input
stringlengths 15
457k
| output
stringlengths 0
457k
|
|---|---|
Add punctuation: Premier League champions Leicester City will travel to Derby County in an East Midlands derby, while Chelsea meet Brentford in a west London derby.
League One Millwall's reward for beating Bournemouth is to host another Premier League side, Watford.
The winners of the replay between Liverpool and League Two Plymouth will be at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers of the Championship.
Sutton United, the lowest-ranked side left in the competition, will face Leeds United - if they win their replay against AFC Wimbledon.
The fourth round represents the last-32 stage of the competition, and all ties are scheduled to be played from 27-30 January.
Draw in full:
Tottenham Hotspur v Wycombe Wanderers
Derby County v Leicester City
Oxford United v Newcastle United or Birmingham City
AFC Wimbledon or Sutton United v Leeds United
Plymouth Argyle or Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Southampton or Norwich City v Arsenal
Lincoln or Ipswich v Brighton
Chelsea v Brentford
Manchester United v Wigan Athletic
Millwall v Watford
Rochdale v Huddersfield Town
Burnley or Sunderland v Fleetwood Town or Bristol City
Blackburn Rovers v Barnsley or Blackpool
Fulham v Hull City
Middlesbrough v Accrington Stanley
Crystal Palace or Bolton v Manchester City | Premier League champions Leicester City will travel to Derby County in an East Midlands derby, while Chelsea meet Brentford in a west London derby.
League One Millwall's reward for beating Bournemouth is to host another Premier League side, Watford.
The winners of the replay between Liverpool and League Two Plymouth will be at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers of the Championship.
Sutton United, the lowest-ranked side left in the competition, will face Leeds United - if they win their replay against AFC Wimbledon.
The fourth round represents the last-32 stage of the competition, and all ties are scheduled to be played from 27-30 January.
Draw in full:
Tottenham Hotspur v Wycombe Wanderers
Derby County v Leicester City
Oxford United v Newcastle United or Birmingham City
AFC Wimbledon or Sutton United v Leeds United
Plymouth Argyle or Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Southampton or Norwich City v Arsenal
Lincoln or Ipswich v Brighton
Chelsea v Brentford
Manchester United v Wigan Athletic
Millwall v Watford
Rochdale v Huddersfield Town
Burnley or Sunderland v Fleetwood Town or Bristol City
Blackburn Rovers v Barnsley or Blackpool
Fulham v Hull City
Middlesbrough v Accrington Stanley
Crystal Palace or Bolton v Manchester City |
Add punctuation: Iain Turner, Adam Mekki, Erico Sousa, Sam Ilesanmi, Darren Askew and Tolani Omotola are all leaving the club.
Cole Stockton, Jake Kirby, Mitch Duggan, Luke Pilling and Evan Gumbs have been offered contracts, while Steve McNulty has a new 12-month deal.
Tranmere lost 3-1 to Forest Green Rovers in the National League play-off final at Wembley on 14 May.
After extending 33-year-old defender McNulty's contract by a further year, Rovers, who were relegated out of the Football League at the end of the 2014-15 season, also plan to offer new terms to Lee Vaughan, Liam Ridehalgh, Michael Ihiekwe, Lois Maynard and Adam Buxton. | Iain Turner, Adam Mekki, Erico Sousa, Sam Ilesanmi, Darren Askew and Tolani Omotola are all leaving the club.
Cole Stockton, Jake Kirby, Mitch Duggan, Luke Pilling and Evan Gumbs have been offered contracts, while Steve McNulty has a new 12-month deal.
Tranmere lost 3-1 to Forest Green Rovers in the National League play-off final at Wembley on 14 May.
After extending 33-year-old defender McNulty's contract by a further year, Rovers, who were relegated out of the Football League at the end of the 2014-15 season, also plan to offer new terms to Lee Vaughan, Liam Ridehalgh, Michael Ihiekwe, Lois Maynard and Adam Buxton. |
Add punctuation: Officials said Mohammed Abdulrahman Abu Niyan, a Saudi citizen, confessed to the murders which took place in the capital, Riyadh, earlier this month.
He received instructions, cash and weapons from IS elements in Syria, the interior ministry said in a statement.
Saudi Arabia is keenly aware that it is a key IS target, correspondents report.
IS has vowed to take over Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam and site of its holiest mosques - and last year issued a call for followers to carry out attacks against Saudi targets.
Abu Niyan confessed to the 8 April attack on the police officers in a patrol car in the capital, the interior ministry said in its statement carried by state media.
The 23-year-old is also said to have admitted wounding two other policemen in a similar shooting in March.
According to officials, he carried out the attacks after contact with an IS representative in Riyadh.
The ministry said it was also offering a bounty of 1 million riyals ($270,000; £176,000) for the capture of an accomplice, Nawaf bin Sharif Samir al-Anzi.
The Sunni Muslim-dominated Saudi kingdom is part of a US-led coalition waging an air war against IS, which has seized swathes of Syria and Iraq. | Officials said Mohammed Abdulrahman Abu Niyan, a Saudi citizen, confessed to the murders which took place in the capital, Riyadh, earlier this month.
He received instructions, cash and weapons from IS elements in Syria, the interior ministry said in a statement.
Saudi Arabia is keenly aware that it is a key IS target, correspondents report.
IS has vowed to take over Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam and site of its holiest mosques - and last year issued a call for followers to carry out attacks against Saudi targets.
Abu Niyan confessed to the 8 April attack on the police officers in a patrol car in the capital, the interior ministry said in its statement carried by state media.
The 23-year-old is also said to have admitted wounding two other policemen in a similar shooting in March.
According to officials, he carried out the attacks after contact with an IS representative in Riyadh.
The ministry said it was also offering a bounty of 1 million riyals ($270,000; £176,000) for the capture of an accomplice, Nawaf bin Sharif Samir al-Anzi.
The Sunni Muslim-dominated Saudi kingdom is part of a US-led coalition waging an air war against IS, which has seized swathes of Syria and Iraq. |
Add punctuation: A warrant was issued at midnight. Details were not given but media reports say the suspect is a Tunisian man named only as Anis A, born in 1992.
His residence permit was found in the cab of the lorry.
It has emerged that he was reported to counter-terrorism police last month and had been facing deportation since June.
Reports suggest he have been injured in a struggle with the lorry driver, found murdered in the cab. The attack claimed 12 lives in all.
Police are searching a migrant shelter in the Emmerich area of North Rhine-Westphalia, western Germany, where the suspect's permit was issued.
Chancellor Angela Merkel has met her security cabinet to discuss the investigation into the attack.
The Schengen area covers most EU states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Anis A is reported to have travelled to Italy in 2012 and then on to Germany in 2015 where he applied for asylum and was granted temporary leave to stay in April of this year.
Ralf Jaeger, the minister of interior of North Rhine-Westphalia, said on Wednesday that the claim for asylum had been rejected in June but the papers necessary for deportation had not been ready.
"Security agencies exchanged their findings and information about this person with the Joint Counter-Terrorism Centre in November 2016," the minister said.
Germany's Spiegel news magazine reports that the suspect was "classified as a so-called danger, a police category of people who are suspected of being capable of an attack, and who were therefore regularly checked".
Tunisia, Mr Jaeger said, had denied Anis A was its citizen, so the authorities had had to wait for temporary passport documentation from Tunisia.
"The papers arrived today from Tunisia," Mr Jaeger added.
At various times he is said to have tried to pass himself off as an Egyptian or a Lebanese, using the names Ahmad Z or Mohammed H (under a German convention, suspects are identified by their first name and initial).
He is said to have been briefly detained in August with fake Italian identity documents.
Sueddeutsche Zeitung reports that the suspect moved within the circle of an Islamist preacher, Ahmad Abdelazziz A, known as Abu Walaa, who was arrested in November.
Some 49 people were also injured when the lorry was driven into crowds at the Breitscheidplatz Christmas market. So-called Islamic State said one of its militants carried out the attack but offered no evidence.
Polish citizen Lukasz Urban was found dead on the passenger seat with gunshot and stab wounds.
Details of the casualties have begun to emerge:
More on the victims
Investigators quoted by German media say there is evidence that, despite being stabbed, Mr Urban wrestled him for the steering wheel.
One official quoted by Bild newspaper said it appeared from the post-mortem examination that the driver had survived up to the attack and was shot dead when the truck came to a halt. No gun has been recovered.
Ariel Zurawski, the owner of the Polish transport company, said he had been asked to identify Mr Urban from photographs.
"His face was swollen and bloodied," he told broadcaster TVN. "It was really clear that he was fighting for his life."
Company manager Lukasz Wasik described Mr Urban as a "good, quiet and honest person" and said he believed he would have defended the lorry "to the end".
Police say they are acting on hundreds of tips from the public and are examining DNA traces from the cab of the truck.
German President Joachim Gauck visited some of the injured on Wednesday.
Speaking outside the Charite Hospital in Berlin, he said: "They should feel that they are not alone and that apart from the doctors here, people across the country are hoping and waiting for them to recover."
Officials released the only detained suspect on Tuesday, saying there was no evidence to link him to the attack.
The IS group claimed the attack through its self-styled news agency, saying it was "in response to calls to target nationals of the coalition countries".
Prosecutor Peter Frank told reporters that the style of attack and the choice of target suggested Islamic extremism. | A warrant was issued at midnight. Details were not given but media reports say the suspect is a Tunisian man named only as Anis A, born in 1992.
His residence permit was found in the cab of the lorry.
It has emerged that he was reported to counter-terrorism police last month and had been facing deportation since June.
Reports suggest he have been injured in a struggle with the lorry driver, found murdered in the cab. The attack claimed 12 lives in all.
Police are searching a migrant shelter in the Emmerich area of North Rhine-Westphalia, western Germany, where the suspect's permit was issued.
Chancellor Angela Merkel has met her security cabinet to discuss the investigation into the attack.
The Schengen area covers most EU states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Anis A is reported to have travelled to Italy in 2012 and then on to Germany in 2015 where he applied for asylum and was granted temporary leave to stay in April of this year.
Ralf Jaeger, the minister of interior of North Rhine-Westphalia, said on Wednesday that the claim for asylum had been rejected in June but the papers necessary for deportation had not been ready.
"Security agencies exchanged their findings and information about this person with the Joint Counter-Terrorism Centre in November 2016," the minister said.
Germany's Spiegel news magazine reports that the suspect was "classified as a so-called danger, a police category of people who are suspected of being capable of an attack, and who were therefore regularly checked".
Tunisia, Mr Jaeger said, had denied Anis A was its citizen, so the authorities had had to wait for temporary passport documentation from Tunisia.
"The papers arrived today from Tunisia," Mr Jaeger added.
At various times he is said to have tried to pass himself off as an Egyptian or a Lebanese, using the names Ahmad Z or Mohammed H (under a German convention, suspects are identified by their first name and initial).
He is said to have been briefly detained in August with fake Italian identity documents.
Sueddeutsche Zeitung reports that the suspect moved within the circle of an Islamist preacher, Ahmad Abdelazziz A, known as Abu Walaa, who was arrested in November.
Some 49 people were also injured when the lorry was driven into crowds at the Breitscheidplatz Christmas market. So-called Islamic State said one of its militants carried out the attack but offered no evidence.
Polish citizen Lukasz Urban was found dead on the passenger seat with gunshot and stab wounds.
Details of the casualties have begun to emerge:
More on the victims
Investigators quoted by German media say there is evidence that, despite being stabbed, Mr Urban wrestled him for the steering wheel.
One official quoted by Bild newspaper said it appeared from the post-mortem examination that the driver had survived up to the attack and was shot dead when the truck came to a halt. No gun has been recovered.
Ariel Zurawski, the owner of the Polish transport company, said he had been asked to identify Mr Urban from photographs.
"His face was swollen and bloodied," he told broadcaster TVN. "It was really clear that he was fighting for his life."
Company manager Lukasz Wasik described Mr Urban as a "good, quiet and honest person" and said he believed he would have defended the lorry "to the end".
Police say they are acting on hundreds of tips from the public and are examining DNA traces from the cab of the truck.
German President Joachim Gauck visited some of the injured on Wednesday.
Speaking outside the Charite Hospital in Berlin, he said: "They should feel that they are not alone and that apart from the doctors here, people across the country are hoping and waiting for them to recover."
Officials released the only detained suspect on Tuesday, saying there was no evidence to link him to the attack.
The IS group claimed the attack through its self-styled news agency, saying it was "in response to calls to target nationals of the coalition countries".
Prosecutor Peter Frank told reporters that the style of attack and the choice of target suggested Islamic extremism. |
Add punctuation: The head of Venezuela's National Defence Council, Alexis López Ramírez, said he had resigned over President Nicolás Maduro's plans for a constituent assembly.
The general said he did not agree with the way the assembly was convened and how its members would be selected.
His resignation amid a political crisis has caused waves in Venezuela.
While polls suggest that 80% of Venezuelans are unhappy with the way Mr Maduro runs the country, the military has so far expressed its loyalty to the president.
Government critics have repeatedly tried to get the armed forces to switch sides. Most recently, jailed opposition leader Leopoldo López published a video message on Twitter calling on the military to rebel.
But so far there has been very limited dissent within the armed forces.
When news of the renunciation of Gen López filtered through on Monday, speculation therefore was at fever pitch about what had triggered it.
On Tuesday, he broke his silence and published a letter on Twitter [in Spanish] in which he stated his "appreciation, gratitude and friendship for President Nicolás Maduro" before writing that the reason for his renunciation was due to "my disagreement with the procedure used to convene and elect the constituent assembly".
President Maduro first announced plans to create a citizen's assembly to rewrite the constitution on 1 May.
The move has been heavily criticised by the opposition, which says it is an attempt by the president to increase his powers by sidestepping the opposition-controlled National Assembly.
But there has also been criticism from some "Chavistas", people loyal to Mr Maduro's mentor and predecessor in office, Hugo Chávez.
They say there is no need to change the constitution, which was drawn up and passed under President Chávez in 1999.
President Maduro argues that the constituent assembly will "bring peace" to Venezuela, where more than 60 people have been killed in protest-related violence since 1 April.
The president says a new constitution will also enshrine some of the social programmes Mr Chávez introduced and prevent them from being abolished should a new government come in.
There is also disagreement over whether the way the assembly was convened was legal, with some saying the president should have held a referendum.
However, a legal challenge filed by the chief prosecutor has been dismissed by the Supreme Court, which critics say is stacked with supporters of President Maduro.
Opposition politicians have called on Venezuelans to further increase the pressure on the government by stepping up their protests. | The head of Venezuela's National Defence Council, Alexis López Ramírez, said he had resigned over President Nicolás Maduro's plans for a constituent assembly.
The general said he did not agree with the way the assembly was convened and how its members would be selected.
His resignation amid a political crisis has caused waves in Venezuela.
While polls suggest that 80% of Venezuelans are unhappy with the way Mr Maduro runs the country, the military has so far expressed its loyalty to the president.
Government critics have repeatedly tried to get the armed forces to switch sides. Most recently, jailed opposition leader Leopoldo López published a video message on Twitter calling on the military to rebel.
But so far there has been very limited dissent within the armed forces.
When news of the renunciation of Gen López filtered through on Monday, speculation therefore was at fever pitch about what had triggered it.
On Tuesday, he broke his silence and published a letter on Twitter [in Spanish] in which he stated his "appreciation, gratitude and friendship for President Nicolás Maduro" before writing that the reason for his renunciation was due to "my disagreement with the procedure used to convene and elect the constituent assembly".
President Maduro first announced plans to create a citizen's assembly to rewrite the constitution on 1 May.
The move has been heavily criticised by the opposition, which says it is an attempt by the president to increase his powers by sidestepping the opposition-controlled National Assembly.
But there has also been criticism from some "Chavistas", people loyal to Mr Maduro's mentor and predecessor in office, Hugo Chávez.
They say there is no need to change the constitution, which was drawn up and passed under President Chávez in 1999.
President Maduro argues that the constituent assembly will "bring peace" to Venezuela, where more than 60 people have been killed in protest-related violence since 1 April.
The president says a new constitution will also enshrine some of the social programmes Mr Chávez introduced and prevent them from being abolished should a new government come in.
There is also disagreement over whether the way the assembly was convened was legal, with some saying the president should have held a referendum.
However, a legal challenge filed by the chief prosecutor has been dismissed by the Supreme Court, which critics say is stacked with supporters of President Maduro.
Opposition politicians have called on Venezuelans to further increase the pressure on the government by stepping up their protests. |
Add punctuation: The Department for Transport's support for the installation and maintenance of chargers ended in April.
Local councils, left to cover costs, tendered contracts out to private companies - and prices have gone up.
Transport Minister Baroness Kramer told You and Yours £500m was being invested over five years to provide support for electric vehicle drivers.
In the first five months of this year, nearly 2,000 electric cars were sold in the UK - more than double the sales for the same period in 2013.
One of the reasons for the increase is the perception that the running costs of an electric vehicle will be cheaper than a fossil fuel car.
There are concerns that increasing the cost of charging will choke market growth just as it begins to take off.
While electric cars are around £8,000 more expensive than a diesel or petrol one, the government offers a £5,000 grant towards the cost of the car, and will help to install a charge system at home.
Until very recently it was free to charge your car at all public power points. Now Charge Master, one of the biggest providers, asks for £7.50 for a half-hour rapid charge.
Andrew Fenwick-Green, marketing secretary of the Electric Vehicle Drivers Association, drives a Nissan Leaf. He said: "A gallon of diesel for most eco-diesels will cost you £6.30 and get you around 60 miles.
"A 30-minute rapid charge in my Nissan Leaf would give you a range of 64 miles. So we're paying an extra £1.20 more to get the same mileage. It's madness... if the rapid chargers go up to £7.50 we're going to kill the market at a stroke".
The Charge Your Car company asks for £5 for a rapid charge, and Transport for London awarded its contract to the French company Bollore, which will introduce an annual fee of £10 for unlimited charging from September.
Charge Master chief executive David Martell has asked for more support.
"Next year the amount of annual expenditure from Government on infrastructure is going to be slashed by two-thirds, which I think is a little too early.
"We need a few years' more support from the Government to allow proper businesses models to arrive for charging."
Lady Kramer said: "The whole point of this is that you charge at home. That leaves you with a cost of about 2p per mile, which is why it's attractive to the people who have been buying these cars.
"The public rapid chargers are intended for occasional use."
She added that the industry could have communicated with customers better but the shift to charging would not stymie the emerging electric vehicle market. | The Department for Transport's support for the installation and maintenance of chargers ended in April.
Local councils, left to cover costs, tendered contracts out to private companies - and prices have gone up.
Transport Minister Baroness Kramer told You and Yours £500m was being invested over five years to provide support for electric vehicle drivers.
In the first five months of this year, nearly 2,000 electric cars were sold in the UK - more than double the sales for the same period in 2013.
One of the reasons for the increase is the perception that the running costs of an electric vehicle will be cheaper than a fossil fuel car.
There are concerns that increasing the cost of charging will choke market growth just as it begins to take off.
While electric cars are around £8,000 more expensive than a diesel or petrol one, the government offers a £5,000 grant towards the cost of the car, and will help to install a charge system at home.
Until very recently it was free to charge your car at all public power points. Now Charge Master, one of the biggest providers, asks for £7.50 for a half-hour rapid charge.
Andrew Fenwick-Green, marketing secretary of the Electric Vehicle Drivers Association, drives a Nissan Leaf. He said: "A gallon of diesel for most eco-diesels will cost you £6.30 and get you around 60 miles.
"A 30-minute rapid charge in my Nissan Leaf would give you a range of 64 miles. So we're paying an extra £1.20 more to get the same mileage. It's madness... if the rapid chargers go up to £7.50 we're going to kill the market at a stroke".
The Charge Your Car company asks for £5 for a rapid charge, and Transport for London awarded its contract to the French company Bollore, which will introduce an annual fee of £10 for unlimited charging from September.
Charge Master chief executive David Martell has asked for more support.
"Next year the amount of annual expenditure from Government on infrastructure is going to be slashed by two-thirds, which I think is a little too early.
"We need a few years' more support from the Government to allow proper businesses models to arrive for charging."
Lady Kramer said: "The whole point of this is that you charge at home. That leaves you with a cost of about 2p per mile, which is why it's attractive to the people who have been buying these cars.
"The public rapid chargers are intended for occasional use."
She added that the industry could have communicated with customers better but the shift to charging would not stymie the emerging electric vehicle market. |
Add punctuation: Healing the Wounds in Porthcawl has been asked to stop using Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), which tries to change people's patterns of mental and emotional behaviour.
It is not regulated or approved and can make patients worse.
The charity said it is gathering data to prove its treatment is effective.
But two veterans interviewed for the BBC's Week In Week Out programme claim it was the therapy they received at Healing the Wounds that made them feel suicidal.
Both men, one of whom went undercover for the programme, said they felt worse after their treatment.
Dr Neil Kitchiner, head of the NHS All Wales Veterans Health and Wellbeing service, said he has not seen evidence of the treatment working.
"None of them are cured as far as I've seen, after three days treatment," he said.
"Some have been made very unwell as a result of going there and have needed a lot of support from NHS and veterans' charities.
"We have asked them to stop it.
"We have shown the evidence from the NHS and from the NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) guidelines, we've shared our concerns with them and yet they continue to operate in the way they do."
Healing The Wounds was set up by Bridgend couple Kevin and Carol Richards and has raised almost £500,000 in the last three years.
They insist it is offering a safe and effective alternative therapy for veterans.
But on the programme some describe feeling even worse after a three-day residential course during which veterans are sent to a hotel overnight.
One veteran, who did not want to be identified, said the course of therapy left him feeling suicidal.
"I did two full days and on the third I left and my wife came to collect me," he said. "When she came through the doors it was such a relief, I was left feeling worse than when I first went into Healing The Wounds."
The undercover veteran, who does not have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but described suffering some of the symptoms, was told by Carol Richards during therapy that it had taken her just 20 minutes to help one soldier who had seen many of his colleagues killed.
No attempt was made to contact the undercover veteran's GP to check his physical or mental health before therapy began.
Prof Neil Greenberg, co-director of the Academic Centre for Defence Mental Health at Kings College London, said: "If this group who are not medically qualified and don't know a person's whole treatment history, because they haven't got that, that could cause some real problems, it could be quite dangerous."
Healing the Wounds said it is collecting data to prove its treatment is effective, but Prof Greenberg says unless NLP is subjected to what are known as randomised clinical trials it cannot be established as an appropriate treatment for PTSD.
He added: "NLP has not been investigated by proper scientific trials to show it works.
"The key point is, just because someone feels good at end session, there is no guarantee they're going to feel good in the future.
"And given the fact we know psychological therapies have potential to harm we need to do those trails."
The programme also discovered that regulators have investigated the qualifications of a counsellor who had falsely been described as a clinical psychologist and a paramedic while helping vulnerable veterans for the charity.
John Yandle from Blaenavon claims Healing The Wounds did not check his qualifications before he began counselling people with PTSD who had turned to it for help.
The Health and Care Professions Council which polices the appropriate use of job titles including paramedic and clinical psychologist has ordered him not to use the titles in future.
Mr Yandle, who does have counselling qualifications, denied deliberately misleading people and says the charity had mistakenly referred to him as a paramedic on its website.
Darren Millar, chair of the Welsh assembly's cross-party group on the Armed Forces, is calling for better regulation of charities offering mental health services to veterans.
He said: "Because there is no regulation anybody can set up as an NLP practitioner and the quality of their work is not monitored by anybody so that puts potential risks out in the field for anybody accessing those sorts of services."
"What we need is some proper arrangements for oversight of the quality of the work being done by any charity that is giving some support to veterans.
"What is important is to measure the outcomes when any organisation is offering this sort of service to see if it is making a real difference in the lives of the people who contact it."
The Charities Commission has confirmed it is investigating Healing the Wounds and its links to The Forces Aid Foundation - set up by Kevin Richards and wrongly described as a charity on its website.
Mr Richards thanked the programme for pointing out the error and said it would amend its website.
The Welsh government said it has spent £500,000 on the All Wales Veterans Health and Well Being Service.
A spokesman added: "We are clear that where any body offers treatment for any condition, they should ensure that these are in line with evidence based guidelines.
"This is a stipulation for the NHS but an expectation for general good practice more broadly."
Week In Week Out is on BBC One Wales on Tuesday, 22 October 2013 at 22:35 BST | Healing the Wounds in Porthcawl has been asked to stop using Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), which tries to change people's patterns of mental and emotional behaviour.
It is not regulated or approved and can make patients worse.
The charity said it is gathering data to prove its treatment is effective.
But two veterans interviewed for the BBC's Week In Week Out programme claim it was the therapy they received at Healing the Wounds that made them feel suicidal.
Both men, one of whom went undercover for the programme, said they felt worse after their treatment.
Dr Neil Kitchiner, head of the NHS All Wales Veterans Health and Wellbeing service, said he has not seen evidence of the treatment working.
"None of them are cured as far as I've seen, after three days treatment," he said.
"Some have been made very unwell as a result of going there and have needed a lot of support from NHS and veterans' charities.
"We have asked them to stop it.
"We have shown the evidence from the NHS and from the NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) guidelines, we've shared our concerns with them and yet they continue to operate in the way they do."
Healing The Wounds was set up by Bridgend couple Kevin and Carol Richards and has raised almost £500,000 in the last three years.
They insist it is offering a safe and effective alternative therapy for veterans.
But on the programme some describe feeling even worse after a three-day residential course during which veterans are sent to a hotel overnight.
One veteran, who did not want to be identified, said the course of therapy left him feeling suicidal.
"I did two full days and on the third I left and my wife came to collect me," he said. "When she came through the doors it was such a relief, I was left feeling worse than when I first went into Healing The Wounds."
The undercover veteran, who does not have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but described suffering some of the symptoms, was told by Carol Richards during therapy that it had taken her just 20 minutes to help one soldier who had seen many of his colleagues killed.
No attempt was made to contact the undercover veteran's GP to check his physical or mental health before therapy began.
Prof Neil Greenberg, co-director of the Academic Centre for Defence Mental Health at Kings College London, said: "If this group who are not medically qualified and don't know a person's whole treatment history, because they haven't got that, that could cause some real problems, it could be quite dangerous."
Healing the Wounds said it is collecting data to prove its treatment is effective, but Prof Greenberg says unless NLP is subjected to what are known as randomised clinical trials it cannot be established as an appropriate treatment for PTSD.
He added: "NLP has not been investigated by proper scientific trials to show it works.
"The key point is, just because someone feels good at end session, there is no guarantee they're going to feel good in the future.
"And given the fact we know psychological therapies have potential to harm we need to do those trails."
The programme also discovered that regulators have investigated the qualifications of a counsellor who had falsely been described as a clinical psychologist and a paramedic while helping vulnerable veterans for the charity.
John Yandle from Blaenavon claims Healing The Wounds did not check his qualifications before he began counselling people with PTSD who had turned to it for help.
The Health and Care Professions Council which polices the appropriate use of job titles including paramedic and clinical psychologist has ordered him not to use the titles in future.
Mr Yandle, who does have counselling qualifications, denied deliberately misleading people and says the charity had mistakenly referred to him as a paramedic on its website.
Darren Millar, chair of the Welsh assembly's cross-party group on the Armed Forces, is calling for better regulation of charities offering mental health services to veterans.
He said: "Because there is no regulation anybody can set up as an NLP practitioner and the quality of their work is not monitored by anybody so that puts potential risks out in the field for anybody accessing those sorts of services."
"What we need is some proper arrangements for oversight of the quality of the work being done by any charity that is giving some support to veterans.
"What is important is to measure the outcomes when any organisation is offering this sort of service to see if it is making a real difference in the lives of the people who contact it."
The Charities Commission has confirmed it is investigating Healing the Wounds and its links to The Forces Aid Foundation - set up by Kevin Richards and wrongly described as a charity on its website.
Mr Richards thanked the programme for pointing out the error and said it would amend its website.
