Real Madrid went top with a 1-0 win at Real Sociedad before being replaced by Atletico Madrid after they beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0. But Barca held their nerve to overcome Betis, who had Heiko Westermann sent off for two bookings, with goals from Ivan Rakitic and Luis Suarez. Each team has two matches remaining. Relive the win that took Barcelona back to the top of the table. Defending champions Barcelona had scored 14 goals in winning their previous two league games. But they found it difficult to break down a Betis side who played with 10 men from the 35th minute after defender Westermann had tripped Rakitic to earn his second caution in the space of eight minutes. The opening goal came five minutes into the second half when a Lionel Messi ball into the penalty area caused confusion between defender German Pezzella and goalkeeper Antonio Adan, and midfielder Rakitic was left with a simple tap-in for his 10th goal of the season. The second goal did not come until nine minutes from time when Messi played through a perfect pass for Suarez to slot home his 54th goal of the season. Barcelona keeper Claudio Bravo came off late on with a calf strain and will have further tests on the injury on Sunday. Barcelona coach Luis Enrique: "It's a very competitive league and I think the three candidates are strong. No-one will slip up, we depend on ourselves. "There is less to go (now). I am sure against Espanyol, Camp Nou will be packed to the rafters."

Summary: Barcelona beat 10-man Real Betis 2-0 to regain top spot in La Liga at the end of a day that saw all three title rivals spend time as leaders.


At least 22 staff and patients were killed in the bombing in the city of Kunduz a week ago. The US has said the strike was a mistake and that it was trying to target Taliban insurgents. MSF has called the attack a war crime and called for an international committee to investigate. Those injured in the strike and the families of those killed are eligible for "condolence payments" from the US. "The Department of Defence believes it is important to address the consequences of the tragic incident at the MSF hospital," a Pentagon spokesman said. Funds will also be made available to repair the hospital, the Pentagon added. President Obama has apologised to the MSF president and the Afghan leader for the incident. MSF is still trying to trace more than 30 staff and patients who remain unaccounted for.

Summary: The Pentagon is to pay compensation for those killed and injured in a US strike on a Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) hospital in northern Afghanistan.


CBI Wales chair Chris Sutton said the proposed vote in 2017 was creating "uncertainty". David Cameron pledged to renegotiate a "better deal" for the UK and hold an "in-out" referendum by the end of 2017. Chancellor George Osborne said the UK would be "constructive but resolute" in talks with EU leaders. Mr Sutton said: "From a business perspective the EU isn't perfect but I think business sees it as a real positive - it's a single market of 500 million people and I think it will be difficult for jobs and growth for us to step out of that." He added that the business organisation would be campaigning to stay within a reformed EU and warned that firms would not like the uncertainly in the two years leading up to the referendum. "The departure from the EU is not a revolving door; if we get it wrong we can't just come back in again. There would be huge amount of renegotiating of positions in terms of bilateral trade agreements and an impact on our national wealth for us to come out of it." BUSINESS REACTION - YES OR NO TO A REFERENDUM? Bethany Sawyer is general manager of Biopharm UK - based in Hendy in Carmarthenshire - which has been supplying leeches for medical uses since 1812. She believes the two years before a referendum will give time for the UK to negotiate a better EU. But for Peter Lewis, managing director of engineering firm IAC in Newport, the referendum would cause stability and be a waste of money. He employs 75 people and is worried a vote to pull out of the EU could be a setback when manufacturing needs a boost. Many multi-national companies including Tata, Airbus, Toyota and Ford operate in Wales and support a number of smaller suppliers. They are responsible for tens of thousands of jobs. Airbus though has said the UK leaving the EU would not result in it relocating. The UK car industry and the manufacturers' organisation, EEF, has expressed concerns about the prospect of leaving the EU. West Wales and the Valleys has received over Â£4bn of European funding with another Â£2bn to come over the next seven years to support economic growth and create jobs. But critics argue that this is nothing compared to the money the UK sends to the EU and so more funds would be available in the event of leaving. The EU is a major trading partner with Wales. Elgan Morgan, of the South Wales Chamber of Commerce, said: "Trading with EU countries is the first step for many businesses when they are looking to export their goods and services. "Leaving the EU would complicate relationships between Welsh businesses and their European customers and may discourage businesses from pursing export possibilities altogether. This must be avoided at all costs." New Conservative MP for Gower Byron Davies said the referendum was something that they had canvassed on and people agreed with holding it.

Summary: Plans to hold a referendum on EU membership are unhelpful for businesses in Wales and could lead to reduced investment, warns an industry body.


The Storr, a geological feature of the landscape in Trotternish, Skye, was used for creating scenes in the new movie directed by Steven Spielberg. Tourism body VisitBritain has promoted The Storr in its new campaign called Oh My Giant Britain (OMGB). It also features the film's locations in England. Images of actress Ruby Barnhill, who plays lead character Sophie in the film, at The Storr, Big Ben in London and the Angel of the North near Gateshead have been released on social media. The BFG launches in the US on 1 July and in the UK on 22 July. Skye is a favourite with film-makers and provided backdrops for Stardust, which starred Michelle Pfieffer, big budget sci-fi Prometheus and also Snow White and the Huntsman, Keanu Reeves' film 47 Ronin and the latest film adaption of Macbeth. Last month it emerged that the production team behind The BFG were helped by Highland's Council's small tourism and film unit with its inquiries about locations on Skye.

Summary: Visits to the Isle of Skye could be boosted by a tourism campaign based on the film adaption of Roald Dahl's story The Big Friendly Giant.


AFC Wimbledon were formed in 2002 by Wimbledon FC supporters dismayed by the Football Association's decision to allow their club to move to Milton Keynes. And the reformed club did not acknowledge the 'Dons' part of their opponents' name in the pre-match programme for Tuesday's League Two game between the two sides. This content will not work on your device, please check Javascript and cookies are enabled or update your browser After a tense first half, Jake Reeves struck just after the hour mark before Lyle Taylor added a quick-fire second to record AFC Wimbledon's first league victory over the Dons. The hosts impressed in the first half, but had James Shea to thank on the half hour as he produced a brilliant save to tip away Harvey Barnes' curling effort from the left with Robbie Muirhead lurking. Neal Ardley's side then made the breakthrough on the hour with midfielder Reeves finding the net from close range as Andy Barcham headed Taylor's deep cross into his path. Taylor gave his side a two-goal cushion six minutes later as he latched onto a quick throw from the right before arrowing an unstoppable drive beyond David Martin. The visitors almost reduced the deficit moments later but Shea once again produced a smart reflex save to stop Kieran Agard's effort from creeping in at his near post. Match ends, AFC Wimbledon 2, MK Dons 0. Second Half ends, AFC Wimbledon 2, MK Dons 0. Foul by Tyrone Barnett (AFC Wimbledon). Ben Tilney (MK Dons) wins a free kick on the right wing. Corner, AFC Wimbledon. Conceded by Ben Tilney. Substitution, AFC Wimbledon. Tyrone Barnett replaces Tom Elliott. Stuart O'Keefe (MK Dons) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Attempt missed. Dominic Poleon (AFC Wimbledon) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Foul by Jonathan Meades (AFC Wimbledon). Ben Reeves (MK Dons) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Corner, AFC Wimbledon. Conceded by Darren Potter. Corner, AFC Wimbledon. Conceded by George B Williams. George B Williams (MK Dons) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Andy Barcham (AFC Wimbledon) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by George B Williams (MK Dons). Attempt missed. Nicky Maynard (MK Dons) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Corner, MK Dons. Conceded by Darius Charles. Attempt blocked. Ben Reeves (MK Dons) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Sean Kelly (AFC Wimbledon) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Nicky Maynard (MK Dons). Substitution, MK Dons. Nicky Maynard replaces Ed Upson. Ed Upson (MK Dons) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Substitution, AFC Wimbledon. Dominic Poleon replaces Lyle Taylor. Dean Parrett (AFC Wimbledon) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Joe Walsh (MK Dons). Foul by Andy Barcham (AFC Wimbledon). Ed Upson (MK Dons) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Corner, AFC Wimbledon. Conceded by Ben Tilney. Attempt missed. Stuart O'Keefe (MK Dons) right footed shot from

Summary: AFC Wimbledon claimed a historic victory on Tuesday as MK Dons' first visit to Kingsmeadow ended in defeat.


The incident happened at the One Stop Shop in Usk at about 06:00 GMT. A 15-year-old, from Little Mill, is currently in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of robbery. Gwent Police said a 36-year-old man from Blaina and a 42-year-old from Little Mill had been arrested and released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Summary: Police investigating an armed robbery at a shop in Monmouthshire on Sunday have arrested a teenager and two men.


She wrote more than 60 novels in a career spanning 50 years, her best-known creation being Inspector Wexford, which was turned into a highly successful TV series. Rendell, one of Britain's best-selling contemporary authors, also wrote under the pen-name Barbara Vine. Born in Essex, she is credited with bringing a social and psychological dimension to crime fiction. Publisher Penguin Random House said Rendell, who suffered a stroke in January, died in London on Saturday morning. "We are devastated by the loss of one of our best-loved authors," the publisher said in a statement. Penguin Random House chair, Baroness Gail Rebuck, said Rendell was admired throughout publishing for her "brilliant body of work". "An insightful and elegant observer of society, many of her award-winning thrillers and psychological murder mysteries highlighted the causes she cared so deeply about." Rendell's first Wexford book, From Doon with Death, was published in 1964, beginning a series of more than 20 starring Inspector Reginald Wexford, played in the TV series by George Baker. Many of her works were translated into more than 20 languages and adapted for cinema and TV, attracting worldwide sales of 60 million. She was the author of more than 20 standalone novels, whose protagonists were often on the margins of society, and was awarded the Crime Writers' Association Cartier Diamond Dagger for excellence in crime writing. Her final novel, Dark Corners, is due to be published in October. Rendell began her writing career as a reporter on an Essex newspaper. However, she was forced to resign after filing a story about a local sports club dinner that she hadn't attended. Her report failed to mention that the after-dinner speaker had died half-way through the speech. Rendell, whose writing brought her considerable wealth, was made a Labour life peer in 1997 and is reputed to have given generously to charity. She was a vocal campaigner against female genital mutilation. Labour leader Ed Miliband tweeted she would be missed greatly by the party. She was born Ruth Barbara Grasemann in 1930 in South Woodford to a Swedish mother and British father. Rendell married Don Rendell, a journalist, in 1953. They divorced 22 years later but remarried each other within two years. She is survived by their son.

