The bird was spotted trying to take off by running along the northbound A1(M) in Hertfordshire. As vehicles swerved to avoid the determined swan, officers were called to rescue the bird, which was eventually persuaded to move to a petrol station forecourt. Police drove it to a nearby lake. More on this and other stories from Hertfordshire The intrepid bird chose junction 10 of the A1 near Baldock "adjacent to the BP petrol station", to attempt to launch itself into the air last week, a police spokeswoman said. "PC Paul Warner caught the swan, with assistance from PC Michael Macleod and PC Philip Watts. "It was put into the back of the police car and driven (apprehensively) by PC Justin Smyth to a lake at Astwick Bury Farm [near Hitchin] where it was released."

Summary: A jay-walking swan was taken into custody by four police officers after trying to use a busy motorway as a runway.


Next time the planet is under threat though the likes of Thor and Captain America could be joined by Spider-Man. A deal has been agreed between Sony Pictures and Marvel that will see Spidey appear in an as-yet-unspecified film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's not clear when that'll be, but Marvel is due to release its latest Captain America venture next year. The deal doesn't mean Sony Pictures will be giving up the film rights to the character though. After his Marvel debut Sony will then release the next instalment of its own Â£2.63 billion Spider-Man franchise. The terms of the contract mean we could see some Marvel Cinematic Universe favourites popping up in those films too. Spider-Man has been part of Marvel's world for more than 50 years and this new deal puts an end to years of speculation as to whether Peter Parker would ever join the other Marvel superheroes on the big screen. "Spider-Man is one of Marvel's great characters, beloved around the world," said Bob Iger, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, which owns Marvel Entertainment. "We're thrilled to work with Sony Pictures to bring the iconic web-slinger into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which opens up fantastic new opportunities for storytelling and franchise building." It's not clear who'll play Spider-Man in his first Marvel Cinematic Universe appearance. In a statement Sony does refer to "the new Spider-Man", which may mean Andrew Garfield, who has played the character in the last two Sony films, is out. Follow @BBCNewsbeat on Twitter, BBCNewsbeat on Instagram and Radio1Newsbeat on YouTube

Summary: In 2012 it took an elite team of superheroes to save earth from an alien army planning to enslave humanity.


At present some hospitals charge for wi-fi and others have no access at all. The move is a recommendation from a government-commissioned report on improving the use of online technology in the health service. The government has set no deadline for the plans but expects the NHS to be "digital and paperless" by 2020. Money for the service is being provided from a Â£1bn technology fund. Mr Hunt said: "Everyone using the NHS expects it to be a world leader in digital healthcare and free wi-fi is an essential part of making that a reality. "It will give patients and staff the ability to access the services they need as well as freeing up clinical time and reducing overall costs." In some hospitals paper charts have already been replaced by mobile clinical systems and tablets, allowing for data to be shared around the building. The Department of Health said greater use of e-prescribing could reduce medication errors by 50%. It also believes the plans will encourage the use of technologies that could help alert doctors and nurses to medical problems and reduce paperwork and errors. Patients could also wear monitors to alert medical staff to issues, such as diabetics who have experienced "largely avoidable" hypoglycemic episodes while in hospital. The Department of Health was unable to say what proportion of NHS facilities already provide free wi-fi.

Summary: Free wi-fi is to be provided in all NHS buildings in a bid to improve services and reduce costs, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said.


The pair has dispensation to compete at London 2012 as host nation players, but have qualified by right for Rio. Drinkhall, 26, and Pitchford, 22, helped England's men win bronze at this year's World Team Championships. "We are delighted that Team GB have two qualified singles players for the first time in 20 years," said GB's table tennis team leader Simon Mills. Drinkhall and Pitchford, who are ranked 60th and 51st in the world respectively, won a combined five medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Summary: Liam Pitchford and Paul Drinkhall have been selected to represent Great Britain at this summer's Rio Olympics.


The Civil Aviation Authority revoked the airline's safety licence in October 2015. The firm contracted other companies until it pulled out in January. Passengers are trying to get their money back on journeys booked before LinksAir stopped providing the service. The Welsh Government called the situation "wholly unacceptable". Letters have been sent to creditors by Yorkshire-based insolvency practitioners Redman Nichols Butler - informing them that a meeting is to be held on 1 April in Driffield, East Yorkshire. Stella Flemmings, Redman Nichols Butler practice manager, said: "The directors of the company have asked us to assist them in putting the company into liquidation and there will be a creditors meeting on 1 April." Passenger Alan Hughes from Caernarfon told BBC Wales he lodged a claim with LinksAir to be reimbursed with the Â£180 cost of two return tickets scheduled for the end of February. He said: "As private individuals, we go to the end of the queue, don't we. The taxman will take priority. From previous experience, {people have} ended up with nothing. "I'm disappointed - I don't want to give somebody Â£180 and not get anything back. "I'm disappointed also that the Welsh Assembly Government have been very quiet on this issue. I don't know whether or not we have any redress there or not, but I just feel that over 200 people have been badly let down." A Welsh Government spokesman said: "Although this is a matter for Links Air and the administrator to resolve, we are aware that some passengers who had bookings with the company before it stopped operating the Intra Wales Air Service in January, have not received refunds from Links Air. This is wholly unacceptable and we hope the administrator considers these matters as part of the liquidation process." A new airline has since been appointed to run the service. The BBC has asked LinksAir for a comment.

Summary: A former provider of the Anglesey to Cardiff air route is set to go into liquidation, BBC Wales has learned.


Of the 4,150 full-time firefighters across Wales' three fire brigades, only 40 are black and minority ethnic (BME). Five of north Wales' 880 firefighters are BME, in mid and west Wales it is 15 of 1,390 and in south Wales it is 20 of 1,880. BME people make up 4% of Wales' population, according to the latest census. Fire minister Mike Penning said diversity was "not an optional extra". "Firefighters, like police officers and other local emergency services personnel, should reflect the communities they serve and we expect fire and rescue authorities to do much more to improve BME... representation," he added. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said the fact just 4.4% of firefighters in England and Wales were BME was "totally unacceptable". The figures, released by the Department for Communities and Local Government, show 10 firefighters, all in south Wales said "don't know" when asked about their ethnicity. Although there are no statistics for a breakdown of Welsh cities, in places like Greater Manchester, just 2.8% of firefighters are from an ethnic minority compared to 16.2% of the population as a whole. Mick Nicholas, the most senior black member of the FBU, told BBC Radio 5 live the fire service had been "inconsistent" at recruiting from non-white communities.

Summary: Just 0.9% of Wales' firefighters are non-white, official figures have shown.


Scottish actor Capaldi is appearing in his final series as the Doctor. He has said whoever replaces him - whether a man or woman - will be "wonderful". Inverness-born Gillan, who played Amy Pond alongside Matt Smith's Doctor, said she would respect whatever decision was made on the role. A man has been chosen as Capaldi's successor, according to newspaper reports. Speaking at the Los Angeles premiere of her latest film, Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 2, Gillan said: "It's OK, maybe next time. "I trust the BBC and their choices and they haven't failed us yet with the Doctor. "But it would be cool to see a woman in the role one day because a woman could absolutely play that role." The BBC said no casting decisions have been made. In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2, Gillan plays blue-skinned space pirate Nebula.

Summary: Former Doctor Who companion Karen Gillan has said an actress succeeding Peter Capaldi in the lead role of the long-running TV series "would be cool".


Dean Holdsworth's Sports Shield consortium and Ken Anderson's Inner Circle bought the club from Eddie Davies earlier this month. Trevor Birch and Terry Robinson have also left the club, having helped facilitate the sale. Bolton had a winding-up petition closed at the High Court on Monday after they paid their tax bill. Warburton said the change of ownership and death of former chairman Phil Gartside last month prompted his decision to leave. "It has been a privilege to serve on the Bolton Wanderers board for more than 25 years," Warburton told the club website. "Eddie's decision to sell his shares, coupled with Phil's sad passing, seemed to mark a watershed and the right time for me to stand aside and resign as a director. "I would like to wish both Ken Anderson and Dean Holdsworth every success as they strive to forge a successful future for this great football club." Bolton, beaten 6-0 by Bristol City on Saturday, are bottom of the Championship and 12 points from safety with eight matches remaining.

Summary: Bolton Wanderers vice-chairman Brett Warburton has resigned following the recent takeover of the club.


The boy was taken from a home in Velville Court in Newcastle to hospital with serious injuries, on Friday. A 34-year-old man and a woman, aged 30, are currently in police custody and are due to be questioned. Northumbria Police said the baby died on Monday and officers are treating the injuries he had suffered were "non-accidental". Det Ch Insp Mark Ord said: "We are treating the death as a homicide investigation. "We know this will shock and sadden the local community and I would like to reassure them we are doing everything we can to establish exactly what happened and how the baby came to suffer such fatal injuries. "This is a very tragic incident and our thoughts are with all those affected by this sad death."

Summary: Two people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 13-week-old baby died.


US singer Richard Marx said last week that he had intervened to help restrain a disruptive passenger on a Korean Air flight from Hanoi to Seoul. Crew had been "ill-trained" and "ill-equipped", Marx said. The airlines said it would also review the use of Taser guns on board. "Korean Air will react more firmly and actively against in-flight violence that threatens the overall safety of the flight," it said in a statement. As part of the changes, the airline said it would be providing more training to staff and hiring more male flight attendants, making sure at least one male is on duty in the cabin for each flight, according to Reuters news agency. Marx's wife Daisy Fuentes, who was travelling with the singer, said the staff "didn't know how to use the taser" or to secure ropes. Taser is a brand name often used to refer to electric stun guns. "We have decided to improve our conditions and procedure on using Taser guns to cope with violent acts and disturbances on board in a fast and efficient manner," it added, but did not elaborate on how the rules would change. The airline said that under existing rules, stun guns were permitted for use only in "grave" situations - where the safety of a flight or the life of passengers and crew were in danger. This meant staff had been "hesitant" to use the equipment, the carrier added. Individual airlines have their own policies on what equipment they carry on board to restrain passengers Most carriers contacted by the BBC were unwilling to give details of what kit this included, citing security concerns.

