Deep in the Nevada desert, thousands of mirrors arrayed in concentric circles face the sky, lit up by the sun. All this reflected sunshine is directed to the top of a 640 ft (195m) tower standing in their midst. It's an innovative power plant generating electricity, but not in a way you might expect. And it can carry on doing so even after the sun goes down. How? The concentrated light heats up liquid salt pumped to the top of the tower - the temperature reaches 566C (1,050F) - and this heat is then used to make steam to power an electricity generator in another part of the plant. "The issue with solar traditionally is it is an intermittent power source - you can only produce electricity when the sun is shining," explains Kevin Smith, whose company Solar Reserve built the Crescent Dunes plant. "But because we store the energy as heat, we can reliably produce electricity 24 hours a day, just like a conventional gas fired power station." The plant is one of a raft of sustainable energy storage solutions trying to address renewable energy's Achilles heel: its variability - ignoring tidal power's constancy. If we could store the electricity that sun and wind produce, we could tap into those stores when production dips. And this is the only way we're going to mount an effective challenge to the dominance of fossil fuels, experts say. Yes, tidal power is renewable and constant, but as yet, we haven't found commercially viable ways of tapping into it. Storage methods currently being used around the world include batteries, flywheels, geothermal plants, compressed air and hydrogen - even ice. But the the most popular method is hydro power - water pumped to the top of a mountain and then released to power turbines at the bottom. According to research company Navigant, global energy storage installations are going to rise from about 1,750 megawatts (MW) in 2016 to nearly 11,000 MW by 2020. "We are moving away from very large conventional power stations that produce electricity which is sent through the grid to consumers, to a system where power is produced in a much more distributed way," says IHS's Sam Wilkinson. "So storage is obviously a major focus, because it allows you to compensate for and correct for a lot of that fluctuating generation that comes from renewables." Our homes are increasingly being used for energy storage as well. Tesla's Powerwall, announced earlier this year, is just one of a crop of new storage batteries designed for domestic use. The US electric car manufacturer points out that the average household uses more electricity in the morning and evening than during the day, when solar energy is plentiful. So its battery charges during the day from solar roof panels, then powers the home in the evening. "Without a home battery, excess solar energy is often sold to the power company and purchased back in the evening [at a higher price]," Tesla argues. "The mismatch adds demand on power plants and increases carbon emissions," it adds. The same

Summary: It could be a scene from a science fiction movie.


Daria Gavrilova had earlier defeated Elina Svitolina 6-4 7-6 (8-6) in the women's rubber of the mixed event. Svitolina had six set points at 6-1 in the second-set tie-break but lost the last seven points of the match. Kyrgios, ranked 30th in the world, beat Britain's world number two Andy Murray in the group stage on Wednesday. The tournament hosts, who had two squads competing in the eight-team event, last won the competition in 1999.

Summary: Nick Kyrgios secured the Hopman Cup for Australia Green by beating Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-3 6-4 to give his team a 2-0 victory over Ukraine in Perth.


Winger Martin Donnelly scored the first with a low curling accurate shot from outside the box in the 35th minute. Just before half-time Ards keeper Ryan Brown made a brilliant save from striker David McDaid's penalty. McDaid did make it 2-0 on 62 minutes by turning the ball in from about six yards and late on sub Stephen Garrett wrapped it up with a close-range third. Seconds before Donnelly had netted the opener, Ards fluffed a great chance to take the lead when Jordan Baker put a six-yard header wide. And, just after going 2-0 down, Ards half-time substitute Stephen O'Neill went close to scoring against his former club but saw a header cleared off the line. The historic win also brought a first trophy for manager Gerard Lyttle, who last October took on the job of succeeding Tommy Breslin, the north Belfast club's most successful manager. Breslin, who had guided the Reds to eight trophies, stood down after Cliftonville's early-season league form stuttered. Lyttle, with Celtic for a spell as a player, took over originally on a temporary basis. But, after a promising start results-wise, the Solitude board gave Lyttle the full seal of approval and they will feel vindicated by this success. Ards had gone into the final as massive underdogs, even more so having agreed to play on their opponents' ground, rather than a neutral venue, to benefit from bigger gate receipts. Manager Niall Currie's main target is to get the North Down club, who were relegated in April 2014 and haven't had their own ground since the late 1990s, restored to the top flight of the Irish League. They will feel heartened. by giving a good account of themselves when the odds were stacked against them, and will be many people's favourites to go on and win the Championship One title. Cliftonville manager Gerard Lyttle: "We told the lads to play themselves into the history books. "Winning is everything to me and you have to get trophies at this club. "I cannot believe it, winning as a manager is completely different. "All the hard work pays off when you get a trophy at the end of it all." Cliftonville's David McDaid: "It was great to score in the final after missing it last year. "The keeper made a good save from my penalty and the lads kept me head up at half-time. "This is history for the club, the whole team played well and I'm thrilled to be part of it." Ards: Brown, Hall, Gage, Cully, Lambe, Dorrian (O'Neill 45), McMillen (E McAllister 73), Arthurs, McAllister, Baker, Carson. Cliftonville: Devlin, Cosgrove, Smyth, McGovern (Flynn 77), Ives, M Donnelly, Catney, Knowles, Curran (George 86), J Donnelly, McDaid (Garrett 81). Referee: Andrew Davey (Bangor)

Summary: Cliftonville became the first club to win the League Cup four years in a row by beating Ards in Saturday's final.


Speaking at the Cannes Film Festival, she also said she had never personally experienced sexism in the industry. There are 12 films by female directors being shown at Cannes, up three from last year. In 2012, there had been none. Huppert told the BBC: "I think the message has been clearly heard. But on the other hand, you don't want to bring women just to bring women." The French actress, nominated for an Oscar for her role in controversial drama Elle earlier this year, continued: "You have to strike the right balance between awareness and the reality of the situation... "A good film is a good film. But we have to create the best possible conditions so there are more female films." Asked why the issue of equality was still an issue in 2017, she said: "A lot has been done already, but there's still so much to do. "And maybe not only in [the UK and France] but in poor countries, where most of the time women pay a strong price for difficult economic conditions and political conditions. Women are the first victims - it's no secret." Huppert was speaking after her talk at Cannes as part of the Women in Motion programme, which highlights women's contribution to the film industry. The actress said she had never been subject to sexist behaviour within the industry, saying she did "everything possible" to avoid those situations. "I can figure it out from very, very far - I manage to never get close to it. I avoid it," she said. Huppert said she was glad the issue of equality was being talked about more. "There's no reason why women, for the same work, should be paid less. And it's good that people talk about how difficult it is to make a film." Huppert has two films showing at Cannes this year: Claire's Camera, which was filmed in Cannes, and Happy End, directed by Michael Haneke. Happy End, in competition for the Palme d'Or, is a family drama set in Calais amidst the refugee crisis. Huppert told the BBC: "I just wanted to do a Michael Haneke film. I have a very privileged relationship with him as a director." Asked if there was a dream role she would love to play, Huppert replied: "I don't have dreams. Things happen or don't happen - most of the time they happen unexpectedly and there is nothing that can be done about it before." The festival in the south of France is celebrating its 70th year. Huppert said: "For me, it's very important as I have been to Cannes so many times, and had so many movies in competition or out of competition. "Cannes really is in the centre of my life." Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.

Summary: Oscar nominee Isabelle Huppert says women's voices need to be heard more clearly in the film world.


The Strasbourg judges said Russia had discriminated against three gay rights activists who opposed the law. It was adopted in 2013, banning promotion of homosexuality among people under 18. The law "reinforced stigma and prejudice and encouraged homophobia", the ruling said. Gay rights groups condemned the law. Under the law, private individuals deemed to be promoting "homosexual behaviour among minors" face fines of up to 5,000 roubles (£67; $85), while officials risk paying 10 times that amount. Businesses and schools can be fined up to 500,000 roubles. Homosexuality was decriminalised in Russia in 1993, but anti-gay prejudice is rife. Critics see the propaganda law as part of a state campaign to marginalise LGBT activists, whose work includes dissemination of sexual health advice. The Strasbourg court said the fines imposed on three Russian gay rights activists violated Article 10 (freedom of expression) and Article 14 (prohibition of discrimination) of the European Convention on Human Rights. According to the court, the legislation aimed at curbing promotion of homosexuality was "not clearly defined" and was implemented in an arbitrary way. It "served no legitimate public interest", the court said. Russia's justice ministry says it will appeal, arguing that the law is aimed "exclusively at protecting the morals and health of children". MP Vitaly Milonov, of the ruling United Russia party, who introduced the original bill into the St Petersburg parliament and which formed the basis of the federal law, told BBC Russian that the court's decision was "anti-national". "It is absolutely harmful, and those who set up this decision are enemies of Europe," he said. The three activists had been found guilty for protesting against the law in 2009-2012 - outside a secondary school in Ryazan, a children's library in Archangel and an administrative building in St Petersburg. The court rejected the Russian government's claim that such a law was needed to protect morality. It found that the government had "failed to demonstrate how freedom of expression on LGBT issues would devalue or otherwise adversely affect actual and existing 'traditional families' or would compromise their future". Such laws, the judges said, "embodied a predisposed bias on the part of a heterosexual majority against a homosexual minority". They ordered Russia to pay each of the activists damages of between €8,000 (£7,000; $8,900) and €20,000. One of the three, Nikolai Alexeyev, hailed the ruling as a "total victory", the BBC's Sarah Rainsford reports from Moscow. He had picketed a children's library, holding a sign declaring that gay people could also be great - and listing the Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky and filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein as examples.

Summary: Russia's "gay propaganda" law is discriminatory and encourages homophobia, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled.