Summary: Crime writer Ruth Rendell has died aged 85, her publisher says.


Stoneman, 28, has scored 14 centuries in 118 first-class matches, but is yet to receive a call-up for England. "He's scored a 1,000 runs two years in a row now and people are just starting to mention him." Onions told BBC Sport. "His volume of runs have made him basically selectable. You have to pick him - pure volume of runs." Newcastle-born opener Stoneman was named the club's batsman of the year last season, having been one of only five Durham players to feature in every championship game. "People don't even talk abut him really. He's been on no Lions tours, he hasn't even been involved in any kind of squads," 33-year old Onions added. "It might be quite hard for him to take that." But Onions, who has nine Test caps for England, is confident Stoneman will be considered for selection this year, and could put fellow batsmen under pressure. "I think Mark Stoneman is certainly one of the guys that England will be looking at," he added. "Whether or not [Alex] Hales is under a little bit of pressure - I think he'll go into the start of the season in a couple of months really having to score as many runs as he possibly can."

Summary: Durham bowler Graham Onions says teammate Mark Stoneman has to be picked for international honours based on his "pure volume of runs".


Godden, 24, joined the Fleet from Scunthorpe in 2014 and scored 30 goals in National League South last season. "I dropped down to Ebbsfleet to rejuvenate and get regular football," said Godden, who has joined on a free. "The main aim was to bounce back and make a name for myself in the Football League and I thank Darren Sarll and Stevenage for this opportunity." Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Summary: Ebbsfleet striker Matt Godden has become Darren Sarll's first signing as full-time manager of Stevenage.


The 22-year-old joined Nathan Jones' side in the summer after being spotted by chief recruitment officer Mick Harford playing for Truro City. Vassell has scored twice in 23 appearances and the Hatters have taken up the option in his previous deal. "Over the five months since he's been here he's done really well to impress us and grasp his chance," said Jones.

Summary: Luton Town striker Isaac Vassell has signed a new contract with the League Two side until the summer of 2018.


Blackrock's assessment was that those risks would be "mostly for Scotland, but also for the remaining UK". The report comes as an academic's analysis strongly disputed the UK Treasury's rejection of a currency union post-Yes. Voters in Scotland will decide their country's future on 18 September. They will be asked the "Yes/No" question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?" Blackrock, which is based in New York and manages trillions in financial assets, will be sending out its 12-page assessment to clients next week. It said a currency union between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK "looks infeasible" and would "bring risks to both countries". The asset managers believed the "best of the few choices" Scotland had would be to launch its own currency. The company said oil and gas were critical to Scotland's finances but fiscal spending based on specific oil revenue projections was "uncertain and probably unwise". It reported that banks and insurers would face pressure to move headquarters to a "stronger fiscal state with a more certain regulatory backdrop". However, the report added: "A wholesale exodus of staff and operations would be unlikely, given Scotland's cost advantage over London and other locations." Blackrock also said that fears an independent Scotland would become a "bastion of anti-business sentiment are unfounded, in our view". It said: "The Scottish government would likely go out of its way to accommodate the oil industry in particular. Why risk killing the Scottish grouse that lays the golden egg?" On the issue of renewable energy, Blackrock said both sides had merit in their arguments. It recognised the UK position that at present Scotland received a third of UK subsidies for renewable energy, although it represented less than a tenth of the UK's population. However, it also recognised the pro-independence position that Scotland would no longer need to help fund the UK's nuclear programme. Blackrock's assessment came as Leslie Young, professor of economics at a university in Beijing, claimed the Treasury's currency position did not stand up to scrutiny. He was commissioned by businessman Sir Tom Hunter's new institute to assess the case against a currency union between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK. Sir Tom is funding academic reports, research and polling in a bid to help people better understand the issues in the referendum, while he says he remains undecided on his vote. Blair McDougall, of the pro-Union Better Together campaign, said that the report by Blackrock was "a serious piece of work from experts in managing money". He added: "The SNP cannot dismiss this as they have every other warning from experts, employers and economists. "Being part of the UK means lower costs, more jobs and better opportunities for future generations. Losing the pound means losing the strength, stability and security of the UK economy." A Scottish government spokesman responded to the Blackrock report by saying: "The Fiscal Commission Working Group, which comprises economic experts and including two Nobel Laureates, has considered a range of currency options in its detailed report published a year ago, and concluded that it

Summary: The world's biggest investment fund manager has said Scottish independence would bring "major uncertainties, costs and risks".


"It's a question of reason," he said on French TV. His decision prompted immediate thanks from Mr Macron, who is neck-and-neck for the first round of the election with far-right leader Marine Le Pen. Mr Valls was himself defeated in the race for the Socialist candidacy. But instead of backing the man who won, Benoît Hamon, the former prime minister announced on Wednesday that backing Mr Macron was the responsible position to take, because of the risk of giving the presidency to the right or far right. "I don't think you take risks for the Republic. So I will vote for Emmanuel Macron," he said. "France's best interests go beyond the rules of a primary." Mr Valls met Socialist MPs on Tuesday night to explain his position, and he has rejected accusations of betraying his own party. Mr Hamon has already accused party heavyweights of stabbing him in the back and said on Wednesday that he was the victim of a weekly soap opera aimed at undermining him. While not the first senior party figure to back Emmanuel Macron, Mr Valls is seen as the biggest name so far. Defence Minister Yves Le Drian and a handful of junior ministers have already given the centrist their support. For months, the spectre of implosion has hovered over the Socialist party, with commentators talking of a fault-line threatening to split the party in two. And for months senior party members have teetered and fallen to Emmanuel Macron, the man some believe betrayed the party by quitting the government and running for president. Now the centrist candidate has claimed one of the biggest scalps of all. A man once seen as Mr Macron's sworn political enemy. But the support of Manuel Valls, a prime minister to France's most unpopular post-war president, may be a mixed blessing for Emmanuel Macron. While he himself served in President Hollande's government, he has worked hard to present himself as an anti-establishment outsider; a fresh face in French politics. Mr Macron served as economy minister in Mr Valls's Socialist government but left to fight for the presidency with his own movement En Marche! (On the move). Opinions polls suggest he will qualify for the second round run-off against Ms Le Pen in May. Benoît Hamon, seen as a left-wing rebel within the party, has failed to attract mainstream support across the French left and his campaign has been eclipsed by radical left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who could beat him into fifth place in the first-round vote on 23 April. Centre-right candidate François Fillon, initially tipped to win the race, has fallen behind the two front-runners because of "fake job" allegations surrounding his British-born wife, Penelope. Both have been placed under formal investigation over the claims that she did little work for the hundreds of thousands of euros she received in public funds as parliamentary assistant.

Summary: France's ex-Prime Minister Manuel Valls has thrown his weight behind the centrist candidate for the presidency, Emmanuel Macron, and not his own Socialist party's candidate.


The Ministry of Justice announced a new formula for calculating compensation payments for those who suffer long-term injuries, which means insurers will have to increase payouts. As a result, Direct Line said profits for 2016 had fallen 30% to £353m. However, it said it had seen strong growth in home and car insurance. While the changes to compensation calculations affected Direct Line's results for 2016, the company added that it did "not expect any material residual impact on 2017 profit" as a result of the reform. When the change to the payout formula was announced, a number of insurance companies said their profits would be hit. The Ministry of Justice said it was reducing what is known as the discount rate from 2.5% to minus 0.75%. The move will result in more money for the victims of accidents, and so increase costs for insurance companies.

Summary: Insurance company Direct Line has said last week's changes to the way accident victims are compensated has dented pre-tax profits by £217m.


The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots was rediscovered by publisher Jo Hanks after she found a reference to it in an out-of-print Potter biography. Quentin Blake, best known for his work with Roald Dahl, has illustrated the story, to be published in September. Potter had only completed a single drawing to go with the manuscript. She sent the story to her publisher in 1914, saying it was about "a well-behaved prime black Kitty cat, who leads rather a double life". The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots also features an appearance from an "older, slower" version of Peter Rabbit. Ms Hanks, a publisher at Penguin Random House Children's, found a reference to Potter's letter to her publisher and the unedited manuscript in the 1970s literary history about the author. Three manuscripts were then found in the Victoria and Albert Museum archive, handwritten in school notebooks - a rough colour sketch of Kitty-in-Boots, a pencil sketch of villain Mr Tod and a dummy book, with some of the manuscript laid out. Potter said in letters, also kept in the archive, that she had wanted to finish the story but "interruptions began", including the First World War, her marriage and illness. Ms Hanks said: "The tale really is the best of Beatrix Potter. "It has double identities, colourful villains and a number of favourite characters from other tales [including Mr Tod, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, Ribby and Tabitha Twitchit]. "And, most excitingly, our treasured, mischievous Peter Rabbit makes an appearance - albeit older, slower and portlier!" Once upon a time there was a serious, well-behaved young black cat. It belonged to a kind old lady who assured me that no other cat could compare with Kitty. She lived in constant fear that Kitty might be stolen - "I hear there is a shocking fashion for black cat-skin muffs; wherever is Kitty gone to? Kitty! Kitty!" She called it "Kitty", but Kitty called herself "Miss Catherine St Quintin". Cheesebox called her "Q", and Winkiepeeps called her "Squintums". They were very common cats. The old lady would have been shocked had she known of the acquaintance. And she would have been painfully surprised had she ever seen Miss Kitty in a gentleman's Norfolk jacket, and little fur-lined boots. Now most cats love the moonlight and staying out at nights; it was curious how willingly Miss Kitty went to bed. And although the wash-house where she slept - locked in - was always very clean, upon some mornings Kitty was let out with a black chin. And on other mornings her tail seemed thicker, and she scratched. It puzzled me. It was a long time before I guessed there were in fact two black cats! Ms Hanks said Blake "had to be" the one to illustrate the newly-discovered story. "It's a challenging brief to illustrate a manuscript written over 100 years ago by one of the world's most beloved authors, but we knew that Quentin's energy, rebelliousness and humour were in keeping with Beatrix's own artistic sensibilities, and therefore exactly what this fantastic book called out for," she added. Blake said: "It seemed almost

Summary: A new story written by Beatrix Potter more than 100 years ago, featuring Peter Rabbit, is to be published for the first time.