Summary: Korean Air has said guidelines will be revised for crew to react "firmly and actively against in-flight violence", after facing criticism for its handling of an on-board incident.


James Botham - the son of former Cardiff rugby player Liam - is in the Wales Under-18 team to play Scotland in Swansea on Friday. Sir Ian, 60, does not find it strange that his grandson will be wearing red. "He was born in Cardiff. He always wanted to play for Wales for as long as I can recall," said the ex-all-rounder. "I'm really looking forward to it. I think it will be wonderful, a great occasion for James and one that I think he's very excited about, as are the family. I've got a red shirt with me." Botham, who took 383 wickets and scored 5,200 runs in Tests for England, will watch James make his debut on at St Helen's - where he played county cricket against Glamorgan for Somerset. James Botham is one of four players making their debuts for Wales, along with Harri Dobbs, Ben Thomas and Dane Blacker. The match is part of a series which culminates in a game against England Under-18s on 6 April. Sir Ian said he had not been tempted to persuade James to switch allegiance. "Never, it's nothing to do with me," he added. "I'm grandad, and grandad is going to come down and watch him and support him every game. Whether he's playing or on the bench it doesn't matter - all the family that can get down here will be here. "And when Wales play England my allegiances would be with my grandson."

Summary: England cricket legend Sir Ian Botham is looking forward to supporting his grandson James when he makes his rugby debut for Wales.


Emily Titterington had not been to the toilet for three months when she suffered a cardiac arrest at home. An inquest heard the condition was so bad that some body parts had been displaced, including her diaphragm. The Coroner for Cornwall concluded the cause of death was "natural causes contributed by psycho-social factors". Summing up, Dr Emma Carlyon said it could have been prevented. "Something went wrong with the patient-parent-professional triangle which meant she did not get the care she needed," she said. Paramedics described their "shock" at Emily's "grossly extended abdomen" when she collapsed at St Austell in February 2013 and said she was "vomiting faeces". The inquest was told that Emily, who was home-educated, had a history of constipation that could be linked to her anxiety and mild autism. Her sister Hannah Herbert raised concerns about the impact "parental anxieties" had on her, and said she had warned social services "something terrible might happen" the year before. Her brother-in-law Brian Herbert told the inquest Emily's decision not to be examined or go to hospital would have been influenced by the fact her parents "could not cope" with that. However Emily's GP, Dr Alistair James, said her mother Geraldine Titterington had tried to persuade her to be examined and he found no evidence of safeguarding issues. Consultant paediatrician Dr Paul Davis said "self-neglect" played a part in her death but she should have been persuaded to go to hospital. A serious case review by Cornwall Council's Safeguarding Children Board has made several recommendations including that agencies share concerns raised by a family member. Dr Carlyon said she was satisfied "most of the recommendations have been actioned and embedded".

Summary: A 16-year-old died from chronic constipation because either she, or she and her parents, resisted the care she needed, a coroner has said.


29 May 2015 Last updated at 11:20 BST Tapirs are relatives of the horse and rhino and are usually found in South America. This one was born at a zoo in Prague, in the Czech Republic. Once the baby is about two months old, he will lose his stripes and turn brown.

Summary: This stripy little cutie is a baby tapir that was born on Thursday morning.


Arctic Monkeys won both best group and best album for the third time. Ellie Goulding won best British female, while pop act One Direction were honoured for their global success for the second year running. Kate Moss collected Bowie's prize and read a speech on his behalf urging Scottish voters to reject independence. "I'm completely delighted to have a Brit for being the best male - but I am, aren't I Kate? Yes. I think it's a great way to end the day. Thank you very, very much and Scotland stay with us," were his words - as delivered by Moss. Overnight figures show an average 4.2 million viewers watched the ceremony live on ITV - the lowest audience since at least 1999. Last year's show was watched by 6.5 million viewers. One direction also won best British video, in a public vote. Their win, for the track Best Song Ever, was helped by their 17.8 million-strong Twitter followers. By Mark SavageBBC News entertainment reporter With the honourable exception of David Bowie, what's notable about this year's Brit Awards is the sheer youthfulness of the winners. Almost everyone on the podium was in their 20s, with New Zealand goth-pop singer Lorde a mere 17 (she ties with Joss Stone as the youngest-ever Brit victor). And it's a positive thing. The Brits need to represent the vigorous pop and dance scene, because almost every other ceremony almost exclusively rewards middle-aged men. Ultimately, though, it was the cross-generational appeal of resurgent rock rebels Arctic Monkeys that stole the show. Their comeback began with a headline set at Glastonbury last year, and culminated in tonight's historic third "double win". But as frontman Alex Turner humbly noted backstage: "I don't think the talent of a group of musicians is directly proportional to the size of their trophy cabinet." The ceremony at the O2 Arena also featured a host of performances, including from Beyonce and Katy Perry, who put on a colourful, Egyptian-themed show. But Perry lost out to New Zealander Lorde in the race for best international female. Bruno Mars also gave a live performance, just shortly after picking up the prize for best international male. Bowie's prize came at the expense of four much younger hopefuls - Jake Bugg, Tom Odell, John Newman and Mercury Prize winner James Blake. At 67, he is the oldest recipient of a Brit Award in the ceremony's history and the award comes 18 years since his last Brits success. The singer, who released his The Next Day album after a 10-year hiatus, previously won best British male in 1984. But the star, who spends much of his time in New York, did not attend the gala. Noel Gallagher, announcing the award, remarked: "You maniacs didn't think he'd actually be here? David Bowie's too cool for that." The ceremony was wound up with a medley by Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers, who played Daft Punk's Get Lucky, Chic's Good Times and Williams' current feelgood chart hit Happy. Goulding lifted the first prize of the night and said she was "genuinely

Summary: Rock legend David Bowie has been named best British male at the Brit Awards in London, although he was not there in person to collect his award.


He was re-elected for a second term by the UN General Assembly, unopposed and unanimously, on 21 June 2011, with effect from 1 January 2012. Mr Ban describes his priorities as mobilising world leaders to deal with climate change, economic upheaval, pandemics and increasing pressures involving food, energy and water. In style, he prefers quiet diplomacy and sees himself as a bridge-builder, aiming to give voice to the world's poorest and most vulnerable people, and to strengthen the UN itself, which was dented when he took office by scandals over the UN oil-for-food programme in Iraq, and corrupt procurement. The South Korean diplomat took over from Kofi Annan at the UN in 2007. At that time he promised to push for peace in the Middle East and Sudan's Darfur region, and he prioritised climate change. The consensus on his first term was largely positive, despite the elusiveness of many of his goals. He wants to be remembered as the UN leader who presided over a global agreement on climate change. Born on 13 June 1944 in Chungju, Mr Ban served as South Korea's minister of foreign affairs and trade immediately before moving to the UN, at the culmination of a 37-year career as a diplomat. That career included the tough, high-wire act of negotiations with North Korea over its development of nuclear weapons. He is married with three children and three grandchildren. In the past, UN leaders have normally served two terms, although Egypt's Boutros Boutros-Ghali was ousted after just one term in 1996 by the United States, which felt he had performed poorly over the Balkan wars. Mr Ban is the second Asian to lead the UN. He has enjoyed broad support, but he has his critics, who point to his low-key style, lack of charisma, and failure to criticise human rights abuses in powerful countries, like China and Russia. At the end of his first term, however, he won praise for his commitment to climate change, nuclear disarmament and women's issues, as well as his strong backing of pro-democracy movements in North Africa and the Middle East. Mr Ban says he first dreamed of becoming a diplomat when as an 18-year-old student in 1962, he met US President John F Kennedy at the White House on an American Red Cross programme. When he was first vying for the top job at the UN, he said of himself: "I may look soft from the outside, but I have inner strength when it's really necessary."

Summary: Ban Ki-moon is the eighth secretary-general of the United Nations.


The men - all in their 20s - "forcibly entered" the flats in Bannockburn Road at about 0200 on Sunday. One of the men was 6ft 3in tall with a muscular build and wearing a dark hooded top. Another also had a dark jumper or hoody on. Police have appealed to anyone with information to contact them. Officers said the assaults were unprovoked.

Summary: Police are hunting three men who broke into flats providing shelter for the homeless and carried out a series of assaults.


27 May 2016 Last updated at 19:43 BST Here's his Africa news round-up in 90 seconds.

Summary: Satirist Ikenna Azuike from What's Up Africa is worrying about the tomato shortage in Nigeria, celebrating improved life expectancy and reflecting on presidential breakdowns.


Media playback is not supported on this device An investigation began following accusations of bullying and sexism towards top-level cyclists. A report on its findings is due in May. The head of British Cycling, Jonathan Browning, said checks were being added to protect against "behaviours that are inappropriate" to individual riders. "The combination of new leadership team and structure, and the introduction of professional processes will ensure that we deliver on this promise," Browning added. British Cycling published a 39-point action plan last month to address the draft findings of the independent review, commissioned in April 2016 by British Cycling alongside UK Sport, which provides elite funding to the organisation. It came after former technical director Shane Sutton, who was was later cleared of eight of nine allegations, was found to have used sexist language towards cyclist Jess Varnish. UK Sport chief executive Liz Nicholl says the independent review has "identified valuable lessons" for both British Cycling and other sports it funds. Initially, key findings were meant to have been published in November. But the process has been delayed by legal wrangling, as those criticised have rejected the panel's findings. The process has also been criticised for not seeking a wider range of views. Last month, British Cycling was warned it needed to do more to ease "concerns" over the way it is run before it can receive £17m. Grassroots sport funding agency Sport England said it wanted cycling's governing body to "meet the highest standards of governance" first. British Cycling will hold an extraordinary general meeting in July in a bid to vote through reforms. Meanwhile, athletes are no longer being charged to lodge an appeal should they wish to contest their removal from the sport's World Class Performance programme. Browning, who was elected chairman in February, is part of an overhaul of the leadership at the governing body, with the new performance director Stephen Park at this week's World Track Cycling Championships in Hong Kong, and new chief executive, Julie Harrington, starting in May. The organisation has also appointed its first 'people director', Michael Chivers.

