On Tuesday the captain of a UK-registered vessel was fined £10,000 for unlawfully fishing in Manx waters. It follows the prosecution at Douglas courthouse last week of a Scottish fisherman who was fined £15,000 for breaching Manx regulations. Richard Ronan MHK said the "significant fines send out a clear message". The Deputy High Bailiff ordered both skippers to forfeit their catch of King Scallops worth nearly £5,500 each (about 90 bags). Both vessels were routinely boarded by officers from the Manx government's fisheries protection vessel Barrule before being escorted back to the island and detained. Mr Ronan, the Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, said: "The Isle of Man is committed to the protection and development of stocks of shellfish within its territorial sea and is vigilant over illegal fishing activity. "These significant fines must act as a strong deterrent." He added that the Isle of Man "welcomes responsible skippers" with registered vessels to sustainably fish in the Isle of Man's territorial sea with the appropriate licence. Manx territorial waters extend out to 12 miles around the island's coastline and contain a number of restricted zones.

Summary: The prosecution of a second UK skipper in a week for breaching Manx fishing regulations sends a "clear message to the industry," a politician has said.


Knowsley Safari Park confirmed 18-year-old Kenya was attacked by females in the pride. Despite the efforts of keepers to separate them, he sustained multiple injuries and was put down. The park said it was "the most necessary and humane course of action" to avoid any further stress and suffering to Kenya. In a statement, the park said the attack indicated his place as pride male was "no longer secure". The statement said it was "natural behaviour" for a pride when the male is "no longer able to maintain the grace of the females". Although there was no prior indication of an attack, staff were all prepared for when the "unpleasant event should arrive". They added that no members of the public were in their vehicles at the time of the attack. In the wild, male lions are in their prime between five and 10. Kenya, at 18, was "an old man". He arrived at Knowsley from Longleat in 2003.

Summary: An elderly lion who was attacked by lionesses at a Merseyside safari park has died as a result of his injuries.


In a report going to board members next week, finance director Nick Kenton said the forecast gives "significant cause for concern". However, he said there was time to breakeven by the end of financial year. Raigmore Hospital in Inverness accounts for £10.5m of the potential projected overspend. Mr Kenton said "significant effort" was needed to achieve "financial break even" and avoid the potential £15.6m overspend by the end of March next year. Waiting list initiatives, nursing reviews and the use of medical locums have been identified as causes behind the overspend at Raigmore, the largest hospital in the Highlands. Board members are due to discuss the matter on Tuesday. In a statement, the health board said: "The £15.6m overspend is a potential projected figure based on the first three months of the financial year and while the board appreciates that it will take a significant effort to achieve financial breakeven, NHS Highland remains confident that there is sufficient time remaining in the financial year to allow the breakeven target to be met." At the end of the last financial year in April the health board had to ask the Scottish government for a £2m loan to balance its books.

Summary: NHS Highland has forecast a potential £15.6m overspend based on the first three months of the financial year, but said it expects to break even.


Morebrook Textiles hopes to demolish a number of buildings at the March Street Mill in Peebles to make way for a residential development. Public exhibitions of the proposals took place last year. The company has now submitted more detailed plans of the buildings it hopes to demolish and retain across the site.

Summary: Planning permission in principle is being sought to redevelop the site of a former Borders textile mill.


Wheelchair tennis, whose national governing body is the Tennis Foundation, doubled its target at the Games, winning six medals in total, including a gold in the men's singles. And six months on, the players continue to have success after success and the sport continues to grow and get more exposure on the world stage. Quad doubles world number one Andy Lapthorne said: "We've made massive strides since I first started and we're breaking glass ceilings. "Once people see it they love it, and they see tennis - it's just tennis. "I keep telling everyone this is the fastest-growing disability sport in the world and if any young kid wants to play a disability sport and be treated the same as an able-bodied athlete, in my mind there's only one sport and it's wheelchair tennis. "I see it being in 20 years' time the biggest disability sport in the world." He is just one of many in the current generation of British players who are helping to make this era in wheelchair tennis one that will be remembered. Gordon Reid came home from Rio with a gold medal in singles and a silver medal in doubles, which he won with partner Alfie Hewett. He also won four Grand Slam titles last year and ended 2016 as men's wheelchair singles world number one. And already in 2017 he has celebrated defending his singles titles in Rotterdam and is excited for the rest of the year to come, where he will be looking to defend his French Open doubles crown and both his singles and doubles titles at Wimbledon. But all this success hasn't come without a lot of hard work on Gordon's part and support from his friends, family and team. He said: "I think it's an area where perceptions are changing as people are starting to learn more about Paralympic sport and wheelchair tennis. "I'm a full-time athlete - most of the players, well, all of the top players now really are in our sport. "We train just as hard as able-bodied athletes, five or six days a week with on-court tennis sessions and off court we start working in the gym." Gordon also plays wheelchair basketball to help with his movement around the court, something he says his coach Karen Ross originally didn't "enjoy one bit". "It is quite a high-contact sport, even though it's a non-contact sport," said Gordon "But it's five or six years that I've played with no injuries apart from the odd ripped-off nail now and and again so I think she's a little bit more relaxed about the whole thing now." Back in 2014, British number one Jordanne Whiley became the first - and currently the only British player in the able-bodied or wheelchair game - to achieve a calendar Grand Slam, lifting the doubles titles in all four majors in the same year, with partner Yui Kamiji. She said: "I didn't actually start out the year to do the calendar Grand Slam - it just sort of happened. "Yui is like my best friend. We first

Summary: It was Great Britain's most over-performing sport at both the Rio Olympics and Paralympics.


The first group stages of the women's tournament take place on Wednesday - so-called day -2 - with Sweden facing South Africa, while the men's group stages start on Thursday, when Iraq play Denmark (both 17:00 BST). Here's all you need to know. It's simply for scheduling reasons, as it was at London 2012. With 16 men's and 12 women's teams, there are 58 matches to get through. There is football being played on 12 days of the tournament, with six rest days. Men's groups Women's groups Barcelona forward Neymar will captain a Brazil squad aiming to win its first Olympic gold medal. The hosts also have Lazio midfielder Felipe Anderson in their squad along with Neymar's Barca team-mate Rafinha and Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos. Meanwhile, Tottenham forward Son Heung-min will represent South Korea and Chelsea's John Mikel Obi brings experience for Nigeria. Five-time women's world player of the year Marta competes in her fourth Olympics for Brazil, while her 38-year-old team-mate Formiga is going to her sixth Games and is looking to continue her streak of appearing at every women's Olympic football tournament. The reigning world and Olympic champions USA have seven gold medal winners in their line-up. Among them is goalkeeper Hope Solo, who could win a record fourth Olympic title at Rio, and current world player of the year Carli Lloyd. Team GB fielded men's and women's teams at London 2012, with both sides knocked out at the quarter-final stage. The English Football Association had hoped to have both teams in Rio, but they failed to gain support from the other home nations and Fifa was not willing to accept a Great Britain team without players from every one of the home nations. Qualification is also based on tournament results and while England's women would have earned their place by finishing third at last year's World Cup, the men's failure to get past the group stage of the European Under-21 Championships would have denied them. Team GB qualification is based on England's results because the English FA is the national governing body on the BOA. "I'm really disappointed that these next set of players won't have that opportunity in Rio," said former England striker Kelly Smith, who was part of Team GB's 18-strong squad at London. "It's a great experience and you get to play against the best teams and players from across the world. It's disheartening they couldn't get a side together. The Americans view this as the ultimate." Even though it was not included in the Olympic programme until 1996, the women's competition is often seen as more prestigious than the men's, which is age-restricted (only three men in each squad can be over 23). For many Brazilians, the men's football tournament will be the most important part of the Games - especially on home soil, where they are looking to win their first ever gold medal in the sport. Hosts Brazil are the firm favourites to take the men's title after the disappointment of losing in the final at London 2012. Defending champions Mexico could prove

Summary: Rio 2016 officially gets under way with the opening ceremony on Friday - but did you know football kicks off the action two days earlier?


Mitzi Steady, four, Robert Parker, 59, Philip Allen, 52, and Stephen Vaughan, 34, died in the crash in February 2015. Bristol Crown Court was told the truck was too big to legally travel down Lansdown Lane in Bath. Driver Phillip Potter, 20, of Dauntsey, denies causing the deaths by dangerous and careless driving. His boss Matthew Gordon, 30, of Dauntsey, who was driving another truck in front of Mr Potter, also denies 14 offences while the truck company's mechanic Peter Wood, 55, of Brinkworth, denies four charges. Prosecutor, Adam Vaitilingam QC told the court Lansdown Lane, which has a 6ft (1.8m) width restriction for HGVs, was known locally as a "rat run". He said: "These two lorries were both a lot wider that 6ft - they were about 8.5ft (2.6m) wide - and they were not using Lansdown Lane for access - they were using it as a short cut. "They were ignoring the prohibitions. These lorries were not allowed to be and should never have been on Lansdown Lane." The jury heard tachograph records show the drivers had not taken mandatory breaks in the hours before the collision and both lorries were speeding as they approached Lansdown Lane. Mr Vaitilingam said the ABS warning light, which indicates problems with the braking system, was on in Mr Potter's lorry meaning it should not have been driven. Mr Potter and Mr Gordon were driving two trucks carrying 32-tonne loads from a Wiltshire quarry on 9 February last year when the crash happened. The court previously heard the brakes of Mr Potter's truck failed and the vehicle hit several pedestrians including Mitzi and a car containing Mr Allen and Mr Vaughan, both from Swansea, and Mr Parker, from Cwmbran, south Wales. Mr Potter is also charged with causing serious injuries to Karla Brennan and Margaret Rogers - Mitzi's grandmother - by dangerous driving. He denies a total of 10 charges against him. The trial continues.

