But even from the road below the village you can see the buildings are shattered, roofs collapsed, more reminiscent of a war zone than the Umbrian countryside. Nearly a year on from the earthquakes which devastated this region of central Italy, visitors have just been allowed back into the so-called "zona rossa" near Castellucio, although not the village itself. The red zone marks areas still regarded as too dangerous to visit but an exception was made for people to see "La Fioritura". This is a spectacular showing of wild flowers in the meadows of the Piano Grande. We joined a convoy of around 40 cars to be taken through army road blocks high up into the Sibillini mountains. Village after village showed the impact of the earthquakes that hit this region, first in August 2016 and then again in October. These villages look as if the earthquake had just happened, instead of nearly a year ago. Most of the people who lived there have been moved to hotels on the coast. We left our cars on top of a high ridge and trekked for two hours down on to the plain, overlooked by the jagged peak of Monte Vettore, which marks the boundary between Umbria and Le Marche. A deep, black crack could be seen high up on the mountainside which had appeared after the earthquake. As we came down on to the plain, extraordinary splashes of colour came into view, reminiscent of an Impressionist canvas. Meadows were tinted red with swathes of poppies, others bright blue with cornflowers. Normally there would be 10,000 visitors a day to photograph the splendours of the Fioritura, we were told. This year it is in the hundreds. There are more beehives than people in the fields. The 16 sq km (6 sq miles) Piano Grande - literally the big plain - was once a glacier lake and is surrounded by mountains. It is here that the farmers of Castelluccio plant their lentils, a crop that has become famous amongst foodies around the world. This year they were only allowed in by convoy to prepare for the season ahead. No-one is allowed up into what has become a ghost village. It was once the highest inhabited village in Italy at 1,452m (4,760 ft). Below what has been his home for generations, Lorenzo Caponecchi is selling lentils and wild peas in a stall by the side of the road. I wondered why it was taking time for rebuilding to begin. Was it because these were such old buildings or was it a question of money? No, said his partner Monia Falzetti angrily. "It's the state and the politicians. There is plenty of money from the EU but we aren't seeing any of it." Other former inhabitants of Castelluccio are so angry at the lack of help that they believe visitors should not be allowed into the Piano Grande. It is the tourism of rubble, they proclaim. But the local mayor told La Repubblica that the flowers of the Piano Grande do not just belong to the people

Summary: From a distance Castelluccio looks the same as it has done for 1,000 years, a beautiful hilltop town in the midst of one of Italy's most celebrated plains, the Piano Grande.


Media playback is not supported on this device The 24-year-old from Newport beat Charly Suarez of the Philippines on a split decision in his opening bout on day one of competition. Cordina will face Hurshid Tojibaev of Uzbekistan in the round of 16 on Tuesday (15:30 BST). "They had it as a split decision but I thought I won every round," he said. "The first one is normally my shaky one and it was against a tough opponent in Charlie Suarez." The 2015 European champion expects another tough contest against the 26-year-old Tojibaev who has fought as a professional and qualified for the Olympics through AIBA Pro Boxing ranking. The Uzbek scored a unanimous points win over Hakan Erseker of Qatar in his first bout. "As soon as the draw came out I said I have one of the hardest routes of anyone in the 60kg," added Cordina. "But you have to beat them all to win the gold and that's what I'm planning on doing. "I know a bit about Tojibaev and I've seen a couple of his bouts and I'm more than capable of beating him. "He's going to be very wary of me because I'm a European champion. It is what it is and the best man will win on the day. "Being the European champion everyone is going to be looking at me as well as the likes of the Cubans and the Russians - it's good."

Summary: Welsh boxer Joe Cordina believes he has got his "shaky" first fight out of his system and has set his sights on lightweight gold in Rio.


Chasing a modest 130 in a game reduced to 20 overs per side by rain, the hosts were set for a historic triumph with 20 needed off 16 balls and Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara at the crease. However, Morgan's departure for 33 was the first of four wickets to fall for three runs in eight balls as England were struck by a bout of nerves. They finished on 124-8 after James Tredwell missed the last ball of the innings with six required for victory. 1979 World Cup: Lost to West Indies by 92 runs 1987 World Cup: Lost to Australia by seven runs 1992 World Cup: Lost to Pakistan by 22 runs 2004 Champions Trophy: Lost to West Indies by two wickets 2010 World Twenty20: Beat Australia by seven wickets 2013 Champions Trophy: Lost to India by five runs Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took 2-14 and slow left-armer Ravindra Jadeja 2-24 to complement his vital unbeaten 33 off 25 balls in India's 129-7. England are left to reflect on a fifth defeat in a major final - and another agonising loss in the Champions Trophy showpiece after going down to West Indies in 2004 - following the sort of woeful batting display that many thought had been consigned to the past. A jubilant India, meanwhile, can add the Champions Trophy to the World Cup they won in 2011. They - and the thousands of India fans among a sell-out crowd - also owe a debt of thanks to the International Cricket Council, which extended the close of play by more than an hour to allow the match to finish at 20:30 BST. The manner in which England floundered against spin - two batsmen were stumped, albeit one, in Ian Bell, despite replays suggesting otherwise - took the gloss off a fine performance with the ball. Bopara's 3-20 was therefore in vain, while his dismissal for a punchy 30 - what looked like being the game's most pivotal innings - is likely to be remembered as part of an infamous collapse. A fifth-wicket stand of 64 between Morgan and Bopara aside, England were rarely comfortable during a pursuit that was undermined when Alastair Cook edged Umesh Yadav to first slip in the second over. "India have been the team of the tournament and nobody can begrudge them this victory. Thank goodness the close of play time was extended because we had a fantastic game of cricket. It was a remarkable over from Ishant Sharma and it was that which turned the match around." Jonathan Trott, criticised for his strike-rate in this tournament, batted like he had a point to prove in making 20 off 17 balls, only to over-balance as he attempted to work Ashwin to the on side. Mahendra Dhoni completed a smart stumping off a leg-side wide. Joe Root swept Ashwin to short fine-leg and Bell was stumped - some replays suggested his foot was grounded - when he dragged his foot out pushing at man of the match Jadeja, leaving England 46-4. Bopara hit two huge leg-side sixes and Morgan

Summary: England's search for a global one-day title goes on after they collapsed to a five-run defeat by India in a pulsating Champions Trophy final at Edgbaston.


The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has been granted permission by Westminster City Council to replace the Warner Stand at the London ground. The MCC said the new structure, which includes a 135-seat restaurant with views of the ground, will improve sight-lines and accessibility. Work is set to begin on the Â£21m project at the end of the 2015 season. The redevelopment must first be approved by the club's membership, with the committee set to seek approval at a special general meeting in the summer of 2015. The current Warner Stand was built in 1958 and its replacement is the first phase of development in the 15-year Masterplan for Lord's, which was unveiled last May. MCC chief executive Derek Brewer said the club "wants Lord's to be the world's finest cricket ground and this new stand combines the best in architecture with world-class facilities to help achieve that". "Lord's celebrates its 200th birthday this year and we have a duty to ensure any changes made to the ground will stand the test of time and bring long-term benefits." He added the MCC, who remain the guardians of the laws and spirit of cricket, will continue to consult with local residents in St John's Wood about the ground's redevelopment.

Summary: Plans to redevelop a stand at Lord's, the home of cricket, have been given the go-ahead.


Broad, 29 - the world's top-ranked Test bowler - was drafted in after Liam Plunkett suffered a thigh injury. Plunkett, who had been brought in to replace the injured Steven Finn, will instead try to prove his fitness ahead of the subsequent Twenty20 matches. Broad has not featured in an England limited-overs squad since the World Cup in March 2015. England's first one-day international in South Africa is a day-night match in Bloemfontein on 3 February. Broad took six second-innings wickets for 17 runs in the third Test in Johannesburg to help England to a series win,

Summary: England bowler Stuart Broad has been called up to the one-day squad for the series in South Africa.


The suspect used to work at the home, near Montpellier, a source close to the investigation told AFP news agency. Prosecutor Christophe Barret said the motive was not clear but it was not linked to "Islamist terrorism". France remains in a formal state of emergency since a wave of terrorist attacks last year. The suspect, 47, was arrested near his home, about 10 miles (15km) from Montferrier-sur-Lez, the town where the attack was carried out. He worked at the home several years ago, and is now unemployed, the source said. Witnesses said the assailant was armed with a shotgun and a knife when he entered the home on Thursday night. A nurse raised the alarm after escaping from the home but when police arrived they found the body of the dead woman gagged and tied up outside the building. The 54-year-old woman, who worked in the home, has not been named. The home caters for former missionaries with past service in Africa, as well as several nuns. Residents "are very elderly with an average age of 75 although some are over 90", a local councillor said, adding that many need assistance to walk.

Summary: A former soldier, suspected of stabbing a woman to death in a retirement home for former missionaries, has been arrested in France.


The former owner of BHS, said it was "wholly untrue" that he had tried to pressurise the regulator. He also attacked statements made by MP Frank Field, calling them "untrue, totally inaccurate and unhelpful". Sir Philip said: "I would like to apologise sincerely to all the BHS people involved in this sorry affair." He was responding to press articles suggesting he had been putting pressure on the Pensions Regulator by saying he would help plug the BHS pensions gap if it dropped an investigation into the retail chain's collapse. He also reacted angrily to statements in the House of Commons on Wednesday by Mr Field, chairman of the Work and Pensions Committee, that Sir Philip was unwilling to reach a pension fund settlement. "I stated at the [Work and Pensions Select Committee] hearing that it was my intention to try to find a solution, which is a voluntary one, and that is still my aim," he said. "Contrary to all the coverage I have been working on this issue on a daily basis." He said that he and his executives, had been co-operating with the Pensions Regulator for some 17 to 18 months. "Since before the company was sold in March 2015, it was always our intention to find a plan for the BHS pensioners that was better than the Pension Protection Fund and that remains the case today," he said. The retail tycoon sold BHS for a £1 just over a year before it went bust in April with a pension deficit of £571m.