The Welsh government said it has spent £500,000 on the All Wales Veterans Health and Well Being Service.
A spokesman added: "We are clear that where any body offers treatment for any condition, they should ensure that these are in line with evidence based guidelines.
"This is a stipulation for the NHS but an expectation for general good practice more broadly."
Week In Week Out is on BBC One Wales on Tuesday, 22 October 2013 at 22:35 BST |
Add punctuation: BBC Newsnight and BuzzFeed News have learned of a document, emailed to civil servants in the name of Alan Yentob, chair of the charity's trustees, on 2 June. It warned that a sudden closure of the charity would mean a "high risk of arson attacks on government buildings".
The document also warned of a high risk of "looting" and "rioting", and cautioned that the "communities" served by Kids Company could "descend into savagery". The document was written in language that civil servants across government described as "absurd", "hysterical" and "extraordinary".
The document was the first part of the case made by Kids Company, which sought to help young people up to the age of 24, for the £3m grant. It was part of a proposal that the financially troubled charity should be restructured into a much smaller "child wellbeing hub", which could survive on a smaller income.
The Cabinet Office has acknowledged receiving a copy of the document, which was also sent to at least two London local authorities. The central government department has, however, declined to comment beyond noting that this document was not the basis upon which the charity was given the £3m grant.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Mr Yentob, also the BBC's creative director, said: "The document... was an appendix written by the Safeguarding Team, who set out all the potential risks to be taken into account in the event of closure."
The document sent to the Cabinet Office said: "We have created a structure which acts as a substitute parent and extended family. The endings of these relationships will be therefore potentially equivalent to death of the primary care giver i.e. a mother, a father and/or the whole extended family within a biological familial structure.
"The impact of such termination will be devastating for each child in their own way. In our scenario, these children will have no emergency aid agency or rescue team set up for them to acknowledge the turmoil closure will bring for them."
After explaining the potential trauma for clients, the document then went on to list "risks posed to the public", saying there was a "high risk" of looting, rioting and arson attacks on government buildings. The same section also listed "increases" in knife and gun crime, neglect, starvation and modern-day slavery as possible dangers.
The document also says: "We are... concerned that these children and families will be left without services in situations of sexual, psychological or emotional abuse, neglect and malnutrition and facing homelessness and further destitution."
It continued: "Our cause for concern is not hypothetical, but based on a deep understanding of the socio-psychological background that these children operate within. We know that the referrals will not get picked up and be dealt with. We know that there are not enough voluntary agencies equipped or staffed to deal with the challenging behaviour that our client group possesses.
"Without a functioning space for hope, positivity and genuine care, these communities will descend into savagery due to sheer desperation for basic needs to be met."
Local authority officials and councillors have expressed anger and bemusement at this claim, in particular.
MPs expect a formal investigation into the £3m disbursal to the charity. The money was received by the charity less than a week before its sudden closure on 5 August.
This grant was paid against the advice of the department's lead civil servant. Richard Heaton, the Cabinet Office permanent secretary, sought a "ministerial direction" - a means of registering his dissent - at the payment over concerns about the charity's management.
He wrote a letter setting out his concerns, based in part on Kids Company's failure to meet conditions attached to a grant of £4.3m paid in April.
Oliver Letwin and Matthew Hancock, ministers at the Cabinet Office, decided to give the money to the charity despite Mr Heaton's misgivings.
But as BBC Newsnight and BuzzFeed News revealed in July, they demanded that Camila Batmanghelidjh, the charity's chief executive, step down from her role as a condition of the payment.
Officials now expect to recover only £1.8m - a loss of £1.2m which, according to internal emails from the charity, prolonged the life of the charity by just five working days.
Officials in central and local government have also told BBC Newsnight and BuzzFeed News that they have been taken aback by the difficulty in establishing how much work the charity actually did. The organisation had claimed to "intensively" help 18,000 young people and to "reach" 36,000.
The charity also said that its records showed that it supported 15,933 young people. Speaking to Radio 4's The Report on August 5, Ms Batmanghelidjh had said that the figure of 15,933 represented "the most high-risk group of kids, that's what's sucking up all our money". All of these clients, she said, had "keyworkers" allocated to them.
However, the charity has handed over records to local government relating to just 1,692 clients in London, of which the charity had designated 331 as "high-risk". Officials in Bristol have been given details of a further 175 clients. Ms Batmanghelidjh has told The Sunday Times that she has kept back some records of clients who are at risk of deportation.
Mr Yentob, in his statement, added: "Despite the support of local authorities, many of those who received support and refuge from Kids Company remain at risk. The welfare and safety of both the young people and the communities in which they live continues to be of great concern."
Investigations by MPs and the National Audit Office are now expected into the Cabinet Office's decisions.
Meanwhile, the Charity Commission is looking into Kids Company's management and governance, while the Metropolitan Police is also conducting an investigation involving the charity. Their inquiry is being led by the complex case team of the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command. | BBC Newsnight and BuzzFeed News have learned of a document, emailed to civil servants in the name of Alan Yentob, chair of the charity's trustees, on 2 June. It warned that a sudden closure of the charity would mean a "high risk of arson attacks on government buildings".
The document also warned of a high risk of "looting" and "rioting", and cautioned that the "communities" served by Kids Company could "descend into savagery". The document was written in language that civil servants across government described as "absurd", "hysterical" and "extraordinary".
The document was the first part of the case made by Kids Company, which sought to help young people up to the age of 24, for the £3m grant. It was part of a proposal that the financially troubled charity should be restructured into a much smaller "child wellbeing hub", which could survive on a smaller income.
The Cabinet Office has acknowledged receiving a copy of the document, which was also sent to at least two London local authorities. The central government department has, however, declined to comment beyond noting that this document was not the basis upon which the charity was given the £3m grant.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Mr Yentob, also the BBC's creative director, said: "The document... was an appendix written by the Safeguarding Team, who set out all the potential risks to be taken into account in the event of closure."
The document sent to the Cabinet Office said: "We have created a structure which acts as a substitute parent and extended family. The endings of these relationships will be therefore potentially equivalent to death of the primary care giver i.e. a mother, a father and/or the whole extended family within a biological familial structure.
"The impact of such termination will be devastating for each child in their own way. In our scenario, these children will have no emergency aid agency or rescue team set up for them to acknowledge the turmoil closure will bring for them."
After explaining the potential trauma for clients, the document then went on to list "risks posed to the public", saying there was a "high risk" of looting, rioting and arson attacks on government buildings. The same section also listed "increases" in knife and gun crime, neglect, starvation and modern-day slavery as possible dangers.
The document also says: "We are... concerned that these children and families will be left without services in situations of sexual, psychological or emotional abuse, neglect and malnutrition and facing homelessness and further destitution."
It continued: "Our cause for concern is not hypothetical, but based on a deep understanding of the socio-psychological background that these children operate within. We know that the referrals will not get picked up and be dealt with. We know that there are not enough voluntary agencies equipped or staffed to deal with the challenging behaviour that our client group possesses.
"Without a functioning space for hope, positivity and genuine care, these communities will descend into savagery due to sheer desperation for basic needs to be met."
Local authority officials and councillors have expressed anger and bemusement at this claim, in particular.
MPs expect a formal investigation into the £3m disbursal to the charity. The money was received by the charity less than a week before its sudden closure on 5 August.
This grant was paid against the advice of the department's lead civil servant. Richard Heaton, the Cabinet Office permanent secretary, sought a "ministerial direction" - a means of registering his dissent - at the payment over concerns about the charity's management.
He wrote a letter setting out his concerns, based in part on Kids Company's failure to meet conditions attached to a grant of £4.3m paid in April.
Oliver Letwin and Matthew Hancock, ministers at the Cabinet Office, decided to give the money to the charity despite Mr Heaton's misgivings.
But as BBC Newsnight and BuzzFeed News revealed in July, they demanded that Camila Batmanghelidjh, the charity's chief executive, step down from her role as a condition of the payment.
Officials now expect to recover only £1.8m - a loss of £1.2m which, according to internal emails from the charity, prolonged the life of the charity by just five working days.
Officials in central and local government have also told BBC Newsnight and BuzzFeed News that they have been taken aback by the difficulty in establishing how much work the charity actually did. The organisation had claimed to "intensively" help 18,000 young people and to "reach" 36,000.
The charity also said that its records showed that it supported 15,933 young people. Speaking to Radio 4's The Report on August 5, Ms Batmanghelidjh had said that the figure of 15,933 represented "the most high-risk group of kids, that's what's sucking up all our money". All of these clients, she said, had "keyworkers" allocated to them.
However, the charity has handed over records to local government relating to just 1,692 clients in London, of which the charity had designated 331 as "high-risk". Officials in Bristol have been given details of a further 175 clients. Ms Batmanghelidjh has told The Sunday Times that she has kept back some records of clients who are at risk of deportation.
Mr Yentob, in his statement, added: "Despite the support of local authorities, many of those who received support and refuge from Kids Company remain at risk. The welfare and safety of both the young people and the communities in which they live continues to be of great concern."
Investigations by MPs and the National Audit Office are now expected into the Cabinet Office's decisions.
Meanwhile, the Charity Commission is looking into Kids Company's management and governance, while the Metropolitan Police is also conducting an investigation involving the charity. Their inquiry is being led by the complex case team of the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command. |
Add punctuation: The 32-year-old has accepted a wildcard to play doubles with Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova at the Southern California Open in Carlsbad later this month.
Hingis, who won five Grand Slam singles titles including Wimbledon in 1997 at the age of 16, was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday.
Singles: Australia (1997, 1998, 1999), Wimbledon (1997), US Open (1997)
Doubles: Australia (1997, 1998, 1999, 2002), French (1998, 2000), Wimbledon (1996, 1998), US Open (1998).
Mixed Doubles: Australia (2006).
"My competitive spirit is still very much alive," the Swiss said.
"I feel in good shape at the moment after playing World Team Tennis. I love being out on court.
"I am very much looking forward to making a return to competitive play at the Southern California Open. I remember winning the singles and doubles here in 1997 and winning the singles again in 1999."
As well as winning Wimbledon in 1997, Hingis also won the US Open and the first of three successive Australian Open titles that year.
Hingis retired in 2003 at the age of 22 after a series of ankle injuries, but returned to the WTA Tour in 2006.
She quit the game for a second time in November 2007, revealing she had tested positive for cocaine at that year's Wimbledon.
Hingis, who has won 43 WTA singles titles, said she had "never taken drugs", but did not appeal against the two-year ban she was given. | The 32-year-old has accepted a wildcard to play doubles with Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova at the Southern California Open in Carlsbad later this month.
Hingis, who won five Grand Slam singles titles including Wimbledon in 1997 at the age of 16, was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday.
Singles: Australia (1997, 1998, 1999), Wimbledon (1997), US Open (1997)
Doubles: Australia (1997, 1998, 1999, 2002), French (1998, 2000), Wimbledon (1996, 1998), US Open (1998).
Mixed Doubles: Australia (2006).
"My competitive spirit is still very much alive," the Swiss said.
"I feel in good shape at the moment after playing World Team Tennis. I love being out on court.
"I am very much looking forward to making a return to competitive play at the Southern California Open. I remember winning the singles and doubles here in 1997 and winning the singles again in 1999."
As well as winning Wimbledon in 1997, Hingis also won the US Open and the first of three successive Australian Open titles that year.
Hingis retired in 2003 at the age of 22 after a series of ankle injuries, but returned to the WTA Tour in 2006.
She quit the game for a second time in November 2007, revealing she had tested positive for cocaine at that year's Wimbledon.
Hingis, who has won 43 WTA singles titles, said she had "never taken drugs", but did not appeal against the two-year ban she was given. |
Add punctuation: Miss Knox and her ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were convicted and imprisoned for the 2007 murder of Miss Kercher, a 21-year-old student from Surrey.
Both spent four years in prison but were cleared of murder last year.
The LA Times said the film explores the case "with laser-like precision".
"This strong documentary sheds a powerful light on this particular case while emphasising the ultimate unknowability of absolute truth."
Miss Knox has been interviewed at length for the documentary, which was released on Friday.
The film also features interviews with Mr Sollecito and Italian prosecutor Giuliano Mignini.
Writing in The New York Times, Jeanette Catsoulis described the documentary as a "tightly edited, coherently structured and ultimately moving reassessment that burrows beneath the lurid in search of the illuminating".
But The Guardian described the film as "intriguing but flawed".
"This film could have looked harder at the authorities' murky and compromised mindset, and made that the focus of their film," Peter Bradshaw wrote.
"Instead, they do a steady job of interviewing most of the main players, keeping a deadpan if spurious air of mystery, as Knox says some faintly melodramatic stuff about being perceived as a "psychopath in sheep's clothing".
The Wall Street Journal said the movie "makes a virtually airtight argument for [Knox's] innocence".
"While Amanda Knox would seem to continue the exploitation of its subject, Ms Knox herself is involved so, one presumes, the payoff is guilt-free viewing. The bonus: some clues to why the now-29-year-old University of Washington grad became a tabloid villainess in the first place."
Miss Knox herself said she is not a "terrible monster" ahead of the release of the documentary.
She said she wanted to be involved in the film to show the "nightmare" she had been through.
"I think I'm trying to explain what it feels like to be wrongfully convicted," she told Good Morning America.
"To either be this terrible monster or to be this regular person who is vulnerable."
After appeals and retrials they were acquitted last year by Italy's highest court.
"What I'm trying to convey is that a regular person like me - just a kid who was studying abroad, who loves languages - could be caught up in this nightmare where they're portrayed as something that they're not," she said.
"There remains the fact that I'm in a unique position as an exoneree. Once an exoneree always an exoneree. I can't go back to my life that I had before, and neither can the other exonerees that are out there."
Miss Knox, who has said she was not paid to be involved in the documentary, said the prosecutor's focus on her meant Miss Kercher had been "lost" in the case.
She said: "For [the Kercher's family] that's never going to end and that's the really sad part about this tragedy.
"As soon as the prosecutor made this about 'it has to be Amanda, it has to be Amanda', they took away the fact this case is about her.
"She's been lost in all of that. But that doesn't change the fact that we have also an obligation to everyone who could potentially be innocent to find out the truth for the sake of the victim, and for the sake of them as well."
On Thursday evening, Mr Sollecito told BBC Newsnight that he needed to rebuild his image before he could rebuild his life.
He said: "People never understood the truth about this case. They never knew about us.
"The victim is Meredith Kercher, but there are other two victims who are alive."
Mr Sollecito said it was "ridiculous" to suggest he was protecting Miss Knox out of a sense of loyalty, given the couple had only been together for a few days when Miss Kercher was killed.
"After five days, I didn't know her, so why should I be loyal to her," he said.
He said he and Miss Knox now have "a good relationship", adding: "We don't talk too much because we are very distant, and we are caring about our lives."
Mr Sollecito is now seeking compensation for his legal fees, which he says have cost his family more than $1m (£771,000).
Follow us on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, on Instagram, or if you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk. | Miss Knox and her ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were convicted and imprisoned for the 2007 murder of Miss Kercher, a 21-year-old student from Surrey.
Both spent four years in prison but were cleared of murder last year.
The LA Times said the film explores the case "with laser-like precision".
"This strong documentary sheds a powerful light on this particular case while emphasising the ultimate unknowability of absolute truth."
Miss Knox has been interviewed at length for the documentary, which was released on Friday.
The film also features interviews with Mr Sollecito and Italian prosecutor Giuliano Mignini.
Writing in The New York Times, Jeanette Catsoulis described the documentary as a "tightly edited, coherently structured and ultimately moving reassessment that burrows beneath the lurid in search of the illuminating".
But The Guardian described the film as "intriguing but flawed".
"This film could have looked harder at the authorities' murky and compromised mindset, and made that the focus of their film," Peter Bradshaw wrote.
"Instead, they do a steady job of interviewing most of the main players, keeping a deadpan if spurious air of mystery, as Knox says some faintly melodramatic stuff about being perceived as a "psychopath in sheep's clothing".
The Wall Street Journal said the movie "makes a virtually airtight argument for [Knox's] innocence".
"While Amanda Knox would seem to continue the exploitation of its subject, Ms Knox herself is involved so, one presumes, the payoff is guilt-free viewing. The bonus: some clues to why the now-29-year-old University of Washington grad became a tabloid villainess in the first place."
Miss Knox herself said she is not a "terrible monster" ahead of the release of the documentary.
She said she wanted to be involved in the film to show the "nightmare" she had been through.
"I think I'm trying to explain what it feels like to be wrongfully convicted," she told Good Morning America.
"To either be this terrible monster or to be this regular person who is vulnerable."
After appeals and retrials they were acquitted last year by Italy's highest court.
"What I'm trying to convey is that a regular person like me - just a kid who was studying abroad, who loves languages - could be caught up in this nightmare where they're portrayed as something that they're not," she said.
"There remains the fact that I'm in a unique position as an exoneree. Once an exoneree always an exoneree. I can't go back to my life that I had before, and neither can the other exonerees that are out there."
Miss Knox, who has said she was not paid to be involved in the documentary, said the prosecutor's focus on her meant Miss Kercher had been "lost" in the case.
She said: "For [the Kercher's family] that's never going to end and that's the really sad part about this tragedy.
"As soon as the prosecutor made this about 'it has to be Amanda, it has to be Amanda', they took away the fact this case is about her.
"She's been lost in all of that. But that doesn't change the fact that we have also an obligation to everyone who could potentially be innocent to find out the truth for the sake of the victim, and for the sake of them as well."
On Thursday evening, Mr Sollecito told BBC Newsnight that he needed to rebuild his image before he could rebuild his life.
He said: "People never understood the truth about this case. They never knew about us.
"The victim is Meredith Kercher, but there are other two victims who are alive."
Mr Sollecito said it was "ridiculous" to suggest he was protecting Miss Knox out of a sense of loyalty, given the couple had only been together for a few days when Miss Kercher was killed.
"After five days, I didn't know her, so why should I be loyal to her," he said.
He said he and Miss Knox now have "a good relationship", adding: "We don't talk too much because we are very distant, and we are caring about our lives."
Mr Sollecito is now seeking compensation for his legal fees, which he says have cost his family more than $1m (£771,000).
Follow us on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, on Instagram, or if you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk. |
Add punctuation: Help Refugees said the man, who was killed in Banbury in the early hours of Friday, was trying to reach relatives in the UK.
The charity said Mohammed Hussain, 18, had been living in a refugee camp in Dunkirk for six months.
A spokeswoman said he was trying to get to an uncle in Manchester.
Maddie Harris, a charity volunteer at the camp, said when the man's cousin and another uncle, who were still in Dunkirk, tried to call his mobile phone on Friday evening, it was answered by police.
She said: "The police answered and I was asked to speak to them.
"He was underneath a truck, there was an accident and he was killed.
"He'd been in Dunkirk a long time - maybe he decided to go on his own.
"The problem is, we are aware of Mohammed because he was known in the camp, but how many more people has this happened to?"
Thames Valley Police would not confirm the identity of the man who was killed, but said his next of kin had been informed.
A man arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving has since been released without charge.
The crash happened at 04:35 BST in Banbury on Beaumont Road, at its junction with Southam Road.
The charity says it believes Mr Hussain is the first refugee to be killed on British soil in 2016. | Help Refugees said the man, who was killed in Banbury in the early hours of Friday, was trying to reach relatives in the UK.
The charity said Mohammed Hussain, 18, had been living in a refugee camp in Dunkirk for six months.
A spokeswoman said he was trying to get to an uncle in Manchester.
Maddie Harris, a charity volunteer at the camp, said when the man's cousin and another uncle, who were still in Dunkirk, tried to call his mobile phone on Friday evening, it was answered by police.
She said: "The police answered and I was asked to speak to them.
"He was underneath a truck, there was an accident and he was killed.
"He'd been in Dunkirk a long time - maybe he decided to go on his own.
"The problem is, we are aware of Mohammed because he was known in the camp, but how many more people has this happened to?"
Thames Valley Police would not confirm the identity of the man who was killed, but said his next of kin had been informed.
A man arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving has since been released without charge.
The crash happened at 04:35 BST in Banbury on Beaumont Road, at its junction with Southam Road.
The charity says it believes Mr Hussain is the first refugee to be killed on British soil in 2016. |
Add punctuation: Media playback is not supported on this device
Monday's 3-0 defeat by Crystal Palace left Arsenal in sixth place, seven points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City with eight games left.
Wenger, whose deal ends this summer, has led Arsenal to top-four finishes in each of his 20 seasons in charge.
Media playback is not supported on this device
On the top four, he said: "We might get there, we might not get there."
The Frenchman has been offered a new two-year deal, although he is yet to announce whether he will continue.
Five defeats in their past 10 Premier League games have prompted some Arsenal fans to call for Wenger to leave the club.
Asked on Friday about his future, Wenger said: "What is happening at board level is not down to me.
"I focus on what is down to me, the performance of the team and what the fans are interested in is the performance of the team."
The Gunners are at struggling Middlesbrough on Monday (20:00 BST).
Wenger refused to comments on reports forward Alexis Sanchez had been offered a new £300,000-a-week deal.
The Chile international, 28, who is contracted to the Gunners until the summer of 2018, was nominated for PFA Player of the Year award this week after scoring 18 goals and assisting nine in the league this season.
"I'm very happy because it rewards a very strong season if you look at his numbers," added Wenger.
"He basically prefers to play wide rather than up front because he can get the ball more. He has to keep that balance between providing and goalscoring because he has both in the locker."
Pick your Team of the Year from our list and share with your friends. | Media playback is not supported on this device
Monday's 3-0 defeat by Crystal Palace left Arsenal in sixth place, seven points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City with eight games left.
Wenger, whose deal ends this summer, has led Arsenal to top-four finishes in each of his 20 seasons in charge.
Media playback is not supported on this device
On the top four, he said: "We might get there, we might not get there."
The Frenchman has been offered a new two-year deal, although he is yet to announce whether he will continue.
Five defeats in their past 10 Premier League games have prompted some Arsenal fans to call for Wenger to leave the club.
Asked on Friday about his future, Wenger said: "What is happening at board level is not down to me.
"I focus on what is down to me, the performance of the team and what the fans are interested in is the performance of the team."
The Gunners are at struggling Middlesbrough on Monday (20:00 BST).
Wenger refused to comments on reports forward Alexis Sanchez had been offered a new £300,000-a-week deal.
The Chile international, 28, who is contracted to the Gunners until the summer of 2018, was nominated for PFA Player of the Year award this week after scoring 18 goals and assisting nine in the league this season.
"I'm very happy because it rewards a very strong season if you look at his numbers," added Wenger.
"He basically prefers to play wide rather than up front because he can get the ball more. He has to keep that balance between providing and goalscoring because he has both in the locker."
Pick your Team of the Year from our list and share with your friends. |
Add punctuation: The 39-year-old led 3-1 and was pegged back to 3-3 by Northumberland's Robson before winning in a deciding set.
Qualifier Smith is the first Canadian to reach the last eight at Lakeside since John Part won the title in 1994.
Three-time champion Anastasia Dobromyslova and Fallon Sherrock both progressed to the semi-finals of the women's event.
Russia's Dobromyslova, who is based in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, lost just one leg in her 2-0 win over 22-year-old Zoe Jones from Redditch, Worcestershire.
Sherrock, 20, lost the first set to Dutch third seed Aileen de Graaf but the sixth seed from Milton Keynes fought back to claim victory in a sudden-death leg.
Smith, who is the only overseas player left in the men's competition, missed six darts for the match before finally landing double eight to beat Robson.
"I came out like a house on fire but you've got to give Gary credit where it's due. He came back so hard and it basically turned my legs to jelly," said Smith.
"I had a couple of opportunities to put the match away, but he played so well and I couldn't shake him off."
The men's quarter-final line-up will be completed on Thursday evening, with 2013 champion Scott Waites taking on Ross Montgomery and Jamie Hughes up against Glen Durrant in the two remaining second-round matches.
The inaugural World Youth Championship was won by 16-year-old Colin Roelofs of the Netherlands, who put in an impressive performance to beat Derbyshire's Harry Ward 3-0 without dropping a leg. | The 39-year-old led 3-1 and was pegged back to 3-3 by Northumberland's Robson before winning in a deciding set.
Qualifier Smith is the first Canadian to reach the last eight at Lakeside since John Part won the title in 1994.
Three-time champion Anastasia Dobromyslova and Fallon Sherrock both progressed to the semi-finals of the women's event.
Russia's Dobromyslova, who is based in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, lost just one leg in her 2-0 win over 22-year-old Zoe Jones from Redditch, Worcestershire.
Sherrock, 20, lost the first set to Dutch third seed Aileen de Graaf but the sixth seed from Milton Keynes fought back to claim victory in a sudden-death leg.
Smith, who is the only overseas player left in the men's competition, missed six darts for the match before finally landing double eight to beat Robson.
"I came out like a house on fire but you've got to give Gary credit where it's due. He came back so hard and it basically turned my legs to jelly," said Smith.
"I had a couple of opportunities to put the match away, but he played so well and I couldn't shake him off."
The men's quarter-final line-up will be completed on Thursday evening, with 2013 champion Scott Waites taking on Ross Montgomery and Jamie Hughes up against Glen Durrant in the two remaining second-round matches.
The inaugural World Youth Championship was won by 16-year-old Colin Roelofs of the Netherlands, who put in an impressive performance to beat Derbyshire's Harry Ward 3-0 without dropping a leg. |
Add punctuation: The Unison union said its members wanted additional payments for undertaking tasks which were dirty, unpleasant, involved regularly working outside or heavy lifting.
The staff involved in the action are employed by Cordia - an arms-length body of Glasgow City Council.
All schools were open on Monday but some breakfast clubs were cancelled.
The dispute centres on a claim by janitors for a Working Context and Demands Payment, which can range from £500 to £1,000 annually.
The union has accused Cordia of "using spurious arguments to justify not making this payment" to its members.
Unison Glasgow branch officer Sam Macartney said: "Unison is very clear that school janitors meet the criteria to be awarded this payment.
"Our members have been left with no option other than to take this action as both Cordia and the council are wrong and just not listening to our members.
"The council needs to get round the table with Unison and agree a negotiated settlement of our members' legitimate claim."
Janitors on strike turned up at the City Chambers on Monday "with buckets, mops and brooms" to stage a demonstration. Another will be held on Tuesday.
Picket lines were organised on Monday morning with a repeat planned for Wednesday.
The union said teachers, support workers, cleaners and catering staff had been advised by their unions not to undertake the duties of janitors in their absence.
A council spokesman said: "Some of the city's janitors took part in industrial action in a number of our primary, Additional Support for Learning schools and nurseries today, with similar action planned for Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.
"This action unfortunately meant that Breakfast Clubs in affected schools had to be cancelled." | The Unison union said its members wanted additional payments for undertaking tasks which were dirty, unpleasant, involved regularly working outside or heavy lifting.
The staff involved in the action are employed by Cordia - an arms-length body of Glasgow City Council.
All schools were open on Monday but some breakfast clubs were cancelled.
The dispute centres on a claim by janitors for a Working Context and Demands Payment, which can range from £500 to £1,000 annually.
The union has accused Cordia of "using spurious arguments to justify not making this payment" to its members.
Unison Glasgow branch officer Sam Macartney said: "Unison is very clear that school janitors meet the criteria to be awarded this payment.
"Our members have been left with no option other than to take this action as both Cordia and the council are wrong and just not listening to our members.
"The council needs to get round the table with Unison and agree a negotiated settlement of our members' legitimate claim."
Janitors on strike turned up at the City Chambers on Monday "with buckets, mops and brooms" to stage a demonstration. Another will be held on Tuesday.
Picket lines were organised on Monday morning with a repeat planned for Wednesday.
The union said teachers, support workers, cleaners and catering staff had been advised by their unions not to undertake the duties of janitors in their absence.
A council spokesman said: "Some of the city's janitors took part in industrial action in a number of our primary, Additional Support for Learning schools and nurseries today, with similar action planned for Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.
