Labour MP Meg Hillier, who chairs the Public Accounts Committee, said the Education Funding Agency, which oversees free schools, had paid above the market value in 60% of cases. And some purchased sites had later been deemed unsuitable to turn into schools. The government said it paid over the odds only if there was no alternative. Ms Hillier said in her constituency of Hackney South and Shoreditch civil servants had purchased the former police station for £7.6m - even though it had been valued at £3m six months previously. The site was bought as a potential permanent home for the Olive School - an Islamic faith school - currently housed in temporary accommodation nearby. But, after the sale had gone through, Hackney Council refused planning permission to convert the property to a school. An appeal against that decision will be considered in a six-day hearing in June. Ms Hillier said: "There is a real concern about whether the Olive School will ever open. "Children are being taught at a temporary site - it is not good for pupils, and it is not good for the taxpayer." But a Department for Education (DfE) representative said: "Hackney Police Station represented the best value option to meet the school's needs at the time of purchase. "The site had been marketed openly, and the competition for it was such that the vendor received offers in excess of the original valuation. "In this context, we believe we secured this site for the best price possible." But Ms Hillier said many MPs and councillors in England could "name sites in their areas that have been bought for more than their market value". "The Education Funding Agency is one of the biggest purchasers of land in the country - and it keeps paying over the odds," she said. "People see the EFA coming. "The desire to build 500 new free schools by 2020 means there is a rush to secure sites." Ms Hillier added: "It is a real worry and not getting value for money for the taxpayer." In response, the DfE said it would be launching a government owned company called LocatEd that would be led by property experts and responsible for securing sites quickly and providing good value for the taxpayer. "We do not pay in excess of what a site is worth or purchase expensive sites if there are better value for money alternatives in the area," a representative said. "The construction costs of a newly built free school are 29% lower than schools built under the previous school building programme." The representative added: "Free schools are playing a vital role in creating more good school places. "They are popular with parents, ensuring thousands more families have the choice of a good local school."

Summary: Too much money is being paid for the land and buildings needed for new government-funded free schools, the Commons spending watchdog has said.


He was injured at a friend's barbecue on 8 April and remains in hospital. Jackson, 28, underwent neck surgery for what his region at the time described as a "non-rugby related injury." "After hitting my head on the bottom I realised I couldn't swim to the surface because I'd lost movement in my legs and power in my arms," Jackson said. Jackson, who has also played for Bath, Wasps, London Welsh and Doncaster Knights, said his father - a retired GP - and a friend realised immediately something was wrong. They pulled him to the surface and stabilised him until the ambulance arrived to take him to Southmead Hospital in Bristol. "After a number of MRI scans and X-Rays the Drs decided to operate at 2am to stabilise my neck as pressure was being put on my spinal cord," Jackson added in a Facebook post. "In surgery they removed my shattered disc, relocated my vertebrae and fixed it in place with a metal plate. "I woke up in ICU, luckily completely coherent, however no feeling below my neck other than limited movement in my right arm." Bath-born Jackson has made 36 appearances for the Dragons since joining from Wasps in 2015 and signed a contract extension with the region in December.

Summary: Newport Gwent Dragons forward Ed Jackson has revealed he suffered a serious spinal injury after diving into the shallow end of a swimming pool.


Californian scientists found traces of everything from caffeine and spices to skin creams and anti-depressants on 40 phones they tested. We leave traces of molecules, chemicals and bacteria on everything we touch. Even washing hands thoroughly would not prevent the transfer to everyday objects, the researchers said. Using a technique called mass spectrometry, the University of California San Diego research team tested 500 samples taken from 40 adults' mobile phones and hands. They then compared them to molecules identified in a database and produced a "lifestyle profile" of each phone owner. Dr Amina Bouslimani, an assistant project scientist on the study, said the results were revealing. "By analysing the molecules they left behind on their phones, we could tell if a person is likely to be female, uses high-end cosmetics, dyes her hair, drinks coffee, prefers beer over wine, likes spicy food, is being treated for depression, wears sunscreen and bug spray - and therefore likely to spend a lot of time outdoors - all kinds of things," she said. Most of the molecules are thought to be transferred from people's skin, hands and sweat to their phone. Mosquito repellents and sunscreens were found to linger for a particularly long time on people's skin and phones, even when they had not been used for months. Previous research by the same team found that people who had not washed for three days still had lots of traces of hygiene and beauty products on their skin. The study said the testing method could: The researchers now want to find out more about the multitude of bacteria that cover our skin - and what they reveal about us. Senior author Prof Pieter Dorrestein said there were at least 1,000 different microbes living on the average person's skin, in hundreds of locations on the body.

Summary: Molecules found on mobile phones reveal an astonishing amount about the owner's health and lifestyle - including their food preferences and medication.


Media playback is not supported on this device Tom Habberfield's counter-attack try was the only score of the first half. Warriors lock Brian Alainu'uese was sent off for a charge to the head of Rory Thornton six minutes after the break. Tom O'Flaherty and Dan Baker touched down soon after, with Ashley Beck grabbing the bonus-point try before Junior Bulumakau's consolation. Ospreys move into second place in the Pro12 behind Leinster, while Glasgow drop out of the play-off spots behind Munster and Scarlets. The autumn internationals deprived these sides of a combined 26 players, with other Test regulars still injured. Neither the patchwork nature of both line-ups, nor the polar temperatures and slick ball, did much for the fluency of the contest. There were fleeting glimpses of first-half flair and dynamism, Ospreys fly-half Josh Matavesi puncturing the home midfield, while Alainu'uese was an industrious and effective battering ram before his evening was curtailed. Far more precision, though, is expected from a Warriors line-out spearheaded by an ex-All Black and World Cup-winning hooker in the shape of Corey Flynn - his first four throws failed to hit their target. Meanwhile, at scrum-half, Grayson Hart was too desperate, and too impatient, to be the fulcrum in his first start of the season, flinging several ambitious offloads that were never likely to come off. Habberfield's try, on 37 minutes, was what is known in modern sporting parlance as a "coach-killer", a sting in the tail at the end of a turgid first half. Lewis Wynne, the Warriors eight, lost possession in contact and neither Flynn nor Rory Clegg booted the loose ball off the pitch, nor fell to secure it. Instead, the Ospreys scooped it up, Daf Howells punted downfield into yards of unguarded turf, captain Habberfield hacked on and plunged to touch down ahead of the desperately back-tracking Nick Grigg. Prior to that, Ospreys had more than 60% possession and territory - and though Matavesi's conversion struck the post, Steve Tandy's side held a 5-0 half-time lead for their toil. World Rugby has recently ordered its referees to police high tackles, charges and contacts to the head with greater stringency, given the prevalence and peril of head injuries in the game. Six minutes after the break, Alainu'uese stooped to clear Thornton, his opposite number, from a ruck, his shoulder and cocked upper arm connecting with the head of the Osprey, sending him sprawling. George Clancy studied the television replays before dismissing the towering lock and incensing Scotstoun. Some may deem the sanction an affront to good, hard rucking, but under the World Rugby directive, Clancy had cause to show red. The Ospreys duly capitalised, replacement O'Flaherty gathering Matavesi's arrowed crosskick to stretch the lead and number eight Baker powering over before the hour. Beck swerved and slalomed home from five yards to notch the bonus-point try, Matavesi finally slotting a conversion. Patient Glasgow phase play culminated in Bulumakau scampering in from Clegg's looping pass in the final two minutes to at least prevent a whitewash. Glasgow Warriors coach Gregor Townsend: "I'm obviously disappointed we

Summary: Ospreys earned their first win in Glasgow since 2009 by easing aside the 14-man Warriors at Scotstoun.


Officers had been searching for the 36-year-old, from Petworth in West Sussex, since 22:00 BST on Thursday. Ms Weeks, who plays Samantha Stewart in ITV drama Foyle's War, had last been seen 14 miles away in Chichester. Sussex police said she had been "found safe and well, and is with police". Her actress sister Perdita Weeks had earlier tweeted: "Safe and sound thank you all xxxx". Officers had said they were concerned for Honeysuckle Weeks' welfare and it was unlike her not to get in touch. She had recently told family and friends she was feeling anxious. Her agency, the Artists Partnership, said it had been "unable to get hold of Honeysuckle". Earlier this year the Cardiff-born star was reportedly ordered to wear an electronic tag after she was caught speeding on the A3 in south-west London in August 2015. A child in the back seat had not been wearing a proper seat belt and it emerged Ms Weeks had already been banned from driving. Ms Weeks recently finished work on shooting Lewis for ITV and a Sky mystery The Five. She has also appeared in The Bill, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries and Death In Paradise.

Summary: Missing actress Honeysuckle Weeks has been found safe, police have said.