Summary: British Cycling has started work on the development of a code of conduct as part of its response to an independent review into the culture of the organisation.


The national average for take-up of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for 12 and 13 year-olds is 86%, but in Cornwall it is 57%. Cancer charities called for the vaccine to be introduced in local schools. Some GPs claimed the figures do not reflect the true picture. NHS England said the data was being reviewed. It also said it was reviewing the delivery system in the South West but that the county's rural nature made a schools-based programme "more challenging". The vaccine is offered in schools across most of England, but in Cornwall 12 to 13 year olds must see GPs for the jabs. Robert Music, chief executive of Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust, said the vaccine would "have a major impact on reducing incidences of cervical cancer" in the UK. "We have been calling for a couple of years now to change how the programme works in Cornwall," he said. "A schools-based programme means you can offer it to kids while they're at school rather than having to take them out to have the vaccine twice." The HPV vaccination is offered in two separate injections over a one-year period but up until last year it was three jabs. It protects against two strains of the sexually transmitted infection believed to cause 70% of cervical cancer cases. Uptake in Cornwall has remained well below the national average for the past five years. However, Dr Sarah Gray, GP Specialist in Women's Health, said the way the figures were recorded was misleading: "What NHS England have counted is the number of jabs in a school year. "If they don't quite get all three within a year it looks like we've failed," she said. She also said Cornwall was doing well at immunising older teenage girls. Louise Blenkinsop from Falmouth, 32, recovered from cervical cancer in 2013 after "gruelling treatment" and was left unable to have children. "It is ridiculous that Cornwall is being overlooked. Provision should be made equal across the country," she said. NHS England is responsible for commissioning the vaccine on behalf of Public Health England. A spokesman said: "Cornwall is a very rural county with a number of factors which make a school based model logistically more challenging to deliver than it would be in many other parts of the country." He said the system was being reviewed "to assess both clinical effectiveness and value for money" and that checks were being done on last year's data to make sure it was accurate.

Summary: Girls in Cornwall who are not being vaccinated against cervical cancer are missing a "life-saving opportunity", a charity has said.


A spokesman for the New York State court system said the pair had reached an agreement, but did not reveal with which parent the teenager would live. Ritchie's lawyer Peter Bronstein said Rocco would continue to live with his father in London. The dispute arose in December when Rocco ignored a court order to fly back to live with his mother in New York. He has since stayed with his father in the UK capital and enrolled in a school there. Madonna's lawyers have not commented on the settlement. In December, a judge ruled that Rocco should return to his mother. But she decided not to issue a warrant to enforce the order, urging the pair to reach an agreement. New York State Supreme Court Justice Deborah Kaplan said: "No-one is disrupting his household other than the inability of the parents to reach a resolution. "If they cannot resolve this matter then eventually the court will." Ellen Sigal, Rocco's court-appointed lawyer, said in March that the dispute was causing him stress. "It's been a very difficult time for him," she said in court. "We hope to put an end to this as soon as possible without exposing him to more litigation, press innuendo, any of that kind of thing." Madonna and Ritchie married in 2000 and divorced eight years later. Follow us on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, on Instagram, or if you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.

Summary: Madonna and ex-husband Guy Ritchie have settled a court dispute over the custody of their 16-year-old son Rocco.


McDonald, 25, was on the transfer list at Sixfields and has agreed a two-year contract with the Sky Blues. He is Coventry's third signing following relegation from League One, after striker Marc McNulty and midfielder Michael Doyle. "He is a quick, strong and aggressive centre-half, who can also read the game well," boss Mark Robins said. Liverpool-born McDonald started his career at Manchester City's academy before joining the youth set-up at Stoke City. He later went on to Oldham, Colwyn Bay, Nantwich, Hereford United and AFC Telford United, joining Northampton in 2015 and making 37 appearances for the Cobblers. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Summary: Coventry City have signed centre-back Rod McDonald from Northampton for an undisclosed fee.


The top seed claimed the first set 6-3, but the Austrian saved two match points in winning a tie-break 9-7 and then took the decider 6-4. Thiem, who beat Federer on clay last month in Rome, will play for his fourth title of the season on Sunday. He will face either Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro or Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber. Thiem, 22, moved into the world's top 10 for the first time this week and wore down his 34-year-old opponent in a gripping grass-court battle, which also included two rain breaks. Federer, who had tied with Ivan Lendl for the most wins in the open era (1,071) after his second round win against American Taylor Fritz, had missed the French Open last month with a back problem. The defeat will be a blow to Federer as he aims to win a record eighth Wimbledon singles title later this month. Subscribe to the BBC Sport newsletter to get our pick of news, features and video sent to your inbox.

Summary: Roger Federer was beaten by French Open semi-finalist Dominic Thiem in the Mercedes Cup semi-finals at Stuttgart.


Thirteen years, in the case of Muhammad Idrees. In 1999, Mr Idrees left his wife and four young sons in Pakistan's port city of Karachi to attend to his sick father in the Indian city of Kanpur. He was born in India, and had moved to Pakistan and become its citizen after he married a cousin in Karachi. His father died soon after he reached Kanpur. In the chaos and grief that followed this personal loss, Mr Idrees overstayed for three days and his visa ran out. So did his luck. When he went to the authorities in Kanpur to seek a visa extension, they suspected him of spying for Pakistan and put him behind the bars. It took 10 years for a court to exonerate him of the charge, fine him 500 rupees ($9.17; £5.68) for overstaying and order his repatriation. Justice delayed is justice denied, and in the case of Mr Idrees, even justice delivered did not turn out to be liberating. For 13 years in all, he has been trying to return home without success. According to India's Ministry of External Affairs, Mr Idrees travelled to India on a Pakistani passport (number G057703), issued in Karachi, on 10 May 1999. To add to his woes, his passport expired in 2003. But Pakistan denies he is a citizen, and believes he has separated from his wife and has been disowned by his family. "Our interior ministry told us that he's not a Pakistani citizen. To our knowledge he's separated from his wife and his in-laws. They disown him. We have communicated this to Indian authorities," Manzoor Ali Memon, spokesperson of Pakistan's High Commission in India, told me. Today, at 40, Muhammad Idrees is a nowhere man, a victim of unkind fate and hostile borders. I met him in Kanpur, a fume-choked industrial city in Uttar Pradesh, on a balmy morning recently to listen to his heart-rending story. Mr Idrees is a frail man with a gaunt face and intense eyes. He's dressed in white shirt and trousers and his only possession, a cloth bag, is slung around his neck. It contains some fraying papers, a comb, a tooth brush, a tube of tooth paste, a towel and some fading family pictures. We walk to the relative solitude of the banks of the Ganges and sit down. Mr Idrees catches his breath, looks into the distance and begins talking in a clear, low voice. He says he spends his waking hours clinging onto memories of time spent with his family back home in Karachi, where he ran a small business selling leather goods. It feels like an eternity, he says. "I would take my wife and our four children on my motorbike for a drive down the windswept seaside in Karachi. We would laugh and chat. We would stop to have ice creams. Just like any other family." This was before his world turned black. It was before, he says, two nations and their strange, intractable ways, conspired to deny him from returning home. "India should have sorted out my case

Summary: What price can a man end up paying up for the crime of overstaying in a foreign land for three days?


Omran Ben Shaaban was kidnapped, shot and tortured by people who many in Misrata believe were supporters of the late dictator. The 22-year-old died in France, where he was receiving medical treatment for his injuries. His body was flown back to Libya, met by hundreds of mourners. In Misrata, protesters called for the government to avenge his death. Mr Shaaban was kidnapped by armed men in July and held for 50 days in the town of Bani Walid, a former Gaddafi stronghold that lies south-east of the capital Tripoli. He was freed last week following the mediation efforts of Mohamed Magarief, Libya's interim leader and president of the ruling General National Congress (GNC). Mr Shaaban arrived in Misrata with torture marks on his body and a bullet wound near his spinal cord, according to reports. He was taken to Paris for treatment, but died on Monday. Hundreds of people gathered at the airport in Misrata to greet his body. His coffin was carried in a procession to a football stadium where funeral prayers were held. Mr Shaaban came to prominence on 20 October last year when he was pictured at the scene as Col Gaddafi was dragged from a drainage pipe where he was hiding in Sirte. The GNC mourned the "loss of a brave hero" and has said it will take all necessary measures to bring the perpetrators to justice, according to a statement issued on the official Lana news agency.

Summary: One of the Libyan rebels credited with capturing ex-leader Muammar Gaddafi last year has been buried in his hometown of Misrata.


Patrick Lawlor, from Darndale in the north of the city, was 24 when he was reported missing on 16 December, 2004. Detectives plan to search lands close to Belcamp House in Coolock from Monday. Preparatory work at the site began on Saturday morning and the operation is expected take up to three weeks. Belcamp House is derelict Georgian mansion and there have been two significant fires at the site over the past 48 hours. However, it is not believed that there is any connection between the fires and the search operation, which is concentrated on lands some distance away from the house. On the day he went missing, Mr Lawlor left his house at about 06:30 local time and drove to a nearby shop to buy cigarettes and phone credit. The red Citroen Saxo he was driving was found a number of days later in a car park on the Forest Road in Swords, behind Dublin Airport. At the time of his disappearance, Mr Lawlor was of thin build and had short black hair. He has green eyes and is 5'10" in height.