Summary: Sir Philip Green has hit back at suggestions that he is attempting to "blackmail" the Pensions Regulator over plugging the £571m BHS pension deficit.


Mohammed Haji Sadiq taught for 30 years at Cardiff's Madina mosque and abused four girls as a form of punishment. He was found guilty of eight sexual assaults on a child under 13 by touching, and six indecent assaults after a trial at Cardiff Crown Court. The court heard Sadiq, of Cyncoed, "took advantage of his position". He had denied the charges involving four girls aged between five and 11 and blamed "politics" in the mosque for the accusations. But sentencing him, Judge Stephen Hopkins QC told Sadiq: "Children called you 'uncle' as a mark of respect. You are a man in my judgement of some cunning." He added: "Beneath the veneer there is a dark and deviant side." Sadiq, who was a part-time Imam, sexually assaulted two girls under the age of 13 by touching, and indecently assaulted two other girls over a decade between 1996 and 2006 at the Woodville Road mosque. He abused them if they made a mistake while reciting the Koran and would use a stick as a form of punishment in class, hitting people over the hand or hard on the back. Some of his victims said they were afraid to attend the mosque because of his abuse. One said she had attempted to take her own life because of the abuse. In victim impact statements read to the court, others said they felt they could not tell anyone about the abuse because of the culture they grew up in. The court heard one victim feared the consequences of speaking out following Sadiq's conviction. She said: "Due to my religion it was very difficult, almost impossible to tell anyone what had happened". She added: "In the Muslim religion we do not talk about personal matters". Another victim said it was "not acceptable" in her culture to talk about what was happening at the mosque. She said: "I remember the relief I felt when I told my mother, and she believed me and went to the police. "In my family honour is very important, but my family have been very supportive". Sadiq has had no involvement in the mosque since 2006 when it burnt down and was re-sited elsewhere in the city. He was cleared of one indecent assault after his trial last month. In addition to his jail sentence, he was issued with a sexual harm prevention order and will have to register as a sex offender. Det Ch Insp Rob Cronick of South Wales Police praised the "immense courage" of the victims who came forward. "As a result of the verdict and today's sentence I believe there may be members of the community who may now feel confident enough to speak to the police or our support agencies," he added. A spokesman for the children's charity NSPCC said: "This was an appalling breach of trust and Sadiq has rightly received a significant prison sentence for these heinous offences." A Muslim Council of Wales spokeswoman said: "We applaud the bravery and courage of the young women who now, as adults, pursued the case and pursued justice.

Summary: An 81-year-old former Koran teacher who was convicted of a string of child sex offences has been jailed for 13 years.


The Jersey hoard was found in a field by metal detectorists Richard Miles and Reg Meade in 2012. The leather purse is about the size of an average palm and is described as an important find by senior conservator Neil Mahrer. He said they have so far removed some 40,000 coins and this was the first bag they had come across. Mr Mahrer said: "It is made of leather, it looks like it is either made of one sheet or bootlace strands. "It is about 8cm across and 4cm deep. It is joined at one side to two rings that could have been for fixing it to a belt." The team from Jersey Heritage have been working for the past 18 months on removing the coins one at a time. There are an estimated 70,000 coins in the hoard. Mr Mahrer said: "The really important thing that might change our ideas is when we get to look at the coins themselves as we don't know the significance of the purse to the people who buried the hoard." He said they would be removing all the coins surrounding the purse so they could then remove it with the earth in a single block. The previous major find from the hoard was a selection of gold jewellery. Mr Mahrer said: "Since removing the gold torques we thought we were in a coin-rich areas but seeing this it looks like we're in a rich seem of surprises again. "Finding a purse where the whole thing is intact with the coins inside is pretty rare."

Summary: A rare purse has been found in the middle of one of the world's largest hoards of celtic coins.


The German, in a 2015 Ferrari for the first time after his move from Red Bull, headed Sauber's Marcus Ericsson. The new Mercedes made an ominous debut, with Nico Rosberg third fastest after completing a remarkable 157 laps. Fernando Alonso managed only six laps as McLaren began their engine partnership with Honda. Alonso was 18 seconds off the pace as the team struggled to get the car and engine running together - just as they had when they tried to run the engine in a 2014 car at a post-season test in Abu Dhabi in November. McLaren played down the situation, saying the car had been kept in the pits by "a few niggly problems". Alonso seemed unperturbed, writing on his Twitter account: "First laps. So proud of my team. Happy." The two-time champion hands over to Jenson Button on Monday as the two McLaren drivers alternate throughout the four days of the test. Meanwhile, McLaren chief executive Ron Dennis added that the car's livery - standard silver and black for now - would change at some point during the year, although he would not say when. Vettel's fastest time was a one minute 22.620 seconds lap and his position at the top of the time sheets was a mirror of the same test last year, when his new team-mate Kimi Raikkonen set the pace for Ferrari. The Italian team went on to have their worst season for more than 20 years, precipitating a series of sackings of top managers. The team lost its president, two team principals, and several senior design engineers by the end of 2014 and are not expecting to be competitive at the start of this year. Ericsson's pace for the struggling Sauber team underlined the relative meaninglessness of headline times in testing, when it is impossible to know what specification the cars are running in. But there was no escaping the fact that Mercedes had a successful first day. Rosberg completed more than twice as many laps as any other driver and was able to lap at will in the one minute 23 second bracket. World champion Lewis Hamilton was not allowed to drive as each team is only allowed to run one car per day. The team that dominated last season, winning 16 of the 19 races, is again a strong favourite this year. Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo was fourth fastest, 0.232secs behind Rosberg, but Red Bull chief technical officer Adrian Newey said he did not expect the team to be able to challenge Mercedes for the championship this season. "It was a decent first day, usual new car niggles, a battery issue and an engine problem, but nothing major so far," Newey said. He said the Red Bull, running in a temporary camouflage livery, was "hopefully a decent step forward from last year", but he added that a title challenge would be "extremely difficult, in truth. "The Mercedes power advantage was about 10% last year and that is not something Renault can close in one season. we are still going to be on the back

Summary: Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel set the pace on the first day of pre-season testing as Mercedes impressed and the new McLaren-Honda struggled.


4 June 2014 Last updated at 21:59 BST The government is so concerned about the lack of cover that it is introducing a new scheme that will force insurers to offer policies at affordable rates. But that doesn't come in until next year. Clinton Rogers reports from the village of Moorland.

Summary: Volunteers are rebuilding several uninsured homes on the Somerset Levels after floods that cost the West Country millions of pounds.


The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has written to legal representatives of most of the families after a request to David Cameron. Two sisters of one victim have rejected the offer. Thirteen people died after members of the British Army's Parachute Regiment opened fire on civil rights marchers in Londonderry on 30 January 1972. The MoD has confirmed it intends to resolve the claims as quickly as possible. It is not yet known who exactly will be compensated and by how much. The letter from the law firm Madden and Finucane, representing many of the families, asked the government what steps it was taking to "fully compensate" the families for "the loss of their loved ones, the wounding of others, and the shameful allegations which besmirched their good name for many years". In a statement an MoD spokesperson accepted that members of the armed forces had acted wrongly and that the government was "deeply sorry". The statement confirmed that compensation would be paid "where there was a legal liability to do so". • All the parents of those killed on Bloody Sunday have died • Many of those wounded are now dead • Most of the dead were young, single, with no dependents • The MoD has proposed a points system to avoid discrimination • Some families have already been compensated • One MoD letter states that previous compensation payments will be deducted from any new payment When the prime minister presented the Bloody Sunday report to parliament in June last year he apologised and said the shooting by the Army was both "unjustified and unjustifiable". Quoting those words, Madden and Finucane solicitors wrote to Mr Cameron in January of this year asking him what the government intended to do "to fully compensate their clients for the loss of their loved ones and the wounding of others". The Ministry of Defence has now written to the lawyers saying that it would like to resolve the compensation claims as quickly and efficiently as possible. In a statement to the BBC, the MoD said that it acknowledged the pain felt by the families for nearly 40 years and that members of the armed forces "acted wrongly". East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell said the prime minister had opened "what may be a pandora's box" as a result of his "desire to bring closure" through his statement last year on Bloody Sunday in the House of Commons. He said clarity was needed with regard to the MoD's response on the issue. "We need to see what the extent of that commitment is in relation to other relatives of other victims who may also feel aggrieved they haven't received adequate compensation," he added. The question of who will be compensated in relation to Bloody Sunday could be a complicated one. Some families have indicated that they are not going to seek compensation until a soldier is prosecuted. Meanwhile, Kate and Linda Nash, who are sisters of one of the victims William Nash, have described the government's offer of compensation as "repulsive" and said they would not accept payment

Summary: The government is to pay compensation to the families of those killed and wounded on Bloody Sunday.


By reaching a settlement, Google will avoid criminal prosecution in the US for profiting from the adverts. The $500m represents the firm's revenues from the adverts and the revenues generated from the sale of the drugs, federal investigators said. Google said it should it not have allowed the adverts. "We banned the advertising of prescription drugs in the US by Canadian pharmacies some time ago," the company said in a short statement. "However, it's obvious with hindsight that we should not have allowed these ads on Google in the first place." The US Justice Department said controls over selling the drugs were inadequate. "While Canada has its own regulatory rules for prescription drugs, Canadian pharmacies that ship prescription drugs to US residents are not subject to Canadian regulatory authority, and many sell drugs obtained from countries other than Canada which lack adequate pharmacy regulations," the department said. It added that the higher price of the drugs reflected the fact that some could be bought without a doctor's prescription.

Summary: Internet giant Google has agreed to forfeit $500m (Â£306m) for publishing online adverts from Canadian pharmacies selling illegal drugs to US customers.