Train drivers' union Aslef said passengers were forced to leave the train due to a row over running longer, 12-car trains without a guard. The union is now balloting drivers over industrial action. Gatwick Express said it had been talking to Aslef for a year and was "puzzled" by the situation. Trains have been introduced gradually since February, with 12-car trains due to officially replace 10-car services from Monday. Gatwick passenger services director Angie Doll said a driver was not prepared to carry passengers on Saturday's first 12-car service. She said: "Unfortunately the train was cancelled and around 30 passengers were moved to a train on the adjacent platform which left seven minutes later. "The driver did take the train to Gatwick and back but not with any passengers on board." The company said letting the train out of Victoria without anyone on board was the best solution. It said the train would otherwise have blocked the busy platform and caused significant disruption, with no time available to split it or take it elsewhere. Ms Doll said the union was aware the trains were being introduced and drivers had already operated the trains and been given training. She said the company was open to further talks. Simon Weller, from Aslef, said the union had told Gatwick Express that members were not prepared to work 12-car trains. He said: "The problem is running driver-only trains with passengers. "The problem we have is with passengers boarding and alighting with only one person on the train. He said the union wanted Gatwick Express to put guards on the trains and said: "The driver-only operation is a legacy of the shoestring economics of British Rail."

Summary: A train made a return journey from London Victoria to Gatwick Airport without passengers in a dispute over a new service.


Figures collected by the City regulator showed that, in particular, personal accident cover sold alongside home or motor insurance rarely led to payouts. Nobody claimed over the course of a year on one particular policy covering the risk of serious injuries. A campaigner accused insurers of abusing customers' lack of expertise. Add-on insurance is where a policy is sold alongside another product. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the main financial regulator, has said that there is a risk that many of these policies offer poor value for money, previously declaring that "firms must start putting consumers first, and stop seeing them as pound signs". Thousands of complaints have now led the FCA to publish data showing the frequency of claims, their success rate, and average payouts in the 12 months to the end of August. Under personal accident cover add-ons, four of the eight policies included in the data saw a maximum of one claim from an average of at least 25,000 policies. In the case of one policy from Liverpool Victoria (LV), nobody at all claimed throughout the year. The company defended itself and said: "All LV= comprehensive car policies cover personal accident with a limit of £10,000, but customers who want extra peace of mind can choose an extended personal accident benefit of £100,000. "The extended personal accident benefit is selected by a relatively small proportion of our customers. "The add-on represents good value to those customers who want extra protection, by providing what is essentially catastrophe cover, for the modest price of £19.90 per year." The company said it had questioned whether the FCA's analysis was suitable for such cover. Campaigner James Daley, of Fairer Finance, said customers who only occasionally bought an insurance add-on had no idea whether they were paying a fair price or not. As the policies were sold alongside another product, customers did not have the chance to check on price comparison sites to see whether these add-ons were a good deal. "There needs to be a mechanism in place to ensure this is not abused," he said. But the insurance industry said customers should consider whether they really needed these policies. "Our own claims analysis has highlighted some common areas of misunderstanding and we have published a home insurance guide to help consumers," said James Bridge, assistant director at the Association of British Insurers. "Customers also need to ensure that they do not simply buy on price but make sure they have cover at the levels they need." He pointed out that the vast majority of actual claims were paid out.

Summary: Thousands of insurance policy "add-ons" only produce a handful of claims, new data shows, raising renewed concerns over their value.


Raj Odedra, a postmaster in Burghfield Common, Berkshire, hoped the postbox in Recreation Road would be painted gold to congratulate the diver. After Royal Mail refused to paint the postbox Mr Odedra decided to place a replica in front of it. It has since become a popular landmark for "selfies". Mears and his diving partner Jack Laugher won Great Britain's first ever Olympic diving gold in the men's synchronised 3m springboard event. Dozens of people have posted photos of their "postbox selfies" on the Burghfield Community Facebook page. "It started off as a low key tribute to our Burghfield boy, but the postbox has since become really popular in the community - particularly on social media," Mr Odedra said. "People from all over Reading to Tilehurst have come to visit the postbox and to take a selfie in front of it. "It has really helped bring the community together to help support the success of Chris Mears and his family who live here." Royal Mail defended its decision not to paint post boxes gold. A spokesman said: "After London 2012, we confirmed that all 110 post boxes would remain gold on a permanent basis, with a plaque naming the athlete and their achievement. "However Brazil, as the host nation of Rio 2016, has the honour of celebrating the games in its own way".

Summary: The home village of Olympic gold medallist Chris Mears has installed a golden cardboard postbox as a tribute to his Rio 2016 success.


The leaders of mass demonstrations have welcomed proposed talks, but still insist that Mr Leung should step down. The protesters are angry at China's plan to vet candidates for elections in 2017, and say they want full democracy. They have surrounded two Hong Kong government buildings, but have been warned not to try and occupy them. At a news conference shortly before the protesters' midnight deadline for his resignation, the chief executive said attempting to occupy building would lead to "serious consequences". He said the territory's top civil servant, Chief Secretary Carrie Lam, would open a dialogue with student leaders as soon as possible. "Tonight, the Hong Kong Federation of Students issued an open letter asking for a meeting with the chief secretary, representing the Hong Kong government, to discuss one item - and this is the constitutional development of Hong Kong," Mr Leung told reporters. "We have studied the letter in detail, and I'm now appointing the chief secretary to represent the Hong Kong government to meet with the representatives of the Hong Kong Federation of Students to discuss constitutional development matters." He added: "I will not resign because I have to continue with the work for elections." Student protest leaders responded by saying that they planned to join the talks with the government but insisted that Mr Leung should step down, saying he had "lost his integrity". A wider pro-democracy group that has joined the demonstrations, Occupy Central, issued a statement saying it "hopes the talks can provide a turning point in the current political stalemate". It added: "However, we reiterate our view that Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying is the one responsible for the stalemate, and that he must step down." At the scene: Ali Moore, BBC News, Hong Kong The late-night press conference came in the final hours of the student-imposed deadline for the resignation of CY Leung. And while he made it clear he wasn't going anywhere, the agreement to talk has defused the immediate tensions. Protesters remain on the streets but the air of expectation in the lead-up to the deadline has gone, and the focus now is on what the government may offer when they finally sit down at the table. The students want the talks held in public, which is an interesting challenge for the Hong Kong authorities. And while there's no indication they'll get what they want - in fact the opposite - they're sticking to their demands. But the meeting is a chance for both sides of this political stand off to take a step back. Whether it's enough to get the protestors to go home is another question. Police had earlier warned protesters massed outside the Office of the Chief Executive and the Central Government Complex not to try to breach the cordon protecting the buildings. Lord Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong before it was handed over to China in 1997, told the BBC: "For the hundreds of thousands of demonstrators and the majority of people in Hong Kong, the big issue is whether or not they can secure

Summary: Hong Kong's Chief Executive CY Leung says he will not resign, but has offered talks between his government and pro-democracy protesters.


A picture of a Chinese university student in the city of Wuhan apparently studying hard at his desk surrounded by murky flood water has surfaced on Chinese micro-blogging site Weibo. The city of Wuhan has been placed on red alert for heavy rainfall, after torrential downpours left parts of the city submerged and some state media estimates suggest flooding has killed more than 180 across China. This young man is reported to be a student at Wuhan University and was said to be studying for exams when water started coming into his room. He then simply moved to squat on top of his chair as it continued to rise. Reports say he later left the room in search of higher ground when water levels reached the height of his desk, returning only when the water had receded. Local media pounced on the image lauding the young man's apparent dedication to his studies, a paragon of studious virtue. "His roommate commented that the exam he is taking is very difficult," reported the Chutian Metropolis Daily. "But he has had a history of good results." Many reported that he was looking to head overseas after graduation, and so had much invested in these exams. But netizens on Weibo were not all so kind. Some took jabs at the picture and suggested it might have been staged. "Alright, you can turn around now that the picture's taken," said one netizen. "Who took the photo? He's just as skilled," asks another. "Is he actually watching Harry Potter?" another Weibo user posted. Another user simply pointed out that the student could surely have just "brought the books and gone upstairs". Perhaps the final word should be saved for this poster: "Oh man, I should really go study too." Reporting by Yvette Tan.

Summary: If you thought you were hardworking, you might want to think again.


Pre-tax profits dropped to £49m from £53.5m in 2014. But the Cardiff-based society - the largest in Wales - said it had helped 3,500 first-time buyers onto the housing ladder, up by 1,200 on the previous year. It also warned 67 workers at its Nemo secured loans business that they were at risk of redundancy. It has been trying to offload Nemo and said it would no longer take on any new customers. However, the building society said it believed it could find jobs for many of the staff within its 1,000 strong workforce. Meanwhile, Principality, which is the sixth biggest society UK-wide, said mortgage lending to home-buyers had passed the £5bn mark for the first time. Graeme Yorston, group chief executive, said it had been "another strong 12 months". He said the society would continue to respond to technological demands, which have included rolling out mortgage interviews on Skype and online appointment booking. Underlying profit was £57.8m, up from £51.9m. This included dealing with one-off issues like stopping new lending from its subsidiary Nemo, which provides secure loans on properties. There has been speculation over recent years that Principality would look to sell this part of its business. It will continue to manage accounts it currently has. Mr Yorston said although Nemo had made a £14m profit, it did not want to "increase our participation in this market". Looking ahead at economic prospects, he said he did not expect to see any rise in the official Bank of England base rate until 2017 and "when it does it is likely to be modest".

Summary: Principality Building Society has announced a dip in its profits for 2015, after a record the year before.


