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. Six-nation talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear programme have been stalled since early 2009. The think-tank's report says that its assessment in late 2014 was that the reactor at Yongbyon, in the country's west, had been "shut down or partially shut down" but more recent images suggested the plant "may be operating at low power or intermittently". As well as the patterns of melting snow, the satellite photos are also said to capture a stream of warm water coming out of the reactor's discharge pipeline and steam rising off the turbine. This study is a powerful reminder that North Korea's nuclear weapons programme has not gone away. It also shows the important role that independent analysts with access to civilian satellite imagery can play in helping to publicise what previously would have been top secret material available only to a handful of governments. The winter snow and ice provides a helpful environment to reveal tell-tale signs that the Yongbyon reactor may have restarted. There's still considerable uncertainty about the scale of North Korea's nuclear arsenal. Recently Chinese nuclear experts provided their US counterparts with a new assessment of North Korea's nuclear capabilities suggesting it may already have 20 warheads with the capacity to double this total by next year. US estimates are much more conservative. It means that over the past 12 years Pyongyang has developed an expanding arsenal which many see as a significant threat to the region. In 2008, North Korea walked away from six-party talks with South Korea, the US, China, Japan and Russia on its denuclearisation. The other countries have since tried to persuade North Korea to return to the negotiating table. Earlier this year North Korea offered to stop nuclear tests if the US stopped holding military drills with Seoul, but the offer was rejected. North Korea has conducted three nuclear tests, in 2006, 2009 and 2013. Also on Thursday, Russia said the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had cancelled his plans to attend World War Two victory commemorations in Moscow. The visit next week would have been his first trip abroad since taking power three years ago. However, a Kremlin spokesman said Mr Kim had decided to stay in North Korea due to "internal issues".

Summary: A US think-tank says satellite pictures taken earlier this year suggest North Korea may have restarted one of its nuclear reactors.


Lee and Drilona Perry got married at Newark register office late on Saturday afternoon. They headed to the adjacent Newark Castle after to take photos but, in the meantime, register office staff went home and the gates were locked. They were rescued along with their 50 guests after an hour and the council has now apologised. Mr Perry, from Newark, Nottinghamshire, said he thought it was a joke at first. "You plan a nice, beautiful wedding that you expect to be the most wonderful day of your life....only to find you get locked in," he said. "As it started to get dark and the rain started to come down we thought let's wrap this up and get to the function, but the gates were locked." He said they had been given no explanation as to how it had happened but "it will be a wedding to remember". "We can laugh about it now. It could've been a lot worse," added Mr Perry. Jeanette Hall, registration area manager at Nottinghamshire County Council, said they appreciated it "must have been frustrating for all involved". She said: "Newark and Sherwood District Council lock these gates at around dusk and unfortunately we should have alerted the couple to the possibility that the gates may be locked when they went into the grounds." She said they were trying to contact the couple to investigate what happened.

Summary: A newly-wed couple had an eventful start to their marriage when they found themselves locked in a castle grounds.


Louis Ross was with friends when he lost control on a slope in the Meribel resort on Wednesday, police said. The 17-year-old was a lower-sixth form pupil at the independent Canford School in Wimborne, Dorset. In a statement, the school said: "We are devastated by this shocking news and doing all we can to support the family during this time." "The thoughts and prayers of the entire Canford community are with them." The resort is the same one where former F1 world champion Michael Schumacher suffered a brain injury in 2013. French police said Louis lost his balance and crashed into the slope during the morning and, despite wearing a helmet, suffered injuries to his face. Mountain rescuers were on the scene within 10 minutes but nothing could be done to save him. A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesperson said: "We are in contact with the local authorities and providing support to the family at this difficult time."

Summary: A British teenager has died in a skiing crash while on a family holiday in the French Alps.


At the beginning of the season, Claudio Ranieri's side were as much as 5,000-1 to finish as champions, while the odds were 1000-1 to be top at Christmas. The Foxes lead the Premier League by five points from Tottenham and have lost just three times all season. Leicester can guarantee themselves a shock title triumph with three wins from their remaining four games. Betfred are the only bookmakers to have already paid out on Leicester as champions, after they beat Southampton 1-0 on 3 April. "I've been wrong before but this time I can't see Spurs or Arsenal catching Ranieri's men," said Betfred boss Fred Done. At the start of the season, 47 people placed a bet with Ladbrokes for Leicester to win the title at 5000-1 - of which 23 have cashed out, while 24 are still awaiting their fate. "Leicester's win would be the biggest upset in the history of betting," Alex Donohue of Ladbrokes told BBC Sport. "It would be the worst result for us financially and our biggest payout by a distance. "If Chelsea, Manchester City or Manchester United would have won, the total payouts would have been in the few hundred thousands. "Leicester have been upsetting the odds all season but it is a brilliant Hollywood story that we are a part of. Hats off to anyone who backed them at the start of the season." Last month, a Leicester fan cashed out for £72,000 from a £50 bet on his team to win the title.

Summary: The UK's leading bookmakers face paying out more than £10m if Leicester City win the Premier League title.


The 11 members of the cross-party Home Affairs Committee will use their findings to inform recommendations to the government. Labour MP Yvette Cooper, who chairs the committee, said too often only the "loudest, angriest voices" were heard. She said immigration would be central to the Brexit deal. Immigration to the UK rose to a record level with 650,000 migrants in the year to June, Office for National Statistics figures released earlier this month showed. There was also a record number of EU citizens coming to live in Britain, 284,000. While net migration - immigration minus emigration - stayed near record levels, at 335,000. Launching the inquiry on Thursday, Ms Cooper told the committee: "There has been a lot of noise about immigration. "Too often all that gets heard are the loudest, angriest voices and others are silenced. "Some people exploit public concern to whip up fear and hatred. "But just because some people exploit the issue in a way that is totally wrong, [that] doesn't mean the rest of us should be silent from talking about it or ignore the problem. "It is not racist to worry about immigration. "We have to make sure we have a sensible debate." Earlier, Ms Cooper told the BBC's Breakfast programme: "People really need a say on what kind of reforms people want to immigration. "For too long successive governments have failed on immigration, and public concern has just gone up. "We should be having a really honest debate all round the country about what sorts of reforms, what kinds of controls people want to see." She said the government would be "crazy" not to listen to what people were saying about immigration. "If we don't get a consensus around the final Brexit deal, it will unravel," she added. The committee plans to hold public meetings, debates and online consultations. They are also encouraging community groups, business organisations, faith groups, think tanks and local councils to run their own debates.

Summary: A group of MPs are to hold public meetings across the UK to hear people's views on immigration and how it should be handled after the UK leaves the EU.


Zack Davies, 26, tried to kill dentist Dr Sarandev Bhambra, 25, in revenge for the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby. The racially motivated attack happened in Tesco in Mold in January and earlier this month Davies was jailed for life. Speaking for the first time since the attack, Peter Fuller, 44, said it was "like something out of a horror movie". "I will think about what happened for the rest of my life," he said. "That's the image I still have in my head every night - him running towards me with the machete raised and dripping blood. "It is like something out of a horror movie." Mr Fuller spoke out about the ordeal before accepting an award for outstanding bravery from the Pride of Britain Awards. Mr Fuller said he heard Davies shout "remember Lee Rigby". "Initially I just thought it was kids larking about but then as I moved about four paces I saw a man on the floor surrounded by blood and the guy standing over him and hitting with a hammer," he said. "I decided then that there was no way I was backing away. "There was no-one else around me, they were all running and screaming, so I moved to one side to let Mr Bhambra run past and then I moved into the middle of the aisle and made myself as big as possible. "I started shouting at the guy that what he was doing was madness and that I was ex-Forces. I made it clear that he was either going to have to go through me or he was going to stop." During the trial, Gareth Preston, senior prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Wales, said: "Such was the level of violence involved that, were it not for the extremely courageous actions of ex-serviceman Peter Fuller, this offence could have become an act of murder." Mr Fuller will be honoured at the Daily Mirror's Pride of Britain ceremony at London's Grosvenor House on Monday night.

Summary: An ex-soldier who stopped a neo-Nazi beheading a Flintshire shopper with a hammer and a machete says he is still haunted by the savage attack.


Paul Simmons-Turner, of East Ham, London, was killed in what police believe was a targeted attack on Tuesday at the Marriott Hotel in Waltham Abbey, Essex. An inquest into his death has opened and adjourned. Essex Police said the dead man had been wanted for questioning over an assault in Loughton in May. Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray, sitting at the court in Chelmsford, said she was waiting for a full post-mortem examination and toxicology report and the next hearing would be on 9 January. Mr Simmons-Turner, a father of three, was shot in the hotel car park at about 09:45 GMT and then chased on foot. He flagged down a passing motorist who drove him to nearby pub The Volunteer, but paramedics could not save him. Police said a suspect was seen getting into a dark-coloured car being driven by an accomplice following the shooting. Read more on this and other news from across Essex

Summary: A 38-year-old man killed outside a hotel was shot in the chest with a handgun, an inquest has heard.