"This action unfortunately meant that Breakfast Clubs in affected schools had to be cancelled." |
Add punctuation: "I can play one team on Tuesday and one on Saturday," Zenga told BBC WM.
Since Zenga replaced Kenny Jackett on 30 July, seven days before the start of the new league season, Wolves' new Chinese owners have invested heavily.
"It's a long, competitive season. It is not just the seven games we have coming up in the space of 22 days," he added.
"It is also the games we have after that. From now to January it could be 25, 26 or 27. We need to be organised in the right way.
"To play with the same XI, then I do not need to have 23 players. But in the long term, playing with the same XI can bring problems. It depends on injuries and international calls.
"My philosophy is to involve everyone in the squad. It keeps everyone fresh with a new mentality," added Zenga ahead of Saturday's home game against Burton.
"If a coach makes a lot of changes and he wins the game, then it is the right call. If the result is not good, then he gets asked 'why didn't he play the same team?'"
Former Italy goalkeeper Zenga has taken charge of seven games, in which Wolves have eight points from five league outings and progressed to the third round of the EFL Cup.
Wolves made two summer signings prior to Fosun's takeover and the departure of Jackett - goalkeeper Andy Lonergan and Portuguese winger Helder Costa.
Defender Silvio, midfielder Joao Teixeira and Iceland striker Jon Dadi-Bodvarsson also arrived before the season started.
Seven more signed on at Molineux before the end of the transfer window, starting with Congo midfielder Prince Oniangue, followed by Manchester United defender Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Benfica forward Ola John on season-long loan deals.
Dutch striker Paul Gladon's arrival from Heracles preceded Wolves' first defeat at Huddersfield, while the club confirmed deals for Morocco midfielder Romain Saiss, Monaco winger Ivan Cavaleiro and ex-Wanderers defender Richard Stearman shortly before the deadline on 31 August.
If nothing else, Wolves' burst of spending under their new owners has given most supporters much more optimism than they've had for the last 12 months. The very large crowd anticipated for Saturday's home game against Burton is further evidence of that.
In terms of numbers, at least, they have made up for time lost when the squad became too thin to challenge last season. How much value they will get for their money will not be clear for some time.
If things go well, Wolves could have a midfield full of continental flair, but it will be a challenge to get the best out of those players in the gruelling Championship once the days grow short.
The return of a more familiar face in Richard Stearman may turn out to be as valuable as any of the other signings.
Some were slow to appreciate him in his first spell at Wolves, but by the time of his departure he was deservedly held in high regard by supporters. If Wolves do succeed this season, Stearman's influence is likely to be important. | "I can play one team on Tuesday and one on Saturday," Zenga told BBC WM.
Since Zenga replaced Kenny Jackett on 30 July, seven days before the start of the new league season, Wolves' new Chinese owners have invested heavily.
"It's a long, competitive season. It is not just the seven games we have coming up in the space of 22 days," he added.
"It is also the games we have after that. From now to January it could be 25, 26 or 27. We need to be organised in the right way.
"To play with the same XI, then I do not need to have 23 players. But in the long term, playing with the same XI can bring problems. It depends on injuries and international calls.
"My philosophy is to involve everyone in the squad. It keeps everyone fresh with a new mentality," added Zenga ahead of Saturday's home game against Burton.
"If a coach makes a lot of changes and he wins the game, then it is the right call. If the result is not good, then he gets asked 'why didn't he play the same team?'"
Former Italy goalkeeper Zenga has taken charge of seven games, in which Wolves have eight points from five league outings and progressed to the third round of the EFL Cup.
Wolves made two summer signings prior to Fosun's takeover and the departure of Jackett - goalkeeper Andy Lonergan and Portuguese winger Helder Costa.
Defender Silvio, midfielder Joao Teixeira and Iceland striker Jon Dadi-Bodvarsson also arrived before the season started.
Seven more signed on at Molineux before the end of the transfer window, starting with Congo midfielder Prince Oniangue, followed by Manchester United defender Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Benfica forward Ola John on season-long loan deals.
Dutch striker Paul Gladon's arrival from Heracles preceded Wolves' first defeat at Huddersfield, while the club confirmed deals for Morocco midfielder Romain Saiss, Monaco winger Ivan Cavaleiro and ex-Wanderers defender Richard Stearman shortly before the deadline on 31 August.
If nothing else, Wolves' burst of spending under their new owners has given most supporters much more optimism than they've had for the last 12 months. The very large crowd anticipated for Saturday's home game against Burton is further evidence of that.
In terms of numbers, at least, they have made up for time lost when the squad became too thin to challenge last season. How much value they will get for their money will not be clear for some time.
If things go well, Wolves could have a midfield full of continental flair, but it will be a challenge to get the best out of those players in the gruelling Championship once the days grow short.
The return of a more familiar face in Richard Stearman may turn out to be as valuable as any of the other signings.
Some were slow to appreciate him in his first spell at Wolves, but by the time of his departure he was deservedly held in high regard by supporters. If Wolves do succeed this season, Stearman's influence is likely to be important. |
Add punctuation: Popularly known as Jokowi, the 53-year-old took the oath of office at a ceremony held at parliament in Jakarta.
He was then cheered through the streets as he made his way on a horse-drawn carriage to the state palace.
The former Jakarta governor is the first president not to have come from the military or political elite.
Elected in July, the former furniture exporter and son of a carpenter now leads the world's third-largest democracy, with a population of about 250 million people.
US Secretary of State John Kerry and Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott were among those who attended the inauguration.
"We used to have our transfers of power marked by bloodshed," said an elderly Indonesian man to me today. "Today - we have this: a huge party."
Indonesia is celebrating the inauguration of its new president in style, with dancers decked out in traditional costumes, a marching band and thousands of people lining up to catch a glimpse of Jokowi on the main thoroughfare.
One man told me he had taken the day off work and brought his young daughters to witness this event because they should know what kind of man makes a "good president". Another woman, a school teacher, said that Jokowi was someone "like her" and that's why she is so thrilled he's become the leader of her country.
It was smiles all around, and a real feeling of festivity in the air. Although Mr Widodo has tough challenges to face in the future, today it was about celebrating the moment and leaving the hard work till tomorrow.
After reading the oath of office, he told Indonesians that "unity and working hand in hand are prerequisites for us to be a great nation. We will never become a great nation if we are stuck with division".
"This is a historic moment for us all to move together, to work and work," he said.
Mr Widodo then travelled through the capital in a horse-drawn carriage to the state palace with Vice-President Jusuf Kalla.
He was met by former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the palace. The two had met on Sunday for a tour of the estate.
An outdoor concert featuring rock bands is scheduled for Monday night, with Mr Widodo expected to appear on stage.
About 24,000 police and military personnel have been deployed, but correspondents say that the mood in the capital is upbeat.
What does Jokowi win mean for Indonesia?
Jokowi - who has promised to focus on healthcare and education - has been catapulted to power by his "man of the people" image, our correspondent says.
But that will not be easy with an antagonistic parliament in power and he will be sorely tested in this first term in office, she adds.
Mr Widodo's defeated rival in the presidential election, Prabowo Subianto, gave the new leader his conditional support last week, in a move seen by observers as a positive sign.
But two-thirds of parliament are from Mr Subianto's coalition. He said on Friday that he would ask his party to support Mr Widodo, but also said he would not hesitate to criticise if he disagreed with him.
Mr Subianto had challenged the election results, claiming there was "massive" electoral fraud, but his case was rejected by Indonesia's constitutional court.
One of the first, and biggest, challenges Mr Widodo faces is Indonesia's at least $20bn (£12bn) fuel subsidy bill. He has said he plans to reduce subsidies, but the move has been met with opposition. | Popularly known as Jokowi, the 53-year-old took the oath of office at a ceremony held at parliament in Jakarta.
He was then cheered through the streets as he made his way on a horse-drawn carriage to the state palace.
The former Jakarta governor is the first president not to have come from the military or political elite.
Elected in July, the former furniture exporter and son of a carpenter now leads the world's third-largest democracy, with a population of about 250 million people.
US Secretary of State John Kerry and Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott were among those who attended the inauguration.
"We used to have our transfers of power marked by bloodshed," said an elderly Indonesian man to me today. "Today - we have this: a huge party."
Indonesia is celebrating the inauguration of its new president in style, with dancers decked out in traditional costumes, a marching band and thousands of people lining up to catch a glimpse of Jokowi on the main thoroughfare.
One man told me he had taken the day off work and brought his young daughters to witness this event because they should know what kind of man makes a "good president". Another woman, a school teacher, said that Jokowi was someone "like her" and that's why she is so thrilled he's become the leader of her country.
It was smiles all around, and a real feeling of festivity in the air. Although Mr Widodo has tough challenges to face in the future, today it was about celebrating the moment and leaving the hard work till tomorrow.
After reading the oath of office, he told Indonesians that "unity and working hand in hand are prerequisites for us to be a great nation. We will never become a great nation if we are stuck with division".
"This is a historic moment for us all to move together, to work and work," he said.
Mr Widodo then travelled through the capital in a horse-drawn carriage to the state palace with Vice-President Jusuf Kalla.
He was met by former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the palace. The two had met on Sunday for a tour of the estate.
An outdoor concert featuring rock bands is scheduled for Monday night, with Mr Widodo expected to appear on stage.
About 24,000 police and military personnel have been deployed, but correspondents say that the mood in the capital is upbeat.
What does Jokowi win mean for Indonesia?
Jokowi - who has promised to focus on healthcare and education - has been catapulted to power by his "man of the people" image, our correspondent says.
But that will not be easy with an antagonistic parliament in power and he will be sorely tested in this first term in office, she adds.
Mr Widodo's defeated rival in the presidential election, Prabowo Subianto, gave the new leader his conditional support last week, in a move seen by observers as a positive sign.
But two-thirds of parliament are from Mr Subianto's coalition. He said on Friday that he would ask his party to support Mr Widodo, but also said he would not hesitate to criticise if he disagreed with him.
Mr Subianto had challenged the election results, claiming there was "massive" electoral fraud, but his case was rejected by Indonesia's constitutional court.
One of the first, and biggest, challenges Mr Widodo faces is Indonesia's at least $20bn (£12bn) fuel subsidy bill. He has said he plans to reduce subsidies, but the move has been met with opposition. |
Add punctuation: The rapper vowed to go through with the gig in Kodiak, which has a population of 6,000, after it came out top.
He was greeted by locals, presented with a 'bear survival kit' and given a key to the town by the mayor.
He tweeted: "Thank U (sic) Kodiak, I am honoured truly."
'Hijacked' campaign
Pitbull's next gig is in Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday (31 July).
The rapper's visit was organised after he vowed to play in whichever Walmart store received the most votes on Facebook.
A Twitter campaign encouraged people to vote for Kodiak, Alaska - one of the national chain's most remote stores.
The store is located in the town of Kodiak on the Alaskan island of the same name.
In a video message posted online by the rapper earlier this month, he said: "I will go anywhere in the world for my fans.
"I want to invite that someone who thinks that it's a joke to Kodiak, Alaska, with me."
David Thorpe, who organised the campaign to have Pitbull sent to Alaska, made the trip Kodiak too. He posted a picture of himself with the rapper on Twitter.
Born in Florida to Cuban parents, Pitbull's real name is Armando Christian Perez.
He has had hits with On The Floor and Give Me Everything. | The rapper vowed to go through with the gig in Kodiak, which has a population of 6,000, after it came out top.
He was greeted by locals, presented with a 'bear survival kit' and given a key to the town by the mayor.
He tweeted: "Thank U (sic) Kodiak, I am honoured truly."
'Hijacked' campaign
Pitbull's next gig is in Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday (31 July).
The rapper's visit was organised after he vowed to play in whichever Walmart store received the most votes on Facebook.
A Twitter campaign encouraged people to vote for Kodiak, Alaska - one of the national chain's most remote stores.
The store is located in the town of Kodiak on the Alaskan island of the same name.
In a video message posted online by the rapper earlier this month, he said: "I will go anywhere in the world for my fans.
"I want to invite that someone who thinks that it's a joke to Kodiak, Alaska, with me."
David Thorpe, who organised the campaign to have Pitbull sent to Alaska, made the trip Kodiak too. He posted a picture of himself with the rapper on Twitter.
Born in Florida to Cuban parents, Pitbull's real name is Armando Christian Perez.
He has had hits with On The Floor and Give Me Everything. |
Add punctuation: Prosecutors say the men conspired to pay officials from 2002-11, including police, prison officers and soldiers.
They are accused of buying confidential information about the Royal Family, celebrities and prison inmates.
The six men, who deny all the charges, include the Sun's news editor, picture editor and ex-managing editor.
All six members of staff are charged with conspiring to commit misconduct in a public office.
The Sun's head of news Chris Pharo faces six charges, while ex-managing editor Graham Dudman and ex-Sun deputy news editor Ben O'Driscoll are accused of four charges each.
Thames Valley district reporter Jamie Pyatt and picture editor John Edwards are charged with three counts each, while ex-reporter John Troup is accused of two counts.
Opening the prosecution's case at Kingston Crown Court in south-west London, Peter Wright QC described the payments as "craven conduct motivated by greed on the part of the public servants who had information to sell".
"This trial is about a series of corrupt agreements between staff and journalists at the Sun newspaper on the one hand, and various public officials on the other," he said.
"We say this was craven conduct directed by the greed on the part of the public servants that they could sell information, and journalists and management at the Sun were prepared to pay for it."
He said at "no point" did staff and journalists alleged to have been involved in the illegal payments express concern that the law was being broken.
The men plotted together as part of an "over-arching" plan and also separately in "sub-conspiracies", he said.
Their motivation "was not public interest but profit" and "in order to further their own agenda", Mr Wright added.
"The principal interest, we say, of the journalists and staff at the Sun, we say, was good copy," he told the jury.
"Newsworthiness - 'splashes' as they are called in the trade - and exclusives."
Mr Wight told the jury the alleged payments began in 2000, when a former Surrey Police officer told Sun reporter Mr Pyatt that Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall had been arrested over an allegation of rape.
The allegation was dropped a day later but - having received the tip-off - Mr Pyatt then cultivated him as a paid source, Mr Wright said.
The court also heard, in May 2009, the same officer leaked a story about Dane Bowers, the singer and former boyfriend of glamour model Katie Price, also known as Jordan.
Mr Pyatt is accused of telling Mr Pharo in 2009: "He has been with me since the Mick Hucknall splash for rape and knows what a splash and spread exclusive on Jordan is worth."
Mr Wright said it showed the stories alleged to have been bought aimed to "titillate or amuse, as opposed to inform the public on matter of public interest".
News editor Mr Pharo is accused of authorising 34 payments for a total of about £21,000 between March 2002 and January 2011.
The payments included tip-offs to a soldier posted at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst while Prince William and Prince Harry attended the college and a healthcare assistant at Broadmoor Special Hospital who worked with criminals such as Peter Sutcliffe, known as the Yorkshire Ripper.
Mr Pharo is also said to have approved payments a former Metropolitan Police officer and a prison officer at HMP Swaleside.
The prosecution also detailed telephone contacts between district reporter Mr Pyatt and a Surrey Police officer, Simon Quinn, in March 2009.
Mr Wright told the jury the phone contact coincided with the officer accessing a police computer system and looking for details about the arrest of TV personality Chris Tarrant, who had been held by police a few days earlier on suspicion of assault.
He also referred to another Sun headline from a April 2009 story in the newspaper about a couple caught by police having sex on the lawn at Windsor Castle.
He showed the jury emails from Mr Pyatt and his managers suggesting the story had come from a Thames Valley Police officer who had been paid £1,500 for the information.
Mr Pharo, 45, of Sandhurst, Berkshire; Mr Pyatt, 51, of Windsor, Berkshire; Mr O'Driscoll, 38, also of Windsor, Berkshire; Mr Edwards, 50, of Brentwood, Essex; Mr Dudman, 51, also of Brentwood, Essex; and Mr Troup, 49, of Saffron Walden, Essex, deny the charges against them. | Prosecutors say the men conspired to pay officials from 2002-11, including police, prison officers and soldiers.
They are accused of buying confidential information about the Royal Family, celebrities and prison inmates.
The six men, who deny all the charges, include the Sun's news editor, picture editor and ex-managing editor.
All six members of staff are charged with conspiring to commit misconduct in a public office.
The Sun's head of news Chris Pharo faces six charges, while ex-managing editor Graham Dudman and ex-Sun deputy news editor Ben O'Driscoll are accused of four charges each.
Thames Valley district reporter Jamie Pyatt and picture editor John Edwards are charged with three counts each, while ex-reporter John Troup is accused of two counts.
Opening the prosecution's case at Kingston Crown Court in south-west London, Peter Wright QC described the payments as "craven conduct motivated by greed on the part of the public servants who had information to sell".
"This trial is about a series of corrupt agreements between staff and journalists at the Sun newspaper on the one hand, and various public officials on the other," he said.
"We say this was craven conduct directed by the greed on the part of the public servants that they could sell information, and journalists and management at the Sun were prepared to pay for it."
He said at "no point" did staff and journalists alleged to have been involved in the illegal payments express concern that the law was being broken.
The men plotted together as part of an "over-arching" plan and also separately in "sub-conspiracies", he said.
Their motivation "was not public interest but profit" and "in order to further their own agenda", Mr Wright added.
"The principal interest, we say, of the journalists and staff at the Sun, we say, was good copy," he told the jury.
"Newsworthiness - 'splashes' as they are called in the trade - and exclusives."
Mr Wight told the jury the alleged payments began in 2000, when a former Surrey Police officer told Sun reporter Mr Pyatt that Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall had been arrested over an allegation of rape.
The allegation was dropped a day later but - having received the tip-off - Mr Pyatt then cultivated him as a paid source, Mr Wright said.
The court also heard, in May 2009, the same officer leaked a story about Dane Bowers, the singer and former boyfriend of glamour model Katie Price, also known as Jordan.
Mr Pyatt is accused of telling Mr Pharo in 2009: "He has been with me since the Mick Hucknall splash for rape and knows what a splash and spread exclusive on Jordan is worth."
Mr Wright said it showed the stories alleged to have been bought aimed to "titillate or amuse, as opposed to inform the public on matter of public interest".
News editor Mr Pharo is accused of authorising 34 payments for a total of about £21,000 between March 2002 and January 2011.
The payments included tip-offs to a soldier posted at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst while Prince William and Prince Harry attended the college and a healthcare assistant at Broadmoor Special Hospital who worked with criminals such as Peter Sutcliffe, known as the Yorkshire Ripper.
Mr Pharo is also said to have approved payments a former Metropolitan Police officer and a prison officer at HMP Swaleside.
The prosecution also detailed telephone contacts between district reporter Mr Pyatt and a Surrey Police officer, Simon Quinn, in March 2009.
Mr Wright told the jury the phone contact coincided with the officer accessing a police computer system and looking for details about the arrest of TV personality Chris Tarrant, who had been held by police a few days earlier on suspicion of assault.
He also referred to another Sun headline from a April 2009 story in the newspaper about a couple caught by police having sex on the lawn at Windsor Castle.
He showed the jury emails from Mr Pyatt and his managers suggesting the story had come from a Thames Valley Police officer who had been paid £1,500 for the information.
Mr Pharo, 45, of Sandhurst, Berkshire; Mr Pyatt, 51, of Windsor, Berkshire; Mr O'Driscoll, 38, also of Windsor, Berkshire; Mr Edwards, 50, of Brentwood, Essex; Mr Dudman, 51, also of Brentwood, Essex; and Mr Troup, 49, of Saffron Walden, Essex, deny the charges against them. |
Add punctuation: Helmsman Derek Pusey steered the boat into a narrow gully within rocks to rescue the two men, who were in danger of being swept out to sea.
Clive Williams swam out to reach the men in their 60s, gave them lifejackets and waited with them during a very difficult rescue.
Both men from Cardigan received honours from the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society.
They had been sent to rescue two men, stranded high up on a ledge in steep rocks at Tresaith in September 2013.
Mr Williams was frequently pushed under water by the breaking waves as he tried to reach them and was knocked from the rocks several times.
He stayed with the cold and distressed men until they were taken ashore to Aberporth.
At one stage during the rescue, a powerful wave broke over the reef pushing the lifeboat towards the cliffs with significant force.
Mr Pusey managed to regain control and rapidly return the second casualty to safety.
He received The Lady Swaythling Trophy, awarded annually for an outstanding feat of seamanship, while Mr Williams got an individual commendation.
The helmsman of a second lifeboat Leonard Walters, who steered as close to the cliffs as possible in rough seas, has already received a framed letter of thanks from the RNLI chairman.
The society's chief executive Commodore Malcolm Williams said: "This rescue required an exceptional act of courage and ability.
"Despite technological advances we still rely on the bravery of rescue crews and individuals to help those in danger around our coast. " | Helmsman Derek Pusey steered the boat into a narrow gully within rocks to rescue the two men, who were in danger of being swept out to sea.
Clive Williams swam out to reach the men in their 60s, gave them lifejackets and waited with them during a very difficult rescue.
Both men from Cardigan received honours from the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society.
They had been sent to rescue two men, stranded high up on a ledge in steep rocks at Tresaith in September 2013.
Mr Williams was frequently pushed under water by the breaking waves as he tried to reach them and was knocked from the rocks several times.
He stayed with the cold and distressed men until they were taken ashore to Aberporth.
At one stage during the rescue, a powerful wave broke over the reef pushing the lifeboat towards the cliffs with significant force.
Mr Pusey managed to regain control and rapidly return the second casualty to safety.
He received The Lady Swaythling Trophy, awarded annually for an outstanding feat of seamanship, while Mr Williams got an individual commendation.
The helmsman of a second lifeboat Leonard Walters, who steered as close to the cliffs as possible in rough seas, has already received a framed letter of thanks from the RNLI chairman.
The society's chief executive Commodore Malcolm Williams said: "This rescue required an exceptional act of courage and ability.
"Despite technological advances we still rely on the bravery of rescue crews and individuals to help those in danger around our coast. " |
Add punctuation: Operating profits at the company fell to £679m for the six months to 31 December.
However, Sky said that its financial performance had been "good".
Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox owns 39% of the company. Late last year, it offered to buy out the remaining 61% of the business.
Sky has 22 million customers in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Italy, Germany and Austria.
Chief executive Jeremy Darroch said: "In a year in which we are absorbing significantly higher programming costs, as a result of the step up in Premier League costs, our financial performance has been good."
Operating profit was £65m lower on the year before, even though the costs of the Premier League rights rose by £314m in the period.
The company said it had added more than 500,000 new customers.
However, in the UK, its churn rate, the annual percentage rate at which customers stop subscribing to a service, rose to 11.6% from 10.2% in the same period the year before.
Sky said this reflected the increased proportion of broadband customers, who have a greater propensity to switch providers.
It added that six million households were Sky broadband customers.
The offer from 21st Century Fox for Sky is the second time Mr Murdoch has tried to assume full control.
Five years ago he also attempted to buy out Sky's independent shareholders through his News Corporation company, which has since been split into 21st Century Fox and a new News Corporation - the publishing and Australian broadcasting business.
Fox needs regulatory approval for the $14.6bn (£11.7bn) offer in both the UK and Europe, where it does about a third of its business.
Sky's independent directors have backed the bid, but a number of shareholders have expressed concerns about this acceptance.
They have questioned the supposed independence of the Sky board, pointing out that Rupert Murdoch's son James is both chairman of Sky and chief executive of Fox. Other directors hold positions at both 21st Century Fox and Sky. | Operating profits at the company fell to £679m for the six months to 31 December.
However, Sky said that its financial performance had been "good".
Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox owns 39% of the company. Late last year, it offered to buy out the remaining 61% of the business.
Sky has 22 million customers in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Italy, Germany and Austria.
Chief executive Jeremy Darroch said: "In a year in which we are absorbing significantly higher programming costs, as a result of the step up in Premier League costs, our financial performance has been good."
Operating profit was £65m lower on the year before, even though the costs of the Premier League rights rose by £314m in the period.
The company said it had added more than 500,000 new customers.
However, in the UK, its churn rate, the annual percentage rate at which customers stop subscribing to a service, rose to 11.6% from 10.2% in the same period the year before.
Sky said this reflected the increased proportion of broadband customers, who have a greater propensity to switch providers.
It added that six million households were Sky broadband customers.
The offer from 21st Century Fox for Sky is the second time Mr Murdoch has tried to assume full control.
Five years ago he also attempted to buy out Sky's independent shareholders through his News Corporation company, which has since been split into 21st Century Fox and a new News Corporation - the publishing and Australian broadcasting business.
Fox needs regulatory approval for the $14.6bn (£11.7bn) offer in both the UK and Europe, where it does about a third of its business.
Sky's independent directors have backed the bid, but a number of shareholders have expressed concerns about this acceptance.
They have questioned the supposed independence of the Sky board, pointing out that Rupert Murdoch's son James is both chairman of Sky and chief executive of Fox. Other directors hold positions at both 21st Century Fox and Sky. |
Add punctuation: And the visit will be rich in symbolism.
Mr Putin will join his Finnish counterpart, Sauli Niinisto on Thursday in the picturesque lakeside town of Savonlinna - an area with plenty of history dating back to the Russian empire.
The pair will take in a Tchaikovsky opera put on by Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre at a medieval castle, and go on a steam ship cruise on Lake Saimaa.
But despite the chummy optics, observers expect the pair to have honest conversations about prickly issues, including military tensions between Russia and the West in eastern Europe.
So where does Finland stand vis-Ã -vis its giant neighbour next door?
While Finland shares a 1,340km (830-mile) border with Russia, its present relationship with the country is vastly different from that of Moscow's neighbours in the Baltics and Eastern Europe that fret publicly about Mr Putin's agenda in the region after the annexation of Ukraine's Crimea in 2014.
Maintaining freedom from its powerful neighbour for a century has not been easy, and Finland has had to make sacrifices to survive.
It fought two wars against the Soviet Union between 1939 and 1944, and lost territory as a result.
During the Cold War, the somewhat derisive term "Finlandisation" was coined by West German scholars to describe how the northern European country adapted its policies to suit the Soviet Union while remaining officially neutral and keeping good ties with the West.
Finland played a difficult game during that period, acquiescing to the Soviet Union in many respects and not challenging it but maintaining its independence and political system.
Finlandisation is now commonly used to describe the situation when a small country allows its policies to be significantly influenced by a larger and more powerful neighbour.
But despite its namesake, the term does not apply to the Finland-Russia relationship of today. Analysts say Finland is friendly with Russia but remains hard-headed and realistic.
Russia and the West: A century of subversion and suspicion
While Finland is not a member of the Nato military alliance that has sent thousands of troops to eastern Europe to reassure Poland and the Baltic states, it has been a member of the European Union since 1995.
This clearly situates it well within the West, says Suvi Turtiainen, a journalist with the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, who is currently researching Russian perceptions of Finnish independence.
She says perceptions that Finland somehow sits in the middle between Russia and the West are misguided.
"Finland has always supported the sanctions against Russia [imposed in the wake of the annexation of Crimea], even though it has had a significant effect on the Finnish economy and despite Russian tourism being really important in the eastern region," she says.
And it has been a close partner of Nato since the 1990s - sending troops to operations led by the alliance in the Balkans and Afghanistan, and maintaining a relationship that is now said to be as close as it can be without Finland officially joining as a member.
Yet at the same time "Finnish leaders and our current president want to keep dialogue with Russia, even through difficult times, and the dialogue is quite open and direct" including on the subject of Ukraine, says Ms Turtiainen.
Finns on Russian border wary of Nato
Norwegians laugh at new fence on Russian border
Nato sends 'alive and strong' message from Estonia
Indeed, President Niinisto told Russia's Tass news agency ahead of the visit that his communication with President Putin is "rather clear and frank", with the pair able to "discuss anything".
And there is a sense among Finnish people, that this balance - despite regional geo-political events - is working well.
A recent survey found that just 21% of Finns support joining Nato, while 51% oppose it, with the rest not giving an answer.