Summary: Police are to search land in north Dublin as part of the investigation in to the disappearance of a man who has been missing for almost 12 years.


Lady Butler-Sloss has been under pressure to quit from MPs and victims concerned about her family links. Her late brother, Sir Michael Havers, was attorney general in the 1980s. Home Secretary Theresa May said she did not regret appointing the peer, adding that she would "not hang around" in naming her successor. Lady Butler-Sloss said she "did not sufficiently consider" whether her family links would cause difficulties in the inquiry. Downing Street said it would "take a few days" to appoint a new chairman and appeared to indicate that whoever was chosen would not be so closely linked to the establishment. Mrs May told MPs that she believed Lady Butler-Sloss was the "right person for the job" despite what she suggested was a lot of "rumour and innuendo" about her appointment. "I do not regret the decision I made. I continue to believe that Elizabeth Butler-Sloss would have done an excellent job as chair of this inquiry," she told the Home Affairs select committee. Asked about her successor, Mrs May said she still favoured appointing a single individual to head the over-arching inquiry rather than a panel of experts urged by Labour and some abuse victims. She said she hoped to name a new candidate "within a reasonable amount of time" but said whoever was approached would need to "think carefully" about the nature of the role. Keith Vaz, chairman of the committee, which is also investigating historical child sex abuse, said the handling of the issue had been "somewhat shambolic" and raised issues about Mrs May's judgement. In a statement, Lady Butler-Sloss said she had been "honoured" to be asked to chair the inquiry and had hoped to "make a useful contribution". But, she added: "It has become apparent over the last few days, however, that there is a widespread perception, particularly among victim and survivor groups, that I am not the right person to chair the inquiry. "It has also become clear to me that I did not sufficiently consider whether my background and the fact my brother had been attorney general would cause difficulties. "This is a victim-orientated inquiry and those who wish to be heard must have confidence that the members of the panel will pay proper regard to their concerns and give appropriate advice to government. "Having listened to the concerns of victim and survivor groups and the criticisms of MPs and the media, I have come to the conclusion that I should not chair this inquiry and have so informed the Home Secretary." The inquiry was set up to examine how state institutions handled their duty of care to protect children from paedophiles. What next? By BBC political correspondent Iain Watson Most public bodies at least claim they appoint people because of what they know, not who they know. But it was Lady Butler-Sloss's family and political connections - not her experience and knowledge - which led to her resignation. There will be no rush to appoint her successor - it could take several days. That's because while her resignation was unfortunate, a second controversial appointment

Summary: Retired judge Baroness Butler-Sloss has stepped down as head of a probe into child sex abuse saying she was "not the right person" for the job.


Prosecutors said he had maintained a "criminal relationship" with officials at a construction conglomerate. His lawyer said he was innocent and called the arrest a "spectacle". Dozens of politicians and Petrobras executives have been arrested and sentenced after a two-year anti-corruption investigation. The investigation, called the "Car Wash operations" has unveiled a massive corruption scheme at Petrobras. In a news conference, prosecutors said Mr Palocci had favoured construction giant Odebrecht while in government. They said he had facilitated contracts with Petrobras and helped the group obtain credit from a state bank in exchange for donations to the governing Workers' Party. Mr Palocci is alleged to have continued to intermediate bribes even after he left office. Last week, police temporarily detained another former finance minister, Guido Mantega, also on charges related to the Car Wash probe. He was released hours later because his wife was about to undergo surgery. Earlier this month a judge ruled that former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva would face trial on corruption charges over the Petrobras scandal. Mr Palocci served as a finance minister under Lula and as chief of staff to his successor, Ms Rousseff, who was impeached last month for manipulating the budget.

Summary: Former Brazilian Finance Minister Antonio Palocci has been arrested in connection with a long-running inquiry into corruption at oil giant Petrobras.


Detectives were ordered to re-examine thousands of accounts dating back to 1994 in light of the Rotherham scandal. They found no evidence of "historic, systematic abuse" but have reopened five unconnected cases, the force said. The review only included reports which are not linked to current investigations. A team of experts looked at reports into 866 individuals to decide if they had been victims of sexual exploitation. In cases where they had, they assessed whether the complaints had been properly investigated at the time. This uncovered further names - a total of almost 7,000 - all of which were followed up. Details of any potential victims were passed on to teams of detectives, who felt five cases warranted reopening. The report concluded: "There is no evidence to suggest that any large scale systematic child sexual exploitation has been uncovered in Leicestershire". Police and Crime Commissioner Sir Clive Loader, who ordered the report, known as Operation Sepia, said he was "reassured" by its findings. Assistant Chief Constable Roger Bannister said he was satisfied the "comprehensive" review would have uncovered any evidence of systematic and organised abuse if it had existed. But, he added, only records from Leicestershire had been examined, and called on victims to come forward if they felt their case had not been adequately investigated.

Summary: Five separate child sex abuse cases have been reopened by Leicestershire Police after a review of 20 years' worth of reports.


At least 20 roads in the county are closed, as flooding continues to affect parts of Northern Ireland in the wake of Storm Desmond at the weekend. The Rivers Agency said prolonged rainfall meant saturated ground and high water levels in lakes and rivers. Its chief executive, David Porter, said they were monitoring the situation. "Rivers Agency and the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) in the south are responsible for controlling the lough levels and we are working closely to ensure everything can be done to reduce the levels and therefore the impact of any flooding," he said. "A combination of generation and spilling at the hydroelectric power stations at Cliff and Ballyshannon in Donegal is ongoing to ensure that water can leave the Erne system as quickly as it can flow down to the dams. "It should, however, be recognised that heavy rain can result in a greater inflow than can possibly be dealt with, even when spilling is in progress." He said the River Blackwater, which flows through counties Armagh and Tyrone, was at its "highest recorded level in 45 years but has now peaked". In County Armagh, firefighters rescued a man from a van that was trapped in flood water. It happened in the Armagh Road area of Charlemont at about 08:00 GMT on Wednesday. The man was not injured. Some businesses have also been affected by the flooding. Tom Leonard, who is the owner of a marina at Carrybridge, County Fermanagh, said water levels were within "seven to eight inches" of what they were in 2009. "It has left us now today that we are trying to salvage the customers' boats and protect them," he said. "At the moment, after this week then we have to lay off all the lads until after Christmas which annoys me more than anything else. "They have been with us all summer and now we have to lay them off in the mouth of Christmas because we just don't have a workshop to work in and we have lost all our stock."

Summary: Further flooding in County Fermanagh is possible as heavy rain continues to raise water levels at Upper Lough Erne, the Rivers Agency has warned.


Critics have warned that the abolition of the Scottish Funding Council could pose a threat to academic independence. The concern follows a decision two weeks ago to put the Scottish government's economic agencies under a single national board. It has since become clear that the four boards of directors running the agencies face abolition. Enterprise Minister Keith Brown ordered the review of Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland as well as the Scottish Funding Council. He concluded that a national board should be created to oversee the different agencies and ensure their work was "aligned". A Scottish government spokesman said there was no timetable for the changes. He also confirmed that details had to be worked through, including the question of whether a government minister will be chair of the national funding board. The move is the second phase of reform for the economic agencies, which began after the Holyrood election in May. What has since become clearer to those who work for the agencies is that the boards that govern them face abolition some time after the national board is set up. The boards have not been formally notified of this but have been told in private meetings. There is concern within the Scottish Funding Council that the implications for academic freedom have not been thought through. The funding council was set up in 2005 to replace separate boards for higher and further education. It oversees allocations of government grants for universities and colleges. Alastair Sim, chief executive of Universities Scotland, said he would be looking for details of how the new national board would work. He said: "One particular interest is ensuring that the Scottish Funding Council retains its much valued role as an expert body at arm's length from government, while working collaboratively to help boost Scotland's innovation and productivity." Prof Iain Gray, vice-president of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the academic institute, said universities were in favour of measures that would improve links with business. But while university research remains one of Scotland's biggest strengths, he said there was a need to explain the Scottish government's strategic approach to innovation in the economy. He said: "We need to get a clear strategy, and avoid unintended consequences of bringing together organisations with different remits, without thinking things through." Scotland spends a lot more per head of population on economic development than the rest of the UK. But is it getting value for that money? Is it really helping drive growth? The lack of data on that seems to have been one of the driving forces behind the review of enterprise agencies. But even some of those close to the heart of the review process have been puzzled as to what the minister, Keith Brown, has been trying to achieve. His conclusion, published in October, was largely supportive of what the agencies have been doing. That's while it identified opportunities to improve co-ordination and alignment, tackling duplication and improving economic data, notably on the requirements of the labour market. The biggest threat the review appeared to pose

Summary: Concerns have been raised about the centralisation of funding for Scottish universities, BBC Scotland has learned.