After more than 1,000 years underground - and nearly three since its discovery - part of the Galloway Viking hoard is going on public display in Edinburgh. A collection of "international significance", it comprises more than 100 gold, silver and other items. There is understandable excitement at the National Museum of Scotland at being able to give a glimpse of its treasures to a wider audience. In future, it is planned, it will also go on show in Kirkcudbright - closer to the spot it was discovered. It was September 2014 when metal detectorist Derek McLennan made the discovery of a lifetime on land in Dumfries and Galloway. Buried at the beginning of the 10th Century, some of the artefacts date back to an even earlier period. The hoard brings together the richest collection of rare Viking-age objects ever found in Britain. "It is very exciting to finally have the hoard on display," said NMS senior curator Dr Martin Goldberg, "To see it all laid out together for the first time is a real eye-opener for me - just seeing how much there is." He said a small treasure vessel in particular had produced some remarkable finds. "It is amazing - it is only 10cm high and 10cm in diameter - but the amount of things that were packed into it that we can now put on display," he said. The range of items spread out across the glass cabinets on display is impressive - the bulk of it silver jewellery and ingots. A tiny, gold, bird-shaped pin is particularly eye-catching as well as a number of brooches - some of a kind never previously found in Scotland. The temporary display of the hoard - which runs until October - is aimed at helping to raise funds towards the nearly Â£2m required to "save it for the nation". That process has not been without controversy. Dumfries and Galloway Council had put in a bid to secure the hoard for a new art gallery being built in Kirkcudbright but that was ultimately unsuccessful, despite going to appeal. NMS has pledged to put part of the collection on permanent display in the town in due course and, on occasions, let all the artefacts come to the region. Not everyone in Dumfries and Galloway is happy with that outcome but NMS director Dr Gordon Rintoul insisted it was the right one. "This hoard is of major national and international significance but it also needs a lot of work done," he said. "It is going to take a conservation programme which we think is going to take at least two years." He said a lot of specialised expertise and equipment would be needed to carry out that work. "It is also going to need a lot of very detailed academic research to uncover its secrets - there are lots of mysteries around some of the items in the hoard," he said. Dr Rintoul said that meant the museum in Edinburgh was the right place for the items. "But it has always been our intention to aim

Summary: It has been an unusual and not entirely straightforward journey.


Multiple attacks in the French capital on Friday killed 129 people. The 2024 Olympic hosts will be named in 2017 and Bach said: "IOC members know terrorism is not a French or a Parisian problem, it is a global challenge." On Sunday, Euro 2016 organiser Jacques Lambert said next year's tournament in France should not be cancelled. Rome, Hamburg, Budapest and Los Angeles are also bidding for the 2024 Games. Asked whether Friday's attacks could influence the vote, Bach told French sports daily L'Equipe: "No, the IOC members have a lot of experience. "We are talking about the Olympic Games that will be held in nine years and terrorism is global, it is not just about a country or a city. "It does not only concern sports but all the big events and the whole society." He added: "You cannot concede victory to the terrorists. "We must be united and firm, especially with the Olympic Games."

Summary: Last week's attacks on Paris will not influence the city's chances of hosting the 2024 Olympic Games, IOC president Thomas Bach has said.


India is already the world's third biggest emitter of greenhouse gases and it plans a massive increase, proposing to treble CO2 emissions within the next 15 years. What is more, unlike virtually every other country attending the Paris conference - including the two biggest polluters, the US and China - India has not set a future cap on emissions, let alone proposed cuts. That's because, for India, economic growth comes first. And because India's energy policy is based on coal - the dirtiest fuel there is - the pace of economic growth sets the rate of emissions. The scale of what India is planning becomes shockingly real when you visit one of the country's many open cast coal mines. Looking across the vast pit is impressive enough: the opposite bank blurs into the blue distance. But it is only when you get up close to the operations that you get a true sense of scale. The dozens of bright yellow trucks you saw from your eyrie rumbling with their loads across the valley floor take on vast proportions. Every one of this monstrous insect army is the size of a family home. But even these behemoths are dwarfed by the queen that squats at the heart of the operation. She is a true titan, a giant crane whose gaping jaws take great bites from the 20 metre high wall of coal before spewing it into the waiting trucks. And the numbers are as large as the machines. India plans to open a mine like this every single month until 2020 as part of its strategy to double coal output to a billion tonnes a year. And, it can maintain that output for the next 300 years, if it so wishes, because according to the Indian coal ministry the country has 301 billion tonnes of accessible coal. Now hold those huge numbers in your mind as you recall the ambitions of Paris conference: to reduce carbon emissions to avoid catastrophic climate change. It isn't hard to conclude that India is effectively saying to the world: "Climate change is your problem, you deal with it!" But India has some powerful arguments to justify its position. It talks in terms of "climate justice". First off, it says it isn't responsible for the emissions that are causing the current warming. That's down to the developed world which used fossil fuels to power its path to wealth. If you look at emissions since 1850 - what is sometimes called the "carbon space" - then US is responsible for a third of the total, Europe and the other developed countries for 45%. India, according to figures from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, accounts for just 3% of emissions to date. And that tiny total explains why India is still so poor. Remember, India is the second most populous country in the world with one and a quarter of a billion people. Hundreds of millions of those still live in terrible poverty. India's enduring poverty explains the second arm of India's argument: the fact that Indians use way

Summary: If any single country embodies the challenge of reaching an agreement at the huge United Nations climate conference that begins in Paris on Monday, it is India.


It is the same XV that faced Fiji in their opening game of the tournament. Bernard Foley returns at fly-half over Quade Cooper, with Michael Hooper alongside David Pocock in the back row and Matt Giteau at inside-centre. Australia trail Wales in Pool A after two victories, while an England defeat would see the hosts all but eliminated. Media playback is not supported on this device England have recalled centre Jonathan Joseph in place of Sam Burgess, while number eight Ben Morgan and lock Joe Launchbury also start. Morgan believes the Wallabies' forwards will have "doubts", with the 26-17 defeat by England at Twickenham last November, fresh in their memories. But Australia coach Michael Cheika responded by saying his side would not be "looking backwards" at previous matches between the sides. "I know they think we are weak in the forwards, they are saying it out loud. They have stuck it to us the last couple of times we have played," he said. "The only place we can show the difference is on the field on Saturday night, that is where we will show our colours. Talk is cheap." Australia's eight-man replacements' bench will also be confirmed later. Wales, who beat England 28-25 on Saturday and are second in the pool, beat Fiji 23-13 at the Millennium Stadium on Thursday to head the group. The Wallabies squad has been hit with injuries, with lock Will Skelton and number eight Wycliff Palu ruled out of the tournament after being hurt against Uruguay. Sam Carter and James Hanson have replaced them. "This selection has been really clear on where we must improve and the level we must be at to compete with England," added Cheika. "We know that it's going to be a very tough challenge." Australia: Israel Folau; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Rob Horne; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; Scott Sio, Stephen Moore, Sekope Kepu; Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons; Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, David Pocock. Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Greg Holmes, Dean Mumm, Ben McCalman, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale.

Summary: Australia have made 14 changes to the team that beat Uruguay for Saturday's crucial World Cup match against England at Twickenham.


First floated in January and included in the Conservative manifesto, the cap would apply to central and local government and other public bodies. The BBC, Channel 4, Bank of England, the Armed Forces, Royal Bank of Scotland and other taxpayer-owned banks would be among organisations exempt. But ministers said they would expect such bodies to introduce "their own, commensurate cap on exit payments". The government says it wants to significantly reduce the cost to the taxpayer of public sector pay-offs, which totalled about £6.5bn between 2011-12 and 2013-14. "It's not right that highly-paid public sector workers should receive huge taxpayer-funded payouts when they're made redundant," said Chief Secretary to the Treasury Greg Hands. "The cap we are bringing into law will mean no more six-figure pay-offs in the civil service, local authorities and the NHS. We also expect other bodies who rely on taxpayers' money to follow suit." Under its plans, which would apply to bodies whose remuneration is determined at a UK level, any eligible organisation which wanted to exceed the cap would have to seek permission from ministers. The Treasury-led consultation, which will seek views on the scope, level and design of the proposed cap, will close on 27 August. Union leaders criticised the exclusion of RBS and the firms which manage the remaining publicly owned assets of Northern Rock and Bradford and Bingley. They claim the cap will potentially affect nurses, teachers, firefighters and police officers on relatively modest incomes. "Ministers are portraying this as being aimed at highly paid public servants who enjoy 'golden goodbyes'," said Mark Serwotka, from the Public and Commercial Services Union. "But the reality is that capping the redundancy payments at the proposed level will impact on long-serving, loyal staff earning just above the average civil service pay who have built up pensions and other entitlements under their terms and conditions." The BBC introduced a £150,000 maximum limit on redundancy payments in 2013 following criticism of severance packages paid to some departing senior executives.

Summary: Ministers are to consult on plans to cap public sector pay-offs at £95,000.


The wreck of the 3rd Century trading ship Asterix was discovered in the mouth of St Peter Port harbour entrance in the 1980s. The timbers are to go on display as part of an exhibition about a Celtic hoard of 70,000 coins. The hoard was found in a field in Jersey by two metal detector enthusiasts in 2012. The timbers have been undergoing conservation work at the Mary Rose Trust in Portsmouth. Val Nelson, Jersey Heritage Trust Registrar, said the timbers from the Asterix would be on display with a scale model of the original ship. She said: "This is the first public airing for the timbers, the restoration work has just been completed. "The coin hoard will be the major part of the exhibition, but we have borrowed objects from Guernsey, Normandy and Brittany to put the hoard in context and show what was happening in this part of the world at the time. "As well as the timbers, we will have a very special piece from Normandy that is considered a French national treasure." The timbers had to be lifted into the museum gallery, on the third floor, using a large crane. The vessel is the "biggest object from Roman Britain and the most intact sea going ship [of its age] found outside the Mediterranean," said Jason Monaghan, director of Guernsey Museums, which owns the wreck. The whole ship, for which a permanent home has yet to be found, could not be included in the exhibition as it is too large at about 5m (16ft) wide and 17m (56ft) long. The exhibition opens at the Jersey Museum in St Helier on 2 June. It will visit Guernsey in 2015.

Summary: Timbers from a Gallo-Roman wreck found off Guernsey will go on display in Jersey later as part of an exhibition.