Rewilding Britain has been established with the goal of restoring several key species which were hunted to extinction. Its supporters argue other European countries are home to large predators. They believe there is no reason why Scotland, and some other parts of Britain, should be any different. The group's proposals have already drawn criticism from farmers' leaders. And the Scottish government says there are no plans to reintroduce large predators such as lynx or wolves. Rewildling Britain says its plans would allow "native forests to regenerate, while giving the seas a chance to recover from industrial fishing". But it is the group's goal of reintroducing species including the lynx, and ultimately the wolf, which will attract most scrutiny. Spokeswoman Susan Wright told BBC Scotland: "A lot of our important animals were hunted to extinction, species like the wolf, the wild boar, the lynx. "These are important keystone species which actually drive ecological processes and we should be looking a lot more seriously at bringing these animals back." NFU Scotland has called on politicians and Scottish Natural Heritage to "show stronger leadership" on the issue of rewilding. Vice President Andrew McCornick said: "Our countryside provides food, forestry, tourism, renewables, field sports and environmental goods. "Recent history has taught us any species introduction, whether legal or illegal, can have an impact on the many benefits that the Scottish countryside currently delivers." Opponents of rewilding cite the return of beavers and sea eagles to Scotland as examples of how reintroductions can cause problems for farmers and crofters. Landowners on Tayside say dams built by beavers have increased erosion and the risk of flooding in neighbouring fields. The animals' supporters argue they improve biodiversity by creating valuable habitats for a range of other species. The beavers found in the Tay catchment were not part of an official reintroduction project. A second Scottish population, at Knapdale in Argyll, was reintroduced as part of a detailed scientific study. Scottish government ministers are currently considering whether the beavers should remain, now that the research work is complete. Meanwhile, on Scotland's west coast crofters and sheep farmers have complained that sea eagles, also known as white tailed eagles, kill their lambs. The extent of the predation is disputed by scientists and the birds have proved to be a popular tourist attraction, providing an economic boost for the Isle of Mull. Prof Des Thompson is Principal Advisor on Biodiversity at Scottish Natural Heritage. He believes a wide range of rewilding projects in Scotland have already proved successful. "There's been a huge effort and week on week, month on month, we're learning from these experiences", said Prof Thompson. "It all depends on what you want to do with the landscape and the challenge is having a proper conversation with everyone who has a stake in the countryside." Previous proposals to introduce wolves and bears on the Alladale Estate in Sutherland were criticised by walkers, concerned about plans to use fences to prevent the animals escaping from an area covering at least 50,000 acres. But several of Rewilding Britain's goals have been welcomed

Summary: Lynx, wild boar and, eventually, wolves, could all be reintroduced to Scotland under plans set out by a new campaign group.


Researchers hope the data will help them understand how species will migrate in response to climate change. During the month-long survey, 87 different species were recorded. The survey is one of the Earthwatch projects being highlighted at the organisation's annual lecture on Thursday evening in central London. One of the speakers, Dan Bebber - Earthwatch's head of climate change research - will use his presentation to deliver some of the main findings from the survey. During the course of a month in the summer of 2009, volunteers from the charity helped a team of researchers from the University of Oxford mark the wings of more than 13,000 moths. The survey, known as a mark-release-recapture (MRR) experiment, was co-ordinated by Dr Eleanor Slade in conjuction with the university's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), in a well-researched woodland habitat in Wytham Woods, Oxfordshire. More than 650 moths, from 41 species, were recaptured. Dr Bebber said: "A small percentage of those marked moths were recaptured again, but from the number we did recapture we were able to determine what factors affect the ability of moths to disperse." Sea moths: George McGavin sets out to discover how moths migrate The largest recorded distance travelled by a one moth - a broad-bordered yellow underwing - was 13.7km. Dr Bebber said the survey seemed to suggest that woodland species were the most effective when it came to dispersing. "Relatively large species with pointed wings that preferred woodland landscapes dispersed further than other species," he told BBC News. However, he added that even these species did require wooded corridors, such as hedgerows, to disperse and were not found on maiden trees - single trees found in fields. "The habitats within the UK had been fragmented for a long time," Dr Bebber explained. "It is probably the ones that can move relatively long distances that are still found in the UK. "Those species that were not able to disperse so well have probably disappeared over millennia." Dr Bebber will present his findings at the Earthwatch Institute's annual lecture, Climate Change and Forests, which is being chaired by TV presenter Kate Humble.

Summary: About 13,000 moths have been captured and recorded by citizen scientists in southern England in a project described as the largest of its kind.


David Mundell made his pledge during Scottish Questions in the Commons. The response came after the SNP's Angus Robertson pressed both Mr Mundell and Prime Minister Theresa May about powers over agriculture and fisheries. On Tuesday, Scotland's first minister accused the UK government of using Brexit to undermine devolution. Nicola Sturgeon told a gathering in Edinburgh that the Scottish Parliament faced a "graver challenge" after "20 years of progress". She also warned that without compromise, a second independence referendum may become a "necessary" way of protecting Scotland's interests. Ahead of First Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Mr Robertson asked Mr Mundell if "all decisions" relating to agriculture and fisheries would be taken by the Scottish government and the Scottish Parliament after Brexit. The minister answered: "This government's plan is to engage with the Scottish government and with the other devolved administrations to discuss these very serious issues. "It is not to go out and tell the people of Scotland that the devolved settlement is being undermined by Brexit - a Brexit which will lead to more powers being exercised by the Scottish Parliament. "What I can give the right honourable gentleman is an absolute guarantee that after the UK leaves the EU the Scottish Parliament and Scottish ministers will have more powers than they have today." Moments later, Mr Robertson continued the same line of questioning to Mrs May. He said: "Prior to FMQs, Scottish ministers were unable to answer basic questions on government plans for agriculture and for fisheries. "These are important industries for the rural economy and they are devolved areas to the Scottish government and the Scottish Parliament. "With Brexit ending the role of Brussels in these areas, will all decisions about agriculture and fisheries be made at Holyrood - yes or no?" The Conservative PM said Mr Robertson knew "very well" that the UK government was discussing with the devolved administrations "the whole question of the UK framework and devolution of issues as they come back from Brussels". She added: "The overriding aim for everything that we do when we make those decisions is making sure that we don't damage the very important single market of the UK. "A market, I might remind the honourable gentleman, that is more important to Scotland than the EU is."

Summary: The Secretary of State for Scotland has given an "absolute guarantee" that the Scottish Parliament will get more powers as a result of Brexit.


It comes as figures suggest a big spike in the number of GP practices being handed back to health boards to manage. The British Medical Association (BMA) said GPs "can't simply carry on working under the stresses and strains they're facing". A senior health official acknowledged a greater pace of change was needed. Measures include trying to recruit more nurses, physiotherapists and pharmacists to become part of "multi-disciplinary teams" in primary care to relieve the pressure on GPs. But the BMA has warned more family doctors could quit unless surgeries get more money. The concerns are also echoed by a group representing grassroots GPs. "Yes there is a GP crisis - there's a crisis of numbers, there's a crisis of funding and there's a crisis of demand," said Sophie Quinney, GP and representative of GP Survival Wales. "Patients are struggling to see their GP because the workload is becoming unmanageable." Meanwhile, the BMA said despite frequent warnings, changes designed to relieve the pressure were happening too slowly, with no improvement seen in three years. Dr Charlotte Jones, chairwoman of the BMA's GPs committee in Wales, said it was hearing "week on week" of doctors being unable to carry on. She said there was a "perfect storm" of GPs nearing retirement, recruitment difficulties to find younger replacements, longer working hours and more complex needs of patients. Dr Jones said despite new strategies coming in to try to deal with the problem, the pace of change was not moving quickly enough and she had seen no improvement in the last three years. "I would say things are getting worse and that's exactly what I'm hearing from my colleagues across Wales and that's being borne out now by the number of practices saying enough is enough," she said. She said the health service was working hard at a national and local level to address issues "but I'm afraid change is not happening quickly enough". Dr Jones said Wales was better placed than other parts of the UK, but added: "Health boards have to grab the nettle, put the investment in and start making the change, otherwise the situation is going to get significantly worse." The BMA said patients in "large swathes of north Wales" now had directly-managed GP practices and they did not see the same doctors a lot of the time. GP SURGERIES HANDED BACK The concerns appear to be backed up by figures from health boards which show the numbers of GP surgeries across Wales having to be taken back into central control because doctors have given up. A total of 33 GP practices were "handed back" to health boards across Wales over a five year period between 2010 and 2015. This included 17 surgeries which closed. But in the past year, figures from health boards obtained by GP Survival Wales, show a spike in some areas. In the south Wales valleys, there were four surgeries handed back in Cwm Taf in 2015/16 alone - twice the total in the previous five years. Across Wales, 20 practices were handed back in the last

Summary: The "crisis" facing GP services in parts of Wales is "getting worse" with more practices than ever facing an uncertain future, say doctors' leaders.


Nofa Mihlo Rafo arrived in Canada this year as a refugee with four of her six children. She was separated from her husband and two eldest sons after their town was captured by the so-called Islamic State in 2014. She learned this week that one missing son is still alive after a relative alerted her to a photo posted online. Ms Mihlo Rafo learned last Sunday that 12-year-old Emad Mishko Tamo was alive and had been rescued. She "was jumping, crying at the same time, just happiness", said Hadji Hesso, with the Yazidi Association of Manitoba. His group, in partnership with the Kurdish Initiative for Refugees, Winnipeg Friends of Israel and the Liberation of Christian and Yazidi Children of Iraq (CYCI), has launched a campaign to reunite the boy with his family. On Thursday, Canada's federal immigration department said it is aware of the boy's case and noted that the government has committed to bringing up to 1,200 vulnerable Yazidi women and children and other survivors of IS to Canada. "All Yazidi cases are being expedited," said a department spokeswoman in an email. Steven Maman, the founder of CYCI, says that all 338 Canadian members of parliament were sent information about the boy. "Everyone has received an email from us with Emad's story, his mother's identification cards, everything," Mr Maman said. "It's a moral obligation for us human beings to help her." There is also a special programme that allows refugees to apply to bring in dependent children within a year of arrival. Iraqi troops who found the boy posted his image online in hope of finding his family, said Mr Hesso. The boy's uncle saw the photo, contacted Emad's mother, and met the boy at the hospital where he was being treated for shrapnel and gunshot wounds. Mr Hesso says the boy is recovering and now with his uncle in a camp in Iraq. Ms Mihlo Rafo and her children are all members of the persecuted religious Yazidi minority. They were rounded up by IS jihadists in their town of Sinjar in northern Iraq and held captive for two years. She eventually managed to escape to a refugee camp with four of her children.

Summary: Canada says it is aware of the case of a Yazidi boy recently rescued by Iraqi forces whose mother is in Winnipeg.


