Three team-mates have made the shortlist - Stuart Armstrong, Moussa Dembele and Scott Sinclair - along with Aberdeen winger Johnny Hayes. But Rodgers feels his captain should not have been overlooked. "I still can't get away from how Scott Brown's not on it. I really can't," he said of the Scotland midfielder. "I don't know what he was like in other years, but for this season, in my first season up here in Scotland, the level that this man has played at, he's the most influential player in Scottish football. "I look at Chelsea's N'Golo Kante down south as a central midfield player and I think he got the player of the year award down there - and I think that Scott is certainly at least worthy of being a nominee." Rodgers, though, would not reveal whether 31-year-old Brown would have been his choice for player of the year. Media playback is not supported on this device He also declined to nominate which of the three Celtic players on the list deserved to win. However, he praised the consistency and leadership shown by Brown throughout the campaign. "I can only remember him having one bad game and that was Hearts when we won the league - and I think he said it himself he was hopeless," added the Rodgers. "Every other game has been at a top level and this is Champions League, this is big games. "The players here will tell you the catalyst he is for them, what he gives the team. He has been superb. "I can't believe why he isn't in it, but of course, I'm really happy for the other boys and the young players that are nominated as well." At Ibrox on Sunday, Sinclair was subjected to racial gestures from a Rangers fan, who has since admitted the offence in court, and Rodgers said the English winger had put the incident behind him. "Racism - whether it is football or whether it is society - there is no place for it," added Rodgers. "He's fine. He's got the support of all the people here, all the supporters and he moves on from it. "He's been playing the game quite a long time, so it says something that it's the first time he has come across it in his life. "There's been so much great work over the last 20 years to wipe out this kind of thing. "In this day and age, when you do hear about it, it's very, very surprising, so thankfully it's been dealt with straight away, which is good to see, and we hope we don't have any more incidents like it for players like Scotty and whoever else."

Summary: Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers cannot believe Scott Brown is absent from the nomination list for the PFA Scotland player of the year award.


The 91st annual conference of the National Federation of Women's Institutes Wales was held at St David's Hall, Cardiff, on Saturday. About 600 members attended. Part of the event included celebrating the first meeting, which took place in Llanfair on Anglesey on 16 September, 1915.

Summary: A celebration has been held to mark 100 years since the first Women's Institute (WI) meeting in Britain.


Coach Michel Dussuyer has also left out Newcastle's Cheick Tiote, plus Siaka Tiene and Lacina Traore for the match on 6 September. Dussuyer says Toure is still thinking about his international future. "At the moment he's in a period of reflection about his international future," Dussuyer said. "I met him in London and told him I was counting on him. "He's a big player and the captain of the team. I hope he'll continue his adventure with us." Toure said in March that he was considering whether to continue playing for the 2015 Nations Cup winners. Dussuyer also explained the absence of several other experienced players. "As for Cheick Tiote we tried to get in contact with him through various means but there was no sign of life. "I just wish he had made his position clear. Siaka Tiene still doesn't have a club, "As for Lacina Traore and Tallo Gadji, I have to make a choice but it doesn't mean that I won't call on them in the future. "They will just have to play well for their clubs." The match will be played in the Nigerian city of Lagos as Sierra Leone are banned from hosting matches at home due to the Ebola crisis. Sierra Leone lost their opening Nations Cup qualifier 1-0 to Group I opponents Sudan in June. The group also includes 2017 Nations Cup hosts Gabon but their matches will not count towards qualification. Only the group winners advance to the finals. Ivory Coast and Gabon drew 1-1 in June. Ivory Coast squad: Goalkeepers: Sylvain Gbohou (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Ali Sangare Badra (Asec Mimosas) Made Sayouba (Stabaek, Norway) Defenders: Serge Aurier (PSG, France), Mamadou Bagayoko (KV St Trond, Belgium), Eric Bailly (Villareal, Spain), Simon Deli (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), Sheriff Jymoh (Athletic Adjame), Franck Kessie (Cesena, Italy), Adama Traore (Basel, Switzerland), Ousmane Viera (Rizespor, Turkey) Midfielders: Jean Daniel Akpa Akpro (Toulouse FC, France), Ismael Diomande (St Etienne, France), Yao Serge N'Guessan (AFAD), Geoffrey Serey Die (VFB Stuttgart, Germany), Jean Michael Seri (OGC Nice, France) Forwards: Wilfried Bony (Manchester City, England), Seydou Doumbia (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Gervinho (AS Roma, Italy), Max Gradel (Bournemouth, England), Salomon Kalou (Hertha Berlin, Germany), Giovanni Sio (Rennes, France), Thomas Toure (Bordeaux, France)

Summary: Manchester City's Yaya Toure has asked not to be included in Ivory Coast's squad for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone.


The game was seen as a test of the Gunners' title credentials and, when you compare this result with their defeat at the Britannia Stadium last season, you can see the progress they have made. The Gunners did not play well but the crucial thing is that they dug deep and were not beaten this time. Wenger's side have fallen away in past seasons but performances like this one are part of the reason I think they will go the distance in the Premier League title race this time. There are still many more big tests to come for Arsenal, but they will still be there or thereabouts in May. Media playback is not supported on this device I don't think there is any doubt that the Gunners look more solid and have improved as a team with Petr Cech behind them, and Sunday was yet another example of what an important signing he has been. When Stoke got through Arsenal's back four, Cech was there to save them. He helped earn what was a big point for the Gunners because of their poor record at the Britannia Stadium - they had only won on one of seven previous league visits - and it might also prove to be an important point in the title race. That is the way Wenger will look at it, and I am sure he will take a lot of confidence from this result. Stoke have already beaten Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea at home this season, so they are no pushovers. The Potters have a lot of unpredictability in their team, particularly in attack, and they are tough to beat because they have a top-class young goalkeeper as well. Along with Cech, Jack Butland was the star of the show, and he made two excellent saves from Olivier Giroud. Other than those Giroud efforts, Arsenal did not threaten too often against the Potters but they were without their most creative player Mesut Ozil, who has been superb for them. Wenger got it right after the game when he said that there is no team in the world that would not miss Ozil in the form he is in at the moment. You only have to look at the number of chances he has created and the assists he has made in the Premier League this season to see what the German usually brings to their side. The good news for the Gunners is that it looks like he will be back soon, and Alexis Sanchez is also not far away from a return after seven weeks out with a hamstring injury. So, all things considered, Arsenal look in good shape in attack as well as at the back. I still think Giroud should score more goals - he has not reached 20 league goals in any of his three previous seasons for the Gunners. Like I said on Match of the Day on Wednesday night, he should be scoring 25 league goals a season playing in this Arsenal team, because of the number of chances

Summary: Arsenal are back on top of the table after Sunday's draw at Stoke and there are several other reasons it was a significant result for Arsene Wenger's side.


The so-called Immortal Regiment procession sees people carrying flowers and portraits of loved-ones. It followed Russia's annual Victory Day parade, which marks the anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two.

Summary: Tens of thousands of people have marched in Moscow and cities around the world to remember relatives who took part in World War Two.


Bryony Freestone, 19, from Little Houghton, Northampton, died off the island of Koh Chang on 14 August. Kurtis Middleton, who had been with the Exeter University student for more than three years, said she taught him "to seize life by the horns". Her twin Sophie said Bryony recently said "if she were to die right now, she would have lived her life to the full". Bryony, a student at the university's Penryn Campus in Cornwall, was said to be "talented, dedicated and hugely popular". Describing her as "my beautiful Bryony", her boyfriend said: "You were more than just my partner, you were my best friend and over our three years and three months we had together I've grown into a much better person, simply through knowing you." Her sister agreed, saying: "You were the most vibrant, passionate, happy person I have ever known, enthusiastic about absolutely everything. "I will endeavour to live my life the best I can for her." Mr Middleton added: "Bry taught me how to seize life by the horns and make the most of every moment... we could all learn a lesson from her. "Sleep tight Bryony, I love you with all my heart." Earlier this week the Foreign Office confirmed it was supporting the family of a British national "who sadly died in Thailand on 14 August".

Summary: The boyfriend of a student who drowned in Thailand has spoken of the "big open space where [she] should be".


The 28-year-old male officer suffered serious burns and is in an induced coma, prosecutor Eric Lallement said. His female partner was also badly burned on her hands and face. The attack in the town of Viry-Chatillon was a "murder attempt", a police union official told RTL radio. The officer with the most serious injuries was "between life and death", said Claude Carillo from the Alliance 91 union. The officers were on patrol near a housing estate. Robbers have been known to target motorists at a traffic junction in the area. A group of about 15 people were involved in the attack and surrounded the patrol car, the AFP news agency reports. Two other officers who arrived as back-up were also injured. Prime Minister Manuel Valls said those responsible would be "relentlessly pursued and brought to justice".

Summary: A French police officer is in a life-threatening condition a day after a group of youths pelted petrol bombs at his patrol car near a housing estate outside Paris, prosecutors say.


David Mayman, a former commercial pilot, flew at a height of 30m for four minutes wearing a turbine jet engine-powered JB-10 jetpack. He hopes to make an electric version of the jetpack to be available in 2019 - at a price of nearly Â£200,000. Mr Mayman said: "It feels absolutely amazing, awesome - it's freedom." The project to develop a commercially viable electric jetpack is seeking to raise Â£300,000 through crowdfunding, with work on the project planned to start in April 2017. The Australian former pilot took off in the jetpack from the Royal Victoria terminal of the Emirates Air Line cable car by the River Thames and made two short trips towards the ExCel centre. "This is for the City boys who grew up in the 70s and 80s and dreamt of being a real-life Iron Man," said Lucy Sharp from Seedrs Investment, the company behind the fundraising for the electric jetpack. "He's in talks with the US navy to give it a use beyond commercial flights. "He's done over 400 test flights and they've all gone smoothly but it is jet fuel on his back so it can be dangerous." The former pilot, who has worked on the project for more than a decade, has previously flown close to the Statue of Liberty in New York City and in Monaco. Engineer Bennie Van De Goor said Mr Mayman's "passion for a long time has been to develop a small man-carrying vehicle that he can put in his car, take out and fly".