Summary: A 32-tonne tipper truck was too wide to be driven on the steep road where it crashed and killed four people, a court has heard.


Five workers from Scottish Water dug a two metre (6ft) hole and spent 12 hours retrieving the rubbish dumped down a manhole at Milnafua near Alness. Scottish Water said it believed someone had used the pipe as a fly tip. Other items pulled out included a yellow cricket bat, a sandcastle mould and a paint pot. Garry Kirkwood, Scottish Water's customer manager for sewer response, said: "It looks like someone has looked to use this manhole as some kind of tip. "Some may see comedy about this incident but there is an underlying serious matter - sewers are not a dumping ground for household refuse or unwanted items. "Blocked sewers cause serious problems to the network such as floods that affects homes, businesses and roads as well as the cost of having to get crews out to clear the blockages." He added: "To have a crew of five to be tied up for 12 hours on this urgent clear-up job also means that other repair incidents had to be delayed." It is not the first time Scottish Water workers have had to recover large objects from blocked sewers. DuringI 2014, the company said its staff had pulled a large Winnie the Pooh teddy, a bike, a fax machine, jeans and a snake from Scottish sewers.

Summary: A plastic rocking horse, a dining chair, a child's scooter and a football were found to be blocking a sewer pipe in the Highlands.


Ling Jihua pleaded guilty and "decided not to appeal", state media reported. Ling was in effect chief-of-staff to Mr Hu, but was demoted in 2012 amid a high profile anti-corruption campaign. His downfall came after reports of an alleged cover-up over his son, who died alongside two semi-clad women while driving his Ferrari in Beijing in 2012. There was also speculation that Ling's demotion may have been the result of political manoeuvring ahead of a leadership change that year. The court in the northern city of Tianjin held a closed-door hearing on 7 June, Xinhua reported. Ling was convicted of taking $11.57m (Â£8.71m) in bribes and to have used his influence to secure property deals and promotions for his associates, among other favours, the state news agency said. Until the scandal involving his son, Ling had been tipped for promotion to the party's Politburo. Instead, he was moved from head of the Central Committee's General Office - in effect chief of staff to China's leader - and appointed to the less influential post of head of the United Front Work Department. The identity of those inside the Ferrari was never revealed and censors blocked online comments mentioning the crash. Ling was accused of trying to cover up the scandal. The authorities announced an investigation into him in late 2014, and he was expelled from the Communist Party and arrested in July 2015. President Xi Jinping has overseen a campaign against corruption since coming to power in late 2012 and many high-profile political figures have been jailed. Critics say President Xi's campaign is as much about eliminating political rivals as it is about tackling corruption.

Summary: An ex-aide to retired Chinese president Hu Jintao has been jailed for life for corruption, illegally obtaining state secrets and abuse of power.


That's the amount raised in a funding round by Grammarly, a firm that boasts of having what it calls "the world's most accurate online grammar checker". It has persuaded venture capital firms including General Catalyst, IVP and Spark Capital to support its platform. The eight-year-old firm, based in San Francisco, offers "mistake-free writing every time" to 6.9 million users. The start-up was founded in 2009 by Alex Shevchenko and Max Lytvyn. Its software uses spell-checking, proof-reading and plagiarism detection tools, scanning text for the correct use of more than 250 advanced grammar rules. But not everyone sees the need for Grammarly. One online reaction posted to the announcement of the firm's venture round was: "I rather learn to write without mistakes than let a program correct it" (perhaps inadvertently proving its usefulness). On the other hand, Grammarly's efforts provide no guarantee that your prose will be a joy to read. Its own website contains the sentence: "Enhance your sentences with Grammarly's context-optimized word choice suggestions to instantly improve the readability of your document." Clearly split infinitives are safe from the software's forensic gaze.

Summary: There's money to be made from other people's mistakes: $110m (Â£85m) of it, to be precise.


Hannah Wynne Richards, 63, was found dead in the office above her premises in Sketty, Swansea, on 20 January by a nurse who worked with her. She had taken a cocktail of drugs from her surgery. Coroner Colin Phillips said Ms Richards had been "facing financial pressure". He ruled her death was suicide. Swansea Coroner's Court heard three letters were found next to Ms Richards' body - one to the coroner and the others containing money for Jeanette Hunt, who discovered her body, and a woman who looked after her horses. The one addressed to HM Coroner read: "You are probably returning a verdict of suicide, murder by Inland Revenue would be more accurate." The letter to Ms Hunt said how loyal her employee had been and explained that she could not pay her tax or livery fees. It also contained Â£290, thought to be for wages, the inquest heard. Mr Phillips said Ms Richards had been "facing financial pressure" at the time of her death and added: "She was not a business person and she placed the needs of her animals before her own personal interests." The inquest was told Ms Richards, who set up Penybryn Veterinary Centre in 2007, had no relatives living near her and had little interaction with people outside her working life. Instead, she devoted herself to caring for animals - at the time of her death she was living in a basement flat behind the surgery but was known to sleep in the office when she was looking after animals. PC Jason Sullivan said: "She was regarded as an extremely gifted and caring vet who would do all she could to save an animal's life." The inquest was told that Ms Richards did not have a "good business head" and always said the welfare of the animals was paramount. A post-mortem examination found Ms Richards' cause of death to be multiple drug toxicity and listed four drugs used in veterinary work, which were found in her system.

Summary: A vet who killed herself left a note to the coroner saying a conclusion of "murder by Inland Revenue" would be more appropriate than suicide, an inquest has heard.


Four people died when the CHC Super Puma plunged into the sea on its approach to Sumburgh in August 2013. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said a lack of monitoring meant a reduction in air speed was not noticed by the pilots. Attempts to recover were too late. The report stated the investigation identified two main "causal factors". It said: "The helicopter's flight instruments were not monitored effectively during the latter stages of the non-precision instrument approach. "This allowed the helicopter to enter a critically low energy state, from which recovery was not possible. "Visual references had not been acquired by the Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA) and no effective action was taken to level the helicopter, as required by the operator's procedure for an instrument approach." The report explained: "The decreasing airspeed went unnoticed by the pilots until a very late stage, when the helicopter was in a critically low energy state. "The commander's attempt to recover the situation was unsuccessful and the helicopter struck the surface of the sea. "It rapidly filled with water and rolled inverted, but was kept afloat by the flotation bags which had deployed." No evidence was found of any engineering issues causing the crash. Passengers Sarah Darnley from Elgin, Gary McCrossan, from Inverness, Duncan Munro, from Bishop Auckland, and George Allison, from Winchester, lost their lives in the crash on 23 August 2013. Fourteen people were rescued. The report said the impact with the water was "survivable". Of the four dead, the conclusions said one was unable to escape, one was incapacitated by a head injury, one drowned before reaching the surface, and the other died in the life raft from a chronic heart condition. A total of 28 safety recommendations have been made but the report said many of them have already been implemented. An initial AAIB report already found the crew failed to notice the helicopter's air speed dropping until it was too late. In February 2014, the Civil Aviation Authority announced a series of measures aimed at improving offshore helicopter safety following an inquiry set up in the wake of the Shetland crash. They included helicopters not being allowed to fly offshore in severe sea conditions, passengers having to be seated next to emergency exits, and a size limit for those on board. Duncan Trapp, vice president for safety and quality at CHC Helicopter, said: "CHC deeply regrets the tragic Sumburgh accident, and we continue to extend our sympathies to the survivors and to the loved ones of those who died. "Our priority is always the safety of our passengers and crews and we would like to thank the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) for its thorough investigation. "Although the AAIB makes no recommendations specific to CHC, immediately after the accident, and in the time since, we put in place additional measures to further improve safety. "Among those actions, we have enhanced crew monitoring procedures and supported the industry-wide deployment of improved emergency breathing systems and training for offshore passengers and crew." A Crown Office spokesman said: "The Crown welcomes the publication

Summary: A report into a helicopter crash off Shetland in which four people died has said flight instruments were "not monitored effectively" by pilots in the moments leading up to the incident.


Richie, the elder at 27 and taller at 6ft 9in, with 63 caps and a 2013 Lions Test on his CV, has been a mainstay for Scotland since his debut in 2010. But the recent progress of 6ft 6in Jonny, 23 next week, has seen him earn most plaudits as a potential 2017 Lion. "Jonny has gone from strength to strength," Richie Gray acknowledged. "What I said a couple of years ago was about the need to do it consistently, but he's been able to do it week in week out and that's the most impressive thing. "I've seen him come on as a leader. He's grown and matured and makes me very proud. "How has his emergence as a leader changed our relationship? Not too much. We still have our discussions about things and what we can get better at. "We're not really competitive. I think he wins most weeks anyway. It's not much of a competition. "With brothers I suppose you always want to win the battle but we're not too much like that. We try and help each other out as much as possible. "I see him more as an inspiration. It's great to see and certainly keeps me going. It gives me a standard I have to aim for. I'm just trying to keep up." Jonny Gray, a vice-captain to stand-in skipper John Barclay, is the leading tackler in this year's Six Nations, with 52 from 54 attempts. He is also in the top 10 for carries, with 36 in the three rounds to date. Richie, meanwhile, has made more tackles than anyone else without missing one (41) so far. They are both likely to make plenty more on Saturday if Scotland are to achieve a first win at Twickenham for 34 years and secure a first Triple Crown since 1990. But even if victory eludes them, the elder Gray believes a bright future lies ahead for the class of 2017. "It's a great position to be in," said the Toulouse lock. "Obviously it's a huge challenge going down there and a match with a huge amount of importance. We're looking forward to it. "We've constantly been progressing with the group of players and the staff. We have been getting better and better. "Glasgow and Edinburgh have both been doing well in Europe and, with us having three home games this year, hopefully that all adds together to form a good championship. "But there certainly is a lot more to come. It's a young group and we have got more things to show."