The Children and Social Work Bill would let local councils apply to set aside children's rights and checks on care to try out innovative ways of working. The government argues it is a bold approach to removing red tape. But campaigners say allowing councils to opt out of these long-standing duties is risky and unnecessary. The legal duties affected by the Bill relate to nearly all the social care services children receive from local authorities laid down in numerous acts of Parliament. These include statutory rights on child protection, family support, children's homes and fostering, support to care leavers and services for disabled children. About 50 organisations publicly oppose the proposed exemptions - including the British Association of Social Workers, The Care Leavers' Association, Women's Aid, Liberty and the National Association of People Abused in Childhood. They have banded together to form a group called Together for Children to oppose the Bill, which was debated by a House of Lords committee on Tuesday. The organisation said: "Children's social care laws have evolved over many decades, often in response to failures in care and protection but also because of new knowledge and understanding." Carolyne Willow, director of independent children's rights organisation Article 39, said: "More than 107,000 members of the public have signed a petition opposing the plan. "With such a radical and unprecedented change to children's law, it's not unreasonable to demand a Green and White Paper consultation. "We have been unable to find any example of any other country which allows councils to opt out of their duties to very vulnerable children and young people, including those the state is directly responsible for by law." If the Bill becomes law, local authorities would be able to apply to the Secretary of State to be exempted from one or more legal duties for a period of three years, initially, so it can try out new ways of working. This could then be extended for a further three years. The government argues this would allow children's services departments to pilot new ways of working and potentially achieve better outcomes. It also insists no-one would be put at risk. A Department for Education spokesperson said: "Local authorities should have the freedom to work with social workers so they can develop new and effective ways of supporting the vulnerable children in their care. "We know that over-regulation can get in the way of good social work practice and the power to innovate will allow us to test new approaches in a carefully controlled and monitored way. To suggest it would place children at risk is simply wrong." It comes after a government-commissioned review of social work suggested departments were tied up in procedural knots and tick-box regulations. But children's groups, as well as peers who debated the bill, argue there is no need to scrap key planks of primary legislation which guarantee children's rights, to allow innovation. They argue that it is more the rules, regulations and guidance attached to that legislation that could be set aside. The Bill has seen significant sections defeated by

Summary: A Bill described as "a bonfire of child protection rights", which would let councils opt out of key legal duties to children, was debated on Tuesday.


Wales led going into the final 10 minutes but finally succumbed after enduring a second-half battering. Fly-half Handre Pollard kicked five penalties and a drop-goal for the Springboks. Wales' Dan Biggar scored 14 points and created the chance for Gareth Davies to score his fifth try of the tournament. Veteran scrum-half Du Preez had to be persuaded to play in the tournament by South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer after a series of career-threatening injuries, but repaid the faith with a moment of coolness in a tumultuous atmosphere. South Africa now face New Zealand in the last four after the world champions annihilated France 62-13 in Saturday's second quarter-final. The Springboks pack gave a powerhouse display in the second half, but were met by extraordinary Welsh defence with captain Sam Warburton giving an outstanding display. But a clever move from a scrum in the Wales 22 saw number eight Duane Vermeulen feed Du Preez, who exploited a huge gap on the blind-side to dive over in the corner. Another veteran, flanker Schalk Burger, was outstanding as the Springboks turned the screw. There were shades of Wales' preceding tournament defeat by Australia in the opening minutes as George North was hauled down short of the line. Then Wales blew an overlap when Gethin Jenkins' lobbed pass went over centre Tyler Morgan's head and into touch. Although on top, the Welsh were behind as Wayne Barnes punished silly errors and the impeccable Pollard was unerring with his boot. The battle of the breakdown saw skirmishes won by Sam Warburton and Gethin Jenkins for Wales and Duane Vermeulen and Bryan Habana for South Africa. Wales' 13-12 lead at the interval was thanks to a full-blooded forward effort and the brilliance of Biggar, whose drop-goal edged them ahead after his chip-and-gather had set up Davies' try. A chaotic start to the second half saw Biggar nail a long-range penalty, before South Africa - with Vermeulen, Burger, Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager in the vanguard - stepped up a gear. Pollard's drop-goal got the Boks back to within a point, but he missed two penalties to mar an otherwise excellent display. Wales were hanging on as Willie le Roux sliced through, but for all their dominance, the Springboks only reclaimed the lead when Pollard rediscovered his range with a penalty to edge his side ahead 18-16. Biggar put Wales back ahead at 19-18, but with Gatland's men making more than twice as many tackles as their opponents, it was too much for a team who had survived the group of death to hang on in the face of waves of attacks. South Africa flanker Schalk Burger defied the years with a barnstorming display of ball-carrying and tackling. Vintage stuff. Wales boss Warren Gatland: "We don't want to make any excuses. South Africa won... and we weren't good enough to win. "At the end of the day South Africa did what South Africa do. They got one chance and they took it and that was the result." Read more from Gatland here. South Africa: Le Roux; Pietersen, Kriel,

Summary: Fourie du Preez's 75th-minute try ended battling Wales' World Cup dream in a colossal quarter-final against South Africa at Twickenham.


The strikes will affect hundreds of thousands of people who use the Southern Rail network in England every day. But many commuters say strikes are just part of the ongoing daily disruption to Southern's service that is having a huge impact on the way they live. Businesses are suffering and some workers have had to stay at home, while others have tried to find alternative routes into work, they say. Frustrated by the continuing disruption, three passengers and a cafe owner agreed to video blog their mornings. 50-mile cycle ride again John Holah, 36, is from Earlswood, Surrey. He works as a web developer in east London. John says it's not just on strike days that it's quicker to cycle the 50-mile (80km) round trip to work. Cafe 'losing business' Debbie Davis, 54, runs Beryl and Pegs Coffee, Tea and Sandwich Bar opposite Reigate station. Debbie says her cafe has been empty all morning. Bus from Gatwick Alison Braganza, 39, normally travels from Ifield, West Sussex, to central London. She's just started a new job and has been repeatedly late during her probation period. Flying to meeting Mark, 52, is an asset management consultant and had a meeting in Scotland. He couldn't catch a train into London so his company had to change its policy to allow him to fly to Glasgow. Production by Dan Curtis and Ed Ram.

Summary: Rail passengers have faced more travel chaos as striking train drivers hold the first of six, day-long stoppages planned for this month.


Kashket's 49th-minute strike, against his former club, registered his 11th goal of the season and gave Wanderers an eighth win in a row, while Orient are languishing close to the relegation zone. All eyes were on the in-form Kashket, facing Orient for the first time since his summer move, and it was the 20-year-old who opened the scoring just after the break. The ball fell to the winger who guided his left-footed shot beyond the reach of goalkeeper Alex Cisak. However, the visitors had nearly taken the lead on the half-hour mark when Jay Simpson's left-footed strike whistled past Jamal Blackman's post. And Orient again thought they had the lead when Paul McCallum turned Jay Simpson's low cross into the roof of the net. However, the goal was ruled out for offside. The game petered out in the final half hour as neither side went close, handing Wanderers maximum points. Report supplied by the Press Association. Match ends, Wycombe Wanderers 1, Leyton Orient 0. Second Half ends, Wycombe Wanderers 1, Leyton Orient 0. Nigel Atangana (Leyton Orient) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Garry Thompson (Wycombe Wanderers). Corner, Wycombe Wanderers. Conceded by Nicky Hunt. Attempt missed. Sam Wood (Wycombe Wanderers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Attempt missed. Matt Bloomfield (Wycombe Wanderers) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Substitution, Wycombe Wanderers. Myles Weston replaces Paris Cowan-Hall. Substitution, Wycombe Wanderers. Sam Wood replaces Scott Kashket. Nicky Hunt (Leyton Orient) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Anthony Stewart (Wycombe Wanderers). Attempt missed. Aaron Pierre (Wycombe Wanderers) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right following a corner. Corner, Wycombe Wanderers. Conceded by Nigel Atangana. Attempt blocked. Luke O'Nien (Wycombe Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Corner, Wycombe Wanderers. Conceded by Myles Judd. Substitution, Leyton Orient. Sam Dalby replaces Robbie Weir. Paris Cowan-Hall (Wycombe Wanderers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Sandro Semedo (Leyton Orient) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Paris Cowan-Hall (Wycombe Wanderers). Foul by Jay Simpson (Leyton Orient). Joe Jacobson (Wycombe Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Paul McCallum (Leyton Orient) is shown the yellow card. Nicky Hunt (Leyton Orient) is shown the yellow card. Teddy Mezague (Leyton Orient) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Paris Cowan-Hall (Wycombe Wanderers). Substitution, Leyton Orient. Sandro Semedo replaces Jordan Bowery. Corner, Leyton Orient. Conceded by Joe Jacobson. Corner, Leyton Orient. Conceded by Michael Harriman. Teddy Mezague (Leyton Orient) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Paris Cowan-Hall (Wycombe Wanderers). Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match Alex Cisak (Leyton Orient) because of an injury. Foul by Nicky Hunt (Leyton Orient). Scott Kashket (Wycombe Wanderers) wins a free kick on the right wing. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Substitution, Leyton Orient. Teddy Mezague replaces Callum Kennedy because of an

Summary: A Scott Kashket goal was enough for Wycombe Wanderers to see off a well-organised Leyton Orient side at Adams Park.


Hughie Saunders, 20, from Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, was attacked at Cobham services in Surrey on 26 June and died two days later. His mum said "[He] was the heart of the whole family. Our hearts are broken." Mikey Coyle, 21, from Barnes, and Simon Baker, 22, of Outwood, have been charged with his murder. Mr Saunders, who was known as Quhey, was "always laughing and lived life to the full", his mother said. She added: "He had his whole life in front of him and was taken for no reason at all. "The family is very close and he will be missed by his brothers and sisters." Mr Saunders' mother thanked the staff who cared for him at St George's hospital, describing them as "angels". She also revealed that he had donated his organs to save lives and wished all those who benefitted "a long and happy life". Surrey Police is still keen to speak to every witness in the petrol station between 15:00 and 15:30 BST on 26 June. Anyone with any information is asked to come forward.

Summary: The family of a man who died after an attack at a petrol station on the M25 two weeks ago have paid tribute to their "kind-hearted boy".