Summary: A pilot wearing a jetpack has taken to the skies above the River Thames in east London like "a real-life Iron Man".


The Dutchman took over at Stamford Bridge in December after the dismissal of Jose Mourinho. And Mikel told BBC's Match of the Day that the mood at Chelsea is now better. "It's the way he communicates with the players and maybe that's what the players felt they didn't get from the previous manager," he said. "Sometimes players - not just because they're not playing - you need to communicate with them. You need to speak to them and don't just ignore them because players like to be communicated to. "This is what [Hiddink] has brought into the football club. In some ways you barely know he is in there, he is that calm and relaxed." Hiddink, who led Chelsea to FA Cup triumph in 2009, took over with the Blues 16th in the Premier League, one point above the relegation zone. They are currently 13th, nine points off the final Champions League place. The Nigerian was linked with a move away from the club last summer but Mourinho reportedly refused to sanction his departure. However, he has become a regular under Hiddink.

Summary: Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi says communication has improved within the team since the arrival of interim manager Guus Hiddink.


Media playback is not supported on this device And as he looks back on the year when his career as a professional sportsman came to an abrupt end at the age of 26, he admits to being "very, very lucky". Taylor's heart was beating at 265 beats per minute for six hours. Most people would have passed out in about 10 minutes. "Thankfully I was so fit I could withstand it. Six hours is a good effort," he told BBC East Midlands Today. "It's ironic, that because I am so fit and did so much exercise it ultimately saved me. It's a funny one." Taylor's heart condition - Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) - gets worse with exercise, but had never been diagnosed until he felt ill during pre-season with Nottinghamshire in April. Retirement was inevitable, and the internal defibrillator he had fitted two months later has already saved his life for a second time. "My operation was not to make anything better," he said. "This condition can't get better, but if something goes wrong it is a safety net. "If it happens again - and it has - it certainly did its job. It gave me a massive shock. But it did its job." Taylor treasures the memories of what proved to be his farewell to international cricket. He played in all four matches in last winter's series win over South Africa, taking two stunning catches in the brilliant third Test victory in Johannesburg. "Who would have thought my best moment in cricket was my last moment in cricket?" said Taylor, who won seven Test caps. "All I wanted in my career was to play for England and I had fought so hard and there had been so many ups and downs. I felt I should have played far more than I did. "Then it was all taken away from me. It kind of summed up my career. I got there and it got taken away from me. "The best moment I have ever had in my life was one of the last days playing cricket for England, catching those catches in Joburg, winning that game with England, playing for your country amongst some great guys. "It doesn't get much better than that. I achieved it, but I just did it less than I imagined and hoped. But I can't complain." Taylor does not complain because he is still alive, but the stubbornness which underpinned his cricket career very nearly led to his demise when he knew all was not well playing for Notts against university side Cambridge MCCU in April. "It was very lucky a few things happened," the ex-Leicestershire player said, recounting the sequence of events and "what ifs" that led to his diagnosis. "I am lucky I have a girlfriend for starters - in a lot of ways! I am lucky that Jose was off work and I rang her to say I was ill. "And if I hadn't forgotten my keys for my house I wouldn't have got my mum involved. She found me curled up in

Summary: The very thing that almost killed former Nottinghamshire and England batsman James Taylor also saved his life.


The leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Kirsty Williams, says it was she - and that it was the Lib Dems' coalition partners who insisted on the explicit link. Her version of events is - to put it mildly - disputed at Westminster. As I reported last month, the initial offer from the UK government had strings attached. Those strings were later cut after the Welsh Lib Dems threw their toys out of the pram. But that was only after the referendum link had apparently been agreed by the deputy Prime Minister (and Lib Dem leader) Nick Clegg and (Lib Dem) Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander. There are even suggestions from Conservative sources that senior Lib Dem ministers wanted to go further - and require a Welsh government commitment to campaign for a "yes" vote in that referendum. But Kirsty Williams has presented the proposed link as a dastardly Conservative plot, telling us: "I do not think it is reasonable for the Tories to say you can only deal with Wales's under-funding if you have that income tax referendum. "That's why I blocked that announcement when that was being proposed from London to make sure that's not the case." She may have opposed the explicit link but so, I'm told, did Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb. It appears they were both on the same side of the argument arguing against senior figures in their own - and each other's - parties. Coalition 2.0 anyone?

Summary: Who blocked an attempt by the coalition to tie a new funding deal for the Welsh government with a commitment to hold a referendum on income tax powers?


More than 2,000 pigs would be bred at the farm on the Moys Road and slurry spread on nearby land. Thousands of people have objected claiming it would impact on their health and the environment. However, an environmental statement said that the scale of the proposed development would have "no adverse impact" on either. The BBC has tried to contact the farmer behind the plans, Thomas Simpson, but has not yet had a response. Causeway Coast and Glens Council confirmed it has received more than 3,000 letters of objections. "Over 3,000 letters of objection, five petitions with a total of almost 14,000 signatures and two letters of support have been received," said a council spokesperson. "Once all consultations have been returned the application will be considered further - taking account of all material planning issues raised through letters and petitions of representation." Thousands of objectors have also signed an online petition claiming the proposed farm would cause pollution and noise and affect traffic and rivers. In February, the Public Health Agency and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency wrote to the council's planning department expressing their concerns. "Our main concern remains the potential for bioaerosol releases from pig rearing activities and the associated anaerobic digester plant," said Gerry Waldron from the PHA. A number of other government agencies - including NIEA, Shared Environment Services and Transport NI - also had concerns. However, last month an environmental statement from an independent company concluded that the scale of the proposed development would have "no adverse impact" on people's health or the environment. The report also stated that 500 more pigs would be included in the plans, bringing the total figure to more than 2,700. It also stated that an anaerobic digester would no longer be needed and that slurry would be spread in local fields. The council has said it is still considering the application. Dozens of Limavady residents attended a meeting on Wednesday night to discuss their concerns. Marcus Moore, chairman of Roe Angling Limited, said: "This is a disaster waiting to happen. I don't think the destruction of the environment is worth six jobs." Former Justice Minister and Independent MLA Claire Sugden said further clarification was needed. "We need to be sure that it isn't going to have a detrimental impact on the environment," she said. However, the DUP's Adrian McQuillan said that the proposal would be good for the local economy and create a lot of jobs in the area. The Ulster Farmers' Union said it did not discuss or comment on the development or proposed expansion plans of any farm business.

Summary: Campaigners opposed to plans for a controversial pig farm outside Limavady have met to voice their concerns.


Irish News editor Noel Doran said they had "got it wrong" over flag protests. Loyalist protests followed Belfast City Council's vote last December to limit the flying of the union flag from city hall. Some of the demonstrations resulted in violence. On Saturday, Mr Doran told the conference in Lurgan, County Armagh, what had been opposed had been a "democratic decision" of Belfast City Council. Mr Doran told about 140 delegates that nationalists and unionists often viewed each other with "mutual incomprehension" even though they had a lot in common. He said loyalists could learn from organisations like the Gaelic Athletic Association, when it came to issues like community pride and reaching out. Progressive Unionist Party councillor John Kyle said loyalists had to do "more than" protest; he said they also had to come up with ways out of problems that arose. He said the party would not give "cover or excuse" to criminality. Party leader Billy Hutchinson was asked about a recent shooting attack in east Belfast in which a 24-year-old woman suffered injuries to her lower abdomen, hips and knees. Police have said they are treating the attack at Lord Street Mews as attempted murder. There has been speculation that the UVF were behind the shooting. Mr Hutchinson said he condemned it. "I'm not the leader of the UVF, I'm the leader of the PUP, but I will answer it, it was despicable," he said. "I said that at the time, irrespective of who was responsible, there's no place for those people in society and they should be removed." During the conference, delegates also passed a motion supporting equal marriage in Northern Ireland. The motion was: "This party joins with remainder of UK in enshrining into law equality for all in marriage.' Meanwhile, party chairman Brian Lacey said he did not recognise the party as it was sometimes portrayed by the media, adding that if it were like that he would not be a member. He said he was proud to be a party member adding that membership had tripled in the past year.

Summary: A representative of the nationalist community in Northern Ireland has addressed the Progressive Unionist Party's annual conference for the first time.


The BBC's Milton Nkosi says it is believed the taxi was carrying 20 passengers when it went over a bridge and hit a train as it plunged onto a railway line below. South Africa has an exceptionally high accident rate on its roads. At least 10,000 people die on the roads a year, mostly due to reckless driving. No-one on the train was injured, according to ENCA news.

Summary: A minibus taxi has collided with a train near Ballito in South Africa, killing at least 14 people, according to KwaZulu-Natal emergency services.


Brexit Secretary David Davis told the Exiting the EU Committee: "I think I'm right in saying that we're expecting Royal Assent tomorrow." The PM has said she plans to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty by the end of March. Mr Davis was questioned by the MPs about the negotiations that will follow Article 50. The government says it can complete separation talks and a trade deal "in parallel" within two years, but EU leaders say the two negotiations have to take place separately. Mr Davis said this would be the "first formal conversation" he would have with chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier. He said he was confident other countries would agree to a free trade deal with the UK even if every national Parliament's approval was required. "Every country will have an interest," he said.

Summary: The legislation allowing Theresa May to trigger Brexit will be rubber-stamped on Thursday, MPs have been told.