Substitute Padraig McNulty netted the only goal of the contest late on. Derry were defeated 2-12 to 1-18 by Galway at Celtic Park, Niall Loughlin's late goal proving a mere consolation as their winning league start was ended. Cavan recovered from a 1-9 to 0-5 half-time deficit to see off Meath 1-20 to 1-13 in Navan, Eamon Wallace and David Givney scoring the goals. Seanie Johnston was a regular points-scorer for the visitors as they mounted a stunning second-half comeback. A bad day for Meath was compounded in the latter stages when their goalkeeper Paddy O'Rourke was red-carded. Laois had not beaten Tyrone in the league in over a decade, and early indications pointed to this game being a tight affair, but ultimately the Red Hands kicked on for victory thanks to a strong second-half display. Tyrone started brightly with points from Mark Bradley and Darren McCurry, but Laois drew level but he 10th minute, following scores from Paul Cahillane and Gary Walsh. Tyrone edged in front again by the 14th minute with Barry Tierney placing them 0-3 to 0-2 in front. However, Laois hit a purple patch, registering four of the next five points with John O'Loughlin taking two fine scores from play during this spell. Ahead by two points with 11 minutes to go before the interval, Laois looked good, but rued six first-half wides, with Tyrone defending well through the likes of Tierney, HP McGeary and Justin McMahon. Tyrone ended the half with four unanswered points, with Ronan O'Neill and Tiernan McCann on target to level the tie in the 27th minute. Despite Tyrone also being wasteful with seven first half wides, they took the lead at the break. The visitors shaded a 0-8 to 0-6 interval lead, with late points from Niall Sludden and O'Neill in injury-time. Tyrone added a further four unanswered points on the restart, as they totally controlled proceedings. O'Neill and Tiernan McCann added to their tally, while Mattie Donnelly registered two fine back-to-back scores from play, as Mickey Harte's side powered to a double-scores 0-12 to 0-06 lead. Laois's first score in 20 minutes arrived from the boot of John O'Loughlin, but Tyrone were sharper. An injury to Ronan O'Neill halted Tyrone's momentum, with a score from Laois substitute Ruairi O'Connor cutting the gap to five points entering the final quarter. Donnelly and Donal Kingston traded points, before less than a minute after his introduction McNulty had the ball in the Laois net to ensure a 1-14 to 0-09 lead. Indeed Laois kicked five unanswered points in response to the Dungannon clubman's goal, with brothers Donal and Paul Kingston on target. However, Tyrone held out to claim a deserved win, with keeper Michael O'Neill denying an equalising goal from Niall Donoher, after a well-placed save, and an O'Connor late scoring chance blocked. Derry went into their game unbeaten after victories over Fermanagh and Cavan, but without manager Damian Barton on the sideline after he was handed an eight-week suspension. Five unanswered points helped Galway to a 0-6 to 0-2 lead by the 15th minute

Summary: Tyrone kept up their unbeaten run with a 1-14 to 0-14 Football League win over Laois in Division Two in Portlaoise.


Terrier-cross Molly took months to recover from a skin condition after being neglected by her previous owner. Vets then discovered she had a third degree heart block which could potentially shorten her life. Big-hearted members of the public rushed to donate to the appeal, launched by the RSPCA's Coventry branch. Read more West Midlands stories Since Molly, who has featured on Channel 5's The Dog Rescuers, was signed over to the RSPCA, areas of hair loss she suffered from her skin condition have regrown. However, she suffered her latest setback when her "heart rate plummeted dangerously slow" on the day she was being neutered. Danni Holder, kennel supervisor at the Coundon Wedge Drive centre, where Molly has been since May 2016, said: "Molly's heart is beating too slow and if she doesn't have the pacemaker fitted her heart will become worse and will lessen her lifespan. "She has been on such a journey and we would love her to have the happy ending to her story that she deserves." When the charity launched its appeal on Thursday morning, Ms Holder said: "We are appealing for people to help us in our appeal to fundraise £2,500 for this so we can mend Molly's broken heart." Donations flooded in and by 13:30 GMT on Thursday the charity had raised more than its original fundraising target.

Summary: A £2,500 charity appeal to fit a rescue dog with a pacemaker has smashed its target.


France visit Murrayfield eight days later and England travel to take on Scotland on 24 February. Away matches against Ireland (10 March) and Italy (17 March) complete Scotland's campaign. Former Glasgow Warriors boss Townsend, who won 82 Scotland caps as a player, has replaced Vern Cotter and takes charge of next month's summer tour. The Scots face Italy in Singapore on 10 June then take on Australia in Sydney a week later before a final Test against hosts Fiji on 24 June. And Townsend's side will face the Wallabies again in their autumn series, after Tests against Samoa and New Zealand. In this year's Six Nations, Cotter's third in charge, Scotland recorded wins over Ireland, Wales and Italy - their best championship since 2006. Click here to see the full sets of 2018 & 2019 Six Nations fixtures

Summary: Gregor Townsend's first Six Nations match as Scotland head coach will be away to Wales on 3 February 2018.


Alice Wheeldon was convicted 100 years ago, on 11 March 1917, of planning to kill Lloyd George as she opposed World War One. Two of her great-granddaughters came from Australia for the vigil. One has cancer and says she is battling against time to clear her name. Deirdre Mason said: "Get on with it, finish it, sort it out and I will be happier. "It has been a 100-year injustice. Even now it is worthwhile repealing it, quashing the convictions and showing British justice has some integrity." Deirdre and her sister Chloe Mason are pushing to have a submission to the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which will decide whether the case can go before the Court of Appeal. They want to clear the names of Mrs Wheeldon, her daughter Winnie Mason and son-in-law Alfred Mason, who were all convicted of conspiracy to murder. Mrs Wheeldon was a shopkeeper in Derby but had become the focus of government attention, along with her four children, because of their anti-war activities. A man called Alex Gordon pretended to sympathise with them, but he was an MI5 spy who claimed they were plotting to kill Lloyd George with a poisoned dart. Campaigners claim the evidence was fabricated in order to discredit the family and the anti-war movement, and that the MI5 agent was known for mental instability and dishonesty. Laurence Marshall, Mrs Wheeldon's great-great-great-nephew, said: "I know we say the past is another country but even then a court case like that should never have been allowed. "She should never have been put to trial in the first place." Mrs Wheeldon went on hunger strike and served only nine months of a 10-year sentence. However, the family were social pariahs and Mrs Wheeldon died in 1919. Liz Smith, whose grandmother knew Alice, was among those attending the vigil. "My grandmother used to take food to her after dark because there was a lot of hatred in Derby for the Wheeldons," she said. "People were very fearful of being seen to help them out, but she did go and help them out."

Summary: Relatives of a suffragette jailed for plotting to poison a prime minister have held a vigil outside the Royal Courts of Justice as part of their campaign to clear her name.


They have also beaten up people wearing red T-shirts, the colour of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change party (MDC), a BBC reporter at the scene says. Protesters are calling for electoral reform ahead of polls in 2018. President Robert Mugabe, 92, says he intends to stand again. Leaders from 18 opposition political parties called for Zimbabweans to march through Harare as part of a so-called "mega demonstration". The High Court ruled on Friday morning that the planned opposition march could go ahead, a day after police warned that unauthorised demonstrations would not be tolerated. Public protests have proliferated in recent months, focusing on the dire state of the country's economy. Most of these have come under the banner of the #ThisFlag movement, inspired by charismatic pastor Evan Mawarire, who has urged non-violent protest over perceived corruption and economic mismanagement The country's economic crisis has worsened recently, leading to a chronic cash shortage and delays paying civil servants. Home Affairs Minister Ignatius Chombo blamed a demonstration that ended violently on Wednesday on foreign elements. "We cannot sit idly while our country is being torn apart by unruly foreign-sponsored agents," Zimbabwe's state-run Herald newspaper quotes him as saying.

Summary: Police in Zimbabwe have fired tear gas and water cannon at opposition supporters who had gathered for a protest march in the capital, Harare.


Babur Karamat Raja, 41, from Sutton Coldfield is accused of attacking the 40-year-old in Sutton Coldfield on Friday. He has also been charged with assault, attempt child destruction and possession of a knife. Mr Raja is due to appear before Birmingham magistrates on Monday. Police said the woman is in a stable condition in hospital and her baby girl - born following the alleged attack - continues to do well. The victim's family praised five men who went to her aid before paramedics arrived. In a statement released by police, they said: "We'd all like to express our heartfelt thanks to everybody who helped her on Friday afternoon. "Your fearlessness and selfless actions saved both their lives and we are overwhelmingly grateful to you all."

Summary: A man has been charged with two counts of attempted murder after a pregnant woman was stabbed in a West Midlands street.


Ali Mahmod, of Newbolt Court, Felling, was found semi-conscious on Sunderland Road at about 15:00 BST on 2 May and later died. Gary Pitt, 22, of Falstone, Leam Lane, is due to appear at Gateshead Magistrates' Court later. A 26-year-old man has been released with no further action, Northumbria Police said.

Summary: A man has been charged with manslaughter following the death of a 42-year-old in Gateshead.