Summary: Scotland lock Richie Gray says younger brother Jonny is an "inspiration" rather than a sibling rival in their burgeoning second-row partnership.


Managers of teams comprised mainly of Muslim players have had to work around the majority of their squads fasting from dawn until dusk. Ramadan coincided with the 2012 London Olympics, the 2014 Fifa World Cup, and last year's European Championship in France. With the long summer days in Europe, the quality of player performance can be an issue. During London 2012, the Emirati football team received special dispensation from the country's highest religious authority not to fast on match days. Germany's Mesut Ozil also elected not to fast during his nation's World Cup campaign in Brazil. Others insisted on fasting. Many members of Algeria's national football team fasted during their last-16 match against Germany, despite receiving special dispensation from religious authorities, although goalkeeper Rais M'bolhi subsequently broke his fast with some dates and water at half-time. This year, Ramadan stretches from 26 May to 24 June and many national teams across Asia and Africa have delayed kick-offs until well into the night. The Asian Cup qualifier between Palestine and Oman on the outskirts of Jerusalem earlier this week was one fixture that posed extraordinary challenges. The Palestine Football Association had originally scheduled Tuesday's match to start at 9.45pm local time, then moved it back to 10.45pm, and again to 11pm. Scheduled to give the team and its fans the opportunity to break fast before heading to the stadium, it inadvertently created a headache for fans outside the Jerusalem/Ramallah area. The Palestine FA tried to coax fans into attending by granting free entry, but with people from the far northern and southern reaches of the West Bank, as well as Palestinian majority cities in Israel, needing more than two hours to commute to the match, there was always a worry not enough would be present. From a preparation standpoint, both Oman and Palestine moved workouts and training to night-time hours, while also adjusting diet and conditioning habits accordingly. Bader Aqel, one of the Palestine physicians, outlined the adjustments made to the national team's routine during Ramadan. "We stress to the players that they drink at least three litres of water after sunset to fight against the effects of dehydration." Outside of Ramadan the players would be offered a buffet-style spread at their team hotel - but this week Aqel and the rest of the medical team carefully monitored the players' intake, giving them set plates to prevent overeating. The players were served equal parts carbohydrates - such as white rice - lean protein and mixed greens or salad. The menu was designed to give players easily digestible food and energy for the match. Often the coaching staff would send the players to the gym one hour before Iftar - the meal that commences immediately after breaking the fast - to jolt metabolisms after a day of relative inactivity. "The most important thing is for players not to remain too sedentary during the day," added Aqel. "We want to avoid having the players sleeping too much [which is a common occurrence during Ramadan]." Palestine's training sessions took place at 11pm, after which the players

Summary: This week's international fixtures took place during the month of Ramadan, when Muslims worldwide observe a month of fasting.


The Swede said valuable personal items and all of his clothing were taken, but added that the Claret Jug, awarded to the winner of The Open, had already been returned to the R&A on Monday. "I am extremely grateful my family were not in the house," said Stenson, 41. "I am going to try not to let this spoil the week in any way." Merseyside Police are investigating a burglary in Formby, less than seven miles from Royal Birkdale. Police believe the incident occurred between midday and 14:25 BST and cash, cards, electrical items, clothes and watches were stolen. An R&A spokesperson said: "We were very sorry to hear about the burglary and have offered any assistance we can provide to Henrik and his family." Stenson teed off at 09:47 BST on Thursday and finished on one under par. He was a late starter as Friday's second round got under way.

Summary: Defending Open champion Henrik Stenson's rental home was burgled as he played his first round at Royal Birkdale on Thursday.


Gustavo Silva Da Cruz was among three swimmers seen struggling in the water around noon on Sunday at Camber Sands. He was discovered on the beach at 18:20 BST and declared dead at the scene. Police said he had been visiting family in Croydon, south London. The others - a man and his teenage son - are critical but stable in hospital. The pair, who are aged 35 and 17 and from London, were not connected to Mr Silva Da Cruz. They were given CPR by paramedics and airlifted to hospital. Live updates after swimmer's body discovered A Go Fund Me website appeal has been set up to raise funds to return Mr Silva Da Cruz's body to Brazil. It says he was in the UK to visit his father and family, who are originally from Brazil. He was raised in Brazil by his grandparents and mother. The website said: "The family was enjoying the hot weather in the company of friends at Camber Sands beach where Gustavo drowned. "The young man was dragged by the strong wind which started suddenly and could not swim back to the beach." More than 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for lifeguards to be located at Camber Sands. Rother District Council said it was saddened by the incident and its thoughts were with the families and friends of those affected. It said the beach was "particularly busy with around 25,000 visitors" on Sunday. "As is usual for the summer season, beach patrols were on site to advise people of potential dangers, reunite lost children and deal with incidents on the beach. "The district council's coastal officer and officers from Sussex Police were also on the beach." A spokesman said: "Our officers are trained to deal with incidents on the shore and acted quickly and professionally in what was an extremely distressing situation; performing CPR on two of the men and alerting HM Coastguard and the RNLI who carried out the search for the missing man."

Summary: A man who died after two others were pulled from the sea off East Sussex has been identified as a 19-year-old Brazilian national.


A new study by the OECD, an organisation that looks at how people live and work around the world, suggests the use of computers, tablets and other tech often results in worse results, not better ones. It looked at schools around the world and says the places where they spent lots of money on tech have seen "no noticeable improvement" in the reading, mathematics or science tests. So, we want to know what you think? Does technology help you learn better? Do you think you can get better grades by using a tablet or can it be distracting and encourage you to copy things from the internet? This chat is now closed. Thank you for your comments. I think that technology can help you learn better in some ways because when you want to find something out you can always look it up on your computer phone or tablet. Jessica, 14, London We think that technology does help us learn better. At school we use iPads, computers and laptops in our lessons and we find that using these helps us to learn and concentrate. We also use technology during play time. We also use technology to watch Newsround everyday! Cedar class, Baston House School, Hayes I think it doesn't help because you can become very lazy and it could distract you from your work because you could be on the internet when you should be working Lucy, 13, Essex We think it helps because you don't always want to be stuck copying from a textbook. Evie & Coco, 9, Lancing I think that technology can make you tired and lazy during class and you can't learn as much on a computer as you can with a pencil and paper. Lexi, 9, Kent I think that technology doesn't help because if you use it too much you can copy things of the Internet and not learn it for yourself. Lauren, 13, Walsall Yes, I think that technology can help children learn about their skills on the computer, but as long as they get a balance between writing work and computer work. Rachael, 12, Glasgow We think that technology can be a good and a bad thing. This is because sometimes when you are trying to learn you can get bored and just end up playing games. It can distract you when adverts come up on the websites and apps. It could help us when completing homework as we can download apps that help with vocabulary or the calculator apps on tablets. On the other hand, using a calculator app may not encourage children to use their own knowledge. Year 7 form, Ark Putney Academy I think it can help you learn because you can use the internet to look things up. Tutor group 8I, Ringwood I don't think it is good because on the internet the answer is just there and you don't have to think to find it. Tutor group 8I, Ringwood I think technology is good because in the future we won't have pens and paper, just ipads. Tutor group 8I,

Summary: Having lots of technology in the classroom doesn't improve how well pupils do at school, researchers say.


Media playback is unsupported on your device 29 July 2015 Last updated at 16:18 BST Zion Harvey described waking up with new hands as "weird at first, but then good.'" He lost his limbs due to a severe infection when he was two-years-old. Zion had told his doctors and his mother that more than anything he wanted to be able to play on the jungle gym and throw a ball. Four teams of surgeons worked over 11 hours to complete the complicated operation.

Summary: An eight-year-old boy in America has become the youngest person to get a double hand transplant.


Gadlys Rovers' players found the goalposts facing away from pitch just hours before kick-off at Abernant in Rhondda Cynon Taff. It would have been impossible to score a goal as the stanchions that holds the net were pointing into the pitch. The amateur team play in the Aberdare Valley Football League. "I was amazed when I went to check the pitch," said team manager Matthew Jones. "To the right hand side I could see there was something wrong with the goals. They were the wrong way round. "I thought to myself: 'What the hell is going on?'" The 24-year-old boss was live streaming his pitch inspection in Abernant to his players when he made the discovery. Mr Jones complained to Rhondda Cynon Taf council and he said they maintained council workers had installed the goalposts correctly. "There's no way we could've played if it hadn't been sorted out," he added. "When I came back around 5.15pm they had been turned around the right way." A council spokesman said it had investigated the incident but later declined to comment further.

Summary: A football team has found a novel way of keeping a clean sheet - as the goalposts on their council-run pitch were installed the wrong way round.


12 January 2016 Last updated at 09:50 GMT In an era when an 80-120 hour week was seen as standard for junior doctors, they opted to not work beyond a 40-hour week. Pay was another major issue at the heart of strike action in 1975. The rate of pay was reduced by about two-thirds after the first 44 hours of the week. The junior doctors' strike began across England at 08:00 GMT on Tuesday 12 January 2016, with junior doctors only providing emergency care. Weekend pay and concerns about safeguards to stop hospitals over-working doctors are the issues at stake.

Summary: The last major strike over pay and conditions by junior doctors was over 40 years ago in 1975.