The 38-year-old seamer took the first five wickets to reduce the visitors to 48-5, before Ben Cox (63) and George Rhodes (59) shared a stand of 94. They were eventually all out for 230, losing their last four wickets for 30. England Test captain Alastair Cook closed on 43, with Tom Westley 58 not out, as Essex reached stumps on 111-1. Masters' seven-wicket haul added up to the second-best bowling figures of his career, bettered only by his 8-10 against Leicestershire at Southend in 2011. Essex fast bowler David Masters told BBC Radio Essex: "I'm getting a bit older now and can't play as many games, so when I am playing I'm generally fresh. They've looked after me well this year. I've played when they've needed me to play and hopefully I don't disappoint. "My body takes a bit more of a battering now and it takes me a bit more time to recover. But I still love playing, I love bowling. "It's quite a docile wicket actually. The shine came off the new-ball and it started to swing and I got the ball in the right areas. That can happen sometimes." Worcestershire assistant coach Matt Mason told BBC Hereford & Worcester: "We probably lacked a bit of application with the bat, particularly early on with some soft dismissals in there. And that last session was probably the poorest we have had as a bowling unit this year, so not an ideal day. "When you win the toss and bat first you want to post 400, let's be honest. It looked a good surface and if we'd applied ourselves better you could bat and get some good partnerships. "I wouldn't want to detract anything from Masters' spell. He did what he's done for his whole career - he put the ball on the spot and nagged away. He is very disciplined, but I don't think we were very good in defence."

Summary: David Masters took 7-52 to put Division Two leaders Essex in a strong position against Worcestershire on the opening day at Chelmsford.


Mostly they're sweeping up some legislative fag-ends, but the Tuesday debates on the process of Brexit could provide some significant action, as the Labour Lords ("the effective wing of the party," one peer murmured to me) seek to keep up pressure on the government on two long term issues where they are seen as being vulnerable. And watch out for the publication of the Commons Brexit Committee's latest report, which has, even before publication, produced a damaging squabble between Leave and Remain Committee members. (Incidentally someone asked in comments on my earlier post on this, how the committee members are chosen - they are elected from within each party group.) MPs are back in the Commons on Tuesday 18 April, and peers will return on Monday 24 April. Here's my rundown of the week ahead: The Lords meet at 2.30pm - when questions to ministers will include Labour's Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe raising the display and promotion of alcohol in supermarkets and the danger to the health and well-being of children. The day's main debates are on internal issues. First up, there will be a motion to approve plans for the next Parliamentary year's crop of special select committees to conduct one-off inquiries. The chosen subjects are: the economic, ethical and social implications of advances in artificial intelligence; citizenship and civic engagement; the effects of political polling and digital media on politics, and finally, a post-legislative scrutiny committee on the impact of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. This last one will look at how effective the Act has been in its purposes of conserving biodiversity, promoting open spaces and open-air recreation, and meeting rural needs. Normally this kind of inquiry has been aimed at examining how highly technical measures are playing out, but this one will focus more on how public policy is unfolding. All four committees will be instructed to report by the end of March 2018. After that, peers will vote on a report from their Privileges and Conduct Select Committee recommending some changes to the rules for declarations of interests for peers with "significant control of a company". This proposes a number of tweaks to the wording - so financial and non-financial interests would have to be declared if a reasonable member of the public might think a peer would (rather than "might") be be influenced by them. Finally peers will have their second committee stage debate on the detail of the Criminal Finances Bill, which deals with terrorist property, creates corporate offences on tax evasion and money laundering. At this stage of debate, peers rarely force issues to a vote, but they will probe the government on issues like creating registers of beneficial ownership of companies in the UK's Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, a wider definition of "economic crime" and there's an interesting looking Labour amendment which would create a "corporate probation order" under which companies convicted of offences under the Act would be placed under supervision. And another amendment would allow the courts to disqualify directors of companies convicted of offences. Finally, there

Summary: MPs have already begun their Easter break - but the Lords legislate on.


The protesters made the 12km (7-mile) journey to highlight high levels of bacteria in the bay. They said they were concerned about the health of the athletes taking part in Olympic sailing competitions. Trials for the events are due to start in Rio waters next Saturday. The authorities in Rio initially promised that 80% of the bay would be cleaned up in time for the Games, but they admitted more recently that they would not meet these targets. Only one of eight water treatment plants has been built so far. The Brazilian sailor and Olympic medallist Isabel Swan was one of the organisers of the protest. She competed in the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and says the area used for sailing in China had problems with a large algae bloom but this was dealt with two months ahead of the competition. She told the BBC the failure by Rio de Janeiro city and state to meet their commitments made her feel "very bad". "It's important that we can leave a legacy for our children and for Brazilian people," she said. "It was very important to bring the Olympic Games to Rio, but we weren't able to clean the bay. I want to create a movement that will inspire people to defend Guanabara Bay and help the government make a real commitment to cleaning it up. " Trials for the Olympic sailing competitions due to start next Saturday have been hampered by concerns about the impact on the health of the athletes. A recent investigation by the Associated Press showed that the waterways in Rio to be used in the Olympics are carrying high counts of disease-causing viruses directly linked to human sewage. Sergio Ricardo, an ecologist and founder of the Bahia Viva (Living Bay) movement, which organised the protest, said the pollution which affects the bay is caused by a number of different factors. "The main challenges are sewage treatment and industrial control. The oil industry is encroaching on the fishermen in the bay. We need public policy for fishing, reforestation and sewage treatment so that the bay can live."

Summary: A flotilla of more than 30 boats and water craft has cruised across Rio de Janeiro's Guanabara Bay to protest against water pollution with a year to go before the 2016 Olympics.


Enda Kenny said that the draft bill would bring certainty to pregnant women and legal clarity to doctors He was speaking after the cabinet reached agreement on the proposed Protection of Life in Pregnancy Bill. It includes the credible threat of suicide as grounds for a termination. The taoiseach told a news conference on Wednesday that the issue had been "divisive and contentious" for more than 30 years. By Shane HarrisonBBC Ireland Correspondent Since 1983, when voters put an amendment into the constitution giving the mother and unborn child equal rights to life, doctors and medics have been operating in a grey area as to when a pregnancy can be terminated to save the mother's life as distinct from her health. Their difficulty was compounded by the 1992 Supreme Court ruling that the credible threat of suicide - though extremely rare - was grounds for a termination. The heads of the bill agreed last night should bring some clarity to those issues and should eventually become law given the size of the government's majority. But Enda Kenny knows that several members of his Fine Gael parliamentary party are prepared to lose the whip because of their anti-choice views. For them, in any pregnancy, there are two lives with equal rights at stake and they believe the suicide threat could eventually lead to abortion on demand. That scenario is rejected by the government and pro-choice activists. The right-to-choose campaigners say that 11 women leave the republic every day for British terminations and that situation is unlikely to change. "This bill restates the general prohibition on abortion in Ireland. The law on abortion in Ireland is not being changed," he said. "We are a compassionate people. This is about women; it is about saving lives, the life of the mother and the life of the unborn. "Our country will continue to be one of the safest places in the world for childbirth." The tanaiste (deputy prime minister), Eamon Gilmore, said there had been been a "pall of uncertainty" over the issue. "Women have a right to know that, if the worst happens, they will be able to have life-saving treatment. For years they have been denied that right," he said. Irish Health Minister James Reilly said for two decades governments had failed to deal with the issue. He said the bill would "put in place a certainty about how to deal with medical emergencies during pregnancy". The Irish government published the draft legislation on Tuesday night. It allows for terminations when there is a real and substantial threat to the life of the mother, including the threat of suicide. The draft bill states that terminations must be carried out in public obstetric units, except in emergencies, when a single medical practitioner can approve an abortion. In the case of a risk of loss of life from physical illness, two doctors must certify that there is a real and substantial risk to the mother's life. In the case of a risk of suicide, three doctors must jointly sanction an abortion - an obstetrician and a

Summary: A controversial abortion bill in the Republic of Ireland does not amount to a change in the law, the Irish prime minister has said.