The businessman headed to Clacton-on-Sea after he admitted he knew "nothing" about the Essex town. But following his visit, he said he would be backing local party councillor Jeff Bray. Mr Banks initially planned to take on current MP Douglas Carswell, before he announced he would not be standing. The multimillionaire businessman said: "I have no intention of standing in the way of hard-working activists who are the soul of the party. "Therefore, after visiting Clacton, I believe it would be wrong of me to stand against Jeff in the forthcoming hustings." Mr Banks previously said he only knew Clacton from a "fabulous day out" during the referendum campaign, and as one of the strongest supporting areas for Euro-scepticism. He said he has agreed to give the local UKIP party financial assistance to fight the election. His arrival in the constituency follows the announcement by knife crime campaigner Caroline Shearer that she intends to stand as an independent there. Her son, Jay Whiston, was 17 years old when he was murdered by Edward Redman in Colchester in 2012.

Summary: Former UKIP donor Arron Banks has said he will not stand for the Clacton seat in the general election after a fact-finding mission to the town.


It looked at progress in England following the introduction of a £5.3bn Better Care Fund to help local authorities invest in services to keep patients out of hospital. It says in its first year, the fund has helped join up health and social care. But it hasn't led to the expected reduction in hospital workload. The Department of Health said it was too soon to judge the Fund's impact. According to the NAO, within the first year of the Better Care Fund being introduced: A week of coverage by BBC News examining the state of the NHS across the UK as it comes under intense pressure during its busiest time of the year. The total Better Care Fund budget for 2015-16 was £5.3bn (some local authorities added extra money to the £3.8bn earmarked by the government). It was hoped the Fund would return a saving of around £500m in its first year by reducing demand for costly hospital care. Using the Fund, local authorities had estimated they could cut emergency hospital admissions by 106,000. Instead, they went up by 87,000, compared to the previous year. The number of delayed transfers of care cases - when a patient is healthy enough to leave the hospital but is unable to do so - was meant to drop by 293,000. It went up by 185,000. The NAO report says cash flow worries are mounting in both health and social care and it remains unclear whether more integration of services will help. It says the government should take stock and evaluate how best to move forward. The Department of Health says it wants to make care even more joined-up. Sir Amyas Morse, head of the National Audit Office, said: "Integrating the health and social care sectors is a significant challenge in normal times, let alone times when both sectors are under such severe pressure. So far, benefits have fallen far short of plans, despite much effort." Its director, Ashley McDougall, said it could take years to see results from integration and suggested expectations should be lowered around the effectiveness of integration to move people out of hospital more quickly. He told BBC Radio Four's Today programme that it was not a waste of money but funding might be better spent elsewhere. A spokesman for NHS England said: "Joining up local NHS and council services may be worthwhile, but is not by itself a silver-bullet solution to wider pressures on health and social care." Prof Jane Dacre, president of the Royal College of Physicians, said: "We should not take the slow progress so far as a signal to stop or reorganise the initiatives - it takes time to transform services and evaluate them to show benefit, so they should be allowed to continue, but with much more involvement from local authorities upfront in planning and implementation, and a funding boost for social care." James Taylor from the charity Scope said: "Over 400,000 working-age, disabled people rely on social care, but a chronic lack of funding has left many completely isolated, cut off from society, slipping into crisis

Summary: Government plans to treat more patients in the community are not easing pressure on NHS hospitals or saving money, says the National Audit Office.


West Midlands PC Zaid Malik was off duty when he got into an argument with another driver in Birmingham. He convinced friend Roger Baker, 50, to provide a false alibi. Both denied a charge of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. Malik, 51, of Sparkhill and Baker, 50, of Acocks Green, were jailed for 21 months and 12 months respectively. See more stories from across Birmingham and the Black Country here West Midlands Police said the incident took place in Stechford on 26 February 2015. The force said witnesses accused the former Coventry-based PC of being the aggressor, but police decided not to press charges when a seemingly independent account from Baker backed Malik's claim he was the innocent party. Police said investigators became suspicious after revealing inconsistencies in the men's statements. They discovered the two were friends and Baker, of Westfield Road, had not been at the scene of the dispute. Both men were found guilty following a trial and sentenced on Tuesday at Birmingham Crown Court. Malik, of Durham Road, continued to work for West Midlands Police in a role outside the evidential chain up to his court appearance. The force said a special case hearing would be held with Chief Constable Dave Thompson to determine his future. Ch Insp Brian Carmichael, from the Professional Standards Department, said: "We demand the highest standards from all our officers. The public should expect to be treated fairly and respectfully."

Summary: A police officer has been jailed for lying about his part in a road rage row.


The Death of Poor Joe, which dates back to March 1901, was discovered by British Film Institute (BFI) curator Bryony Dixon, in February. Until now the earliest known Dickens film was Scrooge or Marley's Ghost, released in November 1901. "It's wonderful to have discovered such a rare and unique film," Ms Dixon said. "It looks beautiful and is in excellent condition. This really is the icing on the cake of our current celebration of Dickens on Screen." The Death of Poor Joe will be screened as part of the Dickens bicentennial celebrations on 9 March and 23 March at London's BFI Southbank. The film organisation said it is also planning to release the footage on a DVD at a later date. Accidental find Ms Dixon stumbled across the find as she carried out research on early films of China. A catalogue entry referred to The Death of Poor Joe, which she recognised as a reference to the character Jo in Bleak House. After checking on the BFI's archive database, she found the film was listed as part of a collection under an alternative title of Man Meets Ragged Boy, which had been wrongly dated 1902. The film, which is just one minute long, depicts Joe dying in the freezing snow against a churchyard wall. As he falls to the ground a local watchman tries to help him and cradles him as he dies. The footage, which was directed by film pioneer George Albert Smith, was handed to the BFI in 1954, by a collector in Brighton who had known Smith. The BFI said it believes the director's wife, Laura Bayley, played Joe and the character of the watchman was played by Tom Green. The footage is believed to have been shot in Brighton. The BFI said the storyline has similarities with Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Match Girl, which features a child dying in the snow and the tragic death of 'Poor Joe', the crossing sweeper in Dickens' Bleak House.

Summary: The oldest surviving film featuring a Charles Dickens character has been discovered, in the year of the 200th anniversary of the author's birth.


Jordan Renwick, 24, covered his face with a scarf but his standout footwear was flagged up to police. He was caught on camera still wearing the trainers while spending cash at a shop later the same day. Renwick, of Galashiels, had previously admitted carrying out the robbery in February this year. He armed himself with a hammer to stage the raid on the Gala Park post office on Balmoral Place. During the robbery he repeatedly punched manager Farrukh Sair, who was also struck on the head with an object. Renwick, who lived directly opposite the premises, also robbed another man, John Hardie, who had come into the store. A judge told Renwick at the High Court in Edinburgh: "You have 31 convictions encompassing some 53 offences. "For a young man that is a formidable record and you are placed at high risk of future offending." Lord Burns ordered that Renwick serve 220 days of an unexpired part of a previous prison sentence, from which he had been freed early, before he starts the four-year term. Renwick will be monitored for a further three years following his release from prison. During the raid he stole between Â£2,000 and Â£2,500 in cash, along with stamps, cigarettes and mobile phones. He also robbed Mr Hardie of a phone and a wallet containing Â£40. Renwick had jumped over a counter armed with the hammer and told Mr Sair to get to the floor before taking cash. Mr Sair required six stitches to a head wound he sustained during the struggle with Renwick. Defence counsel Victoria Dow said that Renwick had a "fairly significant" drug debt at the time of the offence and owed the money to what he had described as "a heavy drug dealer". She said Renwick had been panicking, and that his offending took place when he was under the influence of drugs. Det Insp Keith Mackay welcomed the sentence and said Renwick was responsible for a "serious assault and two robberies". "This was a very distressing incident for the two victims, one of whom sustained a head injury during the robbery," he said. "I hope this jail sentence will give them some sense of closure. "I want to thank the local community for all their assistance with our investigation."

Summary: A masked robber who wore a distinctive pair of pink trainers during a violent raid on a post office has been jailed for four years.


Fridays Ltd, which produces thousands of free range eggs in Cranbrook, wants to expand its operation in Horsmonden. Residents fear the extra traffic and noise from the 32-hectare site will have a detrimental impact on the area. The company said it was responding to a 5% year-on-year increase in demand for free range eggs. The family-run business is one of the three biggest egg producers and packers in the country. If agreed, its new chicken farm would be located at Pullens Farm, in Lamberhurst Road, which is on the outskirts of the village of Horsmonden. Resident Sarah Overton said: "The sheer scale of this development is extraordinary. "We're talking the equivalent of 80 football pitches, 64,000 birds at any one time producing 360,000 eggs a week, using mechanical processes and only needing one full-time person to look after them, and three part-time egg collectors. "It equates to industrialisation in the countryside, which is bad enough, but this is industrialisation of an area of outstanding natural beauty with protected species that we all need to be careful to preserve," she said. Fridays Ltd has lodged its application with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, with a provisional decision expected in August. Horsmonden Parish Council is discussing the plans on Monday.

Summary: Plans by a company that wants to put 64,000 chickens on an area of outstanding natural beauty in Kent have been met with anger by local residents.


Concerns include physical, psychological and financial abuse. Scottish Borders Council's social work director Andrew Lowe admitted cases dealt with by the authority's adult protection unit had "rocketed". However, he said changes to reporting methods and greater awareness of the issue had contributed to the increase. The council report shows a sharp rise in significant incidents and concerns over the care of the elderly and those with difficulties. Mr Lowe said he anticipated they would keep rising - but pointed out a different method of reporting which sees all medical issues reported as adult protection concerns. He said he believed the systems now in place were more robust and that there was a greater awareness of protection issues for vulnerable adults. "One of the heartening things to see is the source of referrals - we are getting many more now from independent agencies than we ever used to," he said. "It used to be that the referrals came from either social workers or family or whatever. "We now see a range of all the different agencies - health board, GP, private sector, self-referral - they are all putting referrals in and that, to me, is healthy. "That's a sign of public awareness of this as an issue." He added that there was always more that could be done. "All we can hope to do is have a good and effective system, good policies, and to make sure that we are raising the profile and ensuring people are aware of the vulnerability of people in our community," he said. He urged the public to contact the authorities if they saw something which caused concern. "It doesn't matter if you are wrong," he said. "If your hunch is wrong we can make a discrete inquiry and nothing will happen and there will be no threat to you. "But if you see something and you think it is wrong, I think acting on that is very helpful."