At least 19 people are known to taken their lives in 2008 and 2009 as the company cut thousands of jobs. Judicial sources say the company and ex-boss Didier Lombard are suspected of using a policy of unsettling staff to speed up job losses. France Telecom became Orange in 2013. It will now be up to an examining judge to decide whether or not to order a trial. But if it goes ahead it would be the first trial in France for bullying (moral harassment) of such a large company. As well as the former CEO, other figures could also face trial including his right-hand man Louis-Pierre Wenes, human resources head Olivier Barberot and four other directors. In 2006, Mr Lombard announced plans to cut 22,000 jobs and move another 14,000 workers, as France Telecom pushed for greater efficiency in the wake of privatisation two years earlier. According to an internal document cited by French media, he told a high-level meeting that he would "do it one way or another, through the window or through the door". In submissions made late last month, the Paris prosecutor accuses France Telecom of enacting a policy in 2007 that resulted in unsettling workers and creating a "professional climate that provoked anxiety" at the time of a "delicate restructuring" of the company, a judicial source told AFP news agency. The true number of suicides involving staff is unclear, but 60 people are thought to have taken their lives over a three-year period, and unions say as many as 35 died in 2008 and 2009. Officials speak of 19 deaths during the two years, 12 attempted suicides and eight other cases involving depression or related illnesses. Although the suicide rate at France Telecom was similar to the national average, many of those who died left notes blaming pressure from management. Mr Lombard accepted the restructuring upset employees but he has rejected the idea that it led to people taking their own lives. France Telecom, and later Orange, has been beset by tragedy since 2007: The spate of work-related deaths was not confined to France Telecom. In 2007, car-maker Renault was investigated after three workers took their own lives. Under French law, anyone who harasses another with repeated actions with the aim or the effect of degrading working conditions is liable to a year in jail and a fine of €15,000 ($16,500; £12,800).

Summary: After a lengthy inquiry into a wave of suicides at France Telecom, the Paris prosecutor has recommended that its former chief executive and other key figures are put on trial for bullying.


The EU's new Sentinel-2a satellite has the capability to look into the water column, to see whether reefs are undergoing change. Current, anomalously high temperatures are driving a huge coral bleaching event across the globe. Early work suggests the Sentinel can detect the effects from 780km up. The satellite's two images on this page show Fatu Huku Island in French Polynesia. The one below is a full colour view of the 1.5km-long rocky outcrop. At the top of the page, however, is a picture that displays only the "blue band" from the satellite's camera. Selecting this 490-nanometre wavelength makes the submerged reef around Fatu Huku jump out. "The blue band really goes into the water. The shorter the wavelength, the better the penetration you have," explained Dr Benjamin Koetz from the European Space Agency (Esa). "With Sentinel-2a, we can see 10-15m into the water, which you just couldn't see if you were using the green band, for example," he told BBC News. Esa is sponsoring a project called Sen2Coral, which had Sentinel-2a make repeat observations of the volcanic island from February to April this year. In that time, it detected a change in sea-bottom radiance - a brightening - that is very likely related to bleaching. A dedicated field team sent to the island at the end of February confirmed that sea-water temperatures were consistently above 30C and that parts of the reef were stressed. More work is needed though to confirm the associations. Excessively warm water will cause coral polyps to expel their symbiotic algae. This drains a reef of its colour. It is not necessarily fatal but it can weaken the ecosystem, making it vulnerable in the face of other threats such as disease. Bleaching has been occurring globally on a large scale of late because of the El Nino phenomenon, which sees surface temperatures spike in many ocean regions but particularly in the central and eastern Pacific. Scientists had previously tried to observe corals in the same way as at Fatu Huku using the American Landsat spacecraft and the French Spot platform. The former does not have quite the resolution needed (just 30m versus S2a's 10m), and the latter's camera does not have the optimal band to penetrate the water column. Ultimately, if the S2a techniques can be fully validated, it should be possible to automate the detection of change at reefs. Scientists could then use the Sentinel to alert them, not just to possible bleaching but to other deleterious impacts such as pollution incidents and nutrient run-off from land. The EU satellite is ideally suited to this kind of application. It is designed to map all land surfaces (and the coastal regions where corals tend to live) every 10 days. When its sister satellite (Sentinel-2b) is launched next year, this repeat time will fall to five days. All the data is free and open. "Sentinel coverage is systematic in the sense that it covers within 20km of the coast. But this doesn't, of course, include all the corals in the world, and one of the objectives of this

Summary: Scientists are working on techniques that would allow them to routinely monitor the health of corals worldwide from orbit.


Breaking her silence for the first time in two-and-a-half-years, Beate Zschaepe said she was not a member of the National Socialist Underground (NSU). The group carried out series of racially motivated murders, bomb attacks and robberies over a decade. In her statement, Ms Zschaepe apologised to the victims' families for failing to stop what had happened. "I feel morally guilty that I could not prevent 10 murders and two bomb attacks... carried out by Uwe Mundlos und Uwe Boehnhardt," she said. The two men apparently killed each other in a suicide pact in 2011 shortly before Ms Zschaepe handed herself in. The 40-year-old said she first fell in love with Mundlos but met Uwe Boehnhardt on her 19th birthday and came into contact with his more nationalist friends. "Zschaepe's confession - nothing but excuses!" So runs a headline in the tabloid newspaper Bild. Her statement was much anticipated - by the families of the NSU's victims, who hoped she might tell them why the cell killed their loved ones; by the German media who wondered whether she would show remorse; and by the German public. The NSU's campaign of violence terrorised this country for more than a decade. Ms Zschaepe is the only surviving suspected member. And this is the first time she's given evidence since her arrest four years ago. Most were disappointed. Few took her apology seriously. In the words of Gamze Kubasik, whose father was killed by the NSU: "Frau Zschaepe is trying to avoid responsibility. She won't save herself from a conviction." Neo-Nazi trial shrouded in intrigue The cell murdered 10 people, eight of them of Turkish origin, between 2000 and 2007 but went undetected for more than a decade. Critics say police and the security services made serious errors. Reading her 53-page statement aloud, Ms Zschaepe's lawyer Mathias Grasel began by telling the court about his client's childhood in East Germany, formerly the German Democratic Republic, and her difficult relationship with her mother. He went on to deny his client's involvement in the preparation or execution in any of the group's attacks, but apologised to the victims' families for failing to stop them. She said she was unaware of the group's first murder until three months after it occurred. Enver Simsek, a florist, was shot in Nuremberg on 9 September 2000. Ms Zschaepe said she told Mundlos and Boehnhardt that she wanted to go to police to hand herself in but they had threatened to commit suicide. In her statement, she said she still did not know the motive for the killing. However, she told the court the men murdered policewoman Michele Kiesewetter in 2007 in order to steal her gun. She said she was so "disappointed" that her lovers had killed repeatedly that she drank three or four bottles of sparkling wine a day and neglected her cats. "I realised I was living with two men to whom human life was worth nothing," Ms Zschaepe said. The NSU cell remained undetected until Ms Zschaepe gave herself up in November 2011, after police discovered the bodies of

Summary: A German woman accused of being part of neo-Nazi cell that murdered 10 people has denied involvement in the killings.


In 2014, Glenavon House Hotel, in Cookstown, was found to have committed an offence by allowing a teenage disco to be held in its nightclub. The Court of Appeal upheld the decision that laws restricting the presence of children on premises used to sell and consume alcohol had been breached. The appeal was brought by the hotel's director, Brian Morris. The court heard that the hotel had been running a monthly teenage disco in its Sense nightclub since 1994, during which no alcohol was being sold and no children were drinking alcohol. Complaints were laid in November 2013 alleging that the hotel allowed a person under the age of 18 to be in licensed premises during the permitted hours contrary to the Licensing (NI) Order 1996. Dismissing the appeal, the judge said that Sense nightclub is used mainly for the sale and consumption of alcohol. He said that had the legislation, "wanted to exempt alcohol-free events for children on licensed premises used exclusively or mainly during permitted hours, it could have said so. "Plainly it did not and it is not open to this court to build in such an exemption." The judge added that the hotel put a considerable effort into ensuring that no alcohol was consumed at the event, but that this does not provide an answer to the current law.

Summary: A judge has dismissed an an appeal by a County Tyrone hotel that it did not breach licensing laws.


The 22-year-old, who had two years remaining on his previous deal, will now remain at The Valley until the summer of 2018. Pope had two spells on loan at York during the 2013-14 campaign, keeping 16 clean sheets in 24 appearances. "I'm delighted that the club thinks I'm part of their long-term plan," Pope told the Charlton website. He joined the Addicks from non-league side Bury Town in the summer of 2011 and made his debut in May 2013. It remains Pope's sole senior appearance for Charlton, but he now hopes to establish himself in their starting XI. "I'll work hard at Charlton and see what happens," he said. "I think this is the right place to develop and, with the right coaches around me, hopefully I can do that. This is where I want to play my football."

Summary: Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Nick Pope has signed a new long-term contract with the Championship club.


Deborah Leonard did not feel she could stand up to other members of the Word of Life church in New York state, said her lawyer, Devin Garramone. Her son Lucas, 19, died from the attack and his brother is in hospital. Police say they were beaten by Mrs Leonard, her husband and five others in order for them to confess their sins. All six people arrested, including the boy's father and sister, have denied the charges. "It looks like she went along with it, and it spun out of control," said Mr Garramone, who described the incident as an "intervention". "This woman is so meek and timid, she didn't have the temerity to stand up to them and say, 'You're not punishing my kid. You're not doing this.'" Some of the others arrested may have caused the fatal injuries, he said. The boys were repeatedly kicked and punched on Sunday but it's not clear why. Police have described the beating as a "spiritual counselling session to urge [the boys] to confess sins and seek forgiveness". Ms Leonard's husband Bruce, who founded the secretive church in New Hartford, New York, said it was a family meeting that had nothing to do with the church. Lucas died on Monday morning in hospital, where his parents took him the morning after the attack. His 17-year-old brother Christopher remains there in a serious condition. The parents have pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and the other four have pleaded not guilty to assault. The Word of Life church is nearly 30 years old and its membership has fallen in recent years from about 40 to 20, said a local police chief. Some live at the church. The church refused help from firefighters when the building caught fire a few years ago, he said.

Summary: A woman charged with beating her son to death in a church has said she "felt helpless" to prevent the violence committed by other church members.