Last year, Swansea University's Specific innovation centre unveiled the UK's first energy-positive classroom. Now plans have been approved which will see the same approach adopted in 16 new homes to be built by social housing group Pobl, in Neath Port Talbot. The report was carried out by an independent energy consultant. The concept uses a combination of solar cells, battery storage and a revolutionary steel frame which draws solar-heated air through tiny perforations for heating and warm water. Andris Bankovskis, a member of government body, the Panel of Technical Experts on Electricity Market Reform, based his report on the Neath plans. But he scaled them up to reflect the potential savings if the technology and approach was applied to a million homes. He concluded the average saving on energy bills could be at least £600 per household, not including any additional benefits from solar feed-in tariffs. In addition to consumer benefits, Mr Bankovskis suggested a host of environmental benefits. These include a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions of nearly 80 million tonnes over 40 years and a reduction of 3,000 Megawatts in peak generating capacity - equivalent to the output of a very large power station. He said: "The combination of photovoltaic cells and battery storage means that the homes could harvest energy from sunlight, and hold it until it is needed at times of peak demand. "It also means that provided we can make smart networks a reality, we can better control our energy and share it more easily around a locality, reducing stress on the grid. "The potential savings amount to over £11bn over 40 years, and that's before you factor in the opportunities for investment and job creation." Set for completion in 2019, the Neath homes - being built on behalf of Neath Port Talbot council - will be fitted with a steel roof, on to which the photovoltaic cells are integrated, allowing them to operate in areas with lower levels of sunlight. Electricity will be stored in batteries until needed, and shared within the community. There will also be the opportunity to charge electric vehicles using the excess energy. Water heating will come from a solar heat collector on south facing walls, as the homes will use no gas. In time, it is hoped this system could operate over an entire year; allowing heat to be captured in summer and stored for use during the winter. Kevin Bygate, chief executive at Specific, said: "Individually, all these technologies exist commercially, what's new is the way we've been able to bring them together in a form which is easy and cost-effective, through integration, allowing roll-out on a large scale. "We're focusing on new-builds at the moment, where there is significant opportunity to help those in fuel poverty, but there's no reason why they couldn't be retro-fitted to existing homes." He added: "Buildings count for around half of all energy usage, so adopting this system can have a massive effect on consumption for a comparatively low cost." If the Neath project is successful, there is the opportunity to roll out the

Summary: A design concept which turns homes into power stations has the potential to cut household fuel bills by more than 60%, according to a report.


The bank looks increasingly likely to be bailed out by the government after a deadline for recapitalisation passed. The Italian parliament has authorised the government to use more than $20bn (£16.8bn) to support the bank sector. But a state bailout would mean thousands of ordinary retail investors could face losses. Monte dei Paschi failed to raise an extra €5bn (£4.25bn) from private investors by the deadline at lunchtime on Thursday and is expected to request government intervention. However the government would need to adhere to new European Union rules designed to prevent the tax payer bearing the brunt of supporting weak banks. The new Italian prime minister, Paolo Gentiloni, has vowed not to let the bank fail, for fear that its collapse could topple the rest of Italy's heavily indebted banking sector. Mr Gentiloni is "stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea", according to Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets. He told the BBC's Today programme it was likely that thousands of Italian retail investors, including pensioners, would be left out of pocket, because new EU rules governing bank rescues demanded that bondholders should be the first to take a financial hit. Small investors are estimated to hold some €2bn of Monte dei Paschi's bonds. Ferdinando Giugliano, economics commentator for La Repubblica newspaper, told the BBC that this could cause controversy in Italy, since about 40,000 small investors would be affected. "The politics is toxic. There will be a number of people who will feel defrauded by this operation," he said. "Just a year ago, there was a similar case for four much smaller banks where the government stepped in... that was just 10,000 people. "Now with Monte dei Paschi di Siena, we're talking four times as many people. A year ago, we saw widespread political discontent because of this decision. There were protests. The bank of Italy, the regulator, the government came under huge pressure. "So we're bound to see something similar in the coming days and it will be a big challenge, particularly because in Italy we have a new government." A state bailout has been on the cards for some time - but the government has been anxious to avoid stepping in. The reason is simple. Under European laws, designed to prevent taxpayers from bearing the costs of broken banks, investors are supposed to bear some of the costs of a rescue. That's not such a problem if those investors are large investment funds with deep pockets. But in Italy, many of those left exposed would be retail investors - ordinary people, who may have put their life savings into bank bonds thinking it was a safe bet. There's a precedent - last year Italy rescued four small regional banks; 130 000, shareholders and bondholders lost their money. One elderly investor committed suicide, and there was a widespread political backlash. Monte dei Paschi is a much bigger bank, and if small investors have to bear losses, that could have much greater consequences and the political impact could be even more serious. So the question is

Summary: Shares in Italy's third largest bank, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, closed 7.4% lower on Thursday as the markets awaited news of a rescue.


Louis Harris, 18, has been missing since he was spotted near the pavilion walking up steps towards the pier at 04:30 GMT on 14 February. Dorset Police said it was "totally out of character" for him to disappear and they were "extremely" concerned. A spokeswoman added that specialist dive teams have been looking in Weymouth harbour. Mr Harris is white, about 5ft 10ins, slim, with brown short hair. He was last seen wearing a blue and white hooded Lacoste top, a white Fat Face checked shirt with a blue and red checked pattern, blue jeans and Vans shoes. Chief Inspector Steve Horton, of Dorset Police, said his family has not heard from him since he went missing.

Summary: Police divers have been searching for a missing Dorchester man who was last seen on Weymouth beach.


North-East Labour MSP Richard Baker highlighted the recent postponement of operations at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary as proof of a lack of funding for health services in the area. Mr Baker said the situation had reached crisis point. NHS Grampian has apologised to the patients affected. It admitted that since the 6 January it has been experiencing pressure on hospital beds, resulting in a number of operations at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary being postponed. Mr Baker told BBC Scotland: "We have had serious issues in terms of local health services. It's now absolutely clear this requires a response." In a statement, the Scottish government said NHS Grampian and local authority partners were working very closely to address the issues, and meetings would assess what further help could be provided.

Summary: Scottish Health Secretary Alex Neil has been asked to investigate a reported catalogue of problems at NHS Grampian.


Kezia Dugdale was speaking after Unite boss Len McCluskey said he "can't see" Labour winning on 8 June. Mr McCluskey later distanced himself from the remarks, insisting that he was "now full of optimism" about the party's chances. Referring to Mr McCluskey's original comments, Ms Dugdale said: "I think he is wrong. I hope he's wrong." In an interview with Politico, Mr McCluskey suggested that winning 200 seats - nearly 30 fewer than in 2015 - would be a "successful" result for Mr Corbyn, and it would be "extraordinary" if the party won the election. But asked about his comment on Wednesday morning, he said: "I am now full of optimism. If I was having that interview now I would not be making those comments." Mr McCluskey said he was "now convinced that the polls will change" and that "Labour is in with a real chance", describing the party's campaign as "brilliant". Asked on the Good Morning Scotland programme about the union leader's original remarks, Ms Dugdale said success for the party would mean "winning". She said she wanted the "Tories out of office and a Labour government in its place", but would not put a figure on how many seats she was hopeful of winning in Scotland, where the party returned only one MP in 2015. "I want to make progress in Scotland, I want to win more seats, I want to reduce the majority of SNP MPs in many other seats," she said. "The reality is that in the vast majority of seats across Scotland's central belt it is the Labour Party that stands a very strong second to the SNP." Mr Corbyn said in March that he would be "absolutely fine" with Scotland having a second independence referendum if the Scottish Parliament asked for one. His comment was condemned at the time by senior party figures in Scotland - with justice spokeswoman, Jackie Baillie, describing Mr Corbyn as "misguided and irresponsible" while MP Ian Murray said the leader was "destroying the party". And Labour's general election manifesto, which was unveiled by Mr Corbyn on Tuesday, says the party will "work tirelessly" to oppose a referendum. Ms Dugdale insisted the party was not sending out mixed messages on the issue, saying it was "very clear" that everyone in the Labour movement opposed independence and a second referendum on the basis that it would lead to "turbo-charged austerity" and "Â£15bn of cuts". She said people across Scotland were tired of politics in Scotland being dominated by the constitution. But she added: "It is a huge issue - people are angry that they might be forced to answer that question again. "So what I am saying clearly is that with Labour you get a clear promise of opposition to independence and an independence referendum. "But you also get a lot more than that - this is where the Tories and Ruth Davidson fall short. We have got a transformative plan to transform this country, so you can oppose independence but also vote for investment in our public services." Good Morning Scotland interviewed

Summary: The leader of Scottish Labour has insisted that she thinks the party can win next month's general election.


The American, 34, reached her 88th career final by beating Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4 7-6 (7-1). It took 2012 champion Azarenka just over two hours to see off Karolina Pliskova, with the 26-year-old Belarusian winning 7-6 1-6 6-2. "This year has been great. It feels so great to be supported," said Williams, twice a winner of the tournament. "It's been a great comeback here in Indian Wells. I'm excited about that." Williams won seven games in a row to take the first set and go 3-0 up in the second, before seven successive points clinched victory in the tie-break. She has won 23 of her 24 matches at Indian Wells, taking a self-imposed 14-year exile from the event amidst allegations of racial abuse from fans after sister Venus withdrew minutes before their semi-final in 2001. "I had a lot of support, I heard a lot of 'go Serenas' and that was kind of cool," added Williams, who won the tournament in 1999 and 2001.

Summary: World number one Serena Williams will face Victoria Azarenka in Sunday's BNP Paribas Open final at Indian Wells.