Finns will go to the polls next year to elect a new president but the Nato debate, while always present, will not be a major issue, says Markku Kangaspuro, a Russia expert at the University of Helsinki's Aleksanteri Institute.
"[The] wide consensus between leading politicians is that it is not timely to discuss this issue," he says. "Almost no one thinks it would [now] be time to apply as a member state."
The Finnish public, he says, despite being alarmed for a time over Russian actions in Ukraine, now appear satisfied with the status quo.
Finland country profile
One reason could be that the Kremlin has made clear that any move on Finland's part to join Nato could invite a strong Russian response.
"What do you think we will do in this situation? We moved our forces back [from the border], 1500km away. Will we keep our forces there?" President Putin told a news conference during a visit to Finland last July, according to Euronews.
"How they assure the safety and independence of their own country is the Finns' choice. Undoubtedly we appreciate Finland's neutral status."
Given widespread support for the existing state of affairs, Finland has not seen the same kind of political meddling that Russia has been accused of in many European states and the US, Mr Kangaspuro says.
"Russia probably doesn't have any serious need or reason to try to interfere in our politics because our relations are as good as they can be in this situation." | And the visit will be rich in symbolism.
Mr Putin will join his Finnish counterpart, Sauli Niinisto on Thursday in the picturesque lakeside town of Savonlinna - an area with plenty of history dating back to the Russian empire.
The pair will take in a Tchaikovsky opera put on by Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre at a medieval castle, and go on a steam ship cruise on Lake Saimaa.
But despite the chummy optics, observers expect the pair to have honest conversations about prickly issues, including military tensions between Russia and the West in eastern Europe.
So where does Finland stand vis-Ã -vis its giant neighbour next door?
While Finland shares a 1,340km (830-mile) border with Russia, its present relationship with the country is vastly different from that of Moscow's neighbours in the Baltics and Eastern Europe that fret publicly about Mr Putin's agenda in the region after the annexation of Ukraine's Crimea in 2014.
Maintaining freedom from its powerful neighbour for a century has not been easy, and Finland has had to make sacrifices to survive.
It fought two wars against the Soviet Union between 1939 and 1944, and lost territory as a result.
During the Cold War, the somewhat derisive term "Finlandisation" was coined by West German scholars to describe how the northern European country adapted its policies to suit the Soviet Union while remaining officially neutral and keeping good ties with the West.
Finland played a difficult game during that period, acquiescing to the Soviet Union in many respects and not challenging it but maintaining its independence and political system.
Finlandisation is now commonly used to describe the situation when a small country allows its policies to be significantly influenced by a larger and more powerful neighbour.
But despite its namesake, the term does not apply to the Finland-Russia relationship of today. Analysts say Finland is friendly with Russia but remains hard-headed and realistic.
Russia and the West: A century of subversion and suspicion
While Finland is not a member of the Nato military alliance that has sent thousands of troops to eastern Europe to reassure Poland and the Baltic states, it has been a member of the European Union since 1995.
This clearly situates it well within the West, says Suvi Turtiainen, a journalist with the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, who is currently researching Russian perceptions of Finnish independence.
She says perceptions that Finland somehow sits in the middle between Russia and the West are misguided.
"Finland has always supported the sanctions against Russia [imposed in the wake of the annexation of Crimea], even though it has had a significant effect on the Finnish economy and despite Russian tourism being really important in the eastern region," she says.
And it has been a close partner of Nato since the 1990s - sending troops to operations led by the alliance in the Balkans and Afghanistan, and maintaining a relationship that is now said to be as close as it can be without Finland officially joining as a member.
Yet at the same time "Finnish leaders and our current president want to keep dialogue with Russia, even through difficult times, and the dialogue is quite open and direct" including on the subject of Ukraine, says Ms Turtiainen.
Finns on Russian border wary of Nato
Norwegians laugh at new fence on Russian border
Nato sends 'alive and strong' message from Estonia
Indeed, President Niinisto told Russia's Tass news agency ahead of the visit that his communication with President Putin is "rather clear and frank", with the pair able to "discuss anything".
And there is a sense among Finnish people, that this balance - despite regional geo-political events - is working well.
A recent survey found that just 21% of Finns support joining Nato, while 51% oppose it, with the rest not giving an answer.
Finns will go to the polls next year to elect a new president but the Nato debate, while always present, will not be a major issue, says Markku Kangaspuro, a Russia expert at the University of Helsinki's Aleksanteri Institute.
"[The] wide consensus between leading politicians is that it is not timely to discuss this issue," he says. "Almost no one thinks it would [now] be time to apply as a member state."
The Finnish public, he says, despite being alarmed for a time over Russian actions in Ukraine, now appear satisfied with the status quo.
Finland country profile
One reason could be that the Kremlin has made clear that any move on Finland's part to join Nato could invite a strong Russian response.
"What do you think we will do in this situation? We moved our forces back [from the border], 1500km away. Will we keep our forces there?" President Putin told a news conference during a visit to Finland last July, according to Euronews.
"How they assure the safety and independence of their own country is the Finns' choice. Undoubtedly we appreciate Finland's neutral status."
Given widespread support for the existing state of affairs, Finland has not seen the same kind of political meddling that Russia has been accused of in many European states and the US, Mr Kangaspuro says.
"Russia probably doesn't have any serious need or reason to try to interfere in our politics because our relations are as good as they can be in this situation." |
Add punctuation: Martin Lewis, 56, caused £9,000 worth of damage at the Stag pub in Treorchy, Rhondda Cynon Taff.
He also caused £12,000 in damage at his local Jobcentre days later over delays to benefits payments, Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court was told.
Lewis, of Treorchy, was jailed for 18 months after admitting criminal damage.
Lewis, who said he had drunk five or six pints, claimed "everything was a blur" after he lost his job driving buses in Coventry.
The court was told he was sacked by bus company bosses for "not knowing the roads well enough".
Regarding the pub attack, prosecutor Rachel Knight said: "He caused damage to just about everything that was not nailed down.
"The bar manager said it was completely out of the blue. He went outside to call 999 and the rampage continued. He said he didn't know what the defendant was going to do next."
Judge Christopher Llewellyn-Jones QC: "You said that you were depressed because of a shortage of money so it is ironic that you were in a pub spending money at that time." | Martin Lewis, 56, caused £9,000 worth of damage at the Stag pub in Treorchy, Rhondda Cynon Taff.
He also caused £12,000 in damage at his local Jobcentre days later over delays to benefits payments, Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court was told.
Lewis, of Treorchy, was jailed for 18 months after admitting criminal damage.
Lewis, who said he had drunk five or six pints, claimed "everything was a blur" after he lost his job driving buses in Coventry.
The court was told he was sacked by bus company bosses for "not knowing the roads well enough".
Regarding the pub attack, prosecutor Rachel Knight said: "He caused damage to just about everything that was not nailed down.
"The bar manager said it was completely out of the blue. He went outside to call 999 and the rampage continued. He said he didn't know what the defendant was going to do next."
Judge Christopher Llewellyn-Jones QC: "You said that you were depressed because of a shortage of money so it is ironic that you were in a pub spending money at that time." |
Add punctuation: Motorists, it seems, are opting to use 100-year-old engineering rather than take the often jammed Tees flyover.
The bridge, which turns 100 on 17 October, is a sign of home to some, and a sign of great engineering to all.
The giant blue steel structure joins Port Clarence to Middlesbrough across the River Tees, and although passengers are now on the up, they hit a low in 2006 when only 90,927 made use of the bridge.
Now on the rise, more than 122,000 passengers have used the blue bridge's yellow gondola to cross the river in 2009. Pedestrians can even buy a ticket to walk across the top of the bridge.
Those who do not have the stomach can board the gondola at one side of the river and be carried across to the other.
Commuters form the traffic these days, with many shoppers and tourists using it during off peak periods.
The bridge is not only a symbol of the industrial north, it has also far exceeded the working life envisaged by its designers when it opened to traffic in 1911.
During the dark days of World War I the bridge came into its own with two thirds of those using it working in the munitions factories north of the Tees.
In March 1919, after the Armistice, more than 500,000 passengers used the bridge - a figure that has never been exceeded.
Ninety-one-year-old Morris Taylor, a retired welder from Stockton, knows exactly what kind of challenge it is to keep the bridge in operation.
After being battered by a German bomb during World War II, the bridge was in need of urgent repair, so Mr Morris and his team were drafted in.
"We felt the urgency to get it done," he said.
"Real steel is a lot harder than the mild steel the bridge is constructed of. The vibrations of the car going backwards and forwards and the heat took their toll.
"There's a lot of movement, and over the years it brought about a sawing action. We had to cut out the flanges and put new ones in.
"It was so important, it was the only crossing at the time, apart from the Newport Bridge. We were up there solid from start to finish, from February to September.
"We were 200ft in the air, during thunder and lightning, it was a hell of a storm. I had to shelter under the walkway!
"We worked seven days a week... but it was £2 a day pay, it was worth it!"
Kenneth Thompson took a trip across the bridge in 1946 just after the end of World War II.
Mr Thompson, who was on compassionate leave from the forces at the time, said: "I met a friend that I hadn't seen in years, I was in the Navy, he was in the Army. For some reason or other, I cant remember why, we went to Middlesbrough.
"I'd never been on the Transporter before, and we decided to go on it. And whilst on it, I met Joyce."
Joyce Thompson, now Kenneth's wife was out with her friend.
Sometimes the bridge is closed by weather conditions
In pictures: Bridge centenary
"We didn't usually talk to strangers, but we felt sorry for these two guys in uniform. There were no lights, you weren't allowed lights on. I didn't know what I was getting myself in for," she said.
Mr Thompson said they then got on the bus, exchanged names and addresses, and then he took it from there.
"I was surprised when I got the letter, so I wrote back. He said he was pleased to meet me, and could I write back to him. When he came out of the Navy, he got a job, and now we've been married 62 years," Mrs Thompson said.
Even though it can lead to a lifelong happy marriage, the numbers of people using the bridge declined as the construction yards and industrial north of the Tees shrunk.
Today in Port Clarence, near Hartlepool, there is a sense of isolation, a far cry from how life was in the heyday of the bridge, when scores of workers crossed and it was open seven days a week.
Now open Monday to Saturday, the bridge runs 07:00 - 19:00 weekdays and 09:30 - 15:30 on Saturdays. Sometimes it is closed due to poor weather.
Lee Gattley-Hall, one of the 800 residents of Port Clarence, said he had enjoyed a mixed relationship with the bridge.
"I think it's class - it's right on your doorstep, but I used to go to Middlesbrough College, just across the river, and when the bridge is off, it seemed so far away," he said.
These days the bridge is subsidised to the tune of about £200,000 a year, and has been awarded £2.6m of lottery money to be spent on a new gondola and lifts. Councils on both sides of the water have agreed to continue spending money on the bridge to keep it going.
The Big Screen in Middlesbrough will be showing some short films and footage from the Transporter Bridge's 100-years in operation on Sunday 16 October from 15:00 - 18:30 and Monday 17 October from 12:00 - 16:00 BST. | Motorists, it seems, are opting to use 100-year-old engineering rather than take the often jammed Tees flyover.
The bridge, which turns 100 on 17 October, is a sign of home to some, and a sign of great engineering to all.
The giant blue steel structure joins Port Clarence to Middlesbrough across the River Tees, and although passengers are now on the up, they hit a low in 2006 when only 90,927 made use of the bridge.
Now on the rise, more than 122,000 passengers have used the blue bridge's yellow gondola to cross the river in 2009. Pedestrians can even buy a ticket to walk across the top of the bridge.
Those who do not have the stomach can board the gondola at one side of the river and be carried across to the other.
Commuters form the traffic these days, with many shoppers and tourists using it during off peak periods.
The bridge is not only a symbol of the industrial north, it has also far exceeded the working life envisaged by its designers when it opened to traffic in 1911.
During the dark days of World War I the bridge came into its own with two thirds of those using it working in the munitions factories north of the Tees.
In March 1919, after the Armistice, more than 500,000 passengers used the bridge - a figure that has never been exceeded.
Ninety-one-year-old Morris Taylor, a retired welder from Stockton, knows exactly what kind of challenge it is to keep the bridge in operation.
After being battered by a German bomb during World War II, the bridge was in need of urgent repair, so Mr Morris and his team were drafted in.
"We felt the urgency to get it done," he said.
"Real steel is a lot harder than the mild steel the bridge is constructed of. The vibrations of the car going backwards and forwards and the heat took their toll.
"There's a lot of movement, and over the years it brought about a sawing action. We had to cut out the flanges and put new ones in.
"It was so important, it was the only crossing at the time, apart from the Newport Bridge. We were up there solid from start to finish, from February to September.
"We were 200ft in the air, during thunder and lightning, it was a hell of a storm. I had to shelter under the walkway!
"We worked seven days a week... but it was £2 a day pay, it was worth it!"
Kenneth Thompson took a trip across the bridge in 1946 just after the end of World War II.
Mr Thompson, who was on compassionate leave from the forces at the time, said: "I met a friend that I hadn't seen in years, I was in the Navy, he was in the Army. For some reason or other, I cant remember why, we went to Middlesbrough.
"I'd never been on the Transporter before, and we decided to go on it. And whilst on it, I met Joyce."
Joyce Thompson, now Kenneth's wife was out with her friend.
Sometimes the bridge is closed by weather conditions
In pictures: Bridge centenary
"We didn't usually talk to strangers, but we felt sorry for these two guys in uniform. There were no lights, you weren't allowed lights on. I didn't know what I was getting myself in for," she said.
Mr Thompson said they then got on the bus, exchanged names and addresses, and then he took it from there.
"I was surprised when I got the letter, so I wrote back. He said he was pleased to meet me, and could I write back to him. When he came out of the Navy, he got a job, and now we've been married 62 years," Mrs Thompson said.
Even though it can lead to a lifelong happy marriage, the numbers of people using the bridge declined as the construction yards and industrial north of the Tees shrunk.
Today in Port Clarence, near Hartlepool, there is a sense of isolation, a far cry from how life was in the heyday of the bridge, when scores of workers crossed and it was open seven days a week.
Now open Monday to Saturday, the bridge runs 07:00 - 19:00 weekdays and 09:30 - 15:30 on Saturdays. Sometimes it is closed due to poor weather.
Lee Gattley-Hall, one of the 800 residents of Port Clarence, said he had enjoyed a mixed relationship with the bridge.
"I think it's class - it's right on your doorstep, but I used to go to Middlesbrough College, just across the river, and when the bridge is off, it seemed so far away," he said.
These days the bridge is subsidised to the tune of about £200,000 a year, and has been awarded £2.6m of lottery money to be spent on a new gondola and lifts. Councils on both sides of the water have agreed to continue spending money on the bridge to keep it going.
The Big Screen in Middlesbrough will be showing some short films and footage from the Transporter Bridge's 100-years in operation on Sunday 16 October from 15:00 - 18:30 and Monday 17 October from 12:00 - 16:00 BST. |
Add punctuation: And extinction will be even more of a threat than it is now.
An overly bleak and pessimistic view? Maybe.
But after reporting on the state of wildlife in Madagascar this past week, I cannot see how many of the most iconic creatures will be able to roam in their natural habitats for much longer.
I don't mean a future necessarily confined to zoos, but one in which lives are led in special zones guarded by fences and patrols and CCTV. Free, but only up to a point.
The reasons are obvious: growing populations and the thirst for resources and the black market for animals all mean that humans and animals are increasingly competing for territory and survival. And the animals usually lose.
As we picked our way through the remaining pockets of forest in Madagascar, I heard that less than 10% of the original cover is left.
And those remaining stretches of jungle - the sole habitats for the country's famous lemurs - are under constant attack as local people seek to create farmland or hunt for fresh meat.
I was reminded of filming in a tiger reserve in Thailand a few years ago.
To try to keep about 60 tigers relatively safe from poachers, a small army of 200 rangers was on constant patrol.
Remote cameras, satellite monitoring and intelligence gathering were essential weapons against raiders with AK47s and poisoned bait encouraged by high prices for tiger parts in China.
And, earlier this year, I saw the pitiful sight of one of the last five of a particular species of rhino, the northern white - brought to the verge of extinction by the brutal market for rhino horn. The final survivors need VIP protection.
In Madagascar's case, political instability that followed a coup adds to the scourge of corruption and well-organised gangs of animal traffickers - and it's not hard to predict that the last pockets of forest will keep shrinking and the numbers of lemurs will keep falling.
Even more challenging is a question of attitudes. For many in the rich West, it's a no-brainer that precious wildlife should be given a priority. Some of the most popular charities were set up to help animals. And wildlife wins royal support too.
But what about views in a destitute village on the edge of one of Madagascar's forests where families earn less than the equivalent of $2 (£1.27) a day?
No surprise, but conservationists are not always welcome.
In the Maromizaha protected area, which is home to several different species of lemurs, we heard of occasional hostility towards people working to save the animals.
In an election, a village chief actively campaigned on a promise that more farmland could be claimed from the forest. And local conservation workers have received threatening phone calls and even death threats.
In the Baly Bay National Park, which lies in a remote corner of the north-west of the country, the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust has endured several highly suspicious incidents while working to save the critically endangered ploughshare tortoise.
Once, a dead ploughshare tortoise was dumped on the charity's doorstep, a Godfather-like threat not to intervene in the highly lucrative black market for tortoises.
And last December, just as staff were busy with a day-long celebration of progress, a column of smoke was spotted rising from the core area of the park.
The project's entire operation was nearly engulfed in flames. Forest fires do happen naturally but this one may well have been deliberate. Conservation can create enemies.
For some local people, the financial prize of stealing tortoises is too large to be resisted. Others look forward to the development and jobs that may come with plans by a Chinese firm for a huge new iron ore mine nearby - and the conservationists may be seen as an obstacle.
So, in conservation circles, the latest thinking is that the only plausible way forward is to engage local people and to show them that the wildlife can be worth more alive than dead.
In Baly Bay and Maromizaha, villagers are hired to work as guides, keeping watch on the animals and being on hand to escort visitors.
Tourism can be a big earner. But it requires a lot of infrastructure such as hotels and transport links which are not always possible in a country as poor as Madagascar. And while those facilities take years to develop, hungry families are eyeing the forests right next door to them.
Some initiatives are bound to succeed, if they are well-funded and well-integrated with local communities. Much of the policing of the national parks and protected areas may well do its job and keep out incursions. Quite a few local initiatives will flourish.
After our coverage this past week, a lot of people have got in touch to describe their conservation efforts in Madagascar or to enthuse about visits there.
But overall? A few weeks ago I heard something revealing on the conservation grapevine: that younger scientists, planning careers in fieldwork, are wondering if they should avoid Madagascar on the grounds that the forests might not survive long enough for them to complete studies over the next 20 years.
And that brings me back to my opening point: that maybe it's more realistic to start picturing a world in which the animals we care about most will only be safe in areas that are properly guarded.
The last major report on Madagascar's lemurs by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature signalled that captive breeding may have to be the answer.
That will work for some species. But the largest of the lemurs, the Indri, depends on a complex diet of leaves eaten at different times and no-one has yet worked it out.
So, for the moment, Indris kept in captivity do not reproduce and may not survive and extinction remains a constant danger. | And extinction will be even more of a threat than it is now.
An overly bleak and pessimistic view? Maybe.
But after reporting on the state of wildlife in Madagascar this past week, I cannot see how many of the most iconic creatures will be able to roam in their natural habitats for much longer.
I don't mean a future necessarily confined to zoos, but one in which lives are led in special zones guarded by fences and patrols and CCTV. Free, but only up to a point.
The reasons are obvious: growing populations and the thirst for resources and the black market for animals all mean that humans and animals are increasingly competing for territory and survival. And the animals usually lose.
As we picked our way through the remaining pockets of forest in Madagascar, I heard that less than 10% of the original cover is left.
And those remaining stretches of jungle - the sole habitats for the country's famous lemurs - are under constant attack as local people seek to create farmland or hunt for fresh meat.
I was reminded of filming in a tiger reserve in Thailand a few years ago.
To try to keep about 60 tigers relatively safe from poachers, a small army of 200 rangers was on constant patrol.
Remote cameras, satellite monitoring and intelligence gathering were essential weapons against raiders with AK47s and poisoned bait encouraged by high prices for tiger parts in China.
And, earlier this year, I saw the pitiful sight of one of the last five of a particular species of rhino, the northern white - brought to the verge of extinction by the brutal market for rhino horn. The final survivors need VIP protection.
In Madagascar's case, political instability that followed a coup adds to the scourge of corruption and well-organised gangs of animal traffickers - and it's not hard to predict that the last pockets of forest will keep shrinking and the numbers of lemurs will keep falling.
Even more challenging is a question of attitudes. For many in the rich West, it's a no-brainer that precious wildlife should be given a priority. Some of the most popular charities were set up to help animals. And wildlife wins royal support too.
But what about views in a destitute village on the edge of one of Madagascar's forests where families earn less than the equivalent of $2 (£1.27) a day?
No surprise, but conservationists are not always welcome.
In the Maromizaha protected area, which is home to several different species of lemurs, we heard of occasional hostility towards people working to save the animals.
In an election, a village chief actively campaigned on a promise that more farmland could be claimed from the forest. And local conservation workers have received threatening phone calls and even death threats.
In the Baly Bay National Park, which lies in a remote corner of the north-west of the country, the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust has endured several highly suspicious incidents while working to save the critically endangered ploughshare tortoise.
Once, a dead ploughshare tortoise was dumped on the charity's doorstep, a Godfather-like threat not to intervene in the highly lucrative black market for tortoises.
And last December, just as staff were busy with a day-long celebration of progress, a column of smoke was spotted rising from the core area of the park.
The project's entire operation was nearly engulfed in flames. Forest fires do happen naturally but this one may well have been deliberate. Conservation can create enemies.
For some local people, the financial prize of stealing tortoises is too large to be resisted. Others look forward to the development and jobs that may come with plans by a Chinese firm for a huge new iron ore mine nearby - and the conservationists may be seen as an obstacle.
So, in conservation circles, the latest thinking is that the only plausible way forward is to engage local people and to show them that the wildlife can be worth more alive than dead.
In Baly Bay and Maromizaha, villagers are hired to work as guides, keeping watch on the animals and being on hand to escort visitors.
Tourism can be a big earner. But it requires a lot of infrastructure such as hotels and transport links which are not always possible in a country as poor as Madagascar. And while those facilities take years to develop, hungry families are eyeing the forests right next door to them.
Some initiatives are bound to succeed, if they are well-funded and well-integrated with local communities. Much of the policing of the national parks and protected areas may well do its job and keep out incursions. Quite a few local initiatives will flourish.
After our coverage this past week, a lot of people have got in touch to describe their conservation efforts in Madagascar or to enthuse about visits there.
But overall? A few weeks ago I heard something revealing on the conservation grapevine: that younger scientists, planning careers in fieldwork, are wondering if they should avoid Madagascar on the grounds that the forests might not survive long enough for them to complete studies over the next 20 years.
And that brings me back to my opening point: that maybe it's more realistic to start picturing a world in which the animals we care about most will only be safe in areas that are properly guarded.
The last major report on Madagascar's lemurs by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature signalled that captive breeding may have to be the answer.
That will work for some species. But the largest of the lemurs, the Indri, depends on a complex diet of leaves eaten at different times and no-one has yet worked it out.
So, for the moment, Indris kept in captivity do not reproduce and may not survive and extinction remains a constant danger. |
Add punctuation: BBC Sport understands Rooney was surprised to have been left out of the starting XI as England drew 0-0 to finish second behind Wales in Group B.
The Manchester United player was one of six changes, with Hodgson criticised after his decision backfired.
"I never have regrets if the team has played well," said Hodgson.
Hodgson's future depends on how England fare at Euro 2016 and a runners-up spot means a potentially trickier route through the knockout stages.
France, Spain, Italy and Germany are all now on England's side of the draw, rather than that of Wales.
The 68-year-old's contract expires at the end of the tournament and Football Association chairman Greg Dyke said it will only be renewed if England "do well" - with reports that Monday's tactical gamble has undermined his chances of a new deal with an unimpressed FA hierarchy.
This was no time to take risks and yet Hodgson blindly walked into a trap of his own making
"I would have maybe had some regrets if we hadn't played well and dominated the game and controlled it," Hodgson added.
England created 65 chances but scored just three times in their three Group B matches, having drawn 1-1 with Russia and beaten Wales 2-1 before Monday's draw in Saint-Etienne.
They face the second team in Group F in Nice on Monday (20:00 BST) - which could be Portugal, Austria, Hungary or Iceland. They play their final group matches on Wednesday.
England scouts, rather than Hodgson himself, will watch Iceland v Austria in Paris, travelling from England's nearby Chantilly base.
Media playback is not supported on this device
The former Fulham, Switzerland and Inter Milan coach said the only "fault" was not taking chances.
Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Daniel Sturridge and Marcus Rashford are the four recognised strikers in England's squad, while Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana have featured in attacking wide positions and record scorer Rooney has been played in midfield.
Of his striking options Hodgson said: "All of them have shown a lot of qualities in the games but none of them, as yet, have really shown they are able to score the goals we need." | BBC Sport understands Rooney was surprised to have been left out of the starting XI as England drew 0-0 to finish second behind Wales in Group B.
The Manchester United player was one of six changes, with Hodgson criticised after his decision backfired.
"I never have regrets if the team has played well," said Hodgson.
Hodgson's future depends on how England fare at Euro 2016 and a runners-up spot means a potentially trickier route through the knockout stages.
France, Spain, Italy and Germany are all now on England's side of the draw, rather than that of Wales.
The 68-year-old's contract expires at the end of the tournament and Football Association chairman Greg Dyke said it will only be renewed if England "do well" - with reports that Monday's tactical gamble has undermined his chances of a new deal with an unimpressed FA hierarchy.
This was no time to take risks and yet Hodgson blindly walked into a trap of his own making
"I would have maybe had some regrets if we hadn't played well and dominated the game and controlled it," Hodgson added.
England created 65 chances but scored just three times in their three Group B matches, having drawn 1-1 with Russia and beaten Wales 2-1 before Monday's draw in Saint-Etienne.
They face the second team in Group F in Nice on Monday (20:00 BST) - which could be Portugal, Austria, Hungary or Iceland. They play their final group matches on Wednesday.
England scouts, rather than Hodgson himself, will watch Iceland v Austria in Paris, travelling from England's nearby Chantilly base.
Media playback is not supported on this device
The former Fulham, Switzerland and Inter Milan coach said the only "fault" was not taking chances.
Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Daniel Sturridge and Marcus Rashford are the four recognised strikers in England's squad, while Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana have featured in attacking wide positions and record scorer Rooney has been played in midfield.
Of his striking options Hodgson said: "All of them have shown a lot of qualities in the games but none of them, as yet, have really shown they are able to score the goals we need." |
Add punctuation: More than 20 migrant workers - most thought to be Ethiopian Christians - were killed by the Libyan branch of IS.
It released videos on Sunday of some of the men being beheaded and others shot.
Ethiopia's prime minister warned the protesters about the dangers of illegal immigration and described the killings as "Satanic".
IS and other jihadist groups are active in many towns in Libya, which has been torn by civil conflict since last year - and has been unstable since long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi was toppled in 2011.
"This week's cruel act which was committed against our citizens in Libya not only gives a glimpse into terrorism, but also shows the Satanic acts and objectives of those who committed the act," Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn told the mass rally in Addis Ababa's Meskel Square.
He also urged unity in the fight against what he called "home-grown extremism" in Ethiopia, and said those who chose to an illegal route to migrate risked falling prey to human traffickers.
"It is clear to everyone that our fellow citizens all have the right to live and work in any part of the world. But the illegal migration that leads to unnecessary suffering and death carried out by illegal human traffickers must stop."
However, later the government-condoned protest broke into scuffles with some parts of the crowd throwing stones, chanting anti-government slogans and clashing with police.