But health officials have warned that unless MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccinations continue, a further outbreak cannot be ruled out. There have been no laboratory-confirmed cases linked to the outbreak area since 22 May, Public Health Wales said. One person died and a total of 1,219 measles cases were diagnosed during the outbreak since November. Some 88 people visited a hospital due to the disease while a campaign was launched to boost the uptake of the MMR vaccine. Dr Marion Lyons, director of health protection for Public Health Wales (PHW), said that the end of the outbreak was in "no small part to unprecedented efforts to vaccinate tens of thousands of people". "Without so many vaccinations being given, we know that the outbreak could have continued for many more months," said Dr Lyons. But PHW warned that with 30,000 children in the 10 to 18 years age group still unvaccinated across Wales, there was still a possibility of a further outbreak in the future. And the health minister urged parents to get their children vaccinated. Dr Lyons said: "The only reason this outbreak could happen was because not enough young people in Wales were fully vaccinated with two doses of MMR and there is absolutely no guarantee that this could not happen again." Some 75,868 unscheduled vaccinations were given to people around Wales who had not been immunised in a bid to bring the epidemic under control. GP surgeries, hospital and schools held drop-in sessions, with PHW particularly keen to target children and young people who may have missed their scheduled jabs. Health Minister Mark Drakeford said he "wholeheartedly" welcomed the end of the outbreak but insisted there was "still work to do". "The young people in the 10 to 18 age group who still have not been vaccinated should make the necessary arrangements at their earliest convenience," he added. "We would not want to see another outbreak. "I would like to thank the healthcare professionals for their tireless work in organising and staffing the unscheduled vaccinations drop-in sessions and GPs for the contribution of primary care among others." Large numbers of children in the 10-18 age group were not given the MMR vaccine as babies, the result of a scare that caused panic among parents. It followed research by Dr Andrew Wakefield in the late 1990s which linked the vaccine with autism and bowel disease. His report, which was published in The Lancet medical journal, was later discredited, with health officials insisting the vaccine was completely safe. PHW said that even though the outbreak was over, a small number of measles cases were seen in Wales every year - in 2011 there were 19 cases - and parents should still ensure their children were fully vaccinated. The first dose of MMR should be given at around 12-13 months of age and the second at around three years and four months of age - but it is never too late to catch up on missed doses, say health officials. PHW advises that anyone born in 1970 or later who has not

Summary: The measles epidemic centred on the Swansea area has been declared over eight months after it began.


It says the new rule would apply in cases of "repeated instances of the most serious and deliberate breaches of their licence conditions". The party claims their pledged action would protect consumer interests. But the current regulator, Ofgem, said it already had the power to remove licences from energy firms in certain circumstances. "Where firms fail to meet standards there must be tough and decisive action," said Caroline Flint, the shadow energy secretary. Labour has already promised to abolish Ofgem, and put a new regulator in place. An Ofgem spokesman said it already had powers to revoke licences in "specific circumstances, including where companies have failed to comply with particular enforcement orders." However, a Labour spokesman said the current rules meant a firm could repeatedly break the law as long as it paid the fines issued by Ofgem. "That's the kind of regulatory gap we want to address," he said. Energy UK, the trade body for the industry, said it already had strong penalties for companies found to be in breach of licence conditions. "Having a strong set of licence conditions is essential for the protection of consumer rights," it said. Labour also revealed figures, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, which it said showed 16 energy companies faced probes into mis-selling, poor customer service and other bad practices. Ms Flint said the figures showed that the current government had "presided over a broken energy market". "On David Cameron's watch, energy bills in Britain have risen twice as fast as inflation, four times faster than wages and faster than almost any other country in the developed world," she added. In response, a Conservative spokesman said the government was already taking action to address the issues raised, including forcing energy firms to simplify bills. "We're carrying out a full, independent inquiry to fix the broken market we inherited," he added.

Summary: Labour says it will give a new regulator power to remove energy firms' licences, if it wins the next election.


Authorities say the man orchestrated clashes with police during a large protest in Seoul on 14 November. Han Sang-gyun, head of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions has been in the temple ever since the protest. Monks earlier warned police not to force their way inside, saying it would be a breach of their religious rights. In the early evening, shortly after a deadline passed to give himself up, police sealed off the Jogye Temple in central Seoul and began the operation to arrest Mr Han. Those at the protest in November had a diverse range of grievances, from President Park Geun-hye's business-friendly economic policies, to a decision to force the nation's schools to only use state-approved history textbooks. The rally saw clashes between police using pepper spray and water cannon, and protesters, some of whom were armed with metal pipes and sharpened bamboo sticks. The unforgiving police response prompted a smaller demonstration on Saturday - 14,000 people, rather than the 60,000 estimated at November's rally - to demand an apology from the president. Ms Park had drawn the ire of labour unions and farmers for planning to make it easier to dismiss workers and to cap the salaries of senior employees. However, many of her labour market policies are more popular with the general public, according to polls. The BBC's Stephen Evans in Seoul says there is an increasingly bitter division between South Korea's right of centre government and its left-wing critics, who accuse it of diminishing democracy.

Summary: Hundreds of police officers have begun an operation to arrest a trade union leader who has taken refuge in a Buddhist temple in Seoul.


McClaren, under pressure with the Magpies 19th in the Premier League, took training as scheduled on Tuesday. The board - minus the ex-England boss - met away from Tyneside on Monday. Newcastle are in danger of a second relegation in seven years after five defeats in six league games, including Saturday's 3-1 loss to Bournemouth. On Monday, managing director Lee Charnley, chief scout Graham Carr and club ambassador Bob Moncur discussed possible ways forward with 10 games of the season remaining. McClaren took over in the summer after leaving Championship side Derby but has only won six of his 28 top-flight matches in charge. Former club owner Sir John Hall claimed the 54-year-old should be sacked, while Alan Shearer, Newcastle's record goalscorer, has described the club as a "mess from top to bottom." The NUFC Fans' Forum - a representative body of supporters' groups - has called for action to be taken in an open letter to the club's hierarchy.

Summary: Steve McClaren remains in charge of Newcastle United, with a board decision on his St James' Park future expected in the next 48 hours.


The Gulls signed unattached Racchi, 27, and Yeovil Town's Allen, 22, on short-term deals on 1 February. Amos Kabeya, Liam Prynn, Oneil Odofin and Exodus Geohaghon are also released. But Torquay are in talks over new deals for Nathan Blissett, Dan Butler, Angus MacDonald, Courtney Richards, Aman Verma, Toby Ajala, Shaun Harrad, Sam Chaney, Luke Young, and Ben Gerring.

Summary: Torquay United have announced that midfielders Iffy Allen and Danny Racchi are to leave the National League club.


Terry Bridger, 72, of Harbour Road, Pagham is charged with threatening to kill and possessing a gun with intent to cause fear of violence. He is also charged with common assault and two counts of threatening to damage property. Sussex Police spent two nights at a house in Harbour Road during the stand-off from Sunday to Tuesday. Mr Bridger was remanded in custody by Crawley magistrates to appear at Portsmouth Crown Court on 30 September.

Summary: A 72-year-old man has been charged with a series of offences after a 40-hour stand-off with police in West Sussex.


The incident happened at a soup kitchen in Montreuil, east of Paris. The man said he was able to dodge the axe but was stabbed in the stomach, according to a prosecutors statement. His condition is not said to be serious. France remains under a state of emergency since last November's attacks claimed by Islamist militants. The victim told investigators the assailants shouted "Allahu Akbar", meaning "God is greatest", and called him an "infidel dog" before running away. He is director at Restos du Coeur, a charity which gives food packages and hot meals to the needy. According to Reuters, the investigation is being carried out by criminal police rather than anti-terrorism units. Since the attacks by so-called Islamic State last year, France has been on high alert. In June, a policeman and his partner were stabbed to death outside of Paris by a man who claimed allegiance to the Islamic State.

Summary: Police are investigating after a French charity worker said he was attacked with a knife and an axe by a couple who shouted "Allahu Akbar".


Since the militant attack, which killed six policeman and a driver, Pakistan have played most of their 'home' matches in the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan Cricket Board president Shaharyar Khan expects Zimbabwe to play in Lahore and Karachi in mid-May. He added that Zimbabwe will assess security before confirming the matches. Khan said his Zimbabwe counterpart, Wilson Manase, had explained the plans during a meeting of the International Cricket Council in Dubai last week. "He told me they are coming with their full team, but for a week," said Khan. If the tour goes ahead, Zimbabwe will be the first Test-playing nation to return to Pakistan, although Afghanistan and Kenya - neither of whom have Test status - have toured the country since the attack on low-profile series.

Summary: Pakistan are set to host top-level cricket for the first time since the 2009 gun attack on the Sri Lanka team bus, with Zimbabwe lined up to tour.


Media playback is unsupported on your device 1 June 2015 Last updated at 22:46 BST Notorious crime boss, Reggie Kray, penned the 215 exchanges to Carol Clerk, the ghost writer of his autobiography, while serving a life sentence in prison. Victoria Irvine, a valuer at McTear's Auctioneers, told BBC Scotland the letters were "fascinating pieces of crime memorabilia".

Summary: A collection of letters described as being "historically important", which were written by one of the UK's most notorious gangsters, are to go under the hammer in Glasgow.


The blaze at Allenby Barracks in Bovington, Dorset, in July 2016 caused £400,000 of damage. A court martial heard Capt Rupert Nurich of the Royals Scots Dragoon Guards was taking part in "improvised gladitorial-style combat". He was given a severe reprimand. Ten fire appliances were called to deal with the blaze, which took two hours to extinguish. The flare was fired as guests gathered around a swimming pool and one shot through an upper window of the seven-storey residential building, setting fire to a room and corridor. A court martial at Bulford Barricks heard Nurich was experienced in handling pyrotechnics and weapons. The prosecution argued that because he had drunk two glasses of Pimms and six glasses of wine he should not have fired the flare and was negligent because he was close to buildings. The officer's barrister, Robert Morris, said what happened was a "freak accident" and the flare had probably veered off course due to a manufacturing fault. "It was fired in the way you are meant to - away from people and buildings," he said. The court said it was concerned that "high jinks" involving senior officers had set the tone for the evening. Nurich was also ordered to pay £10,000 to a civilian steward who lost all her personal possessions in the fire and suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and mild depression as a result. On the instructions of the Deputy Judge Advocate, Nurich had earlier been found not guilty of arson. Another Royal Scots Dragoon Guards officer, Lieutenant Tim Carpenter, was found not guilty of arson and not guilty of negligently damaging service property.

Summary: An army officer has been found guilty of negligently damaging service property after firing a flare at a social event, which set fire to a military barracks.