The 20-year-old hit six fours, showing no ill-effects from the break to the same finger that caused him to leave England's winter tour of India early. Hameed was eventually bowled by seamer Jamie Porter as the visitors reached 319, thanks largely to a counter-attacking 74 from debutant Dale Vilas. Essex were 35-2 in reply at the close. After Lancashire opted to bat first, Hameed, playing after being hurt on the same finger practising against the Cambridge students this week, shared a third-wicket stand of 68 with Liam Livingstone. Steven Croft (48) then gave the visitors' innings impetus, but a flurry of wickets in the afternoon session put Essex in charge as Lancashire were reduced to 160-6. On his Essex debut, former Lancashire paceman Neil Wagner (3-100) and Aaron Beard (3-47) did the damage, along with the run-out of Shivnarine Chanderpaul on 15 by substitute fielder Callum Taylor. South African Kolpak signing Vilas struck 10 boundaries as his 101-ball innings to ensure there was no collapse from the visitors, but their total was still looking a little below par when he was the penultimate batsman out with the total on 268. However, England's James Anderson (13 not out) joined Kyle Jarvis (28) to put on 51 runs in fewer than 10 overs, which frustrated the hosts, taking Lancashire past 300, giving them a third batting point. Essex faced nine overs before stumps and began their reply solidly enough, but Jarvis and Anderson took a late wicket apiece to give their side a slight edge. Essex's former Lancashire paceman Neil Wagner told BBC Radio Essex: "It was tough graft out there. It was a pretty unresponsive wicket. It was quite good batting conditions with no cloud or moisture in the air and not much swing. And they played very well. "It was a wicket where if you gave yourself time it will work for you and Dane Vilas showed that. Once you got in and set on the wicket you could score freely and for long periods of time. "It was an outstanding delivery by Jamie Porter to remove Haseeb Hameed. He is a batsman who leaves the ball really well and makes good decisions. So it was a pretty good ball. "Aaron Beard is an outstanding prospect for Essex. I am very excited watching him bowl. I love working with him, he's a good kid. He's still young and the talent and ability he's got at the moment is something to be very excited about." Lancashire's England opener Haseeb Hameed told BBC Radio Manchester: "The finger is fine now. It felt almost back to normal. It was a bit of a freak incident last week, injuring it in the warm-up and it was quite painful when I batted. "We made the right decision in getting it checked out and thankfully it was all OK. It was the same finger I injured before. I was doing some short-leg practice and trapped it between ball and turf. "It swelled up quite a lot and became painful. The surgeon has suggested that when there is a

Summary: England opener Haseeb Hameed shook off a hand injury to make a confident 47 as Lancashire edged a see-saw first day of the new season against Essex.


Ms McIlveen's new department is an amalgamation of the former agriculture and environment ministries. One challenge will be to balance the executive's push for significant growth of the agri-food industry without compromising environmental protections. The DUP was the only party to launch a specific agriculture mini-manifesto ahead of the assembly elections. It was titled "A Friend of the Farmer and Natural Heritage". Despite holding a ministry in the last executive, Ms McIveen is not a regular in the media. Her low-key approach may, in part, be reflected in a line attributed to Margaret Thatcher which she retweeted recently. In it Mrs Thatcher is quoted as saying: "If you want anything said, ask a man, if you want anything done, ask a woman". First minister Arlene Foster suggested an advisory role for the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to help farmers protect the environment, as well as its enforcement role. The first minister has said in the past that while farmers acknowledge the need for regulation she felt there was "over regulation". On the environment, Ms McIlveen will have to consider whether Northern Ireland is set to introduce its own climate change legislation. Conservationists and her SDLP predecessor Mark H Durkan, have also called for the debate around an independent Environmental Protection Agency to be re-opened.

Summary: The new Minister for Agriculture and Environment, Michelle McIveen, faces many challenges.


They said they wanted information about the Buk missile that shot down the airliner, killing 298 people on board. The criminal inquiry was at "a very advanced stage", they said, and results would be presented after the summer. The West and Ukraine say Russian-backed rebels were responsible but Russia accuses Ukrainian forces. In a statement, the Dutch-led prosecutors said they had made "several requests" for assistance - but were still waiting for information from Moscow. They said a few issues, including forensic tests, were taking more time than expected. However, the first conclusions regarding the type of the weapon used and the exact launch site are expected to be published in autumn. Flight MH17 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur crashed at the height of the conflict between Ukrainian government troops and pro-Russian separatists. Last year, a Dutch report concluded it was downed by a Russian-made Buk missile, but did not say who fired it. Some families of the victims are suing Russia and its President Vladimir Putin in the European Court of Human Rights. Their claim is based on the violation of a passenger's right to life, News.com.au reported earlier this month. They are seeking A$10 million Australian dollars ($7.2m; Â£4.9m) for each victim, and the lawsuit names both the Russian state and its president as respondents. A senator with Mr Putin's party was quoted in state media as saying the claim was "legally nonsensical and has no chance". Separately, families of six Malaysia Airlines crew members who were killed filed a lawsuit on Thursday blaming the carrier for the tragedy. They accuse the company of negligence and breach of contract.

Summary: Prosecutors have sought to put pressure on Russia to provide information about the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in July 2014.


Samantha Power has landed in Guinea and will visit Sierra Leone and Liberia. She told NBC some nations who offered backing "haven't taken responsibility yet" in supplying aid and doctors. More than 10,000 people have contracted the Ebola virus, with 4,922 deaths, according to the World Health Organization's latest figures. All but 27 of the cases have occurred inside Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. Ms Power told NBC as she boarded her plane: "The international response to Ebola needs to be taken to a wholly different scale than it is right now." She said: "You have countries at the UN where I work every day who are signing on to resolutions and praising the good work that the US and the UK and others are doing, but they themselves haven't taken the responsibility yet to send docs, to send beds, to send the reasonable amount of money." Ms Power told NBC the "mere fact of going as a member of the president's cabinet [shows] that we shouldn't be afraid", adding that her five-year-old son was "obsessed" with Ebola. She will visit national Ebola coordination centres and meet US and UN workers, although it was not clear whether she would meet survivors of the outbreak. Ms Power last week said the international community "isn't just losing the race to Ebola. We are getting lapped", and even praised Cuba - under a US embargo for decades - for its supply of doctors to Sierra Leone. The Pentagon announced that a new commander, Maj Gen Gary Volesky, had taken over the US military mission to fight Ebola in West Africa. It said that troops from the US 101st Division who arrived in Liberia 38 days ago had established two new laboratories and that a 25-bed hospital should be operational in the capital Monrovia by November. The US has pledged 4,000 troops to build hospitals and to train health workers in West Africa, some 600 of whom have already arrived. However, new rules in some parts of the US on quarantining returning health workers have drawn criticism. A nurse put into isolation on her return from treating patients in Sierra Leone expressed anger at the way she was dealt with at Newark airport. Kaci Hickox, of medical charity Doctors Without Borders, said the experience was frightening, and described seeing a "frenzy of disorganisation, fear and most frightening, quarantine". She said she was kept in isolation at the airport terminal for seven hours and given only a cereal bar to eat. New York, New Jersey and Illinois have imposed stricter quarantine rules than those at the federal level. In the three states, anyone who has had contact with Ebola victims in West Africa now faces a mandatory 21-day quarantine period. The White House said the states' stricter rules could put off aid workers and others travelling to West Africa to help mitigate the crisis at its source. Although Ms Hickox tested negative in a preliminary test for the virus, she will remain under quarantine for three weeks and continue to be monitored by health officials. The stricter

Summary: The US ambassador to the UN has begun a visit to the three nations worst hit by the Ebola outbreak, criticising the level of international support so far.


The pony followed a family down a mountainside near Coedty Reservoir, above Tal-y-Bont in Conwy county, for about four miles earlier this month. The foal collapsed and was carried further by the family, but there was no way of reuniting him with his mother. RSPCA Cymru has urged people to try and stop foals following them for long distances. Fiona Jones, of RD Owen Equine Clinic who works closely with the RSPCA, collected the pony after it became stranded. He is now "thriving" at a rescue centre. Ms Jones said: "However well intentioned someone may be, we're urging people to not lead foals like this way away from their mothers. "This foal had apparently walked some four miles and it was impossible to retrace steps in this Snowdonia mountain range to return the equine from where he'd come from. "It is so important people walking near equines do not entice, inadvertently or not, foals away - and, if that does happen, they make every effort to return them, as soon as possible. "Had this happened in this instance, this foal would still be with the mother." Gareth Johnson, RSPCA equine rehoming officer, added: "Fortunately, this foal is doing brilliantly, and is thriving on the bottle - so, thankfully, this story may well have a happy ending."

Summary: A baby foal has been rescued after becoming stranded from his mother on Snowdonia.


Media playback is not supported on this device Captain Alastair Cook confirmed England would field an unchanged line-up against Australia, with Mark Wood joining Stuart Broad and Steven Finn in the pace attack. "He bowled yesterday but at about 60 to 70%," said Cook. "He's gutted but it's probably about a week too early." England lead the series 3-1 and have already regained the Ashes. Anderson, England's all-time leading wicket-taker, sustained the injury during England's win in the third Test at Edgbaston. "He's made really good progress and the medical staff have been brilliant with him but he's still probably about a week away," Cook added. "The way Mark has come in and bowled in the series - certainly in the first game and the last game - we have options. "He's a brilliant character and a pretty good bowler who has really looked at home in international cricket in his early Test matches. I think we still haven't seen the best of Mark and that's what is really exciting about him." With England's next series a tough away assignment against Pakistan on the turning pitches of the United Arab Emirates, and the series already won, there had been speculation that Yorkshire spinner Adil Rashid could be included at The Oval. But Cook said Rashid would have to wait for his Test debut. "We come into this game trying to win this series 4-1," he said. "That's what we've discussed. "Adil has been with us in every single squad but the pitches haven't quite suited two spinners so Adil's had to wait for his chance. "As a cricketer, he's really improving and he feels a lot more comfortable in the England environment. There's a one-day series to come so he'll probably get his chance in that." Cook said his opening partner Adam Lyth needs a good match at The Oval in order to safeguard his place in the team after a run of low scores. Lyth has scored just 86 runs from seven innings in the series at an average of 12.28. "He hasn't scored the runs he would have liked," Cook said. "It's tough when your first seven games are against the bowlers that we've faced. "He's a very good player who can succeed in international cricket - he scored a very good century against New Zealand where you saw a lot of his talent. But he's got to go out there and score runs." Australia will be forced into at least one change for the final Test, with seamer Josh Hazlewood ruled out with injury and likely to be replaced by Pat Cummins. "Josh has some niggling problems we would like to manage," said Australia coach Darren Lehmann. "As such, he was not considered for selection for the fifth Test." The last two Tests have seen bowler-friendly wickets produce three-day finishes, and Australia captain Michael Clarke believes the pitch at The Oval will be no different. "It's green," he said. "I think again it's going to be a result wicket. Someone is going to win, someone is going to lose."