The north Belfast derby could have a huge bearing on whether the Crues will retain the Irish Premiership crown. The clash of two in-form sides is one of the biggest fixtures of the season. Cliftonville have lost just one of the 19 league matches played since Lyttle took over in October while Crusaders have been beaten just once in 25 games. "Cliftonville will come to Seaview and throw the kitchen sink at us," said Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter, who is without suspended striker Michael Carvill. "We know that, and have to be prepared for it. We need to give back as much as we receive. "It is a big match but there is a long way to go in this league. "Our job is to concentrate on our own game and just get on with the task ahead of us." Earlier in the campaign, Crusaders won 1-0 away to the Reds while the north Belfast rivals drew 2-2 at Seaview on Boxing Day. "We have been on a good run for some time now," said Cliftonville manager Lyttle whose side beat Ards in last weekend's League Cup final. "We had a wee blip with a number of draws but we have got things sorted out and are a team in form. "Hopefully, we can drive on for the rest of the campaign." Victory for Cliftonville would also be a boost to Linfield's ambitions of being the ones to deny Crusaders back-to-back titles. David Healy's Blues, who lost 2-1 at Portadown last time out, go to Coleraine aiming to beat the Bannsiders for the third time this season. "We had been on a nice little run before the Portadown game," said boss Healy. "Portadown had been struggling but they have now taken six points from us. It shows how teams raise their game when they play Linfield. "We must pick ourselves up and go on another unbeaten run."

Summary: Gerard Lyttle takes his Cliftonville team to Crusaders on Saturday confident of a victory which would move them to within six points of the leaders.


This is their first major operation in CAR since about 150 troops were deployed in recent weeks to Bangui, amid warnings of a genocide. Around a quarter of CAR's 4.6 million population have fled their homes since conflict erupted in March 2013 between mainly Muslim and Christian militias. The African Union and France have about 7,000 troops in the country. They have been battling to curb the conflict, and the EU has pledged to send up to 1,000 troops and the United Nations (UN) about 12,000 troops. French troops handed control of the airport in the capital, Bangui, to the EU force on Wednesday. Bangui has seen some of the worst fighting, and AU troops escorted more than 1,200 Muslims out of the city on Sunday to protect them from the mainly Christian anti-balaka militia. The EU force is under the command of a French officer, Maj-Gen Philippe Ponties, and is made up of French and Estonian troops. Source: Index Mundi Their deployment to the airport is intended to allow French troops to move elsewhere in the country. UN officials and aid agencies have warned that hatred between Christians and Muslims could lead to a genocide and the partition of the country. Few Muslims remain in Bangui, with most of them fleeing to the north or neighbouring states. Christians form the majority in CAR, and the anti-balaka say they took up arms after coming under attack from the mainly Muslim Seleka rebels who seized power in March 2013. Seleka leader Michel Djotodia was forced to step down in January, because of his failure to stem the violence. He had been the CAR's first Muslim ruler. His supporters accuse troops loyal to the president he overthrew, Francois Bozize, of fuelling the conflict.

Summary: European Union (EU) troops have taken control of security at the Central African Republic's (CAR) main airport.


Armed officers forced a car to stop on Spring Garden Street in Ballybough at about 18:00 on Friday. They discovered what they believe to be a quantity of detonators and Semtex explosives. The surrounding area has been cleared and cordoned off and an army bomb disposal team is attending. The two men are being held under Ireland's Offences against the State Act and can be questioned for up to three days.

Summary: Two men have been arrested after explosives were discovered by police investigating dissident republican activity in Dublin.


Two vehicles collided on the A32 Gosport Road shortly after 08:00 GMT, Hampshire Constabulary said. The biker was treated by paramedics at the scene but later died from his injuries. Motorists are urged to avoid the area as the road, which has been closed near Wych Lane, will remain shut for several hours.

Summary: A motorcyclist has died after being involved in a crash with a lorry in Fareham, Hampshire.


The city's old and new towns have held Unesco status since 1995 and are among six world heritage sites in Scotland. The aim is to gather feedback for the City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh World Heritage, and Historic Environment Scotland. The consultation will close at the end of July. Ian Perry, convener of the City of Edinburgh Council's planning committee, said: "Our World Heritage Site is of crucial importance to the future vision and development of the city. "This consultation process is an opportunity for everyone to have their say on how the site is being run. "We would like as many people as possible to let us know what they think is working well, and where we can make improvements.' Adam Wilkinson, director of Edinburgh World Heritage, said: "The management plan consultation may sound like a theoretical exercise, but the plan is a living document that provides the base from which the partners in the management of the World Heritage Site guide change. "Its review is an important opportunity for the communities of the World Heritage Site and the city in general to ensure their voice is heard. "We would urge everyone to get involved and take part in this consultation process." Barbara Cummins, of Historic Environment Scotland, said: "As partners in the Management Plan, we welcome the launch of the consultation - this provides an opportunity to gather suggestions and ideas from those who live, work and visit Edinburgh on how we manage and celebrate the Old and New Towns World Heritage Site."

Summary: A major public consultation has been launched to canvass views on how Edinburgh's world heritage site should be protected.


The Lib Dem leader dismissed a Comres poll as "bogus science" and said his party would win "many more seats" than predicted. He also warned of a "hard-line right-wing" government - if Lib Dem seats are lost to the Conservatives, who would then be reliant on UKIP and DUP votes. The Conservatives and Labour have both insisted they can win on their own. But Mr Clegg said "everyone knows" that they will not and "that means that someone else will hold the balance of power on May 8" - be it a "left-wing alliance between Labour and the SNP" or a "right wing alliance" between the Conservatives, UKIP and the DUP. The Lib Dem leader is campaigning in north-west England on Thursday. He and David Cameron are not taking part in tonight's BBC TV debate involving the leaders of other parties. Asked how he stayed positive after a poll suggested his party could be wiped out in south-west England, losing all of its 14 seats in the region to the Conservatives, Mr Clegg said the poll itself was flawed. The Comres poll of 1,005 adults across the 14 seats suggested a 13-point swing from the Lib Dems to the Conservatives, with Labour, UKIP and the Greens also making gains at the expense of Mr Clegg's party. But the Lib Dem leader told LBC radio the poll had questioned the equivalent of 72 people per seat "without even mentioning the candidates' names". "Polls like that are just absolute baloney," he said. "The bogus science from some of this stuff is just extraordinary." He added: "We will win so many more seats than this endless cottage industry of pessimistic punditry allows for." His party says there are 20 marginal seats where a Conservative win, at the expense of the Liberal Democrats, would result in a minority Conservative government reliant on UKIP and DUP votes to stay in power "an alliance that will drag Britain further and further to the right". The Lib Dems have dubbed the alliance "Blukip". The seats are; St Ives, St Austell and Newquay, North Cornwall, North Devon, Torbay, Cheadle, Hazel Grove, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Solihull, Brecon and Radnorshire, Bath, Montgomeryshire, Maidstone, Chippenham, Berwickshire, Watford, Mid Dorset and North Poole, Taunton, Somerton and Frome and Oxford West and Abingdon. At a news conference in Cheadle, Mr Clegg said that would mean an alliance involving people who did not believe in climate change, wanted to bring back the death penalty and who were against gay rights: "There's a real prospect that David Cameron may have to rely on those people to stay in Number 10." Mr Clegg said he wanted to "lift the lid" on a "genuine threat to our country" - because he said moderate Conservative voters in marginal seats were being told if they did not vote Conservative, they would end up with a Labour administration propped up by the SNP. He said "moderate, centre-ground" voters did not want David Cameron being "held hostage" by the "swivel-eyed brigade" on the Conservative backbenches who had been "waiting for its moment to reclaim the

Summary: Nick Clegg says reports that his party could lose 14 south-west England seats to the Conservatives are "baloney".


The deal with AEVI will see the Edinburgh-based firm's scheduling and booking software being made available to more than 500,000 firms worldwide. The software will feature on AEVI's cloud-based suite of business-to-business apps and services. From February, users will be able to schedule appointments on AEVI-enabled point-of-sale devices. Appointedd's software is designed to help small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) make appointments with colleagues and customers wherever they are in the world. Appointedd was founded by Leah Hutcheon in 2011 and has attracted support from several high-profile investors, including Skyscanner founder Gareth Williams and Macklin Enterprise Partnerships founder Marie Macklin. Ms Hutcheon, said: "At Appointedd, we're passionate about supporting businesses to grow and flourish and this new partnership with AEVI exposes Appointedd to a wide range of businesses across the globe, enabling us to help them to scale their businesses. "We know that SMEs are short on time and Appointedd can help them streamline processes, grow their businesses and gain a competitive advantage."

Summary: Online booking firm Appointedd has formed a strategic partnership with a global payment transaction provider.


Hilda Marcel died in 1987 from lung failure and her husband Eugenios died from prostate cancer seven years later. Their mummified bodies were kept in a basement flat in the city's Gilmore Place, which was regularly visited by a son of the couple, until 2002. Since their discovery, the bodies have been stored in the city's mortuary. Edinburgh city council has been trying to get the family's consent to bury Mr and Mrs Marcel, but this has been repeatedly refused. Now, almost 30 years after Mrs Marcel died, the council has lodged a petition at the Court of Session to seek permission to dispose of their bodies. Prof Roderick Paisley from Aberdeen University's Law School said: "The wheels of justice do grind slowly, and they appear to be grinding incredibly slowly on this particular hearse. "I think this should have been dealt with three or four years ago. "I do appreciate there are sensitivities here, but the law is reasonably clear." A police investigation was carried out when the bodies were found in 2002, but no charges were brought. Death certificates had been correctly issued and the pair had died of natural causes. Cameron Rose, leader of the Conservative group on Edinburgh City Council, said it was an "extraordinary story". He added that there needed to be "sensitivity for the families". The Court of Session has now agreed to hear the case, although so far no date has been set.

