After defeats in their past two League One games, Phil Brown's side took an early lead from the penalty spot when Simon Cox fired home. Southend remain one spot and one point outside the play-off places after sixth-placed Millwall overcame Northampton, while defeat leaves Chesterfield nine points from safety with thee games remaining. Anthony Wordsworth and Cox breached the static Spireites defence in the second half to kill the contest, while Marc-Antoine Fortune made it four with his first touch after coming off the bench. Just before the break Dion Donohue was dismissed for a foul on Jason Demetriou to add to Chesterfield's woes. Cox was the man that earned and scored Southend's 15th-minute penalty. On the ball, he stood firm as goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann scampered towards him and when contact was made the referee had an easy decision to make and the spot-kick was duly converted. Poor defending contributed to United's three second-half goals, Wordsworth converting a Demetriou cross while Cox took advantage of some solid Will Atkinson work before Fortune slipped through a shell-shocked defence to complete the scoring. Report supplied by the Press Association. Match ends, Chesterfield 0, Southend United 4. Second Half ends, Chesterfield 0, Southend United 4. Corner, Southend United. Conceded by Tom Anderson. Attempt blocked. Theo Robinson (Southend United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Corner, Southend United. Conceded by Paul McGinn. Attempt missed. Liam Grimshaw (Chesterfield) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the left is just a bit too high. Foul by Paul McGinn (Chesterfield). Stephen McLaughlin (Southend United) wins a free kick on the right wing. Attempt missed. Michael Timlin (Southend United) left footed shot from more than 35 yards is high and wide to the left. Liam Grimshaw (Chesterfield) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Michael Timlin (Southend United) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Liam Grimshaw (Chesterfield). (Southend United) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake (Chesterfield). Attempt missed. Anthony Wordsworth (Southend United) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top left corner. Stephen McLaughlin (Southend United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Paul McGinn (Chesterfield). Substitution, Chesterfield. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake replaces Kristian Dennis. Substitution, Southend United. Theo Robinson replaces Simon Cox. Goal! Chesterfield 0, Southend United 4. Marc-Antoine Fortuné (Southend United) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Anthony Wordsworth. Substitution, Southend United. Marc-Antoine Fortuné replaces Nile Ranger. Substitution, Chesterfield. Liam Grimshaw replaces Joe Rowley. Substitution, Southend United. Zavon Hines replaces Will Atkinson. Goal! Chesterfield 0, Southend United 3. Simon Cox (Southend United) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Attempt blocked. Michael Timlin (Southend United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Attempt missed. Anthony Wordsworth (Southend United) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Attempt blocked. Jason Demetriou (Southend United) right footed shot

Summary: Southend got their play-off challenge back on track with a comfortable win at 10-man Chesterfield, who are all-but relegated.


The 23-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Rec after his father Mike was sacked as head coach last May. Ford is under contract at Bath until 2018, but is understood to have a break clause in that deal for this summer and Sale are keen to talk to him. "If we get an opportunity we will," Diamond told BBC Sport. "He's still in contract with Bath so we don't know where that is up to." Asked if their current 10th-placed position in the Premiership could affect any offer to Oldham-born Ford, Diamond responded: "No, as people come for money and ambition, and if you've got the money then you've got the ambition - Wasps are a good example." Sale signed USA international AJ MacGinty and Dan Mugford from Nottingham this season after Danny Cipriani moved to Wasps and George's older brother Joe left for Yorkshire Carnegie. However, outside centre Sam James currently is playing at 10 for Sale who are on a run of nine defeats in a row in all competitions. Meanwhile, Castleford Tigers have claimed they should receive £500,000 in compensation after Sale signed winger Denny Solomona, who has scored four tries in four games since his rugby union debut. Solomona was under contract with the Super League outfit until 2018 but left them to sign a three-year deal at Sale. Cas have launched legal action against the Sharks, Solomona and his agent Andy Clark. "They openly said we'd made them an offer which was substantially more than what Warrington Wolves had offered them and they rejected that," added Diamond. "We feel vindicated by what we have done as we signed a player after he resigned and they'd sacked him. "Castleford's claim is 10 times what he was earning. Maybe they should have thought of that and paid him what he is worth one would suggest."

Summary: Sale have yet to speak to England and Bath fly-half George Ford over a potential move, says Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond.


Zakariya Ashiq, 20, from Coventry, was found guilty of two counts of preparing acts of terrorism at the Old Bailey on Tuesday. He was arrested at Heathrow Airport in November after failing to cross into Syria from Jordan. He admitted trying to get to Syria but said he had been forced to leave the UK because he was being "harassed" by MI5.

Summary: A British man who attempted to join Islamic State in Syria has been jailed for six years.


The Binos parted company with McLaren on Saturday after a 4-0 home defeat to Elgin City. That loss left them second bottom of Scottish League Two. "No one could have worked harder than Stuart and I wish him every success in the future," said chairman Stuart Brown on the official website. Former Stirling player McLaren was appointed boss in November 2014 following a spell managing Australian side Brisbane Strikers. However, he could not save them from relegation, and they finished seventh last season.

Summary: Stirling Albion have have appointed Martyn Corrigan as caretaker manager as they search for a replacement for Stuart McLaren.


Toulon's Halfpenny, 27, has started at full-back in the autumn internationals against Australia and Argentina, with Wales to host Japan on Saturday. Williams says Scarlets' Liam Williams should move over to full-back instead. "I used to enjoy playing on the opposite wing to Leigh and he used to score a lot of tries and create a lot of opportunities," Williams said. "For that reason I'd love to see Leigh back on the wing. Media playback is not supported on this device "Liam Williams is playing with such confidence at the moment you could put him in any position and he would still perform." Liam Williams missed Wales' defeat to Australia through injury but started on the wing and scored his side's first try in the win over Argentina last Saturday. Wales host Japan in their third game of the autumn series at Cardiff's Principality Stadium, with interim coach Rob Howley considering resting players. Howley has hinted Ospreys wing Keelan Giles could win his first senior cap against Japan and Shane Williams believes the 18-year-old should be given his chance. "I think a game against a team like Japan would suit Keelan," said Williams, who has been inducted into World Rugby's Hall of Fame. "I think it will be an open game and probably more chances and room for him to create than there would have been against Australia and Argentina. "Perhaps it's time Wales take the shackles off him and let us see what he can do. "He's a great players that's only going to get better."

Summary: Wales' record try-scorer Shane Williams wants to see Leigh Halfpenny starting back on the wing.


About 40,000 high-strength painkillers were recovered in Craigavon at one of three locations searched by police on Wednesday. Two men have been arrested. A police spokeswoman said it was dangerous to take such drugs without a prescription. Officers were "relieved that such a significant quantity has been removed from circulation", she added.

Summary: A substantial amount of prescription medication, believed to be stolen, has been recovered by police in County Armagh.


The position, in her Edmonton constituency office, will now be re-advertised with a Â£9.40 an hour salary. "Kate does not believe in paying anyone less than the London Living Wage," a spokeswoman said. Ms Osamor, who was promoted to Labour's front bench in Jeremy Corbyn's reshuffle, campaigns against low pay. The original advertisement, on the W4MP jobs board, for a constituency intern, listed responsibilities including " community-based projects relating to the constituency", gathering and evaluating data and "general administrative support". It asked for degree-level qualifications, "enthusiasm" and "commitment to the full duration of the role". The salary was listed as "expenses" and it was described as a "voluntary role". The advert was withdrawn after Ms Osamor, who entered Parliament in May's general election, came under fire from campaigners in an International Business Times article. Tanya De Grunwald, a campaigner for fair internships and founder of careers website Graduate Fog it was "astonishing" that MPs were still failing to connect the dots between their political principles and their own hiring practices. Ms De Grunwald said it was "great" that the ad had been taken down but she said it was "disappointing that mistakes like this are still happening when surely everyone is aware of how unfair unpaid internships are by now. When you post an ad for an unpaid role you should know in your gut that it's wrong." She said MPs needed to "sort out proper processes for hiring these roles so errors and misunderstandings like this can't happen".

Summary: Labour's shadow equality minister Kate Osamor has withdrawn an advert for an unpaid intern blaming a "misunderstanding" in her office.


The 25-year-old United States midfielder played 45 times for Hearts since joining them in March 2016 from DC United but at the tail end of last season found himself out of favour under head coach Ian Cathro. He joins Randers on a two-year deal. Of the side who finished seventh last season, Kitchen said: "It's a really good opportunity for me at this time." New Hearts signing Ashley Smith-Brown limped off after only 27 minutes of his first outing for the Edinburgh side, a 1-0 friendly defeat by St Patrick's Athletic. But Cathro said the on-loan Manchester City left-back, who had himself come on as a half-time substitute, was replaced with 21-year-old Angus Beith as a purely precautionary measure. "He just felt something when he turned and this is a point in the season where you just don't need to take any risks," said the head coach. "We'll just manage that and make sure it's okay. "Pre-season is about building our conditioning and also about trying to avoid injury as best we can." Fellow new signing Kyle Lafferty also made his first appearance in a Hearts shirt after being introduced with quarter of an hour left. Cathro revealed he will treat the Northern Ireland striker, who has started just 22 club games in the last three seasons, cautiously as he looks to build up his fitness. "It was important that Kyle got minutes," he said. "He's not had anywhere near as many training sessions as everyone else, so we're just going gradually with that. "But it was good for him to get on to the pitch and we'll go step by step to build him up. "We played against a team that's pretty much in the full flow of their season, so it's a really good match." Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Summary: Hearts have announced that their captain, Perry Kitchen, has moved to Danish Superliga club Randers.