Summary: England bowler James Anderson will miss the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval after failing to recover from a side strain.


Malcolm Fyfield has suffered severe post traumatic stress disorder since surviving the flooded Gleision drift mine in September 2011. He told Swansea Crown Court the only sign of water near the point being mined was "ponding" on the ground. Mr Fyfield and owners MNS Mining Ltd deny manslaughter charges. David Powell, 50, Charles Breslin, 62, Philip Hill, 44, and Garry Jenkins, 39, died when 650,000 gallons of water rushed into the area they were working in after they blasted into a flooded old section of the pit. Mr Fyfield managed to escape and spent 12 days in hospital recovering from a broken hand and bruising and swelling as a result of a "near-drowning experience". The former mine manager insisted he had not inspected the wrong part of the mine and said he was sure he was not mistaken because of the angle and gradient of the underground road. The jury was told Mr Fyfield also suffers from "survivor guilt" and certain words used to describe the flooded mine trigger a feeling of being back in the pit. Elwen Evans, QC, defending, told the court that "ponding" water found in the area before the controlled explosion was not unusual and Mr Fyfield did not think it was particularly significant. Miss Evans reminded the jury Mr Fyfield was working alongside the men, adding: "It would have been incredibly reckless to make the breakthrough at a location he had not inspected, putting at risk the lives of four men as well as his own. "We are dealing with someone whose reputation was as sky high as it comes. "Year after year he did everything by the book. He knew how to do it, but this time he did not? It does not make sense." Miss Evans asked the jury to decide the case according to the facts and to not base their verdicts on emotion. The trial continues.

Summary: The manager of a mine where four workers drowned checked three times for any signs of water or danger the day before it flooded, a court has heard.


The band were named best international artists, beating Eminem, Coldplay and Pharrell Williams. They also performed Steal My Girl at the ceremony in Sydney. Katy Perry and 5 Seconds Of Summer were also on red carpet selfie duty... to the max. See Liam trying to look happy, but not massively succeeding, in this Vine video (posted by 18styles). Follow @BBCNewsbeat on Twitter and Radio1Newsbeat on YouTube

Summary: One Direction posed for many MANY selfies at the Aria Awards in Australia before picking up yet another award.


Jayne Rand, from Swindon in Wiltshire, carried out a nationwide "campaign of shoplifting" and took handbags and purses worth up to £135,000. She was eventually caught at a shopping centre in Cwmbran, south Wales. Her haul, Newport Crown Court heard, included bags made by Mulberry, Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Dior and Burberry valued at up to £200 each. Rand sold some of the bags on online auction site eBay. She is known to have made £88,000 in sales from the stolen bags but their retail value would have been closer to double that figure. On Friday, Judge Rhys Rowlands told her she had "made a business of stealing" and her actions had been "planned, calculated and persistent". "I have not seen such a case before. You travelled significant distances to steal from up and down the country and target high value bags," the judge added. The court heard how Rand, a housewife and mother of two, was able to carry out her crimes and even stole to order for some of her online buyers. Prosecutor David Wooler said: "She stole handbags from all over the country. "She targeted department stores including Debenhams, House of Fraser and John Lewis. "Her usual method of theft was to go into the store without a bag, pick up one from the display, walk around with it on her shoulder for a while, then simply walk out of the store. "Sometimes she would have to remove the security tag, but usually she wouldn't have to." But her crime spree came to an end when security staff at a shopping centre in Cwmbran caught her and alerted police. The court heard after officers began to investigate they found she had listed a significant number of handbags for sale on eBay priced competitively. "Her house was full of sealable grey delivery bags and Post Office receipts," the prosecutor told the court. "She set up a legitimate business and no one, not even her husband, knew what she was doing. "Rand told police she needed money to fund her lifestyle." She admitted stealing 905 handbags and four purses from House of Fraser and various retail businesses between December 2009 and December 2012. She also admitted converting criminal assets from 838 handbags. The court was told the cost price of the handbags was in excess of £130,000 but the prosecutor said the retail price would be much greater. In her defence, Andrew Taylor, said: "She bitterly regrets everything that she's done." "She became almost immune to the feeling of wrongdoing. "She was almost addicted to stealing high-value bags in an attempt to keep the ship afloat. "She never expected to find herself in such dire circumstances and out of desperation took this course of action." During sentencing, Judge Rhys Rowlands told Rand: "This was a remarkably serious raft of thefts which only ended when you were caught stealing a valuable handbag from a store in Cwmbran. "How you got away with it for so long without being caught was deeply remarkable. "You showed professionalism and that is why you went undetected

Summary: A 48-year-old woman who stole 905 designer handbags over a three-year period has been jailed for 18 months.


The 16-year-old went to Michael Harrington's Grangetown home, in Cardiff, after suspecting him of sexually assaulting a schoolgirl, and fatally stabbed the 67-year-old. He was convicted of manslaughter after being cleared of murder at Cardiff Crown Court. Mrs Justice Nicola Davies said the case was a "tragedy". There was never a formal complaint made against Mr Harrington, the court heard. Sentencing the boy on Friday, the judge told him: "This was a tragedy for you and a tragedy for your family and is something you will live with for the rest of your life. "You are of positive good character and you genuinely believed that this man had sexually abused (the schoolgirl). "But you took the law into your own hands and no one has the authority to do that. "The offence is so serious that only a custodial sentence is justified." The teenager, who cannot be named, went to Mr Harrington's home on 3 August, stabbing him in his neck and ear with a steak knife. Mr Harrington died four days later. The boy claimed he never meant to kill the man, but stabbed him during a struggle with the knife. Despite his denials, he was found guilty of manslaughter by a majority verdict of 11-1 by the jury.

Summary: A schoolboy who killed a pensioner for allegedly abusing a girl has been given a three-year custodial sentence.


The scheme would be similar to 'Sarah's Law' - the law introduced in England, Scotland and Wales in 2011.. It allows a parent or guardian to ask police if a person who has contact with children is a child sex offender. Hundreds of paedophiles have been identified in Great Britain since the introduction of the scheme. Two DUP assembly members, Paul Frew and Lord Morrow, have tabled an amendment to the Justice Bill due to be discussed in the assembly on Tuesday. The amendment says that guidance for statutory agencies managing the risks of offenders must "contain arrangements for the consideration of disclosure, to any particular member of the public, of information in the possession of the agencies about the relevant previous convictions of any specified sexual or violent offender, where it is necessary to protect a particular child or children from serious harm caused by the offender." The amendment also states that members of the public provided with information may be prevented from disclosing it to any other person. Sarah's Law was named after eight-year-old Sarah Payne, who was murdered by paedophile Roy Whiting in July 2000.

Summary: The DUP is proposing the introduction of a paedophile disclosure scheme in Northern Ireland.


The Peaks Parkway site has been identified by planning consultants SLR as the club seeks to move from its current Blundell Park home. The location is recommended for approval in a report for North East Lincolnshire Council. Six sites were analysed by SLR, but Peaks Parkway was the only one "reasonably available" the report said. The stadium is planned to be an initial 14,000 capacity, with capability to be expanded to 20,100 seats. It will feature leisure facilities, community football pitches and changing facilities. The land between Peaks Parkway and Weelsby Avenue is currently green space, council buildings and allotments. The site is close to Grimsby Crematorium. The report is on the agenda for the council's cabinet meeting on 31 August. It also states a detailed viability analysis and outline business case for the site would need to be presented to the council by November.

Summary: A preferred site for a new community stadium for Grimsby Town Football Club has been revealed.


The letters are going to addresses whose waste is sent to Associated Waste Management in Shipley where the baby girl's body was found on 19 May. The site received 97 loads of waste the day before, 51 from Bradford and the rest from elsewhere in the county. Police hope an appeal by letter may jog the memory of a potential witness. The deliveries will be made to addresses in more than 2,000 post code areas, while a second letter will be sent to businesses to appeal to staff for information about the case. Inquiries have so far revealed the baby was a newly-born white girl who died two or three days before her body was discovered by staff at the Valley Road site. A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "It is also believed the baby did not have a hospital birth and locating the mother to make sure she is safe and well remains a priority for officers." A team of detectives continues to work on the investigation and police have also been carrying out forensic work to examine other possible ways to identify the baby girl. Det Supt Sukhbir Singh, who is leading the investigation, said: "The answer to finding the mother of this child continues to lie within the communities of West Yorkshire and we are carrying out this new information seek to see if we can uncover new information to help us find her. "Any case which involves the death of a baby is harrowing and we are determined to explore all avenues to both identify this baby girl and locate her family."

Summary: Police are sending letters to 37,000 homes in West Yorkshire from this week in a bid to find the mother of a baby who was found dead at a waste site.