Chris Grayling says the proposed law will see victims kept informed about their case and courts will allow most to provide a personal impact statement. Separate plans will see a victims' information service set up next March and more child witnesses film their evidence before a trial starts. Labour is to outline its own proposals for victims in the coming weeks. At the moment, a victims' code sets out guidance for courts, police and the probation service. The proposed law, which will be subject to a bill in the next Parliament, will enshrine several of its measures into legislation. The code's entitlement for victims to tell the sentencing judge and offender how a crime has impacted their life through a statement is among the measures that will become law. The information service will include a helpline and website and aims to guide victims to support services. Ministers will also consult on plans to pay compensation up front to victims - many have had to wait years in the past - and courts will be modernised to include separate waiting areas for victims and defendants. Publicly-funded lawyers will also be required to have specialist training before working on serious sex offence cases. Mr Grayling said the current legal system could be daunting for victims. "Victims, especially the most vulnerable, can find it traumatic and difficult to know where to turn to for advice and support," he said. "We are also making it easier for them to find whatever it is they need by establishing one simple source of information and help - be it tracking the progress of their case, applying for compensation, knowing what to expect in court, or understanding the range of support available to them." The government is hoping to extend a pilot scheme in three Crown Courts that allows children to be cross-examined before trials, away from court, with their evidence filmed and later shown on video during a trial. Concerns had previously been raised about how children were affected by the court process - with reports of one victim who was cross-examined for 12 days by seven defence barristers. If successful, the scheme will be apply to all child witnesses by the end of 2017 and may also be extended to include vulnerable adult witnesses. The chief executive of the charity Victim Support, Mark Castle, said: "Children and other vulnerable victims and witnesses should not have to face the trauma of giving evidence in a court building, unless they choose to." He added: "Our witness service team, who work behind the scenes in court, see every day just how distressing it can be... especially for victims of a violent or sexual crime. "Putting victims' rights in law sends a clear message to police, prosecutors and the courts that addressing the needs of victims is central to their work - it cannot be an optional extra." Victims' Commissioner Baroness Newlove welcomed the plans but questioned how they would differ in practice from the existing victims' code. "A new law cannot be used as a quick fix," she said. "Recently,

Summary: Crime victims in England and Wales are to be given legal rights for the first time, the justice secretary has said.


The Tangerines needed to win and for Falkirk to drop points to finish second and progress to the semi-final. The Bairns beat Dumbarton 1-0. After Tony Andreu hit the bar for United in the first half, Kudus Oyenuga headed Morton ahead in the second. But Blair Spittal struck from 10 yards to draw the sides level. Fourth-placed Morton, who were earlier forced to bring on Michael Tidser for the injured Ross Forbes, then lost goalkeeper Bryn Halliwell, James McGowan coming on. Substitute Aidan Nesbitt came close for the home side, keeper Cammy Bell denying the on-loan Celtic midfielder with a fine save. The sides will meet twice more in the next six days. The first leg of the play-off quarter-final will be back at Cappielow on Tuesday, with the return at Tannadice on Friday. And the winner will take on Falkirk in the semi-final on 16 and 19 May, with the final against the Premiership's second bottom side played over 25 and 28 May. Match ends, Morton 1, Dundee United 1. Second Half ends, Morton 1, Dundee United 1. Corner, Dundee United. Conceded by Michael Doyle. Attempt blocked. Mark Durnan (Dundee United) header from the left side of the box is blocked. Attempt saved. Aidan Nesbitt (Morton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Substitution, Dundee United. Alex Nicholls replaces Willo Flood. Attempt missed. Tony Andreu (Dundee United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Ricki Lamie (Morton) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Thomas Mikkelsen (Dundee United). Attempt missed. Scott Allardice (Dundee United) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. James McGowan (Morton) is shown the yellow card. Substitution, Morton. Aidan Nesbitt replaces Kudus Oyenuga. Attempt missed. Tony Andreu (Dundee United) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Attempt saved. Scott Allardice (Dundee United) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Lewis Strapp (Morton) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Stewart Murdoch (Dundee United). Foul by Andy Murdoch (Morton). Willo Flood (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Substitution, Dundee United. Scott Allardice replaces Wato Kuate. Wato Kuate (Dundee United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Kudus Oyenuga (Morton) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Wato Kuate (Dundee United). Corner, Dundee United. Conceded by James McGowan. Attempt saved. Blair Spittal (Dundee United) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Substitution, Dundee United. Charlie Telfer replaces Alistair Coote. Foul by Michael Doyle (Morton). Alistair Coote (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Substitution, Morton. James McGowan replaces Bryn Halliwell because of an injury. (Morton) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Thomas Mikkelsen (Dundee United). Attempt saved. Thomas Mikkelsen (Dundee United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the

Summary: Morton and Dundee United will meet in the Premiership play-off quarter-final after United missed out on finishing second in the Championship.


The two suicide attacks took place at about midday local time (07:30 GMT) on Wednesday, targeting a police station and intelligence agency offices. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attacks. It is the latest in a string of attacks to challenge the Afghan authorities after the resurgent militant group started its spring offensive early. Condemning the bombings, President Ashraf Ghani said: "After the killing of [prominent commander] Mullah Salam and the Taliban's defeat on many other fronts, the terrorists are launching such attacks to raise the moral of their fighters." Salam was killed in a US air strike on Sunday. The first of Wednesday's attacks began when a suicide car bomber detonated his explosives outside a police station - which is next door to a military training facility - in the west of the city. This was followed by a five-hour gun battle between officers and another attacker. Most of the fatalities reportedly occurred in this attack. Soon afterwards a suicide bomber blew himself up outside Afghanistan's intelligence agency, in eastern Kabul. Officials originally said just three people had died in the attack, but revised the number up later in the day. The attacks came a day after the Taliban killed 12 policemen in an "insider attack" in the southern Afghan province of Helmand.

Summary: Almost simultaneous attacks in Kabul have left at least 16 people dead and 44 injured, the health ministry says.


Genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes, expired vaccines and more recently, the use of larvicide to stop mosquitoes from breeding, have all been blamed. Posts on social media expressing these theories have been widely shared - although rarely by respected scientists. And Brazil's health authorities have been caught off guard, describing the frenzy as a "real information war" with a "complex scenario of actors, interests and worldviews". What you need to know Travel advice Would it be wrong to eradicate mosquitoes? Now they are pushing back, which experts say is a "key part" of managing any outbreak. "This happens everywhere each time there is an epidemic of some sort", says Professor Jimmy Whitworth from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. "At the moment, there is nothing in any of the rumours about insecticides, larvicides, vaccines and GM mosquitoes that seems at all persuasive. The spatial and temporal fit is poor between cases of microcephaly and the use of any of these technologies." But the Brazilian authorities were unable to prevent a rumour pointing the finger at the larvicide pyriproxyfen from gaining traction online. The theory grew in popularity after doctors from the Argentine group Physicians in the Crop-Sprayed Villages, which campaigns against GM crops and the use of pesticides, published a report linking the larvicide with microcephaly. The report said the product was first introduced in Brazil's northeast in 2014, a year before the increase in microcephaly, and also claimed the Brazilian Association of Public Health (Abrasco) was aware of this link. The Argentine group argued that Zika has not caused birth defects in other countries and says there are no records of microcephaly in the current Zika epidemic in Colombia. This ignores an increase in microcephaly in French Polynesia after a Zika surge between 2013 and 2014 and also overlooks the fact that the epidemic in Colombia is still recent. Although more than 3,000 pregnant women there have been infected by Zika, only a few of them have given birth. But the Brazilian government was on the back foot. Abrasco was forced to deny it had linked pesticides, larvicides or any other chemical products to the rise in microcephaly. Meanwhile Brazil's Ministry of Health attempted to reassure people by saying pyriproxyfen had been approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as well as Brazil's health surveillance agency Anvisa. Even so, two Brazilian states - Rio Grande do Sul in the south and Para in the north - temporarily banned its use in drinking water, saying they wanted to avoid any risks while further studies were carried out. But in the worst-affected state, Pernambuco, the facts do not support the larvicide theory. Some areas where pyriproxyfen is used do not have any cases of microcephaly while the city of Recife, which has most cases, does not use it, officials at the state's centre for disease control said. And doctors say the alterations seen in the babies' CT scans suggest that the lesions were caused by a congenital infection, and not by pesticides, drugs or vaccines. But researchers are looking for a "third

Summary: As scientists race for answers about the Zika virus and its links to neurological disorders, rumours are filling the vacuum.


The project to find influential games that deserved to be in the Hall of Fame was begun in February by The Strong - a US museum of play. Tetris, Super Mario Bros, Pac-Man, and World of Warcraft were also chosen to feature in an exhibit of iconic games. Angry Birds and Minecraft were nominated but did not make the final list. The museum invited people to nominate games played on PCs, consoles, hand-held gadgets, phones or in arcades. The winners span three decades of gaming from Pong, first released in 1972, to World of Warcraft which debuted in late 2004. Pong was chosen because it launched the entire games industry, said the museum in a statement, revealing the six entrants in its Hall of Fame. It acknowledged that it was not the first electronic game but was the first to get "wide-scale public attention". Other games were chosen for becoming cultural icons (Tetris), making games a mass-market phenomenon (Pac-Man) and changing the way games were made (Doom). World of Warcraft was chosen, said the museum, because of its longevity and the way it has brought millions of players together into one game world. The winners were whittled down from a long list of 15 that was picked by an internal panel of academics, journalists and game experts recruited by The Strong. Their decisions were based on a game's longevity, influence, geographical reach and iconic status. The museum now plans to feature the winning games, the other nominees and many others in a permanent exhibition. The other nine nominees included Legend of Zelda, Space Invaders, the Oregon Trail and Pokemon. Nominees for the 2016 inductees to the hall of fame are now being accepted. Based in Rochester, New York, The Strong was founded in 1968 by Margaret Woodbury Strong a collector of toys, dolls and other play paraphernalia.

Summary: Pong and Doom have been inducted into the first Video Game Hall of Fame.


Between October and December 65,610 people made full cash withdrawals, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said, a 42% fall from the previous quarter. Rules allow those aged 55 and over to have full access to their pension pots with the first 25% tax free. The FCA collects data from providers covering about 95% of the sector. A total of 127,094 of pensions were accessed for the first time - either partially drawn down as an income or taken totally in cash in the final three months of 2015. This was a 36% decrease from the previous quarter. The figures also showed customers aged 55 to 59 had the highest rate of withdrawals as a percentage of their pension pot. Some 11% of this age group took an income of 10% or more of their pot. A Panorama investigation earlier this week found that some companies are exploiting new pension freedom rules to get access to pension savings. Undercover footage showed one unregulated consultant giving advice and suggesting high risk investments.