Summary: The number of reports of vulnerable adults being harmed in the Scottish Borders has risen sharply, according to a social work report.


The Independent Paralympic Athletes (IPA) Team will appear under the Paralympic flag and will parade first at the opening ceremony on 7 September. The team will stay in the Athletes Village, with travel and other expenses covered by the IPC. A 10-strong refugee team will also compete at the Olympic Games. "This is the moment to shine a light on the people with impairments affected, as well as highlight the broader situation," IPC President Sir Philip Craven said.

Summary: A team of refugee athletes will compete at Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announced.


Police said the Bolton man was riding a BMW motorbike when it collided with a Citroen car driven by a local man on Hailwood's Rise on the (A18) Mountain Road at 06:45 BST. The rider was treated at the scene but was pronounced dead on arrival at Noble's Hospital. Both vehicles were travelling in the direction of Douglas. Insp Dave Dobbie said it was a "very sad outcome". Police closed the road for four hours following the crash and are appealing for witnesses.

Summary: A 55-year-old motorcyclist from Greater Manchester has been killed in a crash involving a car on the Isle of Man.


Wales led after an hour of the first Test before losing 39-21, and succumbed 36-22 in the second after being level 10-10 at the break. That extended New Zealand's winning run against Wales to 28 games since 1953. "We just switch off for five-10 minutes and before you know it, New Zealand have pulled away," said Williams. "But there are encouraging signs that we are playing a more expansive game." Wales' efforts have had the former Cardiff Blues and Pontypridd player "on the edge of his seat". But the former Wales captain and British and Irish Lions tourist has been disappointed that his country have not been able to beat an All Blacks team in transition following high-profile retirements. After the 2015 World Cup, the All Blacks lost record-breaking flanker and captain Richie McCaw, fly-half Dan Carter and midfield pair Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith. "There are two schools of thought at the moment in Wales," said Williams. "One, 'yes we've gone toe-to-toe with the All Blacks and played some great rugby'. "And the other one is, 'well we've failed again' because they are a team in transition. I don't care how good the players are … I'm a little bit disappointed. "Whenever you take 700 caps of experience out of a squad, it's got to leave a dent and traditionally they are slow in June. "On the flip side, you look at our squad - it was the most experienced that's ever left these shores. We didn't have injury worries so I thought this was our opportunity." The All Blacks have made five starting changes for the third Test, with coach Steve Hansen hoping the risk will have its rewards. Flanker Elliott Dixon makes his debut at blind-side flanker in place of Jerome Kaino, while George Moala takes over at centre from injured Malakai Fekitoa. Fly-half Beauden Barrett makes only his eighth All Blacks start in 38 appearances as he takes over from Aaron Cruden, who was injured in the second Test. Barrett has scored 26 points, including three tries in four appearances against Wales. Two of those tries came in a 15-point haul as New Zealand beat Wales 34-16 in Cardiff in 2014 in his previous start against Warren Gatland's side. Barrett crossed for his third try against Wales in Wellington last weekend. Charlie Faumuina takes over from Owen Franks at prop and Julian Savea returns on the wing in place of Waisake Naholo, who drops to the bench. Injury has forced out veteran Wales prop Gethin Jenkins as well as lock Bradley Davies. Rob Evans is back at loose-head prop, while Gatland brings in Tomas Francis at tight-head as Samson Lee is relegated to replacement duty. Gatland, a leading candidate to return to New Zealand as British and Irish Lions coach in 2017, wants his team to stop 'shooting themselves in the foot'. If so, Williams, who was coached by Gatland and Hansen in a 100-cap Wales career says the Dunedin encounter "could well be" the one in which his countrymen end 63 years of hurt. Referee: Jerome Garces

Summary: Former flanker Martyn Williams hopes Wales can avoid the pitfalls of their two previous defeats by New Zealand in the third and final Test on Saturday.


Once complete, Atlantic Shed will provide an extra 7,200 sq m (668,000 sq ft) metres of storage for the port, mainly for the steel industry. Associated British Ports said the investment meant the site would be able to meet the increasing demands of its customers. It said the development would support the future growth of the port.

Summary: Work has started on a £2.7m project to redevelop part of the Port of Newport to increase cargo volumes.


Those who died in Ondo state suffered from blurred vision and headaches, and then lost consciousness before dying within 24 hours. A spokesman for the WHO said tests done so far had been negative for viral and bacterial infections. He said the current theory was that the deaths were caused by weedkiller. The outbreak started in the town of Ode-Irele. All of those affected started showing symptoms between 13 and 15 April. The WHO spokesman, Gregory Haertl, tweeted: "Current hypothesis is cause of the event is herbicides" and "Tests done so far are negative for viral and bacterial infection." The tests were carried out at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, the WHO said.

Summary: The World Health Organisation (WHO) says pesticide poisoning is the probable cause of 18 mysterious deaths in south-western Nigeria.


The data for January from NHS England showed 88.7% of patients were dealt with in four hours. The target is 95%. That is the worst monthly performance since the target came in in 2004. NHS England blamed rising demand - overall attendances were up by more than 10% compared with the same time last year. There was also a sharp rise in emergency admissions and calls to NHS 111. Richard Barker, from NHS England, said: "Against this backdrop it's not surprising hospitals saw a dip in their performance and it is credit to all those working in emergency care that we are still admitting, treating and discharging almost nine in 10 patients within four hours "Winter pressures have come late this year with a sustained cold period and an increase in seasonal infections." During January the BBC reported how hospitals were being forced into taking extreme measures to cope. Some cancelled routine operations en-masse, while there were reports of GPs being advised not to cut back on hospital referrals and emergency treatment areas being set up outside A&E units. The monthly performance publication also showed the NHS was struggling in other areas:

Summary: A&E delays in England have reached record levels, official figures show.


Shanay Walker was found dead in her bed in Nottingham in July 2014. Juanila Smikle, 53, of Easegill Court, Top Valley, is accused of cruelty to Shanay and to four other children, dating back to 2011. Mrs Smikle's daughter Kay-Ann Morris, 24, of Nottingham, denies murdering Shanay, her niece, and charges of cruelty against two other children. Ms Morris elected not to give evidence at the trial at Nottingham Crown Court. Describing her own childhood, Mrs Smikle told the jury she had been routinely beaten with tree branches while growing up in Jamaica in the 1960s and 1970s. She described being "peppered", meaning that a vinegar, salt and chilli pepper solution was poured on to her genitals. She said her upbringing made her think beatings and "pepperings" were right and fair. The court heard how Mrs Smikle beat each of her own eight children in Jamaica but when she moved to the UK, she realised it was not acceptable. She said Kay-Ann and her twin sister Kerry-Ann would "never forgive me for beating them because they're hurt and vexed." However, the court was told that in January 2007, Kay-Ann was "peppered" by her sister at the instigation of Mrs Smikle after she had lied about having sex. At this point, Kay-Ann Morris broke down in the dock. The jury was told that within a few months of this incident both twin daughters had moved out of the home. Subsequently Kay-Ann and Shanay came back to live with Mrs Smikle. Asked by the defence if she had ever smacked Shanay, Mrs Smikle replied: "Never". The trial continues.

Summary: A woman accused of harming her seven-year-old granddaughter has told a court she was beaten as a child.


The larger than life billionaire retail tycoon, his Monaco-based wife, a former racing driver and bankrupt, surrounded by advisers and regulators, all help to weave a tale that affects 160 high streets and 31,000 mere mortals. (That's 11,000 workers and 20,000 pension scheme members). The parliamentary inquiry into the sorry tale begins in earnest on Monday. Sir Philip Green, the former owner of BHS, has agreed in principle to appear before the inquiry in June. With so many fingerprints on this scandal it's difficult to figure out how to apportion blame for a collapse that almost everyone in the industry seemed to predict but no-one seemed able to prevent. Let's take a look at when some of the main players made their exits and their entrances: No wonder the Serious Fraud Office, Pensions Regulator, Insolvency Service and two Commons select committees are queuing up to ask questions. The biggest question is why no-one seemed to want to know BEFORE it happened.

Summary: The cast of characters who have played a part in the demise of BHS is arguably worthy of a mini-series.


John Place, from Sutton Coldfield, is accused of hitting Poppy Clarke in his Volkswagen Passat as she and her mother crossed Chester Road in the town. He is also charged with causing serious injury to her mother, Rachel Clarke in the collision in June. Mr Place, of Bakers Lane, was bailed by magistrates in Birmingham to appear the city's crown court on 5 January.

Summary: A 72-year-old man has appeared in court charged with causing the death of a three-year-old girl.