The country accounted for more than a million submissions, according to an annual report by the World Intellectual Property Organization (Wipo). It said the figure was "extraordinary". Many of the filings were for innovations in telecoms, computing, semiconductors and medical tech. Beijing had urged companies to boost the number of such applications. But some experts have cast doubt as to whether it signifies that the country is truly more inventive than others, since most of China's filings were done locally. A patent is the monopoly property right granted by a government to the owner of an invention. This allows the creator and subsequent owners to prevent others from making, using, offering for sale or importing their invention into the country for a limited time. In return they must agree for the patent filing to be publicly disclosed. Read our guide to the world's patent system A total of 2.9 million patent applications were filed worldwide in 2015, according to Wipo, marking a 7.8% rise on the previous year. China can lay claim to driving most of that growth. Its domestic patent office - the Property Office of the People's Republic of China (Sipo) - received a record 1,101,864 filings. That was more than its Japanese, South Korean and US equivalents combined. But Chinese inventors were more reticent about seeking patent rights abroad. According to Wipo, they filed just 42,154 applications outside their borders - Huawei and ZTE, two smartphone and telecoms equipment-makers, led the way. By comparison US-based inventors sought more than five times that figure. And Japan, Germany and France also outnumbered the Asian giant. One patent expert, who works with Chinese firms but asked not to be named, said the disparity in the figures was telling. "What's called a patent in China is often a species of design, and these are the things they are getting copious amounts of," he said. "This is probably innovation at its thinnest. I've seen some of these things and they are typically around parts of machinery on production lines. "The detail of what they are applying for means they would be unlikely to have the necessary degree of novelty to be granted a patent worldwide." In Europe, creating a new look for a manufactured object is not enough to qualify it for a patent - there must also be a technical aspect featuring a new process, improvement or concept that would not be obvious to a skilled person in the field. In China, however, creating a distinctive new design - based on an object's shape, pattern and/or colour - is sufficient, so long as the product can be sold or used independently of other parts. The US also affords similar patent rights. Part of the reason so many applications were made locally was that China set itself a target to boost patent filings five years ago. Sipo declared at the time that it wanted to receive two million filings in 2015. The government supported the initiative with various subsidies and other incentives. As such, its tally of just over one million applications in a

Summary: China-based inventors applied for a record-setting number of patents last year.


The 30-year-old blamed "hurtful" and "false" accusations he influenced the club's decision to sack the Italian. Ranieri left in February, nine months after winning the Premier League, with the club 17th in the table. His successor, Craig Shakespeare, later denied reports of a player revolt. "It is terrifying," Vardy said. "I read one story that said I was personally involved in a meeting after the Sevilla game when I was actually sat in anti-doping for three hours. "But then the story is out there, people pick it up and jump on it and you're getting death threats about your family, kids, everything." Vardy said he was able to "get on with it" but added: "When people are trying to cut your missus up while she's driving, with the kids in the back of the car, it's not the best." BBC Sport understands some Leicester players were summoned to meet the club's chairman after a 2-1 Champions League defeat by Sevilla, and Ranieri's fate was sealed by the negative reaction. With Shakespeare in charge - first as caretaker and later on a deal until the end of the season - the Foxes have won four successive matches, moving up to 15th, six points above the relegation zone. That run includes a 2-0 victory in their last-16 second leg with Sevilla which leaves them as England's only representative in the quarter-finals. "If there was an issue, you went and did it in the gaffer's office or you went and did it on the tactics board, because he was happy for you to come in and put your opinion across," Vardy added of Ranieri's time in charge. "The stories were quite hurtful to be honest with you. A lot of false accusations were being thrown out there and there was nothing we, as players, could do about it. "We just had to put it to the back of our minds and concentrate on the football."

Summary: Leicester striker Jamie Vardy says he has received death threats and his family have been targeted since Claudio Ranieri was sacked as manager.


Gerald Sunnie received cheques worth tens of thousands of pounds from three pensioners. He then forwarded the money to "individuals across Europe" while keeping a share of the cash. He was convicted of a £33,000 money laundering charge under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Dundee Sheriff Court heard that Sunnie initially became involved after being "deluded" into thinking that he had won a £200,000 American lottery prize that had not turned up. Sunnie started taking in cheques that he was told were to cover "European tax liabilities" on his winnings, passing the money on after taking his portion of it. The 58-year-old's bank accounts were closed down due to "fraudulent activity" and he was twice told by Trading Standards officers that he was helping to facilitate an international fraud. But he started up his activity again in August 2013, taking in dozens of cheques from three elderly victims over the course of the next year. He told his trial that a man from the fraudsters he was passing the money to had called him two weeks earlier saying his £200,000 winnings were still on the way, and that he still expected a cheque to come through his door. Sunnie's lawyer Gary McIlravey admitted that his client was "deluded". Depute fiscal Muhammad Sadiq, prosecuting, said: "It's clear he may have been a victim at first, but he did then benefit by processing payments on numerous occasions after being told it was a scam." Sheriff Simon Collins QC convicted Sunnie of money laundering, saying a large number of vulnerable people had been defrauded out of a large sum of money. The sheriff added: "By any standard the arrangement he entered, even from the outset, was obviously a scam. "He was told it was a scam and that he was taking part in a fraud and his bank accounts were closed. "He processed nearly £52,000 but claimed not to have made even inquiries of those involved in these arrangements. This stretches credulity." He said Sunnie's role had been "key" to the scam, that his motivation was "clearly personal gain" and that he had shown "little or no remorse".

Summary: A "deluded" money launderer who helped run a lottery scam that targeted elderly victims has been jailed for six months.


Media playback is not supported on this device The Uruguayan, 27, who is serving a four-month ban for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup, will sign a five-year deal. Suarez, who scored 31 league goals last season, will travel to the Spanish club next week for a medical. "Luis is a very special talent and I thank him for the role he has played," said Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers. Suarez - last season's Premier League top scorer and winner of the PFA and Football Writers' Player of the Year awards - signed for Liverpool from Ajax in 2011 for £22.7m, and had four years left on his contract. The move to Barcelona takes him closer to his wife Sofia's family. "I hope you can all understand why I have made this decision," said the striker, who is banned from "all football-related activity" until the end of October as he serves his third suspension for biting an opponent. "This club did all they could to get me to stay, but playing and living in Spain, where my wife's family live, is a lifelong dream and ambition. I believe now the timing is right." Suarez thanked the "wonderful" Liverpool fans in a letter - tweeted from his account - for supporting him "in good times and bad". When he is eventually eligible to play again, Suarez is expected to wear the number nine shirt in a formidable Barcelona front line including Argentine Lionel Messi and Brazilian Neymar. The club is looking to rebuild under new coach Luis Enrique after its first season without a major trophy in six years. If the transfer fee is confirmed at £75m, it will be the third biggest in football history after Gareth Bale (£86m Tottenham to Real Madrid, 2013) and Cristiano Ronaldo (£80m Manchester United to Real Madrid, 2009) "It is with a heavy heart that I leave Liverpool for a new life and new challenges in Spain," said Suarez. "Both me and my family have fallen in love with this club (Liverpool) and with the city, but most of all I have fallen in love with the incredible fans. "You have always supported me and we, as a family, will never forget it. We will always be Liverpool supporters." Media playback is not supported on this device In his statement, released on Liverpool's official website, Suarez concluded: "Thank you again for some great moments and memories. You'll Never Walk Alone." The transfer means Liverpool do not have to deal with the fall-out from a Suarez suspension for the second season running. They supported the player after another biting attack - on Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic at Anfield in April 2013 - which led to a 10-game ban, and he signed a new contract in December. "The club have done all they can over a sustained period of time to try to keep Luis at Liverpool," added Rodgers. "It is with great reluctance and following lengthy discussions we have eventually agreed to his wishes to move to Spain for new experiences and challenges. We wish him and

Summary: Liverpool have agreed to sell striker Luis Suarez to Barcelona for a fee thought to be about £75m.


The unnamed 29-year old suffered multiple, severe stab wounds to her head and body in what police described as an "extremely brutal" attack. She was attacked yards from her home after getting off a bus in Krithia Road, Dagenham, at 21:40 GMT on Monday. Police say they believe the attack was carried out by a stranger but are "keeping an open mind". Passers-by attempted to help the woman, who remains in a critical condition in a hospital in east London. Due to the nature of the attack investigators do not have a description of a suspect at this point and there have been no arrests. Police appealed for two women who stopped to help the victim, or anyone else with information, to contact them. DCI Gary Holmes, of Homicide and Major Crime Command, told BBC London: "This is a really brutal and horrific stabbing of a young lady coming home from work. "That attack has left her in a terribly critical condition, currently in hospital in a life threatening condition and we are desperate to locate the person who committed... that attack."

Summary: A woman in east London has been left fighting for her life after an apparently random knife attack.


Neville, a former Manchester United and Everton player, was criticised for his lack of emotion and "monotone" style. In response, Neville told BBC Radio 5 live the TV role was "a lot harder than I thought it was going to be". Despite the complaints, the BBC said the footballer would continue to play "a key role throughout the tournament". A spokesperson added Neville - who is currently a coach for Manchester United and has received broadcast training - was "an important, well-respected member of our team". Neville told sports presenter Mark Chapman he welcomed the feedback on his performance: "In terms of the content I got out, I thought [it] was quite good. "But the feedback is that I need to show a bit more excitement, so I think you'll see that more on Thursday night in the highlights show. "I will get better - it was my first live gig and I'm just glad I helped everyone get to sleep back home!" The England v Italy match attracted an average 11.5 million viewers, peaking at 15.6 million just before half-time making it one of the most watched programmes of the year so far. Viewers also took to Twitter to criticise Neville, with several joking England physio Gary Lewin - who was stretchered off after injuring his ankle - had "fallen into a coma" listening to him. Neville responded saying: "1st live co-comm last night - sometimes u have to take the criticism - it will only make me better- thanks for the feedback (ahhahaha)!" BBC Radio 5 live broadcaster Danny Baker was among his critics but said the BBC should share the blame. "Phil Neville has acknowledged he wasn't great during England commentary - but what were the BBC doing giving him that game to 'learn his craft'?" he said. Neville's next World Cup appearance is as a BBC TV studio guest for Monday night's game between Iran and Nigeria. The complaints come four months after more than 300 people complained over the corporation's quality of commentary during a snowboarding final at the Winter Olympics. Viewers complained after Aimee Fuller, Ed Leigh and Tim Warwood cheered when a competitor fell, putting the UK athlete in a bronze medal position.