Police fired rounds of tear gas at some towards the end of the demonstration, the AFP news agency reports.
The rally comes a month before Ethiopia holds parliamentary elections, the first since the death in 2012 of long-time leader Meles Zenawi. | More than 20 migrant workers - most thought to be Ethiopian Christians - were killed by the Libyan branch of IS.
It released videos on Sunday of some of the men being beheaded and others shot.
Ethiopia's prime minister warned the protesters about the dangers of illegal immigration and described the killings as "Satanic".
IS and other jihadist groups are active in many towns in Libya, which has been torn by civil conflict since last year - and has been unstable since long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi was toppled in 2011.
"This week's cruel act which was committed against our citizens in Libya not only gives a glimpse into terrorism, but also shows the Satanic acts and objectives of those who committed the act," Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn told the mass rally in Addis Ababa's Meskel Square.
He also urged unity in the fight against what he called "home-grown extremism" in Ethiopia, and said those who chose to an illegal route to migrate risked falling prey to human traffickers.
"It is clear to everyone that our fellow citizens all have the right to live and work in any part of the world. But the illegal migration that leads to unnecessary suffering and death carried out by illegal human traffickers must stop."
However, later the government-condoned protest broke into scuffles with some parts of the crowd throwing stones, chanting anti-government slogans and clashing with police.
Police fired rounds of tear gas at some towards the end of the demonstration, the AFP news agency reports.
The rally comes a month before Ethiopia holds parliamentary elections, the first since the death in 2012 of long-time leader Meles Zenawi. |
Add punctuation: A BBC Wales investigation has found that supply teachers are paid substantially less when hired through an agency rather than by a school.
NASUWT Cymru called for regulation and for an investigation into agencies' employment practices.
A recruitment body denied exploitation, saying agencies provided skilled teachers, quickly.
The Welsh government said it was up to head teachers as well as the governing body to manage absences.
Speaking to BBC Wales, a supply teacher who did not want to be identified said he and his colleagues were treated unfairly.
"A teacher who has been working for nine or 10 years would get £27,000 or £28,000 a year," he said.
"The most they would be paid through an agency would be £17,500, and that is if you are in continuous employment.
"If you are hired directly by a school you might get £150 or £160 a day, but the maximum you would be paid by an agency is £100 and you could be paid as little as £60.
"There is no regulatory body so there is nothing to say what rate of pay supply teachers get.
"We are the fodder at the bottom of the pile. We only get paid what agencies want to pay us."
Suzanne Nantcurvis, north Wales executive member of the teaching union NASUWT Cymru, said the treatment of supply teachers by agencies was dire, and she believes it could impact on educational achievement.
"I am really shocked by the amount of exploitation and the very poor employment practices of the agencies. One thing necessary is that they are regulated," she said.
"Given that the Welsh government has a standards agenda, it needs to regulate the agencies to make sure qualified teachers are being paid what they should and that classes are being taught by qualified supply teachers when staff teachers are absent."
There are around 5,000 supply teachers in Wales and around 40 agencies that recruit them.
David Pedwell, head teacher of Oakfield Primary School in St Mellons, Cardiff, said schools relied on agencies to book supply teachers.
"Ten years ago we would use a local authority list," he said.
"The emergence of agencies has changed things and they are convenient for schools.
"You need an immediate response when a teacher is sick - the agency is very quick to respond and can provide us with someone within an hour."
If a supply teacher is employed for 12 weeks they are entitled - under Agency Worker Regulations - to the pay of a permanent member of staff doing the same job.
However, agencies are asking supply teachers to sign a contract - known as a Swedish Derogation - to waive this right in exchange for continuous employment or a minimum payment if work is not available.
There are claims that workers have to sign the contract or they will not be offered work.
The supply teacher who spoke to BBC Wales added: "You are pushed into a corner. If you do not sign that contract, you would be out of work a day after the 12 weeks."
Tom Hadley, policy director for the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, the professional body for the UK recruitment industry, denied supply teachers were being exploited.
"The main benefit is that you can get a highly skilled teacher in place in a matter of hours who has all the right checks with all the right skills, so the school is paying for a crucial service," Mr Hadley said.
He said the Swedish Derogation had advantages for supply teachers.
"Even if you're not out on assignment you get paid. It is a trade-off but it is not exploitation. It is legitimate and was included in the regulations after substantial consultation."
The Welsh government said it was the duty of head teachers as well as the governing body to manage absences and that teachers' pay was the responsibility of the UK government.
It added that the school inspection body Estyn was working with the Wales Audit Office on a review which should be completed by the summer. | A BBC Wales investigation has found that supply teachers are paid substantially less when hired through an agency rather than by a school.
NASUWT Cymru called for regulation and for an investigation into agencies' employment practices.
A recruitment body denied exploitation, saying agencies provided skilled teachers, quickly.
The Welsh government said it was up to head teachers as well as the governing body to manage absences.
Speaking to BBC Wales, a supply teacher who did not want to be identified said he and his colleagues were treated unfairly.
"A teacher who has been working for nine or 10 years would get £27,000 or £28,000 a year," he said.
"The most they would be paid through an agency would be £17,500, and that is if you are in continuous employment.
"If you are hired directly by a school you might get £150 or £160 a day, but the maximum you would be paid by an agency is £100 and you could be paid as little as £60.
"There is no regulatory body so there is nothing to say what rate of pay supply teachers get.
"We are the fodder at the bottom of the pile. We only get paid what agencies want to pay us."
Suzanne Nantcurvis, north Wales executive member of the teaching union NASUWT Cymru, said the treatment of supply teachers by agencies was dire, and she believes it could impact on educational achievement.
"I am really shocked by the amount of exploitation and the very poor employment practices of the agencies. One thing necessary is that they are regulated," she said.
"Given that the Welsh government has a standards agenda, it needs to regulate the agencies to make sure qualified teachers are being paid what they should and that classes are being taught by qualified supply teachers when staff teachers are absent."
There are around 5,000 supply teachers in Wales and around 40 agencies that recruit them.
David Pedwell, head teacher of Oakfield Primary School in St Mellons, Cardiff, said schools relied on agencies to book supply teachers.
"Ten years ago we would use a local authority list," he said.
"The emergence of agencies has changed things and they are convenient for schools.
"You need an immediate response when a teacher is sick - the agency is very quick to respond and can provide us with someone within an hour."
If a supply teacher is employed for 12 weeks they are entitled - under Agency Worker Regulations - to the pay of a permanent member of staff doing the same job.
However, agencies are asking supply teachers to sign a contract - known as a Swedish Derogation - to waive this right in exchange for continuous employment or a minimum payment if work is not available.
There are claims that workers have to sign the contract or they will not be offered work.
The supply teacher who spoke to BBC Wales added: "You are pushed into a corner. If you do not sign that contract, you would be out of work a day after the 12 weeks."
Tom Hadley, policy director for the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, the professional body for the UK recruitment industry, denied supply teachers were being exploited.
"The main benefit is that you can get a highly skilled teacher in place in a matter of hours who has all the right checks with all the right skills, so the school is paying for a crucial service," Mr Hadley said.
He said the Swedish Derogation had advantages for supply teachers.
"Even if you're not out on assignment you get paid. It is a trade-off but it is not exploitation. It is legitimate and was included in the regulations after substantial consultation."
The Welsh government said it was the duty of head teachers as well as the governing body to manage absences and that teachers' pay was the responsibility of the UK government.
It added that the school inspection body Estyn was working with the Wales Audit Office on a review which should be completed by the summer. |
Add punctuation: Belfast's Frampton, 29, was in full control of the first half of the fight, during which his opponent simply could not find his range.
Bury's Quigg, 27, finally came alive down the stretch as the contest turned into a desperate tussle, but Frampton gave as good as he got.
Bizarrely, one judge scored it 115-113 for Quigg, while the two others scored it 116-112 in Frampton's favour.
Frampton said: "The travelling support has been unbelievable - this isn't Manchester, is it? Seems like it is Belfast.
"I couldn't believe it was a spilt [decision]. I don't know what that lad was watching. He needs to take a long hard look at himself.
Media playback is not supported on this device
"I knew it was going to be a boring fight - I had to sell it for TV. I knew I had the brain to do that and make it boring."
Although there was no rematch clause in the contract, there was a verbal agreement that they would do it all again in Belfast if the first fight warranted it.
And while it was a slow-burner, a cracking second half ensued, which sent the 20,000 fans packed into the Manchester Arena into raptures - and will surely mean a return will take place later this year.
It was Quigg's first defeat in 34 professional fights, stretching back to 2007. Frampton is undefeated in 22 fights since turning pro in 2009.
Frampton-Quigg was one of the most eagerly-anticipated domestic match-ups in recent memory, and the first time two undefeated British boxers had fought to unify a world title.
The Northern Irishman was a narrow favourite with the bookmakers. However, his odds lengthened after he was knocked down twice by unheralded Mexican Alejandro Gonzalez last July, on the same day that Englishman Quigg demolished tough Spaniard Kiko Martinez - who had taken Frampton the distance in 2014.
Both men claimed to have won the mind games during a heated build-up, as well as insisting they were the better boxer and that losing was not an option.
While it was expected there would be an even split of fans, the reactions to the fighters' entrances suggested Frampton had the lion's share of support, despite Quigg being the 'home' fighter.
Frampton probably nicked a largely non-eventful first round courtesy of a couple of crisp jabs, while the second went largely the same way until the last minute, when Quigg finally came out of his shell.
There was more engagement in the third, with Frampton continuing to stalk his rival and Quigg grazing Frampton's chin with a couple of flashing left hooks.
Frampton, demonstrating a better appreciation of distance, controlled the fourth as well, although Quigg did land with one thudding overhand right.
As the fifth rolled by, it was becoming difficult to work out what Quigg's game-plan was, other than to catch Frampton off guard with a big right hand.
There were a few boos after the sixth, which Frampton, boxing beautifully on the back foot, controlled again.
Quigg finally started taking a few risks in the seventh, but that only allowed Frampton to show off his defensive skills and pick him off on the counter.
Round eight was probably Quigg's, courtesy of a couple of big right hands and a sweet uppercut. However, he also missed with some wind-milling right hands.
The fight was finally cooking by the ninth, during which Quigg tagged Frampton with a juddering right hand and a strafing left hook.
The 10th was a tremendous round, with both men opening up, trading blows to head and body and doing extremely well not to buckle.
And the following round was more of the same, with some vicious body shots bookended by two more huge Quigg right hands, which clearly hurt his rival.
The previously bitter rivals hugged before the final round, which ended with Frampton showing off his Ali-shuffle, a sure sign he thought he had won by some distance.
In the chief support, Gavin McDonnell earned a unanimous decision over Panama's Jorge Sanchez to earn a shot at the WBC super-bantamweight title.
After his victory, the undefeated Doncaster boxer said he would like to fight the winner of Frampton-Quigg.
Also on the undercard, Manchester's Hosea Burton stopped Hertfordshire's Miles Shinkwin in round six to win the vacant British light-heavyweight title.
Morecambe's Isaac Lowe stopped Belfast's Marco McCullough to secure the vacant Commonwealth featherweight belt.
And former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Scott Fitzgerald won on his pro debut, the Preston light-middleweight stopping Swindon's Ben Heap in round three. | Belfast's Frampton, 29, was in full control of the first half of the fight, during which his opponent simply could not find his range.
Bury's Quigg, 27, finally came alive down the stretch as the contest turned into a desperate tussle, but Frampton gave as good as he got.
Bizarrely, one judge scored it 115-113 for Quigg, while the two others scored it 116-112 in Frampton's favour.
Frampton said: "The travelling support has been unbelievable - this isn't Manchester, is it? Seems like it is Belfast.
"I couldn't believe it was a spilt [decision]. I don't know what that lad was watching. He needs to take a long hard look at himself.
Media playback is not supported on this device
"I knew it was going to be a boring fight - I had to sell it for TV. I knew I had the brain to do that and make it boring."
Although there was no rematch clause in the contract, there was a verbal agreement that they would do it all again in Belfast if the first fight warranted it.
And while it was a slow-burner, a cracking second half ensued, which sent the 20,000 fans packed into the Manchester Arena into raptures - and will surely mean a return will take place later this year.
It was Quigg's first defeat in 34 professional fights, stretching back to 2007. Frampton is undefeated in 22 fights since turning pro in 2009.
Frampton-Quigg was one of the most eagerly-anticipated domestic match-ups in recent memory, and the first time two undefeated British boxers had fought to unify a world title.
The Northern Irishman was a narrow favourite with the bookmakers. However, his odds lengthened after he was knocked down twice by unheralded Mexican Alejandro Gonzalez last July, on the same day that Englishman Quigg demolished tough Spaniard Kiko Martinez - who had taken Frampton the distance in 2014.
Both men claimed to have won the mind games during a heated build-up, as well as insisting they were the better boxer and that losing was not an option.
While it was expected there would be an even split of fans, the reactions to the fighters' entrances suggested Frampton had the lion's share of support, despite Quigg being the 'home' fighter.
Frampton probably nicked a largely non-eventful first round courtesy of a couple of crisp jabs, while the second went largely the same way until the last minute, when Quigg finally came out of his shell.
There was more engagement in the third, with Frampton continuing to stalk his rival and Quigg grazing Frampton's chin with a couple of flashing left hooks.
Frampton, demonstrating a better appreciation of distance, controlled the fourth as well, although Quigg did land with one thudding overhand right.
As the fifth rolled by, it was becoming difficult to work out what Quigg's game-plan was, other than to catch Frampton off guard with a big right hand.
There were a few boos after the sixth, which Frampton, boxing beautifully on the back foot, controlled again.
Quigg finally started taking a few risks in the seventh, but that only allowed Frampton to show off his defensive skills and pick him off on the counter.
Round eight was probably Quigg's, courtesy of a couple of big right hands and a sweet uppercut. However, he also missed with some wind-milling right hands.
The fight was finally cooking by the ninth, during which Quigg tagged Frampton with a juddering right hand and a strafing left hook.
The 10th was a tremendous round, with both men opening up, trading blows to head and body and doing extremely well not to buckle.
And the following round was more of the same, with some vicious body shots bookended by two more huge Quigg right hands, which clearly hurt his rival.
The previously bitter rivals hugged before the final round, which ended with Frampton showing off his Ali-shuffle, a sure sign he thought he had won by some distance.
In the chief support, Gavin McDonnell earned a unanimous decision over Panama's Jorge Sanchez to earn a shot at the WBC super-bantamweight title.
After his victory, the undefeated Doncaster boxer said he would like to fight the winner of Frampton-Quigg.
Also on the undercard, Manchester's Hosea Burton stopped Hertfordshire's Miles Shinkwin in round six to win the vacant British light-heavyweight title.
Morecambe's Isaac Lowe stopped Belfast's Marco McCullough to secure the vacant Commonwealth featherweight belt.
And former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Scott Fitzgerald won on his pro debut, the Preston light-middleweight stopping Swindon's Ben Heap in round three. |
Add punctuation: The study suggests that hundreds of lives a year could be saved if such a system were adopted.
New drivers would face a four-year learning period during which they would be subject to restrictions.
The United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand already have graduated learning for drivers.
The RAC Foundation said such countries had seen a significant reduction in the number of young people being killed in accidents.
Deaths among 17- to 24-year-olds have fallen by up to 60%, and the number of overall casualties has fallen by up to 32%.
"Putting a firm number on casualty reduction is hard because of the pick-and-mix approach to graduated licensing," said Prof Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation.
"But the evidence suggests that a full package of measures could reduce fatalities by anything up to 60%," he said.
In the UK, one in five novice drivers has an accident within six months of passing their test.
In 2011, more than 1,500 young drivers were killed or seriously injured, a rate of four a day, said the Foundation.
The report says that the first 1,000 miles of driving may be the most important for cutting the risk of an accident.
So it is calling for a three-stage, graduated, system. New drivers would face restrictions for four years:
A one-year minimum driving period, before the test is taken. Drivers would need to experience a wide range of conditions, including winter driving and night driving.
After the test is taken, drivers would face restrictions for a further year. The number of passengers they could carry might be limited, and night driving might also be restricted.
A further two-year probationary period. If during the period a driver receives six penalty points, they would have to take a re-test.
The Foundation would also like to see a stricter drink-drive limit.
At the moment the legal maximum is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
But this figure could be reduced to 50mg.
Earlier this year, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) said young drivers could save up to 20% on their insurance premiums, if restrictions were put in place for newly-qualified drivers.
This might include limits on night-time driving, and restrictions on the number of passengers they are able to carry.
As a result new drivers might be able to save as much as £370 a year.
The government is currently considering a range of similar proposals, and will shortly decide whether to change the rules on driving tests. | The study suggests that hundreds of lives a year could be saved if such a system were adopted.
New drivers would face a four-year learning period during which they would be subject to restrictions.
The United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand already have graduated learning for drivers.
The RAC Foundation said such countries had seen a significant reduction in the number of young people being killed in accidents.
Deaths among 17- to 24-year-olds have fallen by up to 60%, and the number of overall casualties has fallen by up to 32%.
"Putting a firm number on casualty reduction is hard because of the pick-and-mix approach to graduated licensing," said Prof Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation.
"But the evidence suggests that a full package of measures could reduce fatalities by anything up to 60%," he said.
In the UK, one in five novice drivers has an accident within six months of passing their test.
In 2011, more than 1,500 young drivers were killed or seriously injured, a rate of four a day, said the Foundation.
The report says that the first 1,000 miles of driving may be the most important for cutting the risk of an accident.
So it is calling for a three-stage, graduated, system. New drivers would face restrictions for four years:
A one-year minimum driving period, before the test is taken. Drivers would need to experience a wide range of conditions, including winter driving and night driving.
After the test is taken, drivers would face restrictions for a further year. The number of passengers they could carry might be limited, and night driving might also be restricted.
A further two-year probationary period. If during the period a driver receives six penalty points, they would have to take a re-test.
The Foundation would also like to see a stricter drink-drive limit.
At the moment the legal maximum is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
But this figure could be reduced to 50mg.
Earlier this year, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) said young drivers could save up to 20% on their insurance premiums, if restrictions were put in place for newly-qualified drivers.
This might include limits on night-time driving, and restrictions on the number of passengers they are able to carry.
As a result new drivers might be able to save as much as £370 a year.
The government is currently considering a range of similar proposals, and will shortly decide whether to change the rules on driving tests. |
Add punctuation: The saws, which can grow more than a metre long in some species, have previously been identified as able to sense prey by their electric fields.
Now, researchers have filmed the fish impaling prey on the teeth of the saws.
They suggest inCurrent Biologythat sawfish are more active hunters than previously thought, which could help in their much-needed conservation.
All seven species are listed as Critically Endangered on the internationally-recognised Red List.
The researchers, mainly based in Australia, suggest sawfish may be unique among their peers in possessing a snout, or rostrum, that works both as a sensory organ and a hunting weapon.
"I like to call it an antenna and a weapon, because that's what it is - it helps them to find the prey, but then also to kill it," said Barbara Wueringer from the University of Queensland, who led the research team.
The research was done using captive sawfish.
Australian regulations on the ethics of animal research meant the team was not allowed to film the sawfish hunting live prey.
Instead, pieces of mullet and tuna flesh were dangled in their tanks, and underwater video cameras deployed to record them.
Weak electric fields were deployed in the water and on the bottom, to mimic the fields produced by live fish, which sawfish sense using the dense arrays of electroreceptors along the rostrum.
The films show the sawfish approaching the "prey" and swiping vigorously, impaling the flesh on the saw's teeth, with blows so powerful that the blocks of dead fish were sometimes split in two.
They would also use the teeth to pin chunks of meat to the bottom.
The films also revealed that sawfish do not use their rostra to rifle through sediment, as some related species do. They do however rub the teeth on the bottom, possibly to sharpen them.
The rostra of sawfish are prized as trophies, with specimens trading hands for thousands of dollars.
The fish were also heavily caught for the aquarium trade, until the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) banned most international trade in 2007.
The toothed rostrum also makes sawfish especially prone to entanglement in fishing nets; and with many living in estuaries, coastal development and loss of habitat is another factor that has wiped out populations across the tropics and sub-tropics.
Like the sharks and rays to which they are related, their slow growth and reproduction also makes populations vulnerable.
"Sawfish are among the most endangered fish in the world," commented Sonja Fordham, president of the conservation group Shark Advocates International.
"Conservation actions - from education to strict national protection - are urgently needed in tropical and sub-tropical areas around the globe to prevent extinction and promote recovery of these remarkable animals."
Barbara Wueringer is hopeful that her line of research could lead to practical ideas that would keep the animals alive.
"There is an upcoming field of research where people are trying to work with different electric field strengths or magnetic fields to deter animals like sharks and rays from fishing gear," she told BBC News.
"And to do that you have to know what field strength the animals are attracted to.
"Also, they had that reputation of being a sluggish bottom-dweller; we now that they actively move into the water column to take their prey from there, so that restricts the fishing methods that can be allowed in their areas."
Follow Richardon Twitter | The saws, which can grow more than a metre long in some species, have previously been identified as able to sense prey by their electric fields.
Now, researchers have filmed the fish impaling prey on the teeth of the saws.
They suggest inCurrent Biologythat sawfish are more active hunters than previously thought, which could help in their much-needed conservation.
All seven species are listed as Critically Endangered on the internationally-recognised Red List.
The researchers, mainly based in Australia, suggest sawfish may be unique among their peers in possessing a snout, or rostrum, that works both as a sensory organ and a hunting weapon.
"I like to call it an antenna and a weapon, because that's what it is - it helps them to find the prey, but then also to kill it," said Barbara Wueringer from the University of Queensland, who led the research team.
The research was done using captive sawfish.
Australian regulations on the ethics of animal research meant the team was not allowed to film the sawfish hunting live prey.
Instead, pieces of mullet and tuna flesh were dangled in their tanks, and underwater video cameras deployed to record them.
Weak electric fields were deployed in the water and on the bottom, to mimic the fields produced by live fish, which sawfish sense using the dense arrays of electroreceptors along the rostrum.
The films show the sawfish approaching the "prey" and swiping vigorously, impaling the flesh on the saw's teeth, with blows so powerful that the blocks of dead fish were sometimes split in two.
They would also use the teeth to pin chunks of meat to the bottom.
The films also revealed that sawfish do not use their rostra to rifle through sediment, as some related species do. They do however rub the teeth on the bottom, possibly to sharpen them.
The rostra of sawfish are prized as trophies, with specimens trading hands for thousands of dollars.
The fish were also heavily caught for the aquarium trade, until the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) banned most international trade in 2007.
The toothed rostrum also makes sawfish especially prone to entanglement in fishing nets; and with many living in estuaries, coastal development and loss of habitat is another factor that has wiped out populations across the tropics and sub-tropics.
Like the sharks and rays to which they are related, their slow growth and reproduction also makes populations vulnerable.
"Sawfish are among the most endangered fish in the world," commented Sonja Fordham, president of the conservation group Shark Advocates International.
"Conservation actions - from education to strict national protection - are urgently needed in tropical and sub-tropical areas around the globe to prevent extinction and promote recovery of these remarkable animals."
Barbara Wueringer is hopeful that her line of research could lead to practical ideas that would keep the animals alive.
"There is an upcoming field of research where people are trying to work with different electric field strengths or magnetic fields to deter animals like sharks and rays from fishing gear," she told BBC News.
"And to do that you have to know what field strength the animals are attracted to.
"Also, they had that reputation of being a sluggish bottom-dweller; we now that they actively move into the water column to take their prey from there, so that restricts the fishing methods that can be allowed in their areas."
Follow Richardon Twitter |
Add punctuation: The HBO fantasy drama triumphed in three categories at Sunday's ceremony, including outstanding drama series.
The show's total number of awards now stands at 38, which means it has beaten Frasier's previous record of 37.
This year's British winners included Dame Maggie Smith, who won outstanding supporting actress in a drama series for her role in Downton Abbey.
It is the third time Dame Maggie has won an Emmy for her portrayal of Violet Crawley, but she has never attended the ceremony in person.
Host Jimmy Kimmel joked: "We're not mailing this to her. Maggie, if you want this, it will be in the lost and found."
BBC One's Sherlock was named best made for TV movie for its special episode The Abominable Bride.
Accepting the award, Sherlock creator Steven Moffatt made reference to the The Great British Bake off, currently shown on BBC One but bought by Channel 4 last week. He said: "Thank you to the BBC who we love above all bakery. British people will get that."
Susanne Bier, the Danish director of the BBC's spy thriller The Night Manager, won for best directing in a limited series.
Bier, who was the only female nominee in the category, told BBC Breakfast: "This is such a traditional men's world, and I hope the fact a woman director has won this prestigious prize is going to mean that more non-conventional series and movies are going to be directed by women."
John Oliver won best variety talk series for his HBO series Last Week Tonight, beating fellow British nominee James Corden, who was nominated for The Late Late Show.
Veep won the outstanding comedy series award for the second year in a row, while its star Julia Louis-Dreyfus won outstanding lead comedy actress for the fifth time.
In her acceptance speech, Louis-Dreyfus said: "Our show started out as political satire but now feels like a sobering documentary." She dedicated her award to her father, who died on Friday.
The outstanding comedy actor gong went to Jeffrey Tambor, who plays a transgender woman in the Amazon series Transparent, for the second year in a row.
Accepting the award, Tambor encouraged the industry to offer more opportunities to the trans community.
"I would not be unhappy were I the last cisgender male to play a transgender female on television. We have work to do," he said.
Rami Malek won outstanding lead actor in a drama series for his role in Mr Robot - the first time an actor from an ethnic minority has won the award since 1998.
Tatiana Maslany from Orphan Black won the outstanding leading actress in a drama prize.
Other big winners of the night included The People vs OJ Simpson - a dramatisation of the OJ Simpson trial of the 1990s, which was broadcast on BBC Two in the UK.
The show won five trophies including outstanding limited series plus acting gongs for Sarah Paulson, Sterling K Brown and Courtney B Vance.
Kate McKinnon, who recently starred in the all-female Ghostbusters reboot, won outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series for her performances in Saturday Night Live.
Netflix series Master of None scored its first Emmy award, winning outstanding writing for a comedy series.
The show's co-writer Alan Yang called for better Asian representation on screen in his acceptance speech.
Elsewhere, The Voice took home the award for outstanding reality competition series, beating Project Runway and Dancing With The Stars.
The 38 Emmys won by Game of Thrones includes the nine trophies the series picked up at last weekend's Creative Arts Emmys.
The HBO series is now the most decorated drama series in Emmy awards' history - the overall record is held by Saturday Night Live, which has won 44.
Kimmel made several references to diversity during the ceremony in light of the "Oscars So White" controversy earlier this year.
"Here in Hollywood the only thing we value more than diversity is congratulating ourselves on how much we value diversity," he said in his opening monologue.
"The Emmys are so diverse this year the Oscars are now telling people we're one of their closest friends."
Follow us on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, on Instagram, or if you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk. | The HBO fantasy drama triumphed in three categories at Sunday's ceremony, including outstanding drama series.
The show's total number of awards now stands at 38, which means it has beaten Frasier's previous record of 37.
This year's British winners included Dame Maggie Smith, who won outstanding supporting actress in a drama series for her role in Downton Abbey.
It is the third time Dame Maggie has won an Emmy for her portrayal of Violet Crawley, but she has never attended the ceremony in person.
Host Jimmy Kimmel joked: "We're not mailing this to her. Maggie, if you want this, it will be in the lost and found."
BBC One's Sherlock was named best made for TV movie for its special episode The Abominable Bride.
Accepting the award, Sherlock creator Steven Moffatt made reference to the The Great British Bake off, currently shown on BBC One but bought by Channel 4 last week. He said: "Thank you to the BBC who we love above all bakery. British people will get that."
Susanne Bier, the Danish director of the BBC's spy thriller The Night Manager, won for best directing in a limited series.
Bier, who was the only female nominee in the category, told BBC Breakfast: "This is such a traditional men's world, and I hope the fact a woman director has won this prestigious prize is going to mean that more non-conventional series and movies are going to be directed by women."
