The singer-songwriter is one of 85 people from Northern Ireland who have been recognised for their achievements. The Belfast-born musician, whose full name is George Ivan Morrison, will be known as Sir George. He described his new title as a "huge honour". Some of the 69-year-old star's biggest hits include Brown Eyed Girl, Moondance and, fittingly, Here Comes the Night. His knighthood has been granted for "services to the music industry and to tourism in Northern Ireland". In a statement on Friday, Morrison said: "Throughout my career I have always preferred to let my music speak for me, and it is a huge honour to now have that body of work recognised in this way. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the fans who have supported me on my musical journey." Morrison was born into a working-class family in east Belfast in 1945 but his exceptional talent has made him a global recording star. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes him as "one of the greatest singers of all time". The son of Harland and Wolff shipyard worker, he grew up in a small terraced house in Hyndford Street, in the shadow of the shipyard's famous cranes. His father's extensive record collection exposed the younger Morrison to a huge range of American musicians, including Hank Williams, Ray Charles, and Muddy Waters. Those early influences filtered into Morrison's own eclectic style which mixes soul, blues, jazz and country music with pop and rock. As well as selling millions of records worldwide, he has won six Grammys and a Brit award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. His relationship with stardom and the media has not always been comfortable. In 1993, he became the first living recipient not to attend his own induction ceremony at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However, more recently he has accepted other accolades in person, including honorary degrees from both of Northern Ireland's universities. Last year, he was granted the freedom of his native city and celebrated the honour by playing a free concert at Belfast's Waterfront Hall. In total, 53 men and 32 women from Northern Ireland have been honoured by the Queen for their achievements in a range of fields and for their contribution to public life. The second highest honour, Companion of the Bath (CB) was given to the top civil servant at Stormont's Department for Social Development, William Haire, while the chief executive of Belfast Harbour Commissioners, Robert Adair, becomes a Commander of the British Empire (CBE). Also honoured is one of Northern Ireland leading exponents of the Chinese lion dance, Yuk Shan Lui. PSNI Assistant chief Constable Will Kerr receives an OBE. Former East Antrim MP Roy Beggs is awarded an MBE, as is BBC news cameraman Peter Cooper, who recently retired after 40 years. Other recipients include:

Summary: Van Morrison has been given a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.


Surgery was suspended for two weeks in March last year at Leeds General Infirmary's paediatric heart unit after data suggested a higher death rate than average. A year-long review has concluded it was safe. It also said some families of very sick children had received poor care and some parents say they still have questions. Siobhan Casey's four-year-old daughter, Mylee, died in March 2013 after an operation to remove a build-up of muscle on her heart. Mrs Casey, from Rossington, near Doncaster, said she was told the surgery was not complicated and was low risk. "Mylee went down for the surgery. When she came back four hours later they tried to wake her up but she never woke up. "Two days later I was told she was brain dead. "I still do not have answers to how or why that happened. I am still waiting for an inquest to be held." Mrs Casey said she was grateful parents were now being listened to and said the recommendations were a "step forward". "I think that they are accepting there have been some mistakes and they are doing their best to ensure no other parents go through what we have. "I am trying to keep an open mind. It is positive and a step forward, but sadly I don't have a lot of faith in the trust at the moment." Michelle Elliot, whose daughter Jessica was left with brain damage following a stroke as she awaited a heart transplant, said her family were let down by the unit. Mrs Elliot, from Doncaster, said she was told the 12-year-old was not "sick enough" to be put on the transplant list. She had a stroke just a few days after being put on the list. She was given a transplant in Newcastle, but remains disabled by the stroke. "We are living with this every day," Mrs Elliot said. "She [Jessica] had a dream, a wish, with one of the charities to go to Florida, which has been pending for two and a half years for when she got better. "When I said 'we can go on this now' she said 'Mum would you want to go in my body. I am not going anywhere' and that really hurts." Mrs Elliot said she was pleased the trust's director had said he was "profoundly sorry" for what had happened. "It is a relief. It is a relief to be believed. It is a relief to be hopefully able to move on. "Until the recommendations [in the report] are in place and we can see that they are working it is only a small step though. "The mortality report is not a clean bill of health. There is a lot of work to be done," she said. Richard Graham from Ripon said his family had had a very different experience of the unit. "When my son was three years old there was a problem with the function of his heart - it was cardiomyopathy, which means his heart was beating too fast and not pumping blood efficiently," he said.

Summary: Some parents of children treated at a heart surgery unit that was temporarily closed last year have said a report into its safety is a "relief".


The south coast side have never featured in the last eight and will now host eight-time winners Liverpool at the Goldsands Stadium. Derby have a home tie against Premier League leaders Chelsea, while League One Sheffield United welcome high-flying Southampton. Newcastle, who knocked out holders Manchester City, travel to Tottenham. The ties will be played in the week beginning 15 December. Sheffield United reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup last season and are enjoying another good cup run after knocking out MK Dons in the previous round. Championship leaders Derby are rewarded for coming from 2-0 down to beat Fulham 5-2 with a home draw against the Premier League leaders. Bournemouth - the third of the non-Premier League sides left in the competition - eliminated West Brom on Tuesday. Full quarter-final draw: Derby v Chelsea Tottenham v Newcastle Bournemouth v Liverpool Sheffield United v Southampton

Summary: Championship side Bournemouth will play Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup.


UnitingCare started to supply older people and adult community healthcare in April, but pulled out of the contract earlier in December. It was a consortium of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. NHS England is to commission the investigation. As reported by the Health Service Journal, NHS England is seeking answers about the circumstances leading up to the termination of the contract. Lord Prior of Brampton, minister for NHS productivity, said it would also consider how similar contracts "will be managed and assured in the future". The contract was meant to run for five years, but older people's services have been transferred back to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group (CPCCG). UnitingCare was selected to run the service by CPCCG after a lengthy procurement process and from a shortlist of three organisations. It said it was not "financially sustainable" to continue with the contract. Dr Neil Modha, chief clinical officer at CPCCG, said: "The CCG will be conducting an internal review to begin shortly and advice from other parties will form part of the review. "We will of course work closely with NHS England on any review that they commission. Our current priorities are to ensure continuity of services following the ending of the contract on 3 December." Labour peer Lord Hunt said he was "very concerned" about the impact the "extraordinary" series of events was having on patients. "I'm going to be pressing NHS England to make sure the review is made public," he said. "People locally have every right to know what went wrong, who is responsible, and what is going to happen." What did the £800m five-year contract cover?

Summary: The collapse of an £800m NHS out-sourcing contract is to reviewed by independent experts.


Portuguese national Antonio Pedro De Olivera Alves, 44, was convicted in his absence at Stafford Crown Court of raping the 12-year-old girl. He was sentenced to an 11-year jail term in 2013, and a warrant for his arrest was issued. Alves, who was arrested in South America earlier this month, will face extradition proceedings, police said. More on this and other Staffordshire stories Prior to raping the girl, Alves befriended her by posing as a teenager. He was charged in January 2013 and convicted in June the same year. Staffordshire Police worked with the UK National Crime Agency and Brazilian authorities to catch Alves, who was arrested earlier this month. He will remain in custody until the Brazil High Court rules on his expected extradition to the UK, said police. At the time of arrest, Alves lived at Aneurin Bevan Place in Rugeley and worked in Stafford.

Summary: A child rapist who fled the UK has been arrested in Brazil after three years on the run.


The Migration Watch report said a "cautious estimate" for annual net migration by 2035 was 265,000, with 60% of migrants coming from the EU. It said there was complacency about the impact of rapid population growth which it said "could change the UK forever". Remain said leaving the EU and damaging the economy was not the answer. Immigration has been a key battleground in the referendum campaign ahead of the vote on EU membership on 23 June. Net migration to the UK rose to 333,000 in 2015, according to Office for National Statistics estimates released in May - the second highest figure on record - figures which the Leave campaign argue illustrates the inability of the UK to control migration while being in the EU. Migration Watch, which campaigns for reduced migration, has now looked over a 20-year period at the impact on net migration in the event the UK votes to remain in the EU on 23 June. This issue covers immigration and free movement within Europe. Net migration is the difference between the number of people coming to the UK for at least a year and those leaving. It said the figure of 265,000 excluded the possibility of Turkey joining the EU altogether and took the average of the high and low migration scenarios. Under its low migration scenario, net migration from the EU would fall to 135,000 by the end of the period and only a small number of refugees who have already arrived in other parts of the EU would relocate to Britain. In this scenario the government would successfully reduce non-EU net migration to 100,000 a year and British emigration would remain at 50,000 a year, leading to total net migration of 205,000. For the high scenario, net migration from the EU would rise to 220,000 by 2031. In this scenario, non-EU migration would remain at 150,000 per year and British emigration would remain at 50,000 net per year, leading to net migration to the UK to 320,000 in 20 years' time, it said. Lord Green of Deddington, chairman of Migration Watch UK said: "This report is a final wake-up call. Even leaving aside the prospect of Turkey joining the EU, it shows that net migration could still be running at 265,000 a year in 20 years' time. "This would bring our population to 80 million within 30 years. If we remain in the EU there will be nothing to stop a continuing rapid increase in our population. This would change our country for ever against the express wishes of a very large majority of our fellow citizens." Vote Leave said the report confirmed its estimates of future migration levels from the EU and demonstrated that the "only way to take back control of our borders" was to leave the EU. But the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants said the report failed to take account of the "essential contribution" that migrants make to UK industry and the public services, pointing out that they pay more in taxes than they take out. In response to the

Summary: A group that wants lower immigration has forecast if Britain votes to remain in the EU, net migration will exceed 250,000 a year for at least 20 years.