Summary: A council has launched a legal action in an attempt to bury the mummified bodies of a husband and wife who died decades ago in Edinburgh.


In a major report drawing together findings on Scottish schools over a four-year period, he highlighted "variable" standards in primary education. Dr Maxwell said financial constraints had been a challenge for education. But he said that, overall, inspectors had been impressed with the commitment shown by leaders and staff. Dr Maxwell said he had found "many strengths" across all sectors of education and examples of "outstanding innovative practice". The report - Quality and Improvement in Scottish Education 2012-2016 - set out five key areas for improvement: Education inspectors said Scottish education had gone through a period of "very significant reform". Speaking at Larbert High School, where the report was launched, Dr Maxwell said: "Overall, our inspectors have been impressed by the strong commitment of leaders and staff to improving outcomes for children and young people. "High-quality leadership will be essential to ensuring that sufficient progress is made, across all sectors, in order to continue to secure improvements in education practice and achieve our national ambition of ensuring all learners can reach their potential, regardless of their background. "We believe that addressing these five priority areas for improvement effectively will make a decisive contribution to achieving the twin aims of excellence and equity for Scottish learners which is at the heart of the National Improvement Framework." EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said the report was a "substantial piece of work" which highlighted Â£the continuing strengths of Scotland's education system including the very high levels of commitment that are demonstrated by Scotland's teachers". He added: "Education Scotland itself has to be more proactive in supporting schools and teachers. "Criticism has been voiced by many members, for example, about poor support and a lack of communication around the introduction of new national qualifications. "As a well-funded agency it needs to deliver that crucial support as well as provide a critical voice to government policy making, which should be evidenced based at all times." "One thing that is very clear throughout the report is the degree of change compared to the scale of cuts throughout education, and this will continue to create challenges until the politics of austerity cease and education budgets are substantially increased."

Summary: Scotland's Chief Education Inspector Bill Maxwell has said key aspects of education need to be improved.


The proposed panel would be chaired by former police ombudsman Nuala O'Loan. They want the panel to examine all documents and papers relating to the deaths. Eleven people were killed during an Army operation in Ballymurphy in August 1971 to arrest people suspected of paramilitary activity. The seven-strong panel would also include Prof Phil Scraton, author of the independent Hillsborough report into the deaths of 96 football fans in 1989, and civil rights lawyer Gareth Pierce. The relatives said the panel should report within 12-18 months, and should be funded by the British and Irish governments. Its work would reflect the terms of reference of the government-funded Hillsborough Independent Panel. In a statement the families said "they have amassed strong evidence that all who died were killed unlawfully and in breach of Article 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights. "The case raises serious questions regarding human rights abuses committed by the British Army and of a culture of impunity in the north of Ireland in which members of the security forces routinely were above the law." The families have criticised the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) investigation into the killings at the time. They have also expressed no confidence into the review of the deaths currently being conducted by the Historical Enquires team (HET). Members of the Parachute Regiment claimed they opened fire after being shot at by republicans during Operation Demetrius in 1971. A Catholic priest and a mother-of-eight were among those killed. After an application from the families the attorney general directed the coroner to re-open inquests into the deaths in November 2011.

Summary: The families of 11 people killed by the Army in west Belfast more than 40 years ago have called for an independent panel to investigate the deaths.


British institutions are in talks with their US colleagues to try to make it easier for scientists to travel, collaborate and share facilities. Research Councils UK said it would deliver benefits for both countries. UK research groups are currently marketing themselves at the US's largest scientific meeting in Boston. Thirty-three researchers are speaking at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) conference and over 200 scientists and science policy specialists are also attending. Prof Philip Nelson, chair of Research Councils UK and part of the British delegation, told BBC News: "We all reap the social and economic benefits when the best researchers in the world can freely collaborate and share ideas, knowledge and facilities. "The US and the UK are two of the world's preeminent science, research and innovation nations". The hope eventually is to develop ways to make it easier for researchers in the US and the UK to work together on big flagship projects. The impetus for the deal came following the UK referendum result to leave the European Union. British universities, in collaboration with small businesses, receive Â£850m in research grants each year from membership of the EU's research programmes. EU membership also makes it easy to form collaborations. But there are fears that much of the funding and collaborative work with EU scientists will be in jeopardy once the UK leaves the union. British researchers are being encouraged to foster links with other nations. While most, if not all, research leaders are still dismayed by the referendum result, some are beginning to become excited by what they see as an opportunity for greater collaboration with America. A spokesman for Britain's Department for Business Enterprise and Industrial Strategy, which overseas science, said that developing scientific collaborations with countries outside the EU was a priority: "As we prepare to leave the EU, we are determined to secure the best possible outcome for our world-leading research base. "Our international relationships make us a global centre of excellence and we want to enable UK researchers to partner with the best in the world, gaining access to large-scale facilities with unique resources." James Wilsdon, professor of research policy at the University of Sheffield welcomed the new initiative. "We need to lift our sights and look beyond Europe, for opportunities to deepen and extend the collaborative networks that are so central to 21st Century science and innovation. "The US and UK remain two of the world's science superpowers, and researchers in both countries will grab with open arms any measures that can better enable fast and frictionless collaboration. "I hope this is the first in a wave of new bilateral agreements, involving both EU and non-EU countries, that can restore vital connective tissue between UK and international research networks, that may otherwise be ripped apart by Brexit." Prof Venki Ramakrishnan, the current president of the Royal Society, is in Boston for the AAAS meeting. He told BBC News: "Science is becoming increasingly international and the UK and US are already at the forefront of that. "Greater cooperation between our two countries would

Summary: The UK and US are in talks to extend their "special relationship" in science after the UK leaves the European Union, the BBC understands.


The 15-year-old South Korea-born New Zealander finished with a five-under-par 67 to win by three shots. She broke the age record of 16, set by Lexi Thompson in the Navistar LPGA Classic in Alabama last September. Only four other amateurs have ever won on the Tour, and Ko became the first since JoAnne Carner took the 1969 Burdine's Invitational tournament. In January, Ko won the New South Wales Open in Australia at 14 to become the youngest player to win a professional tour event, a mark broken by 14-year-old Brooke Henderson in June in a Canadian Women's Tour event in Quebec. Ko also won the US Women's Amateur two weeks ago in Cleveland, Ohio. Starting the final round at The Vancouver Golf Club one shot clear, she surged away from the field on the backward nine, shooting five birdies in six holes to finish at 13 under. Inbee Park shot a 69 to finish second on 10 under, while US Women's Open champion Na Yeon Choi, Chella Choi and Jiyai Shin tied for third at eight under.

Summary: Lydia Ko won the Canadian Women's Open to become the youngest tournament winner in LPGA Tour history.


Trading standards officers in Knowsley on Merseyside seized a "large number" of the vaping liquids which are used in e-cigarettes. A council spokesman said they were packaged to appeal to children and lacked the necessary warning signs. E-liquids contain nicotine and can be "extremely dangerous" if swallowed by mistake. The council removed the items from five business premises in Huyton, Prescot and Kirkby in September. The products taken off the shelves include: According to the Food Imitations Safety Regulation 1989, it is an offence to supply products which are not food, but could easily be confused with food due to their packaging or shape, particularly by children. Eddie Connor, councillor responsible for public health wellbeing, said: "I'm pleased that our Trading Standards team have investigated and removed these potentially harmful products from sale in Knowsley. "The safety of customers is always our highest priority and I'm concerned that young children could be attracted to these products because of their appearance. Mr Connor added that Knowsley's trading standard officers are investigating the supply chain for the e-liquids.

Summary: Concern has been raised over potentially harmful e-liquids being sold to look like "children's sweets".


16 February 2017 Last updated at 08:27 GMT The four pups are from Newquay Zoo in Cornwall and they are learning how to swim. The four young Asian short-clawed otters are being taught by their parents and four uncles. They were born in October last year and we think they're otter-ly gorgeous!

Summary: How cute are these otter pups?


Y gred yw bod mwy nac un person wedi eu hanafu, ond nid oedd unrhyw gerbydau eraill yn rhan o'r digwyddiad. Dywedodd llefarydd ar ran Y Weinyddiaeth Amddiffyn: "Rydyn ni'n ymwybodol o ddigwyddiad ym maes saethu Castell Martin. "Mae'r ymchwiliad yn parhau ac felly byddai'n amhriodol gwneud unrhyw sylw pellach." Dywedodd Gwasanaeth Ambiwlans Cymru eu bod wedi eu galw i'r digwyddiad am tua 15:30 ddydd Mercher. Cafodd Gwasanaeth Tân ac Achub Canolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru eu galw yno hefyd. Mae gwybodaeth ar wefan y ganolfan yn dweud bod disgwyl i fwledi byw gael eu tanio yno drwy gydol yr wythnos. Mae'r safle dros 5,900 acer ar hyd arfordir Sir Benfro.

Summary: Mae'r Weinyddiaeth Amddiffyn yn parhau i ymchwilio yn dilyn digwyddiad yn ymwneud â thanc ar faes tanio Castell Martin yn Sir Benfro ddydd Mercher.


The loggerhead turtle, known as Terri, was found on a beach in Jersey 12 days ago, and has since been treated by the New Era Veterinary Hospital. Terri is currently housed in a special water tank at a fish suppliers, but vets say she needs a warmer climate. Vet Peter Haworth, who launched the campaign, said: "She wants to go free". So far more than £2,500 has been raised by the funding campaign website, but Mr Haworth said they need to hit the total within the next week. He said: "We're not stupid...it's a huge huge amount of money but we were given a very ill animal to try and save." The campaign group Get Terri the Turtle Back Home said there were no direct flights to the Canary Islands until late February, by which point the turtle might have died. The group said chartering a private jet at a cost of £22,000 was "the most reliable way to ensure her a future", and no-one was profiting from the campaign. The turtle's medication expenses have been covered by the New Era Veterinary hospital, while her water temperature has been regulated by The Fresh Fish Company. Mr Haworth said Terri was now "very strong" but "the water depth we can have her in here isn't deep enough to encourage her to eat". Mr Haworth said if the target was not reached they would try to send the turtle to an aquarium in the UK.