Taoiseach Enda Kenny was more colourful, calling the treatment of County Louth man Paudie McGahon an intolerable "kangaroo court". The carefully considered on-air interviews with Gerry Adams and Raymond McCartney on the distressing case of Mr McGahon were undermined by a tweet from Francie Molloy. The Mid Ulster MP described the Spotlight programme as "another load of rubbish". Mr Molloy's subsequent apology and deletion of his tweet doesn't expunge the impression that many republicans would prefer it if victims like Paudie McGahon and Mairia Cahill had obeyed the IRA's initial orders by maintaining their silence. Expect more discussion about the development of some kind of north-south process to examine the cover-up of abuse during the Troubles and the movement of abusers across the border or across the Irish Sea. Fianna Fail's Micheál Martin wants "a cross-border mechanism to at least facilitate other victims to come forward, who might not want to go public". Rather than being the party in the dock, Sinn Féin has tried to seize the initiative by advocating an "all-island process to deal with the issue of providing support mechanisms for all those who were victims of sexual abuse during the conflict". Micheál Martin is dismissive of the Sinn Féin suggestion, arguing in the Dáil (Irish parliament) that it had been developed by republicans "just to dilute your culpability". Northern Ireland's Justice Minister David Ford and his Irish counterpart Frances Fitzgerald are wary of sanctioning any process that might cut across investigations or reviews already under way involving the Garda (Irish police), the Police Ombudsman or the former DPP, Keir Starmer. Mr Kenny is prepared to work with the first and deputy first ministers to consider a process related to the cross-border abuse allegations, however he emphasises that such a process "has to be independent of the court proceedings". Whilst we await an outcome to these somewhat convoluted discussions, the public north and south will no doubt make up their own minds about cases like those of Paudie McGahon and Mairia Cahill and their handling by both the IRA and the Sinn Féin leadership. Although no party would welcome such adverse publicity, Sinn Féin can take heart from their poll ratings in the key battleground in the Irish Republic. Recent Irish opinion polls have placed the party on anything between 20% and 24%, fighting it out with Enda Kenny's Fine Gael for top spot. When Mr Adams declared at his ard fheis (party conference) last weekend that Sinn Féin wanted to lead the next Irish government, those poll ratings dictated that his ambition should be taken seriously. If more conventional politicians had to deal with the kind of skeletons rattling around Sinn Féin and the IRA's cupboards, they would be expected to implode. But Mr Adams and Martin McGuinness have many years' experience of standing their ground against all comers. Perhaps a drip drip of further revelations will eventually dent Sinn Féin's appeal, but right now it is striking how resilient the party is proving to be.

Summary: A BBC Spotlight programme has again exposed the underbelly of republicanism, and what Gerry Adams himself describes as the "inadequate and inappropriate" way the IRA dealt with allegations of sexual abuse in the past.


Parents will have to show birth certificates to prove eligibility for the new two-weekly scheme on Anglesey. It comes into place in October, when general waste collections - which usually dispose of nappies - switch to every three weeks. A parent said he will struggle and "not a lot of thought has gone into it". A council spokesman said there was a separate service for older disabled children. The local authority cited sources, including the NHS, which says 90% of children are dry most days by the age of three. With general waste (black bin) collections switching from two to three weeks, the aim of the new service is to allow parents to dispose of nappies more quickly. "Evidence collated by our waste management team suggests that most children are potty trained between the ages of two and three," the spokesman said. "It has therefore been agreed to offer this new nappy collection service up until a child's third birthday." He said requesting birth certificates will allow the council to gauge how many people were using the scheme - which will only be available from homes and not nurseries or creches. Parents will have to get an application form from council offices and submit it along with a copy of the birth certificate. The council currently recycles 59% of its waste, and said it will gauge the impact of the new scheme over the coming months. Parents of children with medical conditions who are over three can apply to use a separate disposal service. However, Ian Cheney, whose five-year-old daughter Olivia has Down's syndrome, said he just about manages with black bag collections every fortnightly. He said when it changes to every three weeks he will "not manage" and said there was confusion over whether he was able to use a separate scheme, as the council suggested. "For people out there in my position, what do we do?" he said. "It is not just disabled children over three who are still in nappies. There a quite a lot of children out there. "Not a lot of thought has gone into it."

Summary: A council will not offer a used-nappy collection service for children over three, saying most should be potty trained by that age.


Money will be given to other projects, and potentially county football associations, if changes are not made, she told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek. Crouch said: "I'm not shy to say to the FA 'if you don't reform your governance structures, I will give that money to other bodies that deliver football'." She said the governing body receives £30m to £40m of public funding. Earlier this month, former FA chairman David Bernstein said the organisation was "outdated" and needed reform. "We have a massive problem in this country at the centre of English football. I'm talking about an outmoded structure which is not modern enough and not independent enough," he said. Asked about his comments, Crouch replied: "I share David's frustration. That's why we've made it clear that all sports governing bodies have to reform their governance codes. "The FA is not excluded from that, and if they don't, they won't get public funding. It's as simple as that." A report from the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee in 2013 called for reforms in English football - and outlined concerns including financial management as well as the balance of power between the Premier League and the FA. Crouch said there was good work being carried out by association executives but problems revolved around the FA Council, which has 124 elected members. "If there's no move whatsoever, and at the moment we are seeing nothing from the FA in terms of progress, they are likely to lose some public money or it will go elsewhere in the delivery of football," she added. The FA declined to comment, although a source stressed that it is a not-for-profit organisation with government funding ploughed into grassroots football.

Summary: The FA could lose millions of pounds of funding if it does not reform, says Sports Minister Tracey Crouch.


The force said the new approach would allow local teams to focus on patrols, and issues like anti-social behaviour. A spokesperson confirmed most investigations would be dealt with by a "default" team, but said that did not rule out local officers being involved. Critics have raised concerns that fewer officers will be investigating crimes. The changes are part of Leicestershire Police's bid to reduce spending by Â£30m. Under the plans, the force is also reducing the number of local units from 15 to eight and will cut 300 of its 2,200 officer posts over the next two years. Beat officers will now be known as dedicated neighbourhood officers to reflect the changes, which came into effect earlier, bosses said. Half of the 68 officers in the new East County team, which includes Rutland, Melton and Harborough area, will be PCSOs. Shadow policing minister Jack Dromey said the public should be concerned about the changes. He said: "Because there will be far fewer officers investigating crime - more criminals are going to get away with it." Rutland County Council leader Roger Begy said he feared the changes would also lead to longer response times. "We are a very low crime area [in Rutland] but we want to keep it that way," he said. However, Chief Constable Simon Cole said the force was "putting officers where the problems are". "This transformation is the latest in a series of on-going changes in response to reducing budgets and changing public expectation and demand," he said. "This new way of working will allow the teams based in our communities to dedicate their time to working closely with neighbourhoods and partners to resolve issues at a local level."

Summary: Police investigations in Leicestershire are being carried out by a dedicated unit rather than beat officers, as part of changes to working practices.


The attackers entered the Ambassador Hotel on Maka al-Mukarama street after setting off a car bomb at the gates outside, witnesses said. Somalia's state news agency said two MPs were killed in the blast, with another four rescued. The al-Shabab militant group was quick to say it was behind the attack. The BBC's Somali Service reporter Ibrahim Aden in Mogadishu says the explosion is one of the largest to hit the city and the scale of destruction is huge. Somalia's state news agency Sonna said at least 50 people were hurt and that the death toll was likely to rise. It named the dead MPs as Abdullahi Jama Kabaweyne and Mohamoud Mohamed Gure. The head of the city's Amiin ambulance service has told the BBC the main Medina hospital is overcrowded. "I was the first person to reach scene. The damage was enormous," Dr Abdulkadir Andirahman Haji Aden said. "My brother and his son were among those injured. We are now in Medina hospital and it is overcrowded with wounded people. I have never seen something like this." Al-Shabab, which is battling the UN-backed government, was driven from Mogadishu in 2011 but still remains a potent threat and frequently carries out attacks in the city. The government, with the help of African Union forces, is fighting the al-Qaeda-linked group to regain control of the country. Earlier on Wednesday, the government announced it had killed Mohamed Kuno, the al-Shabab militant who led the attack on Garissa University in Kenya in April 2015 that killed 148 people. He was one of 16 al-Shabab militants - four of them senior leaders - killed in an overnight raid on their convoy in Kismayo, a port city in southern Somalia.

Summary: Gunmen have stormed a hotel in the centre of the Somali capital Mogadishu, with reports of at least 10 dead and 50 wounded.


The marathon runner crossed the line in second place with his arms above his head in solidarity with Oromo activists who are staging protests in Ethiopia. He repeated the gesture later at a press conference, saying his life would be in danger if he returned home. The government has been accused of brutally cracking down on protesters. The country's Information Minister Getachew Reda told the BBC at the time that he had nothing to fear and would be welcomed home as a hero. But speaking after the race, Mr Feyisa said he might be killed if he returned. "If not kill me, they will put me in prison. I have not decided yet, but maybe I will move to another country." His family later said that he wanted to seek asylum in the US. A funding campaign, which has now reached its $150,000 (Â£113,000) target, was set up to help pay his legal fees and support his family back home in Ethiopia. Mr Feyisa is from Oromia, home to most of Ethiopia's 35 million Oromo people, the country's largest ethnic group. The region has been hit by a wave of anti-government protests since November last year as people complain about social and political marginalisation. US-based rights group Human Rights Watch has said that more than 400 people have been killed by security forces during the demonstrations. The government disputes the figure and has said that it welcomes dialogue and peaceful protests to sort out issues that people may have. The information minister has acknowledged that there have been some killings but has said that in the main the security forces conducted themselves "in a very professional and responsible manner". He put the killings down to "a few bad apples".

Summary: Ethiopian Olympian Feyisa Lilesa, who said he wanted to seek asylum after making an anti-government gesture in Rio, has arrived in the US.