Pollster Kellyanne Conway becomes campaign manager and Stephen Bannon of Breitbart News the CEO. Paul Manafort remains campaign chairman, but analysts say he has effectively been demoted. Mr Trump told AP the new leaders were "terrific people... they're champs". Mr Trump has seen his poll ratings slip since the party conventions last month. He trails Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton both nationally and in key battleground states. The team shaping Trump's campaign The latest shake-up comes just 82 days before the election. On his website, Mr Trump said: "I have known Steve and Kellyanne both for many years. They are extremely capable, highly qualified people who love to win and know how to win." The Associated Press news agency said the details of the new hierarchy were hammered out at a lengthy senior staff meeting at Trump Tower on Tuesday and that more senior appointments were expected in the coming days. At a campaign rally in Ohio on Tuesday, Mrs Clinton said the changes would make little difference to the race. "He can hire and fire anyone he wants... They can make him read new words from a teleprompter. But he is still the same man," Mrs Clinton said. Battered in the polls, Donald Trump has shaken up his campaign yet again, but don't expect a kinder, gentler candidate anytime soon. Many senior Republicans want him to rein in his impulsive outbursts and soften his rough edges to appeal to more voters, especially women and independents. However, Mr Trump's appointment of Stephen Bannon, an unabashed right-wing firebrand, to lead his campaign seems to signal that more controversy is ahead, not less. The reshuffle suggests that while he recognises a change is needed, the New York billionaire won't be the one changing. "I don't wanna change. Everybody talks about, 'Oh well, you're gonna pivot, you're gonna' - I don't wanna pivot. I mean, you have to be you. If you start pivoting, you're not being honest with people," Mr Trump said. The new appointments come ahead of the Trump team's first major TV advertisements, due to start this week. Although Mr Manafort stays in his job, analysts say the new appointments, which come two months after campaign manager Corey Lewandowski was sacked, represent a demotion. The Washington Post cited Trump campaign aides as saying Mr Trump respected Mr Manafort but felt "boxed in" by people "who barely knew him". Mr Manafort, a former adviser to George HW Bush and Bob Dole, only joined the Trump campaign in March. The executive chairman of Breitbart has himself described his role there as "virulently anti-establishment", views that have led the website into staunch support of Mr Trump. An article in Bloomberg in October last year described Mr Bannon as "the most dangerous political operative in America" - a phrase Mr Trump's own website was happy to repeat in announcing his appointment. He will temporarily step down from Breitbart to work on the campaign full time and is expected to lead a highly aggressive strategy. Mr Trump has been pressed by some Republicans to tone down his

Summary: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has overhauled his campaign team for the second time in two months, with two new leaders.


The Eastern Europeans are a coming force in rugby union and have aspirations of playing in the Six Nations. They are 12th in the world rankings - two places above Italy - but have played top-tier nations only four times outside of World Cups. Wales will also face New Zealand, Australia and South Africa in November. Wales won three of their four autumn fixtures in 2016, beating South Africa, Japan and Argentina after losing to Australia. Georgia have won the Rugby Europe Championship - Europe's second-tier competition below the Six Nations - for the last six seasons in succession. They have already qualified for the 2019 World Cup in Japan having finished third in their group in the last tournament in England. That campaign included a win over Tonga, while Georgia have also beaten Fiji and drawn with Samoa during the last year.

Summary: Wales will play Georgia for the first time at the Principality Stadium in the 2017 autumn series.


Hywel Dda University Health Board is the first in Wales to launch the "Push the Button" system to curb smoking at Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire hospitals. It enables people to anonymously push a red button which triggers an announcement reminding them hospitals are smoke-free. The policy also includes e-cigarettes. The bilingual messages were recorded by pupils at Pembrokeshire's Wolfscastle school and the buttons can be found near the main entrances to Bronglais, Glangwili, Prince Philip and Withybush hospitals. Teresa Owen from the health board said: "While the majority of staff, patients and visitors to our sites respect this policy, some people continue to smoke on-site. "Everyone has the right to breathe fresh air, especially when visiting a health care facility and we regularly receive complaints about people smoking on our sites."

Summary: A PA system is being launched at hospitals in mid and west Wales to discourage smokers from lighting up.


The match ignited with three late first-half goals, the first coming in the 35th minute as Jack Parkinson curled in superbly off the post for the visitors from Mitch Pinnock's corner. Gateshead broke away to equalise straight from kick-off when Wes York was on hand to tap in after Jones' point-blank shot was saved. Jones then collected Paddy McLaughlin's cross superbly to put the hosts in front in the 44th minute. McLaughlin made it 3-1 three minutes into the second half, but Ricky Miller halved the deficit after 57 minutes with his 10th goal of the season. Sam Jones fired his second past Mitch Walker two minutes later to restore the two-goal lead but missed out on a hat-trick when he hit the crossbar with a penalty. Report supplied by the Press Association. Match ends, Gateshead 4, Dover Athletic 2. Second Half ends, Gateshead 4, Dover Athletic 2. Substitution, Dover Athletic. Sammy Moore replaces Chris Kinnear. Mitch Brundle (Gateshead) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Substitution, Gateshead. Gus Mafuta replaces Nyal Bell. Substitution, Gateshead. Reece Styche replaces Wes York. Wes York (Gateshead) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Aswad Thomas (Dover Athletic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Ricky Miller (Dover Athletic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Goal! Gateshead 4, Dover Athletic 2. Sam Jones (Gateshead). Goal! Gateshead 3, Dover Athletic 2. Ricky Miller (Dover Athletic). Goal! Gateshead 3, Dover Athletic 1. Patrick McLaughlin (Gateshead). Second Half begins Gateshead 2, Dover Athletic 1. First Half ends, Gateshead 2, Dover Athletic 1. Goal! Gateshead 2, Dover Athletic 1. Sam Jones (Gateshead). Goal! Gateshead 1, Dover Athletic 1. Wes York (Gateshead). Goal! Gateshead 0, Dover Athletic 1. Jack Parkinson (Dover Athletic). First Half begins. Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

Summary: Sam Jones hit a brace as Gateshead beat Dover at the International Stadium.


The singer-songwriter, 74, will play her seminal album Tapestry in full, followed by a selection of other hits. It will be the first chance to see the King play the UK since her City Streets tour reached the Albert Hall in 1989. "I can't wait to perform Tapestry from beginning to end for the first time... in the heart of one of my favourite cities," said the star. ] The concert takes place on 3 July, with headliners on other nights including Take That, Florence + The Machine and Kendrick Lamar. Speaking to BBC 6 Music, the singer said it "actually wasn't my idea" to play the album in full, but "no-one has ever thought to ask [before] and I loved the the idea." "I'll be adding other songs because it would be a very short set if I only did Tapestry," she continued. "I might actually even have it on my social networks where people can offer up their favourites and see if we can get a consensus and help me figure out which songs to add." "The whole thing is very exciting to me," she added. "I'm really looking forward to it." Recorded in the hippie utopia of Laurel Canyon in 1971, Tapestry featured a dozen classic songs, including It's Too Late, I Feel The Earth Move and You've Got A Friend. Intimate and emotional, the record made King a star - but avid fans knew she had already been an enormously successful songwriter for more than a decade, writing hits like The Loco-Motion, Pleasant Valley Sunday and I'm Into Something Good with her lyricist husband Gerry Goffin. She put her own stamp on some of those earlier songs - including (You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman and Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow - on Tapestry, which spent 15 consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard 200 and was, until Thriller, the world's biggest-selling record by a solo artist. Side one Side two Tapestry also became the cornerstone of King's career as a performer and, more recently, of her jukebox musical Beautiful, which opened in London last year. Reflecting on the album's impact, King told the BBC: "I think the songs speak to people's humanity - to their deepest feelings of love and longing. "And with all the tumult in the world at any given moment, it's nice to touch that humanity." Support for the UK gig will come from Don Henley, formerly of The Eagles, and King's own daughter, Louise Goffin. Tickets go on general sale from Friday, 11 March, priced between £60 and £249.

Summary: Carole King is to play her first UK concert in more than 25 years at the BST festival in London's Hyde Park.


World Ranger Day (31 July) is dedicated to the men and women who put themselves on the frontline to protect our wildlife from one of the biggest armed scourges of the 21st Century. Some estimate that gangs of poachers kill two or three rangers every week in game reserves across Africa. It has become a bitter battle against poaching. If the elephants and the rhinos could release press statements on their respective international days, they would tell you that the killings of their kind have multiplied since 2006. And even though some recent studies suggest the killing of elephants has slowed, some experts believe that the decline in deaths could be down to fewer elephants being alive to poach. Organised criminals with sophisticated GPS systems and deadly arms seem to stop at nothing to get tusks and rhino horns to sell in Asian markets for millions of dollars. It is the rangers who stand between them and the killers. Farai Sevenzo: "It is no surprise that South Sudan's protracted rebellions have affected animals and the men and women who try to protect them" A recent WWF survey of game rangers in Africa found some rangers barely had the equipment, including boots, to fight poachers in Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo and were regularly abandoned as a low priority of governments. Of those surveyed, 75% said they had been threatened by community members for the work they do in protecting wildlife and a staggering 54% said they would not want their children to become rangers - which is bad news for those elephants, rhinos and gorillas slowly dwindling to extinction. Just two weeks ago the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority put out a tender for the supply of new vehicles for its directors and an advert for two new executives just when its working rangers, toiling to stop poachers in 45C heat, had not been paid for three months. Members of a parliamentary committee on the environment noticed the lack of priorities and were not impressed. More on poaching in Africa: The war on elephants Does burning actually destroy ivory? Can drones tackle wildlife poaching? My daughter the gorilla It is also clear that the pressure on a ranger can come from their own, so it is little wonder that some of them are turning from game keeper to poacher just to stay alive. Zimbabwe has managed to capture two of its most-wanted poaching suspects in the last week, according to the state-run Chronicle newspaper. Altogether 10 suspects were arrested in separate operations, though its report shows the difficulty of tracking down poachers. The tools of their trade may be simple - the paper lists some being arrested with a couple of rifles, a silencer, ammunition, a knife, a torch and a getaway car - but their collusion with local chiefs makes them more lethal to animals and rangers alike. It is no surprise that the deaths of elephants and rangers in DR Congo were at the hands of armed militias, and that South Sudan's protracted rebellions have affected animals

Summary: In our series of letters from African journalists, film-maker and columnist Farai Sevenzo looks at those most in danger in the battle against poachers in Africa.