"All-lane running" has been introduced between junction 10a for Wolverhampton and junction 13 for Stafford. When trialled on the M25 near London, it "reduced congestion and led to more reliable journeys", said Highways England. Lay-bys are replaced by emergency refuge areas - but some organisations say there are not enough of them. The Central Motorway Police Group said the lack of lay-bys was "cause for concern" and there was "minimal scrutiny" of the scheme on the M6. Edmund King, president of the AA said: "Laybys are every two and half kilometres - that is about one and a half miles. "If you can't see a lay-by you have to stop in a live lane of traffic and that is so dangerous." Matt Dallaway from the RAC said all-lane running as a concept was fine but he was concerned safety had not been tested. MP's on the Commons Transport Committee have launched an inquiry. Highways England said: "Our motorways are some of the safest in the world and the evidence shows collision and casualty rates on the M25 are down." "As we gradually roll out these upgrades on other motorways we will continue to work closely with all the emergency services so we can ensure safety is maintained." All-lane running is currently being installed on the M5 between junctions 4a for Bromsgrove and 6 Worcestershire North.

Summary: A scheme allowing motorists to drive on the hard shoulder of the M6 is "dangerous," motoring groups have said.


Two men were treated in hospital after being stabbed during the incident at a Falls Road pharmacy on Thursday. Patrick Campbell, 26, of no fixed address, spoke only to confirm that he understood the 11 charges against him. Mr Campbell is accused of the attempted murder of Peter Wright and inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent on his colleague Peter McDonagh. He is also accused of possessing a knife with intent to rob and assaulting police. Mr Campbell faces further charges of robbing a woman of her mobile phone, attempting to steal money from a man and three further counts of possessing a knife with intent to rob on the same date. No bail application was lodged on his behalf at Belfast Magistrates Court, so a district judge remanded him into custody to appear again via video link on 5 May. One man, in his 40s, was stabbed in the arm and the second, a man in his 50s, sustained a stab wound to his chest, during the incident on Thursday. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Summary: A man has appeared in court accused of trying to kill a pharmacist during an alleged robbery in west Belfast.


Victims reacted angrily to the judge's decision in the Pretoria High Court to extend bail pending an appeal hearing on 19 June. The former Grand Slam champion will now be placed under house arrest. Hewitt, 75, was found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting girls he coached in the 1980s and 1990s. Judge Bert Bam criticised the Australian-born player at his sentencing on Monday for not showing remorse during his trial. He said justice must be seen to be done, even for ageing offenders. One of the victims who gave evidence at the trial said that Hewitt had assaulted her when she was just 12 years old. The judge said at the time of Hewitt's conviction that the striking similarities between the three victims' testimonies showed that his conduct was calculated. Speaking at the sentencing hearing in Pretoria, Hewitt's wife Delaille had begged the court to show mercy and not award a custodial sentence. Hewitt had testified that he suffered from poor health. The BBC's Nomsa Maseko, in Johannesburg, says the tennis champion has also been ordered to pay a fine to the South African Department of Justice, which will help fund its campaigns against sexual abuse. Hewitt's lawyers say they will appeal against his conviction and sentence. He was suspended from the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2012 over the allegations of sexual abuse. Hewitt played initially for Australia, later moving to South Africa and taking citizenship there. He was a member of the South African team which won the Davis Cup by default in 1974. India, their opponents, refused to travel to South Africa for the final as a protest over the government's apartheid policies.

Summary: Former tennis star Bob Hewitt has been granted bail by a South African court, after receiving a six-year prison sentence for raping underage girls.


Joe Anderson said the city council would launch a feasibility study before submitting a bid. Hosting the event "would reflect the city's growing confidence and expertise in organising large events", he said. Mr Anderson's announcement came three days before voting to select Labour's candidate for the Liverpool city region metro mayor election closes. MPs Luciana Berger and Steve Rotheram are the other hopefuls. The UK's nomination for a host city will be decided in 2018, with the successful host named by the Commonwealth Games General Assembly in 2019. Mayor Anderson said: "Liverpool is an ambitious city and I believe we have an enormous amount to offer when it comes to hosting an event of this scale, which would be an incredibly important catalyst for regeneration, investment and raising the profile of sport." Heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson, boxer Tony Bellew, and former footballer Jamie Carragher are among the ambassadors for the proposed bid. The last British city to host the games was Glasgow in 2014 although England last held it in Manchester in 2002. Manchester City Council leader, Sir Richard Leese, said that despite "a long tradition of sporting rivalry... Liverpool's bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games has Manchester's wholehearted support". In July, the Welsh government dropped plans to bid for the event, blaming the cost and uncertainty after the Brexit vote. Birmingham City Council leader, councillor John Clancy, said in April that he was "open to persuasion" after the city was encouraged to bid but he believed it "would detract from our immediate priorities". Last year, it was announced that South Africa would host the event in 2022 after the Canadian city Edmonton withdrew its bid due to cost. The awarding of the games to Durban followed concerns from the Commonwealth Games Federation about a lack of interest from member countries in hosting future competitions. Liverpool has recently held a number of large spectator events including when 1.2 million spectators watched ocean liners gather to celebrate Cunard's 175th anniversary last year. In 2014, a giant puppet show to mark the 100th anniversary of World War One attracted about a million visitors. There's nothing new in Mayor Anderson's desire to bid for Liverpool to host the Commonwealth Games in 2026. It was one of his pledges when he successfully ran for re-election as mayor of Liverpool in May. It's also no coincidence that he is a candidate in an election - which ends on Friday - for Labour's candidate to be metro mayor of the Liverpool city region. Evertonians will be desperate to hear that a new stadium for the club will be part of the plans, but anything concrete is a long way off. The Mayor's declaration of intent brings local athletes on board - but will also provoke those who think at a time of austerity, the city can ill afford to be spending money on an international sporting event. But then, people said that about Liverpool's bid to be European Capital of Culture - which went on to be a huge success.

Summary: Liverpool is planning a bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the city's mayor has said.


The money will go to International Medical Corps, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and Save the Children. Facebook is also paying for 100 satellite communication terminals to help improve internet and phone services in west Africa. The disease has killed nearly 5,000 people across Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg announced the Ebola donation button with a video on his own profile page, saying "I want to make sure Facebook does its part to help fight Ebola." Last month he donated almost $25m (Â£16m) to the fight against the virus. And he's been forced to point this out again, with critics accusing him of adding the button purely as a marketing move. "Facebook is giving everyone the ability to donate, but how much is Facebook donating? ... this seems just marketing to me one more time," said Pepe Pepe Pepe. Zuckerberg responded in person, writing: "I personally donated $25m and Facebook is spending millions more on providing internet connectivity in the affected regions." Facebook says it chose charities that work directly on the ground and are able to accept money globally. Ebola aid donations have so far lagged behind the money given by the public after natural disasters like last year's Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, or the earthquake in Haiti four years ago. It's well known Facebook is trialling a payment system and it's likely the Ebola button will help the firm measure how its servers handle secure money transfers. In October hacked screenshots appeared to show a hidden payment option inside the site's Messenger app, which is used by around 200 million people. All the evidence adds up that Facebook wants to move into the money transactions market. In June, the company brought in PayPal president and payments expert David Marcus as boss of its messaging service. It's thought he's looking beyond adverts for how chat apps can begin to make real profit. Follow @BBCNewsbeat on Twitter and Radio1Newsbeat on YouTube

Summary: Facebook has added an Ebola button to users' profile pages to help people donate to charities fighting the disease.


Now Rosetta - Philae's European Space Agency (ESA) mothership - will switch off its electrical support system meaning it will no longer be possible to communicate with Philae. Rosetta will remain in orbit around the comet 67/P Churyumov-Gerasimenko until the 30 September, when controllers at ESA will crash the spacecraft into the surface, using the opportunity to gather close-up photos and data as it falls. Philae has asked for picture postcards to be shared as a way of marking its shutdown. Philae's official job on Comet 67P was to acquire as much information about the comet as possible. It would record and transmit pictures. It was a job greatly appreciated by NASA who also tweeted thanks and goodbye. Philae and its spacecraft called Rosetta developed a relationship on social media with the two exchanging musings about their new location, the view, power sources and crucially, the icy cold conditions. But now Rosetta is letting go. Messages have come in from around the world including people posted pictures on Germany's Aerospace Centre's Facebook page. And Melanie Gywer, also in Germany, tweeted this. And it's ciao from Italy. From the USA, @Kelpher tweeted this message from Chicago. In Bolivia Andrea L wants Philae to remember how green Earth is. From South Wales, UK, Barrie Johnson, shared his goodbye postcard to Philae. While Amy Carparelli from Kent, UK, tweeted her picture of Philae. The ESA says that no signal has been received from Philae since July 2015 and so the decision has been taken to switch off to save energy until the end of the mission.

Summary: Almost two years ago a robot called Philae became a household name after it succeeded in making a difficult - and bouncy - landing on a moving comet.


Fish oil has been marketed to women as a prenatal supplement. But a 10-year study of more than 2,500 pregnant women found it did not improve babies' intelligence, according to the Australian research. The findings suggested that fish oil might lead to slightly longer pregnancies, but that would require further research, the team said. "If a pregnant woman has a healthy, balanced diet, then the baby's brain development is not going to benefit from having these fish oil supplements," study co-author Dr Jacqueline Gould told the BBC. The research, by the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, followed women from their pregnancy to when their children were seven years old. Participants were given either a daily fish oil supplement or a placebo. The results found taking a 800mg dose of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 acid, had no impact on babies' intelligence. Dr Gould said supplement makers had specifically marketed fish oil as a way to boost development in infants. She said the research, detailed in the Journal of the American Medical Association, showed fish oil might be linked with longer pregnancies. "What that meant was, there were slightly fewer children born pre-term," Dr Gould said. "We're currently trying to validate that in a much bigger study."

Summary: Taking fish oil while pregnant does not improve the brain development of babies, new research has found.