Top Gear is one of the BBC's most popular and profitable series, but it has a history of controversy, led by Clarkson. Last year, the presenter revealed that the BBC warned him he would be sacked if he made "one more offensive remark, anywhere, at any time." He had been told to apologise for using the "n-word" in a programme out-take. In the clip, which had been filmed in 2012, the presenter chooses between different models of car by reciting the schoolyard rhyme Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe. After initially denying his use of the word, Clarkson later released a video statement "begging forgiveness" for the error. Clarkson complained about the final warning in his weekly column in the Sun: "Even the angel Gabriel would struggle to survive with that [threat] hanging over his head." The presenter has survived several scandals but this is the first time he has been suspended from his position. 'Difficult year' In December 2014 Clarkson described his "difficult year" during an appearance on ITV1's The Jonathan Ross Show. It followed an incident in Argentina where the Top Gear presenters and crew were forced to flee the country after trouble erupted over a number plate reading H982 FLK, which some suggested referred to the Falklands conflict of 1982. The show was also censured by Ofcom in July 2014 for breaching broadcasting rules after Clarkson used a derogatory word for Asian people during the Top Gear Burma Special. Labour MP Jim Sheridan, who sits on Parliament's culture, media and sport committee, called for him to be sacked. He said: "Already he's insulted nations, he's insulted disabled persons, he's insulted people with mental illness. Every time he apologises, and every time the BBC say that they've told him to cut it out, and he's not doing it." "His whole career is littered with apologies, and I doubt very much if indeed he is sorry." Top Gear began as a local show on BBC Midlands in 1977 and Clarkson took the helm in 1988. It was first broadcast in its current format in 2002, when Clarkson was joined by Richard Hammond and, a year later, by James May. Top Gear is the most watched factual programme in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records. It has an estimated global audience of 350 million, and is sold to 214 countries. The programme has three million YouTube subscribers, 15 million Facebook fans, and 1.74 million Twitter followers. The programme acquired a reputation for a reviewing style that could make or break a new car. Over the years Clarkson's comments have led to a number of complaints by vehicle manufacturers. Hyundai complained to the BBC in 1998, saying that Clarkson had made "bigoted and racist" comments at the Motor Show in Birmingham. A decade later, Tesla tried to sue the show for libel after Clarkson said its Â£92,000 electric sports car did not perform as advertised. When the case was dismissed, after five years and one appeal, the programme's executive producer Andy Wilman said: "I'd also like to apologise to the judges for

Summary: The suspension of Jeremy Clarkson is the latest in a string of complaints surrounding the Top Gear presenter.


The exercise follows a number of recent attacks in London and Manchester. Gardaí responded to three potential scenarios - stabbings, hostage-taking and a car being driven at pedestrians - echoing real-life events in London. Irish officers are not routinely armed but it has been announced that 10 new armed-support units are being set up. According to Irish broadcaster RTÉ, the new units will be established in towns and cities outside Dublin to deal with the threat from terrorism and organised crime. Gardaí also said that it has increased its armed-response capability in Dublin by a third to deal with the threat of gang warfare and potential terrorism. The head of the force, Garda Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan, said 24-hour armed police cover will be available across the Republic of Ireland from the end of the year. She was speaking in Dublin as her officers practiced their response to dealing with multiple attacks. Commissioner O'Sullivan added: "We're measuring all the response times so I'm very confident that we have the response capability. "I'm very confident, as we saw simulated here today, that officers, including our uniform members, know precisely what to do if something does happen." The training exercise involved members of the Garda Emergency Response Unit and the Armed Support Unit. Staff from Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) also played a part as one of the simulated attacks involved a car being driven at a pedestrian at Spencer Dock rail station. Two actors, armed with a knife and gun, simulated stabbing and attacking passers-by and commuters at the train station before taking hostages. In the exercise, Irish police simulated arresting one of the attackers and shooting the other one dead. The training exercise had been planned since April and followed a series of similar exercises involving other emergency services, including ambulance and fire-fighting staff.

Summary: A counter-terrorism training exercise has taken place in Dublin to test the responsiveness of Gardaí (Irish police) in the event of a real attack.


The first year student at the University of Surrey died while returning from a sports trip to Italy. The other two students have both been treated and are "recovering well", the university said. The university is working with Public Health England (PHE) to inoculate students living in halls of residence. All three students were diagnosed with meningitis, but two of them - including the one who died - had the meningitis B infection, prompting the "precautionary vaccinations". A total of 4,200 full-time students - about one third of the student population - will be offered the jab. Vice Chancellor Prof Max Lu said the university had been "reassured that the risk to staff, students and visitors is still very low". Prof Kamila Hawthorne, associate dean for medicine at the university said evidence showed the infection was not "highly contagious, comparatively rare and the risk to the wider community remains very low". "Only people who have prolonged, close contact with an ill person are at a slightly increased risk of becoming unwell." Source: NHS Choices

Summary: A student has died from meningitis and another two are recovering, prompting a university to offer undergraduates a vaccination.


Cantona said on Thursday that Deschamps intentionally left two players of African origin, Karim Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa, out of the squad. "Benzema is a great player. Ben Arfa is a great player," he told the Guardian. "But Deschamps, he has a really French name. Maybe he is the only one in France to have a truly French name." He went on to say: "Ben Arfa is maybe the best player in France today. But they have some origins. I am allowed to think about that." Speaking to French sports newspaper L'Equipe, Deschamps' lawyer called the remarks "unacceptable, slanderous and defamatory" and said his client would sue. Benzema's failure to qualify comes after he was issued a domestic ban for his involvement in an alleged blackmail scandal over a sex tape. France's Prime Minister Manuel Valls said publicly before the selection that the Real Madrid striker "has no place" in the team. Ben Arfa, who plays for Nice and previously played for Newcastle and Hull, is among the reserves for the tournament so could still be called up to cover for injury. Noel Le Graet, the head of the French Football Federation, called Cantona's allegation "ridiculous." Cantona and Deschamps, who are former France teammates, have fallen out numerous times since they played together in the mid-1990s. Cantona has previously called Deschamps a "muppet" and a "vulgar water carrier", a football insult implying Deschamps was good only to pass the ball to others. Cantona was dropped from the French national team in 1995 after he attacked a fan during a Manchester United game with a kung fu-style kick. He never played for France again.

Summary: Lawyers for France's football manager Didier Deschamps say he will sue Eric Cantona for suggesting his Euro 2016 squad selection was racially motivated.


Joel Richards, 20, was left at Birmingham's City Hospital on Sunday, where he died from his injuries. West Midlands Police said a 17-year-old arrested at a service station on the M40 near Oxford on Monday had been charged with Mr Richards' murder. The teenager, who cannot be named due to his age, will appear at Birmingham Magistrates' court on Thursday.

Summary: A teenager has been charged with the murder of a man who was left outside a hospital after being stabbed.


Cardiff Metropolitan University wants to create the seven-storey facility at Queenswood - part of its Cyncoed campus. Residents and the Woodland Trust said it would affect species including bats, birds and foxes. The university said it had done environmental impact studies. On Cardiff council's website, the application is listed with 133 objections, mainly from Cyncoed residents and councillors, and three petitions against it. A spokeswoman for Cardiff Metropolitan University said it was decided to build the new accommodation as demand from students to live on-site outstrips supply. Its plans for the 518-bed facility is on a third draft, with its position moved four times to protect the woodland, part of the campus since the original college was established in 1962. However, the Woodland Trust has objected to Cardiff council about "damage and loss" of the "irreplaceable habitat". The body's Heini Evans said: "Ancient woodlands support a huge array of wildlife and we need to protect these special areas." An ancient woodland is an area that has existed continuously since 1600 or before, with these supporting more than 256 species. But only 2% of the UK's land area is covered by them. Resident Neil Gardner said Queenswood has mature oak trees, bluebells, protected bats, hedgehogs, foxes and many species of birds. "As the wood is destroyed all these will be lost to the community with a considerable environmental impact on local residents," he said. "This is an ecological and environmental crime and is intolerable to local residents." The university spokeswoman added: "There has been lots of work to negate possible impact on wildlife including biodiversity and environmental studies. "The university has also completed the various 'in season' studies which have been forwarded to the planning authority." A public consultation period ended last week and council planners will meet to discuss the proposal at a later date.

Summary: Plans to build student flats on ancient woodland have been described as "an environmental crime" by campaigners opposed to the move.


The plane took off at 12:40 and was bound for Hamburg, Germany, when it experienced a technical issue. It diverted to Newcastle Airport and landed safely at about 13:25, where it was met by emergency services. A spokeswoman for Easyjet said flight EZY6931 was diverted to Newcastle as a "precautionary measure" due to a technical issues. "The safety of its passengers and crew is easyJet's highest priority and easyJet operates its fleet of aircraft in strict compliance with all manufacturers' guidelines," she added. "We apologise to passengers for the resulting delay."

Summary: An Easyjet plane has made an emergency landing shortly after taking off from Edinburgh Airport.


Jackson Whistle is moving to the Giants from the Kelowna Rockets who play in the Western Hockey League in Canada. The 21-year-old's father is Dave Whistle who led the Giants to league and play-off titles during his period in charge from 2000 to 2003. First choice goaltender Murphy, from Dundee, has signed on for an eighth season with the Giants. The 34-year-old has won the British Netminder of the Year award eight times. Steve Thornton, Head of Operations at the Giants, said: "The decision to sign Stephen Murphy is one of the easiest for me to make each year. "He has been the backbone of our organisation since I signed him back in 2009."

Summary: The Belfast Giants have signed the son of their first ever coach as back-up netminder to number one Stephen Murphy.


In a post on Twitter, the woman said she was "perplexed" by the request and posted several images of naked female statues from the museum's exhibitions. She went on to say she had a lovely day at the V&A "exploring depictions of breasts through the ages". Its director Tristram Hunt said women may breastfeed "wherever they like". Tweeting under the name @vaguechera, the woman said: "Flashed a nanosecond of nipple while breastfeeding and was asked to cover up in the V&A courtyard. I am perplexed." Her tweet has been liked more than 6,700 times and received more than 3,900 retweets, with many people offering messages of support. The mother pointed out the irony of the request at a museum which displays many statues of naked women. Posting a photo of a statue showing a man holding up a naked woman, she captioned it: "'I will throw you out of this museum with your naked breasts!' 'But I'm made of marble!' 'Oh sorry you're fine then.'" The woman told the BBC she was "stunned into silence" by the request from a female member of staff. She said it was the first negative experience she has had in three-and-a-half years of breastfeeding. "I had been attempting to be discreet and to feed under a cardigan, but with a distracted one-year-old it can be challenging. "The staff member was friendly and polite, but obviously asking me to cover up was still intrusive, unpleasant and embarrassing for me, as well as obviously ludicrous." The mum said she felt it was important to highlight the incident because "the shame and embarrassment caused by that kind of interjection when you are trying to feed could be crushing for a woman who was less Teflon than me". She added: "It could really badly affect someone's attempt to breastfeed if they were struggling with their confidence." Mr Hunt, a former Labour MP and shadow minister, apologised on twitter, saying: "Very sorry. Our policy is clear. Women may breastfeed wherever they like, wherever they feel comfortable & should not be disturbed." The museum also tweeted an apology and said it was investigating the incident, adding: "Women are welcome to breastfeed in the museum & we have quiet spaces for those who prefer privacy." The museum said its staff received regular customer service training and they will be reminded of their breastfeeding policy. The woman said she appreciated the apology and that the support she received on Twitter and the museum's response "show that attitudes are on the most part positive". She added: "That said, clearly not everyone is aware of the legal protection that women are afforded when feeding in a public space. "Policies are important, but they only work if staff are supported to understand and carry them out."

Summary: The Victoria and Albert Museum has apologised after a mum said she was asked to "cover up" while breastfeeding on a visit to the London attraction.


Donald Trump has fixed on immigration as one of the causes of the tide of anger on which his campaign has risen. If it's not the threat to American jobs from an influx of cheap skilled labour, it's the steady flow from Mexico, much of it illegal, that he says is unsustainable. Hence his famous promise to build a 2000-mile wall, which has come to define his campaign. He is right that this nation of immigrants struggles with the question, and his proposed "solution" has now turned it into a dividing line that will help to shape the autumn campaign. There is a sour whiff in America of the European immigration debate: never before has it been used so deliberately to raise the political temperature. Mr Trump knew what he was doing, and it has worked. Donald Trump wants to deport every single illegal immigrant - could he? Trump's foreign policy: So crazy it just might work? Trump's immigration plan savaged by rivals Why Mexicans are troubled by Donald Trump But visit the border in southern California - where they say it is the busiest international crossing point in the world - and you witness the complexities, not the simplicities. I stood looking through the fence with border agent Chris Harris, and he told me: "There's no silver bullet. No easy answer. A wall won't solve it." I spent a few hours with him on his stretch of the border, about 20 miles south of San Diego. He is an interesting witness - a Republican voter, who has worked all his life in law enforcement (he was a narcotics detective and then a prison officer in New York), the union representative for the border guards, who spends every day with his colleagues on the stretch of border running due east from the Pacific shore. When he arrived nearly 20 years ago, the border seemed hopelessly porous, with untold thousands of illegal immigrants crossing easily, slipping through the undergrowth, mounting elaborate deceptions to occupy the guards and bring whole parties over, squeezing through tunnels. That has changed. Chris Harris still reckons that 5,000 (and probably more) get through each year on the short six-mile stretch where we're walking - but compared with the past, that is a trickle. Across the rough terrain, roads have been built for patrols, navigable canyons blocked, and two fences built. They are dotted with repairs where illegal immigrants have cut through, and we handled one of the metal ladders designed to be hooked over the top and get a few people over in a few seconds in the dark. It is a cat-and-mouse game, constant and dangerous. And where many of the crossings in the past were by individuals desperate to find work, much of the traffic is now controlled by violent people-smuggling cartels who are running a big, nasty business. The drama on the border can easily be used to make it sound like a simple problem of law enforcement, and right and wrong. But there are problems apart from the fact that the agents believe a

Summary: The Mexican border is a line that sends an electric charge through the US presidential campaign.


Some detainees began a hunger strike at Harmondsworth Detention Centre on Sunday in protest at living conditions. Earlier, they were filmed protesting in the exercise yard by aerial cameras. The Home Office said detention and removal were "essential parts of effective immigration controls" and it took detainees' welfare very seriously. The detention facility in West Drayton holds 615 men who are awaiting removal or deportation from the UK. A Home Office spokesman said: "Detention is only ever used as a last resort after all attempts to encourage individuals to leave voluntarily have failed."

Summary: About 100 men at the UK's largest detention centre have been spotted in the exercise yard and are believed to be protesting about living conditions.


Peter Dawson said he was also surprised to hear Rory McIlroy say he "probably won't watch the golf" from Rio on TV. "Rory is entitled to his opinion but I found it disappointing," he said. McIlroy is one of a string of players who have pulled out of the Rio Games, citing concerns over the Zika virus. The world's top four - Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson and Northern Ireland's McIlroy - will all be missing after raising fears over the mosquito-borne virus, which has been linked to brain defects in newborn babies. International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach has said the withdrawals will be one of the factors taken into account when the roster of sports for the 2020 Games is confirmed next year. The Rio Games will see golf return to the Olympics after a 112-year absence. "We have a great competition, the players are going to have a wonderful experience and the withdrawals are restricted to players from only four countries," Dawson said. "I am very confident golf has a place in the Olympic programme and we will do everything we can to keep it there." The Olympics take place from 5 to 21 August, with the men's golf tournament running from 11 to 14 August.

Summary: The absence of top players from the Olympics "isn't going to help" golf's case for staying at future Games, the president of the International Golf Federation has said.


The 18-year-old Manchester United supporter was watching at home in a village near Bingham, Nottinghamshire. He felt the red card shown to the United winger was a crime so called police. He later apologised for the call, saying he was caught up in the moment. Police will not take any action. The fan, who has not been named, called police at about 21:20 GMT during United's second leg clash against the Spanish giants. He was incensed by the referee's decision to show Nani the red card for a high challenge on Alvaro Arbeloa. Ch Insp Ted Antill said: "While this recent example may be amusing, it illustrates the sort of insincere calls we have to deal with on a daily basis in the control room. "They waste our time and they direct us away from genuine victims of crime, particularly if we dispatch officers out to something that turns out to be a bogus report." He warned that prank 999 calls were a crime and said people had been prosecuted in the past. "It's no joke. In this case, the man realised his bad judgement and apologised and we decided not to pursue it further," he added. Nottinghamshire Police said it received 6,933 recorded hoax calls in 2012, which is about 2% of all reported incidents. Had Tuesday's 999 caller followed Sir Alex Ferguson's example, he would have avoided a police telling off - the Manchester United manager was said afterwards to be "too distraught" to speak about the match. The game turned after the dismissal of Portuguese winger Nani - whose real name is Luis Carlos Almeida da Cunha - with Real Madrid scoring two quick goals to win the match 2-1, knocking United out of the competition 3-2 on aggregate.

Summary: A football fan was so disgusted with the referee's decision to send off Nani in Tuesday's Champions League clash with Real Madrid he called 999.


28 August 2016 Last updated at 12:38 BST Christopher Oates, who runs camel treks at Rosuick Farm on the Lizard Peninsula, said they were very sociable animals and would make great pets. He said a successful breeding season meant the farm had more camels than required. The camels, which range in age and trekking experience, are expected to sell for between Â£3,000 and Â£8,000.

Summary: Up to 10 camels have been put up for sale at a farm in Cornwall.


Media playback is not supported on this device Unseeded Puig, 22, beat the German world number two 6-4 4-6 6-1. Reigning Australian Open champion Kerber, 28, simply could not match the intensity of her younger opponent in the deciding set. Earlier, Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic beat USA's Madison Keys in three sets 7-5 2-6 6-2 to win bronze. "It's just amazing," said Puig. "I know my country really appreciates this and I wanted to give it to them. The way that I did it tonight, I wouldn't want it any other way." Puig, who was born in Puerto Rico but raised in Miami, added: "I always have been 100% loyal to where I was born and the roots I was raised in. "I still have family in Puerto Rico and I have been back to visit quite a lot. I think it honestly is my favourite place to go when I want to go to the beach or see family. "That island has given me so much. So much love and support throughout my career and I just wanted this one for them." There will be a fifth Olympic medal for Venus Williams after the 36-year-old reached the mixed doubles final with Rajeev Ram. Williams, the singles champion in Sydney in 2000 and winner of three doubles golds with sister Serena, made early exits from the singles and women's doubles. But Williams and Ram defeated India's Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza in the mixed semi-finals, and will play fellow Americans Jack Sock and Bethanie Mattek-Sands for gold. Subscribe to the BBC Sport newsletter to get our pick of news, features and video sent to your inbox.

Summary: Monica Puig beat Angelique Kerber in three sets in the women's singles final to win Puerto Rico's first ever Olympic gold medal.


The Irish defender struck eight minutes from time after Danny Livesey looked to have put the hosts on course for victory with a headed opener three minutes earlier. Bluebirds forward Jordan Williams came closest to breaking the deadlock in a tight first half, firing his first opportunity over the crossbar before being denied by Macc goalkeeper Scott Flinders minutes later. Barrow, who were eight games unbeaten going into the game, eventually edged in front when captain Livesey rose to nod in Williams' 79th-minute cross. But they were denied all three points as Byrne grabbed his first goal of the season. Report supplied by the Press Association Match ends, Barrow 1, Macclesfield Town 1. Second Half ends, Barrow 1, Macclesfield Town 1. Liam Hughes (Barrow) is shown the yellow card. Substitution, Macclesfield Town. Jack Mackreth replaces Jack Sampson. Goal! Barrow 1, Macclesfield Town 1. Neill Byrne (Macclesfield Town). Goal! Barrow 1, Macclesfield Town 0. Danny Livesey (Barrow). Substitution, Barrow. Andy Haworth replaces Richard Bennett. Second Half begins Barrow 0, Macclesfield Town 0. First Half ends, Barrow 0, Macclesfield Town 0. First Half begins. Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

Summary: Neill Byrne bundled home a late equaliser as Macclesfield rescued a draw at fellow National League high-flyers Barrow.