Media playback is not supported on this device Sterling played centrally and netted a hat-trick, while striker Bony scored twice, in a 5-1 win over Bournemouth. "We had to do something different," said Pellegrini. "With his movement we thought Raheem could be dangerous. "He also missed three or four goals but he did very well." Aguero, 27, is set to be out for a month with a hamstring problem while Silva, 29, is also likely to miss the Champions League visit of Sevilla on Wednesday and the first Manchester derby of the season against United at Old Trafford next Sunday (kick-off 14:05 GMT). Sterling's first-half hat-trick was the first of his career, while Bony, who admitted he contracted malaria in pre-season, doubled his City goals tally since his £28m move from Swansea in January. But Pellegrini said he was pleased with England international Sterling's finishing. "I am happy because we changed Sterling's position and played him in the middle, with Bony in front of him," added Pellegrini. "We felt it was better for him to be near Bony and also near the box. "When we bought Raheem in the summer I said we are buying a 20-year-old who is very young and needs to improve. He is not a striker but he can improve his finishing and, today, he did." Sterling, whose best scoring record was 11 goals with Liverpool last season, said he had been doing extra work on his finishing. The £44m signing, who has now scored five goals in 11 City appearances, said: "In training I have been working on one-on-one situations in a few sessions. "It is something I will keep working on and hopefully I will get better at it." Bony also praised Sterling's performance after the Ivory Coast striker scored his first goals of the season. "We talked a lot in training this week," the 26-year-old said. "I know he is very quick and I told him if I jump you have to run, there is no need to think about if I win the ball or not. "When we have the ball I look to show myself, it worked today. I am happy about the result and happy he scored three goals." City skipper Vincent Kompany remained on the bench against Bournemouth, with Pellegrini saying the defender was not yet ready to return despite playing for Belgium on Tuesday. Belgium manager Marc Wilmots' decision to play Kompany angered Pellegrini after the 29-year-old picked up a calf injury against Juventus on 15 September. But Pellegrini said his omission on Saturday was for fitness reasons only. "We finished playing with Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala in the last game and they did very well," the City manager added. "He was on the bench because he played for Belgium on Tuesday and couldn't work on Wednesday and Thursday. I think working just one day after one month injured is not enough to play again."

Summary: Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini praised Raheem Sterling's combination with Wilfried Bony as the pair proved able deputies for injured duo Sergio Aguero and David Silva.


Hamza, who is now in his late 20s, was named an official member of al-Qaeda in 2015 and is seen as a possible successor to his father. Since then, he has called for attacks against western capitals. The US State Department said it was notifying the international community that "Hamza bin Laden is actively engaged in terrorism". The official sanction blocks him from any business dealings with US companies or holding property on US soil. Hamza is the son of the former al-Qaeda leader and Khairiah Sabar, one of Osama's wives who was captured during the 2011 raid on his father's Abbotabad compound in Pakistan. Hamza was not in the compound with his parents during the raid, in which Osama Bin Laden was killed. Ayman al-Zawahiri, an eye surgeon who helped found the Egyptian Islamic Jihad militant group, took over leadership of al-Qaeda after his death. In August, Professor Fawaz Gerges, an expert on Middle East politics, told BBC Radio 4 that Hamza was "the new face of al-Qaeda - he is charismatic, he is very popular with the rank and file". "He was his father's favourite son - everyone, even for the last ten years, has been talking about Hamza succeeding his father." In 2015, al-Qaeda released an audio message from Hamza, which called on followers in Kabul, Baghdad and Gaza to wage jihad, or holy war, on Washington, London, Paris and Tel Aviv. He now joins his half-brother Saad on the US sanctions list as a "specially designated global terrorist" - someone who threatens national security or the safety of US citizens. The US State Department said the sanction was a "powerful tool." Individuals and groups sanctioned under the programme range from offshoots of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) to the so-called Islamic State, among thousands of others.

Summary: Hamza bin Laden, a son of Osama bin Laden, has been officially designated a global terrorist by the United States.


The firm said the US Department of Justice (DoJ) had launched a criminal investigation, while other regulators are running civil investigations. It added that possible losses from all its the legal proceedings could total $5.9bn (Â£3.7bn). A number of other banks, including HSBC, RBS and Barclays, have recently set aside sums to cover similar probes. Global lenders, such as Citigroup and UBS, are also being investigated over the alleged rigging of foreign-exchange rates. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Monday, JP Morgan said that it was co-operating with authorities, and currently engaged in discussions aimed at "resolving their respective investigations". But, the firm added, "there is no assurance that such discussions will result in settlements". As well as the criminal investigation by the DoJ, JP Morgan revealed it also faces civil investigations by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and "other foreign government authorities". Last year, JP Morgan Chase agreed to a record $13bn settlement with US authorities for misleading investors during the housing crisis.

Summary: JP Morgan Chase, the largest bank in the US, has revealed it is under investigation over currency trading.


Nancy McAdam has been presented with a British Empire Medal after earlier in the year being named in the Queen's Birthday Honours list. Ms McAdam, who lives on a croft on the Black Isle, is a longstanding member of the Scottish Dementia Working Group. With others she founded Highland Dementia Working Group and Inverness Dementia Memory Group. She was presented with her honour by Janet Bowen, Lord Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty, incorporating Skye and Lochalsh. Ms McAdam said: "I am simply thrilled. It is a great honour to get a British Empire Medal." Ms Bowen said: "I was delighted to be able to present Nancy with her medal in recognition of the impact she has had on her community. "I have learned so much from Nancy, particularly how it is possible to live well with dementia. "I greatly admire how she came to terms with her diagnosis. Nancy is a wonderful example to us all."

Summary: A woman has been recognised for her work with charities helping people with dementia.


The 50-year-old was driving a Vauxhall Corsa when it was struck by a Jaguar S-Type at about 10:20 on Saturday in Irvine. Two men are thought to have then abandoned the Jaguar before getting into a black Mercedes driven by a third man. The 50-year-old is being treated at Crosshouse Hospital, where he is in a stable condition. Police have appealed for witnesses to the crash, which was on Long Drive near the Newmoor Roundabout, to contact them. Det Insp Mick Carr said: "A man requires hospital treatment following a serious road traffic collision. From what we understand, following the collision, two men abandon the Jaguar car and enter a black Mercedes car, driven by a third man. The men then leave the scene of the road traffic collision, heading north along the B7081. "Our inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and we are yet to trace the black Mercedes which left the area. "Anyone with information surrounding this collision is asked to contact police. If you witnessed the crash and have not yet contacted police, please contact officers with any information you may have."

Summary: A man has been seriously injured in a hit and run collision in Ayrshire.


It comes as City Hall published figures it said showed Southern rail services were the worst in the UK. Sadiq Khan also repeated his call for the government to give him emergency control of Southern services. The government said it did not "routinely publish" official advice given by civil servants. Earlier this month Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the government would not devolve control of suburban rail services to TfL but that he wanted it to be "closely involved" in developing services. That went against indications from his predecessor Patrick McLoughlin, who had earlier this year appeared to suggest services operated by Southern, Southeastern and South West trains could be devolved to TfL once their current franchises ended. A spokesman for the mayor told the BBC: "Londoners deserve to know why the government has backtracked on their promise to give London control of services which would have led to fewer delays, a better service and passenger fares frozen. "If the government really believes they have made the right decision, they should have no problem with publishing the advice as soon as possible." On Tuesday, transport minister Lord Ahmad told the House of Lords the government would not publish the advice it received after seeing an advance copy of TfL's business plan in October. He added the government's analysis "highlighted a number of uncertainties in the business case, particularly around the operational risks associated with splitting the franchise and around the benefits being claimed [by City Hall]". But on Thursday the mayor repeated his demand that City Hall be given emergency control of the Southern Rail franchise as he published train punctuality figures he said both the government and Govia - the owner of the Southern Rail franchise - should be "utterly ashamed" by. The figures showed 57% of trains on Southern Rail's Mainline and Coast line arrived at their destination on time in the five weeks to 10 December. The figures also showed 62% of trains across all Govia's franchises, which include Govia Thameslink train services and the Gatwick Express, arrived at their destination on time in the same five weeks. That was the worst period of performance for any train operator since 2005, City Hall said. It added not all of Govia's rail franchises had been affected by strike action and yet it ran five out of six of the least reliable train lines in the whole country and was missing its reliability target by 28%. But a spokesperson for Govia said the punctuality figures reflected "the significant impact" of "wholly unjustified industrial action being taken by Aslef and the RMT". They added ongoing additional knock-on delays were the result of continued work at London Bridge. The spokesman said: "We're sorry - our passengers deserve better and, together with Network Rail, we're working hard to improve performance." The DfT has previously said it is not within Mr Grayling's powers to strip Southern of its franchise. Mick Cash, leader of the RMT union, which will stage another 48-hour strike on Southern Rail services beginning on New Year's Eve called the latest performance

Summary: London's mayor has challenged ministers to publish advice they received over possibly devolving suburban rail services to Transport for London (TfL).