John Oliver won best variety talk series for his HBO series Last Week Tonight, beating fellow British nominee James Corden, who was nominated for The Late Late Show.
Veep won the outstanding comedy series award for the second year in a row, while its star Julia Louis-Dreyfus won outstanding lead comedy actress for the fifth time.
In her acceptance speech, Louis-Dreyfus said: "Our show started out as political satire but now feels like a sobering documentary." She dedicated her award to her father, who died on Friday.
The outstanding comedy actor gong went to Jeffrey Tambor, who plays a transgender woman in the Amazon series Transparent, for the second year in a row.
Accepting the award, Tambor encouraged the industry to offer more opportunities to the trans community.
"I would not be unhappy were I the last cisgender male to play a transgender female on television. We have work to do," he said.
Rami Malek won outstanding lead actor in a drama series for his role in Mr Robot - the first time an actor from an ethnic minority has won the award since 1998.
Tatiana Maslany from Orphan Black won the outstanding leading actress in a drama prize.
Other big winners of the night included The People vs OJ Simpson - a dramatisation of the OJ Simpson trial of the 1990s, which was broadcast on BBC Two in the UK.
The show won five trophies including outstanding limited series plus acting gongs for Sarah Paulson, Sterling K Brown and Courtney B Vance.
Kate McKinnon, who recently starred in the all-female Ghostbusters reboot, won outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series for her performances in Saturday Night Live.
Netflix series Master of None scored its first Emmy award, winning outstanding writing for a comedy series.
The show's co-writer Alan Yang called for better Asian representation on screen in his acceptance speech.
Elsewhere, The Voice took home the award for outstanding reality competition series, beating Project Runway and Dancing With The Stars.
The 38 Emmys won by Game of Thrones includes the nine trophies the series picked up at last weekend's Creative Arts Emmys.
The HBO series is now the most decorated drama series in Emmy awards' history - the overall record is held by Saturday Night Live, which has won 44.
Kimmel made several references to diversity during the ceremony in light of the "Oscars So White" controversy earlier this year.
"Here in Hollywood the only thing we value more than diversity is congratulating ourselves on how much we value diversity," he said in his opening monologue.
"The Emmys are so diverse this year the Oscars are now telling people we're one of their closest friends."
Follow us on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, on Instagram, or if you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk. |
Add punctuation: Mr Cardoso accepted an invitation by former Spanish Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez to join a team defending Leopoldo Lopez and Antonio Ledezma.
Mr Lopez and Mr Ledezma are prominent opposition politicians in Venezuela.
Mr Lopez has been charged with inciting violence and Mr Ledezma with taking part in an alleged coup.
Both deny the allegations. Their families have tried to enlist the support of influential international figures in order to secure their release.
Mr Lopez has been in detention for more than a year since he handed himself over to the authorities in February.
He is accused of inciting violence during mass protests he led in early 2014.
Forty-three people from both sides of the political divide died during several months of protests.
Mr Ledezma, a veteran opposition politician who was serving as mayor of Caracas, was arrested last month and charged with conspiracy.
Their supporters say the charges are politically motivated, but the government argues they want to violently overthrow the democratically elected government of Mr Maduro.
Mr Cardoso will join a team made up of Felipe Gonzalez, Peruvian ex-leader Alan Garcia, and former Canadian Justice Minister Irwin Cotler.
Mr Cardoso would travel to Venezuela to "examine the situation" of the prisoners, members of his centrist Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB) said.
He is expected to be joined on the trip by Brazilian former presidential candidate Aecio Neves and Brazilian senator Aloysio Nunez.
The fate of the detained opposition leaders has divided opinion in Venezuela.
Their supporters say they are being targeted for their political views while the government accuses them of fomenting a coup.
Senior government officials regularly refer to Mr Lopez as the "monster of Ramo Verde" after the prison were he is held.
The announcement by Mr Gonzalez that he would be joining the defence team triggered a strong response from the Venezuelan government.
President Maduro accused him of forming part of an international conspiracy to overthrow the Venezuelan government.
Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez said Mr Gonzalez had "no right to act as a lawyer in Venezuela" and urged the socialist former leader to "find something else to do with his life and not act as a lobbyist for international and local right-wing interests". | Mr Cardoso accepted an invitation by former Spanish Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez to join a team defending Leopoldo Lopez and Antonio Ledezma.
Mr Lopez and Mr Ledezma are prominent opposition politicians in Venezuela.
Mr Lopez has been charged with inciting violence and Mr Ledezma with taking part in an alleged coup.
Both deny the allegations. Their families have tried to enlist the support of influential international figures in order to secure their release.
Mr Lopez has been in detention for more than a year since he handed himself over to the authorities in February.
He is accused of inciting violence during mass protests he led in early 2014.
Forty-three people from both sides of the political divide died during several months of protests.
Mr Ledezma, a veteran opposition politician who was serving as mayor of Caracas, was arrested last month and charged with conspiracy.
Their supporters say the charges are politically motivated, but the government argues they want to violently overthrow the democratically elected government of Mr Maduro.
Mr Cardoso will join a team made up of Felipe Gonzalez, Peruvian ex-leader Alan Garcia, and former Canadian Justice Minister Irwin Cotler.
Mr Cardoso would travel to Venezuela to "examine the situation" of the prisoners, members of his centrist Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB) said.
He is expected to be joined on the trip by Brazilian former presidential candidate Aecio Neves and Brazilian senator Aloysio Nunez.
The fate of the detained opposition leaders has divided opinion in Venezuela.
Their supporters say they are being targeted for their political views while the government accuses them of fomenting a coup.
Senior government officials regularly refer to Mr Lopez as the "monster of Ramo Verde" after the prison were he is held.
The announcement by Mr Gonzalez that he would be joining the defence team triggered a strong response from the Venezuelan government.
President Maduro accused him of forming part of an international conspiracy to overthrow the Venezuelan government.
Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez said Mr Gonzalez had "no right to act as a lawyer in Venezuela" and urged the socialist former leader to "find something else to do with his life and not act as a lobbyist for international and local right-wing interests". |
Add punctuation: The findings by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) are in contrast to other parts of the UK, especially London, where both sales and new buyer demand fell sharply.
Rics said demand for new homes in Scotland grew in July.
It noted that more surveyors reported a growth in new buyer inquiries.
The number of homes coming onto the market also increased in July, with 8% of respondents reporting an increase in new instructions,
Rics said the continuing supply and demand imbalance was creating more optimism in the Scottish market, compared with the rest of the UK.
In July, more surveyors reported prices rise over the month, while 32% of respondents expected house prices to increase over the next three months.
However some surveyors said the Commonwealth Games, the school holidays and the approaching independence referendum led to a slowdown in house sales in their areas last month.
Rics director Sarah Speirs said: "The housing market in Scotland continues to show an imbalance between supply and demand in Scotland and this impacts on prices.
"With demand from new buyers at the highest rate since December 2013 and fewer properties coming onto the market, there is certainly the need for investment in regeneration and creation of new stock in order to keep prices at a sustainable level."
Last month, Registers of Scotland reported that the average price of a house in Scotland had risen by 5.9% in the past year.
It said the average cost of a home in the three months to June was just over £162,000.
The total value of sales across Scotland in the quarter increased by 29.7%, compared with a year ago, to stand at almost £3.95bn.
The number of sales also increased by more than 22%, indicating sustained growth over the past year. | The findings by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) are in contrast to other parts of the UK, especially London, where both sales and new buyer demand fell sharply.
Rics said demand for new homes in Scotland grew in July.
It noted that more surveyors reported a growth in new buyer inquiries.
The number of homes coming onto the market also increased in July, with 8% of respondents reporting an increase in new instructions,
Rics said the continuing supply and demand imbalance was creating more optimism in the Scottish market, compared with the rest of the UK.
In July, more surveyors reported prices rise over the month, while 32% of respondents expected house prices to increase over the next three months.
However some surveyors said the Commonwealth Games, the school holidays and the approaching independence referendum led to a slowdown in house sales in their areas last month.
Rics director Sarah Speirs said: "The housing market in Scotland continues to show an imbalance between supply and demand in Scotland and this impacts on prices.
"With demand from new buyers at the highest rate since December 2013 and fewer properties coming onto the market, there is certainly the need for investment in regeneration and creation of new stock in order to keep prices at a sustainable level."
Last month, Registers of Scotland reported that the average price of a house in Scotland had risen by 5.9% in the past year.
It said the average cost of a home in the three months to June was just over £162,000.
The total value of sales across Scotland in the quarter increased by 29.7%, compared with a year ago, to stand at almost £3.95bn.
The number of sales also increased by more than 22%, indicating sustained growth over the past year. |
Add punctuation: Germany, Japan and Poland are also in Pool A in the tournament, which doubles up as the main route of qualifying for next year's World Cup finals.
Pool B comprises Argentina, USA, hosts South Africa, India and Chile.
The top 10 teams from the two semi-finals tournaments qualify for the World Cup plus the five Continental champions and hosts England.
If a country wins their Continental title and has also qualified through the World League semi-finals, then the next ranked country from the World League semi-finals will make the World Cup finals.
Ireland won the World League Round Two in Kuala Lumpur in January by beating Malaysia 3-0 in the final.
England's team will include many of the Rio 2016 gold medal winners who represented Great Britain, while German won bronze at the Olympics.
It was announced last week that Ireland's men will also be in the same semi-final in Johannesburg. | Germany, Japan and Poland are also in Pool A in the tournament, which doubles up as the main route of qualifying for next year's World Cup finals.
Pool B comprises Argentina, USA, hosts South Africa, India and Chile.
The top 10 teams from the two semi-finals tournaments qualify for the World Cup plus the five Continental champions and hosts England.
If a country wins their Continental title and has also qualified through the World League semi-finals, then the next ranked country from the World League semi-finals will make the World Cup finals.
Ireland won the World League Round Two in Kuala Lumpur in January by beating Malaysia 3-0 in the final.
England's team will include many of the Rio 2016 gold medal winners who represented Great Britain, while German won bronze at the Olympics.
It was announced last week that Ireland's men will also be in the same semi-final in Johannesburg. |
Add punctuation: Inflation now stands at 2.7% - up from 2.3% in March - and above the Bank of England's 2% target.
The main reason was higher air fares, which rose because of the later date of Easter this year compared with 2016.
Rising prices for clothing, vehicle excise duty and electricity also played a part, but a fall in the price of petrol and diesel slightly offset this.
Last week, the Bank of England warned that inflation as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) would peak at just below 3% this year.
It also warned that 2017 would be "a more challenging time for British households" with inflation rising and real wages falling - leading to a consumer spending squeeze.
Pay including bonuses rose at an annual rate of 2.3% in the three months to February, according to the ONS. The latest figures on earnings growth are due out on Wednesday.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the cost of air travel went up by 18.6% from the month before, with Easter falling on 16 April this year compared with 27 March last year.
The price of clothes jumped to the highest level for six years, with a rise of 1.1% between March and April.
Electricity and food prices also went up, but there were falls in the cost of gas, petrol and diesel.
The Retail Prices Index (RPI), a separate measure of inflation which includes council tax and mortgage interest payments, reached 3.5% last month, up from 3.1% in March.
The ONS's new preferred inflation measure of CPIH, which contains a measure of housing costs, rose to 2.6% from 2.3% in March.
Chris Williamson, chief business economist at analysts IHS Markit, said: "The timing of Easter looks to have played an important role in pushing inflation higher in year-on-year terms.
"But sterling's depreciation since the referendum last June is also clearly a significant factor, lifting prices for imports and likely to pile further upward pressure on consumer prices in coming months.
"There are nevertheless signs that inflation could perhaps rise less than many had been fearing.
"Survey data are already showing companies' costs are rising at a slower rate than earlier in the year, and recent weeks have seen some easing in global commodity prices, notably oil."
Suren Thiru, head of economics at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "Businesses continue to report that the substantial increases in the cost of raw materials and other overheads over the past year are still filtering through the supply chain, and are therefore likely to lift consumer prices higher in the coming months
"However, it remains probable that the current period of above target inflation is transitory in nature, with little evidence that higher price growth is becoming entrenched in higher pay growth.
"This should give the Bank of England sufficient scope to keep interest rates on hold for some time yet, despite their recent warning." | Inflation now stands at 2.7% - up from 2.3% in March - and above the Bank of England's 2% target.
The main reason was higher air fares, which rose because of the later date of Easter this year compared with 2016.
Rising prices for clothing, vehicle excise duty and electricity also played a part, but a fall in the price of petrol and diesel slightly offset this.
Last week, the Bank of England warned that inflation as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) would peak at just below 3% this year.
It also warned that 2017 would be "a more challenging time for British households" with inflation rising and real wages falling - leading to a consumer spending squeeze.
Pay including bonuses rose at an annual rate of 2.3% in the three months to February, according to the ONS. The latest figures on earnings growth are due out on Wednesday.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the cost of air travel went up by 18.6% from the month before, with Easter falling on 16 April this year compared with 27 March last year.
The price of clothes jumped to the highest level for six years, with a rise of 1.1% between March and April.
Electricity and food prices also went up, but there were falls in the cost of gas, petrol and diesel.
The Retail Prices Index (RPI), a separate measure of inflation which includes council tax and mortgage interest payments, reached 3.5% last month, up from 3.1% in March.
The ONS's new preferred inflation measure of CPIH, which contains a measure of housing costs, rose to 2.6% from 2.3% in March.
Chris Williamson, chief business economist at analysts IHS Markit, said: "The timing of Easter looks to have played an important role in pushing inflation higher in year-on-year terms.
"But sterling's depreciation since the referendum last June is also clearly a significant factor, lifting prices for imports and likely to pile further upward pressure on consumer prices in coming months.
"There are nevertheless signs that inflation could perhaps rise less than many had been fearing.
"Survey data are already showing companies' costs are rising at a slower rate than earlier in the year, and recent weeks have seen some easing in global commodity prices, notably oil."
Suren Thiru, head of economics at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "Businesses continue to report that the substantial increases in the cost of raw materials and other overheads over the past year are still filtering through the supply chain, and are therefore likely to lift consumer prices higher in the coming months
"However, it remains probable that the current period of above target inflation is transitory in nature, with little evidence that higher price growth is becoming entrenched in higher pay growth.
"This should give the Bank of England sufficient scope to keep interest rates on hold for some time yet, despite their recent warning." |
Add punctuation: Wakefield Council will use the Heritage Lottery Fund grant to open parts of Pontefract Castle not accessible since the mid-1600s.
Work will include restoring paths and platforms which will allow visitors to reach the Sally Port and Swillington Tower areas of the site.
It could see the castle removed from English Heritage's 'at risk' register.
Further work will include extending the arts and crafts area to include a shop and café.
Wakefield Council and English Heritage will provide additional funding to the £3.5m project.
Councillor Peter Box, leader of the council, said: "We are delighted that Heritage Lottery Fund is supporting our work.
"The money will help put Pontefract on the map for tourists, building on what is an already popular site, and will certainly bring wider economic benefits into the town."
The castle was built in the 11th Century and is reportedly the site of King Richard II's imprisonment and murder.
It was used as a Lancastrian stronghold during the Wars of the Roses (1454-85).
During the English Civil War (1642-1651) the Royalist castle was besieged by Parliamentarian forces and was demolished in 1649 on the request of the townspeople.
Since then, the castle has been used as a place for liquorice cultivation and as a tourist attraction. | Wakefield Council will use the Heritage Lottery Fund grant to open parts of Pontefract Castle not accessible since the mid-1600s.
Work will include restoring paths and platforms which will allow visitors to reach the Sally Port and Swillington Tower areas of the site.
It could see the castle removed from English Heritage's 'at risk' register.
Further work will include extending the arts and crafts area to include a shop and café.
Wakefield Council and English Heritage will provide additional funding to the £3.5m project.
Councillor Peter Box, leader of the council, said: "We are delighted that Heritage Lottery Fund is supporting our work.
"The money will help put Pontefract on the map for tourists, building on what is an already popular site, and will certainly bring wider economic benefits into the town."
The castle was built in the 11th Century and is reportedly the site of King Richard II's imprisonment and murder.
It was used as a Lancastrian stronghold during the Wars of the Roses (1454-85).
During the English Civil War (1642-1651) the Royalist castle was besieged by Parliamentarian forces and was demolished in 1649 on the request of the townspeople.
Since then, the castle has been used as a place for liquorice cultivation and as a tourist attraction. |
Add punctuation: The former Red Rose captain played just five times as Lancashire won promotion from Division Two of the County Championship and the T20 Blast title.
Chapple, who led the club for a season after Peter Moores' exit in 2014, has assisted director of cricket Ashley Giles with coaching duties this summer.
"At my age I have no idea if I'm honest," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.
"If I feel the same as I did at the start of this season and it was felt it was appropriate to be available to play then maybe, yeah.
"I'm not going to announce a retirement or anything, but six months is a long time and my job is to predominantly coach and that's what I'm enjoying." | The former Red Rose captain played just five times as Lancashire won promotion from Division Two of the County Championship and the T20 Blast title.
Chapple, who led the club for a season after Peter Moores' exit in 2014, has assisted director of cricket Ashley Giles with coaching duties this summer.
"At my age I have no idea if I'm honest," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.
"If I feel the same as I did at the start of this season and it was felt it was appropriate to be available to play then maybe, yeah.
"I'm not going to announce a retirement or anything, but six months is a long time and my job is to predominantly coach and that's what I'm enjoying." |
Add punctuation: The 21-year-old left Pools for Posh in September 2014, having scored 22 goals in 99 appearances.
He has been limited to 34 games at London Road, scoring just two goals, and had been on loan at Bradford City, where he made four starts.
James is available for Saturday's trip to Notts County.
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page. | The 21-year-old left Pools for Posh in September 2014, having scored 22 goals in 99 appearances.
He has been limited to 34 games at London Road, scoring just two goals, and had been on loan at Bradford City, where he made four starts.
James is available for Saturday's trip to Notts County.
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page. |
Add punctuation: Eleven were jailed at Bradford Crown Court after being convicted of raping the girl in Keighley from the age of 13.
Another man was sentenced for sexual activity with the same girl.
The trial heard how the teenager was repeatedly attacked over a period of 13 months, between 2011 and 2012.
More on this story and others from West Yorkshire
She was made to have sex in various locations in the town, including an underground car park and a church graveyard.
The girl was described in court as leading a "chaotic existence" at the time and had been reported missing from home on more than 70 occasions over a two-year period.
Two of the men also received sentences for offences against other victims.
Judge Roger Thomas QC, sentencing, told the men: "She was only 13 or 14 when the 12 of you took such terrible and heartless sexual advantage of her."
The jury previously heard her meetings with the men had been arranged by "drug dealer" Arif Choudhury, who was not on trial.
Tauqeer Hussain was also found guilty of raping a second girl in 2009.
The court heard Mahmood, who pleaded guilty to several charges at an earlier hearing, is currently serving an eight-year jail sentence for raping a woman in a park in Keighley and trying to abduct a 10-year-old girl.
Kabir, who received the greatest jail term of 20 years, was also sentenced for 12 sexual offences against two other young girls after being found guilty at a separate trial.
Kris Hopkins, Conservative MP for Keighley and Ilkley, said: "Keighley's proud name has been dragged through the mud too many times in recent years because of the heinous acts of sick men preying on vulnerable young girls.
"I appeal directly to members of the local community that if you know of any individual or groups of individuals who may be involved in these activities, you have an obligation to pass this information on.
"We must work together to rid ourselves of this cancer and we all have a part to play." | Eleven were jailed at Bradford Crown Court after being convicted of raping the girl in Keighley from the age of 13.
Another man was sentenced for sexual activity with the same girl.
The trial heard how the teenager was repeatedly attacked over a period of 13 months, between 2011 and 2012.
More on this story and others from West Yorkshire
She was made to have sex in various locations in the town, including an underground car park and a church graveyard.
The girl was described in court as leading a "chaotic existence" at the time and had been reported missing from home on more than 70 occasions over a two-year period.
Two of the men also received sentences for offences against other victims.
Judge Roger Thomas QC, sentencing, told the men: "She was only 13 or 14 when the 12 of you took such terrible and heartless sexual advantage of her."
The jury previously heard her meetings with the men had been arranged by "drug dealer" Arif Choudhury, who was not on trial.
Tauqeer Hussain was also found guilty of raping a second girl in 2009.
The court heard Mahmood, who pleaded guilty to several charges at an earlier hearing, is currently serving an eight-year jail sentence for raping a woman in a park in Keighley and trying to abduct a 10-year-old girl.
Kabir, who received the greatest jail term of 20 years, was also sentenced for 12 sexual offences against two other young girls after being found guilty at a separate trial.
Kris Hopkins, Conservative MP for Keighley and Ilkley, said: "Keighley's proud name has been dragged through the mud too many times in recent years because of the heinous acts of sick men preying on vulnerable young girls.
"I appeal directly to members of the local community that if you know of any individual or groups of individuals who may be involved in these activities, you have an obligation to pass this information on.
"We must work together to rid ourselves of this cancer and we all have a part to play." |
Add punctuation: Nicole Kushner Meyer used her brother's name while promoting an investment-for-visas scheme in Beijing and Shanghai.
Critics were quick to accuse the family business of playing up its connection to the White House at the event.
But the company said on Monday the comments were misconstrued and Ms Meyer was only pointing out he left the firm.
"Ms Meyer wanted to make clear that her brother had stepped away from the company in January and has nothing to do with this project," said Risa Heller, a Kushner Companies spokeswoman.
"Kushner Companies apologises if that mention of her brother was in any way interpreted as an attempt to lure investors. That was not Ms Meyer's intention."
Mr Kushner, 36, who is married to President Trump's daughter, Ivanka, and serves as a White House senior adviser, has come under scrutiny for his private business interests.
Government ethics laws bar government officials from profiting personally from their roles.
Jared Kushner: The son-in-law with Donald Trump's ear
Is Kushner the most powerful 36-year-old in the world?
Ms Meyer mentioned her brother on Saturday and Sunday while urging investors to put $500,000 (£386,500) into a New Jersey real estate project in exchange for investor visas and residency cards in the US through the so-called EB-5 programme.
The EB-5 visa programme, often used by wealthy Chinese nationals, allows foreign investors a path to a green card if they invest more than $500,000 in a project that creates jobs in the US.
Critics of the programme say it used as a means of cheap financing for real estate developers.
Ms Meyer brought up her brother as the company's former chief executive before he left in January to join the Trump administration.
She then said the Jersey City project, which the company is developing with real estate firm KABR group, "means a lot to me and my entire family", the New York Times reported.
About 15% of the $976.4m-project, known as One Journal Square, will be funded through the EB-5 programme, according to Kushner Companies.
The company also featured a photo of President Trump on a slide at the event that said "key decision makers" on the EB-5 programme, CNN reported.
The White House said on Monday that it was "evaluating wholesale reform" on the programme to make sure it it was "used as intended and that investment is being spread to all areas of the country".
The administration also said it was "exploring the possibility of raising the price of the visa to further bring the programme in line with its intent".
Reforming visa programmes has been a key part of Mr Trump's immigration policy.
Mr Kushner has said he stepped away from his family's business operations, but government ethics filings show that he and his wife, Ivanka Trump, continue to benefit from their stake in Kushner Companies.
The president's son-in-law, who has no prior government experience, has been entrusted to broker Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and also serves as the lead adviser on relations with China, Mexico and Canada.
Blake Roberts, Mr Kushner's attorney, said on Saturday that he has divested his interests in the One Journal Square project.
"As previously stated, he will recuse from particular matters concerning the EB-5 visa program," Mr Roberts said in a statement. | Nicole Kushner Meyer used her brother's name while promoting an investment-for-visas scheme in Beijing and Shanghai.
Critics were quick to accuse the family business of playing up its connection to the White House at the event.
But the company said on Monday the comments were misconstrued and Ms Meyer was only pointing out he left the firm.
"Ms Meyer wanted to make clear that her brother had stepped away from the company in January and has nothing to do with this project," said Risa Heller, a Kushner Companies spokeswoman.
"Kushner Companies apologises if that mention of her brother was in any way interpreted as an attempt to lure investors. That was not Ms Meyer's intention."
Mr Kushner, 36, who is married to President Trump's daughter, Ivanka, and serves as a White House senior adviser, has come under scrutiny for his private business interests.
Government ethics laws bar government officials from profiting personally from their roles.
Jared Kushner: The son-in-law with Donald Trump's ear
Is Kushner the most powerful 36-year-old in the world?
Ms Meyer mentioned her brother on Saturday and Sunday while urging investors to put $500,000 (£386,500) into a New Jersey real estate project in exchange for investor visas and residency cards in the US through the so-called EB-5 programme.
The EB-5 visa programme, often used by wealthy Chinese nationals, allows foreign investors a path to a green card if they invest more than $500,000 in a project that creates jobs in the US.
Critics of the programme say it used as a means of cheap financing for real estate developers.
Ms Meyer brought up her brother as the company's former chief executive before he left in January to join the Trump administration.
She then said the Jersey City project, which the company is developing with real estate firm KABR group, "means a lot to me and my entire family", the New York Times reported.
About 15% of the $976.4m-project, known as One Journal Square, will be funded through the EB-5 programme, according to Kushner Companies.
The company also featured a photo of President Trump on a slide at the event that said "key decision makers" on the EB-5 programme, CNN reported.
The White House said on Monday that it was "evaluating wholesale reform" on the programme to make sure it it was "used as intended and that investment is being spread to all areas of the country".
The administration also said it was "exploring the possibility of raising the price of the visa to further bring the programme in line with its intent".
Reforming visa programmes has been a key part of Mr Trump's immigration policy.
Mr Kushner has said he stepped away from his family's business operations, but government ethics filings show that he and his wife, Ivanka Trump, continue to benefit from their stake in Kushner Companies.
The president's son-in-law, who has no prior government experience, has been entrusted to broker Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and also serves as the lead adviser on relations with China, Mexico and Canada.
Blake Roberts, Mr Kushner's attorney, said on Saturday that he has divested his interests in the One Journal Square project.
"As previously stated, he will recuse from particular matters concerning the EB-5 visa program," Mr Roberts said in a statement. |
Add punctuation: The 53-year-old, who has also managed Millwall and Sunderland, was sacked as Wolves boss in February.
He will be assisted by his former number two at Wolves, Terry Connor, who succeeded him as manager at Molineux.
McCarthy replaces Paul Jewell, with the club bottom of the Championship table.
Mick McCarthy has managed all his three clubs (Millwall, Sunderland and Wolves) to the First Division/Championship play-offs and led the latter two up to the Premier League as champions
Jewell's assistant Chris Hutchings, who took charge of Saturday's 3-0 loss to Sheffield Wednesday - Town's fourth straight loss and 12th game without a win - has left the cub by mutual consent.
"I'm obviously delighted to have been given the job as Ipswich Town manager and I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead," McCarthy told the club website.
"It's a fantastic football club, with a proud tradition and history and a terrific fanbase. While the long term ambition is to take the club back into the Premier League, it's clear that the first priority is to get some confidence back into the team and start climbing the table."
His first game as Town boss will be the Championship match at Birmingham City on Saturday.
"He will get respect instantly. He talks to you in the right manner and tone. You want to play for him straight away.
"What you see is what you get. He's fair and honest.
"I'm sure it's the right decision to appoint him.
"He's got fantastic experience. In the Championship he's got Wolves and Sunderland promoted.
"Over the course of the season they will improve under him and improve even further next season."
After five and a half years as Wolves manager, Barnsley-born following a run of one win in 13.
The former Manchester City and Celtic defender started his managerial career at Millwall and, after four years at the Den, he left to take the Ireland job in 1996.
McCarthy, a Republic international during his playing career, led the national side to the second round of the 2002 World Cup finals, but was embroiled in a public dispute with then midfielder and former Town boss Roy Keane.