Algerian Interior Minister Daho Ould Kabila said troops had surrounded the living quarters at In Amenas, where some 20 people were being held. Norwegian, French, British, US and Japanese citizens are among them. Mr Ould Kabila said the militants wanted to leave Algeria with the hostages, which he would not allow. Earlier, the AFP news agency quoted one worker as saying the militants had demanded the release of 100 Islamist prisoners. Another report said they wanted France to end its military operation in Mali. Dozens of Algerian workers were meanwhile said to have been released. The In Amenas gas field is operated by the Algerian state oil company, Sonatrach, along with the British oil company BP and Norway's Statoil. It is situated about 1,300km (800 miles) south-east of the capital, Algiers, and about 60km (37 miles) west of the Libyan border. At a news conference on Wednesday evening, Mr Kabila said a heavily armed "terrorist group" using three vehicles had attacked a bus carrying workers from In Amenas at about 05:00 (04:00 GMT). The attackers were repelled by police who had been escorting the bus, but a Briton and an Algerian national had been killed, he said. Two other British nationals, a Norwegian, two police officers and a security guard were also hurt in the firefight, he added. Afterwards, the militants drove to the gas facility's living quarters and took a number of Algerian and foreign workers hostage. They were being held in one wing of the living quarters, which the security services and army had now surrounded, Mr Kabila said. "Since then, they've been facing off. The security forces are consolidating their position around the base," he added. "It seems [the militants] want to leave the region, to leave the country with the hostages. This is completely unacceptable for the Algerian authorities." The minister said nearby border crossings had been closed as a precaution and that the foreign ministry was in contact with diplomats from the hostages' countries. UK Foreign Secretary William Hague confirmed that the hostages included "a number of British nationals", adding: "This is therefore a very dangerous situation." Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said 13 Norwegian employees of Statoil were believed held hostage at the gas facility. US state department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland confirmed that Americans were among those seized, while Irish Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore said one of its nationals was a hostage. Japanese news agencies, citing unnamed government officials, said there were three Japanese hostages. Mr Kabila said the militants were from Algeria and were operating under orders from Mokhtar Belmokhtar, a senior commander of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) before late last year, when he set up his own armed group after apparently falling out with other leaders. Earlier, a man claiming to be a spokesman for the militants told BBC Arabic that al-Qaeda had carried out the attack. He claimed that they had allowed Algerian workers to leave the gas facility and were only holding foreign nationals. A list of demands had been sent to Algerian authorities, and the hostages would be killed

Summary: Islamist militants have attacked and occupied a gas facility in Algeria, killing a Briton and an Algerian and taking foreign workers hostage.


Robert Beck was shopping with his wife in the US state of Pennsylvania when they heard the commotion, he told the York Daily Record. "Man, there's someone in here with a frickin' gun," Mr Beck, 45, recalled thinking after hearing a loud bang. "When I seen it, it was game-on," said Mr Beck, who raises deer for meat. When he spotted the doe running into the bakery section on Monday night, he trailed after it, then grabbed it by the neck and began leading it towards the door. But it was spooked when it saw other customers, the newspaper reports, and kicked Mr Beck in the ribs, knocking him down. "I think she was scared from all those people," Mr Beck said. "She was like, 'Oh my God, what the heck did I get myself into?'" Two other shoppers, including another hunter, then came to help escort the deer back out of the front door. Local police praised Mr Beck's response, but cautioned against the public getting involved with wild animals. "There is too much risk of injury to the citizen," Northeastern Regional Police Chief Bryan Rizzo said. "If the citizen is an experienced hunter or someone with experiencing wildlife then I would say they should use their own judgment," Mr Rizzo added. "In this case, it was a hunter who had experience in handling live deer, and we are grateful for his intervention and quick thinking in getting the deer under control before the animal could injure anyone, itself or do more damage." Mr Beck says that he raises 16 deer, which he uses for meat, and keeps them penned at home. "My generation is a dying breed," he said. "People aren't into our lifestyle anymore. They'd rather sit at home and play a video game than enjoy the outside."

Summary: A deer burst through the glass doors of a supermarket and ran amok before being caught by a man shopping for medicine for his cold, local media report.


"We have regressed in that sense," said the journalist and TV presenter, as he visited St Thomas the Apostle College in Nunhead, as part of a pre-election project to engage young people in politics and democracy. "There is no historical imperative that everyone in politics has to come from private school," he said. And the narrowing of the social backgrounds of politicians was "one of the reasons our politics is less effective and less representative", said the editor of Private Eye. When he was at university at Oxford, after attending an all-boys private school, he said there was a strong presence of grammar and comprehensive school students, running magazines and debating societies. "It wasn't just loads of people from fee-paying schools, it was more of a parity, and I think that's been lost." Such a deepening division, with the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer, and "squeezing out the middle entirely", was a waste of potential talent, he told pupils. "There's no point having a whole country full of young people if you don't give them the opportunities, if we say, 'Oh no, we only want 7% of the country to do anything - just you lot and not you lot.' "There is a real problem with the poor not moving, being less socially mobile. It's very bad for any society." Mr Hislop was visiting the Catholic secondary school as part of the Speakers for Schools project, in which people from a range of industries give talks in state schools, offering the kind of horizon-raising perspectives that might be taken for granted in the independent sector. In a school hall question-and-answer session, Mr Hislop cast a critical eye over the education system. "On the whole it has failed quite a lot of the population in terms of providing a first-class education. "It's been endlessly reformed," he said, and "along the way a lot of the essentials were lost". St Thomas the Apostle College has been rapidly improving, now rated as outstanding, and has adopted a strong emphasis on good behaviour and discipline. "I'm interested in finding a school like this which has essentially seemed to me to have discovered some of the more traditional educational values. "I appreciate people who have got jackets on, wear ties, understand the importance of discipline and the importance of education itself. These seem to have been lost a bit." He also warned against "too much testing" in schools. "You lose the bits round the sides, what education is about, the interesting bits, reading off the subject, engaging in things that aren't strictly, 'You must pass this at level seven.' "I know why it happened - people thought we can't have people coming out of school who can't read or write, so that's all we're going to teach. "But I think we have to be slightly more ambitious than that." Seeming more moralist than satirist, he said schools needed "discipline, a desire to learn. If a school doesn't have an environment where people can learn, then it will fall apart". He told the pupils, boys

Summary: The gap between those educated privately and by the state is getting wider and social mobility is weaker than 30 years ago, Ian Hislop has told an audience of south London teenagers.


The visitors led 14-6 at half-time after two tries from Thomas Waldrom wiped out Gopperth's two kicks. Wasps' Charles Piutau and Chiefs prop Harry Williams traded tries and Gareth Steenson kicked Exeter 24-11 ahead. Frank Halai gave Wasps hope, but Exeter looked set to hang on until Gopperth converted Piutau's last-second try. Wasps, who won the Heineken Cup in 2004 and 2007, will play Saracens in the last four at Reading's Madejski Stadium on 23 April after the English champions fought back from a half-time deficit to beat Northampton 29-20 in the second semi-final on Saturday night. Match-winner Gopperth was mobbed by his team-mates as the ball sailed over the posts from the right touchline, sparking wild celebrations among the Wasps fans at the Ricoh Arena. Exeter players slumped to the turf in disappointment as the Premiership club, only promoted to the English top flight six years ago, missed out on their first European semi-final. The Chiefs had defended admirably throughout the quarter-final, particularly in the opening half hour when they limited their dominant hosts to just two Gopperth penalties. And tries from Waldrom and Williams, plus the reliable boot of Steenson, left a quietened home crowd fearing the worst. But Exeter's efforts finally told as Wasps produced a memorable fightback in the final 15 minutes. With Exeter threatening, the home side played out from behind their posts as Elliot Daly and Christian Wade turned last-ditch defending into an attack full of sharp running and trickery, Halai eventually finishing off a few phases later and Gopperth converting for 24-18. Wasps relentlessly pounded the tiring away defence in search of a dramatic finale - and it finally arrived. The game had ticked past 80 minutes when Piutau raced on to a flat pass to dart through the Exeter line, and Gopperth applied the coup de grace. Gopperth, 32, told BBC Radio 5 live sports extra: "As a goalkicker they are the moments you practice night and day. "I had to treat it as my first kick of the match. I was relaxed and as soon as it hit the foot I've never celebrated so much. As soon as I struck it, I knew it was good. "The win was a great team effort from that position and we showed a lot of character. I was happy to finish it off for the boys." Wasps: Charles Piutau; Christian Wade, Elliot Daly, Siale Piutau, Frank Halai; Jimmy Gopperth, Dan Robson; Matt Mullan, Carlo Festuccia, Jake Cooper-Woolley; Joe Launchbury, Kearnan Myall; James Haskell (capt), George Smith, Nathan Hughes. Replacements: Ashley Johnson, Simon McIntyre, Lorenzo Cittadini, Bradley Davies, Thomas Young, Joe Simpson, Ruaridh Jackson, Rob Miller Exeter: Lachie Turner; Jack Nowell, Henry Slade, Ian Whitten, Olly Woodburn; Gareth Steenson (capt), Will Chudley; Ben Moon, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Moray Low; Mitch Lees, Geoff Parling; Don Armand, Julian Salvi, Thomas Waldrom. Replacements: Jack Yeandle, Alec Hepburn, Harry Williams, Damian Welch, Dave Ewers, Dave Lewis, Michele Campagnaro, James Short.

Summary: Jimmy Gopperth kept his nerve to kick Wasps into a European Champions Cup semi-final against Saracens after an extraordinary win against Exeter.