In an interview with the UK's ITV, Mr Trump said he was not anti-Muslim, but "anti-terror". He was reacting to remarks by UK Prime Minister David Cameron that his call for Muslims to be banned from the US was "divisive, stupid and wrong". Mr Trump made the call last year, when he was not the party's front-runner. He insisted that when he called for an immediate temporary ban on Muslims being allowed into America, there had been criticism only from politicians. Millions of people from all over the world had called in, he said, saying "Donald Trump is right". Asked whether he would re-phrase those comments in the light of the controversy they caused, Mr Trump said: "It got people thinking. Whether it's good for me or bad for me, I don't really care." 21 things that Donald Trump believes How Trump captures the White House Trump softens stance on Muslim ban Can Trump really change his image? "Something very bad" was going on that people pretended didn't exist, Mr Trump said. The world had a tremendous problem with radical Islamic terror, the New York billionaire said. "If you look at it world-wide, the world is blowing up. And it's not people from Sweden that's doing the damage, okay?" It is up to Muslims to turn in people they suspected of extremism, he told ITV. "They have to work with the police. They're not turning them in. If they're not playing ball, it's not going to work out." Referring to Mr Cameron's criticism, Mr Trump also said it looked like he was not going to have a good relationship with the UK prime minister. He also criticised the new Mayor of London Sadiq Khan for calling him "ignorant". The New Yorker is one of the least politically experienced nominees in US history, having never held elected office. Many senior Republicans have refused to back him. All other Republican rivals have dropped out of the campaign. Protests have plagued his campaign, with particular focus on his plan to build a wall on the Mexican border and deport 11 million undocumented immigrants. On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton appears closer to the nomination, having secured more delegates than Bernie Sanders.

Summary: The presumptive Republican candidate in the US presidential election, Donald Trump, has called on Muslims to work with the police and "turn people in".


We take a look at some of the winners and losers on the UK high street this Christmas. UK's largest supermarket, Tesco, reported a rise in sales over Christmas. UK like-for-like sales were up 1.3% from a year earlier in the six weeks to 9 January. The upbeat results were welcomed in the City and are being seen as part of the turnaround promised by chief executive Dave Lewis, who took over in September 2014. However, the grocer still faces tough competition from discount chains, and it reported a 1.5% fall in sales for the 13 weeks ending 28 November. Britain's biggest department store chain posted an impressive 5.1% rise in like-for-like sales in the six weeks to 2 January, with products in its technology category leading the field with a rise of 9.6%. Online sales were up more than a fifth and accounted for 40% of total sales. (Like-for-like sales, which measures performance at stores open for more than 12 months, is the measure preferred by analysts as it is the most accurate picture of a retailer's performance.) Waitrose, its food retailing business, falls into the other category, however - see the Losers below. Newsagents and stationary retailer, WH Smith, reported a 2% increase in like-for-like for the 20 weeks to 16 January. Sales at its travel arm, which has shops at airports, railways stations, motorway services, and hospitals jumped by 12%.. High Street stores reported a 2% rise in like-for-like sales during the five weeks to 2 January. The business, which has been going for 224 years, said profits were boosted by the recent trend in colouring books for adults. The department store had a reasonably good Christmas, with a 3.7% rise in like-for-like sales for the nine weeks to 9 January. The retailer said it made fewer discounts and kept tight control of clothing stock, such as winter coats, to reflect the unseasonably warm winter. Like-for-like sales at the department store rose by 5.3% in the six weeks to 2 January, which chief executive Nigel Oddy said underlined its strategy of improving both stores and its online offering, and developing its in-house brands. Britain's fourth-biggest supermarket reported better-than-expected sales, with like-for-like sales, excluding fuel, up 0.2% in the nine weeks to 3 January. Analysts had expected a decline of as much as 3%, suggesting that its revival strategy is paying off. The retailer said trading over the key Christmas period was "very positive", with like-for-like sales across all its sportswear brands up 10.6% in the five weeks to 2 January. As a result, it said underlying full-year profits could be up to 10% higher than current market expectations of Â£136m. Record food sales in the run-up to Christmas was not enough to save the high street stalwart, with like-for-likes falling 2.5% in the 13 weeks to 28 December. Food was up 0.4% for the period, but general merchandise - which includes its clothing - sank by 5.8%. Neil Saunders from retail consultants Conlumino commented: "It is timid and it is wedded to this kind of 'we have to be

Summary: Unseasonably warm winter weather, the inexorable rise of online shopping and consumer reluctance to pay full price has added up to a fairly dismal festive season for some retailers.


Footage of the training sessions shows the animals being dragged around a New South Wales farm by top players from the King's School in April. Animal rights activists and some farmers have condemned the activity. King's School, famed for producing national rugby stars, initially defended the training exercise. Headmaster Tim Hawkes had said the task was "not dissimilar to that undertaken by shearers" and that no animals were harmed. "The two rugby coaches were assured by the farmer beforehand that the activity was safe and all the more so because he would be supervising it carefully," Dr Hawkes said in a statement issued to the Australian Broadcasting Corp, which uncovered the video. But in a later statement, he said he was "appalled at the decision". "Regardless of whether it was supervised, or that no animals or boys were harmed, it was totally inappropriate." The footage was reportedly posted to a private Facebook page by a teacher, but had since been removed. The head of the RSPCA in New South Wales, Steve Coleman, called the training exercise "horrific". "What I just saw was behaviour that can lead to similar behaviours towards humans. There's a lot to be said about violence in general," Mr Coleman told ABC.

Summary: An elite Sydney boys' school is being investigated for animal cruelty after a video emerged of students crash tackling sheep during rugby drills.


A European Parliament probe alleged on Monday that funds for the group of MEPs that UKIP belongs to had wrongly been spent "for the benefit of UKIP". It said the group should repay Â£146,696 of the funds intended for European Parliament business. The Electoral Commission is now looking into "whether there has been any breach of UK election law". In response to the news a UKIP spokesman said: "We are confident we will be found to be in the clear." The European Parliament investigation claims that the UKIP-dominated grouping - the Alliance for Direct Democracy in Europe - broke rules banning the use of the funds on "financing of national political parties, financing of national election campaigns and candidates or referendum campaigns". In a statement the European Parliament Bureau said: "The activities of the ADDE which were found to breach the rules for European party financing, were nine opinion polls held in the UK ahead of the 2015 general elections as well as ahead of the EU referendum in 2016, and a report on these polls. "The expenditure linked to the services of three consultants was considered non-eligible by an external auditor and by the Parliament's administration." When the European Parliament allegations first emerged last week, a spokesman for the ADDE group accused the parliament of "harassment", with UKIP MEP Roger Helmer adding: "Call it revenge for Brexit if you like." BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith said it was understood the Electoral Commission inquiry related to whether UKIP spent some of the European money on the Brexit referendum. UKIP would face a possible fine up to Â£20,000 if it was judged to have accepted "impermissible donations".

Summary: The Electoral Commission has opened an investigation into UKIP's finances after allegations it misspent EU funds.


Action on Junk Food Marketing analysed 750 adverts shown during the X Factor on ITV and the Simpsons and Hollyoaks on Channel 4 over 20 hours. It found one in 10 promoted fast food restaurants, confectionery or supermarket 'junk food'. But the government said advertising was not to blame for childhood obesity. The analysis, which was carried out by researchers at the University of Liverpool, found that unhealthy food items accounted for 11% of all adverts and around half of all food adverts. They said the most frequently shown adverts for unhealthy food products came from supermarkets such as Aldi and Morrisons, followed by fast food chains such as Dominos and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). Chocolate manufacturers like Lindt and Cadbury and brands such as Clover and Flora Buttery were also included on the "unhealthy" ads list. The researchers looked at adverts shown during 10 hours of X Factor programmes and another 10 hours of early evening Channel 4 programmes during the run-up to Christmas 2013. The campaign group Action on Junk Food Marketing, whose members include the Children's Food Campaign and the British Heart Foundation, said children's TV viewing peaks around 20:00 but laws to protect children from targeted advertising only cover children's programmes, which tend to be broadcast earlier in the day. Simon Gillespie, chief executive of the British Heart Foundation, said: "Parents don't expect their children to be bombarded with ads for unhealthy food during primetime TV, but that's exactly what happens. "Even when the show is over, junk food marketers could be reaching out to young people online. A lack of regulation means companies are free to lure kids into playing games and entering competitions - all with a view to pushing their product." Prof Mitch Blair, officer for health promotion at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said advertising junk food during family-friendly programmes like the X Factor is known to work. "Not only are children and young people easily influenced and parents worn down by pester power, but food companies wouldn't spend huge amounts of money if it wasn't effective." Campaigners want the ban on "junk food" advertising to be extended to 21:00. "Children should not be commercially exploited and the advertising industry must take some responsibility for helping tackle the growing problem of childhood obesity," Prof Blair said. The government said advertising was just one aspect in determining children's choice of food and one part of the package aimed at tackling childhood obesity and poor diet. It added that it was keeping "this area under review". The Advertising Association went further saying the report was "lobbying dressed up as science" and the current rules on advertising were working. Communications director Ian Barber added: "The UK's evidenced-based approach to the advertising rules works, balancing sensible protections with the freedom to advertise, allowing companies to compete - to the benefit of us all - and providing important funding for free-to-air TV." But there is general agreement that with around one-third of UK children now overweight or obese, encouraging families and children to eat healthier diets

Summary: Children are being exposed to TV adverts promoting unhealthy food which should be banned during primetime family viewing, says a campaign group.