Summary: An endangered turtle will fly by private jet to the Canary Islands at a cost of £22,000, if an online fundraising campaign succeeds.


Voters go to the polls on 4 May to elect local councils, and the Greens are fielding a record 218 candidates. Party co-conveners Patrick Harvie and Maggie Chapman will set out their priorities for the elections at a launch event in Glasgow. These are expected to centre on the protection of public services such as schools and social care. In the last council elections in 2012, the Greens put forward 80 candidates, securing 14 council seats. They are aiming to build on this total and the six MSPs won in the 2016 Holyrood elections with their largest-ever local election campaign. Party groups in local authority areas will have their own local manifestos, but over-arching national priorities to be set out will include class sizes, better bus services, affordable housing and better wages for social care workers. The party is also crowdfunding to raise money for a television party election broadcast. The Green spring conference in March focused on "renewed local democracy in Scotland", where Mr Harvie said the "constitutional obsession" of other parties should not distract from local services. He said: "Our job is simple - to build on the fantastic start that our former and existing councillors have achieved, building strong local economies that are healthy to live in, making the opportunities from the new greener industries into something everyone can access a reality for everyone, and renewing real local democracy." Ms Chapman also told the conference that Green councillors could be "champions for change" in local government. And MSP Andy Wightman said "genuine political and fiscal power should be in the hands of local communities". He said: "Greens at council level are fighting hard to revitalise local democracy, pushing for every community to have a say in council budgets and for councils to have the powers other European towns and cities take for granted. While some other parties are shamefully treating the council elections as a proxy for constitutional issues, Greens are clear that local services matter, communities should be trusted to decide their future, and that local democracy is worth fighting for."

Summary: The Scottish Greens are to launch their national manifesto for May's local authority elections.


Sierra Leone and Guinea both recorded the lowest weekly total of confirmed Ebola cases since August. Liberia, which reported no new cases on two days last week, had its lowest weekly total since June. The death toll from the world's worst Ebola outbreak has reached 8,429 with 21,296 cases so far. According to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) report, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone now all have sufficient capacity to bury all the people known to have died from Ebola. But it said under-reporting of deaths meant that not all burials were being done safely. While cases were decreasing in Sierra Leone, it remained the worst-affected country, with western areas still reporting the most new transmissions, the WHO said. Last week, there were 59 new reported cases in the capital, Freetown. The spirit of Freetown seems to be back with residents in the capital celebrating, albeit quietly, the low Ebola infection figures. For over a week the reported daily infections have been in single figures and on Tuesday there were only two deaths. Like Premier League football fans, people converge at internet cafes and street corners to follow the daily updates. The usually grim faces are now grinning. The ubiquitous blaring of ambulance sirens has also reduced considerably. In fact, the national daily infection rate is around 20 - in November it was 60. "Ebola is in trouble," says Ahmed Turay, a teenager who has not been to classes since July. "I look forward to returning to school," he says, smiling broadly. The eastern district of Kailahun, which first recorded Ebola eight months ago, has had no cases for 35 days and the other former hotspot of Kenema has had only four cases since November. But the authorities are warning all to exercise caution, insisting Ebola is still here. Meanwhile, in Guinea it has been announced that schools and universities are to reopen next Monday after a five-month closure because of Ebola. The BBC's Alhassan Sillah in Guinea says the authorities there are also stepping up Ebola information campaigns as in some areas people are still suspicious of official attempts to fight the disease. Over the weekend, two policemen were killed by villagers who feared they had brought Ebola to the western district of Forecariah. Earlier this month, the outgoing head of the UN team fighting Ebola, Anthony Banbury, said he believed cases of the virus would be brought down to zero by the end of 2015. Ebola basics: What you need to know

Summary: New Ebola cases in the three West African countries worst affected by the deadly outbreak of the virus are declining, weekly UN figures show.


Police Scotland said that John Hamilton died after an incident at a house in Burnside Avenue, Bellshill, at about 20:15 on Tuesday. Two men, who are both aged 20, have been detained by police in connection with his death. They are expected to appear from police custody at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday.

Summary: Two men have been arrested after a man was fatally injured during a disturbance in North Lanarkshire.


17 July 2016 Last updated at 19:25 BST Arriving into Belfast International Airport on Sunday morning, most of them told BBC News NI reporter Claire Graham they were happy to be home.

Summary: Northern Ireland holidaymakers returning from Turkey have been giving their reaction to the attempted military coup on Friday.


Lives were lost across five provinces, according to the National Flood and Storm Control Agency, quoted by the Associated Press. In Quang Ngai province, flood waters reportedly rose above a previous peak recorded in 1999. A tropical depression has dumped rain on the country. Earlier in the week, at least 13 people died and 81 were injured when Tropical Storm Haiyan made landfall in north Vietnam after wreaking havoc in the Philippines. There has been disruption to the coffee harvest and bean drying in Vietnam's central highland provinces, Reuters news agency reports. The country is the world's top robusta coffee producer, accounting for around 17% of the world's output. Flood waters have started to recede in some areas, allowing residents to return and begin digging out their homes, officials said. Binh Dinh Province reported the highest number of deaths, followed by Quang Ngai, the official Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper reports. Bui Thi Thanh Chuyen, a woman in Binh Dinh, told Vietnamese state TV on Saturday she had rushed home to try and help her mother, who was trapped in her house. "All I heard [on the phone] from my mother was 'Help me, daughter' before the connection was cut off," she said. "I rushed here to try to help her but I cannot cross the flood to the house." In the Danang area, villager Vo Ngoc Nghiem described the speed of the disaster: "We are familiar with floods every year but this time it rose so quickly that we had no time to cope with it. "We weren't warned about the reservoir release. The children were at school and they were stranded there." Some 100,000 houses were submerged and roads were closed and some national train services cancelled. Flood waters rose quickly after 15 hydro power plants opened their sluice gates as a safety measure. Earlier reports on the flooding gave a slightly higher estimate for deaths.

Summary: Flooding and landslides in central Vietnam have left at least 28 people dead, nine missing and some 80,000 homeless since Friday.


The supermarket chain said like-for-like sales, excluding fuel, rose 0.2% in the nine weeks to 3 January. Analysts had expected a fall in sales at Morrisons, which has been under intense pressure from rivals. It is the first time the supermarket has reported a rise in sales for more than a year. The results sent shares in Morrisons up sharply, and they closed more than 8% higher at 165.5p. Paul Thomas, an analyst at Retail Remedy, said Morrisons' sales had been expected to fall by between 2% and 3%. He said the UK's fourth-largest supermarket chain was clearly focusing on "its core market and core product" and that the sales figures were evidence that the new strategy was "paying off". David Potts, who became chief executive of Morrisons in March last year, said he was pleased with the performance over Christmas: "While there is of course much more to do, we are making important progress in improving all aspects of the shopping trip." He sold its 140 M Convenience stores at a loss of £30m in September and has also embarked on a cost-cutting and store closure programme. Last year, Morrisons reported a 52% drop in annual profits to £345m - its worst results in eight years. The retailer also dropped out of the FTSE 100 list of the UK's biggest companies in December. The increase in sales came as Morrisons continued to cut prices - by 3.2% in the last year and 7% over two years. It said customers were also returning, with transactions up 1.3% in the period. However, total sales were down 1.2%, which Mr Thomas said suggested that customers were buying fewer items. Morrisons maintained its profit forecast, saying it expected full year underlying profit in the region of £295m to £310m, before £60m of restructuring and store closure costs. According to new figures from research firm Kantar Worldpanel, Morrisons' share of the overall grocery market was 11% in the 12 weeks to 3 January, down from 11.3% a year earlier. Sainsbury's was the best performing of the "big four" supermarkets - which includes Tesco, Sainsbury's Asda and Morrisons. Its market share rose 0.1 percentage points to 17% compared with the same period in 2014, making it the only one of the big four to increase its share. Discount chains Aldi and Lidl, as well as the Co-operative and Waitrose, were the other chains to increase their market share in the 12-week period. Tesco kept the number one slot, with a 28.3% share, although this was down from 29.1% a year earlier. Overall, the value of sales in the 12-week period was down 0.2% due to continued price deflation, Kantar said. Analysts reacted to Morrisons' sales figures with surprise, with Nick Bubb tweeting: "Wow Morrisons was actually up 0.2% LFL at Xmas". Morrisons is the first of the "big four" to release Christmas sales figures, with Sainsbury's publishes its third-quarter results on Wednesday, followed by Tesco on Thursday. Walmart-owned Asda does not release its figures until February, but it has predicted another year of "intense pressure". Last week,

Summary: Morrisons has reported better-than-expected sales over the Christmas shopping period compared with a year earlier.


The image of Saffiyah Khan has been shared thousands of times since it was taken at Saturday's demonstration. Ms Khan, from Birmingham, said she felt moved to intervene when she saw another woman surrounded by about 25 men. "I don't like seeing people getting ganged up on in my town," she said. Ms Khan, who said she was not part of an organised counter-protest, told the BBC she had been "quite surprised" when the photo was retweeted around the world. She said she had initially been happy "to stay out of the way", but "stepped forward" when another woman shouted "Islamophobe" at members of the EDL who had gathered in Centenary Square. "A group of 25 quite big-looking EDL lads, they surrounded her," she said. "She was 360 surrounded... I stepped forward and identified myself as someone who supported her and contradicted them." After that, Ms Khan said, protestors gathered around her instead, which led to the scene captured by a Press Association photographer. Ms Khan, who was born in the UK and is half-Pakistani, half-Bosnian, said she "wasn't intimidated in the slightest". She added: "He put his finger in my face. It was very aggressive. A police officer was there and the man took his finger out of my face. I wouldn't have responded violently." The picture was shared by, among others, Piers Morgan, who called it "photo of the week", and Birmingham Labour MP Jess Phillips. The BBC has been unable to reach the EDL for comment.