Ian Elliott is head coach for the City of Coventry Water Polo teams, which compete at the highest national and European levels. He said the teams were "under threat" from the proposed pool changes. Coventry City Council said it was considering the inclusion of a 50m pool in its new site proposal. Ed Ruane, cabinet member for sport at the council, said the current facility costs Â£2,000 a day to run. The council believes the existing Fairfax Street sport centre is no longer fit for purpose. Instead it is proposing a new 25m water park. Mr Elliott said the city's teams had been "supported strongly by Coventry City Council" but did not want to lose the current pool, which "is ideal for water polo". The pool is home to water polo teams for youths and seniors of both sexes. They currently have two girls in the academy GB squad and six youths in British water polo regional training. Charlotte Noble, goalkeeper for the ladies team, said: "Hopefully people can realise how important the pool is to us." Water polo is just one of the activities that could be affected by the pool closure. Earl Radtschenko, 17, from Coventry, is a swimmer who hopes to represent Britain in the Rio Olympics. He said: "I believe the desire to succeed comes from within, but having a 50m pool and an Olympic coach in Coventry has certainly helped." Adam Ruckwood, the City of Coventry Swimming Club's head coach and a former Olympian, said some swimmers would have to leave the club if the facility closed, "which would be an absolute tragedy".

Summary: The closure of the only 50m swimming pool in the West Midlands, could threaten the future of a successful Coventry sport, a coach has said.


They were named artists of the year and also took home album of the year and favourite pop/rock album. "This has been a real perfect day... America feels like a second home to us," said Liam Payne. Katy Perry, who did not appear at the ceremony in Los Angeles, also won three awards, including one for best single for Dark Horse featuring Juicy J. The awards, many of which are decided by a fan vote, also saw Taylor Swift speak out again in defence of traditional models of music distribution. The singer, who was presented the Dick Clark award for excellence by Motown musician Diana Ross, thanked fans for acknowledging her campaign. "What you did by going out and investing in music and albums is you're saying that you believe in the same thing that I believe in - that music is valuable and that music should be consumed in albums, and albums should be consumed as art and appreciated," she said. After the release of 1989, Swift removed all of her albums from Spotify, saying the streaming service devalued music and did not pay artists enough. Iggy Azalea beat the likes of Eminem and Drake to the title of favourite rap/hip hop artist. "This award is the first award I've ever won in my entire life, and it means so much to me that it is for best hip hop because that's what inspired me to move to America and pursue my dreams, and it's what helped me when I was a teenager to escape and to get through my life and to better times," the 24-year-old said. "And it means so much that I can stand here against Eminem and Drake and come out with this." Calvin Harris and Sam Smith took home favourite artist awards in the EDM and pop/rock categories. Frozen was named best soundtrack. Follow @BBCNewsbeat on Twitter and Radio1Newsbeat on YouTube

Summary: One Direction have topped the winners list at the American Music Awards, taking home a total of three prizes.


The security breach by Norfolk County Council came to light in April 2014 when the cabinet was bought and the social work case files were found. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) said the documents included information relating to seven children. The ICO said the council had "no good reason" for breaching confidentiality. More news from Norfolk The council apologised for the data breach and said it had tightened procedures. Steve Eckersley, ICO head of enforcement, said: "The council had disposed of some furniture as part of an office move but had failed to ensure that the cabinets were empty before disposal. "Councils have a duty to look after any personal information they hold, all the more so when highly sensitive information is concerned - in particular about adults and children in vulnerable circumstances. "For no good reason Norfolk County Council appears to have overlooked the need to ensure it had robust measures in place to protect this information. "It should have had a written procedure in place which made it clear that any storage items removed from the office which may have contained personal were thoroughly checked before disposal." The ICO added that having the "appropriate staff and procedures in place is key to ensuring councils look after personal information properly". Simon George, executive director for finance and commercial services at the council, said: "We want to reassure residents that we have robust data protection procedures and have tightened practice in the light of the case published today. "As a council we take data protection very seriously and we are very sorry that our practice fell short on this occasion. "In the three years since this occurred, we have taken strong and effective action to ensure it is not repeated." The county council was fined Â£80,000 in February 2012 by the ICO after a confidential social worker report was sent to the wrong address.

Summary: A council has been fined Â£60,000 for leaving confidential files about vulnerable children in a cabinet which was sent to a second-hand shop.


It is the first major competition the venue has hosted since under-going a post-Games makeover. The venue looks amazing and we can't wait to get diving Diver Daley relocated from Plymouth to the centre earlier this year and is part of a nine-strong GB squad. "It's the first time the whole team has been back here and it's going to be pretty special," he told BBC Sport. The venue, which hosted all of the aquatic disciplines at the London Games apart from water polo, cost more than £250m to build and had its capacity reduced from 18,000 to around 2,500 before it was re-opened to the public in February. Although long-term Chinese rival Qui Bo is missing the event, Daley will face tough opposition in the form of US Olympic gold medallist David Boudia and world synchro champion Sascha Klein of Germany. Media playback is not supported on this device Daley is currently without a partner for the 10m synchronised platform competition and likely to skip the event at the Commonwealth Games, so teenage duo Daniel Goodfellow and Matty Lee lead the British challenge in the event. "It's our first time in the pool as we weren't in the team for the Olympics, so we're really excited," Goodfellow told BBC Sport. Lee, who has won two World Series bronze medals with his team-mate so far this season, added: "Our partnership has clicked really quickly and we have a great relationship, which I think is behind our success so far." Two-time Olympian Tonia Couch dislocated her knee earlier this year but returned for the season-opening World series event in Beijing, where she won bronze. She will compete in both the individual 10m platform event and the synchronised competition with Sarah Barrow. Friday: 12:00 - women's 10m synchro final (Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow) and men's 10m synchro final (Matty Lee and Daniel Goodfellow) 19:00 - women's 3m syncho final (Rebecca Gallantree and Alicia Blagg) and men's 3m synchro final (Jack Laugher and Chris Mears) Saturday: 18:00 - women's 3m springboard final (Hannah Starling) and men's 3m springboard final (Jack Laugher) Sunday: 18:00 - women's 10m platform final (Sarah Barrow and Tonia Couch) and men's 10m platform final (Tom Daley) The event will also see 3m springboard divers Jack Laugher and Chris Mears make their long-awaited competitive debut as a pair. They teamed up after last year's World Championships, where Mears finished eighth with Nick Robinson-Baker, but he slipped in their opening training session and only recently returned to training after suffering problems with both ankles. "I was in a wheelchair for a few months, which wasn't ideal, but Jack and I practically live together and have a really close relationship which will hopefully make us a force to be reckoned with," he said. Rebecca Gallantree, who narrowly missed out on an individual medal in the Dubai leg of the series last month, will be partnered by Hannah Starling in the 3m springboard synchro final as her regular partner, Alicia Blagg, is injured.

Summary: Tom Daley will compete at the London Aquatics Centre for the first time since claiming Olympic bronze when he takes part in the World Series event.


The left-wing MP, who has gone from outsider to frontrunner, said Saturday was not the end of inspiration for the campaign, but the "staging post". It comes as some of his rival candidates appeared to concede victory. Unite union boss Len McCluskey said the MP had "already won" in his eyes, as he had "lit up" the Labour movement. "Jeremy, in that calm fashion, seems to have touched a pulse, and that pulse is about people rejecting the constant downbeat austerity message that's been coming out of politics for 35 years," he told the BBC. Mr Corbyn is up against shadow health secretary Andy Burnham, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper and shadow health minister Liz Kendall for the top job. He was a last-minute addition to the ballot after some Labour MPs "lent" him their nomination, saying they wanted to broaden the debate. But the popularity of Mr Corbyn's campaign has fuelled a bitter row within the party over the its future direction, with warnings from his rival candidates and senior figures, including former prime minister Tony Blair, against a shift to the left. Attending his 99th rally, held in the Islington North constituency in London which he has represented since 1983, Mr Corbyn said his campaign had been one of "hope" and "optimism" and promised to "change politics". He told supporters: "This inspiration that's been the last 100 days doesn't end on Saturday. Saturday is simply one staging post in it. "We change politics in Britain, we challenge the narrative that only the individual matters... and instead we say the common good is the aspiration of all of us." The MP said he looked forward to Saturday with "interest, if not some anticipation". Ahead of the event, the bookies' favourite in the contest told Channel 4 News he was not "scared" at the prospect of taking on his party's top job. He also said he was "extremely confident" of being able to build a shadow cabinet, saying: "I've had many discussions with people already about how we are going to take these things forward." Mr Corbyn's speech came hours after voting in the Labour leadership closed, bringing three months of campaigning by the candidates to an end. In an email to supporters, Mr Burnham said he had an "outside but realistic chance" of winning the contest, and that getting this far was "a real achievement". BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said it was seen by some of his supporters as an admission of defeat - but a campaign source said this was "categorically not" the case. Mr Burnham also said "thousands of ordinary, decent party members are now worried about where we are heading". In the closing speech of her campaign, Ms Kendall - who has stressed the need for Labour to appeal to a broader section of the electorate - said she may have been "too blunt" at times. She added: "But my view is that in politics, as in life, you cannot deal with problems by ignoring or avoiding them." The contest has been plagued by internal rows over

Summary: Labour leadership hopeful Jeremy Corbyn has thanked his supporters at a final rally before the result of the three-month contest is announced.