Burton began the brighter with their best chance falling to Chris O'Grady, but his shot was blocked on the line. For the second game running, the home side switched off in first-half stoppage time and an unmarked Connolly headed home to put Wigan ahead. The 19-year-old defender, who joined on loan from Everton before the game, nodded in his second after the break. England Under-19 international Connolly's move - which is for the remainder of the season - was confirmed by Wigan in time for him to make the trip to the Pirelli Stadium. The Liverpool-born teenager, who spent a month on loan at Barnsley last season, came through Everton's academy. And he helped his new club to their first victory over Burton Albion and back-to-back wins following victory in the FA Cup against Nottingham Forest. The Brewers have now lost their past four home games in the Championship and sit just one point above the relegation zone. Wigan remain 23rd, but are now just three points behind them. Burton manager Nigel Clough: "It's a frustrated dressing room because we have given away two of the softest goals we have given away all season. "The timing as well is difficult. I think that is three in recent games just before half-time, in added time, and that is something that has to be addressed. "Both penalty areas, which is where it really counts, they were better than us today." Wigan manager Warren Joyce: "It's a great win but it's just three points and there is still a long way to go in the season. "Today, Burton could have scored a couple of goals but the way the defenders put their bodies on the line consistently you sometimes earn a little bit of luck when you are that brave." On new signing Callum Connolly: "He's a player I've known about for a long time. "Obviously when you are looking at the make-up of players and looking at their attributes and qualities, we are not a big side and its important in this league that you have got full-backs that can head the ball as well. "Every credit to the kid today, enthusiasm and bravery gets us the points." Match ends, Burton Albion 0, Wigan Athletic 2. Second Half ends, Burton Albion 0, Wigan Athletic 2. Offside, Wigan Athletic. Sam Morsy tries a through ball, but William Grigg is caught offside. Damien McCrory (Burton Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Michael Jacobs (Wigan Athletic). Corner, Burton Albion. Conceded by Dan Burn. Attempt missed. Kyle McFadzean (Burton Albion) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Matthew Palmer with a cross following a corner. Corner, Burton Albion. Conceded by Shaun MacDonald. Attempt blocked. Tom Naylor (Burton Albion) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Attempt blocked. Jamie Ward (Burton Albion) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Chris O'Grady. Attempt missed. Matthew Palmer (Burton Albion) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.

Summary: Callum Connolly scored twice on his debut as Wigan narrowed the gap to fellow relegation rivals Burton Albion.


The 28-year-old won the Chengdu event in China and will now compete in her first World Series triathlon of the season in Yokohama, Japan on Saturday. "For me the weekend was about getting back into racing and refocusing more than the victory itself," she said. "Winning gives me a bit more confidence going into the World Series." Saturday's event is raced over an Olympic distance which includes a 1.5km swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run - four times the distance of the race in Chengdu. The 2013 world champion will compete alongside fellow Briton Vicky Holland, who pipped her to Olympic bronze in Rio, and 2016 world champion Flora Duffy of Bermuda, who are also competing in the World Series for the first time this season after overcoming injuries. "The level at the World Series is that much higher than the World Cup," said Stanford. "The field is pretty stacked and that's exciting that you go out there and actually get to test yourself against the best that triathlon has to offer. "It's definitely going to be hard and not as easy as it was at the weekend. I don't think the victory will come quite as smoothly. "I just want to go out there and do an Olympic distance, see where I'm at and what we have to work on for the rest of the season." The Chengdu event consisted of two events held over two days and Stanford, who had not raced on the World Cup circuit since 2011, did not expect victory. "The format of the race was unusual and I wasn't sure at all how I would do. You could have finished first or last in that situation. "I made some smart decisions whilst I was racing. I stayed quite calm which is important in that sort of race which is so fast. "It's very quick decisions in the heat of the moment and I managed to make good decisions at the right time and that helped me to the top of the podium." Swansea-born Stanford, who finished fourth at last summer's Olympic Games in Rio, has endured a difficult few months. "I got a small tear in my Achilles back in November and recovery from that hasn't been straightforward," Stanford told BBC Wales Sport. "I didn't do any proper running until end of February, so it hasn't been smooth at all. It hasn't been my best winter of training and that's why I really surprised myself at the weekend." Stanford missed out on the 2014 Commonwealth Games through injury and has her sights set on the Games at the Gold Coast next April. "The main aim for this season is to make sure I confirm my selection for the Commonwealth Games next year," Stanford said. "I was absolutely devastated to miss out on the Commonwealth Games in 2014. To sit on the sidelines and watch was pretty tough. "It's been a lifelong ambition of mine to represent Wales at the Commonwealths. "It definitely came onto my radar before the Olympic Games ever did. "It will be

Summary: Welsh triathlete Non Stanford is confident she can make the most of her first ever World Cup win following a winter disrupted by injury.


The 33-year-old Chile international arrived with a reputation for fancy footwork but is now, to some, thought of as being a shot-stopper who does not stop shots - something Everton took full advantage of when they scored with every effort they had on target in Sunday's 4-0 win. City's defence admittedly did not do much to help him at Goodison Park, but Bravo has now conceded a total of 23 goals from the 57 shots on target he has faced in the Premier League this season. "It looks like people are playing City and thinking if they hit the target, they will score," MOTD2 pundit Phil Neville said in his analysis after watching Bravo's latest less than convincing performance. "It is not even as if they are all going into the corners of the net - he is being beaten in the central areas of his goal too." Media playback is not supported on this device Do the stats back up that belief Bravo should have done better? According to Tom Worville, a data scientist at football analysts Opta, the answer is a resounding yes. Using an historical database built using information such as the build-up, distance, angle and placement of more than 250,000 shots, Opta can evaluate 'Expected Goals' - the quality of any chance a player has, and how likely it is to be saved. Or, in Bravo's case, whether it should have been... Based on the historic quality of those 57 shots on target against City, only 16 should have beaten Bravo, not 23. The £15.4m summer signing from Barcelona has conceded 6.7 goals more than he should have done, putting him in the bottom five of the 23 Premier League keepers to have faced more than 100 shots in 2016-17. It gets worse for Bravo when Opta focus on his current eight-game run that has seen him concede 14 goals from 22 shots on target. "Of those 22 shots, we get an 'Expected Goals' figure of 7.33 - so he has conceded nearly double than expected in that time," added Worville. "It's a huge deficit, and the figures are pretty damning. "I'm hesitant to jump to the conclusion that Bravo is a poor goalkeeper - we know that he isn't - but he's having a terrible time at the moment." Most keepers are having a better time right now, including all of Bravo's counterparts at other top-six clubs. It is a 12-goal swing from Bravo's figures to those of Burnley's Tom Heaton, the Premier League's top performer by Opta's calculations. Heaton has saved almost five 'expected' goals this season - enough to give him the edge over the likes of Tottenham's Hugo Lloris and Arsenal's Petr Cech, who average around three apiece. David de Gea has 'saved' one goal for Manchester United while Liverpool's Simon Mignolet has conceded one more than expected. All of them are doing much better than Bravo, though. Few City fans thought that allowing Joe Hart to leave for a season in Serie A was a good idea back in August. It is possible

Summary: For many, Claudio Bravo's first five months in English football were neatly summed up by the caller to the BBC's 606 phone-in last weekend who dubbed the Manchester City goalkeeper a 'false no. 1'.


Zoo staff are helping the rare sea turtle to recovery after it got a little bit lost last year. Menai is an Olive Ridley turtle, which are usually found in much warmer waters around Mexico. It's thought that Menai was knocked off course for thousands of miles by strong currents. Vets are giving her lots of checks to make sure she is healthy and they say she is recovering well.

Summary: Menai the turtle was found washed up on a beach in Wales in November, and was rescued by wildlife experts in Anglesey.


A high resolution microscope at a £7m new laboratory at Newcastle University has found evidence of microbes in 400-million-year-old basalt rock recovered from the Pacific Ocean floor. The rock is similar to those found on Mars and scientists will now study an actual piece of Martian rock. It is hoped that the detailed analysis will detect similar traces. The team at the Surface Engineering and Analysis Laboratory used a £1.5m Helium Ion Microscope, which analyses the surface of structures with a resolution five times higher than most other microscopes. It identified organic compounds in microscopic tunnels in basalt recovered from the Ontong Java plateau deep in the Pacific. The compounds are believed to be finger-like tubule structures made by microbes millions of years ago, and have never been analysed so closely by scientists, the university said. Head of the laboratory, Prof Peter Cumpson, said: "What we have detected is the trace left behind by living systems: the biological fingerprint which even after 200 million years is still visible, albeit only with a very, very good microscope. "If we can find those in this [Mars] rock and we can compare with the earth samples then I think we have made a big step - a very convincing step - forward which shows that at one time life - a simple life - was present."

Summary: Scientists believe they could be a step closer to finding out whether there was life on Mars.


The politicians will attempt to craft a deal from a draft negotiating text signed off by delegates here on Saturday. Poor countries warned the talks would fail if the rich tried to limit their right to grow to protect the climate. One delegate said the poor could not accept starvation as the price of a successful deal in Paris. Negotiators have taken four years to produce the draft text of a long-term agreement. The ministers will have just five days to turn that text into a deal acceptable to all 195 parties here. That will not be easy. The document at the moment runs to 48 pages and contains more than 900 square brackets, used to signify areas of disagreement. Some delegates are concerned that too much is being left to the politicians. "All the difficult political issues remain unsolved, and will be solved by the ministers," said Miguel Arias Canete, the European Union's Climate Commissioner. "Next week is the week of compromise; it's a difficult week," he told a news conference. There are still disagreements over whether this deal will be completely legally binding or whether just parts of it will be. There are splits over what the long-term goal of the deal should be. Many island nations want the text to reflect the fact that if the world warms more than 1.5C, their homes may be lost to rising seas. Other countries favour a two-degree goal. Another key issue is the question of differentiation. When the UN climate convention was signed back in 1992, the world was divided into developed and developing countries. The richer countries now want the new Paris deal to reflect how the world has changed. "Developed countries and now many developing countries acknowledge that the world has changed," said Michael Jacobs, a climate adviser to British Prime Minister at the time of the Copenhagen talks in 2009, Gordon Brown. "There are many different kinds of countries, and they want developing countries to act as well as developed. That kind of binary division cannot be in an agreement that is signed." But the idea of a change does not sit well with many of the leading developing nations. China criticised any attempts to change this division in the talks about the final deal. "We cannot accept starvation as a price for the success of this agreement," said Gurdial Singh Nijar of Malaysia, who was speaking for the Like Minded Group of countries in these talks that includes China, India and Saudi Arabia. "The world has changed? Yes, the world has changed but not in the way that you intend to use it perhaps as a subterfuge to undermine the basic precepts of the convention. "We cannot accept that because to accept that is to destroy our societies," he said to applause. There are concerns over finance as well, as the richer countries want to expand the base of donor countries if there is to be an increase in the promised $100bn from 2020 to help the poorer countries cope with climate change and ease their transition to

Summary: Ministers from all over the world gather in Paris on Monday in a final push for a new global climate compact.


