gill, LSL director, said: "Momentum is fuelled by a fundamental shortage of housing and given oxygen by renewed wage growth." The latest official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggested that the cost of renting a home from a private landlord in Britain rose by 2.1% in the year to the end of March. Campbell Robb, chief executive of housing charity Shelter, said: "Our housing shortage has been decades in the making, and only bold and immediate action can fix it. "No matter how hard they work or save, an entire generation is being forced to watch their dreams of a stable future slip through their fingers, stuck in properties where rents eat up their salaries and short term contracts leave them with no stability at all."

Summary: The cost of renting a home rose by 4.6% in the year to the end of April, the fastest rise since November 2010, property group LSL has said.


Kenneth Feinberg, who was hired by GM to oversee its compensation fund, said he has received 251 death claims and 2,075 injury claims since August. A total 100 of those claims were deemed eligible. Potential claimants have until 31 January to submit paperwork. Mr Feinberg, who previously administered claims for the 9/11 victims fund and those harmed by the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, has set up a website, for those looking to submit claims. GM has set aside an estimated $400m (Â£256m) to pay out to claimants who were impacted by the defect, which involved ignition switches in millions of GM vehicles that could suddenly twist, thus turning the vehicle off. GM has come under fire from US regulators and politicians for its failure to identify the problem earlier and alert consumers. "Our goal with the compensation program has been to reach every eligible person impacted," GM said in a statement. "Our focus isn't on numbers, but to continue doing the right thing for all those who lost loved ones or suffered physical injury. "To that end, we accept Mr. Feinberg's determinations for the compensation program." GM has been accused of hiding the defect for nearly a decade, despite multiple warnings from staff and complaints from consumers. The firm has been forced to recall over 29 million cars worldwide this year - more than the total number of vehicles it sold in 2013 - although not all of the recalls were related to the ignition defect. In April, GM's chief executive Mary Barra apologised for the fault when she appeared at a congressional hearing over the issue. "I cannot tell you why it took years for a safety defect to be announced... but I can tell you that we will find out," said Ms Barra while testifying before a US House of Representatives panel investigating the issue. In May, GM was fined $35m by the US highway safety administrator for its failure to issue a recall earlier - the maximum amount allowed by law.

Summary: At least 42 people have been killed and 58 have been injured in General Motors vehicles that suffered from an ignition switch defect, according to the latest report by the claims administrator.


BBC Sport pundits and former champions Stephen Hendry and Peter Ebdon reflect on the action so far and assess the business end of the event. Pre-tournament favourite Judd Trump was beaten in the first round by 1000-1 title shot Rory McLeod in one of the biggest shocks in World Championship history. In his second-round match against Stephen Maguire, McLeod is 6-2 down after the first session. Ebdon: "McLeod's victory was not so much of a shock or a surprise to me. I knew he would make it difficult for Trump and let us not underestimate what an incredible achievement it was for him, one that was fully deserved. "There is only one player in that game that works harder than McLeod and that is Mark Selby, who is world number one. Rory has been my friend for over 30 years so I was absolutely delighted for him." Hendry: "It has been an interesting tournament. All the main contenders except for Trump came through the first round so it is building up nicely. "Everyone who should make the quarter-finals will be there so I am looking forward to the second week." Five-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan has produced some of his best snooker to beat Gary Wilson and then Shaun Murphy. He faces China's number one player Ding Junhui in the next round. Hendry: "Ronnie has looked great on the table. I questioned in my interviews before the tournament whether he could win it or not and the way he was playing then, I did not think he could. "He has not played well since the Masters but since he has been here he has looked really focussed, his game is very strong and he will be hard to stop. Ronnie is definitely one to beat. "There is a difference between winning a match and winning the whole tournament. Ding edged through by beating Liang Wenbo but now has a huge match against O'Sullivan. You have to question whether he has it inside him to go all the way. That is debatable but his game is good enough. He has every aspect to do it." Ebdon: "One of the things often overlooked is the pressure O'Sullivan is under, with the levels of expectation - the crowd, the commentators, millions of adoring fans watching at home. "To carry that much pressure on your shoulders must be incredibly difficult and I cannot think of many other players in the game that could carry the mantle and the responsibility to the extent he does. "He does a brilliant job, is a very gifted player and it was an excellent win against Shaun Murphy." Four-time champion John Higgins came through a tough match against Mark Allen, while 25-year-old Kyren Wilson beat 2015 winner Stuart Bingham. Ebdon: "Wilson did not hit top gear, he was feeling the pressure but that is what everyone goes through at the Crucible. Once he starts hitting the top gears, we will see something very special from him. "Whether he has the experience to win this year, I am not certain. But he is

Summary: The World Championship is already into its second week and there has been plenty of excitement so far at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary of hosting the event.


Trains were stopped at the border for hours - prompting Italy to launch an official complaint with France. Services were later resumed. Italy has angered France by giving temporary resident permits to thousands of Tunisian migrants. The permits allow them to travel freely in many European countries. The Italian foreign ministry said the French move was "illegitimate and in clear violation of general European principles". Speaking earlier on Sunday, Maurizio Furia, a spokesman for the Italian rail company, said that trains were not being allowed to pass into Menton, France, from the Italian border station of Ventimiglia. The BBC's Hugh Schofield says a demonstration in support of the Tunisian immigrants had been planned, in which some 300 protesters had planned to ride what they dubbed "the train of dignity". Because of the closure, the demonstration was unable to take place. France has said migrants have to prove they can support themselves financially and has set up patrols on the Italian border. But Italy says that France's actions are not in line with the EU's Schengen passport-free travel zone. "We have given the migrants travel documents, and we gave everything (else) that is needed, and the European Commission recognised that, it has said that Italy is following the Schengen rules," Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni said in an interview on Italy's Sky TG24 TV. Italy and other European countries have been increasingly concerned about migration from north Africa following the political turmoil in the region. Earlier this month, Italy and France agreed to launch sea and air patrols to try to prevent the influx of thousands of people from Tunisia, Egypt and Libya.

Summary: Authorities in France temporarily blocked trains from Italy in an attempt to stop north African migrants from entering the country.


Media playback is not supported on this device They beat Ireland by 85 runs at Lord's to complete a 2-0 win - their seventh one-day series victory in two years. "England have got such a strong-looking squad, especially with the bat," Swann told Test Match Special "It's not long ago they were being thrashed by everyone and insisting they were playing the right way with their 1970s brand of one-day cricket." Swann, who took 104 wickets in 79 one-day internationals, was referring to the 2015 World Cup when Eoin Morgan's team were humbled by a group-stage exit, in which they only won games against minnows Scotland and Afghanistan. Since then, England have won series against World Cup runners-up New Zealand, Pakistan (twice), Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, West Indies and now Ireland. They only lost to Australia and South Africa by the odd game in five. They hammered Ireland despite the absence of key men Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler, who are playing in the Indian Premier League. Swann added: "They have such a strong middle order. Especially when you consider they can bring in Jos Buttler - one of the best in the world - and add him to that middle order and then Ben Stokes, who is arguably the best player in the world in all formats. "Eoin Morgan and (head coach) Trevor Bayliss ripped up that piece of paper from 2015 and said 'that's nonsense', we'll get the right personnel in, fill them with confidence, back them to the hilt and ask them to try and post 400 when they bat. "They scored 328 against Ireland and the captain said he felt they were 40 runs short. That's amazing to hear. Not too long ago, England captains and teams of old would have been cock-a-hoop with a score of 328." Media playback is not supported on this device

Summary: England are "justified favourites" for the Champions Trophy on home soil next month, says ex-spinner Graeme Swann.