The merger would create the world's largest airline. As part of the agreement, which must still be approved by a judge, the airlines will give up slots at several US airports. The two companies argued the consolidation was necessary to their survival. The US Justice Department had sued to stop the $11bn (Â£6.9bn) merger in August, arguing it would reduce competition and result in higher prices for consumers. "This agreement has the potential to shift the landscape of the airline industry...[and] ensures airline passengers will see more competition on nonstop and connecting routes throughout the country," said Attorney General Eric Holder in a statement. The two airlines will each give up 57 slots to low-cost carrier airlines at Ronald Reagan International Airport in Washington DC and 34 slots at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York City. The companies say this will result in 44 fewer daily departures at Reagan and 12 fewer daily departures at LGA - a fraction of the close to 400 daily flights that the airlines operate from those two airports. "They dominated Reagan Airport, that's why they had the Department of Justice concerned," Ray Neidl, an airline analyst at Nexa Capital, told the BBC, who said that giving up slots at the airport was an unsurprising part of the agreement. "It was better than litigating," he added. An additional two slots each at Boston Logan International, Chicago O'Hare International, Dallas Love Field, Los Angeles International and Miami International airports will be released. The slots will be given to low cost airlines like JetBlue and Southwest. "This agreement allows us to take the final steps in creating the new American Airlines," said Tom Horton, head of American Airline's parent corporation, AMR, in a statement. The company now says it expects the merger to be finalised in December 2013. AMR Corp has been in a bankruptcy restructuring for two years and it is hoped that once the merger is finalised, the company will be able to complete its turnaround. Shares in US Airways traded 3.5% higher before being halted on pending news. They were lower once the specifics of the deal had been announced. The anti-trust trial had been scheduled to start later this month. The US Justice Department had been joined by the attorneys-general of Arizona, Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Tennessee, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, but all have agreed to the proposed settlement.

Summary: American Airlines and US Airways have settled an anti-trust suit with US regulators, paving the way for their proposed merger to be finalised.


8 May 2017 Last updated at 15:13 BST Emmanuel Macron won to become the country's youngest president at 39-years-old. He beat rival Marine Le Pen comfortably. Jenny spoke to two kids in Paris to find out what they think of the result.

Summary: The people of France had a big vote on Sunday to decide who they want to run their country for the next five years.


Media playback is not supported on this device In the 40 previous editions only twice has a team trailing by more than two points after the first two days come back to win. But with late swings on Saturday evening giving the USA a 9½-6½ lead going into the final afternoon, Europe will need to win at least seven and-a-half of the 12 points on offer to hang on to a trophy they have lost only once in the last 14 years. Rory McIlroy will lead the attempted fight-back in an alluring match-up against Patrick Reed, before Open champion Henrik Stenson takes on Jordan Spieth and Thomas Pieters plays JB Holmes. A European comeback is not impossible - at Medinah in 2012 they had trailed 10-4 late on the Saturday, and began the singles four down before storming through for a famous victory. Team talisman McIlroy has led the European charge superbly thus far, winning three points from a possible four, and his foursomes and fourball partner Pieters has also been in the sort of dead-eyed form that belies his rookie status. Yet with the other two of captain Darren Clarke's wildcards, Martin Kaymer and Lee Westwood, struggling to justify their selection and the US inspired by the stunning performance of the pugnacious Reed, home captain Davis Love will know that his team has a wonderful chance to win only their third Ryder Cup in the last 21 years. All 12 of Love's players won points in the first two days, while five of Clarke's - Kaymer, Westwood, Danny Willet, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Andy Sullivan - are yet to score. Clarke, who won four of his five Cups as a player and was a vice-captain at Medinah in 2012, remains defiant despite the disappointment of losing Saturday afternoon's fourballs session 3-1 when at the midway point it had looked as if Europe might have reversed that score. He said: "We're going to have to work hard and play very, very well, but it's been done before from a worse position - we have a big task ahead of us, but the guys are capable of doing it. "With the team that's here this week, I don't need to pick them up. Those guys fully believe that they have the talent and the desire to put a result in." Love was the US captain on that stunning afternoon at Medinah, one of many high-profile US golfers so scarred by the succession of recent defeats that they set up an 11-man task-force to put it right this time. With only five points required from the 12 on offer on Sunday he is close to achieving that goal and the raucous capacity crowds around this long course are likely to once again offer the most passionate and partisan of support as Clarke puts his big hitters out early. Love said: "I've obviously been around a lot of teams so it was no secret that they (Europe) were going to load the boat. "So our problem, was we say, all right, we're going to put the

Summary: Europe must scale a mountain if not find another miracle to match that of four years ago if they are to retain the Ryder Cup on Sunday.


Reckitt Benckiser (RB) confirmed the plastic bottles were used for the stain removal product Vanish. Bottles started arriving at Poldhu Cove on the Lizard on Sunday before more arrived at Porthleven on Friday. The firm said the bottles came from a container lost at sea off a ship in 2015. RB said it was "providing all the agencies involved in the clear up with logistical and financial support". Volunteers and staff from Culdrose Naval Air Station carried out another clean up on Friday at Poldhu beach. Cornwall Council said 18,720 bottles were being transported in the container, of which approximately half have already been accounted for. It is thought the vessel lost the container near Land's End in May.

Summary: A global firm has admitted responsibility for thousands of pink bottles washing up around the coast of Cornwall.


Lemmy Milne, Alexander Middleton and Grant Fender admitted facing off with Aberdeen fans before the Dundee United against Aberdeen match on 13 December. Dundee Sheriff Court was told a "ruckus" had broken out at the Snug Bar, and police dogs were deployed. Milne, 17, Middleton, 41, and Fender, 29, will be sentenced later this month. Fiscal depute Alex Piper told the court that a "large group" of Aberdeen fans had arrived at the Snug, where Dundee United supporters were drinking, prior to the match at nearby Tannadice Stadium. She said: "A ruckus happened inside where there was a confrontation that spilled out into the street. "Police arrived almost immediately. There were people lunging at each other, threats of violence and aggressive behaviour on both sides in the street. "Police kept them apart but a number of civilians were trapped. Police dogs had to be brought in to keep the peace." The three men, all of Dundee, pleaded guilty to charges under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act of "engaging in behaviour that is likely or would be likely to incite public disorder by forming part of a disorderly crowd and repeatedly attempting to engage in violence with rival fans". Sheriff George Way deferred sentence until later in the month for background reports.

Summary: Three men have admitted attempting to incite violence with rival football fans on the day of a Scottish Premiership match in Dundee.


The Scots head to Italy aiming for a first championship victory since they won in Rome, 21-20, in February 2014. "The belief is still there amongst the squad," said Bennett, 23. "We all know we can go on and win the next three games. There is no reason why we can't. It is just about taking that first step." After Saturday's match in Rome, Scotland host France on Sunday, 13 March before completing their campaign away to Ireland on the final day of the championship, 19 March. They have only ever won three matches in a single Six Nations campaign once, back in 2006, and have not beaten France in their last 10 meetings since that year. Scotland have won five of their last six meetings with Italy, including home and away victories in warm-up Tests before last year's World Cup, but have lost on five of their eight Six Nations visits to Rome. Head coach Vern Cotter is set to make several changes after the 27-23 defeat by Wales when he confirms his match-day squad on Thursday. Glasgow flanker Ryan Wilson could return after being omitted from the initial Six Nations squad, while Harlequins wing Tim Visser and Glasgow centre Peter Horne are also in contention after recovering from injury problems. Full-back Stuart Hogg (back) and wing Tommy Seymour (ankle) are set to be passed fit after suffering knocks in Cardiff, while Duncan Taylor could retain the number 12 jersey ahead of fit-again Matt Scott after a strong outing against Wales. "He [Taylor] was very easy to play alongside," added Bennett, still searching for his first Six Nations victory after seven attempts. "He is very vocal so he makes my job a lot easier when you know exactly what he is doing. "I also think the fact he is very relaxed as a person helps, so he is quite a calming influence to be around." Media playback is not supported on this device

Summary: Centre Mark Bennett is confident Scotland can end their nine-game Six Nations losing run and win their final three games of this year's tournament.


Media playback is not supported on this device Irishwoman Taylor, bidding to win a sixth consecutive World title, lost a split decision against France's Estelle Mossely in Kazakhstan. Taylor, 29, was given all four rounds by one judge but the other two judges handed Mossely a countback victory. The Bray fighter takes bronze but does secure Rio Olympics qualification. Taylor's domination of the 60kg division was dented last month by a unanimous points defeat by Azerbaijan's Yana Alekseevna at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Turkey. The Irish boxer hadn't lost a fight at the world championships since 2005 when she was defeated by North Korea's Kang Kum-Hui in the quarter-finals. The judging appeared decidedly confusing during Thursday's contest with Taylor given the third round on all three cards despite the Frenchwoman appearing to dominate the round. Taylor then appeared to edge the final round only for two of the judges to plump for Mossely. That left Taylor a 40-36 winner on one of the cards while the two judges that marked the contest 38-38 gave Mossely a countback victory. The Irishwoman had beaten Mossely in their three previous contests. Irish light-welterweight Kellie Harrington is through to the final of the World Championships after an emphatic semi-final victory over Canada's Sara Cali in Kazakhstan. The Dublin fighter is guaranteed at least a silver medal ahead of Friday's final against China's Wenlu Yang in the non-Olympic weight.

Summary: London 2012 gold medallist Katie Taylor suffered a second defeat in six weeks as she was beaten in the World Championship lightweight semi-finals.


Crolla, 28, who also broke his ankle in two places, has had his January WBA world lightweight title bout cancelled. "He was in bits in the hospital," Gallagher told BBC Radio 5 live. "His world title dreams are in tatters. "The more I think about it, he is lucky to be alive. Unbelievable." Promoter Eddie Hearn told BBC Sport the Manchester-based boxer was in a "stable condition" and that he was in talks to try and reschedule the world title fight. Police confirmed that a 28-year-old man was left with a fractured skull after being struck "with a heavy object" when chasing burglars he had spotted leaving his neighbours' home. Detective sergeant Richard Arthern of Greater Manchester Police said: "Thankfully he is recovering well in hospital." Trainer Gallagher added: "The next-door neighbours were being burgled, and the burglars came into his garden. He gave chase and apprehended one of them. "The other one lifted a slab of concrete and hit him with it, and he fell and broke his ankle. "He is in bits and heartbroken." Crolla, who has won 29 of his 35 professional fights, will need to have surgery on his ankle, Gallagher said. Crolla was set for the biggest bout of his eight-year professional career in Manchester on 23 January against WBA champion Richar Abril, 32, from Cuba. Hearn added: "Unfortunately the 23 January fight is off but our concerns right now are with Ant and his family. "I'm devastated for him. He has been training for six weeks for this and has a shot at the world title in his home town. "I have spoken to Richar Abril's team and we are trying to reschedule the fight."