Summary: The appetite for people to take their pension savings as cash waned at the end of the year, according to the City watchdog.


The overtime bill rose by £4.9m over the year with policing of the Nato summit being cited as the reason. Overall, the four Welsh forces spent £16.9m in 2014-15, up from almost £12m in 2013-14. The highest overtime payment was to a Gwent Police speed camera operator who earned £23,024. BBC Radio 5 Live obtained the figures using Freedom of Information requests. Thirty nine forces responded to the request and of those, South Wales Police reported the biggest percentage increase for overtime spending in the last year, from £5.2m in 2013/14 to £8.4m in 2014/15. A force spokesman said 1,500 of its officers were among the 9,500 from across the UK involved in looking after the security of world leaders last September. The extra cost was recovered from the Home Office. The force said further overtime costs were due to special events, such as rugby and football matches, which could also be recovered from event organisers. Meanwhile Gwent Police, which was involved with policing the Nato events at the Celtic Manor, saw its overtime costs increase by 40% to a bill of £2.7m, up from £1.9m. Dyfed-Powys Police saw overtime costs increase by 33% to a total of £2.4m, up £600,000, and North Wales Police spent an additional £350,000, a rise of 12%, to £3.2m compared to 2013-14.

Summary: Nearly £17m was paid out as overtime to police officers and staff across Wales last year.


The Al-Qadi family saw their side go behind to Jamie Devitt's penalty when Tom Parkes was penalised for handball. But Rory Gaffney equalised with a 12-yard volley after away goalkeeper Barry Roche's unconvincing attempts to deal with a Danny Leadbitter cross. And substitute Billy Bodin's close-range header earned victory late on. Rovers go sixth, five points adrift of the top three, while Morecambe are in 17th place, 11 points clear of the relegation zone.

Summary: Bristol Rovers celebrated their first match under their new Jordanian owners with a victory over Morecambe that takes them up to fifth in League Two.


The Qinghai Tibet plateau is the heart and lungs of Asia. Here, the continent's weather is made and its great rivers are born. The altitude and the cold make it one of the most extreme climates on earth. When I visited, icy winds gusting at 50mph (80km/h) were whipping a sandstorm into Qie Qun Jia's face as he herded his flock of sheep home to safety. The 28-year-old Tibetan nomad has only ever known this life. But climate change is turning the grasslands that once supported his yak herd to desert, and now Qie Qun Jia has only a flock of sheep. "When I was little the grass grew tall and the mountains were covered with flowers," he says. "Summers were warmer and winters were much colder. But in recent years there've been so many sandstorms, the flowers are disappearing and the grazing gets worse year by year. So our flocks of sheep are shrinking. We can't afford to buy grass to feed them." China is both a victim and a perpetrator of climate change. After three-and-a-half decades of headlong industrial growth powered by coal, China is the world's largest polluter, and now it is counting the cost in climate change and environmental damage. In the north and west, it faces desertification. In the south and east, it battles flooding. Its population endures some of the world's most polluted air, soil and water. Since the last global UN climate conference in 2009 when Beijing was unwilling to commit to hard targets on reducing carbon emissions, it has realised that its dependence on fossil fuels has to stop. It has become a climate convert. This about-face is driven not just by the ever more alarming threats from devastating climate change and pollution, but also by opportunity. China believes the world is on the brink of an energy revolution and it sees a chance to dominate, and profit from, the new technologies of a greener century. After putting industrial growth above the environment for so long, the Chinese government now believes sustainable growth can only come from rescuing the environment. Tackling climate change is in the national interest. The Huanghe solar farm on the Qinghai plateau claims to be the biggest of its kind in the world. Nearly four million solar panels tilt up towards a vast blue dome of sky. As I walked between the rows with senior engineer Shen Youguo, tumble weed and sand blew into us and the wind was bitter, but he's excited. It's a big moment to be in solar energy in China. "What we're doing right now is for the sky to be bluer and the water to be clearer. We want a better future for everybody. So we're committed to being a part of that push," he says. The International Energy Agency predicts that solar power will be the world's leading source of electricity by the middle of this century. China wants to dominate renewable technologies like this, and competition between its manufacturers is driving down costs not just in China but globally, as Mr Shen explains.

Summary: With a hard pledge on peaking carbon emissions and with ever more ambitious targets on installing renewables, China has become one of the countries to watch at this week's Paris conference.


The planned hub, which is still at the consultation stage, will be at the Europa bus centre/Great Victoria Street railway station. The two stations are the busiest in Belfast, with about eight million passengers a year passing through them. It is expected that figure will rise to 13 million in the next 14 years. Translink described the Belfast Hub as a "transport-led regeneration project" which will consist of a "world-class transport interchange and surrounding masterplan development". The site would cover 20 acres from the stations to the Royal Victoria Hospital. Half of that would be used for an integrated transport hub and the other half would be open to commercial development. Over the past 18 months, Translink has engaged with local stakeholders to help shape the development proposals and said this latest stage "invites the public to share their views on the proposals". Launching the public consultation, Translink group chief executive, Chris Conway, said: "The Belfast Hub will ensure we have the right infrastructure in place to attract more people to use public transport and active travel modes, supporting a key outcome of the draft programme for government. "Along with other key projects, it will enable a transformation in public transport making a positive impact for everyone in Northern Ireland. "Identified as one of the NI Executive's flagship projects, this impressive new facility will act as a catalyst for regeneration in one of the special action areas designated in Belfast City Council's city centre and regeneration strategy, providing new jobs, investment opportunities and supporting the growth and prosperity of NI." The public can contribute to the consultation in the following ways: The consultation stage is open until 2 December. Translink said a further consultation will take place in 2017 before a planning application is submitted.

Summary: Translink is consulting the public on proposals for a new transport hub in Belfast city centre.


They are headed for the brand new Aviva stadium on the south side of the River Liffey. In many cities the size of Dublin, an amphitheatre like the Aviva would be the premier sporting venue. But not here. On the other side of the river, the fourth largest stadium in Europe rises high over winding working class streets. Croke Park does not seem a familiar name to the Portuguese visitors. One after another shook their head when asked if they knew of it. That is not really surprising. For most of its history, Croke Park has been Ireland's secret jewel. Its owners, the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), guarded it closely from what it called "foreign games", insisting that only gaelic football and hurling should be played there. Its specifications were only very occasionally relaxed - a Muhammad Ali boxing match took place there in 1972. One rule which did remain in place though was that anyone who has any association with the British state was explicitly banned from being a member. American boxers were one thing - police officers from Northern Ireland another. The GAA's resolution was fortified by its collective memory of Bloody Sunday in 1920 when British troops, responding to IRA attacks earlier in the day, fired on crowds gathered at Croke Park to watch a match. Among the 14 killed was the captain of the Tipperary team, Michael Hogan. For many decades afterwards, the idea that a British monarch would one day be welcomed to Croke Park, would have provoked anger within many in the GAA. Now, it has happened, and the mood of the majority of Dubliners is anything but fury. As the Queen smiled with the GAA president alongside the hallowed turf, people outside were similarly relaxed. O'Shea's Pub in nearby Gardiner Street is decorated with the flags of many of the Irish county teams. It's a popular haunt for those seeking a quick pint before or after a big match. On Wednesday, people gathered outside it waiting for the Queen to pass and yet another security cordon to be lifted. One said that she had enjoyed watching the television pictures of the state visit the previous evening. "She is just like a little old lady - like your granny," she said. "I hope I look as well as she does when I'm her age." A few yards away at the barrier, some people were becoming frustrated at waiting for it to be lifted. One fruitlessly argued with a police officer that getting to the bank by half past four qualified as an emergency. The street merchants took advantage of the assembled crowds, showing off their football-related wares. Their most popular item in the last couple of days has been a scarf half blue and half red, sharing the colours of opponents Porto and Braga. It suggests there is not much enmity between these two Portuguese teams. In a city where reconciliation is the theme this week, it seemed appropriate.

Summary: From a distance, it sounded like the shouts of protesters but turned out to be the songs of some of the thousands of Portuguese football supporters in the city for a European final.


Vinyl records used to be one of the only ways to buy music up until the 1980s but was then overtaken by CDs, MP3s and online streaming. But the latest figures show vinyl is making a comeback with sales reaching an 18-year high in 2014, at 1.29 million. The sales of vinyl albums are also predicted to grow by another 70% this year. The charts company said it was responding to "the huge surge of interest" that has seen vinyl sales climb. "This isn't just about rock acts targeting men in their forties and fifties. I've got a 15-year-old daughter and her friends have all started to collect vinyl," said chief executive Martin Talbot. The new weekly vinyl albums and singles charts will be published on the Official Charts Company website. The first official vinyl albums chart was topped by All Time Low's Future Hearts. The US rockers also topped the UK album chart for the first time in the week's charts broadcast on BBC Radio 1 yesterday. Chasing Yesterday by Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds is 2015's biggest-selling vinyl album so far. Brit Award-winners Royal Blood and Arctic Monkeys also feature in the top 10 of the year. Bestselling singles include David Bowie's Young Americans and the Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars hit Uptown Funk.

Summary: The UK's first weekly vinyl chart has been launched by the Official Charts Company as sales of vinyl albums and singles continue to rise.