Having resumed on 55-1, the hosts lost Gary Ballance (45) and Andrew Lyth (39) early on, before Andrew Gale (67) and Jonny Bairstow steadied the innings. Bairstow was trapped lbw by Chris Jordan after the break, while Chris Liddle removed Jack Leaning cheaply. But Gale and Bresnan (50 not out) helped their side reach 298-9 at stumps, a lead of 301. Sussex would need at least a draw to secure their Division One status for next season if rivals Hampshire can complete victory at Nottinghamshire on Friday. The visitors started the third day strongly with the ball as Ballance and Lyth both played onto their stumps in the morning session. Gale's patient innings put Yorkshire back on the front foot, and also saw the 31-year-old surpass 1,000 runs in the County Championship this season. However the captain's 131-ball knock was finally ended when he was caught by Jordan off the bowling of Liddle, but Bresnan's half-century left Sussex in danger of playing Division Two cricket for the first time since 2010 next season.

Summary: Andrew Gale and Tim Bresnan hit half-centuries for Yorkshire at Headingley to deepen Sussex's relegation fears.


Mr Nesbitt announced he is to quit as soon as a new leader is appointed, after the party's disappointing performance in March's election. The UUP is now the fourth biggest party in the Assembly, having been overtaken by the SDLP for the first time. Mr Swann made the announcement on social media on Friday. He said he had "submitted papers" to seek election as leader of the UUP, after "receiving support from across the party, including members of our Westminster, assembly and local government teams". The UUP is due to elect Mr Nesbitt's successor at its annual general meeting on 8 April. There had been some speculation that UUP MLA Steve Aiken would throw his hat in the ring for the leadership, but he told BBC's Evening Extra he was supporting Mr Swann's bid. "I think that it's excellent news and Robin will be an excellent leader. I signed his papers and I am fully supportive of him," he said. "He is one of the few people who has the breadth and depth of experience. He is the chief whip, understands the system in the Assembly and has the vast majority of support from the party." When asked why he had not put his own name forward, Mr Aiken said Mr Swann was the best candidate for the job. Earlier in March Mr Swann told the BBC he was "not ruling out" a leadership bid. He also said his wife Jennifer was a member of the Ulster Unionist Party and will have a vote at the AGM. "If my name is on the ballot paper, I hope she will be voting for me." The 45-year-old father of two was first elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2011 and he represents North Antrim. He chaired the Public Accounts Committee during the last assembly's mandate and is former president of the Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster. Mr Swann was one of 10 UUP members who won seats in the last Assembly elections, but he said the new leader did not necessarily have to be an MLA. "Our party rules actually allow anybody who is in good standing, and a member of the Ulster Unionist Party, to put their name forward, so there is a misconception out there," he said.

Summary: Robin Swann has announced he has put his name forward for the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leadership contest following Mike Nesbitt's resignation.


Vancouver Aquarium said it had been contacted by the girl's family after staff had raised concerns about "seal finger", which can lead to amputations. The girl suffered a 10cm (4in) wound when the animal grabbed her with its jaws, her father told CBC News. He rejected claims that she had been trying to feed the marine mammal. The video of her being pulled by the dress from the dockside in Richmond, British Columbia, and then rescued by her grandfather, has been widely shared on social media, prompting some users to suggest the family had been trying to feed sea lions. "There was somebody beside them that was trying to feed them," said the father, who gave only his surname, Lau, in order to prevent the identification of the girl. But he admitted his daughter had got too near when she moved forwards to have a closer look. "That's a lesson she took and she has taken that lesson in a hard way," he said. Aquarium spokesman Deana Lancaster told ABC news the family had got in touch after staff gave interviews about the risks of "seal finger" infection. Bacteria living in the mouths of seals and sea lions can cause the painful and potentially serious condition, with symptoms including cellulitis and debilitating joint inflammation. It is mainly known historically for affecting sealers' hands, although it can travel to any part of the body. Ms Lancaster said the girl was now going to get the right treatment. Mr Lau confirmed the family had been in touch with the aquarium and praised the girl's grandfather's quick response. "If he had a one- or two-second doubt about that, my girl could have been gone by then. That reaction makes him a hero," he said. He said the family had been "disturbed" by the video going viral, but were mainly just relieved the girl was safe. "Only thing I care is: God, she is safe," said Mr Lau. "I could have gone organising a funeral by now rather than doing an interview."

Summary: A girl dragged off a dock in Canada by a sea lion is being treated with antibiotics because of the risk of a dangerous infection.


Mr Greste was freed from prison and deported on Sunday after 400 days behind bars. He is now in Cyprus, en route to Australia. Mr Greste, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed were arrested in 2013 on charges of spreading false news and aiding the Muslim Brotherhood. Mr Fahmy and Mr Mohamed remain jailed. In an interview with al-Jazeera, Mr Greste described his release as "a massive step forward" for the Egyptian authorities. "I just hope that Egypt keeps going down that path with the others," the Australian journalist added. Mr Fahmy, who holds dual Egyptian and Canadian citizenship, could be freed if he renounces his Egyptian nationality, presidential sources say. Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird said on Monday that Mr Fahmy's release was "imminent", without elaborating. But there are still concerns about Mr Mohamed, an Egyptian who holds no dual nationality. Speaking on Monday, Mr Greste said he "wasn't expecting" his release on Sunday and had been released with what felt like "just a few minutes' notice". He described a "real mix of emotions" after learning he would be freed, with both a "sense of relief and excitement but also real stress in having to say goodbye to my colleagues and friends - people who've really become family inside that prison". "It was a very difficult moment walking out of that prison. Saying goodbye to those guys, not knowing how much longer they would have to put up with this." He expressed concern for Mr Fahmy and Mr Mohamed, as well as other journalists convicted in absentia. "If it's right for me to be free then it's right for all of them to be free," he said. Mr Greste, Mr Fahmy and Mr Mohamed, journalists for al-Jazeera English, were arrested in 2013 after being accused of collaborating with the banned Muslim Brotherhood after the overthrow of former President Mohammed Morsi by the military. All three denied the charges against them and said their trial was a sham. In June last year, Mr Fahmy and Mr Greste were sentenced to seven years in prison and Mr Mohamed to 10. Their sentences sparked an international outcry. The three men's convictions were overturned on 1 January but they remained in custody pending a retrial. Several students have also been held in the same case. The students deny working for Al-Jazeera but it is thought that material filmed on their phones was used by the network. In a separate case, Abdullah El-Shamy, a journalist for Al-Jazeera's Arabic channel, was arrested in August 2013 when police broke up a protest by supporters of Mr Morsi. He was released on health grounds in June 2014 after a hunger strike of nearly five months. According to campaign group Reporters Without Borders, there are currently 165 journalists imprisoned around the world, including 15 in Egypt. Muted reaction in Egypt media How journalists were jailed in Egypt Who are the jailed journalists?

Summary: Al-Jazeera journalist Peter Greste says he is relieved to be free but feels "incredible angst" at leaving behind two of his colleagues in jail in Egypt.


The work will help reduce flooding risk to 238 properties in the city centre caused by such abandoned objects, the Environment Agency said. It coincides with the Destructor Bridge on the river being removed as part of a new development. On Monday, shopping trolleys were pulled out of the river by the agency. Matthew Symonds from the trust said: "Navigation can be tricky along the River Avon and no wonder given the amount of stuff that's down there." The stretch between Windsor and Victoria bridges is being focused on after the agency carried out a survey of flood defences. An agency spokesman said: "Large objects such as cars and shopping trolleys can cause serious problems when abandoned in a river. "They can increase flood risk by disrupting flows and cause a hazard to navigation." The same contractor that is removing the Destructor Bridge will carry out the Â£20,000 river clean up, which is being paid for by the agency. The Canal and River Trust has appealed for people to stop dumping objects into the river due to the navigational hazards and the impact on wildlife. Work is expected to be completed by the end of the week.

Summary: Cars and mopeds are expected to be lifted from the River Avon in Bath during the first dredging operation for 20 years.


Marice Hall, Karen McGee and Lesley Leake work at a Kinsley primary school near Wakefield. They said pay had been cut since it became an academy. After the contract moved from Wakefield Council to private company C&D Cleaning pensions, holiday and sick pay had also been cut, they said. C&D said it was seeking to resolve the matter as quickly as possible. About 100 people marched in Barnsley, where C&D is based, from the Town Hall to the town centre. The three women have been on strike since the beginning of September, with the union Unison taking the employer to an employment tribunal. Lesley Leake said: "We had just had enough, we were sick of going home and crying to our partners. "It has been scary, but we have just got to go to the end and see how it turns out." Marice Hall said: "We love our little job and we just want to carry on with our normal lives and go back to work." Robin Symonds, regional organiser for Unison, said: "It's probably the worst example that I've ever seen, and I've seen some pretty bad examples of low-paid workers who have had their jobs outsourced being thrown to the wolves by greedy employers". In a statement, a spokesperson for C&D said: "C&D were not provided with crucial information at the point of transfer of the three employees. "We will not conduct a public discussion over the issues, as they are and will be dealt with in an appropriate manner. "C&D is actively seeking, as it has all along, to resolve this matter as quickly as possible."

Summary: A march has taken place backing three striking cleaners who say their wages and employment benefits have been cut.