Summary: The BBC has received 445 complaints from viewers about Phil Neville's BBC One commentary on England's World Cup match against Italy.


But the 24-year-old, whose spinal cord and vertebrae are closer together than is normal, set his sights on becoming the best Twenty20 player possible. The Sussex fast bowler, who regularly bowls in excess of 90 miles per hour, is in the squad for England's T20 game against Pakistan on Wednesday after making his debut against Sri Lanka in July. Mills' condition means that he is unable to play in longer formats of the game, as lots of bowling can aggravate his spinal cord. He has not bowled with a red ball for 18 months and it is unlikely that he will return to multi-day cricket. "If this is going to be all I am doing now for the rest of my career, I want to do it right. I want to play in the big games and play to the highest level that I can," Mills told BBC Sport. "I miss having a short leg, three slips and a gully sometimes, but on the flip side of that I can't say I miss doing 96 overs in a day. "I am at peace with it, it's been 18 months since the reoccurrence of my back injury. I'm over it and I am grateful I can still play and I can still play to a good level." The Yorkshire-born paceman played in 12 of Sussex's 14 T20 Blast group matches this season, taking 15 wickets at an average of 19.73. "You want to be renowned as one of the top players. As soon as a tournament comes up or a team is being selected, you want to be one of the guys immediately spoken about," he added. "I'm still a few years off that, I've only just turned 24. I'm not naive thinking I'm there yet but if I am only going to do this for the next few years then that's what I want to work towards being. "I am quite lucky that when I got injured again I was a better Twenty20 bowler than I was a four-day bowler," Mills said. "If it was the other way round, then I probably would've had to think a lot harder about retiring. "It's given me a chance to accelerate my development. Everything I do now in terms of cricket is to be the best Twenty20 cricketer I can be. "It is hard for the other guys who have to flip between playing County Championship, 50-over and Twenty20 cricket - they've got to practice three different skills whereas I just practice one thing." Although the condition does not affect the bowler on a day-to-day basis, he has to manage it to prolong his career. Therefore, Mills has had to hone his training and approach in the build-up to games to ensure that he does not miss time. "I haven't changed anything with my bowling, just away from it, making sure all the other stuff I do gives me the best chance of doing much as possible and to the best of my ability," he added. "It was a lot of trial and error, I

Summary: You could have forgiven Tymal Mills for retiring and moving on from cricket when he was diagnosed with a congenital back condition in 2015.


Mike Petter quit his post ahead of the publication, due on Friday, of a Care Quality Commission (CQC) report on Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust. He said leaving his post had been a "very difficult decision". Problems came to light at the trust when 18-year-old Connor Sparrowhawk drowned in a bath at a care facility. An inquest found neglect contributed his death, at Slade House in Oxford, in 2013. A report commissioned by NHS England, published in December 2015, discovered that only 272 of the 722 deaths in the trust over the previous four years were investigated. The trust was issued a warning notice by the CQC following an inspection in January. In a statement Mr Petter said: "The trust has recently undergone a significant amount of scrutiny in some service areas and, given the challenges it faces, I feel it is appropriate for me to allow new board leadership to take forward the improvements. "I have been involved in Southern Health since the trust was formed in 2011 as a non-executive director and since August 2015 as chairman. "It is with great sadness that I now leave the organisation. "I offer my support and best wishes to all our staff whose dedication and commitment I am continuously impressed by."

Summary: The chairman of a health trust under fire for not properly investigating the unexpected deaths of patients has resigned.


The comments sent the value of the US dollar higher, which hit the price of oil and other commodities. This affected shares in mining companies, who were among the biggest fallers in the UK market. The FTSE 100 fell 112.45 points to 6,053.35. Fresnillo dropped 7% and Anglo American dropped 4.5%. Shares in oil companies were also lower, with Royal Dutch Shell down about 4%. In the FTSE 250, shares in travel company Thomas Cook sank nearly 19% after it said summer bookings had fallen. The company said holidaymakers were avoiding Turkey because of safety fears, while travel to Belgium had also seen a "sharp decline in demand" after the Brussels attacks. The travel sector was also under pressure following the news that an Egyptair flight carrying 66 passengers from Paris to Cairo had disappeared. Shares in travel firm Tui dropped 1.7%. On the currency markets, the pound was boosted by news of stronger-than-expected retail sales growth in April. Sales volumes rose 1.3% from the month before, according to official data. The pound was down 0.1% against the dollar at $1.4584, and 0.03% higher against the euro at â‚¬1.3017.

Summary: (Close): The market dropped sharply as investors reacted to comments from the Federal Reserve which suggested a US rate rise could come as soon as June.


The unit at Glenfield Hospital was threatened with closure in 2012 with the nearest service in Birmingham. A series of changes have now been proposed by NHS England following a national review into children's heart services across the country. University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust said the changes would see the unit move to Leicester Royal Infirmary. On Thursday, NHS England unanimously agreed the proposals and indicated it expected the new system to be up and running in hospitals by April 2016. Presenting the review, Ian Dodge at NHS England, said it had been "conclusive, open and transparent and rigorous". He said: "Our analysis shows these proposals are affordable and deliverable, bearing in mind existing workforce constraints. "These are national standards and we expect national standards to continue to apply." Rob Sissons, health correspondent, BBC East Midlands Today At one time this unit was going to shut and it would have been the end of services in Leicester. Now there is talk of it surviving but it will need collaboration between Glenfield and other units up and down the country. The recommendations passed this morning mean they will have to go from two surgeons to four and they will have to build up their case load. It won't be a walk in the park but the hospital says they think the service can survive. Kate Shields from University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust said the review would push them to provide excellent services for children and their families. "We have worked for a really long time to show that we can sustain heart services in Leicester and we are now at the point where we feel that we have been listened to," she said. She added the trust was already working on the proposals submitted by NHS England. The hospital wants to move all children's heart unit onto one site at the LRI in the next three years and increase the number of procedures it carries out within the next five years.

Summary: Children's heart services in Leicester have been secured after a new vision was approved by a national board.


Alan Barnes, who is visually impaired, was left too afraid to return to his home in Low Fell, Gateshead, after the attack on 25 January. Mr Barnes, 67, broke his collarbone when he was pushed to the ground. Following reports of the attack, Katie Cutler set up the Help Alan Barnes online donation page on Go Fund Me. During the meeting at Mr Barnes's sister's house, Ms Cutler presented him with chocolates and a card, and he told her she would be a friend for life. When she set up the page, Ms Cutler's aim was to raise £500 but that was quickly passed and by noon on Saturday it had reached £100,000. The total passed £279,000 shortly after 08:00 GMT on Monday, by which time more than 20,000 donations had been made. The donations have come in from the UK, Canada, Holland and many other places around the world, with many praising Ms Cutler for setting up the page. Ms Cutler, a beautician, said it showed "there are so many lovely people out there". "This person that hurt Alan is just a minority." Mr Barnes, who has lived with disabilities from birth after his mother contracted German measles when she was pregnant, said it was "just unbelievable". "I've heard of fundraising for charities but I've only got a fractured collarbone, I didn't expect that sort of response," he said. "Thank you doesn't really seem to answer it, does it?" Stephen, who donated £5, said: "So sorry this has happened to you dear friend, I know it's not a lot, but hope it goes a long way." Rupert wrote: "There are bad people in this world, people that wouldn't think twice of abusing a vulnerable man. "But as this shows, those people are engulfed by good, caring and loving people that stand against these morals." There have also been offers of practical help from plumbers, electricians, bathroom and kitchen fitters, carpet layers and people donating furniture, Ms Cutler said. She also wrote on the fundraising site that businesses and schools had told her they were holding fundraising events for Mr Barnes. Mr Barnes's family said that the money would go into a trust fund for him.

Summary: A woman who set up a fundraising page for a man who was mugged outside his home has met the victim as donations approached £300,000.


Irons will read TS Eliot's Old Possum's Book Of Practical Cats poems on Radio 4, seventy-eight years after their first broadcast on Christmas Day. Calendar Girls will be performed by the cast of The Archers with the addition of Sian Philips. And Mary Berry has invited Radio 2 into her home to share recipes and music. On Christmas Day in 1937, nearly two years before the book was published, five of TS Eliot's Practical Cats poems were broadcast as readings by Geoffrey Tandy on BBC Radio. This year, Oscar-winning actor Irons will read the original five poems along with the further ten which make up the Old Possum's Book Of Practical Cats. Also on BBC Radio 4, is the premiere of Calendar Girls, a radio version of the highly successful film and stage play. It will be performed by the cast of The Archers as part of their Ambridge amateur dramatics performance in a full separate programme. Actress Sian Phillips will join the cast and she called the role a gift. "Had I been asked to name a most wonderful, surprising Christmas gift, never could I have conjured up an invitation to spend Christmas in Ambridge. When I heard those words I cried an immediate and joyful 'Yes!' After all I'm at home in Borsetshire... What a gift!" Actor Michael Sheen and lawyer Miriam Gonzalez Durantez are the first guest editors to be announced for the Today programme over the festive period. Gonzalez Durantez will be joined by The Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Begum and Jamie Oliver to discuss the issues of encouraging children to eat a healthy diet. Meanwhile Liza Tarbuck will join The Great British Bake Off judge Mary Berry for lunch at her house on Christmas Eve for BBC Radio 2. They will share her favourite Christmas recipes and share the music that sound-tracked her childhood. Berry said she was "looking forward to showing Liza around my kitchen and sharing a few of my family traditions, including my recipe for the perfect mince pies, which really are quite special". Also on Radio 2 are shows hosted by Paul O'Grady, Alan Carr and Christmas lunch with Kylie Minogue, where she will play her favourite festive songs. And Paul Gambaccini will celebrate 50 years of The Sound of Motown with a rare interview with the founder of Motown Records, Berry Gordy. On Radio 3, actor Alec Baldwin and Eddie Izzard will share their favourite classical music in separate programmes on Essential Classics on Radio 3. Radio 4 Extra has been given exclusive access to the Queen of Crime's personal Dictaphone tapes which will be broadcast in Agatha Christie: Speaking Her Own Words. On 6 Music Roisin Murphy, Laurie Anderson and electro artist Peaches have been announced as the station's Three Wise Women, taking control of the playlist. Across Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Sunday 27 December they will present their own two-hour shows and select their favourite 6 Music programming for the year for the rest of the evening and overnight. The Chemical Brothers will also join Lauren Laverne

Summary: Jeremy Irons reading TS Elliot, Mary Berry and the radio premiere of Calendar Girls are among the highlights of BBC Radio this Christmas.