Summary: Anthony Crolla is "lucky to be alive" after suffering a fractured skull when he was hit by what his trainer Joe Gallagher said was a concrete slab as the boxer confronted burglars.


Joleon Lescott's headed goal at the end of a dire first half was Villa's first attempt on target. Gabriel Agbonlahor doubled the lead after the break, stroking home after Declan Rudd misjudged Jordan Veretout's through ball. Norwich, for whom this was a fifth defeat in a row, are now 18th. Newcastle's 1-0 home victory over West Brom saw them leapfrog Alex Neil's side, who haven't won since 2 January. Re-live Aston Villa v Norwich Follow reaction to Saturday's games With 13 matches left to play, the distance between Villa and safety is eight points. The Premier League's bottom club face an almost impossible task to haul themselves out of the relegation zone, but who knows what could happen with a bit of confidence? That was in short supply in the first half. Lescott's downward header from Carles Gil's free-kick went in via two deflections - a scruffy goal typical of a poor opening 45 minutes. After Agbonlahor's second there was much greater fluency though, and few of the nerves you might expect of a side with just two wins from 24 games. Norwich made three attacking substitutions as the game wore on, but Villa defended soundly and could have added a third had Leandro Bacuna not blazed wildly over. Two weeks ago in the early kick-off, Norwich saw a 3-1 lead over Liverpool transformed into a 5-4 loss when seeking a much-needed win following defeats by Stoke and Bournemouth. The Canaries were resoundingly beaten by Tottenham in midweek, and now find themselves in serious trouble despite a positive start to the campaign. Their defending was their undoing at Villa Park. The shape of the back line and Rudd's decision to come off his line for Agbonlahor's second goal was particularly poor, but nor did they offer much of an attacking threat. Sebastien Bassong saw a downward header bounce over the bar, Dieumerci Mbokani's tame efforts were easy to deal with, and Steven Naismith was bright without creating too much danger. Patrick Bamford - who came on for his Norwich debut - was denied by Jores Okore's brilliant saving challenge, but had the Chelsea loanee turned in with just minutes to play it surely would only have been a consolation. Aston Villa manager Remi Garde: "Football is strange. Today we didn't play as well as in some games that we lost. Our football is improving, not only today but for a while now, but we haven't been getting what we deserve. "We are still a way away from where we would like to be but we still believe. The way the players fought on the field today means a lot to me. Media playback is not supported on this device "Everyone was very committed, and behaving in that way we still have a chance." Norwich manager Alex Neil: "Goals change games. The first was poor defending from us, and before that we had opportunities to score but didn't take them. Media playback is not supported on this device "We didn't defend our box from a set piece, and we gifted the second goal

Summary: Aston Villa moved to within eight points of Premier League safety with their third win of the season as Norwich slipped into the bottom three.


Media playback is not supported on this device The Scottish brothers beat Steve Darcis and David Goffin 6-4 4-6 6-3 6-2 to put the visitors 2-1 up in Ghent. Britain require one win from Sunday's reverse singles matches to secure their first Davis Cup victory since 1936. Andy Murray will play Goffin, with Kyle Edmund scheduled to face Ruben Bemelmans in the final match. Captains can change their nominations up until one hour before the 12:00 GMT start on Sunday, and Britain's Leon Smith could bring in James Ward for Edmund if it comes down to a fifth rubber. Andy Murray: "I will prepare like any other match for tomorrow. Goffin is a world-class player and with the crowd behind him it will be a difficult match. We have two chances to try and win it tomorrow and if you had offered us that at the start we would have taken it." Jamie Murray: "There was so much noise, it was mental. We were shouting to each other at times but it's brilliant, and it's what you expect with so many passionate fans here for the final." Leon Smith: "There was a lot of stress and tension. Picking Goffin didn't surprise us and we knew it would be a dogfight but our boys played better throughout and produced an excellent performance yet again." Belgian captain Johan van Herck: "It's a difficult day tomorrow. But as a team we have to believe, we have to stand up, we have to fight." Andy Murray punched the air while his brother exhaled in relief after the brothers won a tense encounter, and made it nine points in a row for the Murray family in this year's Davis Cup. Van Herck had sprung something of a surprise by bringing in Goffin, a player with little doubles experience, and leaving out Davis Cup regular Bemelmans. "We decided this morning after the warm-up," said the captain. "My first plan was always to play David and Steve, but I wanted to see how David got out of his [singles] match. "It was not for us the best tactic to go and play at the net and play real doubles, because I think the British were better. So we wanted to play from the back and make them play a lot of points. "For sure, during the first three sets, we showed why it was the right tactic to do." After two tight opening sets were shared it appeared as though the Belgian captain might have pulled off a masterstroke with his selection when a flashing Darcis return put the hosts a break up in the third. The majority of the very loud 13,000 spectators shook the Flanders Expo to its foundations, but their joy was short-lived. Jamie, the elder brother by a year at 29, had excelled in previous rounds against France and Australia but he struggled for the first hour and a half on Saturday. His serve was especially vulnerable, but he pounced at the net to level at 2-2 and the contest shifted decisively in Britain's favour.

Summary: Great Britain are one win from a first Davis Cup title in 79 years following Andy and Jamie Murray's doubles victory against Belgium.


Media playback is not supported on this device Panthers, who also won the Challenge Cup this season, led at the end of the first period thanks to a fierce hit by Stephen Schultz from the blue line. Blaze goaltender Brian Stewart made numerous saves to keep his side in the match going into the closing stages. But Schultz teed up Kevin Quick to fire the second into the roof of the net. Panthers keeper Miika Wiikman was then able to see out a 30-save shut-out, most notable for fine saves from Ashley Tait and Mike Quesnele. However, Nottingham were good value for their victory and could easily have won by a greater margin had it not been for Stewart. The Canadian also saved short-handed breakaways from Brad Moran and Evan Mosey and made an incredible stop to thwart Juraj Kolnik. Earlier, Cardiff Devils thrashed Fife Flyers 6-0 in the third and fourth place play-off.

Summary: Nottingham Panthers secured their fifth play-off title of the Elite League era by beating Coventry Blaze in a nervy final at the National Ice Centre.


The top flight has been without a backer since May 2013. Speaking at a Scottish Football Association convention, Hearn said: "If you worked for me you'd be sacked. You have so much good in Scottish football, so many positive things, but you don't sell yourself. "You don't do enough for yourselves. I'm seeing too much self pity." The SPFL, which covers all four senior divisions, was established just before the 2013-14 season but has yet to attract a title sponsor. "You've been in the shadow of the English Premier League and you've almost given up to be honest," said Hearn, the chairman of World Snooker and the Professional Darts Corporation and former owner of English League One club Leyton Orient. "That's a bit brutal and it is a generalisation, but if you don't believe in yourself, how on earth can anyone else believe in you?" Hearn also insists the ban on alcohol in football grounds should be lifted for the good of the Scottish game. "It's archaic in today's world for a customer not to be able to buy an alcoholic beverage at a function or a sporting event," he continued. Lifting the alcohol ban, introduced after trouble at the 1980 Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers, was one of a number of suggestions from Hearn to help improve the customer experience in Scottish football. "What you have to do is make sure fans behave themselves," he said. "That's a security issue for you. If you can't keep your establishment secure, there should be no booze, but you shouldn't have a blanket ban on alcohol throughout Scottish football." Football finance expert Joe McLean also spoke at the convention and said the idea of Scottish football switching to a summer programme should be discussed again. "There are obvious challenges and obvious difficulties," said said McLean, of Grant Thornton LLP. "But other countries, Scandinavian countries, for example, and Russia, have a different programme. "It doesn't stop these countries fielding teams who feature in European tournaments like the Europa League and the Champions League."

Summary: Sports promoter Barry Hearn says it is "disgraceful" the Scottish Professional Football League cannot find a sponsor.


They identified bacteria able to shrug off the drug of last resort - colistin - in patients and livestock in China. They said that resistance would spread around the world and raised the spectre of untreatable infections. It is likely resistance emerged after colistin was overused in farm animals. Bacteria becoming completely resistant to treatment - also known as the antibiotic apocalypse - could plunge medicine back into the dark ages. Common infections would kill once again, while surgery and cancer therapies, which are reliant on antibiotics, would be under threat. Chinese scientists identified a new mutation, dubbed the MCR-1 gene, that prevented colistin from killing bacteria. The report in the Lancet Infectious Diseases showed resistance in a fifth of animals tested, 15% of raw meat samples and in 16 patients. And the resistance had spread between a range of bacterial strains and species, including E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. There is also evidence that it has spread to Laos and Malaysia. Prof Timothy Walsh, who collaborated on the study, from the University of Cardiff, told the BBC News website: "All the key players are now in place to make the post-antibiotic world a reality. "If MCR-1 becomes global, which is a case of when not if, and the gene aligns itself with other antibiotic resistance genes, which is inevitable, then we will have very likely reached the start of the post-antibiotic era. "At that point if a patient is seriously ill, say with E. coli, then there is virtually nothing you can do." Resistance to colistin has emerged before. However, the crucial difference this time is the mutation has arisen in a way that is very easily shared between bacteria. "The transfer rate of this resistance gene is ridiculously high, that doesn't look good," said Prof Mark Wilcox, from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. His hospital is now dealing with multiple cases "where we're struggling to find an antibiotic" every month - an event he describes as being as "rare as hens' teeth" five years ago. He said there was no single event that would mark the start of the antibiotic apocalypse, but it was clear "we're losing the battle". The concern is that the new resistance gene will hook up with others plaguing hospitals, leading to bacteria resistant to all treatment - what is known as pan-resistance. Prof Wilcox told the BBC News website: "Do I fear we'll get to an untreatable organism situation? Ultimately yes. "Whether that happens this year, or next year, or the year after, it's very hard to say." Early indications suggest the Chinese government is moving swiftly to address the problem. Prof Walsh is meeting both the agricultural and health ministries this weekend to discuss whether colistin should be banned for agricultural use. Prof Laura Piddock, from the campaign group Antibiotic Action, said the same antibiotics "should not be used in veterinary and human medicine". She told the BBC News website: "Hopefully the post-antibiotic era is not upon us yet. However, this is a wake-up call to the world." She argued the dawning

Summary: The world is on the cusp of a "post-antibiotic era", scientists have warned after finding bacteria resistant to drugs used when all other treatments have failed.