Speaking as the fate of thousands of steel jobs hangs in the balance, Lord West said that UK production was vital for the defence sector. He argued that all countries that are members of the United Nations Security Council had major steel plants to support their defence industry. "I cannot think of another major military power that doesn't have its own indigenous steel production capabilities," Lord West told the BBC. "Certainly none of the members of the UN Security Council have jettisoned that capability and I find it extraordinary to think that we as a nation would do that." Lord West, the former security minister in Gordon Brown's government, and now a member of Parliament's Joint Committee on National Security Strategy, said that having an indigenous capacity was vital. "Steel is fundamental to industrial output," the Labour peer argued. "It's seen as one of the key things that a nation produces. "It's fundamental to the production of cars, warship building, ship building more widely and the construction industry. The nuclear power stations being built will have an awful lot of steel in them. "And any nation with any clout of any significance has its own steel industry, because any nation of any clout - and we are the fifth richest in the world - [well] I'm afraid in the next 50 years there might well be people who don't like Britain in that position, and who knows what's going to happen. "And it's important we have our own indigenous capability so that when push comes to shove and our backs are to the wall we can still produce things vital to ensure the survival and safety of our population." Senior figures in the defence industry have told me that steel production in the UK is "preferable" to sourcing supplies from abroad and that the manufacturing skills base in the UK would be undermined if the steel industry was wound down. Some 94% of the steel being used to build the UK's two new aircraft carriers is British made. But despite the calls for support for the mass steel industry, some business leaders are urging caution when the government considers how best to react. Simon Walker, director general of the Institute of Directors, told the BBC the MG Rover debacle - when the government financially supported the retention of car production at the Longbridge plant which later collapsed - showed that large amounts of money can be wasted trying to defy economic gravity. "There's always a temptation for politicians to intervene when this many jobs are concerned," he said. "I don't think it is the right approach. "There is a future for British steel but it's not about basic steel products. "It's about advanced high tech products like vessels for nuclear reactors. "British manufacturers consume far more steel than is produced. It's a far bigger part of that economy, and I'm afraid cheaper steel is in the interests of those industries. "So my focus would be on helping the people who have been affected and retraining them, reskilling them into other kinds of

Summary: The former First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff has told the BBC that it would be "unforgiveable" if large scale steel production ended in the UK.


Falkirk's 2-2 home draw with Queen of the South gave the Tangerines the chance to move above them, and Tony Andreu's header put the hosts ahead. But Robbie Thomson nodded The Sons level before half-time and Lewis Vaughan's neat finish made it 2-1. Thomas Mikkelsen tapped home to level but United couldn't find a winner. They remain in third place, a point behind Falkirk, who travel to face Dumbarton next Saturday, while United complete their regular-season fixtures away to fourth-placed Greenock Morton. Ray McKinnon's side must win at Morton and hope Falkirk drop points, or United will be consigned to an extra two-legged tie - against Morton - in the play-offs. The Sons, meanwhile, have all but sealed their place in the Championship for another year after moving three points clear of Raith Rovers in the relegation play-off spot, but with a superior goal difference of nine. Vaughan, who scored his fourth goal since joining Dumbarton on loan from Raith in January, finds himself in the tricky position of possibly sending his parent club into the relegation play-off. "Obviously I am contracted to Raith next season and it's a bit of a strange one, as I think Rovers are far too big a club to go down," he told BBC Alba. "But I am a professional footballer at the end of the day and I am just doing my job. I don't know if I could play for Raith if they end up in the play-off, but I would love to go back there and keep them in the Championship." Rovers could still avoid the play-off if they beat bottom side Ayr United in Kirkcaldy, and St Mirren lose at champions Hibernian in their final game. Match ends, Dundee United 2, Dumbarton 2. Second Half ends, Dundee United 2, Dumbarton 2. Corner, Dundee United. Conceded by Daniel Harvie. Substitution, Dumbarton. David Smith replaces Samuel Stanton. Attempt missed. Thomas Mikkelsen (Dundee United) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Corner, Dundee United. Conceded by Andy Stirling. Attempt blocked. Tony Andreu (Dundee United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Blair Spittal (Dundee United) wins a free kick on the right wing. Foul by Ross McCrorie (Dumbarton). Attempt blocked. Samuel Stanton (Dumbarton) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Substitution, Dumbarton. Garry Fleming replaces Christian Nade. Foul by Willo Flood (Dundee United). Mark Docherty (Dumbarton) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Attempt missed. Simon Murray (Dundee United) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Goal! Dundee United 2, Dumbarton 2. Thomas Mikkelsen (Dundee United) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner. Attempt saved. Alistair Coote (Dundee United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Attempt saved. Andy Stirling (Dumbarton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Substitution, Dumbarton. Mark Docherty replaces Lewis Vaughan. Thomas Mikkelsen (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul

Summary: Dundee United's hopes of finishing second in the Championship suffered a blow as they could only draw with lowly Dumbarton at Tannadice.


Police found a man, thought to have been cut with a knife, in Bracebridge Drive, Bilborough, at about 15:00 BST on Thursday. A short time later the PCSO, who was involved in looking for the suspects, was attacked. Two men were arrested and have been bailed pending further inquires. The stab victim was taken to hospital but has since been released.

Summary: A Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) has been assaulted while trying to catch a man believed to have been involved in a stabbing in Nottingham.


Australian Border Force (ABF) said its officers would be checking for visa fraud as part of a general crime crackdown involving several agencies. But the move sparked a social media outcry, with fears of harassment and racial profiling. Victoria Police then said Operation Fortitude had been cancelled. A scheduled press conference was also cancelled after about 300 people gathered in the heart of Melbourne to protest against the operation, The Age reported. The initial statement from the ABF said a "diverse team of transport and enforcement agencies" would be operating in Melbourne on Friday and Saturday night. "Officers will be positioned at various locations around the CBD speaking with any individual we cross paths with," said regional commander Don Smith. "You need to be aware of the conditions of your visa; if you commit visa fraud you should know it's only a matter of time before you're caught out." Word of the plan spread like wildfire on social media, and there were calls for a snap protest outside the Flinders Street train station. The ABF later issued a "clarifying statement" on its plans, saying: "[We] will not be 'stopping people at random' in Melbourne to 'check people's papers' as reported in media." "The ABF does not and will not stop people at random in the streets and does not target on the basis of race, religion, or ethnicity." Police have since cancelled the entire multi-agency operation. "Victoria Police has made a decision not to go ahead with this weekend's Operation Fortitude," it said. "We understand there has been a high level of community interest and concern which has been taken into consideration when making this decision." The Federal Government spent $10m Australian ($7.7m; Â£4.6m) in branding the months-old Border Force with a new hardline image, local media this week reported. It including new military-style uniforms and signs at airports and detention centres.

Summary: Australia's border protection agency has sparked outrage with a snap announcement it would carry out visa checks on the streets of Melbourne.


Scottish right-back Grimmer, 21, returns to the Town following a seven-game loan spell last season. Former Manchester United youngster Cole, 22, has been at the Greenhous Meadow since September, having so far scored two goals in 19 appearances. Both players are scheduled to stay with Shrewsbury until the end of the season. "Jack's full of power and pace and we have seen the importance of that in this division," said Mellon. "We need to try and get as much of that in the team as possible in the coming weeks." "Cole's an exciting player. He has that pace, trickery and League One quality we are looking for." Shrewsbury, 20th in League One, just a point clear of trouble, are also hopeful of bringing back striker Andy Mangan from Tranmere Rovers and have been linked with Northampton Town midfielder Lawson D'Ath.

Summary: League One strugglers Shrewsbury Town have re-signed Fulham defender Jack Grimmer on loan and extended the stay of Cottagers midfielder Larnell Cole.


Kerber, 28, beat Caroline Wozniacki in her semi-final as current number one Serena Williams lost against Karolina Pliskova to end 186 weeks at the top. Germany's Kerber will officially become her country's first number one since Steffi Graf in 1996 when the new rankings are released next week. "To be number one in the world sounds amazing," said second seed Kerber. "For me it's amazing to be, after Steffi, the number one player from Germany," added Kerber, who is also the first German singles player to reach a US Open final since Graf in 1996. Find out how to get into tennis in our special guide. "Steffi is a great champion, a great person and I think she's proud of me to be the next number one after her." In becoming number one, she also protects her compatriot's record of consecutive weeks at the top of the rankings as Williams' defeat to Pliskova of the Czech Republic leaves the American tied with Graf on 186 weeks. Australian Open champion and Wimbledon runner-up Kerber, who won Olympic silver in Rio, will take on Pliskova in Saturday's final in New York, as she attempts to win a second Grand Slam title.

Summary: US Open finalist Angelique Kerber says that being able to call herself the new world number one "sounds amazing".


King Salman's decree also means Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 31, will become deputy prime minister while continuing as defence minister. Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, 57, has been removed from his role as head of domestic security, state media say. He has pledged allegiance to the new crown prince, his younger cousin. Saudi Arabia has typically been ruled by kings in their 70s or 80s. Prince Mohammed bin Salman's rapid ascent is seen by the younger generation as a sign that things are changing. Before his latest promotion, he was responsible for leading Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen, overseeing the kingdom's energy policy and economic reform. He must have already ruffled a lot of feathers in a royal family that was used to being presided over by a succession of elderly men, the BBC's Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen reports. His father King Salman is 81 and reportedly not in the best of health, our correspondent adds. Prince Mohammed bin Salman could, potentially, lead Saudi Arabia for decades, heralding a long period of internal stability. However, the new crown prince is close to US President Donald Trump, and could ratchet up pressure against Iran - which would raise tensions in the region. The rise of Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been meteoric. When I met him in Jeddah in 2013 he described himself as simply "a lawyer". Today he is a heartbeat away from ruling the most powerful country in the Arab world. Despite being the driving force behind Saudi Arabia's damaging and inconclusive military campaign in Yemen, he is largely popular at home, especially with younger Saudis. He has swept away many of the ineffective timeservers in government offices and replaced them with young, Western-educated technocrats. He has set out a possibly over-ambitious development plan, "Vision 2030", and announced plans to sell off part of the vast state-owned oil company, Saudi Aramco. He has also forged ties with Washington and the Trump administration. But his biggest and most risky move may yet prove to be his bid to curb the power of the conservative religious establishment. Washington likes this move, but others closer to home do not. The founder of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz (known as Ibn Saud), had dozens of sons, and there are as many as 15,000 princes and princesses in the royal family. In 2006, a decree was passed setting up a committee responsible for electing the king and crown prince. The committee is made up of senior princes of the Al Saud royal family and is known as the Allegiance Council. Mohammed bin Salman's new promotion to crown prince was approved by 31 out of 34 members of the council. Analysts say those in power tend to appoint their sons to roles that will enhance their chances of being promoted - so when monarchs and crown princes change, sons can come into and out of favour. King Salman, a son of King Abdulaziz, acceded to the throne in January 2015 after the death of his half-brother Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz. He launched his first major cabinet reshuffle a

Summary: Saudi Arabia's king has appointed his son Mohammed bin Salman as crown prince - replacing his nephew, Mohammed bin Nayef, as first in line to the throne.