Medical sources told the BBC that at least eight people, including civilians, have been killed and more than 20 injured. A new UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) still lacks authority and the country remains volatile. The French Foreign Ministry said it was "very worried by the escalation of violence". The BBC's North Africa Correspondent, Rana Jawad, in neighbouring Tunis, said two of the city's largest and most heavily armed militias are fighting an alliance of hard-line Islamists and militias loyal to rival political authorities. Libya is still politically divided as rival administrations attempt to assert their power. Clashes are said to be continuing in two main districts in the south of the capital. Tanks and pickup trucks armed with rocket launchers were reportedly deployed in several districts. Witnesses told the BBC that people stayed at home on Friday morning and many businesses stayed closed. The new government in Tripoli has not commented on the clashes. East and central: West: Guide to Libya's militias Profile: Khalifa Haftar Rogue general divides Libyans

Summary: Rival militias are battling one another in Tripoli in the heaviest fighting in the Libyan capital for two years.


Justice Secretary Ken Clarke said the government would also consult on axing 54 County Courts. Some 300 magistrates' courts deal with minor crimes, crown court committal hearings and licensing applications. The Magistrates' Association says it is unsurprised by plans to close underused courts but warned ministers against eroding local justice. Mr Clarke also announced there will be a review in the autumn of the Â£2bn legal aid bill, saying that more had to be done to cut costs. Closing the courts will save the government at least Â£15m a year in running costs, plus an extra Â£22m in maintaining the buildings. The courts earmarked for closure make up 30% of the 540 in England and Wales. In a written ministerial statement to MPs, Mr Clarke said: "I will ensure that we keep courts in the most strategically important locations, communities continue to have access to courts within a reasonable travelling distance, that cases are heard in courts with suitable facilities and that there is an overall reduction in cost." Mr Clarke said that the number and location of all courts no longer reflected how populations had changed and how easy or difficult it was for people to reach them. Although the consultation is coming the day after the Budget, the government has been seeking to cut the costs of magistrates' courts for some time. Over the past decade an increasing proportion of minor offences have been dealt with out of court, such as through fixed penalty notice fines. Some courts only sit for half a day at a time, but require staff for longer hours. The courts also have indirect costs related to transporting lawyers, police officers and defendants to and from the buildings. "When public finances are under pressure, it is vital to eliminate waste and reduce costs," said Mr Clarke. "At the same time we should also take the opportunity to think afresh about how we can provide more modern court services. "We increasingly use the internet and e-mail to communicate and access services and we travel further to work, for leisure and to do our weekly shop. Providing access to justice does not necessarily mean providing a courthouse in every town or city." John Thornhill, chairman of the Magistrates' Association, said the service had experienced three years of cuts, meaning victims were waiting longer to see justice done. He said: "The magistracy still has a very significant contribution to make. The Association has already proposed innovative and cost effective procedures for delivering community justice. "We look forward to discussing such proposals with the government to develop a cohesive justice system in which crucial decisions on dealing with those who offend against fellow citizens." There are almost 29,000 magistrates in England and Wales, volunteers drawn from the local community and they deal with nine out of 10 cases that come before the courts. Most cases are heard by three magistrates who only receive expenses and allowances to cover loss of earnings. District judges also appear at magistrates' courts to deal with more complex cases that do not need to be

Summary: The Ministry of Justice is planning to close 103 magistrates' courts in England and Wales.


3 July 2016 Last updated at 12:00 BST BBC reporter Imogen Sellers spoke to Commander Phil Richardson, from 815 Naval Air Squadron, about its history ahead of its decommissioning in March. Enthusiasts were also given the chance to meet Ed Sutton, from the US Air Force Reserve, and Major Darius Stachurski, from the Polish Air Force, which was taking part for the first time.

Summary: Aviation fans were able to see the Lynx helicopter fly for the last time after 40 years of Royal Navy service.


Launching on 10 November, it'll show a range of on-demand programmes including interviews, Live Lounge performances and documentaries. There will also be a 15-minute weekly wrap up show hosted by Chris Stark called ICYMI (In Case You Missed It). The Official Chart Bite will be another weekly show presented by YouTube stars Jack and Dean. The station says the move will make the network's distinctive content available to even bigger audiences of young people. Radio 1 and 1Xtra's controller Ben Cooper said: "If you love music, if you love star studded interviews, then you will love Radio 1's new programmes. "I can't wait for us to represent visually the energy and diversity of young people's culture in UK society." Each week, a Radio 1 DJ will also put together their top five things to watch on BBC iPlayer. Other content available for the launch of Radio 1 on BBC iPlayer includes three track Live Lounge sessions and exclusive interviews from Royal Blood and Taylor Swift. There will also be a 2011 Live Lounge special from Adele featuring six tracks from the archive as well as a 20-minute programme featuring highlights and never before seen footage of Zoella and ThatcherJoe during their recent Internet Takeover. A collection of three programmes from Radio 1's Teen Awards, including Dan and Phil's round-up of the event, will also appear on the station's section of the catch-up service. Performances from Radio 1Xtra Live in Birmingham and two special interviews, 1Xtra's Semtex meets Rick Ross and Trevor Nelson meets Mary J Blige, will also be made available after the launch. Follow @BBCNewsbeat on Twitter and Radio1Newsbeat on YouTube

Summary: Radio 1 has announced some of the content which will appear on the station's section of BBC iPlayer.


The woman, aged in her 40s, was found at Shrewsbury Transport Ltd in Featherbed Lane in Shrewsbury, at about 08:00 GMT on Christmas Eve. A 45-year-old man from Shrewsbury was arrested and has since been released on bail, West Mercia Police said. A post-mortem examination is taking place. The woman has not yet been formally identified, the spokesman said.

Summary: A man arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman's body was found at a Shropshire business has been released on bail.


Becky, 16, was reported missing on 19 February. Body parts were found at a house in the Barton Hill area of Bristol on 2 March. Nathan Matthews, 28, from Warmley, appeared by video link at Bristol Crown Court charged with her murder. Mr Matthews, who has yet to enter a plea to the allegation, was told a provisional trial date had been set for October. His girlfriend, Shauna Hoare, 21, who is charged with perverting the course of justice, also appeared by video link. Four other defendants have been charged with assisting an offender. Jaydene Parsons, 23, appeared via video link, while James Ireland, also 23, appeared in person. Karl and Donovan Demetrius, both 29, did not appear.

Summary: The stepbrother of teenager Becky Watts is set to stand trial for her murder.


The new limits come as the scandal-hit Japanese carmaker prepares to appoint Carlos Ghosn as chairman. The firm wants to raise the cash limit on executive pay from 960m yen (Â£6.7m, $8.4m) to 2bn yen. There could also be non-cash rewards worth 1bn yen. The new salary caps need approval by shareholders. They are due to vote on that at an extraordinary meeting on 14 December. Shareholders will also be asked to approve the appointment of Nissan and Renault boss Carlos Ghosn as chairman, and three other new executives with experience at Nissan. If approved, the total annual pay packages of all 11 executives on the company's new board could amount to more than $290m. Mitsubishi Motors says the new salary caps are designed to attract outside talent to the company. Its reputation was hit badly after it admitted in April to falsifying the fuel efficiency of several models. The admission led to a suspension of sales of the vehicles and prompted a sharp drop in Mitsubishi Motors' share price. Mitsubishi has suffered heavy losses resulting from the scandal. It has forecast a net loss of 145bn yen for the current financial year. In May, Nissan helped to bail out Mitsubishi Motors by taking a 34% stake in its smaller rival.

Summary: Mitsubishi Motors is proposing higher salary caps that could triple the annual pay packages of its top executives.