Members of the EIS and FELA voted by 96% to 4% to accept the offer, which was negotiated through the National Joint Negotiating Committee (NJNC). They had first voted for industrial action in December 2015 and about 4,000 lecturers went on strike in March. Lecturers said pay varied by up to Â£10,000 a year at different colleges. EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said: "Members in colleges across Scotland have given their overwhelming approval of the pay offer. "This pay agreement shows what can be achieved by a group of employees standing together, through their union, to protect their rights." John Kelly, President of EIS-FELA said: "While this very clear ballot result settles this particular issue over pay, specifically the top of the salary scale for unpromoted lecturers across Scotland, there is still much work to do to agree the detail of all national pay scales. "We are hopeful that constructive negotiations can move the process forward, so that further industrial action is not necessary in the future."

Summary: Further education college lecturers have approved a national pay offer in a trade union ballot after months of dispute.


Jason Matthews, 40, of Wolverhampton, parked his Saab before the Greater Manchester Marathon on 19 April. He said he went back at the weekend and spent the "best part of five or six hours looking around Trafford Park". Mr Matthews said he had now been told the car was found in the Salford Quays area after a man who saw a newspaper story about it went looking for it. The marathon runner said it was only his second time in Manchester and he was following diversions while driving his Saab 93 Sport. He said after the marathon he spent about 90 minutes or longer looking for the car and went to police and registered it as a missing vehicle. Mr Matthews, who works in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, said he was told on Tuesday afternoon that a man had found the car after reading an article in the Manchester Evening News. He said: "I'm very grateful.. It's a big burden off my shoulders. "(But) now I've got the trouble of going up there on the train to retrieve it." He said he would make a donation to a nominated charity and would see if the man who found it "has a charity in mind". Mr Matthews said: "It's something I'm going to do out of courtesy. Someone's taken the time to look for it."

Summary: A marathon runner has been without his car for eight days after forgetting where he parked it before the race.


The director was handed the Against the Current award at the Off Camera film festival on Friday. The 81-year-old, who grew up in the city during World War Two, said he was "extremely touched" by the honour. He is due back in court in Krakow for another hearing on 22 May. Polanski has been wanted by US police since 1977, when he fled the country fearing a lengthy jail sentence after being charged with having sex with a 13-year-old girl. The Rosemary's Baby director was held in Switzerland in 2009 after travelling to Zurich to pick up a prize at another film festival, but the extradition bid failed and he was eventually allowed to return to his home in France. 1977: Polanski is charged in the US with the rape of a 13-year-old girl. He also faces charges of sodomy, child molestation and giving drugs to a minor. 1978: Fearing that he may face a lengthy jail term, Polanski flees to the UK and then to France. A citizen of France, he is protected by the country's limited extradition with the US. 2009: The US rejects Polanski's request for the case against him to be dismissed. On a visit to Switzerland later that year, he is at first imprisoned and then placed under house arrest, as the authorities consider a US extradition request. 2010: Swiss authorities decide against extraditing Polanski, freeing him from house arrest. 2014: Polanski is questioned by prosecutors in Poland, acting on a US request. He agrees to comply with the Polish justice system as it examines the matter. 2015: The director attends a hearing behind closed doors in February. He is due back in court on 22 May. If the US extradition request is approved the case will be passed to Poland's justice minister. During Friday's ceremony at the festival, Polanski also pressed his palms into plaster for the hall of independent cinema stars. "This is my city. Years spent in Krakow undoubtedly shaped my artistic soul," said the director, according to Hollywood Reporter. Festival organisers said the Rosemary's Baby director "defies labelling" and has never followed fashion, according to Radio Poland. "To American cinema he brought European doubts and non-compliance. To European cinema - American respect for the audience, discipline and professionalism." Polanski has been to Poland several times in recent years and attended an extradition hearing there in February, which was held behind closed doors. The BBC's Adam Easton in Warsaw said at the time that many believe the authorities will be reluctant to agree to the US extradition request, as Polanski is regarded as one of Poland's greatest living artists. He plans to make his next film in the country - an adaptation of Robert Harris's thriller An Officer and a Spy.

Summary: Roman Polanski has been given one of Poland's top film awards in Krakow, where he is also facing a US extradition request over 1977 charges of having sex with a 13-year-old girl.


Brownlee, 28, won Olympic gold at London and Rio, and has not ruled out bidding for a third win at Tokyo 2020. "I'm going to pursue things away from Olympic triathlon; it's important I have a different focus," Brownlee said. "I've been to three Olympics and I can't say I won't definitely be at a fourth." Ironman triathlons consist of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile cycle and a full marathon - almost four times further than an Olympic triathlon. "All triathletes have the ambition to do the almost mystical Ironman World Championships in Hawaii," added Brownlee, who beat his brother Jonny into second place at the Rio Games. "It's very unlikely that I could do it in the next two years, but I could build up my endurance then maybe go back to it after Tokyo as a 32-year-old." Brownlee has also revealed his mixed feelings over the attention that followed his decision to help his brother over the finish line at September's season-ending World Series event in Mexico. Leading with 700m left, Jonny, 26, began to weave over the road in hot and humid conditions in Cozumel. Third-placed Alistair caught his brother, propping him up for the final couple of hundred metres before pushing him over the line in second place. "Both Jonny and I were really quite uncomfortable with the attention that came out of that day, especially while Jonny was in intensive care and the jury were deliberating on whether we should be disqualified," he said. "The scale of the after-effect was incredible and, to be honest, completely baffling. We were both embarrassed at first and wanted to turn down all the attention, but we realised it gave us a platform to talk about triathlon and encourage people to get active. "The whole Mexico thing brought us to the attention of a lot of people who probably didn't know what triathlon was. So I think now that we can look back on it with the benefit of hindsight, it was probably a good thing - although I'd still have preferred Jonny to have won the race."

Summary: Double Olympic triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee is to take two years out from the sport to train for the World Ironman Championships in Hawaii.


The baby, named Sion by officers, was recovered from the River Taff on 23 June. It is believed he died at birth. The force said its main concern was to provide the mother with the emotional support she may need. Police also want to find Sion's mother so he can be "laid to rest with his family name". Det Insp Mark O'Shea said: "With the passing of time we hope that Sion's mother, or a family member, may feel more comfortable to come forward and enable us to support them and allow Sion to be laid to rest with his family name. "We understand that Sion's mother has been through a traumatic time and I can reassure you that we have professionals in place with specialist skills who can provide you with support." Suzanne Hardacre, head of midwifery at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said staff understood the mother might be frightened to come forward but urged her to get in touch. "We are here to help you. We have a range of health care professionals available to give you any emotional support or medical attention you may need. Any care you receive from us will be in total confidence." "Please contact us on this telephone number 02920 742679 anytime of the day or night, we want to make sure you are ok."

Summary: The mother of a newborn baby who was found dead in a Cardiff river has been urged to come forward as police say the boy will soon be buried.


The rain hindered Connacht's running game and Munster hooker Rhys Marshall's second-half try was the crucial score. Ian Keatley kicked Munster's other 11 points including two first-half penalties as they led 6-3 at the break. Jack Carty slotted Connacht's three penalties as they failed to capitalise on several good attacking positions. The key phase of the match was a two-minute period midway during the second half - as Marshall finished off a line-out maul to score after Connacht had squandered a chance of their own when Tom McCartney had been dispossessed following a poor pass from Denis Buckley. As Munster broke quickly, Keatley's superb crosskick found a charging Andrew Conway and after Buckley had been bundled into touch near his own line, the visitors mauled their way to the crucial try. Helped by a wind advantage, Connacht had the majority of possession in the first half but while Rory Parata, Matt Healy and Carty went close to scoring tries, the Munster line was not breached as the champions suffered their seventh defeat of the campaign. Because of the IRFU's player management programme, Munster boss Rassie Erasmus had to leave out stars Conor Murray, CJ Stander, Simon Zebo, Donnacha Ryan and Peter O'Mahony as he made 11 changes from the Boxing Day win over Leinster. The absence of in-form fly-half Tyler Bleyendaal might have looked an even bigger loss for Munster but his replacement Keatley went on to produce an impressive display for the visitors. Connacht went into the contest with more than 20 members of their squad ruled out but Pat Lam was still able to parade a starting line-up that included Ireland internationals Tiernan O'Halloran, Matt Healy, Kieran Marmion, Finlay Bealham and Niyi Adeolokun. After Keatley's early penalty, the Munster fly-half was nearly caught out as he attempted to shepherd a Carty grubber kick over his own line, with Marmion's attempt to get the touchdown only ruled out after a prolonged viewing by the TMO. As Connacht failed to exploit their wind advantage and decided edge in the scrum, Munster led 6-3 at the break as Keatley restored his side's lead just before the interval. Carty's levelling penalty on 50 minutes spurred Connacht to produce more pressure but the turnover which led to Munster's try proved to be the key moment of the match. After Keatley's successful conversion, his further drop goal extended Munster's lead to 16-6 and while Carty's late penalty left only seven between the teams, Connacht had to settle for the losing bonus point as the sin-binning of Dave Kilcoyne and Duncan Williams came too late to upset the visitors. Connacht coach Pat Lam: "There were just too many errors in possession. Dropped balls and turnovers. "There was a lot of heart and the boys hung in there. "The key moment of the game was (in the second half) when we were one metre from their line and we turned the ball over and they went down the other end to score. These big games come down to little margins." Munster director of rugby Rassie Erasmus: "I'm very

Summary: Munster extended their lead at the top of the Pro12 to five points as they beat defending champions Connacht in a battle of attrition in a wet Galway.