"The decision to close a TV channel is a difficult one, and one we have not taken lightly," said BBC Trustee Suzanna Taverne. But added: "The evidence is very clear that younger audiences are watching more online and less linear TV." The channel will effectively go online-only from February. The decision follows a full public consultation over the proposed closure of BBC Three as an on-air channel. BBC director general Tony Hall announced in March 2014 that the youth-oriented channel would be moved to iPlayer, with its budget slashed from £85m to £25m, as part of "financially necessary" cost-cutting moves at the corporation. BBC Three - the original home to shows such as Gavin And Stacey, Little Britain and Torchwood - has been widely praised for its creativity and fostering of new talent. It is particularly popular with viewers under-25. On average, the channel is watched by 11.2 million people every week and reaches 25% of 16-24 year olds. However it is also currently the only BBC channel watched by 925,000 people in that age group - 80% of whom will "simply be lost" when the channel moves online, according to a public value assessment (PVA). So, from January 2016, the BBC Three TV channel will begin telling its audience to go somewhere else. It's not yet clear exactly how long the "migration" to online will take but the BBC Three TV channel will almost certainly have "gone dark" by April. What happens if you want to see the programmes but can't or won't go looking for them on the iPlayer? We are promised that all "long-form" BBC Three content will be shown on BBC One and Two and that some of it will be shown in peak time. What that means in practice is around two hours a week. It also means that some of that content may appear in the daytime schedules or more likely after 10pm. Finally, what happens if the number of young people watching BBC Three content plummets? The BBC Trust says it might then have to set quotas for how many BBC Three programmes are shown on traditional TV. On Thursday, the Trust report outlined a number of conditions that the BBC must fulfil to ensure those younger audiences are not left out. Among them, the Trust stated that the corporation must offer distinctive new programmes aimed at younger audiences, and continue commissioning risk-taking shows that experiment with new talent and ideas. The Trust said it would monitor the progress of an online-only BBC Three across the next 18 months, as well as checking to see whether the BBC was adhering to the terms set out in today's report. 'Bitterly disappointing' In February, a petition campaigning against the closure of BBC Three, signed by more than 270,000 people, was delivered to the BBC Trust. Stars such as Matt Lucas, Daniel Radcliffe, Olivia Colman and DJ Greg James have all spoken out against the on-air closure. Earlier this year, BBC bosses ruled out selling the station to a group of independent TV producers who stepped forward to

Summary: The BBC Trust has approved proposals to move BBC Three online, on the condition that the channel's long-form programmes will be shown on BBC One and Two.


He said she told him to "go harder," a phrase similar to what Mr Evans claims she used with him in a hotel room. The Chesterfield striker denies raping a 19-year-old at a Premier Inn in Rhuddlan, Denbighshire, on 30 May 2011. Mr Evans, 27, was found guilty of rape at Caernarfon Crown Court in 2012, but his conviction was quashed in April. The former Manchester City and Sheffield United player denies having sex with the woman while she was too drunk to consent. He insists she agreed to let him "join in" while she was having consensual sex with fellow footballer Clayton McDonald, 27, after a night out in Rhyl. A man who said he slept with the complainant multiple times in the months leading up to the alleged offence said he picked her up after a night out on 28 May 2011 and described her as being drunk when he took her home. The man - who cannot be named - said she "came on to" him in bed, saying: "Are you not even going to rip my clothes off?" "I was quite shocked," he said. "At the beginning I was a little bit nervous. The relationship we had was purely based on sex. "I was very shocked with the words - she was expecting sex to happen as soon as we got into the house." He said the complainant "dictated" how the sex occurred and told him to "go harder". "She was a lot more confident. There had been a break between that time and the previous that I had slept with her, so I was a bit shocked to how much more confident she was," he added. Prosecutor Simon Medland QC asked why he never mentioned the phrase "go harder" in his initial statement in September 2011 but did in a statement in December 2015. He said he was not asked for details in the first interview and did not feel comfortable discussing it in that way over the phone. The second interview was in person, and he was "made to feel at ease" and asked for more details, he added. Mr Medland asked the witness if he was aware of a Â£50,000 reward offered for any information that might lead to Mr Evans' acquittal before he gave evidence at the footballer's appeal. "No," he replied, saying he would have a "lot more to lose than to gain" if he had given evidence for money as he would most likely lose his well-paid job. "The money I could get paid in the next 20 years outweighs a small lump sum," he said. The trial continues.

Summary: A man who slept with a woman two days before footballer Ched Evans allegedly raped her has told a court he was "shocked" by her sexual behaviour.


In 2013 the Environment Department was considering ending the contract because Jersey Met wanted more money. But now a five-year contract has been signed with the cost rising by 12.5%. The cost is about Â£350,000, which includes a separate contract for specialist aviation forecast services. The contract between Guernsey's government and Jersey Met had previously not gone up since 2004. When the Met Office said the fee was no longer sufficient, the Environment Department held talks with the rest of Guernsey's States as to whether the contract should continue given the higher cost. Jersey Met provides weather forecasts for all of the Channel Islands. The new fixed price contract for five years between Guernsey and Jersey Met is subject to an inflation increase of 2.5% per year. Principal Meteorological Officer in Jersey, John Searson, said: "If inflation or cost of living is low, our island is better off. If it is higher Guernsey does much better." He said that Jersey Met was now providing a better service to Guernsey.

Summary: The States of Guernsey is now paying more for getting its weather services from Jersey despite talks about the contract being cancelled.


The 25-year-old has been advertising his club's car sponsor and has also appeared in adverts for petrol. Reus also received speeding tickets on at least five occasions from 2011 before authorities realised he had been driving without a licence. "The reasons I did it are something I cannot really understand," he said. Dortmund said they had discussed the matter with the player and spokesman Sascha Fligge said: "He has promised such a thing will not happen again." Reus, who missed Germany's World Cup triumph in July after picking up an ankle injury in the final warm-up game, has repeatedly been linked with a move to the Premier League but is currently out until the New Year with another ankle injury.

Summary: Borussia Dortmund and Germany winger Marco Reus has been fined more than half a million pounds for driving without a licence.