James Mattis's reaffirmation of US commitment to the alliance comes after disparaging comments from President Donald Trump. But Mr Mattis also reiterated Mr Trump's demand that many Nato countries raise military spending. The meeting comes amid concern over the new administration's ties with Russia. It also follows reports that Russia violated a landmark arms control treaty by deploying a new cruise missile, reports the Kremlin has dismissed. Mr Trump's comments, during his campaign, that the US might not defend allies who do not contribute their "fair share" to Nato, have worried many European nations, particularly those near Russia's border. He was critical of the Western military alliance, describing it as "obsolete". But speaking in Brussels, Mr Mattis said the Trump administration had "strong support" for Nato. "The alliance remains a fundamental bedrock for the United States and the trans-Atlantic community, bonded as we are together," he said. While hailing the alliance's ability to respond to security challenges, he said it was a "fair demand that all who benefit from the best defence in the world carry their proportionate share of the necessary cost to defend freedom". On the eve of Wednesday's meeting, Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg indicated a willingness to work with the US. "The most important thing is that we increase defence spending and that is exactly what we are doing." As he arrived for the talks in Brussels, he said he was "absolutely certain that the message from this meeting will be a message of trans-Atlantic unity... and a very strong commitment of the United States to Nato". And he said the military alliance would have "serious concern" if reports that Russia had violated a Cold War-era treaty by deploying a cruise missile proved true. Mr Mattis will have strong support from Britain, one of only five Nato countries to meet existing targets for defence spending, says the BBC's defence and diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus. Speaking to reporters as he arrived for the meeting, British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, said he was looking forward to working with Mr Mattis on "the steps needed to modernise Nato, to make it more agile and more responsive and how we can persuade other countries to meet their fair share of the burden by increasing their expenditure to 2%". However, the resignation of Michael Flynn as US national security adviser - and the rumbling row over the Trump team's contacts with Russia - is likely to cause unease among the 28-nation group, our correspondent adds. As he travelled to the Nato meeting, Mr Mattis told reporters that Mr Flynn's departure would have "no impact" on his role. He praised Nato, calling it "the most successful military alliance in history". Mr Mattis has previously taken a different view to the new US president on various foreign policy issues. He has warned that Washington has not taken seriously enough Russia's military moves against its neighbours - annexing Crimea and backing separatists in Ukraine - and also criticised Mr Trump's view that Nato was "obsolete" as "kooky".

Summary: The new US defence secretary has hailed Nato as the "fundamental bedrock" of trans-Atlantic co-operation, as he met defence ministers for the first time.


Fellow Briton James DeGale, 29, who was the mandatory challenger, will now fight for the vacant title. Froch, 37, wants to defend his WBA super-middleweight title this summer. Talks have taken place over a potential bout against Mexico's Julio Cesar Chavez Junior in Las Vegas, or two-weight world champion Bernard Hopkins, 50, in Froch's home city of Nottingham. Froch told BBC Radio 5 live a fight in Vegas or at Nottingham Forest's City Ground would be motivation to continue his career, although he has not ruled out retirement. "Something needs to happen soon because if it doesn't, I will be retiring," added the boxer, who has won 33 of his 35 fights. The four-time world champion said he felt frustrated at having to pull out of a fight with Chavez which was originally scheduled for March. "I know what it's like to wait for a shot and I didn't want to hold James up in fighting for a world title," he said. "James is a great fighter and I hope he can go out and win that title. Who knows... we may even meet later in the year." DeGale earned the right to face Froch after beating Brandon Gonzalez on the undercard of Froch's Wembley fight against George Groves in May 2014. Promoter Eddie Hearn is in negotiations for Degale to fight American Andre Dirrell for the IBF title and hopes the clash can take place on 25 April at London's O2 Arena. "I'm making history," said DeGale. "I'm going to be the first British Olympic gold medallist to win a world title."

Summary: Carl Froch has vacated his IBF super-middleweight belt as he recovers from an elbow injury.


The 83-year-old former Australia captain sustained chest and shoulder injuries driving alone to his home in Coogee after playing golf. "No-one was injured. I was more worried about the car than myself," Benaud said of his vintage 1963 Sunbeam Alpine. Tests: 63 Runs: 2,201 Highest score: 122 Batting average: 24.45 Wickets: 248 Best figures: 7-72 Bowling average: 27.03 Benaud has commentated since ending his playing days in 1964 and is due to work on the Ashes, starting on 21 November. Channel Nine Entertainment chief executive officer David Gyngell said: "Richie is a national treasure. In the Nine family, he sits at the head of the table. "As always, he and (wife) Daphne have our support and Richie will return to call the coming Ashes series against England - his 36th summer in Nine's Wide World of Sports commentary box - when he is good and ready." A statement on Channel Nine's Facebook page said Benaud's vehicle mounted a verge before crashing into the wall. Police attended the incident but no charges were laid. "Richie's remarkable," his wife Daphne was quoted as saying. "At first I was quite concerned but today he's looking unbelievably well."

Summary: Legendary commentator Richie Benaud is recovering in hospital after the car he was driving hit a brick wall in Sydney.


Between the first quarter of 2016 and the same period this year, the amount of goods sold in Scotland rose by 0.2%, compared with British growth of 2.1%. Meanwhile, the value of shop sales north of the border grew by 1.8%, while Britain saw a rise of 4.8%. The figures were included in the latest Retail Sales Index for Scotland. Scotland outperformed Britain in the first three months of this year, however, in both value and volume terms. The first quarter saw the volume of sales in Scotland fall by 0.4%, while the figure for Britain showed a drop of 1.4%. And while the value of sales across Britain flat-lined, Scotland saw growth of 0.5% between January and March. Commenting on the figures, Scottish Retail Consortium director David Lonsdale said: "The improvement in the headline figure for the total value of retail sales in the first quarter of this year is encouraging at first glance, but it looks less rosy once falling shop prices are taken into account. "Indeed, shop prices have fallen each month for the past four years which demonstrates that retailers are having to work ever harder to maintain let alone grow sales values." Euan Murray, from Barclays Corporate Banking, said: "Increased supply chain costs and issues could go some way to explaining the falling figures in this quarter - from the bad weather in Spain affecting food imports to the weak value of sterling, you don't have to look far for a reason. "The sector has also had the added pressure of a later Easter, which could have resulted in less consumer spend in quarter one." He added: "With 36% of UK e-retail sales via mobile, retailers must invest in their online and mobile shopping platforms to improve the user experience and drive growth. "However, with inflation in the UK set to accelerate faster than earnings growth for the first time since 2014 and consumers planning to spend less on every category with the exception of grocery, it is looking like it's going to be an uphill battle for the high street."

Summary: Retail sales in Scotland have grown much more slowly over the past year than in Great Britain as a whole, according to new figures.


Only a detailed investigation can uncover what vital clues may have been missed as to the extremist leanings and murderous intentions of the killers. These are some of the questions that need answers. What happened to the tracking of the killers by the police and security agencies? Two were known to the authorities. It is also believed that there were links with extremists in the UK and Yemen. It is reported that the police decided to stop tracking them six months earlier. What were the reasons behind this decision? Were vital clues lost when it came to sharing information between the French authorities and other international agencies? How organised were the attacks? What was the precise level of co-ordination and planning? Was it a "home grown" terror attack, with inspiration and training coming from elsewhere? Or was it planned and instigated through a wider network? The claims of the perpetrators themselves have to be treated with caution until more is known about the detailed planning of the attacks and the training and travel movements of the individual terrorists. How and where did the killers obtain the weapons to carry out the attacks? How did they manage to conceal their arms cache without someone becoming suspicious? Are there others still at large who may have helped? The acquisition and transport of the weapons seems to have slipped past the radar of the police. What role did Hayat Boumeddiene play? The Turkish foreign minister said the widow of the Jihadist in the deli siege flew to Turkey on 2 January, well before the Charlie Hebdo massacre. She is now said to be in Syria. We simply don't know enough about her role at this stage but some reports say she helped plan the attacks. Pictures have emerged in recent days appearing to show her engaged in terror training. Why is so much of France's Muslim population behind bars? No official figures exist because there appears to be no formal monitoring of numbers. But some reports have spoken of around 70% of the prison population being made up of Muslims. It is known that French prisons are a major source of radicalisation, so what are the authorities doing to combat that?

Summary: In the days and weeks ahead, the French police and intelligence agencies will be picking through every aspect of the terror attacks in Paris.