During her maiden speech, the Glasgow entrepreneur quoted the words from "Greatest Love Of All". She said she loved music and cherished the song's line: "I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way." Baroness Mone of Mayfair was appointed a Tory peer in August last year. In her 10-minute address on Monday she spoke about her life growing up in "a tenement flat in the east end of Glasgow with no bath or shower and only a cupboard for a bedroom". The 44-year-old said: "I wondered whether I would fit in here, but I should not have worried. "I am endlessly grateful for the guidance and support from all the officers and everyone who works in this wonderful house, and for the kindness and warmth of welcome from members on all sides." Baroness Mone went on to say that her dyslexia had made her first Lords speech "harder than any business I have ever started". The mother-of-three began her lingerie business 17 years ago. She boasts of global success and is an established public speaker. Baroness Mone ended her address by highlighting the inspiration she had found from American singer Whitney Houston who died in 2012. She told a small gathering of peers: "I love music and I would like to share with you the words of a song by the late, great Whitney Houston, which inspired me when I was growing up. "I normally sing this at karaoke, but on the advice of our wonderful doorkeepers, I thought I would spare your Lordships' ears: 'I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way'." The "Greatest Love of All" was originally recorded in 1977 by George Benson and covered by Whitney Houston in 1985. In response to Baroness Mone's speech, fellow House of Lords member, Lord Fowler, said: "My lords, it is such a pity that the noble baroness did not burst into song, but there we are. "It is a great pleasure to follow her and to congratulate her on her maiden speech, which was by any standards quite outstanding - I say that quite sincerely."

Summary: New peer Michelle Mone has told the House of Lords that she was inspired as a child by the lyrics of a "late, great Whitney Houston" song.


The officer, 52, was seriously injured when a booby-trap device exploded under his van on Friday, 4 March. A dissident republican group known as the New IRA said it carried out the attack. The 45-year-old man has also been charged with possession of explosives with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property. He is due to appear in court in Belfast on Saturday. A 39-year-old man who was also arrested in connection with the attack has been released pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service. Another man, a 34-year-old, who was being questioned about the bombing has been released unconditionally.

Summary: A man has been charged with the attempted murder of a prison officer in a bomb attack in Belfast last week.


Polling stations opened at 07:00 BST and closed at 22:00, with more than 850,000 people eligible to vote. Counting is due to take place on Friday, with results expected throughout the day, Surrey County Council said. Twenty one councillors are not standing again - more than 26% of the council. Across England, Wales and Scotland, voters will have their say on a total of 4,851 council seats. There are also eight mayoral elections, including elections in six new "combined local authorities".

Summary: Counting has begun as polls for the local elections in Surrey closed, with all 81 seats on the county council up for grabs.


It meant the unemployment rate fell by 0.2% to its lowest since 1975, at 4.5%, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) added. But wage increases continued to fall further behind inflation. Excluding bonuses, earnings rose by 2.0% year-on-year. However, inflation had hit an almost four-year high of 2.9% in May. When the impact of inflation is factored in, real weekly wages fell by 0.5% compared with a year earlier. Mark Carney: UK wage growth 'anaemic' UK workers 'frustrated by flatlining pay' UK inflation rate at near four-year high "Despite the strong jobs picture... there has been another real-terms fall in total earnings, with the growth in weekly wages low and inflation still rising," said Matt Hughes, senior statistician at the Office for National Statistics. Those in work climbed to around 32 million, a rise of 324,000 on last year and the largest total since records began in 1971. The employment rate rose by 0.3% on the quarter to a record high of 74.9%. "The general picture is little changed on last month, with the overall employment rate and that for women both at record highs, the inactivity rate at a joint record low and the unemployment rate falling to its lowest since early summer 1975," said Mr Hughes. The unemployment rate for 16 to 24-year-olds was 12.5%, lower than for a year earlier when it was 13.5%, and well below its highest rate of 22.5% in late 2011. The sluggish pay data may cause Bank of England officials to think again about the need to raise interest rates, after a narrow 5-3 vote by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) last month to leave rates at 0.25%. "The continued weakness of wage growth provides some ammunition to the more dovish members of the MPC that now is not the time to raise interest rates," said Paul Hollingsworth, UK economist at Capital Economics. He added: "Given the emphasis that some members of the Monetary Policy Committee, including Governor Carney, have put on wanting to see a clear "firming" in wage growth before they join others in voting to hike interest rates, we still think it is more likely than not that the MPC will hold off for a while longer, rather than raise interest rates imminently." Meanwhile, Minister for Employment, Damian Hinds said the employment figures were "another reminder that our strong economy is giving record numbers of people the chance to find and stay in work". But TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Ministers must set out a plan to get real wages rising across the public and the private sectors." After trading lower against the dollar, the pound gained ground to trade 0.1% stronger on the day at $1.2858. Sterling also gained 0.1% against the euro, with one pound getting you 1.1217 euros.

Summary: UK unemployment fell by 64,000 to 1.49 million in the three months to May, official figures show.


And the guerrillas from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) were well placed to profit from the illegal drugs trade. Today, there are still small fields of bright green coca cut from the virgin jungle, but the rebels have found a more lucrative, and far safer, source of income: gold. It was here the US military aid package, known as Plan Colombia, which has amounted to some $8bn (Â£5bn) since 1999, was concentrated. Since 2000, fleets of spray planes have dropped glyphosate chemicals over the coca bushes, managing to reduce, but never eradicate, drug production. What the chemicals have done is push local farmers into the new, informal industry of gold mining. "We estimate that the Farc here make 800m pesos ($450,000) a week from illegal gold mining," said Jhimmy Calvache, the acting mayor of Mocoa in Putumayo province. Colombia has vast gold deposits, especially along the rivers that wash down from the Andes Mountains. It was gold that drew the Spanish conquistadors here in the 16th Century, and now, with prices high for precious metal, gold fever has returned. Mechanical diggers operate along the riverbeds and banks in Putumayo, protected by heavily armed rebels who allow no access to the sites and impose huge "taxes" on production. In March, police sought to send in investigators to find out how much gold was being extracted. They ran into trigger-happy guerrillas and it was decided that, without massive army support, there was no chance of making any meaningful inquiries. The operation was abandoned. While the illegal exploitation of gold in Putumayo is still in its infancy, it is well developed in other parts of the country. In the northern department of Antioquia, the Farc have established a series of extortion schemes on the gold miners, legal and illegal. For every mechanical digger that enters their territory, the rebels charge an initial "tax" of up to $3,000 and another $2,000 per piece of heavy machinery for every month of operation. In the gold-rich municipality of Anori in Antioquia, authorities believe there are up to 120 diggers operating, earning the local Farc unit a monthly income of at least $240,000. There are 125 municipalities in Antioquia. "Gold is now more lucrative than coca," says Antioquia Governor Sergio Fajardo. The guerrillas are not just extorting money but running some mining operations themselves or demanding a percentage of all production. The advantage of gold is that it is perfectly legal to transport and sell, unlike cocaine. Indeed, legally registered mines have become a favourite acquisition for drug traffickers as well, as they are perfect vehicles for laundering money. The mining companies can claim any amount of gold is being extracted and then traffickers put all their money from cocaine sales through the books. On condition of anonymity, a mine worker in Anori played the recording on his telephone of a call he said was from the Farc demanding payment. "Don't try my patience this month," growled a low voice, "don't make me look for you, or the machines will be burnt and you may become a

Summary: A decade ago, the Colombian region of Putumayo was the main production centre for coca, the raw material for cocaine.


"Le onze Septembre Francais" declared the banner headline in France's Le Monde newspaper. "A French September 11th." But now France also has 1/11, another set of numbers etched in the annals of the terrible history of terrorism and stirring stories of people who fight back. Nearly four million took to the streets and squares across France on Sunday 11 January for a Unity march in the wake of three days of terror that left 17 dead, and a nation saddened, stunned, and - it is hoped - strengthened in a new solidarity. Never have so many French citizens turned out in such large numbers since the liberation of Paris from Nazi Germany in 1944. "I'm proud of my country," reflects French journalist Nicolas Henin. "People often join protests for more jobs or higher salaries, but this wasn't for something immediate. It was for France's future." More than a decade ago, in the wake of the shocking attacks in New York and Washington on 11 September, the slogan that sounded from many capitals was: "We're standing shoulder to shoulder." Now there is a new version of the same refrain in the most pronounced show of solidarity since then: "Le monde se leve" (The world rises) was the Sunday morning headline in Le Journal du Dimanche. The morning after, one word was splashed across many front pages in France - "Debout" (Standing). "The world stands with France" was the top line of the International New York Times. Nearly 50 world leaders cleared their diaries to literally stand shoulder to shoulder again. They marched, arms linked, along part of the route to be, and be seen to be, part of a French story of pain and resolve. Now, more than ever, this battle is recognised as a global fight against rising extremism. But some leaders had other reasons too. The media watchdog Reporters Without Borders condemned the presence of "predators… the leaders from countries where journalists and bloggers are systematically persecuted". "It's shocking to see some of the leaders here," laments journalist Nicolas Henin. But, as we stand in the midst of the densely packed, diverse, cheering, flag-waving crowd at the main gathering place of La Place de la Republique, he speaks of a "feel-good day" for millions of people who came from across France and beyond. "I had to come too," he remarks. It was in this very place that smaller but still significant crowds had gathered every month, for 10 months, to call for his release, and for the three other French journalists who had been held hostage by the Islamic State group in Syria. Sunday's call for unity came in the wake of the attack on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and the murder of four legendary French cartoonists who have long wielded the sharpest of pens. Theirs is a history of France, from the street protests of 1968, to the civil conflict in Algeria in the 1990s, to the worst terrorist attack in half a century that cost them their lives. By Friday, a series of attacks had also claimed the

Summary: In France, many reached for the phrase recognised by all - 9/11.