The country goes to the polls on Thursday to elect a new cohort of MSPs after six weeks of electioneering. Nicola Sturgeon led an SNP rally in Glasgow, while Kezia Dugdale and Ruth Davidson followed suit in Edinburgh. The Lib Dems, Greens and UKIP also hit the streets in a final drive for support across Scotland. Polling stations will be open from 07:00 until 22:00 on Thursday, with results expected in the early hours of Friday. In total, 73 constituency MSPs and 56 regional list MSPs will be elected. Ms Sturgeon led a public rally in Glasgow city centre as the campaign entered its final hours. The SNP leader said: "Tomorrow, people in Scotland have the opportunity to ensure the re-election of an SNP government with an ambitious plan to keep Scotland moving forward - including a £500m above-inflation boost to NHS spending, additional investment in closing the attainment gap in our schools and to grow our economy, creating more and better-paid jobs. "But the only way to guarantee that we are able to implement our vision for Scotland is to cast both votes for the SNP when you go to the polls on Thursday." Campaigning in Edinburgh, Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said she believed a Labour government at Holyrood could be "transformational" for Scotland. She said: "I have three priorities for the next five years - use the new powers of our parliament to tax the richest 1% so we can invest in schools, and stop the cuts to public services. "Every Labour MSP we send to Holyrood will stand for those priorities. Tomorrow, we can vote to stop the cuts." Ms Davidson also rallied her supporters in Edinburgh, and said she would lead the Scottish Conservatives to finish ahead of Labour in Thursday's poll. Ms Davidson urged the new Scottish government to deliver for the "devolution generation" voting for the first time on Thursday. She said: "They may have been born in the devolution era, but can we really say that devolution has transformed their lives to the extent it might have? "I do not believe we can. The devolution generation deserves better." Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie gathered his activists at the party's headquarters in Edinburgh before a final day of campaigning. Mr Rennie said: "This is not a time to be timid. Liberal Democrats are ambitious for Scotland but better does not just happen. "If people want to see a step change in the way we treat mental ill health, urgent investment to ensure we meet our green targets and a transformational investment in education, they need to vote for it on Thursday and back the Scottish Liberal Democrats." The Scottish Greens are criss-crossing the country in a final bid to drum up support. Co-convenor Patrick Harvie joined fellow candidates in Edinburgh before travelling to Glasgow to help serve lunch to older people. He will also be taking part in a live question and answer session on the party's Facebook page. Fellow co-convenor Maggie Chapman is to canvas voters at Aberdeen University and the city's bus and railway

Summary: Scotland's political leaders have set out on a final bid to win over voters on the last day of the Holyrood election campaign.


Welsh politicians have given their reaction to Mr Trump's shock victory over Hillary Clinton. Welsh Tory leader Andrew RT Davies said the result was a "bloody nose for the political establishment". Plaid and Labour AMs and MPs expressed concern, but UKIP AM Neil Hamilton said it was "an uprising" like Brexit. Mr Trump, the Republican candidate, will become the 45th US president after Democrat nominee Mrs Clinton conceded defeat in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The real estate tycoon, former reality TV star and political newcomer had been universally ridiculed when he declared his bid for the White House in June last year. He defied pre-election polling to claim swing states, winning the key battlegrounds of Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Prime Minister Theresa May congratulated Mr Trump, saying she looked forward to working with him. However, Mr Jones did not offer congratulations in his reaction to the news. "Following the most brutal and bruising election campaign in modern American history, Donald Trump will have much work to do to repair a divided nation," he said in a statement. "The language of fear must now give way to conciliation. "The United States is one of Wales' most important trading partners and by far our largest market for inward investment. We will maintain a strong presence in America, including opening our latest office in Atlanta," the first minister added. The UK government's Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns said the relationship between the UK and the US "goes much deeper than any one individual, be it a leader in this country or a leader in the United States". He said: "It's about the people, it's about our cultures. We are so closely aligned and of course we will do everything to make the Trump presidency a success." Andrew RT Davies tweeted the result was "yet another punch for political polling - seems another remarkable failure on that front". He said it was: "Another bloody nose for the political establishment." Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood called for "calm heads" and the need for "winding down the rhetoric". "If Trump wants to do business with the rest of the world, he must row back on the appalling comments we saw throughout the campaign," she said. Neil Hamilton, UKIP's leader in the assembly, said: "It's an uprising of people against the Washington establishment in the same way as Brexit was an uprising against the European establishment." He said he was surprised Mr Trump won, but believed it was "good news for Britain". "Far from [outgoing president] Barack Obama saying we'll be at the back of the queue in a trade deal, Donald Trump has made it perfectly clear he's very pro-Britain which is good news," Mr Hamilton said. Flintshire-based David Soutter, a former head of candidates for UKIP who worked on the UK Trump campaign, said the Republican candidate's victory was "very easy to predict". "For 25 years the political establishment has grown apart from those whom it is supposed to represent," he said. "It is clear in Europe and the UK, and it was very clear in

Summary: Donald Trump will have much work to do to repair a divided nation after his election as US president, First Minister Carwyn Jones has said.


The Australian Crime Commission (ACC) report said the drug - known as "ice" - posed the highest risk to Australian communities of any illegal substance. It also found that the purity of the drug had increased over the past few years, making it even more dangerous. Methylamphetamine comes in a range of forms, with the crystal "ice" variety the most common in Australia. The price of crystal meth in Australia is among the highest in the world, the report found, driving the country's organised crime gangs to trade increasingly in the drug. According to the report, gangs supplying the drug were also mixing other illegal substances into crystal meth in an attempt to increase addiction levels. The ACC said there had been a "considerable increase in the number and weight of detections at the Australian border" without any decrease in domestic production. It said Mexican drug cartels were becomingly increasingly involved in supplying the drug abroad, working with distribution networks in other countries such as Australia. The precursor chemicals used by Australia's domestic producers to "cook" the drug were being increasingly imported from India and China, it found. Chris Dawson, chief executive of the ACC, said the "availability and addictive nature" of crystal meth had "created new demand in urban, rural and disadvantaged communities". "Ice is a devastating, insidious drug. It affects everyone from users, their families, and their communities, and the authorities who deal with the users," he said. In November last year, New South Wales police seized more than 800 kilograms of methylamphetamine, along with two tonnes of MDMA - worth a combined estimated street value of A$1.5bn (Â£800m; $1.2m). And earlier this month, police discovered 230 kilograms of liquid methylamphetamine in a consignment of 20,000 bottles of flavoured water destined for a Sydney warehouse. The ACC report recommended a "collective national response" to deal with the drug's increasing prevalence. "Everyone plays a role in the fight against illicit drugs - including governments, law enforcement, health, education, industry, non-government organisations and the community," Mr Dawson said.

Summary: More than 60% of Australia's major organised crime figures now deal in crystal meth, a new report has found.


Fifteen years after the US-led intervention in Afghanistan, competition for influence - reminiscent of that rivalry between the Russian and British empires in the 19th and early 20th Centuries, and that during the Cold War in the 1980s - is intensifying, complicating an already precarious security situation. Suspicion and mistrust remain the biggest obstacle to stability in strategically-located Afghanistan, which has the potential to destabilise the wider region. Pakistan, considered the main supporter of the Afghan Taliban, has been accused of playing a double game. But Afghan and Western officials as well as Taliban sources have also spoken about the Taliban's clandestine links with Iran for the past few years. And recently it emerged that Russia's ties with the Taliban were warming too. In December the top US commander in Afghanistan, Gen John Nicholson, criticised Russia and Iran for establishing links with the militants, which both countries have confirmed. The US has also pursued contacts with the Taliban in recent years but those efforts have not brought peace. Several regional powers, most notably Russia and Iran, criticise the US and its allies for "failing" in achieving its original objectives of eliminating violent extremism and drugs in Afghanistan. Three major factors have contributed to the shifting of regional alliances: The emergence of IS in Afghanistan - the group announced the creation of its Khorasan Province branch in January 2015 - provided Russia and Iran with the opportunity to make "contacts" with the Taliban. The US's decreasing military role in Afghanistan and a resurgent Taliban had contributed to creating a sense in regional capitals that Afghanistan's fate was up for grabs. The political infighting in the central government in Kabul also raised concerns about political stability both inside and outside the country. Over the past two years, alarm in Russia and former Soviet Central Asian republics grew as militancy spread to northern Afghan provinces close to their borders as well as to China's Xinjiang region. Conspiracy theories in Russia, Iran and China paint IS as an American or Western creation aimed at destabilising their countries. The emergence of IS posed a serious challenge to the supremacy of the Taliban but also encouraged Iran, China and Russia, who were fearful of IS expansion, to review their policies and open dialogue with the Taliban. Softening its approach towards the Taliban is a dramatic and unexpected shift for Russia. Moscow has for years opposed the Taliban, calling them terrorists, and supported the anti-Taliban "Northern Alliance" in the Afghan civil war of the 1990s. But faced with a common enemy in the shape of IS, Russia has changed its mind. In December 2015, a senior Russian diplomat declared that "the Taliban interest objectively coincides with ours" in the fight against IS and that his country and the Taliban "have channels for exchanging information". Taliban sources also confirmed that the group's representatives met Russians inside Russia and "other" countries several times over the past two years. But Moscow's current assertiveness in Afghanistan can also be seen as a tactic to put pressure on the US and to enhance its

Summary: Afghanistan's strategic landscape is changing as regional powers forge links with the Taliban and vie to outdo each other in what's being seen as a new "Great Game".


Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union drivers walked out on the Central and Waterloo and City lines in protest over the displacement of staff. A reduced service is running on the Central Line, but there is a good service on the Waterloo and City line. Other London Underground services are running as normal although commuters have been warned they could be busier. The strike began at 21:00 GMT on Wednesday. The dispute centres around plans to transfer eight train operators between Central line depots. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "If [London Underground] are allowed to get away with this move on the Central Line they will start shunting drivers around at the drop of a hat regardless of the consequences." Peter McNaught, operations director for the Central line, said: "We have made all reasonable efforts to resolve this dispute."

Summary: A 24-hour strike on two London Underground lines is causing disruption to commuters.


Councillor Richard Kemp named and shamed companies which sell fast food as he called for a sugar tax. He wants the city solicitor to work with the director of public health to draw up a Parliamentary bill regulating sugar in food. Councillor Kemp said a Soil Association report highlighted meals available in "Pizza Hut, Frankie and Benny's and Nando's" for excess sugar. The fast food companies have been contacted by the BBC but have not commented. Councillor Kemp said the city led the way on the smoking ban and could be pioneering on sugar. His proposal requests the city solicitor works with the director of public health to draw up a Parliamentary Bill "which would give the council powers to regulate the amount of sugar in foods sold in fast food outlets, restaurants and takeaways". It also asks the director of public health to work with the Clinical Commissioning Group to promote a health awareness campaign within the city to highlight the real dangers to long-term health of excessive salt and sugar in diets. Mr Kemp said: "If a child has two fizzy drinks and a fluffy ice-cream pudding they will have consumed seven times the daily recommended sugar". He said the smoking ban in public places began in Liverpool and led to pressure on the government, adding if "we have a city of people that waddle, we will have a city that dies early". Professor Simon Capewell, from Liverpool University, who founded Action on Sugar, said the campaign needed to target the "affordability, availability and acceptability" of sugar. McDonald's, although not identified by Councillor Kemp, said it has carried out "extensive work" to evolve its recipes and reduce sugar and salt for "over 30 years" and provides customers with clear nutrition information.

Summary: A tax on fast food with hidden sugar is being considered in Liverpool.


The Dung Beetle UK Mapping Project (Dump) is still in the early stages of its research work, which has included examining beetle sites in Scotland. However, the team said it had already noted an "alarming trend" of decline of some species. Dung beetles play key roles in improving soils and controlling pests. Reasons for the decline in some beetle species include coming into contact with anthelmintics, a type of drug given to livestock to control intestinal worms that prevent the farm animals from thriving. Dump involves Darren Mann, who is head of life collections at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Steve Lane, Ceri Watkins and Sally-Ann Spence. The project is not funded and the team members have been doing their research in their spare time, while on family holidays and fitting it around their other work. The scientists have been examining well-documented dung beetle sites, including locations in the Cairngorms, and have also been looking for the insects in previously unrecorded places. They hope to enlist the help of organisations that record flora and fauna and also wildlife enthusiasts, whose attention is being drawn to Dump via social media. On Twitter the project has the hashtags #dungathon and #dungisfun. Ms Spence said some of Dump's early results had given cause for concern. She said: "Our results mapping the dung beetle species in the UK, although the project is in its youth, are already showing an alarming trend in species rarity and even extinction. "The three main reasons behind this are considered to be the use of anthelmintics, soil disturbance and the disappearance of livestock from historic pastures due to a change in farming practices." It has been suggested that dung beetles save the UK's cattle industry an estimated Â£367m a year, Ms Spence said. They do this by encouraging the growth of healthy grass through their burrowing in soil, which aerates it and allows rainwater and nutrients into the ground. Dung beetles also eat animal droppings harbouring parasites harmful to livestock. Ms Spence said: "We take the opportunity of our survey visits to make farmers and livestock keepers aware of their dung beetles, the latest research, their economic benefits and how they might implement simple workable measures ensure a healthy dung beetle population. "We have received a fantastically positive response from all we have spoken to. "Farmers are keen to preserve their dung beetles and we intend to gather more data about species and their population frequencies to enable more research into these incredibly important beetles." As well as their importance to agriculture, the beetles and their grubs are food for wild birds and mammals. Scotland has the UK strongholds for at least three species of dung beetle - Aphodius fasciatus, Aphodius lapponum and Aphodius nemoralis. The Cairngorms and the Western Isles are among the best recorded areas for the creatures, but large parts of the rest of Scotland remain unrecorded. Ms Spence said: "The project is vast. "Different species live in, or under, different dung in different stages of decomposition on different soils at different altitudes at different times

Summary: Some of the UK's dung beetle species are becoming scarcer and could even face extinction, according to scientists.


Jamie Hall, 22, made no plea or declaration during a private hearing at the city's sheriff court on Monday. Prosecutors allege he carried out the sexual assault in the city's Spring Gardens. Mr Hall, from Edinburgh, was remanded in custody ahead of his next court appearance.

Summary: A man has appeared in court charged with raping a 37-year-old woman in Edinburgh on Boxing Day.


The US Treasury said that such tax investigations were "unfair" and undermined the tax rules of individual states. Charles Schumer, a senior Democrat senator, called the move a "cheap money grab". The White House said the ruling could cost US taxpayers. White House spokesman Josh Earnest argued that if Apple paid the back taxes, it might offset that amount against tax due in the United States, which would be unfair for American taxpayers. Apple faces €13bn Irish tax bill Apple reaction: Live updates Apple tax ruling 'a serious blow' Rory Cellan-Jones: EU takes on Apple, Ireland and the US Earlier the European Commission said Ireland had enabled Apple to pay substantially less than other businesses, in effect paying a corporate tax rate of no more than 1%. Ireland and Apple both said they disagreed with the record penalty and would appeal against it. "Member states cannot give tax benefits to selected companies - this is illegal under EU state aid rules," said Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager. The standard rate of Irish corporate tax is 12.5%. The Commissions's investigation concluded that Apple had effectively paid 1% tax on its European profits in 2003 and about 0.005% in 2014. Ms Vestager said that the tax agreement reached between Ireland and Apple meant that the company's taxable profits "did not correspond to economic reality". The US Treasury said: "We believe that retroactive tax assessments by the Commission are unfair, contrary to well-established legal principles, and call into question the tax rules of individual member states." Last week the Treasury warned that the European Commission was in danger of becoming a "supranational tax authority". Charles Schumer, one of the highest-ranking Democratic senators, said: "This is a cheap money grab by the European Commission, targeting US businesses and the US tax base. " "By forcing their member states to retroactively impose taxes on US companies, the EU is unfairly undermining our ability to compete economically in Europe while grabbing tax revenues that should go toward investment here in the United States," he said. Apple said the decision would be harmful for jobs. "The European Commission has launched an effort to rewrite Apple's history in Europe, ignore Ireland's tax laws and upend the international tax system in the process," the company said. "The Commission's case is not about how much Apple pays in taxes, it's about which government collects the money. It will have a profound and harmful effect on investment and job creation in Europe. "Apple follows the law and pays all of the taxes we owe wherever we operate. We will appeal and we are confident the decision will be overturned." The Irish government held a similar view, with finance minister Michael Noonan saying: "I disagree profoundly with the Commission." He added: "The decision leaves me with no choice but to seek cabinet approval to appeal. This is necessary to defend the integrity of our tax system; to provide tax certainty to business; and to challenge the encroachment of EU state aid rules into the sovereign member state competence of taxation." However, the record tax bill

Summary: There has been widespread criticism in the US of the European Commission's ruling that Apple should pay up to €13bn (£11bn) in back taxes.


Under the deal, Israel has agreed to end all hostilities and targeted killings, while Hamas will stop attacks against Israel and along the border. At least 157 people have died since the flare-up of violence began last week. Both sides continued to fire on each other as the 21:00 (19:00 GMT) ceasefire deadline approached, but no major breaches have been reported. By Jeremy BowenBBC Middle East editor As usual, the talking started before the killing stopped. Since Hamas took over internal control of the Gaza Strip from their Palestinian rivals Fatah in 2007, there have been many spasms of cross-border violence. All have been followed by ceasefires. All have fallen apart, and every time Israel and Hamas blame each other. The reason is that the ceasefires have been, to paraphrase a spokesman for the Israeli prime minister, sticking-plaster solutions. They cover up the fundamental problem which is that Hamas and Israel are in what amounts to a constant state of war. For months on end it can be a cold war, until it runs hot - and deadly - again. There is a strong chance that a new ceasefire will eventually fall apart too, unless it brings with it a major change in the political equation between Israel and the Palestinians, especially those in Gaza. This time round, both sides have been trying to change the rules of the game by attaching conditions to a ceasefire. Israel wanted Hamas not to rearm, and not to fire over the border. Hamas wanted Israel to stop assassinations and to stop the blockade of Gaza. That's the kind of deal that might even work if they made it. But for that to happen, both sides would have to make big concessions to their enemy. Earlier, a bomb exploded on a bus in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, leaving three people needing surgery and several others with light wounds. Wednesday also saw at least 13 people die in Gaza. Palestinian gunmen fired into the air in Gaza in celebration after the deal was announced. Israeli police said a handful of rockets were fired out of Gaza after the ceasefire but no injuries or damage were reported. Israel has agreed to "stop all hostilities on the Gaza Strip, land, sea and air including incursions and targeting of individuals", the ceasefire deal says. "All Palestinian factions shall stop all hostilities from the Gaza Strip against Israel, including rocket attacks and attacks along the border," it stipulates. Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal said Israel's offensive had "failed". He also thanked Egypt for brokering the deal, which he said met Hamas's main demands. All the crossings into Gaza would re-open, including those with Egypt, Mr Meshaal said. A statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had agreed to a US suggestion "to give a chance to Egypt's proposal for a ceasefire and so give an opportunity to stabilise the situation and calm it before there will be need to apply greater force". Egyptian Foreign Minister Kamel Amr announced the ceasefire at a news conference

Summary: A ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement which governs Gaza has come into effect.