Clough's 11th minute lob gave Wanderers a perfect start and the visitors were then indebted to Lee Burge for keeping them in the contest. The City keeper saved from Gary Madine, Josh Vela and Clough on a night when former Bolton player and coach Gary Speed was honoured with a minute's applause by fans. But if Burge excelled in the opening period, opposite number Ben Alnwick came to the Trotters' rescue in the second. Having already denied Kyel Reid before the break, Alnwick saved superbly from Lewis Page plus substitutes Jodi Jones and Ruben Lameiras. Bolton's best moment of the second half was Clough's 25-yard free-kick, which was tipped on to the post and away to safety by the outstanding Burge. Coventry poured forward in search of a late equaliser to try to avoid a third straight league defeat, but instead, Phil Parkinson's side held on for their first home win over the Sky Blues in eight attempts since 1965. Report supplied by Press Association. Match ends, Bolton Wanderers 1, Coventry City 0. Second Half ends, Bolton Wanderers 1, Coventry City 0. Attempt missed. Gael Bigirimana (Coventry City) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Foul by James Henry (Bolton Wanderers). Ben Stevenson (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Josh Vela (Bolton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Jordan Turnbull (Coventry City). Substitution, Bolton Wanderers. Jamie Proctor replaces Gary Madine. Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Lawrie Wilson. Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Lawrie Wilson. Attempt blocked. Jack McBean (Coventry City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Attempt missed. Jamie Sterry (Coventry City) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Foul by Gary Madine (Bolton Wanderers). Jordan Willis (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Attempt missed. Ruben Lameiras (Coventry City) left footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Substitution, Coventry City. Jack McBean replaces Kyel Reid. Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Jay Spearing. Attempt missed. James Henry (Bolton Wanderers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Attempt missed. Kyel Reid (Coventry City) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Andrew Taylor. Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Ben Alnwick. Attempt saved. Ben Stevenson (Coventry City) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Lawrie Wilson (Bolton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Kyel Reid (Coventry City). Attempt blocked. Jordan Turnbull (Coventry City) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Josh Vela. Attempt blocked. Ruben Lameiras (Coventry City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Foul by Jay Spearing (Bolton Wanderers). Kyel Reid (Coventry City) wins a free kick on the left wing. Substitution, Bolton Wanderers. Chris Taylor replaces Sammy Ameobi. Substitution, Bolton Wanderers. James Henry replaces Zach

Summary: Zach Clough netted his sixth goal in eight starts, but high-flying Bolton were made to work hard for their League One win over Coventry at the Macron Stadium.


The Edinburgh stands with Orlando event follows the death of 49 people at the gay club pulse. A total of about 300 people were in the Florida nightclub when the attack started. A further 50 of them were injured It was the worst mass shooting in US history. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson and Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale were among those in attending. Ms Sturgeon said: " "I can't tell you how important it is to me to be with you here this evening. The last few days have been horrific and heartbreaking beyond words but it has also been inspiring. "All across the world we have seen people come together in solidarity and that is the comfort I hope all of you and members of the LGBTI community across the world take from such expressions. "We stand here in defiance of hate with a very clear message - love is love." Ms Davidson said: ""As a woman who moved to Edinburgh to be herself, I know how important LGBTI venues are for people who want to be themselves. "We stand in Edinburgh in a place where we feel safe and stand in solidarity with people around the world. "We will become stronger because we have stood here tonight, because we have shown those people that would conduct hate upon our community thay they will not win because love wins, love always win."

Summary: Hundreds of people have gathered in Edinburgh's St Andrew Square to pay their respects to the victims of the mass shooting in Orlando.


El Diario de Juarez has become known for its strong reporting from the deadly streets of Ciudad Juarez. But the killing of a 21-year-old photographer last week prompted the newspaper to run a front-page editorial asking: "What do you want from us?" Rights groups say journalists are regularly being targeted by drug gangs. The Committee to Protect Journalists, a US-based advocacy group, says more than 30 journalists have been killed in Mexico since 2006. Many of those killed were reporting on crime or corruption, the group says, adding that the climate of fear has led to a widespread culture of self-censorship among fearful media workers. El Diario's editorial, published on its front page on Sunday, was its second since Luis Carlos Santiago, 21, was shot in Ciudad Juarez on 17 September. He later died of his injuries, although an intern who was also shot, Carlos Sanchez, survived the attack. "The loss of two reporters from this publishing house in less than two years represents an irreparable sorrow for all of us who work here, and, in particular, for their families," the newspaper said. Describing the drug lords as the "de facto authorities" within Ciudad Juarez, the newspaper asked the cartels: "We ask you to explain what you want from us, what we should try to publish or not publish, so we know what to expect." It highlighted the lack of progress in the investigation into the 2008 death of Armando Rodriguez, shot dead outside his home in view of his family. But the editorial insisted it was not "a surrender", saying instead that it had simply become "impossible to do our job in these conditions". Speaking to BBC World Service an editor at El Diario, Gerardo Rodriguez, said there was a war going on in Mexico that the journalists did not ask for. He expressed anger at the lack of progress in the official investigation into Mr Rodriguez's death and criticised the government as well as the cartels. "We are looking for a peace agreement. No story is worth the life of anyone anymore." The newspaper had not decided to stop publishing stories on the drug war, Mr Rodriguez said, but would consider doing so if the answer that came from the cartels indicated that was their wish. Describing El Diario as a "very aggressive" organisation that "searches for the truth", he conceded that the paper might have to scale back its work if the violence did not stop. "We may consider stopping in exchange for the lives of our reporters." Carlos Lauria, of the Committee to Protect Journalists, said El Diario's decision was a cause for regret. "Even in one of the places where violence is worst... El Diario was still doing a lot of good reporting on crime," he told the Associated Press, describing the paper's move as "an indication that the situation is out of control". Ciudad Juarez is one of the deadliest flashpoints in Mexico's drug battles, which have seen violence rise sharply in the country's north in recent weeks. Opposition groups say a government crackdown on cartels,

Summary: A Mexican newspaper in the heartland of the country's drug war has asked cartels for guidance on whether it should publish stories on the conflict.


Yes I'm talking about dual candidacy. Here's my quick guide. Unlike at Westminster, there are two ways of getting elected for the assembly. There are 60 seats up for grabs next year. 40 are via the first past the post system, while the other 20 are via a form of proportional representation to get on the regional list. It used to be the case that you could stand in both. Then Labour, when it was in power, stopped it, making the argument that it rewarded failure in that someone could be rejected by voters under the first past the post system, only to be elected anyway on the regional list. The best example of this was Clwyd West in the assembly elections in 2003 when the four main parties fielded four candidates and every single one of them won because the three losers won a seat by also standing on their parties' regional list. The ban has been reversed since the Conservatives have been back in power at Westminster who argue that it disproportionately discriminates against the smaller parties in Wales. The result now is that it de-risks any attempt by big-hitters to go for first past the post seats because they can still have the back-up of getting a list seat even if they lose out in the constituency contest. The unwritten aim is also to maintain the quality of candidates by ensuring that those big hitters who do challenge still remain in the assembly. That is the background to the row about the confirmation of Leanne Wood's decision to go for a list seat. Two years ago she announced that she would go for the constituency seat in the Rhondda. It set up a contest against Labour's cabinet member Leighton Andrews in what will be the most high profile personal battle next year. Labour says the Plaid leader's decision two years ago was portrayed as a bold and brave move, which has not been reflected in the fact that she's going for the list seat as a back up. Leighton Andrews says she should have the courage of her convictions and only go for the constituency seat. In other words, her decision to go for the list is a cop out. In response, Leanne Wood has accused Labour of mischief-making, saying that Leighton Andrews himself stood as a dual candidate in 2003. She also makes the point that dual candidacy applies in Scotland. Labour says none of its candidates in Wales will be allowed to be constituency and list candidates. The Welsh Conservatives have yet to make that decision. The obvious question to answer is whether their leader Andrew RT Davies, who like Leanne Wood has only ever been elected on the list system, will feel confident enough to challenge Labour for the Vale of Glamorgan constituency seat. Now that the dual candidacy ban has been removed, he could do so knowing he could still put his name on the regional list. It must be a temptation for him to challenge, knowing that the Tories held on to this seat

Summary: First we had it, then we didn't and now it's back again.


Bertrand Denarie worked at hospitals in Bristol, Salford and Gateshead from 2013 until early 2015. An investigation by North Bristol NHS Trust found mistakes in 106 cases, including two that led to a delayed diagnosis of cancer. An NHS spokesman said "immediate action" was being taken, with patients "now receiving appropriate care". The results were all follow-up examinations where initial cervical screening tests had shown abnormal results and were collected in colposcopy clinics. The trust said it had contacted all the patients involved. A "final letter" with the findings of the investigation would be sent out to those involved soon. "We are aware that errors may have occurred in relation to the laboratory testing of cervical biopsies at four trusts," the NHS added. "These were discovered as a result of routine audit and are being investigated by the trusts concerned and NHS England, with the support of Public Health England." Of the 106 mistakes found in the Bristol cases, 87 of those led to "no harm" with 11 needing extra testing and two having delays in cancer diagnosis. Dr Denarie worked in Bristol at Southmead Hospital in two periods in from January to April 2014 and then later that year from May to July. He also reviewed cases from St Michaels Hospital in Bristol during those periods. Before Bristol, he worked at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead for nine months in 2013 and worked at Salford Royal Hospital for about four months at the end of 2014. A spokesman for NHS England said investigations at these two hospitals were at a much earlier stage. Salford Royal Hospital said it had identified three errors with the pathologist's cervical biopsy work, which "had the potential to lead to minor harm for the patients concerned". "We've been in contact with those three patients to apologise, explain the outcome of our review and discuss any changes we need to make to their treatment plan," said Dr Pete Turkington, medical director for standards and performance. "It's important for me to emphasise that we are confident no patient has experienced significant harm. However, we apologise unreservedly for any stress or inconvenience that this has caused." The General Medical Council confirmed they were investigating Dr Denarie and that a number of conditions had been placed on his licence. One of those specified he "must not report on any cervical biopsy specimens".

Summary: A pathologist is under investigation after a series of mistakes were made in cervical tests.