Media playback is not supported on this device Captain Thiago Silva set Luiz Felipe Scolari's side on the way with an early goal, and Brazil looked to be set for a comfortable passage into the last four after David Luiz's brilliant second-half free-kick. In a magnificent atmosphere built on a cascade of colour and a wall of sound, new World Cup star James Rodriguez set up a thrilling finale when he pulled a goal back from the penalty spot with 10 minutes left. In a frantic closing phase, Colombia were unable to force the chance that could have brought extra time, and it is the hosts who will meet Germany in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday, a game which will be live on BBC One. "It was a fantastic occasion and a great game. Not in terms of quality but in terms of endeavour and passion. "The game was scrappy and bitty but Brazil wanted it that little bit more. Colombia were overawed from the beginning and lost the game after conceding the first goal. "The South American way is win at all costs and you saw that today. Yes, they gave away fouls, yes David Luiz was trying to put James Rodriguez off for the penalty, but if Brazil win this World Cup playing like that nobody will be bothered. "If they lose, different story." But Brazil will be without superstar and main striking hope Neymar, who has been ruled out of the World Cup with a fractured vertebra after being kneed in the back by Juan Zuniga. They will also be missing captain Thiago Silva, who is suspended after being booked. Colombia had complaints of their own, chiefly the lack of protection offered to Rodriguez, who was on the receiving end of some fierce challenges as Brazil sought to nullify his influence. He broke down in tears at the final whistle as he was consoled by the Brazil players who had offered him none of that commodity during a harrowing physical ordeal which proved he has the courage to go with his natural ability. Brazil and their supporters, in contrast, went wild with elation at the final whistle. The goal of reaching the final - and making up for the 1950 World Cup loss to Uruguay in Rio that is still one of this nation's darkest sporting days - lives on. Germany, who beat France 1-0 in their quarter-final, will need to show mental strength to cope with the tidal wave of emotion and support that Scolari hopes will carry Brazil to the Maracana a week on Sunday. Fortaleza offered up a cauldron of noise and a sea of yellow shirts in an atmosphere that ensured Brazil would launch into a series of adrenalin-fuelled attacks. Scolari's hope was to push Colombia into unknown territory and the strategy was helped by a goal built largely on defensive carelessness after seven minutes. Neymar's corner was a routine affair with little serious menace but it was allowed to drift to the far post, where Carlos Sanchez switched off to allow Silva to bundle home.

Summary: Brazil secured a World Cup semi-final against Germany with victory over Colombia on a night of gripping tension and passion in Fortaleza.


The regulator said the bid did not comply with the laws of having its principal place of business in the Chinese territory. The city's other carriers had also objected, it said. Qantas said it would reconsider basing the low-cost carrier in Hong Kong. The carrier is a three-way joint venture between Qantas Airways, China Eastern Airlines and Hong Kong investment firm Shun Tak Holdings. "Jetstar Hong Kong cannot make its decisions independently from that of the two foreign shareholders," said the Air Transport Licensing Authority when handing down its decision. It also said the city's other carriers, including Cathay Pacific and Dragon Airlines, had objected to Jetstar's application. Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said the decision was disappointing for shareholders as well as "for the travellers that Jetstar Hong Kong planned to serve". "It's the travelling public who have lost out, because the message from this decision is that Hong Kong appears closed to fresh aviation investment even when it is majority locally-owned and controlled," he said in a statement on Friday. He added that Hong Kong was going in the opposite direction of other aviation markets in Asia that were "opening up". "Given the importance of aviation to global commerce, shutting the door to new competition can only serve the vested interests already installed in that market." The airline, along with its partners, said it had not yet decided on whether to appeal the decision. The joint venture was valued at $10m Australian dollars ($7.7m; Â£4.9m), according to Qantas. Shares of Qantas were down 1.4% in Sydney in reaction to the news.

Summary: Hong Kong authorities have rejected an application by Qantas-backed Australian budget carrier Jetstar to set up a local airline, after nearly two years of deliberation.


He says there was no talk of heroics in the songs the soldiers were singing in the trenches or in the music halls back in Blighty. "Another surprise was that there were very few songs with any animosity towards the Germans, who they were fighting," says McCalman. "It was quite unbelievable that the wrath of the soldiers was directed at their own Command." Last week, England's education secretary Michael Gove sparked a heated debate when he hit out at "left-wing academics" and TV comedies and dramas which had led people to view the conflict as a "misbegotten shambles - a series of catastrophic mistakes perpetrated by an out-of-touch elite". McCalman, whose show Far Far From Ypres will be performed at Celtic Connections later, says the theme of disillusionment with their situation and their commanders carries through all the songs, the poetry and the letters of the time. One song - Hanging on the Old Barbed Wire - asks why various army members are not to be found in the combat zone or anywhere near the trenches. The popular song has the quarter-master "miles and miles behind the line", the Sergeant-major is "stealing the privates' rum" and the Commissioned Officer is "down in a deep dug-out". The final line of the song asks, where are the "old battalion"? It answers poignantly: "They're hanging on the old barbed wire." It is a simple song, says McCalman, but one of the saddest in the show. Far Far From Ypres began life as an album of songs and poems from WW1, which were recorded by Scottish folk singers. McCalman, who says he is "not very proud" to admit that he knew very little about World War One or its songs before he began the project, was then inspired to write a narrative around the songs. It tells the story of Jimmy MacDonald who "comes from any village, town or city" in Scotland. Everyman Jimmy is full of enthusiasm and joins up as soon as he can, as so many did. Jimmy gets his basic training on Salisbury Plain before heading off to the trenches of Flanders field. The show, which is narrated by broadcaster Iain Anderson, features 28 of the finest singers from the Celtic Connections family, such as Barbara Dickson and Dick Gaughan. It will play out at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall against a backdrop of images from the war. It was such a success when first performed in 2012 that it has been brought back to the festival to mark 100 years since the start of the "war to end all wars". McCalman says the show is a labour of love for the performers, whom he jokes are "appearing for World War One wages". The songs, simple as many of them are, give a vivid insight into the attitudes and concerns of the troops in the trenches, he says. "They survived on bitter humour. They just had to grin and bear it. "The simplest song of the whole lot was called 'We are here because we're here'." This song just repeats its title over

Summary: The songs of World War 1 often speak of disillusionment, bitterness, boredom and a very dark sense of humour, says Scottish folk singer and producer Ian McCalman.


Tower Hamlets Council said it would sell Draped Seated Woman after "unprecedented" budget cuts. The work has not yet been valued but a Moore sold for £17m earlier this year. The council said the rising threat of metal theft and vandalism made it too expensive to insure if it was on show. The sculpture was bought by the former London County Council for £6,000 in 1960. The bronze sculpture, nicknamed Old Flo, was installed on the Stifford council estate in 1962 but was vandalised and moved to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park in 1997. A council spokesperson said: "With unprecedented cuts to council budgets, the council finds itself in a difficult situation and being forced to make hard decisions. "As the borough does not have the funds required to insure or maintain the upkeep of the work, releasing these necessary funds will enable the council to support front-line services." Tower Hamlets mayor Lutfur Rahman added: "It is with great regret that I take this decision but we are faced with a stark choice in these times of recession." The sculpture is expected to be auctioned by Christie's in February. No valuation has been made but Tower Hamlets said estimates had ranged from £4m-£17m. The council is having to make cuts of £100m per year over the next three years. Richard Calvocoressi, director of the Henry Moore Foundation, said he sympathised with the council's position but added that it would be "very sad" if the sculpture was no longer on public display. Metal theft has become a major problem in recent years. In 2005, a large Moore work was taken from the foundation in Hertfordshire, while a sundial by the artist was removed from the same location this July. Last December, a bronze work by Barbara Hepworth was stolen from Dulwich Park in south London. Tower Hamlets Council had considered moving Draped Seated Woman to private land in Canary Wharf but has instead chosen to "explore options" for a sale. The auction of council artworks to meet budget shortfalls is normally frowned upon in the art world. The last significant case was in 2006, when Bury Council was expelled from the Museums Association for selling an LS Lowry painting for £1.4m. The Museums Association said it could not act in this instance because Draped Seated Woman was an individual piece of public art and not part of a museum collection.

Summary: A major Henry Moore sculpture is to be sold by a London council to pay for front-line services after it was decided that it could not be safely displayed on council land.


The cooling-off period for an online order has been extended to 14 calendar days from seven working days. Shoppers can claim a full refund during this period without having to give a reason for the cancellation. Companies must also offer phone lines that cost no more than a local call for customer inquiries or complaints. The rules see the final stage of implementation of the EU Consumer Rights Directive. The regulations cover a number of areas of consumer rights, including the introduction of a cooling-off period for digital music, films and books for the first time. Retailers must not supply the content within the 14-day cancellation period unless the consumer has given their express consent to this happening, and the consumer must also acknowledge that once the download starts they will lose their right to cancel. Any extra charges for those buying with a debit or credit card must be clear from the start, the rules state. The rules should bring an end to calls that can cost up to 41p a minute, for those trying to make a complaint. Companies will still be able to use phone numbers that carry higher charge rates when customers are purchasing goods or services, but not when they call afterwards to raise questions or complaints about them.

Summary: Online shoppers now have longer to cancel orders while complaints calls should be cheaper, under laws that take effect on Friday.


Households were sent a leaflet giving "three reasons to back Beverley Nielsen for West Midlands Labour mayor". One reason not to do so would be that Ms Nielsen was actually standing for the Liberal Democrats. A campaign spokesman said the leaflet had been created by the local party - the Hall Green group. Read more Birmingham and Black Country stories Ms Nielsen said: "This leaflet was home published by a volunteer, not professionally published. It's clearly a mistake that is embarrassing to the person who made it, so we're not going to investigate further or name and shame. "Our mayoral campaign relies heavily on volunteers and doesn't have the luxury of the big budget funding that some of the other candidates have, so I'm very grateful that supporters are contributing their time and effort in the Lib Dem fight back." Other candidates include Graham Stevenson (Communist Party), Andy Street (Conservatives), James Burn (Green), Sion Simon (Labour) and Pete Durnell (UKIP). They are bidding to become the first elected mayor of the West Midlands, leading the Combined Authority. The polls open on 4 May.

Summary: A Lib Dem mayoral candidate was mistakenly billed in campaign material as standing for Labour.