He brought a smouldering intensity to films such as Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago. A man of striking good looks he escorted some of the world's most beautiful women. But he quit acting to become a ubiquitous presence at the world's most exclusive gaming tables. Michel Demitri Shalhoub was born in Alexandria on 10 April 1932 into a family of Lebanese ancestry. His father was a wealthy timber merchant specialising in exotic woods. His mother was a noted society hostess with King Farouk a regular visitor, before he was deposed in 1952. The young Shalhoub studied at the British Victoria College in Alexandria where he showed himself to be academically gifted with a particular talent for languages. He went on to graduate from the University of Cairo with a degree in mathematics and physics before joining the family business. But he harboured ambitions to be an actor and, much to the disappointment of his father, went to London to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada). During the 1950s he appeared in a number of Egyptian films, rapidly becoming a star in his own country. He also married the Egyptian actress Faten Hamama, converting from his Melkite Greek Catholicism to Islam so the union could take place. When David Lean was looking to cast a film about TE Lawrence, he picked out a photograph of Sharif and gave him a screen test. Sharif's first on-screen appearance as Ali, riding across the sands out of a shimmering heat haze towards the camera, was one of cinema's most stunning debuts. Lawrence of Arabia made him a truly international star. The film earned seven Oscars and nominations for both Sharif and his co-star, Peter O'Toole. He followed this with another intense portrayal, that of the eponymous Doctor Zhivago, in Lean's 1965 Russian epic, based on the novel by Boris Pasternak. With his black eyes and famous gap-toothed smile, Sharif was depicted as a type of Rudolf Valentino of the 1960s. He later called this a triumph of hype over accuracy, but he certainly escorted some of the world's most glamorous women. "I don't know what women are attracted to," he said, "but certainly I have no notion about having any sex appeal." Sharif admitted to falling madly for his co-stars, among them Ingrid Bergman, Catherine Deneuve and Ava Gardner. But, disillusioned with the regime of Colonel Nasser in Egypt, he began spending more time away from his native country. The Egyptian authorities were also angered by Sharif's role in Funny Girl, alongside co-star Barbra Streisand. The actress was a vocal supporter of Israel and the Egyptians threatened to withdraw his citizenship when it emerged the pair were having a relationship. Sharif's career failed to fulfil its early promise, and the actor was the first to admit he squandered his talent in pursuit of easy money. He spent his time drinking away the days with O'Toole and other renowned hell-raisers. The evenings he spent gambling, a passion he inherited from his mother. To fund his hedonistic lifestyle, not least his debts at the

Summary: Omar Sharif was the most famous Egyptian actor of his generation.


A species of midge was able to release large volumes of nutrients into the soil, changing the way native species had lived and evolved, a UK team found. They added the species was well-suited to thrive in the extreme conditions. Details of the research were presented at the British Ecological Society's annual meeting in Birmingham. A team from the British Antarctic Survey said the invasive species, the non-biting midge Eretmoptera murphyi, effectively removed one of the brakes on the way that the native community had developed. "In terms of function, their job is litter turnover - they help things decay in the soil - and the population density of this thing in the area where it has been introduced is responsible for more litter turnover than the community that was already there," explained co-presenter of the research Peter Convey, of the British Antarctic Survey. "So basically it is bringing a function into an ecosystem that is not very active already. In principle, it can be a fundamental change in the way that ecosystem works." Speaking to BBC News before the presentation, Prof Convey warned: "If you widen [this issue] beyond this particular species then probably the biggest risk is that we could drive locally or generally extinct some of the unique species that already exist in part of the Antarctic." He said that in a different project, the team had been looking at the tiny flies' evolution. "Its native home is sub-Antarctica in South Georgia, and it has been on [the island] for several tens of millions of years. "South Georgia is its own tectonic plate that has been moving away from South America for 30 or 40 million years. "The Antarctic peninsula is another tectonic plate of a similar sort, and there are things on there that have got a similar multi-million, if not multi-tens of million-year histories." But Prof Convey explained that just because the two areas were located in a similar region, it did not mean the transfer of species between them did not have lasting consequences. "You are looking at almost distinct bio-geographic regions, which have got their own distinct biodiversity. "So if you transfer things between them - you have things like this fly that is pre-adapted - you also bring potentially new functions into the ecosystem." The threat of introducing a growing number of invasive species into the Antarctic's long-isolated ecosystems is increasing; the team highlighted that about 5,000 scientific staff and 30,000 tourists were visiting the continent each year. Prof Convey said: "When people visit the Antarctic - whether that be tourists or people like me - we stop in the sub-Antarctic first, then we go on. So the biggest perceived risk at the moment is that people get a lot of mud on their boots, and then two days later you are in the South Orkney Islands, mud drops off boots - so the things are able to colonise the area. "And then another day later, the ship reaches Elephant Island, which is at the tip of Antarctic peninsula, and then another day later

Summary: An invasive species has the potential to drastically alter Antarctic ecosystems that have been isolated for millions of years, research suggests.


It was uncovered by archaeologists working in the villa's north range in Gloucestershire. Other finds include two 4th Century Roman coins and a bone pin, and more of a mosaic which was first unearthed during a dig last year. Experts said they had also found evidence of an earlier villa, beneath the 4th Century one. National Trust archaeologist Martin Papworth said the tile was found in the changing rooms of the late Roman baths. "The top tile that we came across had lots of imprints on it and we think that they're deer footprints. "The tilers used to lay their tiles out to dry when they made them out of clay before they fired them and made them vulnerable to any animals walking around to put their prints on them. "This looks like perhaps a Roe deer walked across and mucked up the surface of the tile, but it's quite nice to see it." He said more of a mosaic, first unearthed last year, had been found. "They had put concrete down in the 1960s to mark where walls had been found, and we expected there to be no mosaic there at all, but in the grassy islands between the concrete we found this amazing mosaic which had been missed in the 1960s. "Now we know it was part of a great reception hall 18m (60ft) long by 6m (20ft) wide. It's really exciting. It's patchy, but there are some large parts of it [remaining]." He added that one of the 4th Century coins featured a Chi-Rho early Christian symbol, and was likely to be from the first Christian Roman emperor Constantine the Great.

Summary: A deer hoof print has been found on a 1,600 year-old roof tile during a dig at Chedworth Roman Villa.


It took Kenya 140 tournaments to break their duck and they are only the second African nation after South Africa to win a World Series leg. Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta said on Twitter: "Join me in congratulating the Kenya Sevens Rugby Team on their remarkable win." Rugby Sevens will feature for the first time in this summer's Olympics in Rio. Kenya, who have qualified for the Olympics in the men's and women's event, opened up a 20-0 half-time lead over the favourites with two of their four tries from Collins Injera. Fiji, coached by former England Sevens coach Ben Ryan, briefly rallied after the break, but Kenya held firm and scored two further tries to seal a convincing win. Kenya have shot up to seventh in the standings after their 22-point haul in Singapore, with Fiji extending their lead at the top to eight points over South Africa with two rounds remaining in France and England. South Africa, beaten narrowly by Fiji in the semis, finished third after thrashing Argentina 28-0. Samoa landed the second tier Plate title after causing another upset in beating New Zealand, Scotland edged United States to land the Bowl and Russia crushed Wales to win the Shield. Have you added the new Top Story alerts in the BBC Sport app? Simply head to the menu in the app - and don't forget you can also add alerts for your rugby union team, cricket scores, football and more.

Summary: Kenya shocked Fiji 30-7 in the final of the Singapore Rugby Sevens to claim their first World Series title.


Borough councillor for Rowner and Holbrook Patrick Bergin said his motivation had shifted following the EU referendum to "managing the exit". Mr Bergin said he formally announced his decision "before anyone was aware" that UKIP leader Diane James had stepped down. He said he would continue to represent his ward as a Conservative councillor. He said: "I know that to help the people in my ward and be part of decision making and take Gosport forward, I can only do so by being an active member of a group who have the vision to take Gosport forward. "That group is the Conservatives."

Summary: A UKIP councillor in Gosport has announced he is defecting to the Conservative Party.


The islands, located off the coast of Cornwall, began the scheme two years ago to protect eggs and baby birds from being eaten by brown rats. Numbers of manx shearwaters and storm petrels had declined by 25% on St Agnes and Gugh in 25 years. But colonies are recovering thanks to the rat eradication measures. Poison placed in an agricultural pipe was positioned in 1,000 locations on the islands in order to kill the vermin. According to international protocols, the islands could not be officially declared rat-free for two years after the last sign of rat was detected - making them officially free of the rodent on 13 February. Jaclyn Pearson, from the RSPB Isles of Scilly seabird recovery project, said the seabird population was already starting to recover. "Straight away we saw results," she said. "The baiting was done in winter 2013, and in September 2014 we had 10 Manx Shearwater chicks. That's the first time in living memory that chicks have survived and it's clearly because of the removal of the rats. "We didn't think we would have an uptake of storm petrels so quickly as they hadn't nested on the island for a long time, but we recorded five in 2015. "So already the results are clear and they're beginning to bounce back." A questionnaire among residents shows they're delighted with the results, the RSPB said. The project cost Â£700,000 and was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the European Union. Wildlife Management International Limited (WMIL) from New Zealand was contracted to carry out the rat removal phase from November to March in "the most humane way".

Summary: Two of the Isles of Scilly have been declared "rat free" after a scheme to protect sea birds saw more than 3,000 rodents culled.


The deal, which is worth about £97m, was confirmed at the SNP's annual conference in Aberdeen by Transport Minister Derek McKay. Ferguson's had previously been named as the preferred bidder for the contract. The firm was saved by businessman Jim McColl's Clyde Blowers Capital after it went bust on 15 August. Mr McColl is one of Scotland's wealthiest people. Originally formed in 1902, Ferguson's employed 77 staff at the time of the administration appointments.

Summary: Ferguson's shipyard on the Clyde has won a Scottish government contract to build two new ferries.


The new console will be released in the UK on 3 March and will cost UK gamers Â£279.99. There are more than 80 games currently being developed for the console, but big names like Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda have been confirmed. In October 2016, we got our first proper look at the console, and we compared it to some of the other top consoles available.

Summary: Nintendo has revealed lots of new details about its brand new console, the Nintendo Switch.