Manchester City and Liverpool played out a pulsating 1-1 draw and Manchester United moved into fifth as a 3-1 win at Middlesbrough saw them move above Arsenal, who lost 3-1 at West Brom. Elsewhere, Bournemouth steered well clear of the drop thanks to a 2-0 victory over Swansea, while there were wins for Everton, Crystal Palace and Leicester City. Pick your XI from our list and share with your friends. Do you agree with my team of the week or would you go for a different team? Why not pick your very own team of the week from the shortlist selected by BBC Sport journalists and share it with your friends? Two of the best saves you will see from Kasper Schmeichel, and reminiscent of his father Peter Schmeichel at his best. The save from Andy Carroll's header was immense and the shot stop from the same player was even better. It could be argued that Schmeichel has been Leicester's most consistent player in what can only be described as a complicated season for the Foxes. However, what has been most impressive from the young keeper has been his honesty off the field around all the speculation involving Claudio Ranieri's departure. He fronted up for interviews and spoke with clarity and maturity about a very difficult situation, giving Leicester fans (and the public at large) some indication of what was happening behind the scenes. It was not an easy situation for the goalkeeper but he stood up to the challenge. The Dane now faces a different test and that is having to maintain the sort of performance he showed against an unlucky West Ham to ensure his team remain in the Premier League. They can flirt with the Champions League all they want, but their Premier League status is what really matters. A point Ranieri apparently failed to understand. Arguably against the tallest back four in the Premier League, Arsenal were in complete disarray when defending set-pieces and Craig Dawson took complete advantage. His two goals from almost identical set-pieces told the story. Arsenal did not, and could not, handle West Brom's aerial power. If ever there was a time to bring on Per Mertesacker and plonk him in the heart of the Arsenal back four then this was it. So what was the point of having the German defender on the bench if you were not going to use him when necessary? Was Arsene Wenger waiting for Laurent Koscielny or Shkodran Mustafi to pull a white handkerchief from out of their shirt sleeve and wave it to the bench to signal that they couldn't cope? No, of course not, that's the manager's job to see the faults in his team and correct them as quickly as possible. If you were ever going to bring on the big German, wasn't this the game? It was so obvious to me that no-one in the Arsenal back four fancied taking on West Brom's aerial threat. Which brings me to a much more worrying point for Wenger. It's one thing his team not having the

Summary: Chelsea maintained their 10-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 win at Stoke, while Tottenham beat Southampton 2-1 at home to stay second.


Santa Cruz defeated Frampton in a Vegas rematch to reclaim the title he lost in New York last year, but has dampened talk of a third meeting in Belfast. "I think more likely first I would like to unify with Lee Selby," he said. "Selby is calling me out, so I want to make it with him and get the win and then fight [Abner] Mares or Frampton." Selby's camp say they will discuss the prospect with Al Haymon, who advises both fighters, and that a fight with the Mexican would be their "first choice". The Barry boxer stopped Spain's Andoni Gago on the undercard of the Tony Bellew v David Haye bill at the O2 Arena on Saturday and has made clear he is now a free agent after his four-year agreement with Matchroom concluded. Find out how to get into boxing with our special guide. "We will discuss options with Al Haymon this week," Selby's manager Jamie Sanigar told BBC Wales Sport. "We want the biggest fights now and a unification with Santa Cruz is top of the list. The winner of Selby v Santa Cruz would be king of the castle in the featherweight division." Selby is supposed to fight mandatory challenger Jonathan Victor Barros next after their previous fight was cancelled at the last minute. A unification fight with Santa Cruz could well be an attractive proposition to both organisations, though the IBF says it has heard nothing on a potential unification duel and expect Selby's camp to negotiate with Barros. "Selby and Barros have been ordered to negotiate again. They have until 2 April," the IBF told BBC Wales Sport. "We have not been approached about a unification and [Selby] will likely have to fight Barros prior to a unification with Santa Cruz." The IBF says Barros' issues that led to their previous fight being postponed have been resolved. The Nevada Athletic Commission did not give an explanation other than the Argentine had not met its requirements. Santa Cruz believes a unification fight with Selby would be the preferable option. "I want to fight the best. There is Lee Selby, I want to unify against him, Abner Mares, Carl Frampton, I will fight any of them," Santa Cruz confirmed. "But I think more likely first I would like to unify with Lee Selby, I don't know about a date yet, but maybe June, July, or August. We will talk about it."

Summary: WBA featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz says he wants a unification fight with IBF champion Lee Selby before facing Carl Frampton again.


A senior adviser to Prime Minister Theresa May has told BBC Newsnight that the chancellor is expected to herald a move towards a greater focus on fiscal policy - tax and spending - in his Autumn Statement on 23 November. The move towards a more Keynesian approach towards the economy will mark a departure from former chancellor George Osborne's reliance on what he called "monetary activism". This covered interest rates and the purchase of assets by the Bank of England known as quantitative easing. George Freeman, the chairman of the prime minister's policy board, told Newsnight that Mrs May had used her speech to the Conservative party conference in Birmingham to signal "loud and clear" that she had concerns about relying so heavily on monetary policy. The PM said ultra low interest rates had produced "bad side effects", notably by hitting savers. Newsnight understands that the remarks by the prime minister show that she now believes the time is approaching for a shift in emphasis in the defining mechanism for running the economy. She believes that in future it would be wise to lean in favour of tax and spending to allow for greater public investment. The chancellor will set out the fresh thinking in his autumn statement on 23 November, marking a break with the era of Mr Osborne who championed "monetary activism" and "fiscal responsibility" - low interest rates and spending restraint with a focus on deficit reduction. Mr Freeman told Newsnight: "Philip Hammond is going to set this out in the Autumn Statement. But Theresa has been very clear that this model of the emergency QE package, bail out the banks, stabilise the economy has had a very profound effect on the distribution of wealth. "Those with assets have done very much better than those without. We have to listen to the roar we heard this year and we have to think with money available at 0% - and we want to drive an industrial strategy, getting infrastructure built - we need to make sure we are looking at all the mechanisms for making that money flows properly." He confirmed Downing Street still supports the Bank of England's independence which means it has sole control over monetary policy and it will face no restrictions on the setting of interest rates. The bank's governor, Mark Carney, decides on quantitative easing though he has to seek the approval of the chancellor. Government sources have indicated that the Treasury will continue to accept the governor's advice on quantitative easing. But Mr Freeman signalled that the prime minister believes the UK economy should enter a new era. He told Newsnight: "It is up to the Bank of England obviously to set out with their mandate how they handle that. But she is signalling loud and clear that we need to make sure we understand what effect this model of growth has had on those who are paying for it - the citizens of this country - and to use every lever we have to make sure the economy works for them." Mrs May

Summary: Chancellor Philip Hammond is planning to embark on a major shift in gear on economic policy as the government embraces a more interventionist approach with increased spending on infrastructure projects.


Phandu Skelemani made the apology after Kenya's government accused him of being contemptuous towards Uhuru Kenyatta. The International Criminal Court has charged Mr Kenyatta with crimes against humanity. He denies the charges and won the 4 March poll with an outright majority. He got 50.07% of the vote compared to his rival Raila Odinga's 43.31%. Mr Odinga has refused to accept defeat, saying the election was marred by fraud and is expected to file a petition challenging the result at Kenya's Supreme Court on Friday. Analysts say the ICC case bolstered Mr Kenyatta's electoral chances, as voters saw it as interference in Kenya's domestic affairs. He is due to stand trial in July, with the charges stemming from allegations that he helped orchestrate violence that erupted after the 2007 election. Earlier this week, his lawyer, Steven Kay, called on the ICC to drop the case, saying the evidence against him was "utterly flawed". Mr Kay made the call after ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda dropped charges against Mr Kenyatta's co-accused, Francis Muthaura, because a key witness had "recanted" his evidence and other witnesses were too scared to testify. Mr Skelemani said he was retracting comments he made to Botswana's privately owned Mmegi newspaper following Mr Kenyatta's election victory. "I apologise to the Kenyan people for my earlier statement and wish to maintain that Kenya and Botswana have always worked together and nothing will change that," he said, in a statement published in the Kenyan media. "Mr Uhuru Kenyatta is more than welcome to visit Botswana. Botswana is cognisant of a section of the law that says one is innocent until proven guilty." Earlier this week, Mr Skelemani was quoted by Mmegi as saying that Mr Kenyatta would not be allowed to "set foot" in Botswana if he refused to cooperate with the ICC. "If he refuses to go [to The Hague], then we have a problem. That means that they do not know the rule of law," he is quoted as saying. "You can't establish a court and refuse to go when it calls you." In his response, Kenyan government spokesman Muthui Kariuki told the Nairobi-based Daily Nation newspaper that Kenya knew its international obligations but would not be bullied. "The government finds the statement contemptuous," he is quoted as saying. "Mr Kenyatta has been accused, but he is not guilty until proven otherwise. In fact, he has always attended ICC sessions without failure and is on record he would continue to do so," Mr Kariuki said. Botswana has also warned Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir, who has been charged by the ICC with genocide, that he will be arrested if he visits Botswana. He has denied the charge, but refuses to stand trial because Sudan does not recognise the ICC, saying it is a tool of Western powers.