The Merthyr and Rhymney AM will stand down before this year's election after 17 years in Cardiff Bay. Speaking to BBC Radio Wales' Sunday Supplement programme, he said many politicians, including some in his own party, were nervous and sceptical about devolution in 1999. But that view is now "long gone". While he was "a very early convert", he said the closeness of the referendum result - 50.3% voted for and 49.7% voted against setting up the assembly - created "a great deal of nervousness". He said: "My opinion was always the proof of the pudding is in the eating, it's about what the institution does - in terms of social change - that really matters." Mr Lewis felt strongly that devolution could be used to tackle areas in which Wales was at a particular disadvantage to England, including health, education and combating poverty. The former chemistry teacher described taking on the education portfolio as "a dream come true" and said reforms to the curriculum and teacher training were two of his proudest achievements. He said: "The old England and Wales schools-based education agenda no longer exists. "Wales now has its own distinctive path and own distinctive future in terms of what our schools are going to look like." He said the reforms happening here were based on "real evidence" and not "ideologically driven", which is what he fears is happening in England with the "marketisation of education". By implementing a Scandinavian-style model - that includes children learning through play - he hopes teachers will be better skilled and standards will rise. "We're not emulating England, we're emulating the best," Mr Lewis said. This is despite an assumption he believes is made by many that Wales should see England as a "gold standard" and if something different is tried here, it is somehow suspect and second rate. "I hope, that as devolution has matured over the years, we are finally beginning to break away from that kind of mentality," he added. "We are quite capable of setting out our own agenda and following it and basing it, in global terms, on what the best looks like. "That's the real dividend from devolution. That should always be where we're thinking.''

Summary: Wales has "broken away" from England and is now capable of setting its own agenda thanks to devolution, outgoing education minister Huw Lewis has said.


National Grid applied to install the overhead line which would carry electricity from the proposed new nuclear power station, Hinkley C. The Planning Inspectorate has announced it will hold a six-month inquiry, during which local people can comment. It will then make a recommendation to the Secretary of State. Sir Michael Pitt, chief executive for the Planning Inspectorate, said the application "met the required tests" and the decision was made after "careful consideration". "The applicant must now decide when to publicise the fact that its application has been accepted to proceed to examination and announce when members of the public will be able to register with the Planning Inspectorate as an interested party in the application," he added. The National Grid plans were submitted last month. A company spokesman previously said it had taken "five years of consultation". It will see 30-miles of overhead wires carried on pylons and a five-mile section under the Mendips, connecting the station, near Bridgwater, Somerset, to the National Grid's 400,000 volt substation at Avonmouth. It would also see the removal of 246 pylons and 42 miles of cabling between Bridgwater and Avonmouth, and Nailsea. Those against the pylons argue the entire route should be underground or sub-sea - but National Grid had previously said this option would be too expensive. Now the plans have been accepted for examination, the documents will become public. A final decision will not be made until late 2015.

Summary: Plans for more than 140 pylons connecting Hinkley Point to Avonmouth have been accepted for examination by the government.


Rutherford, 26, will play in all three forms of the game while Dilshan plays in the Caribbean Premier League. Rutherford, who is part of the Kiwi Test side touring England this summer, has played 16 Tests, scoring 755 runs. "Hamish is a talented top-order batsman," said elite performance director Graeme Welch. "He has international pedigree in both the long and shorter formats which will be key as he joins us at what is a busy part of the summer." Rutherford also had a spell playing for Essex during the 2013 season.

Summary: Derbyshire have signed New Zealand opening Test batsman Hamish Rutherford as cover for Tillakaratne Dilshan from mid-June until the end of July.


It happened at about 20:00 BST at Rafters bar and restaurant in Northland Road area on Wednesday. He was treated for a hand injury at Altnagelvin Hospital and discharged a short time later. It is understood the wedding involved members of the travelling community. A man was later arrested by Irish police in County Donegal. SDLP councillor John Boyle said a shotgun was used. "A weapon was discharged, I believe that weapon was a shotgun," he said. "At around 8.30pm, police told me, they received a report of an incident relating to some type of altercation at the Rafters bar and restaurant on the Northland Road, Ballymagroarty area," said Mr Boyle. "It's always very worrying when you hear about weapons being produced whether it be at a wedding, on the street or in someone's home, there is always the very real potential for death or serious injury."

Summary: A man in his 30s has been injured in a shooting at a wedding reception in Londonderry.


6 October 2015 Last updated at 08:13 BST The nine-day event will host more than 500 balloons, representing 20 different countries. Thousands of visitors are expected to enjoy the spectacular sights.

Summary: The 44th annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is under way in the US.


Swansea's 5-0 defeat at Tottenham and Sunderland's win over champions Leicester City means Bob Bradley's side are bottom of the league. Sunderland are two points ahead of Swansea in the relegation zone and visit the Liberty Stadium on Saturday. "It's one of the most important games of the season," said Amat. "We have to learn from [the Spurs game] and be ready for next week because it's a final." Media playback is not supported on this device Saturday's heavy defeat at White Hart Lane ended Swansea' two match unbeaten run which had seen them draw 1-1 at Everton and beat Crystal Palace 5-4. After facing Sunderland, the Swans travel to West Brom and Middlesbrough and then have back-to-back home games against West Ham United and Bournemouth. "I believe we've got a strong team and we need to be better," Amat added. "In the last two games we were playing good - the idea was clear. We need to come back like the last two weeks. "This month is so important for us."

Summary: Swansea City defender Jordi Amat says their home game against Premier League relegation rivals Sunderland will be like a "final."


The review follows the attack in the French city of Nice on 14 July which left at least 84 people dead. The government said that the measures may make attending the games less comfortable for visitors but they would result in greater security. The Games are expected to attract as many as 500,000 foreign visitors. "The attack in Nice is worrisome for us too. We will review procedures, make more barriers, more spot-checks on visitors and roadblocks", said Defence Minister Raul Jungmann. The authorities had previously declared public holidays and banned trucks from certain areas of Rio during the Olympics to ease congestion and improve emergency response capabilities. Rio's mayor, Eduardo Paes, said security would be beefed up for Olympic delegations from countries which have been targeted. Mr Paes did not give any further details, but the head of French military intelligence said France had been informed of a planned terror attack on its team at the Rio Games. Gen Christophe Gomart told a parliamentary commission in May that a "partner agency" warned of the plot by a Brazilian Islamist militant. The transcript of the hearing was made public this week. "Brazil is confident about its preparations. We are employing the most modern security and defence techniques", Sports Minister Leonardo Picciani told Reuters news agency. Earlier this week, Mr Picciani said the armed forces would get an extra $24m (Â£18m) to help them meet security needs. The military would begin patrolling sports venues from 24 July, he added. More than 80,000 police and soldiers will patrol the streets of Rio for the duration of the games.

Summary: The Brazilian government has met to reassess security measures ahead of next month's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.


Downie, 15, became the first British woman to win an international all-around medal in her first senior year. Purvis also finished third in the men's competition to claim his second career European all-around bronze. Media playback is not supported on this device Fellow Britons Sam Oldham and Claudia Fragapane finished sixth in their respective overall competitions. Downie, in her first senior year, scored 56.623, behind winner Giulia Steingruber of Switzerland and Russia's Maria Kharenkova. "I'm over the moon. I never thought coming here I'd be among the medals," Downie told BBC Sport in Montpellier. "I was hoping for a top six or eight finish - it's just absolutely amazing." Downie, younger sister of European uneven bars champion Becky, made a good start on bars then followed with solid routines on beam and floor - where she was marked down for stepping out of the field. She finished strongly with 14.8 on the vault - her strongest apparatus, and the one where she will aim for another medal in Saturday's final, as well as the uneven bars. Media playback is not supported on this device "I was really nervous going into the vault," she said. "I knew if I nailed it I could have a shot at a medal so I just tried to keep calm and do what I do in training." Britain's second medal of the day came thanks to 24-year-old Purvis who scored 87.423 over his six apparatus routines. Ukrainie's Oleg Verniaiev took the all-around gold ahead of David Belyavskiy of Russia.

Summary: Ellie Downie and Dan Purvis each delivered Great Britain a bronze medal at the European Gymnastics Championships in Montpellier.


The president scrapped sanctions implemented 11 years ago against former President Charles Taylor. Taylor is now in a maximum-security prison for a series of war crimes. President Obama said that Taylor's imprisonment meant that sanctions were no longer necessary. He said that he and his allies now had a "diminished ability" to "undermine Liberia's progress". National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said that the US wanted to congratulate the people of Liberia "for their determination, ingenuity and commitment to peace and democracy" that has made the lifting of sanctions possible. Taylor and his inner circle fuelled a brutal 1991-2002 civil war in Liberia that killed tens of thousands of people. He was arrested in 2006 and charged by a UN-backed court with 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity for acts committed by rebels in Sierra Leone who he aided and abetted. The Special Court for Sierra Leone trial was held at The Hague in case it sparked renewed unrest in West Africa. Taylor was sentenced to 50 years in jail for what judges described as "some of the most heinous crimes in human history". The former Liberian leader is now being held in a maximum-security British prison. Liberia has been led by Nobel Prize winner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf since 2006. She has worked closely with the West in tackling Ebola.

Summary: The US has lifted economic sanctions against Liberia as President Barack Obama praised the country's commitment to democracy since the end of the 2003 civil war, the White House has said.


Bribes of between $1,000 - $5,000 (£800; £4,000) have been paid, Gen Nur Farah Jimale said. The BBC has also learned that some candidates have been offering bribes of up to $1.3m (£1m) to secure votes. Indirect elections have been taking place since October as the country remains too unsafe for a national vote. Much of the country is still under the control of Islamist militant group al-Shabab, which is affiliated to al-Qaeda. Gen Nur told the BBC Somali Service that some seats should be re-run because money had been used to "out-manoeuvre" other candidates, in some cases, meaning all but one candidate had withdrawn. Cases of government resources being used in the election have also been documented, he said. The elections are being funded by the United Nations which also supports the government based in the capital, Mogadishu. Somalia has not had a functional national government since the ousting of its former leader Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.

Summary: Massive cases of corruption and voter intimidation have marred the ongoing parliamentary elections in Somalia, the auditor general has told the BBC.