As Republican National Committee head Reince Priebus has pointed out, the rules are the rules, and they aren't a secret. But Mr Trump is right that there are forces coalescing to stop him. And as of Sunday night - with the announcement that presidential candidates John Kasich and Ted Cruz are co-ordinating their efforts in upcoming state primaries - those forces aren't so silent anymore. Neither Mr Cruz nor Mr Kasich can win the 1,237 delegates necessary to secure the Republican nomination for themselves. Their only hope is to deny Donald Trump that opportunity as well. And now, at last, their campaigns are publicly acknowledging that they need each other's help to do so. As the two campaigns explained in dual press releases, Mr Cruz will focus on Indiana on 3 May, while Mr Kasich will be given free rein to challenge Mr Trump head-on in the Oregon and New Mexico contests over the following weeks. This announcement comes just days before Mr Cruz and Mr Kasich are likely to receive a thorough drubbing in a handful of states in the mid-Atlantic, including delegate-rich Pennsylvania. By Wednesday morning Mr Trump could have put considerably more distance between himself and his two opponents. So this accord may be an early effort to push the focus past the next round of voting and on to more friendly contests. Indiana, one of the last big prizes of the primary season, is shaping up to be a pivotal battleground. A recent poll shows Mr Trump with a comfortable lead in a three-way race that narrows considerably if Mr Kasich is taken out of the equation. Given the rules in Indiana - 30 delegates to the candidate who wins a statewide plurality and three delegates to the top finisher in each of the state's nine congressional districts - every bit of help Mr Cruz can get to edge past Mr Trump will be invaluable. Independent groups backing the #NeverTrump efforts are pouring resources into the state in the hopes that a massive advertising blitz will dent the New York mogul's image. It worked for them in Wisconsin two weeks ago, although those efforts also benefited from a state Republican Party unified in opposing Mr Trump and a conservative media that had been relentlessly bashing him for months. The atmosphere in Indiana is much more muddled. Republican Governor Mike Pence is not endorsing any candidate, and the local talk radio hosts aren't as virulently anti-Trump. This unite-to-defeat-Trump strategy has been kicked around for months, of course. When Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker ended his presidential bid last September, he urged his opponents to follow his lead and "clear the field" for a candidate with a "positive, conservative message" - ie not Mr Trump. The Wisconsin Cassandra was universally ignored. In early March, former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney called for exactly such an accord between non-Trump candidates, with each focusing on states where they could win and voters acting accordingly. Shortly before his Florida primary flameout, Senator Marco Rubio's campaign announced it was ceding Ohio to Mr Kasich, perhaps

Summary: For the past few weeks Donald Trump has been railing against what he calls a "rigged" and "crooked" Republican nomination process and silent efforts to deny him the party's presidential bid.


The Hoyer Group's diesel carrier came to a halt on the northbound hard shoulder at junction 16 for Stoke-on-Trent at about midday but the rear later burst into flames. The motorway has reopened with one northbound lane closure and there are delays, said North West Motorway Police. The driver of the tanker was unharmed. A Hoyer Group spokesman said: "A detailed investigation will be undertaken to establish the cause of the incident and any learnings."

Summary: A fuel tanker broke down and then caught fire forcing the closure of a stretch of the M6 in Staffordshire.


The killing of General Athanase Kararuza and his wife were "shameful acts," he said. Their daughter was also wounded in the attack outside her school in the capital, Bujumbura. More than 400 people have been killed in unrest since Mr Nkurunziza announced a year ago his bid for a third term. He won elections in July, after surviving a coup attempt and mass protests to demand that he steps down. General Kararuza was the latest in a string of high-ranking army officials who have been targeted by unidentified gunmen. "He energetically fought against the coup plotters last year and exceptionally contributed in strengthening peace and security during and after elections," Mr Nkurunziza said in a statement. General Kararuza's bodyguard was also killed in the shooting. Security forces have also been accused of killing opponents and dumping them in mass graves by rights group Amnesty International. Shortly after the attack in Bujumbura, the International Criminal Court announced that it was starting a preliminary investigation into the violence in Burundi. This will decide whether a full-blown investigation will take place, which could result in charges against those accused of being behind the violence. BBC Great Lakes reporter Robert Misigaro says the killing is a blow for President Nkurunziza because it shows that he cannot guarantee the safety of his officers. On Sunday, the Minister for Human Rights Martin Nivyabandi survived a grenade attack as he was coming out of church. Although both opposition and government forces are ethnically mixed, some fear that the violence could descend into a repeat of the genocidal killings which the country has previously experienced. Mr Nkurunziza is the former leader of a Hutu rebel group which battled a Tutsi-dominated army for many years until he came to power in 2005 as part of a peace deal. The African Union had said it would send a 5,000-strong peacekeeping force to the country even if the government did not accept it but it has since back-tracked.

Summary: Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza has given the security forces a one-week deadline to find the killers of a senior general shot dead on Monday.


The incident happened just before 19:00 BST at Bill's restaurant on Stuart Street and a lamppost was also knocked down. It is understood one of the casualties was a pedestrian. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said no-one was trapped in the incident.

Summary: Two people have been taken to hospital after a car crashed into a restaurant in Cardiff Bay.


The on-loan Bristol City striker fired home after a one-two with Bobby Grant. Fleetwood goalkeeper Chris Maxwell saved Michael Bostwick's penalty after Shaquile Coulthirst was fouled by Eggert Jonsson, whose second-half header sealed victory. Victory lifted Fleetwood into 19th, one point above the relegation zone.

Summary: Wes Burns scored his fifth goal in eight games as Fleetwood Town beat Peterborough to move closer to League One safety.


The environmental group obtained 248 pages of classified documents from the TTIP trade talks, aimed at clinching a far-reaching EU-US free trade deal. Secrecy surrounding the talks has fuelled fears that US corporations may erode Europe's consumer protections. But the EU's top trade official denied any agenda to lower EU standards. "I am simply not in the business of lowering standards," said EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem in her blog, after the Greenpeace leak was published. TTIP's supporters say a deal would create many new business opportunities. TTIP stands for Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. It would harmonise regulations across a huge range of business sectors, providing a boost to exporters on both sides of the Atlantic. The 13th TTIP negotiating round took place last week and the European Commission says it hopes to achieve a deal later this year. That could avoid any political risk posed by the US presidential election in November. The EU's chief negotiator, Ignacio Garcia Bercero, said some of Greenpeace's points were "flatly wrong", and stressed that the leaked text "is not a reflection of the outcome of the negotiation". Mr Bercero said "it is not correct to say the US is pushing for lowering of the level of protection in the EU". Greenpeace Netherlands says it obtained classified documents covering two-thirds of the areas discussed. "These leaked documents confirm what we have been saying for a long time: TTIP would put corporations at the centre of policy-making, to the detriment of environment and public health," said Greenpeace EU director Jorgo Riss. "We have known that the EU position was bad, now we see the US position is even worse." Greenpeace says the texts reveal that the US wants to replace the EU's "precautionary principle" for potentially harmful products with the less strict US approach, which aims to manage risks rather than avoid them altogether. The precautionary principle can force a manufacturer to prove the absence of danger from a product. It applies, for example, to genetically modified organisms (GMOs), whose possible risks to the ecosystem and the food chain are hotly debated. The US permits cultivation of more than 170 GM plants, whereas only one type - a maize variety - is approved for commercial cultivation in the EU. Mr Bercero denied any intention to weaken the precautionary principle. Greenpeace says the TTIP texts do not refer to the global commitment to cut CO2 emissions, as agreed at the Paris Summit on global warming. Yet the European Commission had pledged to make environmental sustainability part of any TTIP deal. There is also widespread concern in the EU about the role of commercial arbitration courts, independent of national courts, where firms can sue governments. It is one of the thorniest issues in the TTIP talks. There are fears that big US corporations could put excessive legal pressure on some EU states. The threat of being sued could have a "chilling" effect on legislators, forcing them to water down welfare protections, critics argue. The Commission and many politicians argue that TTIP would bring major benefits for the US

Summary: EU standards on the environment and public health risk being undermined by compromises with the US, Greenpeace has warned, citing leaked documents.


The number of people claiming unemployment-related benefits now stands at 43,500. It reverses June's increase in the number of jobless - which had been the first jump in 28 months. However, Northern Ireland's unemployment rate of 6.5%, remains above the UK average. The figures also show that long-term unemployment continues to be a problem in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland's rate of 59% is well above the UK average of 31%, while youth unemployment is also higher. Enterprise Minister Jonathan Bell welcomed the fall in unemployment claimants, but said the levels are back to where they were a year ago. "The latest figures reiterate the continued challenges faced by the Northern Ireland labour market and the impact of continued uncertainty in global markets," he said. "The Northern Ireland unemployment rate [6.5%] is above that for the UK [5.6%], however, it continues to compare favourably to the April 2015 rates for the European Union [9.6%] and the Republic of Ireland [9.8%]. "In the face of these challenges it is important local businesses continue to seek new foreign investment and export opportunities."

Summary: Unemployment in Northern Ireland fell by 400 in July, according to the latest government figures.


The Tories have promised £4bn extra but this equates to a £1bn rise in real terms, the independent think tank says. When growing pupil numbers are taken into account, investment per pupil will fall 2.8% by 2022, the IFS says. Labour has pledged to increase spending per pupil by 6% over the course of the next Parliament. The IFS says this would require an increase of around £4.8bn in real terms or 2017-18 prices. The Liberal Democrats' plans protect per pupil spending over the course of the Parliament in real terms at the present level (for 2017-18). This would require £2.2bn extra investment. Presently, the schools budget is £40bn a year. Luke Sibieta, associate director at the IFS, said: ""The commitments made by each of the main parties would imply quite different paths for school spending in the next Parliament. "Labour would increase spending per pupil by around 6% after inflation over the course of the Parliament, taking it to just above its previous historic high in 2015. "Proposals from the Conservatives would lead to a near 3% real terms fall in spending per pupil over the Parliament, taking it back to its 2010 level." The analysis of the headline figures comes as parents are preparing to hold events in different areas of England to highlight the cash crisis facing schools. The IFS has previously said schools are currently facing the first real terms cut for 20 years. Head teachers have been complaining of the tough decisions they have had to make about staffing and resources.

Summary: A new Conservative government would leave schools in England worse off financially than they currently are, the Institute for Fiscal Studies says.