Summary: Botswana's foreign minister has apologised for saying that Kenya's newly elected president would be banned from the southern African nation if he refuses to co-operate with the ICC.


In the first, a Citation jet with two people on board was involved in an alert at about 13:15. It landed safely. Shortly afterwards at 13:54 police and fire crews were called back to the airport after the pilot of a small plane reported an engine problem. Police said the pilot was able to resolve the problem and had flown to Kinloss or Lossiemouth in Moray. Inverness Airport said the crew of the Citation jet had reported a technical fault as it approached. However, it landed safely and taxied to the stand as normal. "As a precaution, and in line with standard procedures, the airport fire service and other emergency service personnel were called to the scene but were not required," added the airport. The incidents come days after a full emergency was declared at the airport after an aircraft reported a bird strike after taking off. The mail flight from Inverness to Stornoway was forced to turn back after the incident last Friday morning. The Loganair aircraft, with a pilot and co-pilot on board, landed safely a short time later.

Summary: A private jet and another small aircraft have sparked two separate full emergencies at Inverness Airport.


Dr Emyr Roberts said the EU's impact had been "largely positive" but there was the "potential to do even better". In a wide-ranging BBC Wales interview, he also defended his leadership of the environmental watchdog, which has faced a slew of difficult headlines. He is set to retire in October after almost five years. When it comes to environmental law, the EU has amassed more of it than anywhere else in the world. In many cases NRW's staff are responsible for monitoring whether Wales is meeting European standards. Those duties will change after Brexit as Welsh or British standards are developed, with potentially more responsibilities placed on the regulator, Dr Roberts predicted. He said the EU's strict environmental regulations had led to "significant improvements", highlighting bathing water quality and reductions in industrial emissions. "First of all it's very important that we do keep the current standards after Brexit - they have been successful," said Dr Roberts. "But going forward there is the potential to do even better - and in particular if we can bring together agricultural policy and environmental policy. "I think we can bring Welsh solutions to the table where in the past we've been quite restricted." He also said he thought the public in general "undervalue the environment and the benefits it can bring". Dr Roberts has been chief executive of NRW since its formation in 2013 when three former quangos - the Environment Agency, Countryside Council for Wales and Forestry Commission Wales - were merged. It is the largest government-sponsored body in Wales, employing 1,900 staff across the country. The aim was to manage the environment in a more joined-up way while keeping a distance from the Welsh Government. However a year in, wildlife presenter and naturalist Iolo Williams s branded it a "disaster for conservation", with NRW's independence called into question over support for a motor racing track near Ebbw Vale. It became evident that merging different organisations was proving to be a huge challenge. Leaked staff surveys came under the spotlight and claims of morale problems were made. Most recently a row over a Â£39m timber deal that was not put out to tender prompted criticism from the Auditor General for Wales and an investigation by the assembly's public accounts committee. The timber industry complained of "an extremely worrying loss of forestry expertise" within the organisation, while fishing and river groups also attacked NRW, branding it "no longer fit for purpose". In May Dr Roberts announced he would retire, saying it was time to "pass the reins onto someone else". Asked about the regular criticism, Dr Roberts said he felt it reflected the passion people felt towards the Welsh environment. "The one thing I have learnt in this job is that you can't please everybody anytime," he said. "But many of those comments come from a particular angle - whether it's fishing or conservation. Our job is to join all that up and make the best solutions. "Sometimes you have to make compromises. We have to take things in the round, base it on evidence and

Summary: Brexit presents an opportunity to improve the way Wales' environment is looked after, according to the outgoing head of Natural Resources Wales.


Media playback is not supported on this device "Football is not in a crisis, only some difficulties," said the Fifa president. Blatter brushed off suggestions, from the British government among others, that Wednesday's presidential election - for which he is the only candidate - should be suspended. "If governments try to intervene then something is wrong," he said. "I think Fifa is strong enough that we can deal with our problems inside Fifa." Blatter, unusually appearing alone at a news conference in Zurich, gave a defiant display despite the storm surrounding the organisation. "This was an absolutely extraordinary appearance by Sepp Blatter. Delusional, one colleague said to me afterwards. "The phrase that will stick in the mind is: 'Crisis? What crisis?' - reminiscent of that famous newspaper headline during the Winter of Discontent. "But Blatter is not playing to our audience, he's playing to the members of Fifa who he hopes will re-elect him. "He wouldn't deal with Mohamed Bin Hammam's suspension, wouldn't talk about Jack Warner and his claims and wouldn't talk about reopening the World Cup 2022 vote. "After this conference there are so many questions. This is not going away for Blatter." But he ended the news conference in an angry exchange with a German reporter and talked of his time working as a journalist, complaining about a lack of "respect" from some members of the media, warning them: "We are not in a bazaar; we are in Fifa's house." The 75-year-old Blatter insisted that a Football Association inquiry by barrister James Dingemans QC looking into ex-FA and bid chairman Lord Triesman's claims of alleged Fifa impropriety had "found no elements" which would prompt the world governing to investigate further. This despite Dingemans' report revealing that Fifa executive committee Nicolas Leoz's aide had asked for the FA Cup to be named after the Paraguayan Exco member, who Triesman claimed in Parliament had demanded a knighthood from England's 2018 bid. Fifa has now published a summary of Dingemans' report on its website. Sports minister Hugh Robertson had expressed the British government's displeasure at Fifa's situation last week, calling for its presidential election to be suspended. But Blatter argued neither governments nor anyone outside the Fifa membership could have any bearing on the election process, and vowed to carry on unless Wednesday's congress decided otherwise. "If somebody wants to change something in the election or in the congress of Wednesday, these are the members of Fifa," he said. Media playback is not supported on this device "This cannot be done by the executive committee, it cannot be done by any authorities outside of Fifa - it's only the congress itself that can do it. "Congress will decide if I am a valid or non-valid candidate." Blatter is expected to stand unopposed in an election marred by a torrent of dissent from within and beyond football's world governing body. The only rival candidate to emerge - Mohamed Bin Hammam, president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) - pulled out having been suspended by Fifa's own ethics committee over allegations that financial incentives

Summary: Sepp Blatter has insisted that Fifa is not in crisis, despite the "great damage" done to its image by ongoing corruption allegations.


The 23-year-old joined Livingston on a deal until the end of 2015-16 after leaving Dundee United in January. He previously spent the first part of last season on loan at Almondvale Stadium, and made a total of 30 appearances for Livi last term. McCallum, who has also played for Arbroath and Berwick, is the League Two side's 14th signing of the summer. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Summary: Plymouth Argyle have signed former Livingston goalkeeper Marc McCallum on an undisclosed-length contract.