In a BBC interview, he denied any link with fighting that began on Sunday and accused President Salva Kiir of "inciting tribal and ethnic violence". The UN says hundreds have died and has warned of a descent into civil war. Mr Kiir's government said its forces were in control of all cities, but he has offered to talk to Mr Machar. Mr Kiir said a group of soldiers supporting Mr Machar had tried to take power by force on Sunday night but were defeated. He said the clashes began when uniformed personnel opened fire at a meeting of the governing party, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM). But Mr Machar told the BBC World Service's Newsday programme on Wednesday: "There was no attempted coup." What is behind South Sudan army clashes? The whereabouts of Mr Machar are unclear. He told the BBC he was still in South Sudan and was "not going to leave the country". He blamed Sunday's fighting on a conflict between members of the presidential guard, and said it spread across parts of the capital, Juba. He added that government troops used the incident to arrest some of his supporters on Monday, and that he himself escaped. "Salva wanted to frame me," he said. "I had to flee. They are hunting me down." Mr Machar said his disagreement with Mr Kiir was on reform of the SPLM, which the president had rejected. "So we are asking him to resign and leave the presidency," Mr Machar said. Mr Kiir said he was willing to enter into talks with Mr Machar but said he did not know what the result would be. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday welcomed the offer, saying he was "deeply concerned" about the situation in the country. He said that this was "a political crisis that needs to be dealt with through political dialogue" and that there was a risk of the violence spreading further. Mr Ban confirmed that some 20,000 people had taken refuge in the UN mission in Juba, and several hundred more in Jonglei state. French UN ambassador Gerard Araud, who holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council, said the conflict had "the potential of a civil war" between the two main ethnic bodies, the Dinka - Mr Kiir's group - and the Nuer, from which Mr Machar hails. Information Minister Micheal Makuei Lueth confirmed to the Associated Press that at least 500 people, mostly soldiers, had been killed. There were reports that fighting had continued on Monday and Tuesday near the presidential palace and many other areas of Juba. On Wednesday a businessman living in Juba, Muhammad Waqas ur-Rehman, told the BBC the city was tense and that he and many others were trying to leave. There were also reports of people fleeing clashes in Bor, the capital of Jonglei state, about 150km (90 miles) to the north. The South Sudan Red Cross Society said at least 19 people were killed in overnight fighting there. However, presidential spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny told the BBC that government forces were in full

Summary: Fugitive former South Sudanese vice-president Riek Machar has denied government allegations that he tried to stage a coup at the weekend.


On Monday, SSI said it was mothballing iron and steelmaking at the site for up to five years, citing poor trading conditions and low world steel prices. It said prices would need to recover before the plant could reopen. The focus of the talks is on the mothballing process, which will involve 450 people continuing to work at the Teesside plant. Part of the process involves keeping the coke ovens and the power station in operation in order for steel production to resume if it is deemed possible. The Thai-owned company initially "paused" production of iron and steelmaking at the site, one of the largest steel plants in the UK, on 18 September. It said it had carried out an assessment of its business and concluded there was "no other option". Frances O'Grady, general secretary of the TUC, said pressure should be put on the government to devise a rescue plan. She said: "Energy costs in Britain are on average 80% higher than those in the rest of Europe and do we really think that Angela Merkel would sit by and let the German steel industry go down the pan? Certainly not. "She would be calling in the unions and the company and looking at how we secure the long-term future of what is a strategic industry for the whole economy." Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald, who is also Parliamentary Private Secretary to the shadow chancellor, said that the true number of job losses, once contractors and the supply chain were taken into account, could be about 9,000. "The government should be playing a proper role, not just picking up the pieces," he said. "We should be looking at the sustainability of the steel industry, with the government going in as administrators, keeping it active, stockpiling steel if necessary." But James Wharton, Conservative MP for Stockton South and Minister for Local Growth and the Northern Powerhouse ruled out re-nationalisation. "An industry which has made a loss over each of the last three years would pass that responsibility to the tax payer," he said. "It would present huge issues for the rest of the steel market in this country in terms of how they would then be able to compete with, what will be, a nationalised company. "It's just not something that is going to happen." Jonathan Aylen, an expert on the steel industry from the University of Manchester, said it was hard to see what the government could do. "Of course this leaves a very sour taste because seven years ago the banks, who'd acted completely irresponsibly, were bailed out," he said. "And this firm instead invests and innovates for export and then, when the time comes, its fate is ignored." During his maiden speech to the Labour conference in Brighton, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn urged David Cameron to come to the aid of steel workers facing job losses on Teesside "as the Italian government has done" with its industry. A Downing Street spokesman said ministers were "working to help those who will lose their jobs at the Redcar steel plant" and the

Summary: Union officials are in talks with SSI's Redcar plant executives after the firm announced the loss of 1,700 jobs.


The share price fall extended a decline that started almost immediately after Snapchat started trading on the stock market this spring. The firm reported 173 million daily users, up 4% on the prior quarter. But the company is struggling with fierce competition from Facebook, which offers similar features. Snap's stock, which was priced at $17 for its public offering in March, is now trading at less than $14. On Thursday, chief executive Evan Spiegel pledged that he and fellow co-founder Robert Murphy would not sell any of their own shares this year, as a sign of confidence in the firm's prospects. The shares were worth billions at the time of the IPO. "We believe deeply in the long-term success of Snap," he told analysts on a call after the results were released. Snap made its name as a messaging app, with texts that would disappear. It now offers video stories, maps and other features. The firm said it is working to woo advertisers with low prices and evidence that its ads are working - features it hopes will set it apart from rivals. Revenue over the three months to the end of June was $181.7m, more than double the same period in 2016. But expenses grew even faster, reaching more than $630.6m for the quarter, including expenses related to stock-based compensation. Snap's user base increased by more than 20% year-on-year. But the firm added just seven million new users in the quarter, compared to eight million in the first three months of the year. Shares in the firm fell more than 14% in after-hours trade. Mr Spiegel said the company was making "a lot of progress". He estimated that a quarter of people with smart phones in the US, UK and France use Snapchat every day, with users typically spending more than 30 minutes daily on the site. Snap is not the only young company that has stumbled after going public while facing off with one of the tech giants. The prepared meal company Blue Apron, which started trading in June, has also lost much of its value. Analysts say Amazon's plan to acquire Whole Foods, combining its delivery strength with a well-known grocer, has dimmed its prospects. On Thursday, in its first earnings report since its stock market debut, Blue Apron reported more than $238m in revenue for the three months to the end of June and losses of $31.6m. Its shares fell more than 17%, to $5.14, compared to $10 price set at the IPO.

Summary: Snap shares plunged 14% on Thursday after the social media firm reported more than $400m (Â£310m) in quarterly losses and fewer than expected users.


Spratt, 25, joins on a one-year deal, and Samson, 23, on a two-year-deal. Wales international Spratt said: "I'm excited to be joining London Irish. They play an exciting brand of rugby that appeals to me." Samson, who has played for Scotland at U20 level, said: "I've enjoyed my time at Edinburgh but a chance to play in the Premiership was not to be missed." The duo will join the Exiles squad this summer for pre-season training. Jonathan is a strong, powerful runner, with great feet and good distribution skills. Spratt made his Wales debut in 2009 in a Test against Canada. The centre also played for Taranaki in New Zealand's domestic rugby tournament, the Air New Zealand Cup in 2008. He has not played for Ospreys this season, having damaged his anterior cruciate ligament in pre-season, on his return from an earlier injury. Samson is a product of Newcastle Falcons' academy and has represented Scotland at all age-group levels. The Edinburgh-born scrum-half featured in the IRB Junior World Championship in 2008 and this season's IRB sevens circuit tournament. Ross has a strong pass on him, an eye for the gap and he reads the game well. London Irish head coach Toby Booth said: "Jonathan is a highly talented young player and another very useful addition to our squad. "He is a strong, powerful runner, with great feet and good distribution skills. "Ross is an exciting young talent in Scottish rugby. He has a strong pass on him, an eye for the gap and he reads the game well."

Summary: London Irish have signed Ospreys centre Jonathan Spratt and Edinburgh Rugby scrum-half Ross Samson.


The rock-pop boyband sold five million records at the start of the millennium, scoring number one hits with Year 3000 and What I Go To School For. But Simpson walked out after a record-breaking 12-night engagement at Wembley Arena, saying his time in the band was "like torture". Busted will pick up where they left off, playing Wembley on 11 May, 2016. The reunion was sparked by a road trip to Philadelphia, where the trio - Simpson, Matt Willis and James Bourne - recorded "three or four" new songs. "I was astounded to find out James had actually been listening to a lot of the same music I'd been listening to," said Simpson. "When I left the band in 2005, we were worlds away creatively. "It was quite poignant to think that we'd landed 10 years later and there was some creative common ground." "It was just a really fun time," added Bourne. "It felt like we were just hanging out with old, good friends." The band announced their comeback at the Soho Hotel in London - the same venue where they revealed their break-up in January 2005. A dedicated group of two dozen fans waited for the band outside, after travelling from across the UK in anticipation of the reunion. "It's magical!" said Rebecca, who had travelled to London from Ireland. "We're going to wet ourselves!" "Busted are my entire life," said London-based Melissa. "They've always amazed me, no matter what they've done. Solo, in different bands, they've always been so good to me." "It's been 11 years, nearly, which is too long to wait," said Roxy, from Oxford. "I feel like it's going to be different this time - because when they were Busted before, we were all kids and now we're adults. So it's a different audience they're going for." Speaking at the press conference, Simpson said he was surprised as anyone by his return to the pop band - after carving out a successful rock career in Fightstar. "I've lost count of the number of times where I've said publicly I wouldn't do this again. But I have changed my mind." "We went to Philadelphia, we wrote new music and that changed everything. I was very ready to go to Philadelphia and come away thinking 'it just doesn't feel right'. "The fact that it did feel right is just as much of a shock to me as it is to anyone sitting in this room today." The band promised new material to accompany their tour, acknowledging that their back catalogue was currently rather meagre. "Busted only had two albums," said Willis, who said the group would have to "play every song that you know then start all over again" on their 13-date tour. When Busted split in 2005, they were one of the biggest bands in the UK, with two multi-platinum albums and two Brit Awards. Simpson continued to make music, both with Fightstar and as a solo artist. Willis won the 2006 series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here and appeared in the West

Summary: Busted have announced a reunion tour for 2016, 11 years after Charlie Simpson left and the band imploded.