The group, which includes Kate and Gerry McCann, says a delay in bringing into law a key part of the Royal Charter agreement is a "betrayal". The change was one of the commitments made after the Leveson Inquiry into press standards and was passed by MPs. But three years on, it still needs to be signed off by the culture secretary, who says it is "under consideration". One of the regulations would require newspapers to pay libel costs even if they won a case brought against them, should they not have previously offered a low-cost means of resolving the claim. Culture Secretary John Whittingdale has told newspaper editors he questions whether this legal change will be "positive" for the newspaper industry. The signatories to an open letter to Prime Minister David Cameron include the McCanns, whose daughter Madeleine went missing in Portugal in 2007, and Christopher Jefferies, who was wrongly arrested during the investigation into the murder of Jo Yeates in Bristol in 2010. Mr McCann says victims of the press feel very let down. "The prime minister promised us on multiple occasions that we would be at the centre of press regulation reform and clearly that's not the case," he said. "The people at the centre of this are the owners of the major newspapers. "So, I think, we feel betrayed." The letter, which the Guardian has published in full here, raises concerns about the lack of contact with victims when compared with the number of meetings between the prime minister and senior figures from the newspaper industry. It also highlights reports that the second part of the Leveson Inquiry, which was scheduled to take place once the many criminal trials over phone hacking and payments to public officials had taken place, may be shelved. "Since this is meant to establish how lawbreaking took hold in our press, why the police failed to stop it and who was responsible, we need hardly say why this is of such vital public importance," the letter says. Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act was devised to punish newspapers if they forced people to use the libel courts without offering a cheaper alternative. But if Section 40 was signed in to law, it would come in to force only if there was an officially recognised regulator. A new regulator, the Independent Press Standards Organisation (Ipso), has been set up by the newspapers and has wider powers than previous bodies. It represents most of Britain's main newsbrands except for the Guardian, the Financial Times and the Independent . However it has not yet offered public arbitration, a cheaper alternative to the libel court, to settle disputes. Ipso looks unlikely to ever seek recognition although a rival regulator, Impress, has applied. Impress has about a dozen members so far and more are expected to be announced in the months to come. It made its application for recognition in January and, if it is approved, the new law on libel costs would become active. The papers would then face the possibility of libel actions from the

Summary: Victims of press intrusion have accused the government of breaking its promise over regulation.


The NSPCC twice referred Charito Cruz to social services at Kingston Council because of Mohammed Asad Niazi's abuse. In December Niazi, 30, was found guilty of bludgeoning Ms Cruz to death with a hammer in 2011 and jailed for 12 years. The council said it was now conducting a "domestic homicide review". An Ofsted report said the council had not adequately addressed "all the areas identified" in its internal management review, which has never been published but has been seen by BBC London. Duncan Clark, Kingston's director of children and learning, resigned with a Â£128,000 pay-off the day before the Ofsted report was published. The internal review found on one occasion a social services manager did not think the referral was serious enough to warrant a home visit. On the second occasion in September 2011 the manager did not read the referrals but took the documents home to read. That night, Niazi killed 37-year-old Ms Cruz by hitting her 50 times with a hammer. The council, Mr Clark and two social work managers criticised in the internal review have refused to comment. Kingston Council would only say it was conducting a "domestic homicide review" into the case, that new senior managers had been appointed and a "significant investment" had been made. A council spokesman said: "A number of significant actions have been taken in response to the findings of the Ofsted inspection and the improvement notice in order to improve safeguarding arrangements for children. "The council is implementing the improvement plan and there is good progress on delivering this agenda." Kingston's former acting head of social care, Olivia Butler, who ordered the internal investigation into what went wrong, said what she uncovered was "very poor practice and tantamount to negligence". According to the internal documents, Ms Cruz first emailed children's charity the NSPCC at the beginning of September 2011 as her relationship was breaking down due to Niazi's abuse. The charity asked Kingston Council to visit her at her home but a social work manager decided emailed advice was sufficient, the report stated. The situation worsened and Ms Cruz contacted the Child Safeguarding department on 23 September saying she was "shocked and scared" that her partner was showing their two-year-old daughter pornographic videos and encouraging her to play with cigarettes. A social worker phoned Ms Cruz the same day at which point Ms Cruz revealed Niazi, originally from Pakistan, had attempted suicide with an overdose of painkillers. The department's duty manager on 23 September, failed to ensure the conversation was logged on Kingston Council's computer system. Niazi emailed the NSPCC several times over two days asking for help controlling his emotions after smashing Ms Cruz's phone with the hammer he later murdered her with. On 25 September the police sent the Child Safeguarding department a referral informing them that Ms Cruz had visited them over the weekend, saying she was feeling unsafe and that they had visited Niazi warning him over his behaviour. The NSPCC also contacted Child Safeguarding the next morning with details of their contact with Niazi and asked the

Summary: Social work managers ignored requests to visit a woman being abused by her partner days before he killed her in front of their toddler, according to leaked documents.


Jason Chung Yai-Ho, from Glasgow, was last seen in his inflatable red kayak off Traigh beach near Arisaig at about 16.30 on Wednesday. He had set off despite an off-duty police officer warning him not to go out because of squally weather. Two lifeboats, coastguard rescue teams and helicopter and police search dog teams have been involved in the search. The helicopter search was stood down on Thursday night but coastal searches from Mallaig to Gortenachullish continued on Friday and Saturday. Mr Chung Yai-Ho is 5ft 8in tall with short dark hair and a beard. He was last seen wearing a black waterproof jacket, black waterproof trousers and a black buoyancy aid. His car, a red 2003 Toyota Corolla, was found parked near to the beach and has been recovered by the police. A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Over the weekend there will be continued searches co-ordinated by police based in Fort William. "Local officers will be supported by specialist search teams and dog units. Further assistance will be provided by HM Coastguard and the Lochaber mountain rescue team. "If anyone has seen Jason or has any information regarding his current whereabouts or movements prior to when he was last seen on Traigh beach, they are urged to contact police on 101."

Summary: Searches are continuing for a kayaker missing in the Highlands for three days.


Muslim Youth Focus Group organised the event to voice concerns about issues such as radicalisation. The event was held as it emerged four teenage girls who were barred from travelling abroad were from the same school attended by three girls already thought to have fled to Syria. All seven attend Bethnal Green Academy in Tower Hamlets. The name of the school was revealed after reporters argued it was in the public interest. The event was aimed at young British Muslims to help create a platform for them to discuss issues such as Islamophobia, Islamic State and the war in Syria. In mid-February, police raised concerns following the disappearance of Kadiza Sultana, 16, Shamima Begum, 15, and Amira Abase, 15, from their homes in east London. Shamima used the passport of her 17-year-old sister to leave the UK, police have said. Young people, police, teachers, faith leaders and Muslims from the world of entertainment gathered at the Muslim Youth Festival to explore views on what it means to be a Muslim today. Role models spoke at the event including music star Naughty Boy, whose real name is Shahid Khan, and has been working with Zayn Malik, who recently announced he was leaving One Direction. Imam, Dr Mohammed Fahim of South Woodford Mosque said: "Young British Muslims, irrespective of their ethnicities or gender, should feel proud to live in a country like Britain which respects human rights and gives them equal opportunities and permits them to practice their religion without any fear or oppression."

Summary: Hundreds of young British Muslims have attended a festival in London on how to divert people away from extremism.


Almost 1.7m euro (£1.3m) has been paid out by the Erne Trust since 2012. The money was for legal bills and other fees incurred by the Quinn family. The receiver for the assets of various Quinn family members took legal action to have the trust's donors disclosed to him. He suspects it is a "sham trust", which is a conduit for assets which have been concealed from him. Declan Taite was appointed receiver in 2012 at the request of IBRC, formerly known as Anglo-Irish Bank. He told the court that it is his job to identify, locate and collect assets. He added that the Quinn's have "openly admitted" they put property assets beyond the reach of IBRC and that those assets have "generated tens of millions of euros". He said he is trying to "understand the provenance" of the money in the trust to determine that it does not originate with the Quinn family. A list of donors including names, addresses and sums donated has now been given to Mr Taite. His barrister said the close family connections includes siblings, however, a barrister for the trust said he was "not aware" of a sibling connection. The trust's barrister added that it was "not surprising" that Mr Quinn's business acquaintances should support him. Mr Taite's barrister said that having received the list of names there may now be a need to gather further affidavit evidence. The case was adjourned until September.

Summary: The donors who have effectively been paying Seán Quinn's legal bills include business acquaintances and "close family connections", the High Court has been told.


The Super Eagles have made an impressive start to their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign. But it has become apparent that the German coach faces a major headache at right fullback. Nigeria has struggled to find a competent rightback since the departure of Chidi Odiah in 2010. Rohr has tried four different players in three matches as he seeks to keep the West Africans at the top of Group B. The Super Eagles boss said: "We have been trying to find the right balance but the struggle in the rightback position is something we hope to sort out. "Musa Muhammed played in that position against Tanzania and he was good, but he's not playing at his club in Turkey İstanbul Başakşehir. "We have also played [Wilfred] Ndidi, [Kenneth] Omeruo and Shehu [Abdullahi] but there is no permanent man. "This is something we have to fix." Yisa Sofoluwe and Austin Eguavoen are both famous for providing strong cover in the rightback spot in the 1980s and 1990s before Nduka Ugbade, Mobi Oparaku, Joseph Yobo and Chidi Odiah stepped in. Nigeria have since tried Efe Ambrose, Chibuzor Okonkwo, Ogenyi Onazi, Kenneth Omeruo, Leon Balogun, Musa Muhammed and Sheu Abdullahi without much success. Dutch-born defender Tyronne Ebuehi, 20, was seen as the man to plug the hole but the youngster rejected the chance to play against Algeria in a World Cup qualifier earlier this month, saying he prefers to focus on establishing himself at his Dutch club ADO Den Haag instead. Nigeria's 3-1 over the Desert Foxes on 12 November coupled with an away victory in Zambia last month propelled them to the top of Group B. The three-time African champions host Cameroon in back-to-back fixtures on 28 August 2017 and 2 September 2017.