Media playback is not supported on this device Dinesh Chandimal made 126 and Rangana Herath 61 as Sri Lanka benefited from dropped catches at Chester-le-Street to move their overnight 309-5 to 475. Anderson, the bowler to suffer from England's errors, returned to trap Herath lbw on the way to 5-58. England then eased to a target of 79. Cook reached his personal landmark five runs into an unbeaten 47. The hosts, who have named an unchanged 12-man squad, will have the opportunity to complete a series whitewash in the third and final Test at Lord's, which begins on 9 June. Sri Lanka were outplayed in both the first Test and the first half of this match, when they were shot out for scores of 91, 119 and 101. But they should now have greater confidence travelling to Lord's, where conditions are likely to be much more suited to batting than Leeds and Durham. Chandimal, unbeaten on 54 overnight, was fluent throughout, playing eye-catching strokes through the off side and heaving Moeen Ali for a six over mid-wicket. His sixth Test century and first outside Asia was greeted by emotional celebrations, dropping his bat and kissing his helmet in a gesture towards the Sri Lanka dressing room. He received spirited support from Herath, who grew in confidence during his second Test half-century, particularly when sweeping and reverse-sweeping Moeen. However, that England were forced to field for longer in Sri Lanka's second innings than they had in the rest of the series combined was also down to their own mistakes in the field. On a dark morning ideal for bowling, Anderson already had Milinda Siriwardana held at gully when he got Chandimal to inside-edge through to wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow, who put down a straightforward chance to reprieve the right-hander on 69. And Herath was given a life on 47 when James Vince made the mess of a skier, back-pedalling towards the point boundary. Indeed, man-of-the-match Anderson aside, England were below their best with the ball, with Moeen and Steven Finn disappointing. Media playback is not supported on this device Still, Sri Lanka's stoicism did give the meagre Chester-le-Street crowd their opportunity for a moment of history, with captain Cook delivering. Needing five to become the first Englishman to 10,000 Test runs, the left-hander inside-edged spinner Herath for a single, then clipped the pace of Nuwan Pradeep to the leg-side rope. He becomes the 12th man in the history of Test cricket to reach the landmark and at 31 years, five months and five days, the youngest, beating the record of India legend Sachin Tendulkar, who was 31 years, 10 months and 20 days. Cook lost opening partner Alex Hales, bowled by Siriwardana, but accumulated freely, in contrast to Nick Compton, who began tentatively. Still, it was Compton who pulled Siriwardana for back-to-back boundaries to seal a four-day victory, the 11th consecutive Test in England that has failed to reach the fifth day. England captain Alastair Cook: "It's hard for the Sri Lankan batters in one sense, but they are very good players, and most

Summary: England ended Sri Lanka's resistance to win the second Test by nine wickets and complete a series victory - with captain Alastair Cook reaching 10,000 Test runs.


Police appealed for witnesses to the incident which happened in Jackson's Entry at about 22:30 on Thursday. A 19-year-old man had taken his wallet from his pocket as he looked for a cash machine when two men ran towards him from behind. The pair knocked the man to the ground and punched him in the face before stealing his wallet and running off. The first man was white, in his early 20s and about 5ft 8in or 5ft 9in tall, of skinny build, with a very pale complexion. He had small stumpy brown teeth and a receding hairline forming a v-shape on his forehead. He also had blue eyes and black stud earrings in his ears. He was wearing a grey cotton Adidas tracksuit. The second man was white with a tanned complexion, of athletic build and had dark spikey hair and sunken eyes. He was wearing Puma jogging bottoms and a black hooded top with a gold zipper. Det Con Iain Wallace from Police Scotland, said: "This was a very distressing incident for the victim, though, thankfully he did not sustain any serious injuries." He appealed for anyone with information to contact police.

Summary: A man has been punched and robbed in an Edinburgh Street by two men, one of whom had stumpy brown teeth.


Eisner and his Tornante investment group are in exclusive negotiations to pay £5.67m for 100% of the club. The Pompey Supporters Trust (PST), which controls 48% of the club's current ownership structure, has set out the deal in a 48-page document. Portsmouth recently secured automatic promotion from League Two. California-based Eisner, 75, will present his offer in person at a town hall-style meeting on Thursday, and also aims to invest an additional £10m in equity should the deal go through. The current ownership structure helped bring Portsmouth out of administration in 2013. Eisner's 70-day exclusivity period runs until 1 June and existing club shareholders will have the final say on accepting any offer. The PST are set to recommend to its shareholder members an "all cash now" acquisition option, giving them a full return on their original £1,000 investment per share. Under Eisner's proposals, there would no longer be room for three PST members on the club's nine-strong board. They would sit instead on a newly-created heritage board to protect matters such as the club's name, colours, badge and moving its home ground more than 15 miles from Portsmouth city centre. "The PST board believes that the best long-term future for the club is for the PST to retain some ownership," a statement said. "Tornante have agreed a heritage share can be issued, which will be put in place as a means by which certain identified issues can be protected and vetoes exercised by the PST. "The decision is for each community shareholder based on their assessment of the offer." Eisner, who is previously understood to have shown an interest in buying Championship club Reading, is also a former president of Paramount Pictures as well as an early investor in Netflix.

Summary: Supporters and shareholders of Portsmouth have been presented with the terms of a takeover offer from ex-Walt Disney chief executive Michael Eisner.


Only 21 balls were possible in a rain-hit morning session at New Road. After Australian paceman Jackson Bird had taken his third wicket, the hosts then looked in some discomfort at 25-3. But Mitchell put on 142 with teenager Joe Clarke (70), finishing the day on 105 as Worcestershire closed on 228-5. Worcestershire got off to a bad start when Richard Oliver, their T20 matchwinner against Durham the day before, was out to only the fourth delivery he received, leg before wicket to Bird. After an early lunch following the mid-morning downpour, Tom Fell then edged Bird low to wicketkeeper Adam Wheater before the recalled Tom Kohler-Cadmore was bowled without playing a shot. But the meeting of last season's two promotion winners then changed course as Clarke joined Mitchell, who made an unbeaten 142 at Southampton in May, only for Hampshire to be saved by the weather. Kohler-Cadmore came in for his third Championship start of the summer as Alex Gidman was still feeling the effects of a blow he took on the helmet on the first day against Nottinghamshire a week ago. The home side also opted to play an extra spinner, in-form T20 specialist Brett D'Oliveira coming in for seamer Ed Barnard. Worcestershire skipper Daryl Mitchell told BBC Hereford & Worcester: "It's always pleasing to get a hundred and when we were 25-3, it's doubly pleasing to get us out of a bit of trouble. We will see how important it is at the end of the game. "It's a good wicket, pretty dry and not a lot of grass, and I thought batting first was important with two spinners in the team. "There was a bit of cloud cover and it did nibble around a little we overcame that and Joe Clarke played a fantastic innings." Hampshire coach Dale Benkenstein told BBC Solent: "It was a solid day but, at 25-3, there was a real opportunity and we got a little bit excited. We have not had those opportunities, especially recently. "It's a fairly good, slow, placid wicket. We almost tried to get wickets but they got a bit away from us. "If you bowl in good areas there is enough in the wicket and it's hard to score."