Summary: A viral photo of a woman smiling at an English Defence League (EDL) protester in Birmingham was snapped after she stepped in to defend a "fellow Brummie", she has told the BBC.


Kyles beat Glasgow Mid Argyll 2-1 at Yoker and remain two points clear of Shiel, who edged Lovat by the same score at home. Meanwhile, a 2-0 success over visitors Glenurquhart kept Newtonmore six points off the lead. Oban Camanachd bounced back from their defeat in the Celtic Society Cup final to record a 3-0 away victory in the league over Lochaber. Caberfeidh's opponents in the Balliemore Cup final on 15 July will be Fort William after their 3-1 semi-final victory at Inveraray. All the scoring at Yoker was over within the first half hour. Gordon Whyte got an early opener for Kyles, but Mid Argyll's Finlay MacMillan equalised. Thomas Whyte grabbed what turned out to be Kyles' winner before the joint-bottom side held the leaders for the rest of the game. Fraser MacVicar and Keith MacRae gave Kinlochshiel a 2-0 lead. Ryan Ferguson replied just after the restart, but Lovat could do no more and drop to fifth place. Lovat were leapfrogged on goal difference by Newtonmore after Fraser MacKintosh, late in the first half, and Iain Robinson, late in the second, struck to send the champions home against Glenurquhart. Malcolm Clark and Daniel Cameron gave Oban Camanachd a 2-0 half-time lead at Spean Bridge and David Lafferty put the game beyond doubt with 10 minutes remaining. Lochaber remain bottom by a goal difference of 10 and as one of three teams on five points alongside local rivals Kilmallie, who have also played 10 of their 18 games, and Glasgow Mid Argyll, who have a game in hand. After a goalless first half at Inveraray, the second was almost all Fort William, whose opener came from Seamus Gall. Calum Fraser doubled their lead and a goal from Calum Shepherd secured Fort's trip up the A82 for the Balliemore final in Drumnadrochit. Inveraray's late consolation came from Allan MacDonald. Leaders Caberfeidh and second-placed Skye maintained their unbeaten National Division records with comfortable home victories. Leading Scotland scorer Kevin Bartlett got a hat-trick for Cabers as they brushed Inverness aside 5-1. Meanwhile, Iain MacLellan and Will Cowie both got doubles in Skye's 6-0 romp against Strathglass. Beauly beat Oban Celtic 4-3 at Braeview. The Sutherland Cup final for shinty's reserve standard championship will be between Oban Camanachd's second string, Lochside Rovers, who beat Glenurquhart 5-0, and Kingussie, who prevailed 6-4 in a goal-strewn Badenoch derby against Newtonmore.

Summary: Victories for Kyles and Kinlochshiel maintained the status quo at the top of the Marine Harvest Premiership and left Newtonmore no closer to their aim of an eighth consecutive title, despite their own victory.


The facility is its second in Europe, after Brussels, and promises to provide faster access times to nearby clients. Google is currently the third most capable cloud computing service provider, according to a recent study. But the report, by Gartner, suggested Amazon and Microsoft had a clear lead. The technology consultancy added that in terms of sales to the "cloud infrastructure as a service" market, Google's share was also a "distant third". Until now, the search giant has focused on opening data centres for its cloud computing platform in the US and Asia, where it has bases in Singapore, Taiwan and Tokyo. But in announcing the London centre, it also disclosed plans to open facilities in Finland, the Netherlands and Frankfurt. "GCP [Google Cloud Platform] customers throughout the British Isles and Western Europe will see significant reductions in latency when they run their workloads in the London region," said product manager Dave Stiver, referring to processing delays caused by the distances data has to travel. "In cities like London, Dublin, Edinburgh and Amsterdam, our performance testing shows 40% to 82% reductions in round-trip latency when serving customers from London compared with the Belgium region." A spokeswoman for the company added that the decision to build a London centre had been taken before the Brexit vote and was therefore unrelated to speculation that the UK's data privacy laws may diverge from the EU's in the future. Google's platform allows clients to offload data processing tasks and information storage, including support for apps they may offer to the public and analysing feedback gathered from internet-connected devices. By charging customers for the amount of compute time they use rather than a flat rate, Google seeks to provide IT departments with a cheaper alternative to maintaining their own data centres. The company's existing customers include the Telegraph newspaper, Coca-Cola and the online education service Khan Academy. At present, GCP offers fewer features than Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure, but it is catching up, according to Gartner. "Google uses deep discounts and exceptionally flexible contracts to try to win projects from customers that are currently spending significant sums of money with cloud competitors," its June report said. And that had led some companies to use Google to supplement their use of Amazon or Microsoft's rival platforms. Gartner added: "GCP is increasingly chosen as a strategic alternative to AWS by customers whose businesses compete with Amazon." Last month it emerged that Wal-Mart had urged its IT vendors not to use Amazon's service because it did not want its "most sensitive data... sitting on a competitor's platform". Google does not disclose revenue for its cloud platform, but analysts estimate that it generated about $1bn (Â£776m) of sales last year and forecast it will double that amount in 2018. By contrast, market leader AWS generated $12.2bn of sales in the past financial year, and is more profitable than Amazon's better-known retail business. Microsoft will update investors on Azure's performance when it posts its full year's results next week. On Monday, it announced a new hybrid service that would allow

Summary: Google has revealed it has built a London data centre for the cloud computing services it rents to third parties.


It happened in the car park at Morrisons supermarket in King Street in the city at about 13:10 on Sunday. Dale Davidson, 30, of Peterhead, was charged with assault to injury and robbery at Aberdeen Sheriff Court. He made no plea and was remanded in custody.

Summary: A man has appeared in court after a 72-year-old woman was robbed in Aberdeen.


Nothing unusual there, you might think. But one writes about Allah and her mosque, the other about her synagogue and the Star of David. The two met at a Washington DC youth slam poetry event and write and communicate about their faiths in ways that aim to engage and provoke their audiences. It's a type of dialogue that will be much needed now, after the killings in Paris and the attack on a kosher supermarket there. The young poets were taking part in a session at Limmud, which has been likened to a Jewish Edinburgh festival, Hay and Glastonbury rolled into one and is held on Warwick University campus just before New Year. Limmud (from the Hebrew word for "learning") began life in 1980 and now has some 50 offshoots around the world. In the UK this year, it drew over 2,500 people from 27 countries - all the more remarkable given the relatively small size of the UK's Jewish community, which numbers under 300,000 people, a community with close links to Jewish families in Paris and elsewhere in France. The question of identity and security was tackled in many of Limmud's discussions, as Judaism and the role, lives and place of Jewish people in Europe and across the world was examined from every perspective, from the historical to the feminist, and from the religious to the secular. Even before the Paris attacks, there were worries over a sharp rise in anti-Semitism in the UK and mainland Europe in 2014, during and after the latest conflict in Gaza. In France, the killing of Jewish schoolchildren in Toulouse in 2012 by a Frenchman of Algerian descent, and the murders of four people inside the Jewish museum in Brussels by another Frenchman of Algerian descent in May 2014 heightened fears amongst the Jewish community in France and elsewhere. The uneasy mood was articulated by BBC's director of television, Danny Cohen, at a conference in Jerusalem last year. He said he had "never felt so uncomfortable as a Jew in the UK", as figures showed that anti-Semitic incidents in Britain also rose to record annual levels in 2014. Mr Cohen said levels of hatred were on the rise across Europe. "You've seen the number of attacks rise, you've seen murders in France, you've seen murders in Belgium. It's been pretty grim actually." The killings at Charlie Hebdo in Paris last week have further focused attention on radical Islamism in Europe, and the safety of Jewish communities in France, Germany and the UK. At one Limmud seminar, Michael Whine, of the Community Security Trust (CST), which seeks to protect Jewish communities and offer advice on security, sought to place last summer's figure in a wider European perspective, citing research by the Institute for Jewish Policy Research showing that Jewish people in the UK felt safer than those in France. However, CST figures still showed a significant rise in both verbal and physical attacks on Jewish people in the UK in 2014 compared with 2013, with 543 recorded in July and August 2014 alone - although the

Summary: Two young college student poets, Hannah Halpern and Amina Iro, are talking about their faith.


Hooker Dylan Hartley and locks Christian Day and James Craig all come in to the Saints starting line-up. Billy Vunipola makes his first appearance of the season for Saracens after recovering from a knee injury he suffered at the World Cup with England. Brad Barritt, Richard Wigglesworth and Chris Wyles come into the back line. Media playback is not supported on this device Hooker Schalk Brits makes his 150th appearance for Sarries while Mako Vunipola and Jacques Burger also come into the pack. Argentine World Cup pair Juan Figallo and Marcelo Bosch are named as replacements. Northampton: Foden; Elliott, G Pisi, Burrell, North; Myler, Fotuali'i; Waller, Hartley, Brookes, Craig, Day, Gibson, Wood (capt), Dickinson. Replacements: Haywood, Waller, Hill, Patterson, Harrison, Dickson, Hanrahan, Tuala. Saracens: Goode; Ashton, Taylor, Barritt, Wyles; Farrell, Wigglesworth; M. Vunipola, Brits, Du Plessis, Kruis, Hargreaves (capt), Itoje, Burger, B. Vunipola. Replacements: George, Barrington, Figallo, Rhodes, Brown, Spencer, Hodgson, Bosch. For the latest rugby union news follow @bbcrugbyunion on Twitter.