Isaac Williams, who boxed at Leicester Railwaymen's Boxing Club, was stabbed in Evington on 21 April and died on Monday. Former coach Jon Whike said: "He was easy to coach, always smiling, with a big grin on his face." Devan Garner, 19, of Octon Close, Hamilton, Leicester, has been charged with his murder. Charlotte Ford, 22, also of Octon Close, has been charged with perverting the course of justice and a second man arrested on suspicion of murder remains in police custody. A tribute on the Railwaymen's Boxing Club's Facebook page said: "Rest in peace Isaac a polite talented young man - our thoughts are with family and friends." Mr Whike said: "His last fight with us in 2013 and then he left to concentrate on college and work - I guess he had other commitments."

Summary: A 20-year-old boxer who was stabbed to death in Leicester was a "quiet, polite lad", his former boxing coach said.


The study by Duke Health in the US and published in the New England Journal of Medicine looked at 4,274 babies born between 22 and 24 weeks. Compared with those born a decade earlier, a larger percentage were now toddlers without signs of moderate or severe cognitive and motor delay. Changes to care are being credited with the improvement. About 30% of children included in the study who were born between the years 2000 and 2003 survived, but that rate increased to 36% for babies born in 2008 to 2011. The proportion of survivors who did not have a neurological impairment rose from 16% to 20%. The best outcomes were for children born at 23 to 24 weeks. Researcher Prof Noelle Younge called the findings "encouraging". "We see evidence of improvement over time. But we do need to keep an eye on the overall numbers, as a large percentage of infants born at this stage still do not survive. "Those who survive without significant impairment at about age two are still at risk for numerous other challenges to their overall health." Full-term babies are born at 37 to 40 weeks. Prof Michael Cotten, one of the other lead researchers, said changes in the culture of neonatal intensive care units were behind the improvement. "We've taken a big focus on preventing infections, and there's a lot more encouragement and support for the use of mothers' milk than there was 15 years ago, which has also been linked to better outcomes." There has also been a decrease in infection rates in neonatal intensive care units over the past two decades, which Prof Cotten said was important. The greater use of steroids in mothers at risk of premature birth to help the baby develop in the womb is also thought to have contributed to the increase in survival and fewer signs of developmental delay, he added.

Summary: More babies born extremely prematurely are surviving without neurological problems, according to a new study.


Mani Kurian, 50, of Eridge Road, Eastbourne, was convicted unanimously by a jury at Lewes Crown Court. He was also found guilty of five sexual assaults and one assault by beating. A 21-year-old woman was raped as she walked on the upper promenade towards the pier in the East Sussex town at about 02:00 BST on 19 October 2014. Court officials said Kurian would be sentenced on 26 February.

Summary: A man has been found guilty of raping a woman near Eastbourne Pier.


Latest figures released by EMAS reveal it has a £8.74m deficit - 20 times higher than predicted. The NHS Trust Development Authority, which monitors trusts, said it was working closely with the service to help address financial pressures. EMAS said it has spent more on extra vehicles, staff, training and overtime payments. It had predicted an overspend of about £500,000 at the start of the year. The money problems at EMAS are getting worse. One of the biggest problems is handover delays to A&E because they're too busy to accept patients straight away. So far this year, more than 10,000 patients have had to wait more than an hour and because the ambulance service gets paid for each patient it takes to hospital, they are losing out. Also the NHS would like to treat more people at home, but of course it is a financial disincentive. Our busiest A&E department at Leicester Royal Infirmary is trying to sort it out, but I don't think there's any quick fix. EMAS claims it is owed £2.6m in compensation for the handover delays, which has contributed to the overspend. The deficit could rise as demand for the emergency service traditionally increases in January and February. Richard Wheeler, director of finance of EMAS, said: "The challenges we face come with an increase in cost, including cost of training and upskilling our frontline staff, given the national shortage in paramedics. "[Also an] increased cost in providing additional staff and vehicles to cover for staff delayed at hospitals, and also extra payments for shifts which don't finish on time. "Our five-year business plan... will contribute financially and to future sustainability. "We will not do anything that will impact negatively on patient safety or care," he added. A spokesperson for the NHS Trust Development Authority said: "It is a challenging time... and [we] are working closely with EMAS to help them address ongoing pressures around finances."

Summary: East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) has overspent by almost £9m so far this financial year.


After a dominant start from the visitors, Aberdeen exploded into life when Jonny Hayes fired home an unstoppable drive from 25 yards. Simon Church marked his debut with a goal when he bundled home from close range to make it 2-0 at Pittodrie. Leigh Griffiths pulled one back in injury time, but the Dons held on to cut the gap on Celtic to three points. It was a sensational atmosphere in this top-of-the-table clash, which saw striker Church make his debut for the hosts with Efe Ambrose taking a seat on the bench. The early exchanges were combative and committed but restricted to long-range efforts that did not threaten an opener. Celtic grew in confidence going forward during the first half, and there were strong claims for a penalty as Shay Logan was thought to have handled the ball. The contest then erupted and it was Aberdeen who decisively struck. Hayes gathered a clearance about 25 yards from goal and hit a fabulous strike which crept inside goalkeeper Craig Gordon's post. As Celtic manager Ronny Deila looked on in horror, things got worse for his side as Aberdeen roared further ahead. Hayes sent in a corner, Kenny McLean nodded on and debutant Church kneed the ball home from close range to send Pittodrie wild. McLean came close to a third just before half-time with a fierce drive from outside the box which Gordon diverted. Deila's half-time response was to hand a debut to Colin Kazim-Richards at the expense of Stuart Armstrong. However, it was Aberdeen who should have gone further ahead. Defensive indecision presented Church with a glorious chance to seal it, but he somehow screwed the ball wide from close range. Celtic struggled to create until Scott Brown hooked the ball across for Griffiths, who looked certain to bury a header back across goal, but it inched past the far post. Niall McGinn then fired from distance and Gordon cleared the ball as it looked to be heading just wide. Then Griffiths cut inside onto his left foot and fired past Scott Brown to pull one back for Celtic in stoppage time, but there was not enough time left to search for an equaliser.

Summary: Aberdeen breathed new life into the Premiership title race with a deserved win against league leaders Celtic.


The British Medical Association in Scotland makes the proposal in its manifesto for the Scottish Parliament elections in May next year. It says the measure could help children form the habits of a lifetime. The Scottish government said it had worked for a decace to ensure health promotion was "at the heart of a school's activities". The BMA represents around 16,000 doctors in Scotland. School meals are now free for children in the first three years of primary education, but the BMA says its survey of local authorities suggests they have cut back on the amount of fruit and vegetables offered for free outside school meals. Last year 16 out of Scotland's 32 councils provided free fruit and vegetables but by this year, this had fallen to just 11. None of the councils provided fruit and veg to children above P3, and none provides it more than three days a week. The BMA says the NHS is facing rising demand for its services and promoting healthy behaviour is essential to reduce demand. BMA Scotland council chairman Peter Bennie said: "Providing primary school pupils with free fruit or vegetables means that they are less likely to eat unhealthy snacks between meals and helps to build positive habits that can last throughout their lives. "Investing in children's health in this way can help them to lead healthier lives and reduce the burden on the NHS in the long-term. "It is concerning that several local authorities have actually scrapped the provision of free fruit and vegetables in schools in recent years. "Action is needed to address this variation and ensure that primary school pupils in all parts of the country benefit equally from free fruit and vegetables." In September the Scottish government-funded Scottish Health Survey suggested that children eat even fewer portions of fruit and vegetables than adults. Scottish adults ate an average of 3.1 portions a day whereas children aged 2-15 ate an average of 2.8. Only 14% of children were getting the recommended five portions a day. The BMA says its survey of 2000 parents of school-aged children in the UK suggests that 8 out of 10 (79%) support the idea of free fruit and vegetables for all primary school children. Health Secretary Shona Robison said: "Under this government, 129,000 children in primary one to three now have access to a healthy, free school meal - a policy which benefits children and their families alike. In total, almost 260,000 pupils are now registered for free school meals. "The Scottish government is committed to a whole school approach to healthy eating and have worked for the past decade to ensure that health promotion is at the heart of a school's activities. The delivery of this approach rests with local authorities as part of school food provision."

Summary: Doctors' leaders want all primary school children to get a free portion of fruit or vegetables every day.


But no arrests have been made and authorities are seeking who was responsible for the blaze. A massive explosion which caused a tremor as powerful as a small earthquake left part of the small town of West in ruins. Initially it was blamed on an industrial accident. On the night of 17 April 2013, a fire broke out at the West Fertilizer Co and was followed by an explosion that possessed the force of a 2.1-magnitude earthquake. The explosion flattened homes, shattered a block of flats and badly damaged a nursing home and several schools. On Wednesday, the announcement that there was criminal intent was made by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Texas State Fire Marshal's Office. In an exhaustive investigation, which included 400 interviews and a model recreation of the plant, they eventually ruled out all other possible causes. They had previously said faulty electrical wiring, a short circuit in a golf cart stored at the plant or arson were among the possible reasons for the blaze. A reward of up to $50,000 has been offered for information about the culprit. Of the 15 people killed, 12 were emergency personnel attending the fire. Another 200 people in the small town of 2,800 were injured.

Summary: The fire at a fertiliser plant in the US state of Texas that killed 15 people and wounded hundreds in 2013 was a criminal act, say investigators.