Second-placed Chelsea closed the gap back to 10 points with a 4-0 thrashing of Birmingham City Ladies. City dominated a scoreless first half against Reading but had to wait until Beattie's second-half header to lead. Houghton's classy late free-kick found the bottom corner to make it 2-0. The victory was well deserved but the visitors restricted City's opportunities in the first period, with Jane Ross going closest when her shot hit the bar. However, Beattie eased any fears of dropping points when she converted Toni Duggan's free-kick soon after the restart, and fellow centre-back Houghton wrapped up victory with two minutes remaining. City have three league matches left, including one against Chelsea. Even if they lose to the London side, City need only two wins to be certain of clinching the league title. Manchester City defender Jennifer Beattie: "I know the feeling of having won the league and I want that to happen with this club. It's a brilliant club and we want titles, and we want silverware. Hopefully experience will help. "The best thing is that we're still not happy; we still think we can get better. "We've scored twice from set pieces but we want to be scoring from open play too. We've got the quality there but it's just about making it happen in the final third." Reading defender Molly Bartrip: "It's difficult to be sat back in your own half, but you come away to teams like Manchester City and you expect that. "We knew what we had to do to stop them getting through us. We executed it really well, it was just two silly set pieces. "I think if you look at both games between the two teams, we have matched them both times. It's little mistakes that are costing us the game." Match ends, Manchester City Women 2, Reading Ladies 0. Second Half ends, Manchester City Women 2, Reading Ladies 0. Foul by Georgia Stanway (Manchester City Women). Remi Allen (Reading Ladies) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Substitution, Manchester City Women. Georgia Stanway replaces Jill Scott. Goal! Manchester City Women 2, Reading Ladies 0. Stephanie Houghton (Manchester City Women) from a free kick with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner. Jane Ross (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Kirsty McGee (Reading Ladies). Corner, Manchester City Women. Conceded by Rebecca Jane. Foul by Keira Walsh (Manchester City Women). Emma Follis (Reading Ladies) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Attempt blocked. Toni Duggan (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Foul by Keira Walsh (Manchester City Women). Lauren Bruton (Reading Ladies) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Attempt missed. Nikita Parris (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high following a fast break. Foul by Demi Stokes (Manchester City Women). Remi Allen (Reading Ladies) wins a free kick on the right wing. Foul by Demi Stokes (Manchester City Women). Rachel Rowe (Reading Ladies) wins a

Summary: Jennnifer Beattie and Steph Houghton scored as Manchester City briefly stretched their lead at the top of the Women's Super League to 13 points with a patient victory over winless Reading.


The game turned after 10 minutes as Sarries prop Richard Barrington was sent off for a high tackle. Gareth Steenson converted the resulting penalty and Jack Nowell's try gave Chiefs a 10-3 lead at half-time. Saracens performed admirably after the break and rescued two points when Titi Lamositele was forced over the line and Alex Lozowski converted. Sarries, who can be usurped at the top if Wasps avoid defeat against Leicester on Sunday, lost Marcelo Bosch with a head injury after just five minutes, with Steenson missing a penalty four minutes later. But the game's controversial moment was just seconds away as Brad Barritt initially tackled Geoff Parling high, with Barrington following up with his shoulder into the head of Exeter's former England lock. Under the new interpretation of the high tackle rules Barrington was sent off, with Barritt lucky to avoid any sanction, although he may well be cited after the game. Exeter took advantage almost straight away as Nowell raced into the corner after an impressive one-handed catch from Steenson's perfectly weighted chip. Lozowski - replacing the rested England fly-half Owen Farrell - pulled three points back with a penalty, but Exeter were almost further ahead after Don Armand broke through the line on a 30-metre run, only to be excellently stopped by Chris Wyles and Michael Rhodes. After the break, Saracens upped the tempo and did not look like a team with a one-man disadvantage - Lozowski converting a penalty as Steenson missed a similar chance to restore the lead. Exeter's set-piece failed to function as Saracens piled on the pressure, twice going close to the Chiefs try-line before Steenson got his second penalty with 11 minutes to go. But more Saracens pressure finally told as Lamositele was forced over late on and Lozowski added the extras to secure what, at the start of the game, seemed an improbable draw. Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall: "The players were incredible with how they coped and dealt with all the situations that arose, and by the end it was a game that we maybe could have won as well. "I felt Geoff was going to the ground and Richard (Barrington) came in as the adjusting defender, and he made contact. Obviously we hope Geoff's okay. "Today ended up being a titanic struggle between 15 and 14, but I don't think anyone wants to see those kinds of games. "I think we need to be sensible, I'm not saying they weren't today, but we've got to be sensible with how we apply this care for players, and that's all." Exeter head coach Rob Baxter told BBC Radio Devon: "The players are a little annoyed, and so they should be. Especially in the second half we've got to have a little bit of a look at ourselves and say why did we not really feel like we took the game by the scruff of the neck? Why were 14 men more disciplined than us? Why did 14 men drag that game their way? "You've got to give Saracens a great deal of

Summary: Fourteen-man Saracens battled to an impressive draw with Exeter to go top of the Premiership.


The former Tottenham and Manchester United forward is one of several to have met officials from the club. Sheringham, 51, had a spell in charge of League Two Stevenage in 2015-16 but was sacked after 33 games. Swindon will start next season in League Two having been relegated last term after winning only 11 of 46 games. Sheringham has been out of management since leaving Stevenage - his first managerial job - in February 2016 after winning just seven of his games as boss. Previous Robins boss Luke Williams left his role soon after the club's relegation was confirmed, having won two of their final 11 league matches with him in charge. Since then, Swindon have had an approach for Mansfield boss Steve Evans turned down, and on 23 May chairman Lee Power said although the process had taken longer than expected they had a three-person shortlist. As part of structural changes at the County Ground, director of football Tim Sherwood's role appears likely to be scrapped. Swindon won just seven of 31 games following former Tottenham and Aston Villa boss Sherwood's arrival in November 2016.

Summary: Former England striker Teddy Sheringham held talks with Swindon Town on Thursday about the managerial vacancy at the League Two club.


Garff MHK Martyn Perkins said the public are "sick of dog mess dirtying the streets and popular walks". A two-week consultation will be launched by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture to gauge public opinion. Currently, owners can be given a fixed penalty fine of Â£50 or taken to court if they don't clean up after their dog. The proposed system will see swabs taken from dogs' mouths and compared to samples taken from faeces. Mr Perkins said he had "already had lots of feedback from responsible owners who support the move", adding: "It is certainly a case of the minority ruining it for the majority." He said the issue needs to be dealt with partially because the island's "outstanding natural landscapes" have recently been recognised by UNESCO. "We are very proud of this status and we want to encourage people to take pride in their environment," he said. If it is supported, DNA testing could be included in a bill, currently going through Tynwald, which aims to amend the Dogs Act 1990. The bill would mean every dog on the island must be implanted with a microchip, which would see an end to the licensing and duty regime for dogs. Microchipping became a legal requirement in the UK in 2016.

Summary: DNA testing of dog poo has been backed by a Manx politician who wants it used to tackle fouling on the Isle of Man.


The seven-time Grand Slam champion said Williams was "the best female player ever" but against men it would be an "entirely different story". Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, responded to McEnroe, asking him to "respect me and my privacy". McEnroe, 58, said: "I've got a solution. Men and women play together." "Then we don't have to guess," added the American. "I'm sure the men would be all for it." Dmitry Tursunov - the male player ranked 701 in the world - also said on Tuesday he believes he could beat American Williams, who is due to give birth in autumn. "I would hope that I would win against Serena," he told BBC World Service Sport. The 34-year-old Russian, once ranked as high as 20th in the world, said he did not think McEnroe was "trying to talk women's tennis down" but said "the reality" was that "men are stronger in general". "Physically I might not be in the best shape of my life but as an overall package I'm much better than my ranking would suggest. She is pregnant, and I'm not. Media playback is not supported on this device Williams, 35, who is the most successful female player of the Open era, confirmed her pregnancy in April, just 12 weeks after winning her record 23rd Grand Slam singles title. "Dear John, I adore and respect you but please please keep me out of your statements that are not factually based," said Williams on Twitter. "I've never played anyone ranked "there" nor do I have time. Respect me and my privacy as I'm trying to have a baby. Good day sir." The world number two expects to be back on court as early as January 2018. Tennis matches between men and women have occurred before, mostly notably back in 1973 when Billie Jean King took on fellow American Bobby Riggs. Riggs, the world number one in the 1940s, retired in 1951 and at the age of 55 believed he could beat any of the top female players. King originally declined to play Riggs and Australian Margaret Court - at the time the top female player in the world - stepped in. Riggs won 6-2 6-1. But later that year, the top-ranked women's player King - 26 years younger than Riggs at 29 - took him on in an exhibition match at the Houston Astrodome and won 6-4 6-3 6-3. A third 'battle of the sexes' match took place in 1992 between American former world number one Jimmy Connors, aged 40 at the time, and Czech/American Martina Navratilova, who was 35. The match took place under special rules to make it more competitive - Connors was allowed only one serve per point, and Navratilova was allowed to hit into half the doubles court. Connors won 7-5 6-2.

Summary: John McEnroe has proposed a men v women contest to prove his claim that Serena Williams would be ranked "700 in the world" on the men's circuit.


John Dickson, 27, confronted 20-year-old Carl Gregory in a shopping centre car park in Broadstairs, Kent. During the scuffle, Dickson, who had denied murder, placed Mr Gregory in a choke hold which ultimately caused his death. Dickson was convicted after a trial at Maidstone Crown Court. After the hearing, police said a friend of Mr Gregory's had fallen out with him over a social media post and she asked another man to speak to him about it. He arranged to meet Mr Gregory at the shopping centre and took Dickson with him, and a fight led to Dickson becoming involved and placing Mr Gregory in a choke hold, officers said. Police said Mr Gregory was also kicked while he was on the ground on 4 October last year. Workers leaving nearby shops found his body, but he was declared dead at the scene. The cause of death was later recorded as compression of the neck. Det Sgt Ross Gurden said Dickson, of Northdown Road, Cliftonville, had gone out of his way to confront Mr Gregory. He said: "I hope this case reinforces the message that the use of violence to resolve issues can result in life-changing consequences. Dickson is a young man who will now serve a considerable length of time behind bars." Another defendant, Christopher Pollard, 20, of Brimstone Hill, Meopham, had faced the same charge and was found not guilty. Sentencing was adjourned to Thursday. At the time of his death, relatives described Mr Gregory as a typical 20 year old who enjoyed gaming, modern technology and Pokemon Go. Early reports incorrectly linked his death to the Nintendo mobile game.