Summary: Northampton wing George North will make his first Saints appearance of the season following his time at the World Cup with Wales.


Gudjohnsen, who has also played for Barcelona, Bolton, Stoke and Fulham, has been with Norwegian club Molde since February. His short spell with Chinese Super League club Shijiazhuang Ever Bright ended in November 2015. Iceland co-manager Lars Lagerback said: "If he hadn't found a club in January, he would not have been picked." Listen: Iceland can be a Euro 2016 surprise, says Bergsson Gudjohnsen, who has won 84 caps for Iceland, is arguably his country's most celebrated player, having enjoyed an international career spanning 20 years, in addition to winning two Premier League titles with Chelsea and the Champions League and La Liga with Barcelona. He retired from international football in November 2013 after Iceland lost a 2014 World Cup play-off to Croatia, but was recalled in March 2015. Gudjohnsen played three of Iceland's 10 Euro 2016 qualifying matches, scoring one goal as they reached a major tournament for the first time. He moved to Molde - coached by former Manchester United striker and Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - with the intention of playing regular games in order to secure a Euro 2016 place. Heimir Hallgrimsson, who co-manages Iceland with Lagerback, said: "He has taken a step up at Molde. He looks fitter and has shown the desire necessary."

Summary: Former Chelsea forward Eidur Gudjohnsen has been named in Iceland's Euro 2016 squad at the age of 37.


The Tunisian electoral commission had asked for the delay, saying it needed more time to prepare a credible vote. The country's interim Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi said the vote will now take place on 23 October 2011. Critics say that elections should go ahead soon to bring an end to the instability following the overthrow of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. But many recently formed political parties say they need more time to prepare. Last month, the electoral commission sought a delay, saying that it needed more time to organise the vote, including putting three million Tunisians into the electoral database and ensuring hundreds of thousands of others get valid identity cards. Reputation "There are parties who did not agree, even the government did not agree, but our mission is to hold free and transparent elections," said Mr Essebsi, adding that Tunisia and its revolution "have a reputation that we must protect". The date was the result of several weeks of negotiations between political groups to establish a date for the first election since the popular uprising which brought about the fall of Mr Ben Ali, forced to cede power on 14 January after 23 years in power. Mr Essebsi said that Tunisia's fledgling experiment with democracy - which triggered a series of pro-democracy revolts across the Middle East - was being closely observed. "The world is watching us. Tunisia today has an extraordinary image because its revolution happened peacefully, without weapons," he said, adding: "The wind of freedom has blown through other countries... but we will be the only ones to succeed in putting into place a democratic government." October's vote is for a constituent assembly to write a new constitution that would pave the way for legislative and presidential elections. The new assembly will decide whether the country gets a presidential or parliamentary system, and whether a separation of religion and state becomes law. Under Mr Ben Ali's 23-year rule, a single party - now officially dissolved - controlled the country and opposition parties in parliament were largely symbolic. Since his overthrow a total of some 81 new parties have been officially registered.

Summary: Tunisia's interim government has said elections, due to be held in July, will be postponed for three months.


The group's State of Nature 2016 report says 18% of butterflies, 15% of dragonflies and 13% of plants face dying out. Across the UK, 13% of species assessed are under threat of disappearing. The report calls for "significant investment in the environment to ensure year-on-year improvement". It says changes in agricultural practices - including the use of pesticides and the loss of hedgerows - are among the biggest factors behind the "widespread decline" of nature. The State of Nature 2016 UK report will be launched by Sir David Attenborough in London on Wednesday. It will be followed later by separate launches in Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff. Sir David said: "The natural world is in serious trouble and it needs our help as never before. "The rallying call issued after the State of Nature report in 2013 has promoted exciting and innovative conservation projects. Landscapes are being restored, special places defended, struggling species being saved and brought back. "But we need to build significantly on this progress if we are to provide a bright future for nature and for people. The future of nature is under threat and we must work together; governments, conservationists, businesses and individuals, to help it." The Edinburgh event will be held at the Holyrood Hotel and will be attended by Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham, as well as leading conservation and research organisations. Ms Cunningham said: "This report highlights the challenges which lie ahead in conserving Scotland's wonderful nature. "The Scottish government is committed to driving forward Scotland's Biodiversity Strategy, the 2020 Challenge for Scotland's Biodiversity, and its accompanying Route Map to 2020. "We will publish a progress report at the end of this month and early indications show the majority of actions included in the Route Map are on track to achieve their targets. "We have so much to be proud of in Scotland and so much to protect and enhance. That means we all have much work to do and I look forward to working with our partners to improve the state of nature in Scotland." Mark Eaton, one of the lead authors on the report, said "ambitious action" was needed to preserve Scotland's natural world. He said: "Never before have we known this much about the state of nature in Scotland and the threats it is facing. "The partnership and many landowners are using the knowledge we're gathering to underpin some amazing scientific and conservation work. But more is needed to put nature back where it belongs - we must continue to work to help restore our land and sea for wildlife. "There is a real opportunity for the Scottish and UK governments to build on these efforts and deliver the significant investment and ambitious action needed to bring nature back from the brink."

Summary: One in 11 native species of animals and plants in Scotland is at risk of extinction, a report by 50 wildlife and research organisations has suggested.


Zaha's agent told BBC Sport on Thursday that Spurs had bid £15m for the 23-year-old England international. Pardew is keen to keep the former Manchester United player and said Parish had "made his position clear". "He was our player of the year and is a fans' favourite," Pardew said of Zaha, who scored five goals last season. "Wilf came and saw me, he believed there was interest from Tottenham. I don't even know what the bid is. The chairman has made his position clear and I stand by that. That's the right thing for us." Zaha, who rejoined Palace in February 2015 for £3m just two years after a £15m move to Old Trafford, made the first of his two England appearances in 2012 but has not been picked since 2013.

Summary: Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish "put the full stop" on Tottenham's interest in winger Wilfried Zaha, according to Eagles boss Alan Pardew.


Six cases caused by a bacteria similar to Mycobacterium lepromatosis have been confirmed in the squirrels since 2006. It is the first time the disease has been found in the species and little is known about the spread of the potentially fatal disease. Conservationists, however, say there are other more significant threats to red squirrels such as squirrelpox. Scientists are urging the public to report sightings of squirrels which may be suffering from leprosy. They said the information would help them build up a more detailed understanding of the disease. There is no suggestion of any risk to human health. Infected animals have been found from Dumfries and Galloway to the Moray Firth. Symptoms include hair loss and severe swelling to the snout, eyelids, ears and feet. Prof Anna Meredith of the Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies at Edinburgh University is leading the research. She told BBC Scotland: "We suspect this disease is more widespread than the six cases we have confirmed. "Red squirrels are in decline. They are threatened by the grey squirrel and already face the major threat of the squirrelpox virus. "This is the last thing that they need - another disease which could potentially threaten the population." However conservationists from Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels said the leprosy infection appeared to be extremely rare and would not be a major threat to the wider population. Project manager for Mel Tonkin, said : "Much more of a threat is the squirrelpox virus which is virtually always fatal to red squirrels, but finds a reservoir in grey squirrels. "Research indicates that squirrelpox disease is responsible for accelerating the rate with which grey squirrels have replaced red squirrels throughout most of England and Wales. "However, the conservation community has shown that red squirrel populations can be protected in the midst of grey squirrels carrying the virus by keeping the grey squirrel population density at a very low level." Researchers in Edinburgh investigating the leprosy infection said dead red squirrels could be sent to them by post provided they were appropriately packaged. But they advised members of the public to follow basic hygiene rules before and after handling dead squirrels. Details can be found on this webpage under the "post-mortem guidance note section".

Summary: Scotland's red squirrels are facing a new threat from a form of leprosy, according to scientists in Edinburgh.


The images were taken by architect Dennis Calow during the city's regeneration from the mid-1950s to the 1970s. The collection has been added to an online map created by the University of Leicester. It is hoped it will inspire other people to share photos and memories. Dr Simon Dixon, archives manager at the university, said at least 12,500 buildings and homes were demolished in Leicester when the clearance of working class Victorian housing resumed after being interrupted by World War Two. He said Dennis Calow was interested in the historical value of pre-20th Century buildings due to be torn down. Mr Dixon said the project was inspired by the growing number of Facebook pages dedicated to historical photos of cities. He said he hoped the photos would encourage people to come forward to share information about Leicester's lesser-known lost buildings.

Summary: Hundreds of photos of buildings demolished during Leicester's post-war slum clearance programme have been published online.