Summary: Worcestershire captain Daryl Mitchell compiled his second hundred of the season against Hampshire to help rescue his side against their fellow County Championship Division One strugglers.


It comes after a last-minute decision to declare Tuesday a holiday failed to persuade people to cast their ballots. A low turnout threatens to undermine the legitimacy of former military chief Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, who is expected to easily beat leftist Hamdeen Sabahi. The retired field marshal overthrew President Mohammed Morsi last July. He has since been locked in a battle with Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, which has urged a boycott of what it calls "the election of blood". Liberal and secular activists, including the 6 April youth movement which was prominent in the 2011 revolution that ousted Hosni Mubarak, have also shunned the poll in protest at the curtailing of civil rights. Mr Sabahi said that his team had recorded "violations" in the voting process but rejected calls by his supporters for him to withdraw. "We will not withdraw and, at the same time, we will not accept elections to be rigged," he said in a statement. The election commission said voting had been extended to "allow citizens who could not cast their ballots because of residence restrictions" to participate, and reminded those who did not that they would be fined. But reports from Cairo on Wednesday morning suggested the authorities would struggle to boost turnout significantly. Analysis, by Kevin Connolly, BBC News, Cairo Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, along with the interim government, the official media and Egypt's powerful army have been acting for months as though this election was a formality with victory for him inevitable. They may have overdone it to an extent which has alienated some Egyptians - and left even those who like Mr Sisi not seeing much point in voting. At many polling stations, soldiers on security duty have outnumbered voters and others have seen no voters at all for hours. Extending voting into a third day might look a little desperate - but it's tantamount to an official admission that turnout has been worryingly low for the authorities. A win for Mr Sisi on a very low turnout would damage his authority as he takes office. It would be particularly embarrassing for him to secure fewer than 13 million votes. That was the number recorded by Mohammed Morsi, the elected Islamist president whose removal from office was led by Mr Sisi last year when he was still serving in the army. The head of the election commission told MBC-Misr TV that estimates from Monday and Tuesday suggested 35% of Egypt's 54 million registered voters had cast their ballots. That would be a significant drop from the presidential election run-off in 2012 narrowly won by Mr Morsi, which had a turnout of just below 52%. A low turnout would cast doubt on Mr Sisi's claim that he has the support of a majority of Egyptians. He has said he wants 40 million voters, or 74%, to cast their ballots to show that "there is consensus on a national level". Mr Sabahi's campaign said the extension of voting was unjustified. It denounced the move as an attempt to "prevent Egyptians from expressing their opinion through manipulating the turnout

Summary: Egypt's presidential election has entered a third day after the military-backed interim authorities extended voting in an effort to boost turnout.


Candidates running for election are listed below, and are also available on the Electoral Office for NI website Candidates listed alphabetically by surname. Andy Allen, UUP Ross Brown, Green Party Joanne Bunting, DUP Amy Doherty, SDLP Sammy Douglas, DUP Andrew Girvin, TUV Erskine Holmes, Northern Ireland Labour Representation Committee Maggie Hutton, Independent John Kyle, Progressive Unionist Party Jonny Lavery, UKIP Naomi Long, Alliance Party Chris Lyttle, Alliance Party Chris McGimpsey, UUP Tim Morrow, Alliance Party Robin Newton, DUP Niall Ó Donnghaile, Sinn Féin Courtney Robinson, Cross-Community Labour Alternative Neil Wilson, Conservative Ken Boyle, UKIP Paula Bradley, DUP Tom Burns, Independent Lesley Carroll, UUP Geoff Dowey, Northern Ireland First Fiona Ferguson, People Before Profit Alliance Fra Hughes, Independent William Humphrey, DUP Billy Hutchinson, PUP Gerry Kelly, Sinn Féin Nichola Mallon, SDLP Nuala McAllister, Alliance Nelson McCausland, DUP John Miller, TUV Caral Ní Chuilín, Sinn Féin Malachai O'Hara, Green Party Abdo Thabeth, Northern Ireland Labour Representation Committee Gemma Weir, Workers Party Brigitte Anton, Northern Ireland Labour Representation Committee Clare Bailey, Green Party Paula Bradshaw, Alliance Party Sean Burns, Cross-Community Labour Alternative Billy Dickson, South Belfast Unionists Claire Hanna, SDLP John Hiddleston, TUV Lily Kerr, Workers Party Emma Little-Pengelly, DUP Ben Manton, Conservative Rodney McCune, UUP Fearghal McKinney, SDLP Duncan Morrow, Alliance Party Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, Sinn Féin Ruth Patterson, Independent Ian Shanks, PUP Christopher Stalford, DUP Bob Stoker, UKIP Alex Attwood, SDLP Conor Campbell, Workers Party Gerry Carroll, People Before Profit Alliance Jemima Higgins, Alliance Party Gareth Martin, UUP, Alex Maskey, Sinn Féin Fra McCann, Sinn Féin Jennifer McCann, Sinn Féin Rosie McCorley, Sinn Féin Frank McCoubrey, DUP Ellen Murray, Green Party Pat Sheehan, Sinn Féin Roy Beggs, UUP Stewart Dickson, Alliance Danny Donnelly, Alliance David Hilditch, DUP Noel Jordan, UKIP Gordon Lyons, DUP Jim McCaw, PUP Margaret McKillop, SDLP Oliver McMullan, Sinn Féin Maureen Morrow, UUP Dawn Patterson, Green Party Alastair Ross, DUP Conor Sheridan, Cross-Community Labour Alternative John Stewart, UUP Ruth Wilson, TUV Caoimhe Archibald, Sinn Féin Jordan Armstrong, TUV Yvonne Boyle, Alliance Party Maurice Bradley, DUP Aaron Callan, UUP Stuart Canning, Conservative Tor Christie, Independent Amber Hamill, Green Party David Harding, Conservative William McCandless, UUP Adrian McQuillan, DUP Gerry Mullan, SDLP Cathal óhOisín, Sinn Féin Steven Parkhill, UKIP George Robinson, DUP Claire Sugden, Independent Russell Watton, PUP Rosemary Barton, UUP Kerri Blyberg, Alliance Party Donald Crawford, TUV John Feely, Sinn Féin Phil Flanagan, Sinn Féin Arlene Foster, DUP Michelle Gildernew, Sinn Féin Damien Harris, NI Labour Representation Committee Tanya Jones, Green Party Sean Lynch, Sinn Féin Richie McPhilips, SDLP Maurice Morrow, DUP Alastair Patterson, UUP Kathleen Bradley, Independent Maurice Devenney, Independent Gerard Diver, SDLP Alan Dunlop, Conservative Mark Durkan, SDLP Colum Eastwood, SDLP Mary Hassan, Green Party Julia Kee, UUP John Lindsay, Cannabis Is Safer Than Alcohol Eamonn McCann, People Before Profit Alliance Raymond McCartney, Sinn Féin Chris McCaw, Alliance Party Anne McCloskey, Independent Martin McGuinness, Sinn Féin Maeve McLaughlin, Sinn Féin Gary Middleton, DUP Dan Barrios-O'Neill, Green Party Robbie Butler, UUP Pat Catney, SDLP Jonathan Craig, DUP Peter Dynes, NI Labour Representation Committee Paul Givan, DUP Brenda Hale, DUP Brian

Summary: Northern Ireland goes to the polls on 5 May to elect the 108 members of the Northern Ireland Assembly.