Flynn's side are 22nd in League Two, two points above Hartlepool in the final relegation place. A win will ensure the Exiles remain in the EFL, but if Pools beat title-chasing Doncaster Rovers, they could return to the National League. "If we win, it's going to be the biggest party in Newport for a long time," Flynn told BBC Radio Wales. He continued: "I'm not going to pull any punches or dress it up, it is the biggest game [in their modern history] for so many reasons. It means so much to the club and amazing fans and to me." Newport were beaten 2-1 by Carlisle United on Saturday after leading in the 12th minute in a game which could have wrapped up their EFL survival. Flynn says the game against Notts County will be difficult to watch but believes his side can take the win they need to stay up. "It's going to be horrendous, it's going to be nerve-wracking but I really think the boys are going to deliver because they've been brilliant and I can't ask for much more so I'm quietly confident but it will be a stressful time," he said. "We've had some unbelievably tough games considering the league and position we were in but they've answered everything and every time we've lost, we've had a good response so I'm hoping we'll get one on Saturday." Media playback is not supported on this device

Summary: Newport County boss Mike Flynn says their game against Notts County is the biggest in the club's recent history.


The Syrian leader also said the army faced a shortage of soldiers. A day earlier, he declared an amnesty for draft-dodgers and deserters. The conflict is thought to have left more than 230,000 dead and displaced millions. Vast areas are no longer under government control. Syria's conscript army was once 300,000 strong, but has been roughly halved by deaths, defections, and a rise in draft-dodging, AFP news agency said. The Syrian leader said the army did not have the manpower to defend the entire country, especially as rebel groups were receiving increased support from outside - a reference to Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar. "Sometimes, in some circumstances, we are forced to give up areas to move those forces to the areas that we want to hold onto," Mr Assad said in a televised speech to dignitaries in Damascus. "We must define the important regions that the armed forces hold onto so it doesn't allow the collapse of the rest of the areas." The BBC's Jim Muir - in neighbouring Lebanon - says it has been evident for some months that Syrian government forces have been focusing on defending certain key areas while not doing everything they might to defend outlying regions where the army is really overstretched. This year, the Syrian military has lost the north-western provincial capital Idlib, parts of the south, and Palmyra in the north-east, which was taken over by militants of Islamic State. Bashar Assad said he was sure the army could defend the core areas where it was consolidating - meaning Damascus, the cities of Homs and Hama and the coast. But other big cities such as Aleppo in the north and Deraa in the south may come under question, our correspondent says. However, Mr Assad pledged to fight on and ruled out the prospect of any negotiated settlement at the moment. "The word defeat does not exist in the Syrian army's dictionary," he said, adding that "collapse" was not on the cards. "We will resist and we will win." The Syrian army, which is fighting rebels and jihadist groups, began a recruitment drive at the start of July to try to tackle its manpower shortage. At least 70,000 men have avoided military service, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. More than 80,000 soldiers and pro-government militiamen have been killed since the start of the conflict in March 2011.

Summary: The Syrian army has been forced to give up some areas in order to retain others in the war against rebels, now in its fifth year, President Bashar al-Assad has acknowledged.


Human Rights Watch (HRW) said at least 72 civilians had been killed in the strikes and the bloc needed to bear responsibility where appropriate. But Nato's spokeswoman said the campaign was conducted "with unprecedented care and precision". She said Nato "did everything possible to minimise risks to civilians". "But in a complex military campaign, that risk can never be zero," spokeswoman Oana Lungescu acknowledged. She added that the alliance "looked into each credible allegation" of harm to civilians and "confirmed that the specific targets struck by Nato were legitimate military targets". Aircraft from the US, the UK and France conducted most of the 9,658 strike sorties last year, targeting forces loyal to Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi. The point of the Nato air campaign in Libya last year was to protect civilians, so how many innocent people died is still a sensitive issue, BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall reports. In its report published on Monday , the US-based HRW said it had examined in detail evidence of claims of civilian deaths from eight separate Nato strikes. In one instance, it said a first bomb killed 14 people and a second, moments later, killed 18 more who had rushed to help victims. "We're calling for prompt, credible and thorough investigations," HRW's Fred Abrahams, the main author of the report, told BBC News. Mr Abrahams says Nato refuses to acknowledge the deaths and has offered no compensation to families. "Until now, Nato has taken a position of denial," he said. "I think it will lead to unnecessary civilian deaths in the future if Nato refuses to look at what went wrong and make corrections." In March, another human rights organisation, Amnesty International, said it had documented 55 cases of named civilians, including 16 children and 14 women, killed in air strikes. It said Nato had failed to investigate these cases thoroughly. Source: Nato Adel Ebsat, a relative of three victims who died from an air strike near the eastern town of Zlitan, told the BBC he had repeatedly asked the Libyan government to launch a case against Nato and for an investigation to be carried out. But there appears to be a reluctance by Libyan officials to hold Nato accountable for any civilian deaths that may have been caused by air strikes, the BBC's Rana Jawad in Tripoli reports. Most Libyans feel that the alliance helped the country succeed in its uprising against Col Gaddafi, which toppled and killed him last year, our correspondent says. The overwhelming belief, she adds, is that countless deaths were avoided because of the West's intervention. Nato has stressed that it is ready to co-operate with the new Libyan authorities in assessing what further action is appropriate. However, the alliance says it cannot take responsibility because it has had no presence on the ground to confirm the deaths.

Summary: Nato has hit back at a report urging the alliance to investigate fully the deaths of civilians in air strikes in Libya last year.


Opener Lumb made 105 as Notts reached 274-5 from a weather-reduced 42 overs. Chasing 252 from 37 overs after further rain, Paul Collingwood (69) and Michael Richardson (64) kept Durham in touch. Richardson then fell to Harry Gurney (5-51) with two balls left, but Keaton Jennings hit a six and a four to win it, taking them to 254-8. The hosts had looked unlikely victors heading into the final over, requiring 12 runs but having not found the boundary for 35 deliveries. Their task looked even harder when Richardson was dismissed by Gurney, only for number nine Jennings to club the next ball for six and then squeeze the final delivery for four. Earlier, Lumb had continued his recent fine form by compiling a 101-ball 105 that featured 12 boundaries. The 36-year-old, who has not represented England since 2014, followed up scores of 184 and 133 against Northants and Warwickshire in his previous two One-Day Cup innings with a third successive century.

Summary: Michael Lumb's third straight One-Day Cup ton could not stop Nottinghamshire slipping to a last-ball two-wicket defeat by Durham at Chester-le-Street.


The Assembly Speaker says support for the Commonwealth is not part of his personal politics. However, he said he wanted his approach during his time as Speaker to be about "respect". He did not comment on whether Ireland should become part of the Commonwealth. "In upholding the independence and impartiality of the Speaker, my approach during my time in office is going to be one of respect," he added. "Involvement in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association has naturally not been part of my political life in the past. "However, I will represent all sides of the House as any Speaker should and I intend to respect and acknowledge the culture and traditions of all sides of the assembly chamber. "Taking up this position is a first step in demonstrating that approach. I look forward to hosting next week's event to mark Commonwealth Day and its theme of encouraging youth participation in our democratic system."

Summary: Sinn Féin's Mitchel McLaughlin has announced he will take up the position of President of the NI Assembly Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).


An Institute of Directors report hailed the business model as a blueprint for success and indicated that the UK could learn from the Manx example. According to government figures, the estimated value of the Isle of Man space industry for the three years to 2013 will reach Â£1.1bn. Many investors have been attracted by the 0% rate of corporation tax. The report, published in London on 18 May, said: "The Isle of Man shows how quickly a powerful niche can be built by a very small player." It adds: "In the new space economy, you can be small and succeed. You don't need astronauts to be in the space business." There are currently 30 space companies located in the Isle of Man out of a international total of 54.

Summary: The Isle of Man has been praised for "building a powerful niche" within the global space industry.


Euan Johnston, 26, was in the driver's seat of a black Audi RS4 estate when he was shot, on Shields Road, near Scotland Street, at 23:45 on Tuesday. He died a short time later at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. A passenger in the car was not injured. Police said Mr Johnston was shot at multiple times by the occupant of a dark-coloured Audi Q5. Det Supt Jim Kerr, from Police Scotland's major investigations team, said Mr Johnston, from the Maryhill area of Glasgow, had been for a meal and was travelling home, with one other person in the car, when he was shot at multiple times in a pre-planned attack. The other person in the car, who was not injured, was being treated as "a significant witness", the detective said. He also revealed that an Audi Q5 that had been found in the city's Possil area. The officer said the investigation team was "interested" because it was the same kind of vehicle that had been seen driving from the scene. The lead detective said Mr Johnston, who would have turned 27 next week, was "known to police" and when asked to elaborate, said: "It would be unfair really but we have had dealings with him in the past. "At the end of the day this is a man going about his night-time business with his friend in the car and he's been shot, and nobody expects something like that." When asked if the shooting was linked to gangs or drugs, Mr Kerr said: "There could be an association or particular motive but we're keeping our options open at the moment in relation to that." Describing the shooting, Det Supt Kerr said: "The man had just stopped at a pedestrian crossing on Shields Road, just south of its junction with Scotland Street, when he was approached by the Audi Q5. "Someone from that vehicle shot him and then the car sped off in a northerly direction on Shields Road and turned east into Scotland Street towards the Kingston Bridge. "This was obviously a targeted attack. Although it was quite late at night, this can be a busy area and there could have been a number of people walking by or in vehicles." Det Supt Kerr said no-one else was injured but the shooting had been witnessed by members of the public. "This is a shocking incident and something that no one should have to witness," he said. "At this time there is no description of anyone in the suspect car, however, officers are currently checking CCTV in the area in an effort to trace its movements and specialist officers will carry out forensic tests on the car." The detective said that additional officers were on patrol in the Tradeston and Kinning Park areas of the city, close to where the shooting happened. He added: "I would urge anyone with information or any concerns at all, to speak to them there. "A major inquiry has been set up by Greater Glasgow Division and the major investigations team and other specialist resources from across

Summary: A man who was murdered in a late night car shooting in Glasgow was targeted in a pre-planned attack, police have said.