Summary: A man who choked a video game fan to death during a fight over a social media post has been found guilty of murder.


The High Negotiations Committee (HNC) proposed holding six months of negotiations with President Bashar al-Assad, accompanied by a full ceasefire. Mr Assad would then hand over power to a unity government that would run Syria for 18 months and organise elections. Syria's deputy foreign minister later insisted Mr Assad would not step aside. Faisal Mekdad told the BBC that demands that the country's elected leader be removed were "crazy" and "unbelievable". "We are saying, let the Syrian people decide their own fate. Their own future without intervention. Don't make preconditions who will rule Syria," he said. Mr Assad has consistently refused to step down since the beginning of the war, which has left more than 250,000 people dead, and correspondents say the recent battlefield successes of his forces have only hardened that view. The HNC's "Vision for Syria" was unveiled in London by its general co-ordinator, Riyad Hijab, who defected in 2012 while serving as prime minister. He said the plan envisaged three phases: If the document on a transition in Syria had been produced by the political leaders of a victorious army at the gates of Damascus, it could be seen as an enlightened blueprint for the future. But the regime in Damascus will dismiss it, because President Bashar al-Assad seems more secure in the capital than at any other time since the war started. In 2013, when the chemical attack on the city's rebel-held eastern suburbs seemed certain to provoke American air strikes the regime looked shaky and afraid. But the strikes never came, and since then the president and his men have strengthened their positions. Crucially, Russia has intervened directly on the battlefield. President Assad cannot win as things stand, but he cannot lose either. The war gets more complicated every year. Regional superpowers, and the world's most powerful countries have intervened. Dozens of different, and sometimes overlapping rebel groups operate on the battlefields. All have their own agendas. It's a mini world war. No wonder diplomacy fails. Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said the plan would test Mr Assad's allies. But Adel al-Jubeir told the BBC he was not optimistic that Russia and Iran were prepared to put the "necessary pressure" on the president "in order to comply with the will of the international community". Mr Jubeir will discuss the HNC's blueprint with other foreign ministers from the Friend of Syria group of countries that support the opposition. UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who is hosting the meeting, wrote in The Times that there "was still a chance that this vision can be made to work". "If the Russians and Americans can together create a ceasefire, then the talks can restart in Geneva with the difference, perhaps, that all sides will by then have seen at least the scaffolding of a post-Assad Syria," he added. Moscow and Washington, which backs the opposition and insists Mr Assad must go, have so far failed to reach an agreement on a new cessation of hostilities. After a meeting with President Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit in China on Monday, Barack Obama

Summary: The umbrella group representing Syria's political and armed opposition factions has set out a plan for a political transition to end five years of war.


Maenclochog Community Council currently pays about £3,000 a year to maintain the small toilet block in the village. Residents have decided to hold a public vote throughout August on whether they should continue to do so. Nine community councils and groups currently pay for the running costs of public toilets in Pembrokeshire. Thirteen have closed in the county in the past few years as Pembrokeshire council aims to save money. Eifion Evans runs one of the shops in the village. He said: "It's a good idea because we can find out how many people want to keep the toilets going. "There was uproar in the village when it was originally suggested they might close." The toilets are popular with walkers who visit the nearby Preseli Hills. Councillor Huw George, a member of the council, said its share of council tax "doesn't allow for the payment of these toilets at the moment". But he added: "One possible way forward could be to add £7 or £10 a year to the annual precept."

Summary: People living in a north Pembrokeshire village are being asked to decide on the future of their public toilets.


A number of quad bikes, motorbikes and other equipment were taken during the raids in the west end and Peterculter areas of the city. Police said the incidents happened between Monday 2 January and Thursday 5 January. The arrested men are expected to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.

Summary: Three men aged 17, 19 and 22 are to appear in court following a series of break-ins and attempted break-ins at garages in Aberdeen.


If that is true - and it is a controversial claim - it fulfils a more than 80-year quest to produce what many have said would be a wonder material. Theory suggests metallic hydrogen could be used to make zero-resistance electrical wiring and super-powerful rocket fuel, among many applications. Ranga Dias and Isaac Silvera are the Harvard researchers behind the work. They report their experiments in this weekâ€™s Science Magazine. "It's the first time solid metallic hydrogen has ever existed on Earth," Prof Silvera told the BBC. The pair say the quantity of metallic hydrogen created so far is tiny - an amount less than the cross section of a human hair. But in time, they believe, ways could be found to boost its production. Their laboratory approach - as is common in this field of study - was to squeeze a cell containing a small sample of molecular hydrogen between two synthetic diamonds. In the Science paper, Dias and Silvera say this diamond anvil cell (DAC) achieved pressures up to 495 gigapascals. That is the equivalent of sitting under almost five million Earth atmospheres. The DAC was also chilled down to close to minus 270 Celsius. The intention was to pack the atoms of hydrogen so close together that they formed a crystal lattice and started to share their electrons - behaviour that is exactly that of a metal. Dias and Silvera report that this state became obvious to them when the material in the diamond anvil cell developed a lustrous surface. "As we turned the pressure up, it went to a transparent molecular solid. And then as the pressure kept going up, it went black, and we think it goes black because it becomes like a semi-conductor and it can absorb light," he recalled on the BBCâ€™s Science In Action programme. "And then we turned the pressure up higher and it started shining. It was very exciting. It's got extremely high reflectance. The reflectance we measured is about 90%. It's about the reflectivity of an aluminium mirror." It has to be said, however, that news of the Harvard experiment has already attracted a good degree of scepticism. Other scientists working in the same and related fields have told the BBC that the team's paper is short on the kind of data needed to make a proper assessment of its achievements. "Complete garbage," is how Eugene Gregoryanz from Edinburgh University described the research. "Like everybody else who works with hydrogen at high pressures, I am appalled by what is being published in Science." Such resistance is natural. If what is being claimed pans out, it would represent one of the major physics breakthroughs of recent decades. Metallic hydrogen was first predicted more than 80 years ago, and there has been a race to create it ever since. That is because of the stunning properties that are promised. It has been suggested for example that metallic hydrogen might be metastable; that is - once made under extreme conditions it would maintain its state even when brought back up to ambient pressures and

Summary: Scientists in the US say they have at last managed to turn hydrogen into a state where it behaves like a metal.


Media playback is not supported on this device The 44-year-old quit her position at Arsenal Ladies in June, having won three trophies in a 16-month reign. "I think the management of players is different," Kerr told BBC Scotland. "I think women can sometimes be a little bit more difficult than men. "But I see myself as a football coach, nothing to do with male or female." It shouldn't be about gender, it should be about your ability as a coach Capped 59 times for Scotland, Kerr replaces Eddie May, who left to join the youth set-up at Hibernian, and will inherit a side that were runners-up last season but have lost their opening three matches this term. Kerr, who will begin studying for a MSc in Sports Management at the university, was a player-manager at Kilmarnock, Hibernian and Spartans women's teams and had a four-year spell leading Scotland's Under-19s before Arsenal enlisted her. "It doesn't faze me one bit," she said. "The main focus should be on the team. "I've always had aspirations of working in the men's game and right now this seems like a really good fit for me. "The university has great facilities and I'm going to be studying myself." In May, Portugal's Helena Costa became the highest-profile female manager of a European men's team when she was named head coach of Clermont Foot in France. Costa quit before taking charge for a single game because she found out players were hired without her consent, saying she had just been a face to attract publicity for the club. Former France captain Corinne Diacre was appointed in her place. Kerr, one of four women in the UK to hold a Uefa Pro-Licence for coaching, begins her new job with a home fixture against Dalbeattie Star on Saturday. And she does not anticipate any difficulties arising from being the first female manager at this level. "I've been involved in football a long time and, growing up in an era when there weren't that many girls playing football, I've had to combat many things," she continued. "Thankfully I haven't had that much abuse. "I'm confident enough and completely focused on helping the guys develop as players. It shouldn't be about gender, it should be about your ability as a coach." The Lowland League is administered by the Scottish FA and was established last year. This season's winners will compete with the Highland League champions for a play-off with the side finishing bottom of League Two, the bottom tier of the Scottish Professional Football League. Prior to the pyramid structure, teams had to be invited and voted into the league.

Summary: Shelley Kerr is to take charge of Lowland League club Stirling University, making her the first female manager in Scottish senior football.


The incident happened at a Melbourne police station late on Tuesday. The 18-year-old, who had been asked to attend an interview, stabbed two counter-terrorism officers several times. One of them then shot him. Police would not confirm reports he made threats against PM Tony Abbott. Media reports also said he had been seen with a flag of Islamic State (IS, also known as Isil), the radical Islamist group that controls areas of Iraq and Syria. "It is true to say there was a flag involved, whether it was Isil or not is not absolutely clear to me but there are some concerns about that issue," Commissioner Ken Lay of Victoria Police said. The man, who was named in parliament as Abdul Numan Haider, is of Afghan origin and had been associated with al-Furqan, a radical group, local reports said. Mr Lay said he stabbed the officers as they greeted him. "One's extended his hand to shake his hand and the response has been he's been stabbed in the arm," he said. "The attacker's then turned on the second police member and stabbed him three or four times in the body and in the head. "The first wounded member has then shot and killed the young man." Both officers required surgery, but were in a stable condition, police said. The 18-year-old was described by Justice Minister Michael Keenan as "a known terror suspect who was a person of interest to law enforcement and intelligence agencies". Police said the meeting at the Endeavour Hills police station was prompted by an escalation of activity that had led to concern. Mr Abbott, who is overseas, said the incident showed "that there are people in our community who are capable of very extreme acts". The incident came days after police conducted major anti-terror raids in Sydney and Brisbane in response to an alleged plot by IS followers to publicly behead a randomly-selected Australian. One man has been charged with serious terrorism offences following that operation. In recent months, Australian officials have been expressing growing concern over the the impact of Australians fighting with Islamist groups in the Middle East on domestic security. They are concerned both about returnees and those who sympathise with the causes they advocate. In response, the government is introducing new legislation to prevent Australians travelling to conflict zones to join militant groups, and to penalise those who do.