Is the chancellor intent on using his soft power to take on the hard Brexiteers? He's certainly using it to isolate one very vulnerable prime minister. Mr Hammond, while seemingly content to let her remain in political limbo, has also vented his frustration about his boss, making it clear that Theresa May's team had made sure he had been shut away during the election, forbidden to talk about the economy. He has suggested that this was the key, fatal, majority-losing mistake. His message now: "It's the economy, stupid," and that goes for Brexit too. Monday's talks in Brussels are one baby step on a long journey to a new future. The election has changed everything. There are those in the Conservative Party who think the lesson was clear: hard Brexit has been rejected. "Our power is now limited. To say it is a mess is to state the bleeding obvious," one former minister, an ardent campaigner for Leave, told us. A former minister on the other side of the debate made it clear she had kept her seat because she was an ardent Remainer and was pinning her hopes on the chancellor softening Brexit. Whether or not the chancellor is "on manoeuvres", Mr Hammond is certainly marshalling his arguments. A planned Mansion House speech was postponed because of the Grenfell fire, but was briefed as potentially lobbing a missile into Number 10 and that the chancellor was toying with the idea of arguing to stay in the Customs Union. He hasn't done that. Instead, he told the BBC's Andrew Marr programme that he would prioritise the economy, jobs and skills, while adding: "We're leaving the EU and because we're leaving the EU we will be leaving the single market. And by the way, we'll be leaving the Customs Union." The postponed speech will now be delivered on Tuesday 20 June. In a wider context, to understand the chancellor's language you have to decode the debate and the movement of the Tories biggest beasts, those who consider themselves the natural rulers, who feel that those they see as rebels, or Leavers, have seized control of their citadel. It looks as if a counter-strike by these forces is unfolding before our eyes. Consider: two former prime ministers, John Major and David Cameron, who were humiliated by Eurosceptics, have backed Mr Hammond's view, calling for the economy to be put first and for an agreement on Brexit with other parties. So has former Conservative leader William Hague. So has the only Tory hero of the hour, Ruth Davidson, the Scottish Conservatives' leader. Almost unnoticed, the generally rather underwhelming reshuffle was at the heart of the coup. Chancellor Phillip Hammond secure in place, Remainer Damien Green elevated to First Secretary of State, Remainer Gavin Barwell, former Croydon MP, the prime minister's new chief of staff, a critical appointment. Brexit Secretary David Davis's top team has been eviscerated. His main ministerial enthusiast for leaving the EU, David Jones, was sacked without warning. The other resigned. The department didn't know it was coming. More importantly, Mr Davis didn't

Summary: What does Chancellor Philip Hammond's increasingly vocal stance on Brexit say about his intentions, his prime minister and his party?


This is the principle that all websites and apps should be equally accessible. Travel portal Cleartrip.com and media giant Times Group both announced they would be withdrawing from the service, citing competition fears. But Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg defended Internet.org's aims. The service aims to extend internet services to the developing world by offering a selection of apps and websites free to consumers. Telecoms firms absorb the data costs associated with handling Internet.org traffic. But many companies fear this distorts the market and makes it harder for small companies to get their products seen by the public. Currently, Indian visitors to Internet.org can access nearly 40 stripped-down services, including job, healthcare, news and education sites. Times Group blogged that it was appealing "to all publishers to jointly withdraw from Internet.org" and said that the Times of India newspaper would also withdraw "if its direct competitors - India Today, NDTV, IBNLive, NewsHunt, and [the] BBC - also pull out". The BBC has yet to respond to the call. A Times Group spokesman said: "We support net neutrality because it creates a fair, level playing field for all companies - big and small - to produce the best service and offer it to consumers. "We will lead the drive towards a neutral internet, but we need our fellow publishers and content providers to do so as well, so that the playing field continues to be level." Cleartrip said the debate around net neutrality had given it "pause to rethink" its approach to Internet.org. "What started off with providing a simple search service has us now concerned with influencing customer decision-making by forcing options on them, something that is against our core DNA," wrote Subramanya Sharma, Cleartrip's chief marketing officer. In India, the issue hit the headlines this week after telecoms provider Bharti Airtel said it would allow mobile app developers to pay data charges enabling users to access the apps for free. Start-up developers with little funding could therefore be at a commercial disadvantage, tech firms argue. Facebook launched Internet.org in India in February after partnering with Indian telecom carrier Reliance Communications. India has the world's third-largest internet population and is the first Asian country to get the service. Mr Zuckerberg defended the initiative in an article for the Hindustan Times newspaper, saying: "Net neutrality is not in conflict with working to get more people connected. "We will never prevent people accessing other services, and we will not use fast-lanes."

Summary: A group of Indian technology and internet companies have pulled out of Facebook's Internet.org initiative, fearing it threatens the principle of "net neutrality".


Over the summer of last year the campaign leadership took a decision which has dogged them to this day. They would highlight the overall, or gross, figure Britain contributes to the EU without taking account of the special rebate Britain receives back from the EU or billions of pounds in subsidies from Brussels. The Vote Leave campaign therefore took out their calculators and used Britain's annual £18.8bn contribution to the EU in 2014 to give them one of their main campaign messages. Divide £18.8bn by 52 and you come up with the figure of £350m, allowing the Vote Leave campaign to emblazon its campaign bus and literature highlighting the weekly figure the UK hands over to Brussels. The group has then said this money could be used to fund extra spending on public services such as the NHS. On Monday night's special Newsnight programme examining "What Out looks like", however, it was striking that energy minister and leading Brexit campaigner Andrea Leadsom eschewed this formula referring instead repeatedly to a "£10bn independence dividend". That figure represents her estimate of Britain's net contribution once the rebate and EU funding to the UK have been taken into account. On Wednesday morning the Institute for Fiscal Studies delivered another blow to the £350M a week figure in its report on the economic impact of Brexit. It said that £8bn, which takes account of the rebate and the subsidies, would be a more accurate annual figure of Britain's EU contributions. Paul Johnson, the director of the IFS, told the Today programme on BBC Radio 4: "To have that £350m [per week] after we left the EU you would have to assume something rather bizarre which is we'd left, we stopped paying contributions and our current partners nevertheless continued to pay us a rebate on contributions that we weren't making. That is where you get £350m from." These concerns are shared by some figures in the Vote Leave campaign. Key people in the campaign are not using the figure and are instead highlighting the £10bn figure cited by Leadsom. The source told me: "The £10bn is eye wateringly high so why exaggerate that? Dominic Cummings [the Vote Leave campaign director] insists on using the £350m figure on the grounds that an argument about future payments to the EU plays into Vote Leave hands. But that figure just detracts from the argument." Newsnight understands that concerns have been raised internally at Vote Leave about the use of the £350m figure by the campaign. But Dominic Cummings has insisted that arguments about the £350m figure help by highlighting the fact that the UK pays a vast amount of money into EU coffers. Polling and focus groups conducted by Vote Leave also suggest that the £350m figure is registering in the minds of voters. There is another argument that is being used internally to defend the £350m figure which explains why Matthew Elliott, the Vote Leave chief executive, is so supportive. The campaign which successfully defeated a Liberal Democrat attempt to replace Britain's first-past-the-post voting system with the Alternative Vote

Summary: From its earliest days the Vote Leave campaign believed that Britain's financial contributions to the EU would be one of its main trump cards during the referendum.