"If you are corrupt, I will fetch you using a helicopter to Manila and I will throw you out," said Mr Duterte, who is waging war on corruption and drugs. It's the latest claim by the president that he has personally carried out extra-judicial killings. His spokesman played down the remarks, which he described as "urban legend". Earlier this month another spokesman Martin Andanar said his blunt-speaking boss should be taken "seriously but not literally" when he said he had shot dead three men while mayor of Davao. The senator who dares to defy Duterte Duterte drug war: Manila's brutal nightshift The woman who kills dealers for a living Mr Duterte made his latest comments in a speech to victims of a typhoon in the central Philippines on Tuesday. A video clip of his remarks was posted by his office. He threatened the helicopter punishment for anyone who might steal the financial aid he was promising. "I have done this before, why would I not do it again?" he said to applause. He suggested his victim or victims were kidnappers who had murdered a hostage. It is not clear when or where the incident took place. On Thursday, the president appeared to distance himself from his earlier remarks. "Helicopter to throw a person? And if that is true, I will not admit it," he said in an interview with ABS-CBN news. The president has made a similar claims in the past - and has a history of contradicting himself. On 16 December he told the BBC he had shot dead three criminal suspects while he was mayor of Davao. "I killed about three of them... I don't know how many bullets from my gun went inside their bodies. It happened and I cannot lie about it." He made a similar claim to business leaders in Manila a few days earlier, when he said he used to cruise Davao on a motorbike "looking for a confrontation so I could kill." Mr Duterte was mayor of the southern city of Davao for two decades, presiding over a big fall in crime but also being accused of sponsoring death squads. As president he has pledged to root out drugs and corruption in the Philippines, at the cost of millions of lives if necessary. Nearly 6,000 people are said to have been killed by police, vigilantes and mercenaries in the Philippines since Mr Duterte launched a war on drugs after being elected in May. Opposition politicians and human rights groups have called for his impeachment, but he remains very popular with voters who want him to clean up the country. Last week the Philippines independent human rights watchdog said it would investigate President Duterte's claims that he personally killed drug suspects.

Summary: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to throw corrupt officials from helicopters mid-air, saying he has done it before.


The hosts resumed on 416-2 and despite losing seven wickets while adding 143, they still declared on a massive 559-9. David Warner edged to second slip after adding only nine to his overnight 244. New Zealand soon lost openers Martin Guptill and Tom Latham but Kane Williamson (70 not out) and Ross Taylor helped them to 140-2 at the close. Taylor made an unbeaten 26 as the third-wicket pair shared an unbroken stand of 53, fending off the Australian attack with a stubborn rearguard action. That partnership is expected to be key if their side are to make significant inroads into a deficit which still stands at 419. New Zealand are already 1-0 down in the series, having lost the opening Test in Brisbane. The declaration came not long after off-spinner Mark Craig (3-123) picked up the wickets of Peter Nevill, Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson in the same over, all three falling with the score on 547. However, Starc then struck in the third over when he trapped Guptill lbw for one, while Latham (36) added 81 with Williamson before he was caught at slip. However, there was some concern for Australia with batsman Usman Khawaja now a doubt for the day-night Test in Adelaide later this month Khawaja, 28, scored 121 in Australia's first innings but re-injured his left hamstring while fielding on Saturday and will undergo a scan on Sunday. "My fingers are crossed that he can try and recover in the next 10 to 15 days," said Warner. "[Having scored] back-to-back hundreds, and running a lot out in the middle, and fielding at mid-off as well - having to chase a hell of a lot of balls to the boundary - is not ideal. "But that's part and parcel of this game. It can be quite challenging." Listen to ball-by-ball commentary of every day of the Test series on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra from 02:05 GMT.

Summary: Australia maintained their commanding position on day two of the second Test of their three-match series against New Zealand in Perth.


Yahye Omar Mohamed, 14, and Waseem Muflahi, 15, both from Birmingham, were on a trip to Barmouth, Gwynedd, on 7 August when they died. A friend said they had been warned before they ventured into deeper water. A conclusion of accidental death was recorded at Wednesday's inquest in Caernarfon. Coroner Dewi Pritchard Jones said: "This is a classic situation of healthy active boys swimming in the sea, but not realising the dangers if they get caught in surf with strong undertow. "I don't believe I can do anything to prevent further fatalities other than to warn people that there is no such thing as a safe beach, though the risks in Barmouth are no greater than anywhere else." Mahdi Farah, a friend of the two boys who was rescued from the water, said the boys had been enjoying the water at a safe depth, but went out further than they should have. "I went to give them a stern telling off," he said. "But the strong waves were crashing down and they dragged us out. I was telling the boys to stay calm and battling to keep them upright. "But every time I tried to swim to shore with them, the current kept dragging us back." Harbourmaster Anthony Glyn told the hearing: "I saw three people in the water, scattered 50-100 metres apart, so I told two of my colleagues, beach wardens, to take a throw line and go into the water a small way to try and rescue the closest of the three. "As soon as they did, another wave came and took my colleagues out too. "They managed to get the throw line to Mahdi Farah and I called for urgent help from the coastguard and lifeboat. "Then I saw one of the boys go under the water. As the lifeboat reached the line of the surf, the second boy disappeared." The bodies of the boys were recovered on beaches north of Barmouth a few days later.

Summary: Two teenage boys who drowned while swimming in the sea disappeared beneath the waves minutes before a lifeboat could reach them, an inquest has heard.


A man approached her from behind and shoved her to the ground at about 13:30 GMT in Hanwell Cemetery, west London. The suspect made off with her bag which was later recovered by a member of the public, but the purse had been taken. The victim suffered minor injuries in the incident but did not require hospital treatment. Police have released a CCTV image of the suspect, who is described as skinny, about 5ft 9in tall, wearing a black scarf covering his face, a grey hooded top, a black coat and jeans. A Met Police spokesman said: "The robbery took place in broad daylight and police are keen to speak to members of the public who saw a man matching this description, walking briskly away from the scene, with his face covered and hood up."

Summary: A 73-year-old woman had her handbag snatched as she was cleaning her husband's grave on Christmas Eve, Met Police have said.


Leonne's body was discovered on a pathway off Lordens Hill, in Dinnington, on Monday at 10:55 GMT. A post-mortem examination found she died as a result of multiple stab wounds. Shea Peter Heeley, 18, of Doe Quarry Lane, Dinnington, is due to appear at Sheffield Magistrates' Court on Saturday. For live updates and more news from across Yorkshire Det Ch Insp Martin Tate, of South Yorkshire Police, said the force was still appealing for witnesses "particularly anyone who was in Dinnington on the evening of Sunday 15 January, into the following morning and who saw or heard anything suspicious". A 26-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender was released on Wednesday night pending further inquiries. Following her death, Leonne's family said: "We are devastated at the loss of our beautiful daughter and sister Leonne. "She was very much loved and will be missed by all of us."

Summary: A man has been charged with the murder of 16-year-old Leonne Weeks whose body was found on a path near Rotherham.


Net profit for the quarter rose to 28.86bn rupees ($481m) from 23.74bn rupees a year earlier. The figure beat analysts' expectations and shares in the company jumped 4% on the Bombay Stock Exchange. The IT outsourcing company recently appointed technology veteran Vishal Sikka as its chief executive. A former board member at SAP, Mr Sikka is the first outsider to run Infosys. Business has been improving for the Indian firm after a difficult period of lower client spending. The company reported revenue of $2.1bn in the quarter, and maintained its forecast for full-year revenue growth at 7-9% in dollar terms. Infosys currently employs 160,000 people, but it admitted that it had been losing employees to competitors and was taking steps to address this. "Employee attrition rates are worrisome and we are implementing various initiatives to retain good talent", said chief operating officer U. B. Pravin Rao. Infosys is seen as a key indicator of the health of India's IT outsourcing industry, which is valued at more than $100bn.

Summary: Infosys, India's second-largest software firm, has reported a 21% increase in quarterly profit and maintained its revenue growth forecast.


The rare plants around Dinas Bran, a medieval castle and iron age hillfort above Llangollen and the Dee Valley, have been awarded national recognition. Natural Resources Wales says important species of birds and butterflies "rely on the grassland and other habitats". It is also home to upright chickweed, shepherd's cress and greater broomrap. "The grasslands found here are scarce in lowland Britain," said Richard May, conservation officer for NRW. "And Dinas Bran has the second largest area in Wales of one type of acid grassland." The remains of Dinas Bran castle and hillfort date back to the occupation of the princes of Powys Fadog in the mid 13th century and they have been protected since 1957. "Dinas Bran is hugely popular with walkers, attracting thousands of people a year to visit the iron age hillfort and medieval castle set in a spectacular landscape," added Mr May. "By working in partnership with landowners, we look forward to helping to manage the site's special features so that we and future generations can continue to enjoy Dinas Bran's rich natural and historical heritage."

Summary: A "scarce" grassland around the ancient ruins of a Denbighshire castle has been protected as a site of special scientific interest.


Current chief executive Don Mattrick, who joined the company in 2013, will leave, effective immediately. "I am returning to the company that I love in order to accelerate innovation," Mr Pincus said in a statement. He will receive a salary of $1. Mr Mattrick said he will return to his native Canada, adding: "I believe the timing is now right for me to leave as CEO [chief executive officer] and let Mark lead the company into its next chapter given his passion for the founding vision and his ability to couple our mobile progress with Zynga's unique strengths." Although Zynga - known primarily for its once-popular Facebook games like Farmville and Words with Friends - has stabilised under Mr Mattrick, the company has continued to struggle. In its most recent earnings release, Zynga said it lost $225.9m (Â£152m) in 2014, compared to $37m a year earlier. However, it said its mobile audience continued to grow - showing that it no longer relied on Facebook to generate a majority of its traffic. Shares in the company were up more than 3% in trading after US markets had closed.

Summary: Troubled game maker Zynga has announced that founder Mark Pincus will return to lead the company, as it struggles to repeat the success of hits like Farmville.