Jones won 95 caps for Wales and played in five Tests for the Lions across their tours of South Africa in 2009 and Australia in 2013. Sinckler has played with Jones since the Welshman's move to Quins in 2015. "When you have guys like that around you, it shows you what it takes to get to the top of the game," Sinckler said. "He [Jones] has been a massive help to me - probably changed my life, to be honest, in the way I see things. "He is a top bloke, a good man." The England forward says he can shine in New Zealand thanks to the lessons he has learned from his fellow front-rower. "Looking back now, when you are a young player, you want to play. Then you see Adam Jones come in to the club, and you are probably not going to play as much," he added. "From my first day, Adam has been unreal. He's been like a coach to me, even though he is a player. "He will be a top coach in no time at all. He's been a coach, a mentor, a father figure to me - and a headmaster when he is telling me off."

Summary: Lions and England prop Kyle Sinckler says the effect his Harlequins team-mate Adam Jones has had on him is life-changing.


Petra Atkinson, 42, died in hospital after what Humberside Police described as a "domestic incident" at a property in Heather Avenue, Withernsea. Tony Jobling, of Heather Avenue, appeared at Hull Magistrates' Court charged with murder. Mr Jobling was remanded in custody to appear at Hull Crown Court on 8 September. The cause of death has not yet been revealed.

Summary: A 51-year-old man has appeared in court charged with murder following the death of a woman in East Yorkshire on Sunday.


The party went from 37 DÃ¡il (Irish parliament) seats in 2011 to just seven. Ms Burton was TÃ¡naiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister for Social Protection in the last government. She took over from Eamon Gilmore, two years ago, but will stay on until her successor is chosen. The front runner is Brendan Howlin, from Wexford, who is the former Minister for Public Expenditure. But it is understood that he only wants the job of Labour leader if he is the unanimous choice. Other possible candidates include Alan Kelly, the former environment minister, and Sean Sherlock, a junior minister at the Department of Foreign Affairs who was involved in the Fresh Start Agreement talks in Northern Ireland. If there is a contest it could be late August before the outcome is known.

Summary: The leader of the Irish Labour party, Joan Burton, is to stand down after the party's poor performance in February's general election.


Gerard Devlin, of Donegall Road, and Nathan Finn, of Malone Road, were each given a three-year sentence for taking more than £5,700 from the woman. Their 80-year-old victim was left "deeply traumatised" by the theft at the Kennedy Centre in Belfast last year, the court heard. The men will serve 18 months in prison with the remaining period on licence. The court heard that the pensioner had withdrawn her life savings on 31 October 2014, the day of the theft, and had planned to use the money for home improvements. She then visited a coffee shop in the shopping centre. As she was queuing, Finn, 22, distracted her. Devlin, 25, reached into her handbag and stole a plastic bag containing £5,709 in cash. The money was never recovered, the court was told, and while the two men admitted the theft they have not said what happened to the money. The judge said there was "no doubt" the men they had "deliberately targeted" the woman. She added that the woman has "suffered a great deal" as a result of the theft. Finn committed the offence within days of being released on licence for a previous matter, the court heard. The judge said Devlin had written a letter to the woman earlier this year, but she questioned whether the remorse the two men had expressed since the offence was genuine.

Summary: Two Belfast men who stole a pensioner's life savings have been jailed for their "despicable" behaviour".


The 51-year-old, who won 30 caps for Scotland, was recently the director of Manchester United's youth academy. "I am sure my experiences can be of benefit to Scottish football," said the former Motherwell and Celtic striker. SFA chief executive Stewart Regan said McClair "has been at the cutting edge of coaching evolution, analysis and performance management". McClair, who takes over the role following the departure of Dutchman Mark Wotte, spent almost 30 years at Old Trafford as a player, youth coach and director of the youth academy. The SFA said he "was identified unanimously as preferred candidate during a recruitment process which involved the current Scotland national coach, Gordon Strachan, previous national coaches Walter Smith and Andy Roxburgh, as well as the Scottish FA's chief executive, Stewart Regan". McClair begins in the role on 1 June and will be responsible for implementing the SFA's performance strategy. He added: "I am extremely proud to have been given the responsibility to help Scottish football move forward as performance director of the Scottish FA. "Having spent the majority of the last 30 years in England with Manchester United, I am looking forward to coming home, working with the coaching team at the Scottish FA and the clubs, and sharing the knowledge I have built up in that time to take on this new, exciting challenge." Having started his playing career at Motherwell, McClair moved to Celtic in 1983 and went on to score 126 goals in 204 matches. He then joined Manchester United, where he made 471 appearances between 1987 and 1998. He scored 126 goals for the Old Trafford side and won four Premier League titles, one European Cup-winners' Cup, one European Super Cup, three FA Cups and one League Cup. "The process of identifying a new performance director was thorough and hugely uplifting when we considered the quality of candidates," Regan added. "Brian very quickly became a stand-out with his blend of experiences, not just from his trophy-laden career as a player at Manchester United, and his international contribution, but the depth of his coaching experiences with one of the biggest and most successful teams in the world. "He has been at the cutting edge of coaching evolution, analysis and performance management at Manchester United and the recruitment panel were convinced he was the ideal person to lead the performance strategy into an exciting new era, enhancing the current provision while demonstrating the benefits of the investment so far to the future of Scottish football."

Summary: Brian McClair has been appointed performance director of the Scottish Football Association.


Tigers were awaiting official clearance from the French Rugby Federation and the 30-year-old, who has won 35 Test caps, is now able to cover for injured duo Manu Tuilagi and Matt Toomua. Head coach Aaron Mauger said: "We are missing two big players in midfield. "We're very happy to be able to bring in a player of Maxime's style, quality and experience."

Summary: Leicester have completed the signing of France centre Maxime Mermoz from Toulon until the end of the season.


His villainous character Ethan Rayne was the arch enemy of regular character Giles, played by Anthony Head. The London-born actor also played the evil General Sarris opposite Tim Allen in Galaxy Quest. His ex-wife Casey Defranco called him "a wonderful person, extraordinarily talented as an actor." Staff on his official website wrote: "Please join us in raising a glass to Robin - goodbye, dear friend. Thank you for all the laughter and the cookies. We will miss you so very much." Sachs' first role was with the British Hammer film studio, in the movie Vampire Circus. He went on to play Adam Carrington in the 1991 miniseries Dynasty: The Reunion when the original actor Gordon Thomson was unavailable. Sachs worked on several sci-fi shows, with appearances in Babylon 5, Star Trek: Voyager and Torchwood: Miracle Day. His stage work included touring productions of Hamlet and Twelfth Night. In 1999, he appeared heavily disguised under layers of heavy make-up as the baddie Sarris in the satirical comedy Galaxy Quest, which co-starred Sigourney Weaver and Alan Rickman. Later in his career, Sachs provided voices for several video games including Mass Effect 2 and 3 and Resident Evil Damnation.

Summary: British actor Robin Sachs, best known for his role in the hit TV series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, has died at the age of 61.


Henrique Capriles said 37% of the 195,000 signatures needed to trigger the next phase of the recall referendum were collected on the first day. Those who endorsed the petition have until Friday to have their identity checked. Mr Maduro's term runs until 2019. But the opposition wants to oust President Maduro, whom they blame for Venezuela's economic problems, before the end of his term. Venezuela is in the midst of an economic crisis which has brought the South American country to the brink of collapse. What has gone wrong in Venezuela? Chavez backer decries anarchy It has the world's highest inflation rate and chronic shortages of basic food and medicine. Mr Capriles said the massive presence of voters on the first day of the validation process was a clear sign that Venezuelans wanted a change of government. "What we saw today were queues across the country," said Mr Capriles on Monday night. "That's a warning for Maduro." Those who endorsed the petition will have until Friday to have their identity cards and fingerprints checked at centres set up by the National Electoral Council (CNE). The petition had almost two million signatures but election officials said 600,000 of those were fraudulent. Only 1% of the electorate, or 194,729 voters, however, need to endorse the referendum in this first phase. Mr Capriles said 71,557 signatures had been authenticated on Monday alone. But the opposition still has to overcome a number of hurdles before a recall referendum can be held. If enough signatures on this initial petition are validated, opposition leaders will have to hand in a second petition signed by almost four million people. Only when the electoral authorities have established that the requirements have been met on that second petition will the recall referendum be held.

Summary: The process of validating signatures on a petition calling for a referendum to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from office is proceeding apace, an opposition leader says.


Kanye West was supposed to have an album ready for his (divisive) headline performance at Glastonbury - but the record, at first titled So Help Me God, then renamed SWISH, has failed to materialise. Fans even petitioned the White House to get it released - but hope is on the horizon. Ten days ago, the star tweeted "I'm finishing my album" He wasn't the only one dragging his sequinned heels. R&B star Frank Ocean's follow-up to the groundbreaking Channel Orange was scheduled for July, then disappeared - prompting a foul-mouthed outburst from Adele. And Rihanna held a lavish launch party for her eighth album, ANTI, in November - but has subsequently failed to produce any new music. In fact, the Bajan star is still auditioning new material, songwriter Sia told BBC Radio 2 a fortnight ago. "The other night she came over and listened to half of 25 songs I played her because she's still looking for songs for her new album," said the songwriter, who previously wrote Rihanna's number one single, Diamonds. "It was a business meeting for sure. She took four [songs], but I don't know if they'll end up [on the album]." Rihanna kicks off a world tour, ostensibly in support of ANTI, in February - but don't assume we'll get new material before the opening night. "Every album needs to be an 11 out of 10 these days because the reviews are instant," one music industry executive told BBC News. Agenda-setting releases from Kendrick Lamar, Adele and Dr Dre sent pop stars scrambling into the studio to improve their records this year - so don't expect Rihanna, Kanye or Frank to release anything until they're sure they'll make a similar impact. Less timid is David Bowie, whose 25th album â˜… (Blackstar) was directly influenced by Kendrick Lamar's expansive take on jazz, hip-hop and funk on the 11 times Grammy-nominated To Pimp A Butterfly. Assembling a crack team of nimble-fingered jazz maestros, the aim was "in many, many ways, to avoid rock and roll," producer Tony Visconti told Rolling Stone magazine. It comes out on 8 January- Bowie's 69th birthday. Travelling in the other direction is Elton John, whose Wonderful Crazy Night is a return to the rollicking rock sound of his 1970s heyday, inspired by his domestic bliss. "I wanted to do something joyous because I was so happy with my children and my husband," the star told the BBC. Also lining up new releases are Gorillaz, whose new album will be "really fast," with "a lot of energy," says Damon Albarn; and Katy Perry, who promises a new direction on her fourth album. "I can't keep topping myself because I'll just combust at some point," she told the Associated Press. Primal Scream, who headline the 6 Music Festival in February, have teased six seconds of their 11th album Chaosmosis, on YouTube; while R&B band TLC are working on a fan-funded new album - their first since 2002's 3D. Will it include another Waterfalls or No Scrubs? Who cares, when contributing to the recording costs can earn you

Summary: The past year was when the planet's biggest pop stars went missing in action.