Two-thirds of England's schools face real-term budget cuts during this Parliament, according to the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR). It comes as a newspaper report says the Department for Education is to be hit with £2bn worth of spending cuts. The DfE said it was vital schools used the funds to help disadvantaged pupils. This year schools in England received £623 for every pupil on free school meals - a total of £2.5bn by the end of this Parliament. Jonathan Clifton's analysis for the think-tank of how schools use the coalition's flagship pupil premium argues that it is "not additional money" for the majority of schools. He said: "Over the next three years, schools face a cut in their main budget on the one hand, and an increase in their pupil premium funding on the other. "The Institute of Fiscal Studies has calculated when these are taken two things are taken into account, the majority of schools are expected to see a real-terms cut in their per-pupil funding. "They conclude that around 65% of primary schools and 80% of secondary schools will see a real-term cut in their budget between 2010-11 and 2014-15." At the same time a minority will see a substantial increase in their budgets, it says. He continued: "Many schools are struggling to maintain their existing level of provision, and are unable to fund additional or innovative activities. "Perhaps unsurprisingly, those schools that report they have 'significantly' changed the way they support disadvantaged pupils tend to be the same schools that have seen an increase in their budget." The fact that the pupil premium is not ring-fenced means that is "subject to competing demands", and the school league tables system often means schools focus their resources to ensure pupils get at least C grades in GCSEs. He also highlighted how politicians talk interchangeably about the pupil premium being used to support pupils who are falling behind and those on free school school meals. But last year only 23% of low attaining pupils at the end of primary school were on free school meals, and only 26% of pupils on free school meals were low attaining. He also calls for the extra funding to be tied to a strong professional infrastructure to ensure the best results are achieved. The report calls for the greater share of the money to be re-targeted at primary schools to ensure that more pupils are starting secondary school with adequate standards in English and maths. It also suggests that money aimed at secondary school pupils who are falling behind, known as the "catch-up premium", should be re-named a "catch-up entitlement" to ensure it reaches the correct pupils. A DfE spokeswoman said: "The coalition has protected schools funding, while also ensuring that every disadvantaged child benefits from the pupil premium, which will be worth £2.5billion a year in 2014/15. "It is vital that schools use this funding effectively to raise disadvantaged pupils' attainment and close the unacceptable gap with their peers. "While schools are free to use this funding in the way they think will

Summary: Schools are facing increasing pressure to spend money aimed at very poor pupils, known as the pupil premium, to plug holes in budgets, a report says.


John Henry Jones, from Trevor, near Llangollen, went missing in 1970. His family came forward after the reconstructed face of a man found buried in Staffordshire in 1971 was shown on the BBC's Crimewatch. But Det Insp Dan Ison, of Staffordshire Police, said DNA tests showed the man was not Mr Jones. Work had been carried out by a dental expert which suggested similarities between Mr Jones's teeth and the man found in Burton-upon-Trent. "While the DNA test has not resulted in an identification of the body found in Burton, we have been able to rule Mr Jones out of our enquiries," Det Insp Ison said. "Forty-six years have passed, but the investigation remains open and we'd ask people to check the image and contact us if they have new information."

Summary: An unidentified body found buried in a shallow grave 46 years ago is not a missing man from Denbighshire, detectives have said.


Hibs trailed Celtic 1-0 at half-time, but the home side hit back through a 27-minute Abi Harrison hat-trick. Stirling University held Glasgow for 54 minutes before Hayley Lauder, Sarah Crilly and two from Haley Rosen sealed the visitors' victory. Elsewhere, Glasgow Girls beat Jeanfield Swifts 5-3. Hearts Ladies against Hutchison Vale was postponed, with a date still to be re-arranged for the tie. The semi-final draw will take place at Hampden Park on Monday.

Summary: Holders Glasgow City and last year's runner's up Hibernian have both made it through to the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup.


Mr Mackay confirmed that the Scottish government was considering a second independence referendum to keep Scotland in the EU. He also told BBC Scotland a 9.5% budget deficit would not be an obstacle. But the Scottish Conservatives said the SNP was "in denial" about the economic challenges facing Scotland. And Scottish Labour said it was becoming "increasingly clear" that the promises made by the SNP ahead of the 2014 independence referendum were "completely misleading". The EU stability and growth pact urges member states to keep deficits below 3% of gross domestic product (GDP). Government figures for 2015/16 showed Scotland had a £14.8bn deficit when a geographic share of North Sea revenue was included, up from £14.3bn in 2014/15 . This compares with an overall UK deficit of £75.3bn or 4% of GDP. The UK's government's Scottish secretary, David Mundell, said the figures showed that being part of the UK protected Scottish living standards. But Mr Mackay rejected the argument, saying "independence is one of the options that we are considering to secure Scotland's place" in the EU. He insisted that Scotland's deficit was not a barrier to EU membership, arguing that the UK was running a deficit of more than 10% after the financial crisis. The finance secretary told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "Take the financial year 2009/10. Coming out of the financial crisis, the UK deficit in terms of relative to GDP was over 10%. "No-one suggested the UK was bankrupt then and would have to exit the EU." The Scottish Conservatives said the minister's comments showed the SNP was "in denial" about the economic problems that would face an independent Scotland. Finance spokesman Murdo Fraser said: "We were told the SNP was going to start being honest about the damage independence would cause to Scotland. "Instead Derek Mackay showed this morning that the plan is still to shut their eyes as tight as possible in the hope everyone else does too. "If ever an independent Scotland did seek EU membership, it would need to convince other EU nations that it had a plan to bear down on the huge deficit we're running. The last thing the EU would want is to take on the risk of another bail out. "So Nicola Sturgeon needs to be straight with people - if she wants to make the case for independence within the EU, what would be the price of that be in higher taxes and reduced spending?" Mr Mackay insisted that Scotland's large deficit showed that "UK economic policy isn't working for Scotland". and that an independent Scotland "would be able to make different choices and pull different economic levers to accelerate growth". He also said the Scottish government had "put in place a £100m economic stimulus to support the economy, and that was new investment". But Scottish Labour economy spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: "The £100m Nicola Sturgeon announced was from a previous SNP government underspend, it's not new money - someone should have told the finance secretary. "It's embarrassing that the man in charge of the accounts doesn't know

Summary: Scotland's large economic deficit would not disqualify the country from European Union membership, according to Finance Secretary Derek Mackay.


Police Sgt Nicholas Peacock told Mr Cipriani's trial he "appeared to be drunk" when he was brought into Hammersmith police station last June. He was breathalysed and found to be nearly twice the drink-drive limit in June last year, his trial heard. The 28-year-old's defence have argued the case should be thrown out. They told Westminster Magistrates' Court there was a "lack of evidence" against the Sale Sharks star, who denies drink-driving in Fulham, west London. Sgt Peacock told the court Mr Cipriani's eyes were glazed and "he smelt of intoxicating liquor, appeared to be drunk to me, and was upset and tearful." More on this story and other news from London The court previously heard claims police gave Mr Cipriani special treatment and delayed breathalysing him in a move the rugby player believed was "calculated to assist him". Mr Cipriani was breathalysed after crashing his Mercedes into a taxi and found to have 67 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath - nearly twice the drink-drive limit in England and Wales of 35 micrograms. But Sgt Peacock said delays are common, particularly at shift changeover, as was the case when Mr Cipriani was brought in. He also said the sports star was kept outside in a part of the station precinct known as "the cage" in order to stop other detainees recognising him. "The concern is that if you have a well-known person and they are seen by other people, that information can potentially be leaked to the press," he said. Philip Lucas, defending, told the court there was not "sufficient" evidence the breathalyser test in the police station was working properly and called for the case to be dismissed. The move came after the prosecutor and district judge raised concerns that legal proceedings were being "filibustered" and the case "derailed" by "unnecessarily complicated" legal submissions made by Mr Lucas. The case was adjourned until Friday.

Summary: England rugby star Danny Cipriani was "tearful and upset" after he was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving, a court has heard.


There were 33 defendants present in the Cairo courtroom to hear the verdicts, while the rest were out on bail. Family and friends of the defendants cried in shock outside the courthouse, reports said. The decision to hand over the islands to Saudi Arabia sparked a backlash among many Egyptians. It was made by Egyptian president Abdul Fattah al-Sisi during a rare visit by Saudi Arabia's King Salman, during which the Saudi king announced plans for aid and investment in Egypt. Critics says President Sisi "sold" the uninhabited islands, Tiran and Sanafir, in return for the investments. Saudi-Egyptian island deal sparks anger But the Egyptian government maintains that the islands always belonged to Saudi Arabia, and were only being looked after by Egypt since the 1950s. Both secular and Islamist activists called for people to demonstrate against the transfer of the islands. Police dispersed the protests in April, arresting dozens of people, many of whom were later charged with participation in illegal rallies. Mr Sisi has faced increasing criticism in recent months on a range of issues, including Egypt's lacklustre economy. The president, a former army general, previously enjoyed broad support after winning the election in 2014, but has faced increasing discontent.

Summary: Egypt has sentenced 51 people to two years each in prison for protesting against a decision last month to cede two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia.