Fewer than half of the country's population has internet access and those who do can often experience slow connections. The country's premier also urged telecoms companies to cut fees, including data roaming charges. It was not revealed how much money would be invested. Besides the government investment, Premier Li Keqiang also urged telecoms companies to cut their prices and up their speeds, according to China's cabinet the State Council. He also said they should cut data roaming charges for Chinese tourists, although he acknowledged that it was ultimately for the market to decide. He did, however, announce a round of investment infrastructure improvements to the same end. "China has more cell-phone users than any other country, but its internet service speed ranks below 80th in the world due to underdeveloped information infrastructure," the premier said, according to a release from the State Council. He added that "speeding up the construction of information infrastructure will boost investment and support" in China, as well as helping "mass innovation". Telecoms firms should make rapid moves to cut prices and increase urban broadband speeds by around 40%, according to Mr Li. China's investment in broadband could benefit global network equipment makers such as Ericsson and Nokia Oyj's Alcatel-Lucent, as well as home-grown players like Huawei Technologies and ZTE. Mr Li did not say how much investment would be needed, but officials have previously earmarked around 2tn yuan ($322bn, Â£204bn) to improve China's broadband infrastructure by 2020. China's internet penetration rate was only 47.9% last year, with connectivity especially low in smaller cities and rural areas. This compares with about 75% of people in the United States. In the UK, 73% of households have broadband access, Ofcom said in December 2014. The Chinese cabinet's statement added that the nation would look to open up the telecoms market and encourage increased competition, including through expanding a pilot scheme for broadband services this year. "There is still not enough competition, which has led to telecoms fees being relatively high while there is still a lot of room to improve the quality of service," the statement said, citing an official at China's official State Information Centre.

Summary: China is to accelerate the development of its high-speed broadband network to raise speeds but cut prices, its State Council has said.


The alleged victim, now in his 40s, was under 16 when he was at Grafton Close Children's Home, during the 1980s. The man told the jury at Southwark Crown Court how Father Anthony McSweeney performed a sex act on him and then took out a camera. Fr McSweeney, 68, of Pease Pottage, West Sussex, denies abusing boys at the home in Hounslow, west London. The priest, of Old Brighton Road North, denies four counts of indecent assault, three counts of making indecent images of a child and one of taking indecent images of a child. The alleged victim told the court the incident took place in a flat at Grafton Close belonging to John Stingemore. The jury has been told that he abused boys during his time as the home's manager. He was due to be tried alongside Fr McSweeney but was found dead in his home last month. When the alleged victim was asked why he did not tell anyone at the time what had happened, he replied: "Who would I tell? There was no-one else other than the staff. "It would only get reported to Mr Stingemore. "I felt a bit ashamed as well." The alleged victim also described how the priest fondled him over his clothes as he sat on his lap while playing video games, and offered to help him wash as he was having a bath. During cross-examination, Stephen Spence, defending Fr McSweeney, put it to the man that he was not telling the truth, which he denied. The trial, which is expected to last two weeks, was adjourned until Wednesday.

Summary: A Roman Catholic priest took photographs of a boy after sexually abusing him, a jury has been told.


Marcos Rojo put Argentina ahead from Lionel Messi's free-kick and Javier Pastore made it 2-0 with a low shot. Lucas Barrios pulled one back from 20 yards, but Angel Di Maria then netted twice, slotting in from Pastore's pass and then converting a rebound. Sergio Aguero headed in a fifth and Gonzalo Higuain blasted in a sixth. It was an impressive victory from Gerardo Martino's side as La Albiceleste moved into the Copa America final for the third time in four competitions and will play Chile in Santiago on 4 July. Although he did not score, it was another influential performance from skipper Messi, who had a hand in three of the six goals. His free-kick led to Rojo opening the scoring in the 15th minute and then the four-time World Player of the Year created the second with a jinking run before setting up the impressive Pastore. Paraguay, 85th in the world rankings, had recovered from a two-goal deficit in their group game against Argentina, which ended 2-2. Barrios, who scored a last-minute equaliser in that match, netted again, just before half-time with a fine effort from 20 yards out. But there was to be no fightback this time. Early in the second half, Pastore released Di Maria who slid the ball underneath goalkeeper Justo Villar. Argentina made it four as Messi led a counter attack and set up Pastore, whose shot fell to Di Maria to finish into an open goal. Di Maria's cross was then headed in by Manchester City striker Aguero before substitute Higuain scored a stunning sixth to complete the rout.

Summary: Argentina remain on course to win their first Copa America title since 1993 after thrashing Paraguay to set up a final against tournament hosts Chile.


The mandarins in Whitehall call it The Settlement - as if funds were being bestowed by some aged aunt on her poor country cousins. Of course, in the town halls they see it the other way around - business rates collected in the shires of England on behalf of the squire, who might deign to pass some back to help education or the care of the poor. This year devolution has rocketed the process into the modern world. Councils are asking for flexibility and the ability to plan ahead. So Secretary of State Greg Clark is offering a four-year deal and has loosened restrictions on the deals councils can do. Now they can behave like any modern corporate body, choosing whatever they want to invest in, borrowing money at market rates, even varying the rates of pay for their staff. By the end of the four years councils will keep 100% of business rates collected, but that grant from central government is getting a lot smaller, in many cases disappearing altogether. For some that won't matter. East Hampshire District Council is blessed with the opportunity to build new houses, especially around the former military camp of Bordon. The New Homes Bonus payments, plus income from charges and investments means it can cut council tax this year by 2%. Leader Ferris Cowper says this is a statement of intent: "Our financial strategy is radical and unique. "Where many councils cope with a drop in income by raising taxes or cutting services we have decided to go a different way." At the other extreme the Isle of Wight Council says it simply cannot provide services required by law on the settlement announced this week. Leader Jonathan Bacon, an Independent leading a ruling Independent group, welcomed Greg Clark's promise to visit the island as part of a review. "I cannot see any way the council can set a lawful, balanced budget for 2017/18 based on the current planned funding allocations from government. The review must, therefore, be completed in the next six months for the council and the island to have a sustainable future and must result in us receiving the funding we currently lack," Mr Bacon said. Labour picked up on the extra money for shires, claiming 85% of additional funding was going to Conservative councils. But the claim was rejected by Hampshire leader Roy Perry. He said: "Under the initial allocation announced just before Christmas, the Revenue Support Grant for Hampshire was just £139.80 per dwelling - a reduction of 37% on the previous year, whereas Metropolitan areas such as Barnsley were allocated £288.70 per dwelling, and Manchester £441.23. " The Secretary of State Greg Clark is something of a smiling assassin, conducting the debate to win parliamentary approval in the face of a threatened Conservative rebellion with the easy charm of a game show host. We have the call from the banker who's found £300m pounds to buy off dissent. Deal, or no deal? The next decision councils face is whether to risk the four-year deal or continue to negotiate an annual

Summary: The annual sharing out of cash for local services is always fraught, and never seen as fair.


Its assessment follows North Korea's publication of pictures showing its leader Kim Jong-un observing a missile test launch from a submarine last week. South Korea says the test is "very serious" but that the technology is still at an "elementary stage". North Korea has said it is developing nuclear war-heads. Following the the launch, Mr Kim said his country now possessed a "world-level strategic weapon capable of striking and wiping out in any waters the hostile forces infringing upon [North Korea's] sovereignty and dignity", state media reported. On Monday, South Korean Defence Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok urged North Korea to stop developing the weapons. "We judge North Korea's underwater test-firing of a submarine-launched ballistic missile to be very serious and a matter of concern. We urge North Korea to immediately stop developing SLBMs (submarine-launched ballistic missiles), which hinder the stability of the Korean peninsula and northeast Asia." South Korea is taking the test launch seriously. It and the United States are contemplating installing a missile-defence shield at huge cost, but this would be ineffective if submarine-launched missiles could get under it. It's not clear if any missiles would be nuclear-tipped, though North Korea has said it is developing nuclear war-heads. The submarine test indicates that it is moving faster than previously thought in its quest for potent weapons capable of striking at very short notice. In April, a US think-tank claimed satellite pictures taken earlier this year suggest North Korea may have restarted one of its nuclear reactors. The Institute for Science and International Security says images of the Yongbyon plant show patterns of melting snow indicating new activity. Yongbyon's reactor was shut down in 2007 but was restarted in 2013.

Summary: The South Korean government has said that North Korea could have a submarine fleet capable of launching missiles in fewer than five years.


The northbound accident was at 02:30 BST between junctions 11 and 12, near the Oxfordshire and Warwickshire border. Motorists were held on the road overnight. It reopened at 14:30 BST. West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "Sadly nothing could be done to save the driver of one lorry, a man, and he was confirmed dead on scene." The statement added: "A second lorry driver, a man in his 50s, was found to have sustained minor arm injuries and neck pain. "He was given treatment by ambulance staff before being discharged on scene. "A third patient, with minor injuries, was treated by our South Central colleagues."

Summary: One man was killed and two people were injured in a crash involving three lorries and a car on the M40.


The route, which goes through the East Midlands, was due to be electrified but rising costs have halted the project. Jon Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South, said people in the region feel let down by the decision. Alberto Costa, Conservative MP for South Leicestershire, said he wanted to work with Mr Ashworth on the issue. Mr Ashworth said: "Experts in the rail industry were warning about this back in November and it was in the Conservative Party manifesto. "Cabinet ministers came to the Midlands to marginal seats and made these promises. "That's why people feel let down." Mr Costa said he was giving Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin time to speak with professionals ready for an update on the project. He said: "Jon [Ashworth] and I stand as one, we want to see this and I'm happy to work with him on this." Mr McLoughlin is due to be questioned by MPs over his decision on Monday.

Summary: The government is under pressure to reverse its decision to pause the £500m electrification of the Midland Mainline.


In just one day, more than 672,000 people have read the story after seeing it on their social media accounts. The shooting at Garissa University by the Somali militant group al-Shabab left 147 people dead. One person later died from their wounds. But the story was written in April 2015. 86% of viewers saw the story on Facebook. The story has even appeared on the BBC news website under current "most read stories". Many people seem to think that this is a recent attack, one that happened after the Orlando shootings, and began sharing the story on social media. Readers have felt sadness and shock at what they thought was another recent tragic attack based on religious motives. Leon Sousa tweeted the story, writing: "OMG another attack, what is going on in the world, these poor people, my thoughts and prayers with the families." Others criticise western media organisations for not covering the attack. Terry Mendez posted the link on Facebook, asking: "Why isn't this in the news 147 students murdered in a Kenyan university?" Some social media users began commenting that the story was not appearing in mainstream media because the attack took place in Africa, and the victims were predominantly black. Kevin Falkenberg wrote on Facebook: "If these kids were gay or white you would be reading this in English and seeing it posted all across your FB". One of the earliest mentions of Garissa can be traced to Spanish-speaking Facebook users. It's possible that articles raising issues of race were then shared which then highlighted the Garissa attack. Users began sharing an article in Spanish about the difference between the shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando targeting gays, and the assault on Garissa University against Christians. They then also started to post links to an old article from when the attack happened in 2015. But many thought that the attack had taken place after the Orlando shootings. Sanis Jimenez, from the Dominican Republic, commented on Facebook in Spanish about the lack of coverage on Garissa. He posted that the attack appeared not to seem as important to people because those who died were mainly poor and black. Leonel's Lozano-Lmc in Panama echoed his remarks, writing that that black and poor people seemed less important to the world. Facebook was unable to comment on why this particular story has become so popular on its platform, as a number of factors are involved in why certain stories are shared and not others. One possible reason for a large number of shares comes from Facebook's list of trending topics. Justin Osofsky from Facebook explains that this list is a way to help people discover major events. In a blog post detailing how the feature works, he says: "This list is personalised - meaning different people will see different trending topics depending on their location, the pages they have previously liked, feedback provided by the user and what's trending on Facebook overall". This is not the first time the story about the assault on the university in Garissa has had a resurgence.

Summary: Following the shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, USA, people have been sharing a BBC news story about an attack in Kenya.


The army agent, who was given the codename Stakeknife, has been named by the BBC as west Belfast man Fred Scappaticci. He has denied he was an agent. Northern Ireland's director of public prosecutions wants the new investigation to look at what information the army, MI5 and the Royal Ulster Constabulary's Special Branch received from Stakeknife. The families welcomed the news but said they did not want the Police Service of Northern Ireland to lead any investigation. Shauna Moreland's mother Caroline was taken from her west Belfast home and murdered by the IRA in 1994 after being accused of being an informant. Her killing came just weeks before the IRA ceasefire. She left behind three young children. Shauna described the announcement as a "step forward". "I believe if she was an informant her handlers would have been able to step in and save her and if she wasn't an informant, Stakeknife's handlers would have known what was happening," she said. "There was also a police report that went missing on my mummy. She was reported as a missing person, so where was that investigation?" Ms Moreland said she wanted to know the truth about what happened to her mother. She said he wanted "evidence one way or another whether she was or was not an informant and for the people who were involved in her murder to be held accountable". Frank Mulhern's son Joseph was shot dead by the IRA in 1993 on suspicion of being a Special Branch informant. Mr Mulhern said he wanted the case to be investigated by an international team of detectives "who would be totally free from any pressure from the security services here". "My son died a very violent death and he didn't need to die," he said. "There must have been other RUC informants there who could have said where my son was being held. They may very well have even known he was going to be taken away by the IRA beforehand. "They must have reported this to their handlers, but the handlers must have done nothing. "I want justice for my dead son, I want the involvement of the state security forces brought to light and I want the people who covered up my son's and other murders to face the courts."

Summary: Some families of IRA murder victims have been giving their reaction to the announcement that the army's most high ranking agent within the IRA is to be investigated about the murder of at least 24 people.


Crowds lined the route of the 24-hour torch relay which began in Stoke Mandeville on Tuesday night. The relay ran more than two hours late but reduced breaks made up time. A splinter flame was taken to the Stadium in case the delays were not overcome but the opening ceremony ran late and the flame made it on time. A late-finishing ceremony in Stoke Mandeville and the time required for multiple exchanges of the flame between team members were blamed for the timing slipping throughout the relay. Organisers Locog cut down on breaks and reduced the number of photo opportunities and a late-running opening ceremony meant the the flame was used to light the cauldron in the Olympic Stadium. Crowds gathered in the market square in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, to watch the start of the relay and thousands more turned out overnight along the route to cheer on the torchbearers. After arriving in London, the flame, which is being carried by 580 torchbearers, was taken up the steps to Britain's first traditional Hindu temple, the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir temple in Brent, where a torch was lit at about 08:30 BST. Barry Gardiner, MP for Brent, took part in a ceremony which involved pulling apart string made up of different threads and colours to "allow" the Paralympic torch through. He said: "It was a very special moment. We have been waiting since 6.30am and the thrill and excitement is just fantastic. I don't think there has ever been a setting like this, for an Olympic or Paralympic flame." By Damon RoseBBC News The Paralympic Games are being talked-up a lot this year. Channel 4 has put a lot of marketing and production effort into bringing the Games to a wider audience than before, with over 500 hours promised to UK viewers. Important figures in sport and politics have stepped up to tell us that the Games will "dazzle" and "inspire". Seb Coe said those watching the sports would be "blown away". But will we all want to see TV coverage of the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi? Or the next summer Games at Rio 2016? And is there a worldwide clamour to push this recently unearthed disability agenda across the globe, or are we just feeling it more because it's our Games? The significance of London 2012 Paralympics will be in the legacy and it might take a little while before we can fully appreciate the impact of that. Read more on BBC Ouch! disability blog In Maida Vale a team of torchbearers was cheered by crowds as the flame was carried over the Abbey Road crossing, made famous by The Beatles album cover. At London Zoo in Regent's Park the flame was held aloft in the penguin enclosure by torchbearers Adam Hollick, John Craig, Fiona Forsyth, Charlie Humphrys and Aruna Mahtani. All members of the team, who were previously unemployed and have disabilities including spinal cord injury, blindness and impaired mental health, have trained and qualified as gym fitness instructors. Former boxer Michael Watson, wheelchair racer Dame Tanni Grey Thompson and Paralympic swimmer

Summary: Thousands of people turned out to welcome the Paralympic flame as it travelled to the Olympic Stadium for the opening ceremony of the Games.


There were also golds for James Crisp, who won his fifth European title in the S9 100m backstroke, while Ollie Hynd led home a GB one-two in the S8 400m freestyle with Josef Craig taking silver. Hannah Russell (S12 50m freestyle) and Stephanie Millward (S9 100m backstroke) added silvers to the GB medal haul. Rodgers beat her previous best of 36.01 seconds, set in 2012, with an impressive 35.90 to triumph by 2.82secs and take her third consecutive title. The 32-year-old, who missed out on a medal in the event at London 2012, is benefiting from a new butterfly technique where she uses just one arm and although most of her main rivals are from outside Europe, she was pleased with her time. "I've been working quite hard on that one," she said. "Last week was a bit of a mixed bag for me at trials so it's really nice to come out and get a good time. "It's great to see the hard work paying off. If PBs and records happen all the time then you take it for granted but it's such an amazing feeling." Sheffield's Crisp, 33, who won his first European title back in 1999, used all his experience over the second 50m to finish 0.8secs ahead of Poland's Patryk Biskup with team-mate Lewis White finishing fourth at his first major championships. "I kind of see the last 19 years as a bit of a warm-up to this year," he said. "This is the year that counts and it's good to know I am there or thereabouts and fighting for the medals still. "I have to change my training a little bit now I am in my thirties but I feel strong and fit." S8 400m silver medallist Craig was competing just a day after being disqualified from the S8 100m freestyle final because his tattoo breached advertising regulations. He returned to the pool on Monday with the design covered up.

Summary: Susie Rodgers improved her own S7 50m butterfly European record to win one of three golds for Great Britain on day two of the IPC Swimming Open European Championships in Madeira.


Without a national uniform to wear because he was competing under the Olympic flag following Kuwait's suspension from the Rio Games, he decided to don an Arsenal shirt. Whether he knows the football club's nickname is the Gunners is doubtful. Nevertheless, the top helped him win Olympic bronze in the men's skeet. Asked why he had worn it, he replied: "I don't know, I just bought it." Some didn't waste any time cracking a few jokes at Arsenal's expense. Christopher Flux suggested on Facebook that they could do with a sharp-shooter of their own, while Ash Dolan tweeted his surprise that Al-Rashidi finished third and not fourth, which has often been the side's fate in recent times. The Gunners were second to champions Leicester City in May but have finished fourth on six occasions in the last 11 seasons.

Summary: It seemed like the ideal solution but the significance was perhaps lost on Abdullah al-Rashidi.


Lesley Griffiths said the risk would not fall in coming weeks, and spring wild bird migration could increase the chances of further cases. On Monday it was confirmed that a wild duck died from the disease in Conwy, following cases in south Wales. On Tuesday, Ms Griffiths told AMs that more cases were likely to be found. Public health officials have stressed that the risk to humans is "very low". Ms Griffiths previously announced the extension of an all-Wales avian flu prevention zone until 28 February 2017. Similar measures have been introduced in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. "Work is in hand, with Defra and the Scottish Government, to consider what the exit strategy might be for lifting the prevention zone," she said in a statement. "I cannot stress enough the need for those who keep poultry flocks and other domestic birds to remain alert for signs of the disease, to contact their private veterinarians if they have any concerns and to practice the highest levels of biosecurity," Ms Griffiths added.

Summary: The risk of more cases of avian flu in poultry and other captive birds may increase in the weeks ahead, Wales' rural affairs secretary has warned.


Kitchen units, a hob, fridge freezer, dishwasher and sink were taken from the site in Crocketford. The theft happened at the Ottersburn development in the village some time between Friday and Tuesday. The units taken were Porter Alabaster rigid cabinets and the total value of the goods taken about Â£7,500. Police have asked anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area to contact them. PC Victoria Thomson said "Clearly this theft would have taken a bit of time and a large vehicle to remove all the units and appliances. "We are keen to hear from anyone who may have been in the area of the Ottersburn development over the weekend to give us a call if they saw or heard anything suspicious."

Summary: Thieves took everything - including the kitchen sink - in a raid on a house under construction in Dumfries and Galloway.


The 27-year-old was a key part of the Foxes side that won the Premier League in 2015-16, but asked to leave the club amid interest from the Blues. Chelsea have also signed defender Davide Zappacosta from Torino on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee. However, striker Fernando Llorente opted for Tottenham instead of a move to Stamford Bridge. And Everton midfielder Ross Barkley changed his mind about joining Antonio Conte's side. Leicester expect to confirm the signing of Adrien Silva, 28, from Sporting Lisbon on Friday for £22m as a midfield replacement. Drinkwater played in 35 of Leicester's 38 league games in their title-winning season and formed an impressive midfield partnership with N'Golo Kante, who joined Chelsea last July. He has yet to play this season because of a thigh injury. The playmaker, who joined Leicester in 2012 from Manchester United, has won three England caps since making his international debut in March 2016. "I'm delighted to be a Chelsea player and can't wait to get started," said Drinkwater. "It has been a long journey to get here but I am very happy and am looking forward to helping the club win more trophies." Zappacosta has been capped four times by Italy, with Blues boss Conte handing him his first call-up to the national squad in May 2016. The 25-year-old full-back joined Torino from Atalanta in 2015 and made 29 Serie A appearances last season. "I hope I can show my quality to the coach, my team-mates and the supporters," said Zappacosta. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Summary: Chelsea have signed midfielder Danny Drinkwater from Leicester City for £35m.


Appearing at The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, she said: "However you look at it, he is me." Rendell, made a peer in 1997, said she gave Wexford many of her habits as well as her hatred of corporal punishment and a memory for birthdays. She also paid tribute to the late actor George Baker who played Wexford on TV series The Ruth Rendell Mysteries. The 80-year-old, from West Lavington, Wiltshire, died of pneumonia on Friday following a recent stroke. "Where would Wexford have been without George?" Rendell said. The actor had "made the popularity and the character - a lot of it was George," she added. "It was a marvellous achievement as an actor to make him more and better than the author intended," she told the festival. The Ruth Rendell Mysteries ran for 12 series in the 1980s and 1990s on ITV. She said that, like her, Wexford liked to walk around in London, read poetry and was tolerant - "but not of cruelty or indifference or callousness". Rendell's latest novel, The Vault, sees Wexford come out of retirement to try to crack an unsolved crime. Speaking to the BBC, Baker's daughter, Ellie, said her father "absolutely loved Wexford and he loved being Wexford... and he loved the whole thing. It was a joy to him." His third wife, Louie Ramsey, who died earlier this year, played his wife Dora in The Ruth Rendell Mysteries.

Summary: Author Ruth Rendell has admitted that her famous creation, Ch Insp Reginald Wexford, is based on her.


His victory in the small West African nation's presidential poll is arguably an even bigger shock than that of fellow property mogul in the US, Donald Trump. Mr Barrow's opponent Yahya Jammeh, has ruled the country for more than two decades, but said if God willed it, his presidency could go on for "a billion years". Before the 51-year-old was chosen in September as the candidate to represent seven Gambian opposition parties at the election, he had spent 10 years working in property, having started his own estate agency in 2006. In the early 2000s, he lived in the UK for several years, where he reportedly worked as a security guard at the Argos catalogue store in north London, while studying for his real estate qualifications. British media have even reported that while guarding the shop on Holloway Road, he made a citizen's arrest on a shoplifter, which resulted in a six-month jail term. It was also during that period that Mr Barrow chose to support Arsenal FC, at that time his local club. Despite the uncertainty over whether the disputed election, he recently shared a picture on Twitter of him wearing the north London club's jersey and declared support for the team: "You can change your politics, but never can you change your favourite football team! Thank you â€” @Arsenal! #Gambia #Arsenal" He was born in 1965, the same year his country gained independence from British colonial rule, in a small village near the market town of Basse in the east of the country. Throughout his campaign, he pledged support for an independent judiciary, as well as increased freedom for the media and civil society. Six things about Adama Barrow: He described his opponent as a "soulless dictator" and promised to undo some of Mr Jammeh's more controversial moves. "We will take the country back to the Commonwealth and the International Criminal Court (ICC)," he said. A devout Muslim, he also criticised the lack of a two-term limit on the presidency and condemned the jailing of political opposition figures. Speaking to the BBC three days before the election, Mr Barrow said that Gambians "had been suffering for 22 years" and were ready for change. He scorned the achievements of his opponent, who boasted of having brought The Gambia out of the stone age with his education and health programmes. More on President Jammeh's rule: The hospitals President Jammeh had built had "no drugs... or quality doctors", the schools "no teachers, no chairs... no good educational materials", he said. They were "white elephant projects". Although he became treasurer of the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) party in 2013, Mr Barrow was not a household name in The Gambia. He was described as "little-known" even by one of the local media outlets supporting him. In an interview with a local media, Mai Ceesay, a former female UDP youth leader, describes Mr Barrow as industrious and humble, calling him the perfect candidate: "He is humble, kind and industrious man who breaks the deal. He is down to the earth," she said. In his

Summary: Adama Barrow, a successful property developer who has never held public office, has defied the odds to score a shock victory in The Gambia's elections.


With 196 teams left in the competition, non-league clubs up and down the country will look to continue their journey on the road to Wembley in the third qualifying round - and they are just two wins away from a potential televised first-round match against a Football League club. From a taxi driver who once outshone Wayne Rooney to a double hat-trick scoring 37-year-old and the son of a Champions League winner, BBC Sport takes a look at some of those aiming to keep their hopes of FA Cup glory alive. As Wayne Rooney prepares for England's Euro 2016 qualifier against Estonia on Sunday, Stefan Moore, a player once regarded as highly as the Manchester United striker, will be in FA Cup third qualifying round action for Conference North side Leamington, who host local rivals Worcester City. Moore, 31, played in the Premier League for Aston Villa and also turned out for Queens Park Rangers and Leicester City, but dropped into non-league football five years ago. Also the owner of a taxi firm, it is perhaps not the life Moore envisaged when he upstaged Rooney in the 2002 FA Youth Cup final between Villa and Everton. "You get a lot of negative articles about him being a taxi driver, but they always fail to mention that he owns the company," says Leamington boss Paul Holleran. "He is an excellent pro on and off the pitch. He is someone the players look up to, he is someone the fans enjoy watching and speaking to. "Probably the reason he dropped down the ladder as quick as he did is because he loves playing football. He didn't want to be in the reserves, he didn't want to be on the bench. He just loves to play." If ever there was proof that age is just a number, then Iyseden Christie's exploits in the FA Cup recently is it. The former Mansfield Town and Leyton Orient striker, who turns 38 next month, hit a double hat-trick for Halesowen Town - who play in the eighth tier of English football - in a 7-1 win against Ellistown & Ibstock United to secure his team's place in this weekend's third qualifying round. "Everything that came my way ended up going in," Christie says. "I scored with my head, left foot and right foot, so it was the perfect hat-trick, except it happened twice!" Christie's goal-scoring feat is reminiscent of George Best grabbing six in a FA Cup fifth-round win for Manchester United against Northampton 44 years ago. "Iyseden had scored three by half-time and when he went into the dressing room he looked at me and said 'don't take me off boss'," says Halesowen Town manager John Hill. "At that stage I reckon he was thinking about a double hat-trick. "It is good because it is special for him, and it has brought some great publicity to the club. "Every now and then people just need a reminder of how great the competition is and Iyseden scoring six goals at 37 does that." Media playback is not supported

Summary: A World Cup winner, the oldest club in world football and a team named after a country are just three of the 540 sides to have exited the FA Cup since qualifying got under way in August.


Here are some of the most memorable quotes from the billionaire businessman and Newcastle United owner's appearance: On the growth of Sports Direct: On ending sexual harassment in the workplace: "Simple as that fellas. Not just fellas, girls. Sorry." He said he would change unfair practices but added: When asked about his offer to fly MPs to the firm's headquarters in his helicopter: "There are far too many of you. You wouldn't get very far." As the list of allegations were put to him: When asked about BHS: Oh, I can't resist it. 100% I wanted to buy BHS. After that revelation, he pleaded: "Please don't ask me any more questions or else I'll get shot."

Summary: Sports Direct's Mike Ashley has been grilled by MPs about the working practices at his firm after a series of allegations.


The signage on Anderson Street in Merkinch is part of a phase of work in the construction of the city's new flood alleviation scheme. Local resident Sarah Mackay said: "A no entry sign is a no entry sign, you don't need nine signs to say no entry." The contractor involved said they were needed for the number of access points. Another resident, David McCall, said: "Everyone can see the road's closed. "Why do you need signs taking up the pavement?" A spokesperson for the contractor McLaughlin and Harvey said the traffic management system was drawn up by another firm and approved by Highland Council. The spokesperson added: "The reason there are so many signs on that section of Anderson Street is that there are a lot of access points."

Summary: Eight no entry signs and an illuminated road closure sign to mark an Inverness one-way system have been described as unnecessary by people who live there.


Members of the RMT union will walk out for 48 hours from Sunday 7 August, 24 hours on Thursday August 11 and over the weekend of 13/14 August. The RMT is against the increased use of trains on which the driver opens and closes the doors at stations. ScotRail has said such operations are already common on the network. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "Recent rock-solid strikes on ScotRail have been supported by the travelling public who understand that the staff are fighting for the basic principles of rail safety. "In spite of this, Abellio/Scotrail continue to ignore the strength of feeling amongst their staff and passengers over the extension of driver-only operation." ScotRail says 59% of customers already travel on a train where the doors are safely opened and closed by the driver, and insists that the job, pay and conditions of conductors are guaranteed. Phil Verster, managing director of Scotrail Alliance, has previously said: "This industrial action by the RMT is not about safety, it's not about a second person on a train and it's not about jobs or pay and conditions. "It is about modernisation of the railway and preparing us for a railway that Scotland can be proud of for the next 40 or 50 years."

Summary: Workers on ScotRail are to stage a fresh wave of strikes in a long-running dispute over the increased use of trains without guards.


David Mundell argued that it was time for Holyrood to "end its dominance" over Scottish life. And he said Westminster was "setting the pace" in breaking up the "central government monolith". The Scottish government said it had a "dynamic agenda of shifting power". It also said Mr Mundell had "no credibility" when it came to devolution, given his opposition to amendments to the Scotland Bill. And it urged Mr Mundell to look at how Westminster was handling local authority affairs south of the border before criticising the situation in Scotland. Mr Mundell was speaking in Glasgow days after council leaders warned that Scottish finance secretary John Swinney's latest budget plans would be "catastrophic" for jobs and services in Scotland's local authorities. Mr Swinney has allocated Â£10.3bn for local government as part of his spending plans for 2016, which local government body Cosla said amounted to a Â£350m cut. There is almost an iron rule of local government - when in opposition people call for more decentralisation, and when in government they tend not to decentralise as much as they claimed they would. It strikes me that in their different ways, although both parties are in government, they are playing out that kind of line. Both Mr Mundell and Mr Swinney are, in a sense, talking up what they have done that they think fits with the agenda of localism. So David Mundell, and indeed the chancellor and the government in England, are talking about devolution to local authorities. But there was no mention of the requirement, for example, that Manchester should have a mayor before it got those accumulated authorities for Greater Manchester. That is throwing aside the democratic decision of people who lived in and around Manchester when they actually voted on having a mayor a while ago. Similarly, Mr Swinney is talking about about giving the power to local authorities to "vary" business rates. A more accurate word would have been giving them the power to "reduce". If you were genuinely giving power and authority and accountability to local authorities, you would enable them to reduce and/or increase business rates. So (both governments) tend to play up what they are doing well and be quiet about these areas where centralisation and control sits at the heart of what is going on. The Scottish secretary argued that councils' concerns about the future mean it is time for an "honest and frank" debate about the way forward for them. His proposals would see local authorities given greater control over areas such as health, transport and policing, with towns and cities also having more say over their own affairs. Mr Mundell said: "The interminable debate about Scotland's constitutional place within the UK has drowned out debate about how power and responsibility is distributed within Scotland. "The referendum was decisive and an obsession with independence can no longer be an excuse to ignore this issue. It's time for Holyrood to step up and send real powers to the people. "There is a revolution going on in local government across the rest of the United

Summary: Scottish cities, towns and villages risk being left behind other parts of the UK unless they are given greater control over their own affairs, the Scottish secretary has claimed.


Kim Eacott's terrier, Scally, had "separation anxiety" and would bark constantly at her Hereford cottage. Angela Waring, of Crickhowell, Powys, was held jointly responsible by a judge in the noise nuisance complaint as she owned the home. She has contested the decision at London's Appeal Court, which will make a ruling at a later date. Mrs Waring paid for her daughter's cottage despite the pair having fallen out. The court heard Scally barked incessantly when Miss Eacott was not at home in 2011 and 2012, prompting neighbours Bryn and Diane Cocking to file a claim the noise was "unreasonable in its frequency and duration". Mrs Waring said she offered to take Scally to a "dog whisperer" to try to calm him down, despite not being on speaking terms with her daughter. In Worcester County Court in 2013, judge Daniel Pearce-Higgins upheld the Cockings' noise nuisance claim. Miss Eacott was ordered to pay £3,500 in damages and her mother £1,000. Both were hit with a £31,000 legal costs bill. Mrs Waring has asked the court to rule that she was not responsible for her daughter, so should not have to pay for her failing to control Scally. Hamish MacBean, for Mrs Waring, said she had done her best to defuse the row and wrote to her daughter, telling her: "If Scally barks when you are not there, there is a dog whisperer in Abergavenny who can cure him in a gentle way." The court heard their relationship was so strained Mrs Waring had been advised by police not to talk to her daughter following a harassment complaint. Catherine Doran, for the Cockings, said: "Were it not for Mrs Waring's failure to abate the nuisance, Mr and Mrs Cocking would not have had to issue a claim at all." Lady Justice Arden argued Mrs Waring had "turned a blind eye" to the problem. The court heard Scally has since been put down. Appeal Court judges reserved their decision until an unspecified future date.

Summary: A woman is fighting a £30,000 legal bill after her daughter's yapping dog prompted legal action by neighbours.


The book claimed 38% of an online vote, beating rivals including How Tea Cosies Changed the World and God's Doodle: The Life and Times of the Penis. The title, written by Reginald Bakeley, gives practical advice on how to banish fairies from your home. More than 1000 people voted in the poll for the website welovethisbook.com. The Diagram Prize was set up by Bruce Robinson in 1978 to prevent boredom at the annual Frankfurt Book Fair, with Proceedings of the Second International Workshop on Nude Mice the inaugural winner. Diagram Prize administrator Philip Stone, charts editor for The Bookseller - welovethisbook.com's sister website - said: "People might think it is just a bit of fun, but it spotlights an undervalued art that can make or break a work of literature. "Books such as A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time all owe a sizeable part of their huge successes to their odd monikers." He added: "The kind of niche, off-beat publications that often appear on the Diagram Prize shortlist might not make their writers or publishers rich beyond their wildest dreams, but the fact writers still passionately write such works and publishers are still willing to invest in them is a marvellous thing that deserves to be celebrated." Bookseller diarist Horace Bent said: "In Goblinproofing One's Chicken Coop the public have chosen a hugely important work regarding the best way to protect one's fowl from the fairy realm's most bothersome creatures. "Everyone knows well the hazards cats, dogs and foxes hold for owners of chickens, not to mention red mite, but the public has recognised the need to illuminate this hitherto under-reported nuisance." The award was accepted by the book's US editor Clint Marsh, who said: "The Diagram Prize celebrates the playfulness that is at the heart of much of the world's best book publishing. "Reginald and I take this as a clear sign that people have had enough of goblins in their chicken coops. Our campaign against the fairy kingdom continues." The other titles shortlisted for the Diagram Prize were How to Sharpen Pencils, Was Hitler Ill? and Lofts of North America: Pigeon Lofts. Previous winners include Greek Rural Postmen and Their Cancellation Numbers, Highlights in the History of Concrete, Bombproof Your Horse and last year's recipient Cooking with Poo.

Summary: A publication named Goblinproofing One's Chicken Coop has been named as the winner of the Diagram Prize for oddest book title of the year.


The coin, said to date from the dawn of English Christianity, was unearthed in East Grafton by a metal detectorist. Richard Bishop, from auctioneers Spink and Sons, said the final sale price was a "magnificent achievement" for such a "small but perfectly formed gold thrymsa". Wiltshire Museum bought the coin after a fundraising campaign. It features a head motif with a Christian cross and is believed to have been struck in modern-day France. Experts believe it was in circulation just after the burial of King Raedwald at Sutton Hoo around AD 625. Only five examples of this type of coin have ever been found. Wiltshire Museum director David Dawson, said they were "delighted" to have bought the "important coin", which he said will help experts understand the importance of the Vale of Pewsey and the Kingdom of Wessex in the Saxon period. The museum had donations from all over the world, including grants from Arts Council England, Victoria and Albert Purchase Grant Fund and the Art Fund. Stephen Deuchar, director of the Art Fund, said: "Very few coins of such quality exist... It's a wonderful addition to the museum's collection."

Summary: An "excessively rare" Saxon gold coin that was discovered near a Wiltshire village has been sold for £21,600.


The 26-year-old has agreed a two-year deal with the Lions, with the option of a further 12 months. Former Bury and Rotherham United wide man Worrall scored nine goals in 84 appearances during two years with the Shrimpers. "David adds something different to the team and has good delivery," Millwall boss Neil Harris told the club website. Worrall is the club's first signing since their play-off final defeat by Barnsley at Wembley. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Summary: Millwall have signed David Worrall following the winger's departure from League One rivals Southend United.


Passengers who have booked flights on the route are currently being taken by bus to Edinburgh Airport. The airline said the decision was due to an "ongoing review" of its operation at Dundee Airport. The service, Dundee Airport's first non-chartered international route, was launched in May. It has been rerouted via Edinburgh since 10 November. Dundee West MP Chris Law said at the time he was optimistic that rerouting the flights was a short-term issue. A FlyBe spokeswoman said: "Due to the ongoing review of Flybe's operation at Dundee Airport, flights to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport will continue to operate via Edinburgh Airport until further notice. "Passengers are being contacted and advised of the arrangements put in place to facilitate their transfer between the two airports. "Flybe sincerely apologises to customers for any inconvenience resulting from this disruption. "The airline remains committed to working with Dundee Airport to resolve this as quickly as possible." The route is FlyBe's fourth under the UK government's Â£7m regional air connectivity fund. The airline previously announced the service would begin operating on Saturdays from November due to popular demand.

Summary: FlyBe's new daily Dundee to Amsterdam service has been rerouted "until further notice", the airline has confirmed.


Mosaab, his wife Nada and their three children are getting used to life in Scotland. They are among hundreds of Syrian people who fled the war and have started new lives with refugee status. The BBC has agreed not to use their surnames because they fear speaking out may put their family members still in Syria at risk. Mosaab was a tiler and self-employed lorry driver in Syria. Before the war, he says life was good, living together in peace. They would take trips to the coast and go to the countryside to pick olives straight from the tree. "I lost friends in the war, our house was destroyed and I was fleeing from place to place looking for a shelter, " he says. "Even when I moved to a new place seeking safety for my children, after a while they started bombing there too so I decided to leave for a new country so at least my children would not to hear the sounds of explosions. "I and my wife were swapping shifts to take care of my children during the night in case they woke up scared from the sounds of explosions." The family fled to Lebanon, paying bribes to the border guards. Mosaab hired a car to work as a taxi driver there until they were offered safe passage to Scotland. They are now building new lives for themselves in Clydebank. I ask him what would have happened if he hadn't fled their home in Homs? "We would be dead," he replies. He describes the difference between Syria and Clydebank as "Hell and Paradise". Mosaab's eldest daughter, Amal, is twelve. She has learned her first hundred words of English. It won't be long before she can join the rest of her class at her local secondary school. "I would like to say to the Scottish people 'thank you' - and I hope we will be a good example for the Scottish people," she tells me. "I am so glad to live in Scotland and meet Scottish people. I am happy because they settled us with Scottish neighbours to learn their language. "We just miss our families and relatives because we are far away from them but the nice way in which the Scottish people have treated us fills that space in our lives." Scottish families in their block of flats have given the children scooters to play on. A group of women called Knit for Unity has made them hats and scarves to keep them warm. Volunteers at the Maryhill Integration Network have been helping them to settle in. Syrian, Munir Enkideh, is one of them. He is well-placed to give them advice on starting a new life here because he did the same himself three years ago. He offers them Halal meat, Syrian bread and friendship. The family have only praise for the community in Clydebank. Amal says fish and chips are delicious! Mosaab now feels they can look forward to a future: "We hope to have safety and success and that the Scottish people accept us in

Summary: A Syrian refugee family who arrived in Scotland before Christmas have spoken exclusively to the BBC about the suffering they fled - and thanked their new community for the warm welcome they have received.


Louise Kelton, 57, has been formally sworn into the post, which holds legendary status in the United States. It is the oldest federal law enforcement office in America and marshals track down some of the country's most wanted fugitives. Ms Kelton, who moved to Louisiana aged 23, is marshal for the Middle District of Tennessee. She was born on a US air force base in Wales to an American serviceman and a Welsh mother, and was brought up in the Butetown district of the capital, where her mother and brother still live. In 1978, she gave up her job as a physiotherapist and moved to Louisiana, where her father was from. She only intended to stay in the States for year but ended up studying and graduating with honours from Texas Southern University in 1992 with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. She said: "My dad was an American serviceman and I just wanted to see where he was from. "Basically my idea was to come over here for a year and bum around and then come back home, but I ran out of money money in Nashville, so I got a job." Ms Kelton also holds a master's degree in Public Service Management from Cumberland University, Tennessee. She spent 33 years with the Metro Nashville police department, rising through the ranks from patrol officer through sergeant, lieutenant, captain and finally commander of the city's North Precinct before becoming deputy chief five years ago. Marshals are also charged with protecting the federal courts and their officers, transporting prisoners and serving arrest warrants. The role was most famously portrayed by John Wayne and Tommy Lee Jones in Hollywood movies such as True Grit and The Fugitive. She is only the second black woman to hold the post. Ms Kelton's mother and brother still live in the Cardiff home she grew up in. Brother, David Watkins, said: "She's a very high achiever. I've always been proud of my sister. She's my big sister." Former teacher and family friend Betty Campbell said: "She's made us feel really really proud."

Summary: President Barack Obama has nominated a physiotherapist from Cardiff to become a US marshal.


Selkorinn Choir sang in wind and rain outside a window of the ward where Groa Petursdottir is a patient. She missed four of the group's performances in Scotland after falling ill. Staff at the hospital kept the arrangements of the hospital gig a secret from her. Patients from other wards, including the children's ward, were also able to watch the performance from their windows. The choir had to leave for home after completing its Scottish tour without Ms Petursdottir. She said of their surprise performance: "It was very nice of them and a lovely surprise. I was very moved."

Summary: An Icelandic choir has performed a surprise gig at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness where one of its members has been receiving treatment.


A surge in the Â£60 charges followed a change in government guidelines which said such absences were only permitted in "exceptional circumstances". But the policy was thrown into confusion in May when the High Court ruled a single holiday did not break rules on regular attendance. Now Derbyshire County Council has said only extreme cases will be fined. In the 2014/2015 school year, Derbyshire County Council handed out nearly 3,200 of the Â£60 per child, per week fines - the fifth highest number in the country. The High Court ruling, which is the subject of an appeal, left education authorities having to decide how to apply the existing rules and subsequently a number of court cases were abandoned. Derbyshire County Council has confirmed its "interim arrangements", which state if attendance is above 94% - equivalent to missing 11 or 12 days - over the previous 12 months, only a warning letter will be issued. Katherine Boulton, the council's service director for schools and learning, said: "We strongly recommend that pupils should not be taken out of school during term time. "But there are always exceptional circumstances and the council believes these measures are fair and proportionate." Craig Langman, of campaign group Parents Want A Say, said: "This is great news. We have heard of some parents who were facing action, checking on the progress of cases against them, only to be told their child's attendance now comes within acceptable limits. "But this is the first instance I know of where a education authority has clearly stated new guidelines. It's a great step and we encourage others to follow suit."

Summary: Fines for taking children on holiday in school term time are being largely abandoned by a local authority.


The cuts affected power stations and public transport, including Istanbul's tram and metro systems. A crisis centre has been set up at the energy ministry. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said all possible causes are being examined, including terrorism. The cut hit at 10:36 (07:36 GMT) on Tuesday morning. Power cuts were reported in at least 40 of Turkey's 81 provinces. Traffic lights stopped working in several parts of Istanbul and Ankara during the outage, causing traffic jams, while rescue teams were called to help people trapped in lifts or stuck underground at metro stations. By Tuesday afternoon, electricity returned to parts of Istanbul. Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said about "80% of Istanbul's electricity has been restored" and he expected power to return to the rest of the country soon. Istanbul's transport company said all of its routes were back up and running. Turkish TV also reported that power had been re-established in the cities of Edirne, Tekirdag, Erzurum and Trabzon. "Our main target right now is to restore the network. This is not an incident that we see frequently," Mr Yildiz told Turkish media. Turkey suffers from sporadic electricity cuts but locals say they cannot remember such a nationwide cut for a generation, reports the BBC's Mark Lowen in Istanbul. One of the few cities unaffected by the power cut was Van in the east of the country, where electricity is supplied from Iran.

Summary: A massive power cut has hit dozens of provinces across Turkey, with officials saying a break in connections with mainland Europe could be to blame.


Steven MacLean's second half finish deservedly earned three points and means the visitors leapfrog Motherwell, who lost to Aberdeen. "It's a 38 game league," Wright told BBC Scotland. "We try and prepare them for the whole season and the last few seasons we've tended to finish strong." Saints have won both matches since the Premiership split in half for the final run in and visit Motherwell next weekend. "Last season after the spilt we were unbeaten and that's difficult to do as you're playing against the sides that have been at the right end of the table all season," added Wright. Media playback is not supported on this device "We have a tough game coming up against Motherwell but we're in a nice position at the minute with three games to go. "We knew it would take a good performance coming up here, particularly with the result Ross County got last week at Celtic "Throughout the 90 minutes we controlled quite a huge chunk of that and never looked in any real danger. "We passed the ball well, defended well, got the goal at the right time and had not too many problems to deal with so I'm a happy manager." The only disappointment for Wright was another injury to Chris Millar who had to be replaced before half-time after suffering a calf injury. "Chris has a problem," explained Wright. "It's not the problem that's hampered him this season, it's a calf problem as well. "It doesn't look too serious so hopefully he'll get back for a couple of the games we've got left." Ross County manager Jim McIntyre saw his hopes of finishing fourth severely dented and was in no mood to gloss over an abject performance from his side. "We were really poor," he said. "I would put that up there as the poorest performance this season. "It looked as if we had nothing to play for. St Johnstone looked as thought they wanted it more. "It was a scrappy goal to lose the match but the best team won. "For the first time this season we didn't have a period in the game where you thought 'we're going to get a goal here'. "We just had most of the players off the pace of the game, it's as simple as that. We didn't start well and we didn't recover from that. "We've got professional pride and placing money to play for and that's still achievable but it's going to take a hell of a lot better performance than what we saw today."

Summary: Manager Tommy Wright is sure St Johnstone can hang on to fourth place in the Premiership after picking up a 1-0 win at Ross County.


McIlroy and US Open runner-up Shane Lowry opted not to compete for Ireland due to fears over the Zika virus, which has links to defects in newborn babies. "The shame for Rory is I really think he would have benefited from being around other athletes," McGinley said. With Graeme McDowell also absent, Padraig Harrington and world number 291 Seamus Power will represent Ireland. Three-time major winner Harrington, 44, and wife Caroline, who have two children, plan to watch as many other sports as possible in Rio after the golf tournament is over. "It's really good for the heart and the soul to be involved with so many other athletes where it's the most important thing in their game," said McGinley, who captained Europe to Ryder Cup victory over the United States at Gleneagles in 2014. "I think Padraig is going to come back a better person for it and the Irish team are going to benefit a lot from having Padraig around. "The Olympics will really stand them in good stead when they come away and back into the golfing environment again, having experienced other sports and seeing how other people approach it and also bouncing ideas off trainers and all kinds of experts who are going to be down there. "To be part of the biggest sporting event in the world is an opportunity that I'm certainly looking forward to." World number four McIlroy 27, has spoken about his desire to start a family in the near future, saying: "My health and my family's health comes before everything else. "Even though the risk of infection from the Zika virus is considered low, it is a risk nonetheless and a risk I am unwilling to take." Golf is returning to the Olympics after a 112-year absence but three of the world's top four players - Jason Day, Dustin Johnson and McIlroy - plus major winners including Adam Scott and Louis Oosthuizen have chosen not to play. The Olympics take place from 5 to 21 August. We've launched a new BBC Sport newsletter, bringing all the best stories, features and video right to your inbox. You can sign up here.

Summary: Ireland's Olympic golf captain Paul McGinley says Rory McIlroy could have learned from playing in the Rio Games.


His side won the Championship title on a dramatic final day of the season. Watford's draw against Sheffield Wednesday and Bournemouth's 3-0 win over Charlton saw the Cherries claim top spot and confirm promotion. "I do think we deserve it," said Howe. "In my opinion we have been the best team this season and led the division for the longest time." He continued: "It's fitting reward for the players - once again they were magnificent. We've consistently been the best team. Media playback is not supported on this device "I'm delighted the players can call themselves champions and we leave here on a real high and it's fully justified." Watford led the league by a point going into Saturday's final round of fixtures but Atdhe Nuhiu's late equaliser denied them three points and the Cherries took advantage at The Valley. With promotion all but sealed heading into the game, two goals from Matt Ritchie and one for Harry Arter earned the victory that earned the title. "It's a fantastic feeling and not something we expected turning up here today," added Howe. "We wanted to do our job and be professional and take care of things. "We were hopeful of a favour from Sheffield Wednesday and I did feel that was going to be a difficult game for Watford. When we played them very recently they never gave up that day. We are thankful for that bit of help." Howe's side will now celebrate their historic promotion, and contemplate a first season in the top flight of English football, with a bus parade on Monday. Bournemouth's 37-year-old manager will then turn his focus to next season's Premier League campaign, and he says the majority of his side will be given a chance to prove themselves in the top flight next term. "You can see from my track record with these guys that the guys that have performed so well will get an opportunity to perform," he said. "I don't believe in wholesale changes in the close season. I don't believe in not giving the players a chance to show whether they are good enough. "Ultimately they have to take that opportunity. We stuck with the majority of the squad from League One to the Championship. There will be subtle changes, there will be players coming in, there will be players leaving, but the core group will remain the same."

Summary: Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe says his side fully deserve to end the season as second-tier champions.


The All Party Parliamentary Group on Hunger warns too many children have to survive on crisps and energy drinks when school kitchens are closed. One group had to drop out of a summer football scheme because they had not eaten a meal in days, its report says. The Department for Work and Pensions says it is committed to tackling child poverty and disadvantage. According to the report, children at risk of holiday hunger include an estimated: For both groups, school holidays place extra burdens on family budgets in terms of food, fuel, activities and childcare. The report says this is sometimes "compounded" by a shortage of skills to cook and shop on a budget. It claims the loss of free school meals adds between £30 and £40 per week to parents' outgoings for one child. The Family and Childcare Trust told the inquiry that three out of four local authorities do not have enough childcare in the school holidays. Parents working on zero-hours contracts were said to be particularly vulnerable to the higher costs of childcare. Evidence during the two-month long inquiry to the group, included children reported to have vomited from lack of food, while others were being fed flavoured water or cereal as their parents could not afford proper meals for them. Referring to the group which had to drop out of playing football, the report says: "Their bodies simply gave up on them," says the report. Too many children return to school malnourished, sluggish and dreary, says the report. They are often weeks or months intellectually behind their better-off classmates who have a more wholesome diet during the holidays, it adds. It urges the government to set aside 10% of the tax on sugary drinks, due to start next year, to allocate £100,000 to every council to fund schemes to ensure that children are properly fed during the school holidays. It claims the cost of providing free meals and activities during holidays can be £1.50 per child per day. The report urges ministers to impose a statutory requirement on local authorities to run schemes delivering "free meals and fun" for children during school holidays, with voluntary groups "in the driving seat wherever possible". In the "fifth richest country in the world, too many children are stalked by hunger," said committee chairman Frank Field in his foreword, describing the evidence as "staggering". While highlighting examples of those tackling the problem, he said "abolishing hunger during school holidays is beyond the ability of individual community groups and volunteers alone". Dr Philippa Whitford, a vice chair of the group, said that losing access to free school meals during the holidays could "simply be the final straw which overwhelms some families' ability to keep their children fed and, particularly, nourished". "Hidden hunger does not just result in underweight children... those who are eating a stodgy low-protein diet, with no fresh fruit or vegetables, can end up both obese and yet malnourished," she said. In its response to the report, the Department for Work and Pensions also said the employment rate was the joint

Summary: Going hungry in the school holidays is a growing problem for up to three million UK children, MPs and peers say.


Abdul Hafidah was stabbed after he was hit by a car at about 17:15 BST on Thursday. He died later in hospital from a stab wound to the neck. Police believe he had been chased by a group of men near Greenheys Lane before being hit by the blue Vauxhall Corsa on Moss Lane East and then stabbed. A 19-year-old man is being questioned, Greater Manchester Police said. Two other people have been arrested in connection with Mr Hafidah's death. A 19-year-old man from Moss Side , who was arrested on suspicion of murder on Sunday after handing himself in at Longsight police station, remains in custody for questioning. A 17-year-old boy earlier arrested on suspicion of attempted murder has been bailed pending further inquiries. Officers are appealing for anyone with dash-cam or mobile phone footage of the incident to pass it on to them via dropbox or by calling at their local police station.

Summary: A man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering an 18-year-old man in the Moss Side area of Manchester.


This one-street market town, sitting on the border of the Kavre and Sindhupalchok districts towards the border with Tibet, was packed full of Saturday shoppers when the quake hit. Now it is quiet. Birds sing, villagers try to move rubble with their hands and, overhead, the hum of high-flying aid helicopters punctuates the air. "They are flying in the sky, but no-one has come up to now," says Prakash Bhandari, who works as a waiter in Kathmandu but returned to see if he could help his home village. "We are suffering. What to do?" he asks. Despite having one of the largest casualty figures from Saturday's earthquake, this area has received little or no aid. Villagers say they need tents and food, and that they are worried about disease. They dug up the bodies of the people they knew with their bare hands. But Saturday was a busy shopping day and they think that there are many more people under the rubble that they do not know. "We will die if there's no help from the government and other organisations," says Dhan Bahadur Shresthra who used to run the local pharmacy and was helping patients when the quake struck. "I worked as a medic in the army for 25 years so I know that if we don't have clean water or food to eat, then there could be an epidemic," he says. Further up the hill, villagers have taken matters into their own hands. In a hamlet that is now nothing more than mounds of red earth and wood, 22-year-old Anjali Majhi has hired an excavator to search for the body of her two-year-old daughter. Just before the quake hit, Ms Majhi had shouted at her daughter for bothering her and had sent her off to play with neighbours. Now she says she will not rest until she can give her a proper funeral. "We've found all the adults who died here and we've given them the last rites. I hope I can do the same for my daughter, otherwise I'll never forgive myself," she says. But Ms Majhi is not sure whether she will find her child. The owner of the excavator did not charge her to hire it, but he did make her pay for the fuel. It is running out now and she cannot afford to buy another tank. A few hundred metres away, across terraces of corn, men who have shaved their heads in mourning carry two bodies, shrouded in white, down to the river for cremation. These were found earlier in the day after another group of villagers hired the excavator for a few hours. It is the only help this area has seen since the quake ripped their lives apart. Then, out of nowhere, a bus arrives carrying dozens of Nepali volunteers. They are followers of the self-styled guru Master Godangel who stands at the roadside in robes of white and garlands of flowers and promises to help with food and shelter. "I feel really upset about this government, I feel really, really upset," he says.

Summary: There is little left in Deupur Sipaghat Kavre other than mounds of splintered wood and shattered bricks.


Burke became the most expensive Scottish player ever when moving to Germany from Nottingham Forest for £13m last month. The 19-year-old winger came on for his Leipzig debut with 21 minutes left. He set up a great chance that Timo Werner missed moments before crossing for fellow substitute Keita to score. Leipzig are fifth and Dortmund eighth in the early Bundesliga table, with most teams having played twice. Match ends, RB Leipzig 1, Borussia Dortmund 0. Second Half ends, RB Leipzig 1, Borussia Dortmund 0. Corner, Borussia Dortmund. Conceded by Marvin Compper. Attempt blocked. Adrián Ramos (Borussia Dortmund) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by André Schürrle. Corner, RB Leipzig. Conceded by Marc Bartra. Attempt blocked. André Schürrle (Borussia Dortmund) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Corner, Borussia Dortmund. Conceded by Willi Orban. Goal! RB Leipzig 1, Borussia Dortmund 0. Naby Keita (RB Leipzig) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Oliver Burke. Hand ball by Adrián Ramos (Borussia Dortmund). Substitution, Borussia Dortmund. Adrián Ramos replaces Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Substitution, RB Leipzig. Naby Keita replaces Dominik Kaiser. André Schürrle (Borussia Dortmund) hits the bar with a left footed shot from the centre of the box. Assisted by Lukasz Piszczek. Foul by Ousmane Dembélé (Borussia Dortmund). Marcel Halstenberg (RB Leipzig) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Offside, RB Leipzig. Diego Demme tries a through ball, but Emil Forsberg is caught offside. Attempt blocked. Marcel Halstenberg (RB Leipzig) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Dominik Kaiser with a cross. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match Marvin Compper (RB Leipzig) because of an injury. Corner, RB Leipzig. Conceded by Roman Bürki. Attempt saved. Timo Werner (RB Leipzig) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Oliver Burke. Attempt missed. Timo Werner (RB Leipzig) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the right. André Schürrle (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Diego Demme (RB Leipzig). Ousmane Dembélé (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Diego Demme (RB Leipzig). Offside, Borussia Dortmund. Lukasz Piszczek tries a through ball, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is caught offside. Substitution, Borussia Dortmund. Ousmane Dembélé replaces Gonzalo Castro. Substitution, Borussia Dortmund. Raphael Guerreiro replaces Mario Götze. Corner, RB Leipzig. Conceded by Lukasz Piszczek. Attempt blocked. Timo Werner (RB Leipzig) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Dominik Kaiser. Substitution, RB Leipzig. Oliver Burke replaces Yussuf Poulsen. Substitution, RB Leipzig. Emil Forsberg replaces Marcel Sabitzer. Attempt missed. Marvin Compper (RB Leipzig) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Dominik Kaiser following a set piece situation. Marc Bartra (Borussia Dortmund) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Foul by Marc Bartra (Borussia Dortmund). Yussuf Poulsen (RB Leipzig) wins a free kick on the right wing. Attempt

Summary: Scotland's Oliver Burke marked his RB Leipzig debut by setting up a late goal for Naby Keita to secure a 1-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.


About 110 boats, including civilian vessels, took part in the search for Paul Ormsby and Ciarán Smith. The co-ordinated search took place along the Irish west coast on Saturday. Both men have been missing since Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 crashed off on 14 March. Four people were on board the helicopter when it came down off the County Mayo coast. Capt Dara Fitzpatrick died after she was rescued from the sea hours after the crash. The body of her co-pilot, Capt Mark Duffy, was later recovered from the wreckage. Last Sunday, the wreckage of the helicopter was lifted from where it crashed near Blackrock Island but the two missing crew members were not found. Saturday's search involved the Irish Coast Guard, RNLI, Irish Air Corps, Irish Naval Service and Irish Civil Defence, along with more than 80 civilian boats. However, the extensive search, which stretched over hundreds of square miles from County Donegal to County Mayo, failed to find any sign of the two men. Inshore boats worked close to the coastline and larger vessels further out to sea. Helicopters searched from the air while a shoreline effort was assisted by search and rescue volunteers from across the Republic and Northern Ireland. Search teams from Counties Down, Wicklow, Dublin, Donegal, Claire and Tipperary were among those who took part. The search came days after an appeal from a sister of Ciarán Smith for help from fishermen and coastal communities in searching for the men. Speaking after the search, Orla Smith said the support show by the fishing communities had given the families renewed hope and that there were no words to thank those involved in the search. An investigation into what happened to the helicopter is continuing. The Air Accident Investigation Unit has said there was no indication of any mechanical problems in the seconds before the impact. It is thought the inquiry into the cause of the crash on 14 March will now focus on operational issues.

Summary: A major sea search described as one of the biggest in Irish state history has failed to locate two Irish Coast Guard crew members missing since a helicopter crash.


We are not talking about some Hollywood A-lister or pop-chart diva going on holiday. We are not even referring to Team GB's track and field stars. Britain's equine athletes helped win five medals at London 2012 but a 5,700-mile journey to Rio makes beating that tally a little trickier. Does a horse get jet lag? Travel sickness? Plans for this trip began as early as 2013, with everything from in-flight bacteria to leg room considered. In all, there will be more than 300 horses competing in Rio, with some 200 of them travelling from hubs in Stansted, Liege and Miami. So how hard is it to get a horse to Rio? Imagine walking up to check-in and dropping six tonnes of food on the conveyer belt. The excess fee alone would be big enough to count as carry-on luggage. But these superstar horses do not travel light. Each horse has an individual limit for the flight which includes its own weight plus items such as water buckets, tack bags and rugs. As well as all that food, there's nearly 10 tonnes of equipment and several tonnes of haylage (normal hay with a higher moisture content) for the flight. There will be 34 horses on board when the first flight leaves Stansted on 30 July, with a combined weight of more than 17 tonnes and a combined value running into millions of pounds. An animal weighing 515kg (81st) probably did not get its photos done in a booth at the post office, but at that sort of value, you can rest assured they each have a passport detailing health history and every mark on their body. Passport stamped? Time to board. If you get fed up waiting in line to board, spare a thought for these horses, for whom the process can take between two and four hours. Why so long? Because this is the crucial part. A "nervy" time, according to Yogi Breisner, eventing performance manager for Team GB. Horses are loaded into stalls on the ground and then levered up into the plane. It's not uncommon for them to get spooked and any bumps or scrapes are most likely to happen now. After four years of work, much is on the line. Each stall is designed to accommodate three horses but it's important these Olympians travel in the equine equivalent of business class so Team GB horses fly two to a stall. Some travellers might prefer the space entirely to themselves but the horses are generally happier in pairs, according to British Eventing team vet Liz Brown. "You get some that are very anxious travellers while some really attach to the horse they are with," she said. "We wouldn't put two anxious horses next to one another." And according to the International Federation for Equestrian Sports, the seating (or standing) plan will also ensure stallions are at the front of the plane away from the mares. The horses will stand for the duration of the 12-hour flight. But it may be more restful than the average ride in a horsebox over

Summary: They need a lot of luggage, plenty of in-flight attention and like many long-haul travellers, a good companion by their side.


Gordon Henderson, MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, received 30% burns to his body and spent 10 days in intensive care after the accident on 26 July. "I can remember vividly. It really was terrifying," said the Conservative MP. "I hope it teaches everybody else a very valuable lesson. Do not ever use petrol on a bonfire." More news from Kent Mr Henderson said he had recently built a brick container for bonfires in his garden at Eastchurch, Kent. "I built the bonfire and I put the petrol on it but I hadn't taken into account the build-up of fumes," he said. "When it went up it was like a bomb exploding in my face because there was a three-sided container and all the force came to me. "My hair caught light but with the rest of me it was the heat that caused the burns." Mr Henderson's wife Louise cooled him down with a garden hose and took him Sheppey Community Hospital. An air ambulance was then called to fly him to Tunbridge Wells Hospital, from where he was taken to the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead. "I realised then that if they were taking me to East Grinstead, which is a fantastic burns hospital, that it was something really serious," he said. Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it urged people not to use petrol to light bonfires or barbecues. "Use firelighters or rolled-up newspaper and wood but please don't put flammable liquids on bonfires," said community safety spokesman Charlie Smith. "The burns that can result from these fires can be really nasty and they can take a long time to heal."

Summary: An MP has said he is still suffering flashbacks after a bonfire he doused with petrol to set it alight exploded in his face.


The minor injuries unit at Tenby Cottage Hospital was closed as part of a shake-up of health services back in 2013 leading to public demonstrations. Hywel Dda University Health Board hopes the new nurse-led walk-in service will open in July. The board said the unit would provide "convenient access" for residents. St John Ambulance Service will provide treatment for minor injuries over the Easter period.

Summary: Plans to open a new minor injuries unit in Pembrokeshire have got a step closer - four years after protests against the closure of the previous one.