He has led all of the three clubs he has managed to the Championship play-offs and won promotion as champions with Sunderland and Wolves.
Connor, McCarthy's assistant at Wolves, replaced him at the helm but following the club's relegation to the Championship reverted to the role of assistant when Norwegian Stale Solbakken arrived in the close season.
The 49-year-old, who joined the Molineux coaching staff in 1999, was sacked in September.
Town chief executive Simon Clegg said: "I am delighted to welcome Mick and Terry to Portman Road.
"We are under no illusions of the challenge ahead for this club given our position in the table but we feel we have the right manager to lead that challenge.
"Mick has a wealth of knowledge in the game and has shown that he knows how to compete successfully in the Championship in his time at both Sunderland and Wolves.
"While the first task is to guide the club away from our current position, we believe Mick has all the credentials and drive to eventually bring success back to Ipswich Town."
McCarthy will be unveiled to the media at a news conference at Portman Road at 17:00 GMT.
Alan Curbishley, who counts Charlton and West Ham as his former clubs, and ex-Newcastle manager Alan Shearer had also been linked with the role. | The 53-year-old, who has also managed Millwall and Sunderland, was sacked as Wolves boss in February.
He will be assisted by his former number two at Wolves, Terry Connor, who succeeded him as manager at Molineux.
McCarthy replaces Paul Jewell, with the club bottom of the Championship table.
Mick McCarthy has managed all his three clubs (Millwall, Sunderland and Wolves) to the First Division/Championship play-offs and led the latter two up to the Premier League as champions
Jewell's assistant Chris Hutchings, who took charge of Saturday's 3-0 loss to Sheffield Wednesday - Town's fourth straight loss and 12th game without a win - has left the cub by mutual consent.
"I'm obviously delighted to have been given the job as Ipswich Town manager and I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead," McCarthy told the club website.
"It's a fantastic football club, with a proud tradition and history and a terrific fanbase. While the long term ambition is to take the club back into the Premier League, it's clear that the first priority is to get some confidence back into the team and start climbing the table."
His first game as Town boss will be the Championship match at Birmingham City on Saturday.
"He will get respect instantly. He talks to you in the right manner and tone. You want to play for him straight away.
"What you see is what you get. He's fair and honest.
"I'm sure it's the right decision to appoint him.
"He's got fantastic experience. In the Championship he's got Wolves and Sunderland promoted.
"Over the course of the season they will improve under him and improve even further next season."
After five and a half years as Wolves manager, Barnsley-born following a run of one win in 13.
The former Manchester City and Celtic defender started his managerial career at Millwall and, after four years at the Den, he left to take the Ireland job in 1996.
McCarthy, a Republic international during his playing career, led the national side to the second round of the 2002 World Cup finals, but was embroiled in a public dispute with then midfielder and former Town boss Roy Keane.
He has led all of the three clubs he has managed to the Championship play-offs and won promotion as champions with Sunderland and Wolves.
Connor, McCarthy's assistant at Wolves, replaced him at the helm but following the club's relegation to the Championship reverted to the role of assistant when Norwegian Stale Solbakken arrived in the close season.
The 49-year-old, who joined the Molineux coaching staff in 1999, was sacked in September.
Town chief executive Simon Clegg said: "I am delighted to welcome Mick and Terry to Portman Road.
"We are under no illusions of the challenge ahead for this club given our position in the table but we feel we have the right manager to lead that challenge.
"Mick has a wealth of knowledge in the game and has shown that he knows how to compete successfully in the Championship in his time at both Sunderland and Wolves.
"While the first task is to guide the club away from our current position, we believe Mick has all the credentials and drive to eventually bring success back to Ipswich Town."
McCarthy will be unveiled to the media at a news conference at Portman Road at 17:00 GMT.
Alan Curbishley, who counts Charlton and West Ham as his former clubs, and ex-Newcastle manager Alan Shearer had also been linked with the role. |
Add punctuation: Naresh Tewani, from Jodhpur in north India, tweeted Ms Swaraj asking for help, after his Pakistani bride Priya Bachchani's visa was delayed.
The minister ensured that all 35 members of Ms Bachchani's family got visas to attend the wedding on Monday.
The couple have thanked Ms Swaraj for helping them at a time tensions are running high between the countries.
The two families said that they hoped that the minister's gesture would help ease ties.
India and Pakistan accuse each other of increasing hostilities along the Line of Control, the de facto border that divides disputed Kashmir.
"Love triumphs ultimately. Love prevails in both the countries and that's why we are here," the bride's father, Giridharlal Bachchani, told BBC Urdu's Shakeel Akhtar.
The groom's father said he was relieved after facing "some nervous weeks due to visa delays".
The ball started rolling only when the groom directly sought Ms Swaraj's help.
The minister, who is known for her prompt replies on Twitter, did not disappoint him: | Naresh Tewani, from Jodhpur in north India, tweeted Ms Swaraj asking for help, after his Pakistani bride Priya Bachchani's visa was delayed.
The minister ensured that all 35 members of Ms Bachchani's family got visas to attend the wedding on Monday.
The couple have thanked Ms Swaraj for helping them at a time tensions are running high between the countries.
The two families said that they hoped that the minister's gesture would help ease ties.
India and Pakistan accuse each other of increasing hostilities along the Line of Control, the de facto border that divides disputed Kashmir.
"Love triumphs ultimately. Love prevails in both the countries and that's why we are here," the bride's father, Giridharlal Bachchani, told BBC Urdu's Shakeel Akhtar.
The groom's father said he was relieved after facing "some nervous weeks due to visa delays".
The ball started rolling only when the groom directly sought Ms Swaraj's help.
The minister, who is known for her prompt replies on Twitter, did not disappoint him: |
Add punctuation: From April to June, workers from the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia increased by 44,000 compared to the same period in 2015.
Official figures showed there were now a total of 2.23m EU workers in Britain.
UK unemployment fell by 52,000 to 1.64m during the same three-month period.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures are the first to be issued since June's EU referendum, when the UK voted to leave the European Union.
The labour market data showed the number of workers from the eight eastern European countries was nearly four times the level recorded 10 years ago - when the number stood at just over 250,000.
UK jobless total falls to 1.64 million
Brexit latest: How is the UK economy doing?
It also showed there were 266,000 Bulgarians and Romanians in employment in the UK - a rise of around 87,000 compared with the second quarter of 2015.
Citizens from the two countries have been able to work without restrictions across the EU since January 2014.
There were an estimated 944,000 employees from the remaining EU member states.
Overall, between April and June there were 2.23 million EU nationals working in the UK - an increase of 238,000 year-on-year.
The number of workers from outside the EU remained nearly unchanged, at about 1.21m.
Lord Green, chairman of Migration Watch, said the figures represented "a milestone".
"The pressures that this massive migration has placed on local communities go a long way to explaining the outcome of the referendum.
"The new statistics underline why it is essential not just to regain control of our borders but also to reduce net migration significantly," he added.
Madeleine Sumption, director of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, said statistics suggested the UK labour market remained "relatively strong" in the months leading up to the referendum.
"There have been steady increases in the numbers of foreign-born people who are in work, driven by a combination of net migration and a higher share of non-EU migrants who are already living in the UK finding work," she said.
She added: "It is too early to know how attractive a destination post-Brexit UK will be, or to identify any evidence of a 'rush' of people coming to the UK while free movement rules still apply."
Frank Field MP, joint chairman of the parliamentary cross-party group on migration, said the figures showed "how crucial it was that one aspect of Brexit's success must be the control of our borders".
Labour MP Mr Field - who supported the Leave campaign - called for the introduction of a points immigration system alongside measures to build up skill levels in the UK.
"It is possible now to acquire basic skills - such as brick-laying and carpentry - from bespoke 12-week training schemes," he said.
"All new public investment schemes should require using such bespoke training schemes so that, over time, the skill levels in the British economy are raised." | From April to June, workers from the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia increased by 44,000 compared to the same period in 2015.
Official figures showed there were now a total of 2.23m EU workers in Britain.
UK unemployment fell by 52,000 to 1.64m during the same three-month period.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures are the first to be issued since June's EU referendum, when the UK voted to leave the European Union.
The labour market data showed the number of workers from the eight eastern European countries was nearly four times the level recorded 10 years ago - when the number stood at just over 250,000.
UK jobless total falls to 1.64 million
Brexit latest: How is the UK economy doing?
It also showed there were 266,000 Bulgarians and Romanians in employment in the UK - a rise of around 87,000 compared with the second quarter of 2015.
Citizens from the two countries have been able to work without restrictions across the EU since January 2014.
There were an estimated 944,000 employees from the remaining EU member states.
Overall, between April and June there were 2.23 million EU nationals working in the UK - an increase of 238,000 year-on-year.
The number of workers from outside the EU remained nearly unchanged, at about 1.21m.
Lord Green, chairman of Migration Watch, said the figures represented "a milestone".
"The pressures that this massive migration has placed on local communities go a long way to explaining the outcome of the referendum.
"The new statistics underline why it is essential not just to regain control of our borders but also to reduce net migration significantly," he added.
Madeleine Sumption, director of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, said statistics suggested the UK labour market remained "relatively strong" in the months leading up to the referendum.
"There have been steady increases in the numbers of foreign-born people who are in work, driven by a combination of net migration and a higher share of non-EU migrants who are already living in the UK finding work," she said.
She added: "It is too early to know how attractive a destination post-Brexit UK will be, or to identify any evidence of a 'rush' of people coming to the UK while free movement rules still apply."
Frank Field MP, joint chairman of the parliamentary cross-party group on migration, said the figures showed "how crucial it was that one aspect of Brexit's success must be the control of our borders".
Labour MP Mr Field - who supported the Leave campaign - called for the introduction of a points immigration system alongside measures to build up skill levels in the UK.
"It is possible now to acquire basic skills - such as brick-laying and carpentry - from bespoke 12-week training schemes," he said.
"All new public investment schemes should require using such bespoke training schemes so that, over time, the skill levels in the British economy are raised." |
Add punctuation: The prison's Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) says these drugs are one of the biggest issues facing staff.
In its annual report, the IMB also says around 1,000 prisoners have been diagnosed with mental health problems over the past year.
But it concludes staff are doing a good job under "difficult circumstances".
The IMB was set up to ensure that prisoners are treated humanely and reports back to the Ministry of Justice every year.
Trained sniffer dogs and closer observation of visitors are methods being used to cut the supply of legal highs, said chairman of Cardiff IMB, Stephen Cocks.
"Every prison in the country is suffering to one degree or another from drug misuse and particularly with the use of legal highs which, because of its unpredictable effects, can cause violent reactions among prisoners," he added.
The report also states there are not enough staff to cover basic duties, prisoner complaints are not responded to quickly enough and there is not enough privacy for inmates using the toilets. | The prison's Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) says these drugs are one of the biggest issues facing staff.
In its annual report, the IMB also says around 1,000 prisoners have been diagnosed with mental health problems over the past year.
But it concludes staff are doing a good job under "difficult circumstances".
The IMB was set up to ensure that prisoners are treated humanely and reports back to the Ministry of Justice every year.
Trained sniffer dogs and closer observation of visitors are methods being used to cut the supply of legal highs, said chairman of Cardiff IMB, Stephen Cocks.
"Every prison in the country is suffering to one degree or another from drug misuse and particularly with the use of legal highs which, because of its unpredictable effects, can cause violent reactions among prisoners," he added.
The report also states there are not enough staff to cover basic duties, prisoner complaints are not responded to quickly enough and there is not enough privacy for inmates using the toilets. |
Add punctuation: Another crewman has died after the vessel - believed to be The Harvester - got into trouble on rocks at St David's Head on Thursday afternoon.
The rescued man was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead.
The search for the second man was scaled back on Friday with only routine patrols being carried out on the land on Saturday.
Wreckage from the boat has been found over a four mile (6.4km) area.
Five lifeboats, a coastguard helicopter using thermal image cameras and cliff teams have been involved in the search.
Speaking to BBC Radio Wales on Friday, Jim Phillips, from the RNLI in St Davids, said a member of the public on the coastal path saw the boat smashed on a rock with two people in the water at about 14:40 BST.
The vessel was about a mile (1.6km) out to sea near Abereiddi.
Mr Phillips said by the time rescuers got to the scene it had sunk and all that was left on the water's surface was debris.
Dyfed-Powys Police appealed for any witnesses to come forward. | Another crewman has died after the vessel - believed to be The Harvester - got into trouble on rocks at St David's Head on Thursday afternoon.
The rescued man was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead.
The search for the second man was scaled back on Friday with only routine patrols being carried out on the land on Saturday.
Wreckage from the boat has been found over a four mile (6.4km) area.
Five lifeboats, a coastguard helicopter using thermal image cameras and cliff teams have been involved in the search.
Speaking to BBC Radio Wales on Friday, Jim Phillips, from the RNLI in St Davids, said a member of the public on the coastal path saw the boat smashed on a rock with two people in the water at about 14:40 BST.
The vessel was about a mile (1.6km) out to sea near Abereiddi.
Mr Phillips said by the time rescuers got to the scene it had sunk and all that was left on the water's surface was debris.
Dyfed-Powys Police appealed for any witnesses to come forward. |
Add punctuation: Three elderly Kenyans who are suing the government for damages were told it did not dispute that "terrible things" had happened to them.
Their lawyers say it is the first ever official acknowledgement by the UK.
The revolt against British rule in Kenya in the 1950s and 1960s was marked by atrocities, with thousands killed.
The British government argues that too much time has passed for a fair hearing to be conducted.
Before starting cross-examination of witnesses, the QC for the British government, Guy Mansfield, said he did not want to dispute that civilians had suffered "torture and ill-treatment at the hands of the colonial administration".
He spoke directly to each of the witnesses, saying he did "not want to dispute the fact that terrible things happened to you".
Bloody uprising of the Mau Maus
Papers in the test case were first served on the UK in 2009.
In 2011, a High Court judge ruled the claimants - Paulo Muoka Nzili, Wambuga Wa Nyingi and Jane Muthoni Mara - did have an arguable case.
The claimants' lawyers allege that Mr Nzili was castrated, Mr Nyingi was severely beaten and Mrs Mara was subjected to appalling sexual abuse in detention camps during the rebellion.
A fourth claimant, Ndiku Mutwiwa Mutua, has died since the High Court ruling that the test case could go ahead.
With the help of interpreters at the High Court, the three - now in their 70s and 80s - were briefly questioned about written evidence they had provided.
In a 20-page statement, Mr Nzili, 85, gave details of being stripped, chained and castrated, with large pliers normally used on cows, at Embakasi detention camp, near Nairobi.
He said: "I felt completely destroyed and without hope. I have never had children of my own and never will have. I am unable to have sexual relations with my wife."
Mrs Mara, 73, submitted evidence describing how, at the age of 15, she was taken to Gatithi detention camp, where she was beaten by the British and subjected to sexual abuse with a glass bottle containing very hot water.
She said she had felt "completely and utterly violated", adding that the pain "has been bad ever since the beatings and has worsened as I have aged".
"I do not understand why I was treated with such brutality for simply having provided food to the Mau Mau.
"I want the British citizens of today to know what their forefathers did to me and to so many others. These crimes cannot go unpunished and forgotten."
In his statement, Mr Nyingi, 84 - a father of 16 who still works as a casual labourer - described being arrested on Christmas Eve 1952 and held for nine years.
During his detention, in 1959, he said he was beaten unconscious during an incident at Hola camp in which 11 other prisoners were clubbed to death.
"If I could speak to the Queen I would say that Britain did many good things in Kenya, but that they also did many bad things," he said.
"In the years before independence, people were beaten, their land was stolen, women were raped, men were castrated and their children were killed.
"I would like the wrongs which were done to me and other Kenyans to be recognised by the British government so that I can die in peace."
The three Kenyans want an official apology and damages to set up a Mau Mau welfare fund for the hundreds of Kenyans their lawyers say also suffered.
In his ruling in 2011, Mr Justice McCombe emphasised he had not found there was systematic torture in the Kenyan camps nor that, if there was, the British government was liable for what had passed.
It will now be decided whether a fair hearing is still possible.
The hearing will have access to an archive of
8,000 secret files
that were sent back to Britain after Kenya gained its independence in 1963. | Three elderly Kenyans who are suing the government for damages were told it did not dispute that "terrible things" had happened to them.
Their lawyers say it is the first ever official acknowledgement by the UK.
The revolt against British rule in Kenya in the 1950s and 1960s was marked by atrocities, with thousands killed.
The British government argues that too much time has passed for a fair hearing to be conducted.
Before starting cross-examination of witnesses, the QC for the British government, Guy Mansfield, said he did not want to dispute that civilians had suffered "torture and ill-treatment at the hands of the colonial administration".
He spoke directly to each of the witnesses, saying he did "not want to dispute the fact that terrible things happened to you".
Bloody uprising of the Mau Maus
Papers in the test case were first served on the UK in 2009.
In 2011, a High Court judge ruled the claimants - Paulo Muoka Nzili, Wambuga Wa Nyingi and Jane Muthoni Mara - did have an arguable case.
The claimants' lawyers allege that Mr Nzili was castrated, Mr Nyingi was severely beaten and Mrs Mara was subjected to appalling sexual abuse in detention camps during the rebellion.
A fourth claimant, Ndiku Mutwiwa Mutua, has died since the High Court ruling that the test case could go ahead.
With the help of interpreters at the High Court, the three - now in their 70s and 80s - were briefly questioned about written evidence they had provided.
In a 20-page statement, Mr Nzili, 85, gave details of being stripped, chained and castrated, with large pliers normally used on cows, at Embakasi detention camp, near Nairobi.
He said: "I felt completely destroyed and without hope. I have never had children of my own and never will have. I am unable to have sexual relations with my wife."
Mrs Mara, 73, submitted evidence describing how, at the age of 15, she was taken to Gatithi detention camp, where she was beaten by the British and subjected to sexual abuse with a glass bottle containing very hot water.
She said she had felt "completely and utterly violated", adding that the pain "has been bad ever since the beatings and has worsened as I have aged".
"I do not understand why I was treated with such brutality for simply having provided food to the Mau Mau.
"I want the British citizens of today to know what their forefathers did to me and to so many others. These crimes cannot go unpunished and forgotten."
In his statement, Mr Nyingi, 84 - a father of 16 who still works as a casual labourer - described being arrested on Christmas Eve 1952 and held for nine years.
During his detention, in 1959, he said he was beaten unconscious during an incident at Hola camp in which 11 other prisoners were clubbed to death.
"If I could speak to the Queen I would say that Britain did many good things in Kenya, but that they also did many bad things," he said.
"In the years before independence, people were beaten, their land was stolen, women were raped, men were castrated and their children were killed.
"I would like the wrongs which were done to me and other Kenyans to be recognised by the British government so that I can die in peace."
The three Kenyans want an official apology and damages to set up a Mau Mau welfare fund for the hundreds of Kenyans their lawyers say also suffered.
In his ruling in 2011, Mr Justice McCombe emphasised he had not found there was systematic torture in the Kenyan camps nor that, if there was, the British government was liable for what had passed.
It will now be decided whether a fair hearing is still possible.
The hearing will have access to an archive of
8,000 secret files
that were sent back to Britain after Kenya gained its independence in 1963. |
Add punctuation: It follows criticism of the performance and policies of the Welsh government's investment body Finance Wales.
The Development Bank for Wales was proposed in a review last year by the economist Dylan Jones-Evans.
It would take over part or all of Finance Wales, which he said was "not fit for purpose".
Finance Wales was set up in 2001 to lend money to or buy shares in Welsh companies.
But last year's review said it was too focused on generating profits rather than helping businesses and developing the Welsh economy.
The report said there was confusion over the bank's exact role and concerns about the cost of loans to small firms.
Prof Jones-Evans, an academic at the University of the West of England, said Finance Wales was offering higher rates of interest on borrowing than it needed to under EU state aid guidelines.
Plan for the new bank emerged on Wednesday as an investigation by BBC current affairs series The Wales Report revealed that investments from Finance Wales' main European fund had only resulted in 20% of the jobs they were expected to create.
The £150 million JEREMIE fund was established in 2009, draws money from European sources and the Welsh government, and comes to an end in September 2015.
Finance Wales was given an initial target of creating 15,000 jobs using this fund, later reduced to a target of getting 10,070 people into work.
With a little over 18 months left, the latest figures show 1,991 jobs have been created with most of the fund invested.
By Brian MeechanBBC Wales business correspondent
Prof Jones-Evans's report into how Welsh businesses access finance found there was a £500m shortfall between what firms need and what banks will provide.
Finance Wales is owned and funded by the Welsh government. Its aim is to help small and medium sized companies be able to borrow.
The report said it was too focused on getting high returns on its investment through interest rates and fees rather than stimulating growth in the economy and creating jobs.
The Wales Report has uncovered figures which show the organisation has created only 20% of the jobs target set for its main European fund.
Finance Wales says its loans are often high risk and therefore they expect a return on that money.
But the independent report said some or all of its operations should be taken over by a new development bank.
While Finance Wales has smaller funds and has created and secured other jobs, the employment results for JEREMIE represent around 20% of a target that was already reduced.
In a written statement on Wednesday afternoon, Mrs Hart confirmed she would be "exploring further the proposal for a development bank for Wales".
Mrs Hart said she had asked Professor Jones-Evans "to lead a further review that will explore this concept in more depth and provide me with a report on his findings".
She added that the terms of reference were still being agreed but he would "explore the potential mission, role and operations that such an organisation could undertake; the legal and state aid framework required to establish and operate; the necessary skills, experience and costs; and the relative risks and rewards."
Answering questions from AMs later, Mrs Hart said a "lot of the business community are happy" with the support from Finance Wales.
Ms Hart added that "there are issues" but that she had been "transparent" and that there was a need to carry out further work.
The Conservatives' shadow business minister Nick Ramsay said Finance Wales "has done some things well" but "other things badly", such as charging high interest rates to companies "without justification" and that "Finance Wales clearly has to go."
Ms Hart replied that some Welsh businesses would not have been successful without support from Finance Wales.
Earlier, the Federation of Small Businesses welcomed the prospect of a new development bank.
Iestyn Davies from FSB Wales said Prof Jones-Evans's report had "shone a stark light on Finance Wales, and the inflated interest rates that it has been charging our members".
"We are very much in favour of reform to Finance Wales to ensure that it provides affordable loans to small business and is properly accountable with a far higher degree of transparency and opportunity for scrutiny than exists at present.
"We believe that the notion of a Development Bank of Wales is worthy of serious consideration, and we welcome a review into how such a bank would operate in practice."
Plaid Cymru's economy spokesman Rhun ap Iorwerth said: "Access to finance has consistently been cited as a barrier to growth for many SMEs (small to medium size enterprises) and much more needs to be done to tackle this problem.
"That's why Plaid Cymru proposed to establish a new body, owned by the public but at arm's length from government to lend money to small businesses at competitive rates and to offer finance services.
"A Welsh public bank is the boost that Welsh businesses need and Plaid Cymru will continue to make the case for it."
But the Liberal Democrats said it was important that Mrs Hart "keeps her options open".
Their economy spokeswoman Eluned Parrott said: "The Welsh Labour government's record of acting as financier for businesses is mixed at best.
"The recent Access to Finance Review identified shortcomings in the government-backed Finance Wales.
"Having spoken to many businesses across Wales, Finance Wales seems to be offering higher interest rates and less favourable terms compared to commercial banks - this is not a way of encouraging businesses in Wales to grow."
For more about Finance Wales, see The Wales Report on BBC One Wales at 22:35 GMT on Wednesday, 29 January. | It follows criticism of the performance and policies of the Welsh government's investment body Finance Wales.
The Development Bank for Wales was proposed in a review last year by the economist Dylan Jones-Evans.
It would take over part or all of Finance Wales, which he said was "not fit for purpose".
Finance Wales was set up in 2001 to lend money to or buy shares in Welsh companies.
But last year's review said it was too focused on generating profits rather than helping businesses and developing the Welsh economy.
The report said there was confusion over the bank's exact role and concerns about the cost of loans to small firms.
Prof Jones-Evans, an academic at the University of the West of England, said Finance Wales was offering higher rates of interest on borrowing than it needed to under EU state aid guidelines.
Plan for the new bank emerged on Wednesday as an investigation by BBC current affairs series The Wales Report revealed that investments from Finance Wales' main European fund had only resulted in 20% of the jobs they were expected to create.
The £150 million JEREMIE fund was established in 2009, draws money from European sources and the Welsh government, and comes to an end in September 2015.
Finance Wales was given an initial target of creating 15,000 jobs using this fund, later reduced to a target of getting 10,070 people into work.
With a little over 18 months left, the latest figures show 1,991 jobs have been created with most of the fund invested.
By Brian MeechanBBC Wales business correspondent
Prof Jones-Evans's report into how Welsh businesses access finance found there was a £500m shortfall between what firms need and what banks will provide.
Finance Wales is owned and funded by the Welsh government. Its aim is to help small and medium sized companies be able to borrow.
The report said it was too focused on getting high returns on its investment through interest rates and fees rather than stimulating growth in the economy and creating jobs.
The Wales Report has uncovered figures which show the organisation has created only 20% of the jobs target set for its main European fund.
Finance Wales says its loans are often high risk and therefore they expect a return on that money.
But the independent report said some or all of its operations should be taken over by a new development bank.
While Finance Wales has smaller funds and has created and secured other jobs, the employment results for JEREMIE represent around 20% of a target that was already reduced.
In a written statement on Wednesday afternoon, Mrs Hart confirmed she would be "exploring further the proposal for a development bank for Wales".
Mrs Hart said she had asked Professor Jones-Evans "to lead a further review that will explore this concept in more depth and provide me with a report on his findings".
She added that the terms of reference were still being agreed but he would "explore the potential mission, role and operations that such an organisation could undertake; the legal and state aid framework required to establish and operate; the necessary skills, experience and costs; and the relative risks and rewards."
Answering questions from AMs later, Mrs Hart said a "lot of the business community are happy" with the support from Finance Wales.
Ms Hart added that "there are issues" but that she had been "transparent" and that there was a need to carry out further work.
The Conservatives' shadow business minister Nick Ramsay said Finance Wales "has done some things well" but "other things badly", such as charging high interest rates to companies "without justification" and that "Finance Wales clearly has to go."
Ms Hart replied that some Welsh businesses would not have been successful without support from Finance Wales.
Earlier, the Federation of Small Businesses welcomed the prospect of a new development bank.
Iestyn Davies from FSB Wales said Prof Jones-Evans's report had "shone a stark light on Finance Wales, and the inflated interest rates that it has been charging our members".
"We are very much in favour of reform to Finance Wales to ensure that it provides affordable loans to small business and is properly accountable with a far higher degree of transparency and opportunity for scrutiny than exists at present.
"We believe that the notion of a Development Bank of Wales is worthy of serious consideration, and we welcome a review into how such a bank would operate in practice."
Plaid Cymru's economy spokesman Rhun ap Iorwerth said: "Access to finance has consistently been cited as a barrier to growth for many SMEs (small to medium size enterprises) and much more needs to be done to tackle this problem.
"That's why Plaid Cymru proposed to establish a new body, owned by the public but at arm's length from government to lend money to small businesses at competitive rates and to offer finance services.
"A Welsh public bank is the boost that Welsh businesses need and Plaid Cymru will continue to make the case for it."
But the Liberal Democrats said it was important that Mrs Hart "keeps her options open".
Their economy spokeswoman Eluned Parrott said: "The Welsh Labour government's record of acting as financier for businesses is mixed at best.
"The recent Access to Finance Review identified shortcomings in the government-backed Finance Wales.
"Having spoken to many businesses across Wales, Finance Wales seems to be offering higher interest rates and less favourable terms compared to commercial banks - this is not a way of encouraging businesses in Wales to grow."
For more about Finance Wales, see The Wales Report on BBC One Wales at 22:35 GMT on Wednesday, 29 January. |
Add punctuation: The RNLI lifeboat was launched on the County Down lough on Thursday night.