Summary: A teenager shot dead after he stabbed two police officers was a "known terror suspect" whose passport had been cancelled on security grounds, Australian officials say.


Torquay almost took the lead just before half-time when defender Sam Chaney was denied his first goal of the season as he struck a post. That near-miss looked even more important when the deadlock was broken in the 62nd minute as Portuguese midfielder Andrade capitalised on a mistake in the home defence and slotted home his first goal in 11 matches. Torquay had chances to equalise, but David Fitzpatrick curled a free-kick over the crossbar and Brett Williams fired over on the turn. Report supplied by the Press Association. Match ends, Torquay United 0, Boreham Wood 1. Second Half ends, Torquay United 0, Boreham Wood 1. Substitution, Boreham Wood. Ben Nunn replaces Bruno Andrade. Femi Ilesanmi (Boreham Wood) is shown the yellow card. Matt Paine (Boreham Wood) is shown the yellow card. Substitution, Torquay United. Brett Williams replaces Jamie Reid. Angelo Balanta (Boreham Wood) is shown the yellow card. Goal! Torquay United 0, Boreham Wood 1. Bruno Andrade (Boreham Wood). Substitution, Torquay United. Shaun Harrad replaces Sam Chaney. Substitution, Boreham Wood. Matt Paine replaces Mark Ricketts. Second Half begins Torquay United 0, Boreham Wood 0. First Half ends, Torquay United 0, Boreham Wood 0. Aman Verma (Torquay United) is shown the yellow card. Substitution, Boreham Wood. Ricky Shakes replaces Jason Williams. First Half begins. Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

Summary: Bruno Andrade's second-half goal was enough to end Boreham Wood's six-match run without a win as they clinched a 1-0 victory at Torquay.


Bryony Nierop-Reading's home went over the cliff at Happisburgh in Norfolk in the 2013 winter tidal surge. The local council said she could not live in her caravan instead, but the Planning Inspectorate ruled she can stay until other arrangements are made. Ms Nierop-Reading, 71, said it was a "very, very fair decision". The former teacher moved to her 1930s bungalow on Beach Road in the erosion-hit village in 2008. As the cliff-face disappeared, all her neighbours moved out two years later after accepting compensation from North Norfolk District Council. Believing she would enjoy another 20 or so years of spectacular sea views, she declined. But a few harsh winters, along with a clear-up of the ageing sea defences on the beach, left her home teetering on the edge within five years. Following the events of the tidal surge in 2013 she moved to her caravan on her adjacent field. However, the council issued an eviction notice saying she could not live in it long-term unless she got planning permission - which was unlikely given its proximity to the sea. The notice was appealed and the Planning Inspectorate has now ruled the council was not wrong to issue it, but it should increase its grace period from six to 12 months to give Ms Nierop-Reading more time to make permanent living arrangements. She now has until the end of next year to vacate. She said the first option was for her daughter and son-in-law, who are tenants in her Witton Heath home three miles inland, to buy it from her, giving her money for another house in Happisburgh. But failing that she said she had "a number of other options". Ms Nierop-Reading said she believed common sense had prevailed, but "only because the inspectorate forced it". "I am beginning to come to terms with it all and I can now think about the bungalow and some very happy times we had there," she said. Judy Oliver, North Norfolk District Council's cabinet member for legal services, said: "The planning inspector dismissed the appeal on three of four grounds. "On the fourth, the period of compliance was extended from six to 12 months. It's important to note that although the enforcement notice has been varied in this way, it has also been upheld. "We thank the inspector for his decision."

Summary: A woman who lost her bungalow to the sea and faced being evicted from a temporary home on her land has been allowed to stay put for another year.


The man was involved in a short pursuit on the westbound carriageway of the M55 in Blackpool before smashing into a roundabout in Yeadon Way on Wednesday. The man, in his 50s and from Accrington, suffered multiple injuries and died at the scene. The Independent Police Complaints Commission is to launch an investigation. The man had been driving a Renault Captur when he collided with the Ashworth Circle roundabout at about 21:00 GMT. A Lancashire police spokesman said: "We immediately referred the incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, this is standard practice following a death after police contact."

Summary: A man has died after the car he was driving crashed during a police chase in Lancashire.


Media playback is not supported on this device And that is why he chose Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford ahead of Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater. Hodgson, speaking before Thursday's final friendly against Portugal at Wembley, said his selection was "tilted towards an offensive approach". He added: "It became a question of do I take the extra attacker or midfielder? That's how Rashford came about." Hodgson's side begin their Group B campaign in France against Russia on 11 June, before meeting Wales on 16 June and Slovakia on 20 June. Eighteen-year-old Rashford's rapid rise into the England squad, scoring on his debut against Australia last week, was described as "incredible for his age" by captain Wayne Rooney. And Hodgson added: "Rashford's had that fantastic end to the season and it will be very interesting to see in a squad of 23 whether he can bring those qualities at a higher level." Hodgson, 68, has been criticised for picking just three recognised central defenders but he is confident England will be solid in defence. "We believe defending is very much a team job and we can't just rely on a back four and a goalkeeper," he said. "We need great mobility and great running power to defend in that way. With this squad they've got the ability to give us that. "Often in a tournament the players that get injured or suffer a lack of form are the guys at the cutting edge, the guys who make the difference or score the goals." He added he was happy he had so many good players to put on the field. "Systems win you nothing and football players win you games," he said. "If they perform anything like they're capable of we'll be a tough team to beat." Who do you think should start at Euro 2016? Step into Roy Hodgson's shoes and pick your XI - and then share it with your friends using our brand new team selector.

Summary: Manager Roy Hodgson says his final 23-man England squad for the European Championships is based on attack.


Pedro Luis Angarita Azpurua, president of the Farmatodo chain, and his vice president were accused of pricing "irregularities". They were charged under laws aimed at controlling skyrocketing inflation. The arrests come days after President Nicolas Maduro ordered the arrests of the owners of the well-known Dia a Dia supermarket chain. Mr Angarita and his deputy Agustin Antonio Alvarez Costa are accused of understocking shelves and of leaving cash registers unstaffed, thus causing long queues to form outside. Prosecutors said their actions were intended to lead to speculation and rising prices, which would have a "destabilizing" effect on the economy. News of the arrest came days after President Maduro ordered the arrest of the owners of the Dia a Dia supermarket chain on similar charges. President of the Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce Jorge Roig said the offences the executives had been detained for were "completely subjective". "We consider it as an attack not only on Farmatodo, but on a specific attack on private industry," he said . In late January, thousands of Venezuelans attended an opposition march in Caracas, banging empty pots to highlight what they say is the shortage of many staple foods. Demonstrators also voiced discontent at high inflation, crime and long queues. Many analysts say currency controls that restrict the availability of dollars for imports play a key role in creating a scarcity of many items. But President Maduro is adamant that many businessmen are colluding with the political opposition to oust his government. He has accused four supermarket chains of hoarding goods and smuggling items out of the country. Venezuela - a major oil producer - has been heavily affected by the fall in oil prices on international markets. The economy officially entered recession in December.

Summary: Venezuela has arrested two top executives of one of the country's largest pharmacy chains.


Western Power Distribution (WPD) said that without expensive investment the grid would struggle to cope with taking any more power. And developers could be asked to pick up "a large proportion of these costs". Renewables advisor Regen SW warned charges, totalling up to £4m, may be a barrier to renewable energy schemes. New renewable energy projects in the South West rose from 936 in 2009/10 to 47,423 in 2011/12, said Regen SW. Since 2009, Cornwall Council has approved nearly 50 solar farms covering more than 1,600 acres. WPD said all the solar farms in the pipeline would produce another 250 megawatts (MW) of power and parts of its system "would be at the limit of the generation they can accommodate". It pinpointed the Pyworthy and St Tudy areas as being closest to capacity. WPD said in a statement: "We have seen many large scale photovoltaic (PV) generation applications, as well as a few wind farms across the South West and particularly in Cornwall over the last few years. "To connect further would therefore require extensive reinforcement of existing or building of new circuits, which can be quite expensive." It said costs could be £1m to £4m depending on the size of the changes. Merlin Hyman of Regen SW, which promotes renewable energy in the region, said: "It is not a secret that the grid's capacity is the biggest constraining factor for the growth of solar energy. "We are working hard with Western Power Distribution to ensure there is investment in reinforcing networks, otherwise the grid will be a major barrier to some renewable energy projects. "Investment to create robust local networks will enable more local generation of secure energy rather than relying on uncertain imported fossil fuels." He said Regen wanted WPD to increase its plans to spend £3m a year reinforcing the network which "we don't think is enough". The Energy Networks Association said: "Large scale generation projects will benefit from the energy they will sell to consumers and so it is fair that they cover the cost to reinforce the network that their project will profit from." Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said there was a growing need in the county to "manage additions to the grid more carefully". "Cornwall is the most extraordinary powerhouse for natural energy and it's very exciting," he said. "But we need 21st century connections to get that energy out of Cornwall and into the rest of the country."

Summary: Renewable energy projects are putting parts of Cornwall's electricity grid under severe strain, according to the region's power firm.