Of the 78 seats contested, the Conservatives have taken 51, which represents 45.9% of the vote. It is five more than the 46 seats they won in 2013, when 77 seats were contested. The Liberal Democrats have taken 18 seats, two more than the 16 they won in 2013 and Labour have nine, six fewer than the last vote. The turnout was 34.1%. Election 2017: Full results from across England The leader of the council's Labour group, Leon Reefe, who had held the Borehamwood North division since 2013, lost his seat to Tory Susan Brown. In Stevenage, Labour lost three seats out of the five they held. Labour's Sharon Taylor, who held her county council seat and is standing in the general election, blamed the former UKIP vote going to the Tories. She said: "UKIP didn't put candidates up in many of our county seats." Sitting Conservative MP Stephen McPartland, who will defend his seat in June, said: "It's a fantastic result. There's been a very, very warm reception from voters on the doorstep and we've been rewarded tonight." In Conservative-controlled Hertfordshire, as expected, we've not seen a seismic change. The Tories have more county council seats than in 2013 - adding five extra seats - even if you take into account that this time there are 78 councillors up for election - one more than in 2013 thanks to boundary changes. The Lib Dems have made progress, gaining an extra two seats in the county, including taking St Albans North from Labour. They still have five seats in St Albans - although they lost St Stephen's ward to the Conservatives - with the party claiming it reflects their pro-European stance in the city which voted against Brexit. Labour have lost six seats, including their leader on the county council, Leon Reefe, plus three seats in Stevenage. Sandy Walkington, re-elected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for St Albans South, said the party's positive attitude towards Europe had been well-received in the city. "Ann Main [the sitting Conservative MP] should be trembling in St Albans for her parliamentary seat on the back of these results, given it's so close to the general election," he said. "If you read the social media in St Albans, it really is showing that people have been touched and interested by the fact that we are the party that is saying 'hang on, we don't have to go down the road to hard Brexit'."

Summary: The Conservatives have extended their control at Hertfordshire County Council.


The British and Irish Lion, 27, left for France in 2014 and will return for the 2016-17 season. In a joint WRU-Scarlets statement, Davies said: "The time is right to return to Wales and signing a [dual contract] is the best decision for me." Davies has 48 Wales caps, but a knee injury ruled him out of the World Cup. Davies left Scarlets to join Clermont Auvergne on a two-year contract before the 2014-15 season. He is expected to return for the French club during December. The WRU tweeted: "Welcome home Jon! @JonFoxDavies returns to Wales and @scarlets_rugby on National Dual Contract." WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips added: "His return demonstrates the value of the NDCs as a means of ensuring as many of the most talented players as possible play their rugby here in Wales. "Here in Wales our four regions are ambitious for success and the WRU will continue to work alongside them to achieve that." Scarlets chief executive Darran Phillips said the signing was "further evidence of our ambition to be competitive at the highest level". Davies was part of the Clermont side that lost to Toulon in the 2015 European Champions Cup final at Twickenham. A few weeks later Davies ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, ruling him out of the World Cup. He is the 17th player to sign a dual contract, which give the WRU greater control over players in return for paying 60% of their wages. Former Wales dual-code wing Adrian Hadley says Davies' signing is "good for Scarlets and for Wales and Welsh rugby". But Hadley believes the WRU and regions should prioritise signing rising talent rather than established stars who have moved out of Wales "It's good to have players like Jonathan Davies playing within Wales, no shadow of a doubt," said Hadley. "But I would look at the younger players to actually dual-contract rather than actually spend money on players that have decided to play their rugby out of Wales out of their own choice, really."

Summary: Wales centre Jonathan Davies will return to Scarlets from Clermont Auvergne on a dual deal with the Welsh Rugby Union.


It is widely believed that polling day will be on Friday 26 February. RTÉ reports that ministers had predicted that Mr Kenny would announce his intention at Tuesday's cabinet and go to the country thereafter. Mr Kenny has decided to allow the Irish parliament another sitting day in part to allow for an orderly dissolution. He is aiming to become the first Fine Gael leader to be returned as prime minister. Fine Gael ministers met for two hours on Monday night to sign off on their party manifesto. The outgoing Fine Gael and Labour coalition, which had a huge majority, is set to lose a massive number of seats. However, it hopes to be re-elected, arguing that at a time of economic recovery - fragile though it may be - stability is better than uncertainty. Micheál Martin's Fianna Fáil party and Gerry Adams's Sinn Féin have said the fruits of the recovery are not being evenly distributed. The 32nd Dáil will have 158 seats, eight fewer than the previous one, and the number of constituencies has been reduced to 40 from 43. Fianna Fáil, the party that dominated politics in the Republic of Ireland until the 2008 economic crash, has ruled out both Fine Gael and Sinn Féin as coalition partners.

Summary: Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny is now expected to call a general election on Wednesday.


Researchers tested 15-year-old girls and boys from 26 countries in 2012. They wanted to find how gaming affected their learning, using computer and paper tests in maths, science and reading. The results found that those who played single-player games every now and then, did better than those who never, or hardly ever, played games. Single-player gamers did particularly well in computer tests to do with maths and problem solving. The researchers think this could be because they're more familiar with computer games, so they're more at ease with tests on computers. However, the researchers also found that those who played games every day or very regularly did worse on paper-based tests. They reckon too much gaming might crowd out other activities like doing homework and reading books. The report found those who played multi-player online games did a lot worse in both paper and computer tests. Those who played single-player games did much better. Online multi-player games are typically played late at night, and for long periods of time, which might make those who play them more tired and less able to concentrate. The research was published by the international organisation the OECD, which helps governments come up with plans for improving life in their countries.

Summary: A new international report suggests that gaming regularly can help you to do better in tests at school.


Bosses at the Brimmond Medical Group practice in Bucksburn said a lack of trained GPs, diminished resourcing and extra demand from new housing developments had left the business "unviable". The group's Dyce surgery has more than 8,000 patients. Responsibility for primary care will be handed to NHS Grampian from October. A letter to patients stated that there had been "progressive problems with GP recruitment and retention". It read: "Inevitable staff turnover has become impossible to manage in the context of an inadequate number of trained GPs being produced, and a collapse in those GPs seeking partnerships in GP businesses. "Brimmond Medical Group is faced with a number of GPs leaving or retiring - and an inability to adequately replace them. "Locally, combined with substantial extra expectation from new housing developments and massively diminishing resourcing, the business of the practice has become unviable." The British Medical Association has warned of a crisis in GP staffing due to the number of doctors planning to retire or move abroad. However, the Scottish government said recent investment in primary care had seen the number of GPs increase by almost 7%.

Summary: An Aberdeen medical practice is to be dissolved, in part due to a shortage of doctors.


That enemy is the fear that many undocumented Hispanics have about presenting their personal information to the immigration authorities for a programme that could be reversed by a new administration in a matter of years. "This deferred action is a temporary permit," says Claudia, who fled from violence in her native Mexico and has been living in the US since 2000. "What is going to happen when Mr Obama is no longer president? They are going to know where I am, where my family is. Is it possible that we will all be deported?" she tells the BBC in El Paso, Texas. In November, President Obama announced a series of unilateral reforms that will allow about four million unauthorised immigrants to apply for provisional work permits, and for deportation proceedings to be deferred. Claudia explains that she is eligible because she has been in the United States for nearly 15 years and has three sons who are married to American citizens, making them legal residents. She says she plans to apply for relief, even though she is still very sceptical of the programme because it will not resolve her legal situation in the long term. "With this announcement, there is no hope, you don't know where your future lies," she stresses. "Before, you knew you were undocumented and you had to be on the lookout for the immigration authorities. But now you don't know, because you're going to say where you are and who you are, so it is even more uncertain." Claudia's case is in marked contrast to the images of cheering and optimistic Hispanics shown in the media after the November announcement. And her situation is far from unique. The White House has acknowledged that there is a challenge in trying to get people "out of the shadows", as president Obama likes to say. At a town hall meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, the president stressed the need to give people confidence so they can apply. "The real question is, how do we make sure enough people register so it's not just a few people in a few pockets around the country," Mr Obama said. "And that's going to require a lot of work by local agencies, by municipalities, by churches, by community organisations." The president is interested in getting people registered because that is how the programme's success will ultimately be measured, but also because his previous decisions on immigration have faced similar challenges. In 2012, Mr Obama announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative, which allowed young adults who were brought to the US illegally as children to temporarily stay and work. DACA was expanded as part of the November announcement, and it is seen as a blueprint for the more recent unilateral actions. Both measures are limited in scope and in time, do not offer a pathway to citizenship, and were unveiled by President Obama without support by Congress. Around 1.1 million unauthorised immigrants were thought to be immediately eligible for DACA, and slightly over 700,000 have had their applications accepted for review, according to data

Summary: President Barack Obama is already facing strong and very vocal opposition in Congress to his recent immigration overhaul, but he will also have to confront a more silent enemy.