He told the BBC's Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg that it was the "very worst time" for Britain to take such an "enormous economic gamble". But ex-Conservative leader Michael Howard said the UK should have the "self-belief" to go its own way. He said the EU was "outdated, flawed and failing" and an Out vote would force its leaders to think again. The prime minister's official spokesman said Mr Cameron had "huge respect for Michael Howard but on this issue they disagree". The UK will hold a referendum on on 23 June on whether to retain its EU membership or to leave. Lord Howard, who led the Tories between 2003 and 2005, when he was a close political ally and mentor of Mr Osborne and Mr Cameron, said it was not the PM's fault he had not been able to secure "fundamental and far-reaching reform" of the EU. He blamed EU leaders for imposing a "rigid straitjacket of uniformity" across the continent. He told Radio 4's Today programme that, as the world's fifth largest economy, the UK would prosper outside the European Union, arguing that "the Germans would still want to carry on selling us their BMWs and the French would still want to carry on selling us their wine". "So it is in everyone's interest to want to have an agreement that allows each of us to have access to each other's markets." Michael Howard was never the most popular politician with the public, but many of his party's grassroots felt he shared their views when he was home secretary. His catchphrase was "prison works". And perhaps more importantly, they still feel a debt of gratitude for his willingness to take over his party's leadership just after the Conservatives had fallen to a new nadir in the polls under Iain Duncan Smith. So they will give him a hearing. If a local Conservative association member is wavering over whether to vote to leave the EU, it will undoubtedly be reassuring to them that they don't have to - in David Cameron's words - "link arms with Nigel Farage". Instead, they can now grasp the extended hand of friendship from their former leader. Read more from Iain Lord Howard rejected suggestions that negotiating a trade-based relationship with the EU, similar to that which Norway and Switzerland have, would leave the UK with the "worst of all worlds" - with reduced access to the single market but still bound by a lot of EU rules and regulations. "Norway is a country of five million people. We are a country of 65 million people. We won't have Norwegian-style agreement with the EU, we will have a British style agreement. "We need a bit of self-belief and national self confidence. We are a great country - everyone wants access to our market. We won't be supplicants." If the UK voted to leave, he suggested it could force EU leaders into negotiating a "different" kind of agreement with the UK, which could then be put to voters in a second referendum - a sequence of events that

Summary: Chancellor George Osborne has said if Britain voted to leave the EU it would cause a profound economic shock.


She met senior figures from the agricultural and food industries at the Royal Welsh Show near Builth Wells. Ms Griffiths said she had seen a "real readiness to work together". With farming fully devolved, Ms Griffiths said it was a chance to create policies and regulations "tailor-made for Wales' unique needs". She told BBC Wales she wanted to hear about the best of EU regulations but she was aware of concern among farmers who voted for Britain to leave over "red tape". Ms Griffiths held a meeting with representatives of Wales' rural affairs and environment sector to discuss the implications of Britain's impending withdrawal from the EU at the show on Monday. Speaking before the meeting, she said: "I can't see how there wouldn't be a subsidy scheme, so while it's very uncertain, there are things that will have to happen." Country Land & Business Association Cymru chairman, David Wynne-Finch, said the rural economy could thrive outside the EU "but only if our specific needs and opportunities are addressed in all aspects of planning and implementation of Brexit". Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said "we need to ensure that the level of support afforded to Welsh farmers in direct payments is at least as much after we leave the EU as it is now". Under the current EU Common Agricultural Policy, Wales receives approximately £250m per year in direct payments to farmers in addition to more that £500m between 2014-2020 to run a rural development programme. Ms Griffiths said she wanted to use Royal Welsh Show to reassure the industry and said it was an opportunity to "forge a new, distinct path for Wales' farming food and environmental sectors". She added: "At the moment we're still in the EU, all the regulations and the funding are there, and we will ensure that we get that funding out as quickly as possible." She said First Minister Carwyn Jones had already given her his assurance he would seek guarantees from the UK Government that Wales will not be financially worse off as a result of the UK leaving the EU. "I believe the long term prospects for Welsh agriculture remain strong and I am committed to using this week to listen to the industry and ensure these views and ideas form the basis of our negotiations with the UK government over the terms of the UK's withdrawal from the EU," Ms Griffiths added. The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society's President for 2016, Richard Jones, said this year's show was taking place at a time of unprecedented uncertainty for rural Wales. "We don't know where this will lead us - hopefully to a better place," he said.

Summary: Brexit gives the chance for a "made-in-Wales" approach to farming in the future, Rural Affairs Secretary Lesley Griffiths has said.


The demonstrators expressed their anger over the handling of the case by President Enrique Pena Nieto. The president's popularity rating has dropped to its lowest point since he took office two years ago. The students disappeared after clashing with police in the town of Iguala on 26 September. The case has shocked Mexicans as allegations of police collusion with drug gangs surfaced during the investigation into their disappearance. In October, Mexico's attorney general ordered the arrest of Iguala Mayor Jose Luis Abarca. Many of the protesters carried placards calling for the president to step down, says the BBC's Will Grant in Mexico City. In Guerrero state, where the students disappeared, they set cars on fire and smashed windows, our correspondent adds. On Monday, President Pena Nieto submitted a package of ten reforms aimed at tackling the crisis to Congress for debate. Some of the more controversial proposals include replacing all 1,800 municipal police forces with state-level units. The president also wants extra powers to shut down local governments considered to have been "infiltrated" by drug cartels. Mr Pena Nieto has announced he will travel to Iguala later this week. He has not visited the town since the students went missing. The students had travelled from a teacher training college in Ayotzinapa to the town of Iguala in Guerrero state to protest against what they say are discriminatory hiring practices for teachers which favour urban students over rural ones. Police opened fire on the students, who were in buses travelling back from Iguala to their college. Three of them were killed and three more people in nearby vehicles also died. A busload of the students attempted to flee but were chased by municipal officers who then took them to the local police station. Some of the officers, who have since been arrested, told investigators they then handed the students over to a local drug gang called Guerreros Unidos (United Warriors). The leader of the gang, who has also been detained, said that he had been told by one of his men that the 43 were members of a rival gang. He then reportedly ordered that they be "made to disappear". Members of the gang have told investigators they killed the students and burned their bodies at a rubbish dump. Remains found at the site have been sent for testing to a laboratory in Austria. 26 Sept: Students from a teacher training college in Ayotzinapa travel to Iguala to protest and raise funds Night of 26 Sept: Police stop the students, 6 people are shot dead, 43 students disappear 30 Sept: Iguala mayor Jose Luis Abarca asks for leave from his post, which is granted 4 Oct: Mass graves are found near Iguala containing 28 bodies 19 Oct: Federal police are deployed to Iguala and replace the municipal force 22 Oct: Mexico's prosecutor general says an arrest warrant has been issued for Mr Abarca, his wife and the town's police chief 23 Oct: Guerrero state governor Angel Aguirre resigns 29 Oct: President Enrique Pena Nieto meets the relatives of the missing students and promises

Summary: Protesters in Mexico clashed with police following a largely peaceful rally in support of 43 students who went missing in September.


The 25-year-old joined Saints from Huddersfield Giants in 2013 and was contracted until the end of 2017. Former Castleford back Dawson, who operates mainly at winger or centre, scored 16 times in 70 outings. "Matty is at a time in his career when he needs to be playing regularly," said Saints chief executive Mike Rush. "Therefore when the opportunity for him to move to Leigh came up it made sense for the both player and the club to agree to the transfer."

Summary: Championship winners Leigh Centurions have signed St Helens utility back Matty Dawson for a five-figure transfer fee on a two-and-a-half-year deal.


Matthew Taylor, a former adviser to Tony Blair, said it was "fair" that self-employed people paid more tax. But there still needed to be a "small differential" as there were differences in rights over issues such as pensions and parental leave. That would rule out further National Insurance rises for the self-employed. Mr Taylor also said it was likely there would be reform of employment laws to change the way companies such as Deliveroo and Uber, which use self-employed workers, operate. What the Budget means for you At a glance - Budget key points Think tank backs National Insurance rise "Tax rises are never popular, but as tax rises go, this is pretty fair," Mr Taylor told me. "It's economically rational and it strengthens the long term resilience of the tax base. "So if you are going to raise taxes, it is a pretty good way to do it." "The government has left a small differential so that employed people will pay 12% of their salary in National Insurance, self-employed 11%," said Mr Taylor, who is also the chief executive of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. "That recognises that there is still [a] small difference in entitlements - that seems to be pretty fair - I don't think there needs to be more reform in that area." The Chancellor is facing controversy after he announced that the National Insurance rate for the self-employed would increase by 1% next year and 1% in 2019. That will raise about Â£2bn more for the government by 2022. The move has been attacked for penalising entrepreneurs who have set up their own businesses. But Mr Taylor said it was right that the self-employed chose that route because it gave them autonomy rather than tax advantages. He also said that the self-employed would be helped by the abolition of what is called National Insurance Contributions 2, which was announced in 2016. "Self-employment is great and most people who choose it, choose it because it gives them flexibility - not because it gives them tax benefits," he said. "There is an outdated element to our system - which is where people who are self-employed pay lower national insurance contributions because they get fewer benefits," he said. "But last year the government said that self-employed people would get access to pensions and yesterday the Chancellor said they would get access to paid parental leave. "That means there is virtually no difference in the entitlements that employed people have and self-employed people have. "This gap [in tax] is no longer rational; it no longer serves a purpose." Mr Taylor said he understood why the government had not tackled firms who have been criticised for gaining a tax advantage by using self-employed people. Companies that use self-employed workers, such as Deliveroo and Uber, do not pay National Insurance contributions for their employees or pension contributions. Mr Taylor said it was likely that there would have to be reform. "Over the medium to long term we shouldn't be taxing employment, we should be taxing labour," he

Summary: The man reviewing the new world of work for Number 10 has told the BBC that controversial tax increases for the self-employed go far enough.


Vidot, 26, joined Salford in November 2015 and the Samoa international scored six tries in 10 games during an injury-affected season. The former Brisbane three-quarter also had a trial with World Wrestling Entertainment in 2015. "We understand that family is hugely important," head coach Ian Watson said. "Daniel provides a lot for his loved ones, and we were never going to stand in his way when he said he wanted to go back." Vidot added: "I've really enjoyed my time here, it wasn't an easy season with injuries but I really gave it my best shot. "It's a decision made purely for my own reasons and has nothing to do with anyone at the club."

Summary: Salford Red Devils have released winger Daniel Vidot to return to Australia, with National Rugby League side Gold Coast Titans reportedly keen.