Summary: Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has admitted that a problem at rightback could derail the Super Eagles' quest for a place at the 2018 World Cup finals.


The total figure was £8.6m, up from £6.8 million in 2013. KPMG's fraud barometer covers major court cases involving sums of more than £100,000. There were 13 such cases in 2014, with the majority being committed against financial institutions by bogus customers. In 2013 more than one third of cases coming to Scottish courts involved employees defrauding their own organisations, but the latest figures show that three quarters of total losses suffered were to con artist customers, mostly through mortgage fraud. Cases coming to court in Scotland in 2014 included: Ken Milliken, KPMG head of forensic, Scotland, said: "Individuals who gave false information to acquire mortgages are now paying the price as banks and then police look to crack down on mortgage fraud. "The numbers do not mean that mortgage fraud is on the increase but rather that investigation and enforcement activity is on the increase. "There are still many embezzlers and other con artists within this year's figures, opportunistically preying on the vulnerable or taking advantage of weaknesses in company controls." He added: "Because there will always be people willing to break the law for their own ends, the fight against fraud will never be won." "Companies cannot afford to be complacent. As individuals, we also need to be wary of that opportunity which seems too good to be true. It is that complacency and gullibility that fraudsters thrive on."

Summary: The amount of money lost in high value fraud cases in Scotland increased last year by more than a quarter, according to accountants KPMG.


Media playback is unsupported on your device 29 July 2015 Last updated at 05:00 BST Microsoft is rolling out access to the latest version of its operating system in waves, to make sure everything runs smoothly. The first people will be notified that an update is available on 29 July, while everyone else will have to wait. The BBC's technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones was given a crash course in Windows 10 by product manager Ian Moulster. He showed Rory some of the operating system's new features, including its voice controlled assistant Cortana. Find out more about Windows 10

Summary: The first early adopters will be able to get their hands on Windows 10 from Wednesday.


The dump, which is thought to cover at least half an acre and is several feet thick, is on private land near Owthorpe Road, Cotgrave. Fire crews have been called to the site several times, most recently at the weekend. Nottinghamshire County Council said an Enforcement Notice to clear the site by 1 September had been served. According to people living nearby, much of the waste had been stored in large plastic bundles but these had been opened when fires started. Jonathan Smith, from the council, confirmed they had served the notice in April. He said: "This activity has been done without planning permission and without the prior knowledge of the county council. "An enforcement notice requiring the removal of all waste from the site and restoration to its former condition has been served on the landowners and other parties who we believe have an interest in the site." If this is not obeyed the council can clear the land and recover costs and the landowner could face court action. Tessa Bunby posted on a Cotgrave Facebook page: "I'm sure there is a process to these things but the [local authority] being aware since April is mind-boggling". Resident Drew Willie said: "You only have to look at it, it is disgusting and it is going to cost a fortune to clean it up. "There is probably a lot of hazardous waste, the kids are going to come up here and set fire to it again and the fire brigade will have to come and put it out. "And it is just a waste of resources, all from somebody being irresponsible and dumping stuff here they shouldn't."

Summary: A deadline to clear a "disgusting" field of rubbish in Nottinghamshire is close to expiring.


Shunsuke Mutai, the vice-minister of reconstruction, was visiting the town of Iwaizumi to assess the deadly damage caused by Typhoon Lionrock. The storm killed more than 20 people in the region. But he was seen on TV laughingly being piggybacked by a less senior official, so he could keep his feet dry. Mr Mutai, who apparently forgot to take rubber boots with him, later apologised, saying what he did was "inappropriate" and that he "deeply regretted it". The picture went viral on social media with netizens lambasting the vice-minister and accusing him of not taking his job seriously. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga later criticised Mr Mutai for lacking sensitivity. "He went there as head of the government investigation team, so naturally he should have brought his rubber boots to begin with. "I must say he lacked sensitivity to the residents and the region," he said.

Summary: A Japanese senior government official has come under criticism for hitching a ride on a colleague's back to cross a puddle.


The duo both hit their second County Championship tons of the season as they put on 161 runs for the third wicket. Vince took the aggressive role, hitting 19 boundaries to reach his 100 from just 121 balls before Tom Curran (2-71) had him caught behind for 104. George Bailey (61 not out) and Adams put on 129 before Adams was bowled in the last over, leaving Hampshire 361-4. It was a near-perfect innings from left-hander Adams, who hit 19 fours and two sixes, offering no chances until he was dismissed by a full ball - the 262nd he faced - from off-spinner Amar Virdi. Hampshire won the toss but lost Lewis McManus, opening because of Liam Dawson's England Test call-up, for 13 when he was bowled by an inswinging yorker from Sam Curran. Rilee Rossouw, on a terrible run of form, made 28 but edged Tom Curran to second slip, before Vince took centre stage, scoring fluently through the offside, with 76 of his 104 runs coming from fours. Bailey then played a well-judged support role for Adams, getting Hampshire past the new ball before Adams' dismissal with five balls left brought stumps.

Summary: Jimmy Adams and James Vince struck centuries to put Hampshire in control on day one against Surrey at the Oval.


Two tries from Mark Atkinson and one from Matt Scott helped put them 21-6 ahead, before Simon Labouyrie and Dion Evarard Oulai crossed for the hosts. Billy Twelvetrees' try made it 29-20 at half-time, before Evrard Ourai's second reduced the deficit to just two points. But May's effort and a late try from Tom Savage earned their side the win. Bayonne: Jane; Laveau, Whitelock, Lacroix, Fuster; Meret, Duhalde; Iguiniz, Labouyrie, Choirat, Ducat, Jaulhac, Latimer, Lespinasse, Oulai. Replacements: Leiataua, Bordenave, Taufa, Huete, Saubusse, Duputs, Maillard, Mamao. Gloucester: Hook; Halaifonua, Scott, Atkinson, May; Twelvetrees, Heinz (c); Thomas, Hibbard, Doran-Jones; Savage, Latta, Ludlow, Rowan, Morgan. Replacements: Matu'u, Orr, Afoa, Galarza, Kvesic, Braley, Thorley, Sharples. Referee: Gary Conway (Ireland) Assistant referees: Stuart Gaffikin and Richard Kerr (Both Ireland) For the latest rugby union news follow @bbcrugbyunion on Twitter.

Summary: England winger Jonny May scored a try on his return after 10 months out with a knee injury to help Gloucester beat Bayonne in their Challenge Cup opener.


Investors remain optimistic that the election win for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's party over the weekend will lead to more stimulus measures. Mr Abe had described the vote as an endorsement of his reform policies and promised new government spending to help the economy. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index closed 0.8% higher at 16,231.43. In China, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index ended the day up 97.63 points at 21,322.37 while the mainland Shanghai Composite closed up 11.31 points at 3,060.69. Australia's benchmark ASX/200 index in Sydney rose 0.7% to close at 5,388.54. With the iron ore price seeing a strong rise overnight, shares in commodity-related companies were among the best performers. Atlas Iron saw an 18% surge while Fortescue gained 6% and BHP Billiton was up just over 3%. In South Korea, the Kospi closed up 0.7% at 2,005.55.

Summary: Japanese shares rose for a third day in row, leading a positive trend across the Asia Pacific region.


At closing, the benchmark FTSE 100 index was down 44.98 points, or 0.7%, at 6,371.18. Aerospace firm Rolls-Royce led the downward trend, shedding 4.2% after media reports of an inquiry into the EU's airline maintenance market. However, British Airways owner IAG rose 1.19% on a broker upgrade. Mining giant Glencore began the session as the 100-share index's biggest gainer after it said it had started the sales process for two of its copper mines. Shares in Glencore initially jumped 1.55% on the news that the mines, in Australia and Chile, were up for sale, but at close, they were down 6.2%. Glencore is attempting to reduce $30bn (£19.5bn) of debt created by its 2013 takeover of Xstrata. Against the dollar, the pound was 0.22% higher at $1.5350 and gained 0.19% against the euro to €1.3500.

Summary: (Close): London's leading shares dipped in Monday morning trading, indicating that an eight-day run of gains might be coming to an end.


Bahman Daroshafaei, who has dual British and Iranian citizenship, was arrested at his home in Tehran on 3 February on unspecified charges. One friend told the Reuters news agency that his release on Tuesday "was a surprise to him". Mr Daroshafaei has been working as a translator since leaving BBC Persian around two years ago. His family said that his passport had been seized after he returned to Iran. Since then, he had been questioned dozens of times by the intelligence ministry about his activities as a journalist, the news website Iranwire reported. A Twitter campaign run by his friends and colleagues, @FreeBahman, posted a photograph of Mr Daroshafaei standing outside Tehran's Evin prison on Tuesday. "Good news: Bahman has been released on bail," said the caption. In November, two prominent journalists were arrested as part of what appeared to be a crackdown on writers, artists and other cultural figures in Iran. Isa Saharkhiz and Ehsun Mazandarani have been accused of acting against national security. The previous month, poets Fatemeh Ekhtesari and Mehdi Mousavi and filmmaker Keywan Karimi were handed lengthy prison terms by a court after being convicted of charges including "insulting sanctities and propaganda against the state".

Summary: A former BBC Persian journalist detained in Iran has been released from prison on bail, his friends say.


Mr Ruck, 59, is currently in a critical but stable condition after suffering head and leg injuries. The incident happened at 19:40 BST on Saturday on New Street, Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire. A man from nearby Burry Port has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by failing to stop at a road traffic collision, police said. Mr Ruck is the author of four books and a columnist for local newspapers. He had been walking when the incident happened and was taken to Swansea's Morriston Hospital for treatment. Dyfed Powys Police has appealed for witnesses to the incident.

Summary: A 19-year-old man has been arrested over a suspected hit-and-run that left writer Julian Ruck seriously hurt.