Ruth Davidson delivered that message during a speech at the Tory conference in Manchester. She addressed delegates ahead of Prime Minister David Cameron's speech. Her focus was on the 2016 Holyrood election in which she said every vote for the Conservatives would "promote Scotland's place" as part of the UK. The Conservatives have only one Scottish MP but 15 MSPs at Holyrood. Speaking at a fringe event at the conference on Sunday, Ms Davidson told activists her party was on track for its "best ever result" in next year's Holyrood elections. There is a new Jerusalem we want to build and we will work towards it every day." In last year's independence referendum people in Scotland voted to remain in the UK by 55% to 45%. In her speech to conference, Ms Davidson said the Scottish Conservatives were the party who represented the two million Scots who chose to back the Union. She insisted the Tories would target the regional vote in next year's Scottish Parliament elections and she urged people, whatever their party allegiance, to consider giving their second vote to the Conservatives. Ms Davidson told those gathered: "I don't want us to be just the party of the technocrat. The grudging vote of competence. "I want us to be the party of the thinkers, the dreamers, the reformers and the visionaries too. "The zeal of the missionary, the courage of the pioneer, the ambition to lift our eyes to the horizon and say there's a new Jerusalem we want to build and we will work towards it every day. "And, more than that. We'll take people with us." She added: "So long as the SNP refuses to rule out another referendum, our message for voters looking to cast that second vote is clear. Whichever party you support, use that vote intelligently. "And if you're one of the two million people who voted 'No' in last year's referendum, use it as your intelligent vote for the Union." Ms Davidson went on to tell conference "Every cross in the Scottish Conservative box is a vote to promote Scotland's place as part of the United Kingdom we built. And every vote for the Scottish Conservatives will help return a Conservative MSP." Ahead of Ms Davidson's address, Scottish Secretary David Mundell spoke to party members. Mr Mundell said: "We are stronger and safer together as partners in our UK. That is what just over two million voted just over a year ago, to keep our nations together. It was a 'no thanks' to independence." He added that the Conservative Party was in "the vanguard" of the No to Scottish independence campaign. However, Mr Mundell said there could not be room for complacency and "championing the UK must be a full time job".

Summary: Only the Conservatives represent those in Scotland who want to remain part of the UK, according to the party's Scottish leader.


A roof will be placed on the tank, which will hold more than 60,000 cubic metres of gas. The work is being done by the plant's owner Ineos to hold imported shale gas from the US, obtained through the controversial fracking process. The development of unconventional gas extraction has been halted by a Scottish government moratorium. Ineos announced plans last year to invest up to Â£640m in shale gas exploration in the UK and use it as a raw material for its chemicals plants. The company hopes they will eventually be able to use gas that has been fracked locally in future rather than relying on stocks from the US. The new storage tank is 56m (183ft) in diameter and 44m (144ft) high - 560 double decker buses could fit inside its 108,372 cubic metre interior. The 330 tonne roof of the tank was lifted into place using a cushion of air similar to a hovercraft. John McNally, chief executive of Ineos Olefins and Polymers UK, said it was a "landmark day for Grangemouth". He said: "We know that US ethane has transformed US manufacturing and now Scottish industry will benefit as well. "This will secure a cost-effective supply of ethane for the next 15 years, and give a sustainable base for Grangemouth for that time." Ineos has They have started a community consultation process to try to win support for fracking. The firm said it was unconcerned about the moratorium and a spokesman promised to drink "a lot of tea in a lot of village halls" to try to win the argument. However, Friends of the Earth Scotland director Dr Richard Dixon said: "We strongly suspect Ineos' plans for fracking in Scotland would result in blighted communities, with planning permissions sitting unused for years. "The last thing anyone wants is to have a site next to their home where fracking may happen at some unspecified time in the future. "Communities could have to wait until nearly 2030 to find out if they are going to be fracked or not. This threat of blight is another good reason for the Scottish government to decide that fracking has no place in Scotland."

Summary: Work to complete the biggest shale gas tank in Europe is continuing at the petrochemical plant in Grangemouth.


The race - the final round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) - starts in Llandudno, Conwy county, on 12 November and finishes in Deeside, Flintshire, on 15 November. Along the way, it will take in towns and villages in Powys, Gwynedd and Denbighshire. The rally is thought to be worth Â£10m annually to the Welsh economy. Councillor Avril York, Powys council's cabinet member for regeneration, said north and mid Wales was an ideal location for the event. "The area lends itself so well to rallying as we have the forests, mountains and magnificent scenery," she added. "This prestigious event brings so many benefits to the area." The line-up includes the world's top stars including the newly-crowned 2015 World Rally Champion Sebastien Ogier and Welsh driver Elfyn Evans. The final round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), the race will receive Â£4.5m from the Welsh government over three years.

Summary: The route has been confirmed for the Wales Rally GB, with 78 cars competing in the international race.


A Freedom of Information request by the Huffington Post UK found the cost of a journey transporting just government documents had often exceeded £100. The total bill could be higher as figures for additional trips using pool cars were not available. The government said there had been a "substantial reduction" in the cost of ministerial cars since 2011. David Cameron announced plans to shrink the bill for ministerial cars shortly after coming to office in 2010, and the number of ministers with access to their own chauffeur-driven car was cut. The practice of carrying ministers' "red boxes" in official cars is used for sensitive documentation. In 2010, journalist Sarah Vine, the wife of the then education secretary Michael Gove, wrote that while her husband could travel home by public transport, his red box would travel separately "in air-conditioned splendour, snug and secure in the back of a locked car". The red boxes travelled alone using the Government Car Service 1,910 times between 2012-13 and 2014-15, with the number of journeys rising over the course of the three years. 2011-12 £110,865 2012-13 £65,447.70 2013-14 £56,581.28 2014-15 £79,426.23 2015-16 £41,520.58 Source: Freedom of Information request to the Department for Transport Since 2012, pool cars have also been used by departments but their use is not recorded by the DfT, the department said. Labour MP Graham Jones told the Huffington Post: "The Tories said they'd clamp down on wasteful spending yet they still allow hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money to be spent ferrying round briefcases in chauffeur-driven cars." But the Department for Transport said the total cost of carrying ministers' paperwork was just 5% of the total spent on the Government Car Service and that it was committed to ensuring the service provided value for money. A spokeswoman added: "That is why, since 2010, the number of cars that make up the service has been reduced from 227 to 78. "We have also been working hard to cut our operating costs in order to further reduce the cost to the public purse. "Before April 2012, all cars were part of a government car pool and could be booked separately by ministers. After April 2012, cars were allocated to departments as departmental pool cars for use by ministers. These cars are managed by each department."

Summary: Chauffeuring ministers' paperwork around Whitehall has cost more than £350,000 since 2011, figures show.


But he hopes they will not create pressure to increase salaries in Wales. There is an agreement which limits the regions bidding for each other's players, however Scarlets faced competition when re-signing centre Scott Williams who was out of contract at the end of the season. "You've got to be realistic because it is a free market," Short said. "No agreement can constrain someone's ability to look for work, and regions will be ambitious and will have their own player requirements. "How the financial fallout from that works is part of the regions' agreement, and one would hope that you wouldn't see pressure within Wales to increase salaries because we've got enough to deal with outside of Wales." Wales international Williams had been expected to renew his national dual contract (NDC), funded 60% by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU). However, the WRU withdrew their offer with union chairman Gareth Davies saying it was because the regions had "upped the ante". Williams ended up signing a conventional deal with the Scarlets. The NDCs were introduced as a mechanism to stop high-profile players leaving Wales for England and France. Short was chairman of the regions' representative body - now called Pro Rugby Wales - when they negotiated the deal which funds and governs domestic rugby in Wales. He said he would not have expected the union to get involved in a bidding war, and backed the dual contracts. "The union have been excellent in supporting regions in the past year," he added. "The NDCs are working well and everybody should recognise that it's a new concept and will take some time to settle down, but it is settling down well. "And congratulations to the union - it's been a sea-change in the relationship over the past year or so."

Summary: Scarlets chairman Nigel Short admits it will be hard to stop regions competing against each other for Welsh players.


The manifesto issues a "challenge" to the other pro-independence parties by calling for a second referendum within the next five years. It also proposes a "living income" for carers, and a higher rate of income tax for the wealthiest 1%. Rise is fielding 40 candidates across the eight electoral regions. Among them will be former MSP Jean Urquhart, who left the SNP over its stance on Nato, former Scottish Socialist Party MSP Colin Fox, and Cat Boyd, who rose to prominence during the independence referendum campaign. Rise - which grew from the wider "Yes" movement during the independence referendum - said a key to its election campaign would be its pledge to hold another referendum within the lifespan of the next parliament, with or without Westminster's consent. It has claimed the SNP is being "deeply cautious" on independence, and that its first major act at Holyrood would be to table a resolution asserting the right of the Scottish Parliament to "call for and achieve a second referendum on independence, at the time of its choosing, during the lifetime of this parliament." During the launch event at the Glasgow Science Centre, Mr Fox criticised the SNP's "managerial" approach to government, saying the party had a "conservative vision", accusing them of "talking left and acting right". He said independence was the "elephant in the room" of the Holyrood campaign, and said "we need a mandate to force Westminster's hand" into allowing a second referendum. Ms Urquhart also attacked the "cynical" SNP and hit out at the Scottish Greens, saying they are "not motivated by independence" despite backing a Yes vote in the 2014 referendum. Rise would also replace the Council Tax with a Scottish Service Tax which would be based on individual incomes, as well introducing a whisky tax which it believes would raise £1bn a year - although alcohol duty is currently reserved to Westminster. Among the manifesto's other key pledges is a living income of £10,399 for Scotland's 170,000 carers, which Rise has estimated would cost £1.7bn a year. This would be paid for by a combination of tax changes, including increasing the income tax rate for those earning more than £150,000 from 45% to 60%, and introducing a new 45p rate for people earning between £50,000 and £150,000. When asked how this meshed with calls for a maximum wage of £100,000 per year, national organiser Jonathon Shafi said these were "campaigning policies". Rise describes itself as being "100% anti-austerity", and has pledged to campaign alongside trade unions, workers and communities to "resist Tory cuts at every level", and to demand that councillors and MSPs "refuse to implement a single penny of Westminster's cuts". It wants to see a minimum salary of £20,000, with a £10 per hour minimum wage for all public sector workers, to increase in line with inflation, alongside the £100,000 wage cap. The party has proposed allowing communities to purchase land regardless of the landlord's wishes, wants to abolish Police Scotland and replace it with police forces under local community control, and has called for the Dungavel immigration

Summary: Rise has unveiled its manifesto for the Holyrood election, with the left-wing alliance saying it will offer a "comprehensive prospectus for change".