Ian Duncan, who is expected to be appointed as a Scottish Office minster, said the devolved nations should be able to "see exactly what is going on". UK Brexit Secretary David Davis said he was in a "constructive" frame of mind as talks with the EU began on Monday. But First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has called for a more inclusive approach to the negotiations, And she said warned Mr Davis that a failure to pursue the "common-sense" objective of keeping the UK in the single market would put jobs, investment and living standards "on the line". Voters in Scotland backed the UK remaining in the EU by 62% to 38% in last year's referendum, but in the UK as a whole voters supported leaving by 52% to 48%. Speaking to the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme, Mr Duncan was asked whether Ms Sturgeon or Holyrood's Europe Minister Mike Russell should have a seat at the negotiating table for the Brexit talks. He replied: "Yes, I have no problem with that. I think that should be a common approach to all the home nations so that they can see exactly what is going on." The politician added: "But more importantly, they need to make sure that they have a seat at the discussion point in London when these positions are being hammered out because that is where the detail will be determined not actually inside the room." Mr Duncan stood in the general election in Perth and Perthshire North, where he lost to the SNP's Pete Wishart by 21 votes. He is expected to be appointed to the House of Lords and made a Scotland Office minister, with Tory sources saying he will bring a wealth of fishing and farming experience to the UK government as Brexit talks begin. It is not clear if he will stand down early from the European Parliament. As the began talks in Brussels, Mr Davis said he was determined to build a "strong and special partnership" with the EU. Subjects for the negotiations include the status of expats, the UK's "divorce bill" and the Northern Ireland border. The UK is set to leave the EU by the end of March 2019 following last year's referendum vote. The Scottish government wants Scotland to remain in the EU - and in particular the single market. But the UK government has insisted that Scotland will leave alongside the rest of the United Kingdom. Speaking during a visit to University of Strathclyde research centre, Ms Sturgeon said it was "troubling" that the UK government had "no authority and no clear idea even amongst its own ranks of what it's trying to achieve" as the negotiations began. She said: "We need to see a different approach to these negotiations if they are not going to end up being damaging to our economy. "We need a more inclusive approach that involves voices from every part of the UK, including the Scottish government, and we need an approach that has a common-sense objective. "In my view, that common-sense objective should be keeping the UK

Summary: The Scottish government should have a seat at the Brexit negotiating table, a Conservative MEP has said.


Peter Atilla, 46, from Northampton, said he had a sleep condition called sexsomnia. Mr Atilla was accused of having sex with a woman while she slept after she invited him in bed "for a cuddle". Methyr Tydfil Crown Court heard he had returned from a tour of Afghanistan the day before, and may have been in "action mode" when he went to sleep. Two psychiatrists told the court it was "possible" the defendant suffered from parasomnia - defined as unwanted behaviour during sleep. Dr Chris Idzikowski said a subset of parasomnia was sexsomnia - a type of "confusional arousal" - which can lead to sexual behaviour from a person in deep sleep. Dr Idzikowski said: "If he arrived back in action mode it's potentially something that would come through in his sleep. He said Mr Atilla, a former Royal Logistics Corps officer who served "with distinction" in the first Gulf War, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, may have been triggered by something as simple as a sound. He admitted the evidence the disorder led to Mr Atilla having sex with the woman while asleep was "weak" but said he could not exclude it from being possible. Another psychiatrist, Dr Chandan Seghal, said he too "could not exclude" the attack relating to a sleep disorder, but agreed the evidence was "weak." Mr Atilla told the court he had "no memory" of the alleged incident.

Summary: A former soldier accused of rape has been cleared after a court heard he was suffering from a sleep disorder.


There has been little chance to take such ads to task, as there are currently no rules on the portrayal of gender stereotypes through advertising. But this is set to change as the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) plans to bring in new guidelines from 2018, cracking down on ads that mock people for not conforming to gender stereotypes or that reinforce gender roles. Here are some examples from the ASA of adverts it has received complaints about over gender stereotypes - but not taken action on. This advert from the formula company shows three babies exploring as youngsters but growing into their careers. The two baby boys have futures as engineers and mountain climbers. However, the baby girl as depicted as growing into a ballerina. A spokesman from the ASA said complainants considered the ad portrayed negative gender stereotypes, but he added: "We did not find grounds for a formal investigation." Clothing giant Gap attracted complaints after releasing adverts for its children's clothes. The boy is portrayed as a "little scholar" with an Albert Einstein T-shirt, promising that his "future starts here". However, the girl has the title of "social butterfly", wearing glittery cat ears and clothes that will be "the talk of the playground". The ASA said Gap took steps to take the ad down so it "did not have grounds for further investigation". A TV advert from fast food chain KFC, depicting two men arguing about the size of their new TVs, attracted complaints because of its treatment of anxiety disorders. After one character boasts how much bigger his TV is - because he is "a man" - he continues to mock the second man for owning scented candles. "You know those candles help with my anxiety," he replies. "You're a monster." The majority of complainants said the advert implied that it was acceptable to make fun of a mental health problem. A number also objected because it equated anxiety with a lack of masculinity, and helped perpetuate the damaging view that men shouldn't admit to mental health concerns. The ASA said it did not consider the advert to cause serious or widespread offence on either point, so no further action was taken. This estate agent advert, which appeared on the London Underground, attracted complaints over gender stereotypes. Complainants said it made men appear to be in charge of the finances, while making out it was his role to buy "the missus a new kitchen". The ASA spokesman said: "Whilst we fully appreciated the concerns that were raised, we considered this specific ad described one person's personal situation and what that one person decided to do with the money saved. "We acknowledged that some readers may have found the wording in the ad to be distasteful, and the overall premise somewhat old-fashioned. "However, we did not consider that it was likely to cause serious or widespread offence on the basis suggested and we therefore didn't take further action on this occasion."

Summary: Whether it be housewives left to clear up the mess of their families, fathers freaking out when mummy leaves them holding the baby, or children picking "boys" or "girls" toys, the way men and women are portrayed in advertising can often lead to complaints.


The pound was up 1% at $1.2421 in the wake of the decision, but the FTSE 100 shed 16 points to 6,821 points. The court ruling has "made triggering Brexit a lot trickier and has given sterling a massive shot in the arm," said Neil Wilson at ETX Capital. The Bank of England's latest inflation report, released at midday, could also affect sterling. The Bank is also expected to leave interest rates on hold at 0.25%, but should raise its forecast for UK economic growth and inflation. The pound also climbed 1.3% against the euro to â‚¬1.1232. Connor Campbell of Spreadex said that the ruling will be challenged in the Supreme Court next month. "Even if it does go to a parliamentary vote, it is unlikely MPs will want to be seen as going against the referendum result by blocking the enacting of Article 50. Nevertheless the pound was due some good news, and it has certainly taken advantage of this brief glimmer of hope," he added. The biggest riser on the FTSE 100 was Royal Bank of Scotland, up 6.3%, while Randgold Resources was the biggest faller, shedding 6.7%. Shares in Morrisons, rose 2.1% after the UK's fourth-largest supermarket reported another rise in sales. Underlying sales rose 1.6% in the third quarter, meaning the chain has now reported four consecutive quarters of growth.

Summary: Sterling has risen sharply following the High Court ruling on Article 50, while the FTSE 100 has fallen back.