This could include fining motorists who stop on a box junction or those who drive in bus lanes. Currently only police officers can punish motorists if a vehicle is moving. The Welsh government won the right to grant councils those extra powers last March and Cardiff is now making a bid. Local authority traffic wardens are currently only able to issue penalty charge notices (PCNs) for parking offences. Cardiff council's cabinet has given the authority the green light to make a request for the additional powers, which it says would improve traffic flow and ease congestion. It is expected that income generated from the scheme would help pay for the service and the staff who run it. A Cardiff council spokesman told the BBC's Welsh language news website Newyddion Ar-lein: "The intention of all of these measures is to ensure drivers drive responsibly and in accordance with the basic principles of the highway code. "If the Welsh government approves, specific emphasis will be placed on enforcement of bus lanes to ensure that public transport runs efficiently and is an attractive option for commuters. "Enforcement of yellow box junctions is also necessary to avoid grid lock which disrupts traffic flow and to ease the frustration caused to the majority of drivers who abide by the law." A Welsh government spokesman said it had yet to receive the council's request, but was aware of it. The process of considering the request could take up to four months, the spokesman added. Many councils in London use traffic cameras to enforce the rules. One camera on a yellow box junction in Bagley's Lane in Fulham caught 29,000 drivers last year making over Â£2m in fines for Hammersmith and Fulham council. Cardiff council said it was unsure if it would ask for powers to use cameras to enforce the rules. If granted, the authority could start using the new powers towards the end of the summer.

Summary: Traffic wardens in Cardiff could become the first outside London to get powers to issue tickets for moving traffic offences.


It was opposed to the ICC trying Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta on charges of crimes against humanity, said Ethiopia's Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. The AU would raise its concerns with the UN, he added. Mr Kenyatta, who was elected in March, is due to be tried in July. He denies the charges, which arise from accusations that he fuelled violence after disputed elections in 2007. Analysts say the charges bolstered his campaign in this year's poll, as many voters saw the trial as interference in Kenya's domestic affairs. He beat then-Prime Minister Raila Odinga by 50.07% to 43.28%, giving him a narrow victory in the first round. Speaking at the end of an AU summit in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, Mr Hailemariam said the cases of Mr Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto should be referred to the Kenyan courts. African leaders were concerned that out of those indicted by the ICC, "99% are Africans", Mr Hailemariam added. "This shows something is flawed within the system of the ICC and we object to that," he said. The ICC had been formed more than a decade ago to end the culture of impunity, but "now the process has degenerated into some kind of race hunting", Mr Hailemariam said. It was "chasing" Mr Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto, despite the fact that the rival Kalenjin and Kikuyu ethnic groups, who had fought after the 2007 election, had come together to vote for them in the March poll, he added. "The AU is mandated by the assembly [of the AU] to take care of this issue, to present to the UN the core of this matter," Mr Hailemariam said. Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto were on opposite sides in the 2007 election, after which some 1,000 people were killed and 600,000 people fled their homes. The trial of Mr Ruto, who faces similar charges as Mr Kenyatta, was due to begin this month but it has been postponed. A new date is yet to be set. The ICC insists that it acts impartially, and says it intends to press ahead with the case against Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto. Source: ICC factsheet Kenyan lawyer Wilfred Nderitu, who represents about 150 victims of the violence, told BBC Focus on Africa he was concerned about the safety of witnesses if Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto were tried in local courts. He also doubted whether Kenya's judiciary was capable of dealing with such complex cases, he said. "A lot of judges don't have an international criminal justice background. Therefore, the technical expertise will be lacking," Mr Nderitu told BBC Focus on Africa. Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir attended the summit, in defiance of an ICC warrant for his arrest. It was unreasonable for the UN Security Council to refer Mr Bashir to the ICC when three of its five permanent members - the United States, Russia and China - had either not signed up to or not ratified the Rome Statute which established the ICC, said AU Peace and Security Council head Ramtane Lamamra, Reuters news agency reports.

Summary: The African Union (AU) has accused the International Criminal Court (ICC) of "hunting" Africans because of their race.


The Good Morning Britain host had scoffed at the decision to host a Ferris wheel in Dudley. He told viewers even people in the town thought it had "a horrible view". However, local businessman Dave Carter launched a campaign to get people riding the attraction wearing the masks to mark April Fools' Day. About 40 people wearing the masks that were handed out in the town centre was granted a free ride before 10:00 BST. More on this and other stories from Birmingham and the Black Country Mr Carter said about 4,000 people have ridden the 115ft (35.05m) high attraction, which has been branded "the worst tourist attraction in the UK", adding the wheel had done the town "a really big favour". "Most people have come along to see what all the fuss is about, and they're turning up to Dudley, doing a bit of shopping, going on the Eye and finding out that it's actually quite good," he said. "It was all in good humour - you could see people's tongues in their cheeks through the masks." Mr Morgan has been invited to Dudley to experience the ride, Mr Carter added, but he has not yet accepted the invitation.

Summary: Black Country residents have mocked TV presenter Piers Morgan by wearing masks of his face while riding a visitor attraction he publicly criticised.


Consignments made out to be genuine brands are being sold by people using fake profiles on buy and sell pages for the south-east of England. Cheap tobacco purchased by BBC South East was found to contain double the lead content and a third more cadmium than genuine products. Facebook said content in breach of its commerce policy was always removed. The cut-price tobacco and cigarettes are being sold through the social media site's Marketplace pages and offer hand delivery. Undercover reporters arranged to meet a seller in Tunbridge Wells and purchased items marketed as Mayfair cigarettes and Amber Leaf rolling tobacco. When analysed, they were found to have higher than normal levels of lead and cadmium - both toxic metals that can cause damage to the liver, kidneys and brain. Jon Griffin, analyst at Kent Scientific Services, said: "We are not good as human beings in getting rid of contaminants. "So the likelihood is you are going to be taking in more of those contaminant metals and they will remain in your system in organs, in the brain, in other organs in the body and you will not get rid of them. "Over a period of time there's a bigger potential health risk." Manufacturer JTI, which makes the real Mayfair and Amber Leaf products, confirmed the items were counterfeit. In a statement, the Weybridge-based company said: "Over the past year, JTI's actions have led to the removal of just under 3,000 listings relating to the illegal sale of its brands on [the social media site]. "These products have an estimated street value of [more than] Â£400,000." Facebook said it investigates any reported prohibited activity and it had removed the post advertising the counterfeit tobacco. Almost identical adverts for tobacco have since been placed on other buy and sell pages, using different profiles, the BBC has found. You can see more on this story on Inside Out South East on BBC One at 19:30 BST on Friday 31 March, and later on the BBC iPlayer.

Summary: Counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco are being advertised and sold through Facebook, an investigation has found.


The letter was signed by leaders from Greater Manchester, Liverpool, North East, Sheffield, and West Yorkshire combined authorities. It requested a meeting with Theresa May, who has not yet commented, "at her earliest convenience". It stresses it is "vital" the north's voice is heard "loud and clear". It pointed out the region had a "significantly larger" economy than Scotland and Wales and a population greater than London. Greater Manchester's interim mayor Tony Lloyd sent the letter on behalf of himself and leaders of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, North East Combined Authority, Sheffield City Region Combined Authority and West Yorkshire Combined Authority. The letter noted Ms May's talks with Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in Edinburgh and invited her to a similar meeting in Greater Manchester "to discuss our role within the Brexit negotiations". It read: "The north of England has long had concerns that we are being ignored, caught between an economically and politically powerful London and an increasingly politically important Scotland." It continued: "As we negotiate our exit from the European Union, you have made clear that you believe in having an approach and negotiation objectives that include the whole of the United Kingdom. "On that point we wholeheartedly agree. It is absolutely vital that the voice of the north of England is heard loud and clear." The combined authorities were set up as part of the government's devolution agenda. This led to the Northern Powerhouse strategy, brainchild of former Chancellor George Osborne, an attempt to corral the north's population of 15 million into a collective force that could begin to rival that of London and the South East. There has been some uncertainty over its continuation following Mrs May's reshuffle and Mr Osborne's return to the back benches. However, Conservative MP for Brigg and Goole Andrew Percy was appointed as the new Northern Powerhouse minister on Sunday and a government spokesman said the Northern Powerhouse would "continue to be a priority".

Summary: Leaders of five combined authorities have written to the prime minister saying the north of England needs a "strong voice" in Brexit negotiations.


Known as Flex, the mission was approved by member states on Thursday and will likely launch by 2022. The satellite will carry a spectrometer to catch the subtle but telltale fluorescence that organisms produce when they engage in photosynthesis. Scientists say this signal can be used to monitor the condition of croplands and forests. Changes in the light emission, which is detected in the red and far-red part of the electromagnetic spectrum, will reveal, for example, if vegetation is being stressed, perhaps because of overheating, drought or disease. Given the fundamental role played by photosynthesis in biology, there is arguably no measurement more significant than the one Flex is going to try to capture from orbit. "We will be monitoring the core of the most important process that sustains all life on Earth," said Uwe Rascher, a leading figure on the mission science team. Flex is the latest concept in Esa's Earth Explorer series. These are satellites that are designed to health-check the environment using novel instrument technologies. Missions already flown have mapped Arctic sea-ice, traced ocean circulation, and quantified the amount of water bound up in soils. Flex (Fluorescence Explorer) (PDF) was green-lit as the eighth spacecraft in the series by the agency's Earth Observation Programme Board, meeting in Paris. It won approval following a detailed assessment by scientists and engineers, who put it ahead of a rival proposal called CarbonSat (PDF). This would have plotted the movements of carbon dioxide and methane through the atmosphere. Although a loser on this occasion, CarbonSat may yet find support in a European Union-funded space programme. Certainly, Esa officials would like to continue technology developments on its instrument to try to mature its design. Plant fluorescence has been detected from orbit before, but not at the level of detail envisaged for Flex. Leaf photosynthesis – the production of life-sustaining sugars from CO2 and water – dumps some of the energy not required in the biochemical process in the form of light. This "waste emission" radiates from the vegetation around a couple of peaks in wavelength between 640 and 800 nanometres – on the boundary between the visible and the infrared. The nature of this signal describes directly the efficiency of the photosynthetic process, and if Flex can characterise it accurately it will be able to discern the physical condition of plants. "If you have water-limitation in agriculture – at the moment, we can only see it late, when the vegetation starts to wilt: when it gets brownish, yellowish and begins to drop leaves," explained Prof Rascher. "With a fluorescence signal we see the limitation of photosynthesis because of water stress immediately when it occurs. So, we see the signal before the plant shows visible damage," the Jülich Research Centre scientist told BBC News. The technique does require some ancillary data - in particular, a measure of the temperature of the vegetation being studied. To get this information, Flex would fly in close formation with another satellite already dedicated to the purpose. This would be the EU's Sentinel-3 platform, which will soon start mapping the

Summary: The European Space Agency is going to build a spacecraft to map the red glow emitted by Earth's plants.


The African Elephant Status report says that poaching is the main driver of the fall, the worst losses in 25 years. However the authors say that long-term issues such as the loss of habitat also pose a significant threat. The report has been presented at the Cites meeting which is considering new proposals on elephant protection. Extract from The War on Elephants; article on how the very existence of Africa's elephants is threatened by poachers More from Alastair: Why elephants are seeking refuge in Botswana Shocking reduction in Africa's elephant numbers Figures published earlier this year in the Great Elephant Census indicated that African elephant populations had declined by around 30% over the past seven years. This new study from conservation group IUCN incorporates this information but also uses data from elephant dung counts and individual observations amongst other sources. The authors say the overall total for elephants in Africa is now around 415,000, although there may be an additional 117,000 to 135,000 in areas not systematically surveyed. This represents a decline of some 111,000 from the report carried out in 2006. Poaching is the main driver of the drop. East Africa, the region most affected by killings for ivory, has experienced around a 50% reduction in numbers. However it is not the only cause of concern to the authors. "We are particularly concerned about major infrastructure projects that are cutting up the elephant ranges, this is a particular problem for road development in central and east Africa," said Dr Chris Thouless, one of the report's authors. "These are all major issues that will have to be dealt with once the poaching crisis is over." While report highlights the losses there are also some gains. Elephant populations in South Africa, Namibia and Uganda have all increased. Elephant ranges have expanded in Kenya and Botswana, with community based conservation showing real success in Northern Kenya. While these are positives, the overall picture is one of dramatic decline, fuelled by criminal activity that would decimate these giant creatures, if continued. "Larger quantities of illegal ivory are leaving Africa than ever before," said Ginette Hemley from WWF. "The transnational crime syndicates driving the slaughter must be dismantled, and consumer demand for ivory cannot persist if we hope to secure a safe future for elephants." The report comes as the Cites meeting here in Johannesburg is facing significant division on how to handle the poaching crisis. Talks on extra protections for elephants will begin on Monday with a number of countries led by Kenya seeking extra protection. Others, including Namibia and Zimbabwe, are seeking to liberalise the safeguards and open up a trade in ivory. Another proposal here, which might garner more support, is aimed at ending all domestic markets in ivory. The meeting continues until 5 October. Follow Matt on Twitter @mattmcgrathbbc and on Facebook.

Summary: Elephant populations in Africa have declined by around 111,000 over the past 10 years according to a new study.


The Dutch-Romanian pairing won 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 6-4 in one hour and 52 minutes. Murray had hoped to claim a first men's doubles Slam title having won the mixed doubles with Jelena Jankovic in 2007. The 29-year-old was watched by younger brother Andy on Centre Court, 24 hours after his singles semi-final defeat. "I didn't know he was coming till I heard him shouting," said Jamie Murray. "He was shouting all the time, encouragement. It was cool. It was nice to see him out there supporting." The brothers must now regroup after Wimbledon disappointment as they are both part of the Great Britain squad which will take on France in next week's Davis Cup quarter-final at Queen's Club. "It's an exciting match to look forward to," he said. "It's a big tie for us. There's going to be a lot of people coming out to support. Motivation is high for the match." Murray and Peers had three chances to break serve in the first five games of the doubles final but could not convert, and Rojer and Tecau took advantage. Rojer hammered away a smash to convert their third set point in the tie-break, and when Peers netted a volley to drop serve early in the second, the lead was convincing. A Peers double fault invited huge pressure at 4-4 in the third and Rojer proved more solid than Murray at the net to earn the decisive break. The fourth seeds served out the match to love and fell to their knees in celebration, with Tecau finally getting his hands on the trophy after three times finishing runner-up. "It was a good tournament for us," added Murray, who had never previously been past the quarter-finals of the men's doubles in a Slam. "We got to the final of Wimbledon, which is not so easy to do. I mean, my best result in a Grand Slam by quite some distance, I guess. "It's sad to lose but I guess overall it was a positive tournament."

Summary: Britain's Jamie Murray and Australian John Peers missed out on a first Grand Slam doubles title together as they lost to fourth seeds Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau in the Wimbledon final.


The US actress, 84, had been rushed to hospital with a suspected stroke. Her son, Todd Fisher, said the stress of his sister's death had been too much for her and in her last words, she had said she wanted to be with Carrie. US actress Bette Midler said Reynolds was "devoted to her craft" and that her death was "too hard to comprehend". Actress Debra Messing said Reynolds, her on-screen mother in sitcom Will and Grace, had been an "inspiration". "A legend of course," she wrote in a statement. "The epitome of clean-cut American optimism, dancing with Gene Kelly as an equal, a warrior woman who never stopped working.'' Actor Rip Torn, who worked with Reynolds in her Las Vegas stage show, said: "I was blessed to work with this remarkable woman for 45 almost 50 years. That makes for a very rare bond and unique relationship. "She was generous to a fault, never caring who got the laugh from the audience. I will always love her." Veteran comic actress Carol Channing agreed: "She was beautiful and generous. It seems like only yesterday she was having lunch here at the house and we were discussing the possibility of working together in a new show." For Star Trek actor William Shatner, Reynolds was one of the last of the Hollywood royalty. "It breaks my heart that she is gone," he wrote. "I'd hoped that my grieving was done for 2016. Reynolds had been at her son's house in Beverly Hills - apparently discussing the arrangements for Carrie Fisher's funeral - when she was taken ill. She was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre suffering from breathing difficulties and her death was confirmed a few hours later. It is thought she suffered a stroke. Carrie Fisher, renowned for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars series, had died aged 60 the day before, after spending three days in a Los Angeles hospital. She never regained consciousness after suffering a massive heart attack on board a flight from London to Los Angeles on Friday. Speaking to the Associated Press news agency about his mother, Todd said: "She's now with Carrie and we're all heartbroken.'' Celebrity news site TMZ reported that Reynolds cracked while discussing plans for Carrie's funeral with her son, telling him: "I miss her so much; I want to be with Carrie." Some people talk about "broken heart syndrome", known more formally as stress cardiomyopathy or takotsubo cardiomyopathy. According to the British Heart Foundation, it is a "temporary condition where your heart muscle becomes suddenly weakened or stunned. The left ventricle, one of the heart's chambers, changes shape." It can be brought on by a shock. "About three quarters of people diagnosed with takotsubo cardiomyopathy have experienced significant emotional or physical stress prior to becoming unwell," the charity says. This stress might be bereavement but it could be a shock of another kind. There are documented cases of people suffering the condition after being frightened by colleagues pulling a prank, or suffering the stress of speaking to a large group of

Summary: Debbie Reynolds, who starred opposite Gene Kelly in the 1952 musical Singin' in the Rain, has died a day after the death of her daughter, Carrie Fisher.


The 21-year-old initially joined for a month and has made two appearances for the Imps, scoring twice in a 3-1 victory over Welling in the FA Trophy. Ward's stay at Sincil Bank will now run until 14 April, and will take his loan to the maximum 93 days. Danny Cowley's Lincoln are currently top of the National League. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Summary: Brighton & Hove Albion winger Joe Ward has extended his loan deal at National League side Lincoln City for a further two months.


The Fed is expected to keep borrowing costs on hold but its economic commentary will be closely scrutinised for hints about future moves. In Japan, the benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed down 0.8% at 16,974.45. Shares of Japanese consumer electronics firm Sharp slumped nearly 12% on reports a takeover deal may be delayed. According to Reuters, Taiwan's Foxconn - also known as Hon Hai Precision - may postpone its $6bn (Â£4.2bn) purchase of Sharp after receiving "new material information" and is requesting more guidance on its latest quarterly performance. In China, the Shanghai Composite index rose 0.2% to 2,870.43 while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dropped 0.15% to 20,257.70. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 index ended 0.15% higher at 5,119.03 even though falling iron ore prices dragged on mining shares. South Korea's Kospi closed up 0.3% at 1,974.90, despite data showing the unemployment rate hit a five-year high. The rate rose to 4.1% from 3.5% in February, which was higher than economist expectations, due to a contraction in the manufacturing and construction sectors. However, analysts say most global investors are focusing on the outcome of the Fed's meeting. "Another hike is sharply at odds with Fed concerns about increased uncertainty around global/China outlook and market turbulence tightening credit conditions," said Vishnu Varathan from Mizuho Bank. He added that attention was focused on any hints the bank might make about the frequency of interest rate rises this year.

Summary: Asia markets were mixed on Wednesday as investors waited for the outcome of the latest Federal Reserve meeting.