A group of five men had got in to difficulty on a seven-metre yacht and were escorted back to safe water. No one was injured.
Seven others were rescued by the RNLI after becoming stranded on islands on the lough on Wednesday. | The RNLI lifeboat was launched on the County Down lough on Thursday night.
A group of five men had got in to difficulty on a seven-metre yacht and were escorted back to safe water. No one was injured.
Seven others were rescued by the RNLI after becoming stranded on islands on the lough on Wednesday. |
Add punctuation: The 39-year-old former world number one is now ranked 96 in the world and without a PGA Tour title since 2012.
But his fifth birdie gave him a four-under 67 and took him to 10 under alongside Canadian Graham DeLaet.
Ian Poulter enhanced his quest for a PGA Tour card with a 68 to earn a share of third place, two strokes back.
The 41-year-old is playing the penultimate event of his 10-tournament medical exemption and will secure his card with 12th place or better.
Find out how to get into golf with our special guide.
He had five birdies to reach eight under at the Harbour Town links.
Donald, four times a runner-up in the tournament, had three consecutive birdies on the front nine and a superb bunker shot to two feet from a precarious plugged lie helped him to save par at the 17th.
He then produced a delicate lofted chip from the right of the 18th fairway that checked and trickled into the cup.
"I've always felt like I pitch the ball really well round here," said Donald.
"The grass lends itself to being able to create some spin and I needed it down there - I didn't have much green to work with - it just came off perfectly with a little side spin into the cup.
"I've hit a few poor drives today and I need to work on that. It was a little bit more stressful than I would have liked but a great short game bailed me out."
De Laet, the world number 128, is still to win on the PGA Tour and has missed four cuts this season, but he eagled the par-four ninth en route to a 67.
Danny Willett, who missed the cut in his defence of the Masters at Augusta, had two double bogeys in a 78 that left him at seven over, and absent for the weekend for a second tournament in succession.
Another Sheffield golfer, Matt Fitzpatrick, who was 32nd at Augusta, also missed the cut after four bogeys and a double bogey in a 72 for a three-over total.
But Scotsman Russell Knox, who missed the cut at Augusta, had four birdies in five holes in a 66 to reach six under, one ahead of England's Tyrrell Hatton.
Andrew 'Beef' Johnston, who has missed the cut in three of his six PGA Tour events this season, is three under after a 71.
Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell, winner of this event after a play-off in 2013, is eight shots off the lead after four birdies in a 68. | The 39-year-old former world number one is now ranked 96 in the world and without a PGA Tour title since 2012.
But his fifth birdie gave him a four-under 67 and took him to 10 under alongside Canadian Graham DeLaet.
Ian Poulter enhanced his quest for a PGA Tour card with a 68 to earn a share of third place, two strokes back.
The 41-year-old is playing the penultimate event of his 10-tournament medical exemption and will secure his card with 12th place or better.
Find out how to get into golf with our special guide.
He had five birdies to reach eight under at the Harbour Town links.
Donald, four times a runner-up in the tournament, had three consecutive birdies on the front nine and a superb bunker shot to two feet from a precarious plugged lie helped him to save par at the 17th.
He then produced a delicate lofted chip from the right of the 18th fairway that checked and trickled into the cup.
"I've always felt like I pitch the ball really well round here," said Donald.
"The grass lends itself to being able to create some spin and I needed it down there - I didn't have much green to work with - it just came off perfectly with a little side spin into the cup.
"I've hit a few poor drives today and I need to work on that. It was a little bit more stressful than I would have liked but a great short game bailed me out."
De Laet, the world number 128, is still to win on the PGA Tour and has missed four cuts this season, but he eagled the par-four ninth en route to a 67.
Danny Willett, who missed the cut in his defence of the Masters at Augusta, had two double bogeys in a 78 that left him at seven over, and absent for the weekend for a second tournament in succession.
Another Sheffield golfer, Matt Fitzpatrick, who was 32nd at Augusta, also missed the cut after four bogeys and a double bogey in a 72 for a three-over total.
But Scotsman Russell Knox, who missed the cut at Augusta, had four birdies in five holes in a 66 to reach six under, one ahead of England's Tyrrell Hatton.
Andrew 'Beef' Johnston, who has missed the cut in three of his six PGA Tour events this season, is three under after a 71.
Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell, winner of this event after a play-off in 2013, is eight shots off the lead after four birdies in a 68. |
Add punctuation: In the vaults of the Royal College of Surgeons' Hunterian Museum in London are thousands of anatomical specimens from both human and animal species.
Still used as a teaching museum today, it was founded in the 18th Century by John Hunter, a surgeon, anatomist and naturalist.
His collection has been added to over the years, including in 1975 when a collection of research specimens and notes were bequeathed to the museum by primatologist Professor William Osman Hill.
The collection's catalogue was only rudimentary, and many specimens had not been cleaned or prepared, meaning there was little interest in terms of research, and much of it was left unseen for many years.
But in 2008, work on Prof Hill's collection turned up something very odd: a box of items apparently relating to his interest in crypto-zoology, the study of animals not proved to exist.
It contained plaster casts of a footprint, hair, scat (dropping) samples and an item recorded as a yeti's finger.
The specimen was 9cm (3.5 inches) long, 2cm wide at the widest part, curled and black at the end with a long nail.
According to the notes in the box, it was taken from the hand of a yeti. Its origin was listed as Pangboche Temple in Nepal.
Professor Hill's notes recorded that the finger had been brought to him by Peter Byrne, a former explorer and mountaineer.
Mr Byrne is now 85, and living in the United States, I discovered. When he recently visited London, I arranged to meet him.
He did indeed bring the yeti's finger to London, he explained. His story began in 1958, when he was a member of an expedition sent to the Himalayas, to look for evidence of the legendary Abominable Snowman.
"We found ourselves one day camped at a temple called Pangboche," Mr Byrne told me.
"The temple had a number of Sherpa custodians. I heard one of them speaking Nepalese, which I speak.
"He told me that they had in the temple the hand of a yeti which had been there for many years.
"It looked like a large human hand. It was covered with crusted black, broken skin.
"It was very oily from the candles and the oil lamps in the temple. The fingers were hooked and curled."
Returning to London, Mr Byrne found himself repeating the story to Prof Hill in a restaurant at Regent's Park Zoo, a meeting set up by the expedition's American sponsor, Tom Slick.
"Osmond Hill said: 'You have got to get this hand. We've got to see it. We want to examine it.' But I had already asked the lamas there if I could have the hand and they said no, it would bring bad luck, disaster to the temple if it was taken away."
Prof Hill and Mr Slick asked Mr Byrne to go back and at least try to get one finger with permission from the temple's custodians.
The plan was to replace the missing finger with a human finger. Prof Hill then brought out a brown paper bag and tipped out a human hand onto the table.
"It was several months old and dried. I never asked him where he got it from."
Returning to the temple, he gave a donation in return for the finger, and then wired the human finger onto the relic.
Mr Slick helped ensure the finger would reach London safely with the help of his friend, the Hollywood actor James Stewart and his wife Gloria, who were in India at the time.
They were to meet in the Grand Hotel in Calcutta, said Mr Byrne.
"They were a little bit worried about customs, so Gloria hid it in her lingerie case and they got out of India no trouble.
"They arrived at Heathrow, but the lingerie case was missing."
A few days later, a customs official returned the case to the Hollywood couple, reassuring Gloria that a British customs officer would "never open a lady's lingerie case".
The finger was handed over to Prof Hill after which, Mr Byrne explained, he lost contact with him.
DNA test
But could this finger really have come from a yeti?
The Royal College of Surgeons granted a request for a DNA test to be carried out on a tiny sliver of the finger.
The finger is of human origin, according to Dr Rob Jones, senior scientist at the Zoological Society of Scotland.
"We have got a very, very strong match to a number of existing reference sequences on human DNA databases.
"It's very similar to existing human sequences from China and that region of Asia but we don't have enough resolution to be confident of a racial identification."
The "yeti's finger" is now all that remains of the original yeti's hand, which was stolen from Pangboche monastery in the 1990s.
Mike Allsop, a New Zealand pilot and mountaineer, became aware of the story and was moved to help the monastery get the hand back.
He has recently launched a campaign to find the original hand and has also made a replica, which he recently presented to the monks.
He informed me the monastery would like to have the finger returned, but does not want any trouble. I understand the Royal College of Surgeons is keen to help.
Matthew Hill presents Yeti's Finger on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday 27 December 2011 at 11:00 GMT. Or catch up online afterwards at the above link. | In the vaults of the Royal College of Surgeons' Hunterian Museum in London are thousands of anatomical specimens from both human and animal species.
Still used as a teaching museum today, it was founded in the 18th Century by John Hunter, a surgeon, anatomist and naturalist.
His collection has been added to over the years, including in 1975 when a collection of research specimens and notes were bequeathed to the museum by primatologist Professor William Osman Hill.
The collection's catalogue was only rudimentary, and many specimens had not been cleaned or prepared, meaning there was little interest in terms of research, and much of it was left unseen for many years.
But in 2008, work on Prof Hill's collection turned up something very odd: a box of items apparently relating to his interest in crypto-zoology, the study of animals not proved to exist.
It contained plaster casts of a footprint, hair, scat (dropping) samples and an item recorded as a yeti's finger.
The specimen was 9cm (3.5 inches) long, 2cm wide at the widest part, curled and black at the end with a long nail.
According to the notes in the box, it was taken from the hand of a yeti. Its origin was listed as Pangboche Temple in Nepal.
Professor Hill's notes recorded that the finger had been brought to him by Peter Byrne, a former explorer and mountaineer.
Mr Byrne is now 85, and living in the United States, I discovered. When he recently visited London, I arranged to meet him.
He did indeed bring the yeti's finger to London, he explained. His story began in 1958, when he was a member of an expedition sent to the Himalayas, to look for evidence of the legendary Abominable Snowman.
"We found ourselves one day camped at a temple called Pangboche," Mr Byrne told me.
"The temple had a number of Sherpa custodians. I heard one of them speaking Nepalese, which I speak.
"He told me that they had in the temple the hand of a yeti which had been there for many years.
"It looked like a large human hand. It was covered with crusted black, broken skin.
"It was very oily from the candles and the oil lamps in the temple. The fingers were hooked and curled."
Returning to London, Mr Byrne found himself repeating the story to Prof Hill in a restaurant at Regent's Park Zoo, a meeting set up by the expedition's American sponsor, Tom Slick.
"Osmond Hill said: 'You have got to get this hand. We've got to see it. We want to examine it.' But I had already asked the lamas there if I could have the hand and they said no, it would bring bad luck, disaster to the temple if it was taken away."
Prof Hill and Mr Slick asked Mr Byrne to go back and at least try to get one finger with permission from the temple's custodians.
The plan was to replace the missing finger with a human finger. Prof Hill then brought out a brown paper bag and tipped out a human hand onto the table.
"It was several months old and dried. I never asked him where he got it from."
Returning to the temple, he gave a donation in return for the finger, and then wired the human finger onto the relic.
Mr Slick helped ensure the finger would reach London safely with the help of his friend, the Hollywood actor James Stewart and his wife Gloria, who were in India at the time.
They were to meet in the Grand Hotel in Calcutta, said Mr Byrne.
"They were a little bit worried about customs, so Gloria hid it in her lingerie case and they got out of India no trouble.
"They arrived at Heathrow, but the lingerie case was missing."
A few days later, a customs official returned the case to the Hollywood couple, reassuring Gloria that a British customs officer would "never open a lady's lingerie case".
The finger was handed over to Prof Hill after which, Mr Byrne explained, he lost contact with him.
DNA test
But could this finger really have come from a yeti?
The Royal College of Surgeons granted a request for a DNA test to be carried out on a tiny sliver of the finger.
The finger is of human origin, according to Dr Rob Jones, senior scientist at the Zoological Society of Scotland.
"We have got a very, very strong match to a number of existing reference sequences on human DNA databases.
"It's very similar to existing human sequences from China and that region of Asia but we don't have enough resolution to be confident of a racial identification."
The "yeti's finger" is now all that remains of the original yeti's hand, which was stolen from Pangboche monastery in the 1990s.
Mike Allsop, a New Zealand pilot and mountaineer, became aware of the story and was moved to help the monastery get the hand back.
He has recently launched a campaign to find the original hand and has also made a replica, which he recently presented to the monks.
He informed me the monastery would like to have the finger returned, but does not want any trouble. I understand the Royal College of Surgeons is keen to help.
Matthew Hill presents Yeti's Finger on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday 27 December 2011 at 11:00 GMT. Or catch up online afterwards at the above link. |
Add punctuation: It happened on the M50 motorway between the Blanchardstown and Finglas junctions.
In a tweet, the Football Association of Ireland said: "The ROI mgmt team were involved in collision on M50 earlier. Vehicle was rear ended in traffic."
It said they had returned to their hotel and were seen by the team doctor.
The FAI have said that O'Neill and Keane were accompanied by coaches Seamus McDonagh, Steve Guppy and Steve Walford at the time of the accident.
Nobody involved in the incident was seriously injured.
Ireland face Scotland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening in a crucial Euro 2016 qualifier. | It happened on the M50 motorway between the Blanchardstown and Finglas junctions.
In a tweet, the Football Association of Ireland said: "The ROI mgmt team were involved in collision on M50 earlier. Vehicle was rear ended in traffic."
It said they had returned to their hotel and were seen by the team doctor.
The FAI have said that O'Neill and Keane were accompanied by coaches Seamus McDonagh, Steve Guppy and Steve Walford at the time of the accident.
Nobody involved in the incident was seriously injured.
Ireland face Scotland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening in a crucial Euro 2016 qualifier. |
Add punctuation: The bank is authorised to issue Scottish banknotes, and will release the limited edition notes the year before the Bank of England puts plastic banknotes in general circulation.
The new polymer note features the Forth Bridge on its 125th anniversary.
Banks say polymer notes stay cleaner and are more secure than current ones.
More than 20 countries around the world have adopted polymer banknotes.
In 1999, Northern Bank of Northern Ireland issued a polymer £5 commemorative note celebrating the year 2000.
A plastic note was introduced in the Isle of Man in 1983 but was withdrawn in 1988 owing to problems with the ink.
Adopters of the notes include Canada, whose last central bank governor - Mark Carney - is now the governor of the Bank of England.
Production of the new Forth Bridge banknote is scheduled to coincide with the 125th anniversary of the structure's opening in March 2015.
It also celebrates the bridge's nomination for the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014.
The note also features a portrait of Sir William Arrol, whose company constructed the bridge among many other landmarks in Scotland.
It is smaller than the existing currency, which is made from cotton paper, but will still fit in ATMs, the bank has said.
Plastic banknotes are said to last for 2.5 times longer than paper banknotes. They will survive a spin in the washing machine, but will still melt under extreme heat such as an iron.
The note will also feature various new security features.
Three banks in Scotland, including Clydesdale Bank, and four in Northern Ireland are authorised to issue banknotes. | The bank is authorised to issue Scottish banknotes, and will release the limited edition notes the year before the Bank of England puts plastic banknotes in general circulation.
The new polymer note features the Forth Bridge on its 125th anniversary.
Banks say polymer notes stay cleaner and are more secure than current ones.
More than 20 countries around the world have adopted polymer banknotes.
In 1999, Northern Bank of Northern Ireland issued a polymer £5 commemorative note celebrating the year 2000.
A plastic note was introduced in the Isle of Man in 1983 but was withdrawn in 1988 owing to problems with the ink.
Adopters of the notes include Canada, whose last central bank governor - Mark Carney - is now the governor of the Bank of England.
Production of the new Forth Bridge banknote is scheduled to coincide with the 125th anniversary of the structure's opening in March 2015.
It also celebrates the bridge's nomination for the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014.
The note also features a portrait of Sir William Arrol, whose company constructed the bridge among many other landmarks in Scotland.
It is smaller than the existing currency, which is made from cotton paper, but will still fit in ATMs, the bank has said.
Plastic banknotes are said to last for 2.5 times longer than paper banknotes. They will survive a spin in the washing machine, but will still melt under extreme heat such as an iron.
The note will also feature various new security features.
Three banks in Scotland, including Clydesdale Bank, and four in Northern Ireland are authorised to issue banknotes. |
Add punctuation: Media playback is not supported on this device
The in-form striker was set up for a close-range finish by Gary Harkins after 86 minutes.
Ross Draper had given the visitors an early lead, rounding goalkeeper Scott Bain to finish.
Dundee dominated the second half, creating a series of good chances before the late equaliser.
In a congested mid-table, Caley Thistle were four minutes away from leapfrogging their hosts but remain in seventh place, two points behind the Dark Blues.
The Highlanders had started impressively, finding their rhythm and passing the ball crisply and accurately. Their composure was unsettling for Dundee, who spent the opening period trying to hold their defensive shape.
The visitors built much of their attacking play around Jordan Roberts, who was strong but also nimble and assured at centre-forward. By dropping off the front-line, he also joined in the build-up play and it was that versatility that led to the opening goal.
From a deep position, Roberts saw the run of Draper from deep and threaded a pass for the midfielder to collect before knocking the ball beyond Bain and knocking it into an empty net.
The home players and fans claimed for offside, in vain, and discontent grew with the performance of the officials.
The Dundee supporters spent most of the first-half booing Carl Tremarco after the Inverness full-back appeared to kick out at Greg Stewart as the pair tangled on the ground following a tackle.
Referee Andrew Dallas booked both players for the scuffle and had to keep his yellow card close to hand as he tried to manage a lively encounter.
Despite their strength in attack, Dundee struggled to create a clear chance in the first half, and the closest they came was a Stewart effort from distance that flew past.
There was a further set-back for Paul Hartley's side when defender Darren O'Dea went down injured on the cusp of half-time and failed to reappear after the interval.
Dundee were much more effective in the second period and Stewart should have equalised when the ball ran to him inside the area, but he shot wide from 10 yards out.
Rory Loy had a similar chance soon after, when he picked his way into space only for his shot to cannon off the leg of Owain Fon-Williams, the Inverness goalkeeper.
All three of the strikers were frustrated, with Hemmings blasting a volley over from Harkins' pinpoint cross-field pass.
Having been booked in the first-half for time-wasting, Fon-Williams barely had a moment's respite. His sharpness in racing off his goal-line after Gary Warren's miscued header flew straight to Stewart, prevented an equaliser, since the striker's effort flew straight into the keeper's body.
It looked then as if Dundee were going to be thwarted, but a striker as prolific as Hemmings only needs half a chance and he took his when Harkins headed a corner back across goal. Hemmings was first to react and he steered the ball home. | Media playback is not supported on this device
The in-form striker was set up for a close-range finish by Gary Harkins after 86 minutes.
Ross Draper had given the visitors an early lead, rounding goalkeeper Scott Bain to finish.
Dundee dominated the second half, creating a series of good chances before the late equaliser.
In a congested mid-table, Caley Thistle were four minutes away from leapfrogging their hosts but remain in seventh place, two points behind the Dark Blues.
The Highlanders had started impressively, finding their rhythm and passing the ball crisply and accurately. Their composure was unsettling for Dundee, who spent the opening period trying to hold their defensive shape.
The visitors built much of their attacking play around Jordan Roberts, who was strong but also nimble and assured at centre-forward. By dropping off the front-line, he also joined in the build-up play and it was that versatility that led to the opening goal.
From a deep position, Roberts saw the run of Draper from deep and threaded a pass for the midfielder to collect before knocking the ball beyond Bain and knocking it into an empty net.
The home players and fans claimed for offside, in vain, and discontent grew with the performance of the officials.
The Dundee supporters spent most of the first-half booing Carl Tremarco after the Inverness full-back appeared to kick out at Greg Stewart as the pair tangled on the ground following a tackle.
Referee Andrew Dallas booked both players for the scuffle and had to keep his yellow card close to hand as he tried to manage a lively encounter.
Despite their strength in attack, Dundee struggled to create a clear chance in the first half, and the closest they came was a Stewart effort from distance that flew past.
There was a further set-back for Paul Hartley's side when defender Darren O'Dea went down injured on the cusp of half-time and failed to reappear after the interval.
Dundee were much more effective in the second period and Stewart should have equalised when the ball ran to him inside the area, but he shot wide from 10 yards out.
Rory Loy had a similar chance soon after, when he picked his way into space only for his shot to cannon off the leg of Owain Fon-Williams, the Inverness goalkeeper.
All three of the strikers were frustrated, with Hemmings blasting a volley over from Harkins' pinpoint cross-field pass.
Having been booked in the first-half for time-wasting, Fon-Williams barely had a moment's respite. His sharpness in racing off his goal-line after Gary Warren's miscued header flew straight to Stewart, prevented an equaliser, since the striker's effort flew straight into the keeper's body.
It looked then as if Dundee were going to be thwarted, but a striker as prolific as Hemmings only needs half a chance and he took his when Harkins headed a corner back across goal. Hemmings was first to react and he steered the ball home. |
Add punctuation: The measurement was made by the New Horizons probe which is just about to flyby the dwarf world.
The result means it is confirmed as the largest object yet detected in the outer zone of the Solar System known as the Kuiper Belt.
Nasa's probe is set to return a treasure trove of images and data when it sweeps past Pluto.
It is likely that in that data will be information that can further refine the object's size.
The new measurement has a number of implications. The first is that it makes Pluto slightly less dense than we thought, meaning the fraction of ice in its interior is probably higher than we had recognised.
The measurement also changes some of the expected properties of the atmosphere, given that the sphere it envelops is now considered to be larger. For modellers, it suggests the troposphere, the lowest layer, is a bit shallower.
But perhaps the main consequence from this result is what it does for Pluto fans, because it finally settles the debate over which is the bigger - Pluto or Eris?
The latter's discovery in 2005, with its comparable girth, was partly responsible for getting Pluto demoted from full planet status in 2006. However, this new result indicates that Pluto really does have the upper-hand, if only by about 30km in terms of diameter.
One of the reasons for past uncertainty has been the presence of that atmosphere at Pluto - something Eris does not share in such abundance. So, while scientists could be much more sure of Eris, Pluto's diameter has jumped about, depending on the assumptions made.
But New Horizons' fast-approaching cameras have put the arguments to bed.
"Before New Horizons, we had a range from 1,150km in radius, up to a little bit north of 1,200km. And what we found is that Pluto is almost at the top of that range," said Prof Alan Stern, the probe's principal investigator.
The probe will pass just 12,500km above the dwarf planet on Tuesday at 11:50 GMT (12:50 BST; 07:50 EDT).
The spacecraft will be out of radio contact with Earth when that happens.
All mission controllers can do is wait for the signal from New Horizons confirming it has survived the close encounter and has all the data it was commanded to gather. This message should come through at 00:53 GMT Wednesday (01:53 BST; 20:53 EDT Tuesday).
Glen Fountain, the New Horizons project manager, has told his team to stay focused but to try also to soak up some of the atmosphere.
"I've told the team they really need to be living the time," he said in a briefing to reporters.
"I mean, how often do you get a chance like this, to realise that you are participating in something much larger than yourself?"
New Horizons continues to downlink data on approach to Pluto. Selected pictures are being processed for public release.
Each new release brings surface features into sharper focus.
The latest postings include views of Pluto's major moon, Charon.
Seen clearly in these new pictures are huge chasms and craters, as well as the moon's so-far-unexplained dark pole.
Scientists say this has been one of the major surprises of the encounter so far, as has the very contrasting appearance of Charon and Pluto.
The BBC will be screening a special Sky At Night programme called Pluto Revealed on Monday 20 July, which will recap all the big moments from the New Horizons flyby.
Follow Jonathan on Twitter. | The measurement was made by the New Horizons probe which is just about to flyby the dwarf world.
The result means it is confirmed as the largest object yet detected in the outer zone of the Solar System known as the Kuiper Belt.
Nasa's probe is set to return a treasure trove of images and data when it sweeps past Pluto.
It is likely that in that data will be information that can further refine the object's size.
The new measurement has a number of implications. The first is that it makes Pluto slightly less dense than we thought, meaning the fraction of ice in its interior is probably higher than we had recognised.
The measurement also changes some of the expected properties of the atmosphere, given that the sphere it envelops is now considered to be larger. For modellers, it suggests the troposphere, the lowest layer, is a bit shallower.
But perhaps the main consequence from this result is what it does for Pluto fans, because it finally settles the debate over which is the bigger - Pluto or Eris?
The latter's discovery in 2005, with its comparable girth, was partly responsible for getting Pluto demoted from full planet status in 2006. However, this new result indicates that Pluto really does have the upper-hand, if only by about 30km in terms of diameter.
One of the reasons for past uncertainty has been the presence of that atmosphere at Pluto - something Eris does not share in such abundance. So, while scientists could be much more sure of Eris, Pluto's diameter has jumped about, depending on the assumptions made.
But New Horizons' fast-approaching cameras have put the arguments to bed.
"Before New Horizons, we had a range from 1,150km in radius, up to a little bit north of 1,200km. And what we found is that Pluto is almost at the top of that range," said Prof Alan Stern, the probe's principal investigator.
The probe will pass just 12,500km above the dwarf planet on Tuesday at 11:50 GMT (12:50 BST; 07:50 EDT).
The spacecraft will be out of radio contact with Earth when that happens.
All mission controllers can do is wait for the signal from New Horizons confirming it has survived the close encounter and has all the data it was commanded to gather. This message should come through at 00:53 GMT Wednesday (01:53 BST; 20:53 EDT Tuesday).
Glen Fountain, the New Horizons project manager, has told his team to stay focused but to try also to soak up some of the atmosphere.
"I've told the team they really need to be living the time," he said in a briefing to reporters.
"I mean, how often do you get a chance like this, to realise that you are participating in something much larger than yourself?"
New Horizons continues to downlink data on approach to Pluto. Selected pictures are being processed for public release.
Each new release brings surface features into sharper focus.
The latest postings include views of Pluto's major moon, Charon.
Seen clearly in these new pictures are huge chasms and craters, as well as the moon's so-far-unexplained dark pole.
Scientists say this has been one of the major surprises of the encounter so far, as has the very contrasting appearance of Charon and Pluto.
The BBC will be screening a special Sky At Night programme called Pluto Revealed on Monday 20 July, which will recap all the big moments from the New Horizons flyby.
Follow Jonathan on Twitter. |
Add punctuation: A music journalist in India has claimed to have received a list of the singer's demands, which he posted on Twitter.
It's a pretty extensive list, but then again, Justin has a pretty extensive entourage of 120 people to look after.
And, to be fair, most stars pay for the things they request, so he is the one footing the bill for the many demands.
Its authenticity hasn't been verified by Bieber's team, but oh how we hope it's accurate.
In every dressing room, Justin needs white crew-neck T-shirts, tank tops and some socks.
All fairly normal right items of clothing right? Well, yes, but the sizes he's requested are a bit odd.
Let's take the socks. JB only wants sizes available in XS (extra small) and L (large).
Now, this suggests to us that he's got one foot significantly bigger than the other.
Either that or his crew is made up of only very large or very small people, so if you're of average build you might find it hard to join the Bieber clan.
You know what's, like, really annoying? When you have to go to the effort of opening your fridge to find out what's actually in it.
Bieber has come up with an excellent solution to this problem we all face - specifically requesting a glass-door refrigerator.
That way, he'll be able to see through to his requested energy drinks, cream sodas, protein drinks, half a gallon of almond milk and "24 still water bottles" (no need for the actual water, just the bottles).
He'll need some food to go with all that liquid, so there's also dried fruit, vegetables seasoned with ranch sauce, organic turkey and white cheddar popcorn on the list.
The list doesn't just cover snacks - it also offers many clues about the kind of meals A-list singers like to eat while on the road.
"Top culinary experts will supervise the gourmet food being served to Bieber over the four days with five dishes per day being renamed after his popular songs," it says.
This line is an absolute gift to any chef, surely.
You could have the Baby burrito, the Boyfriend burger, the Sorry sandwich, the Love Yourself lamb and the What Do You Mean watermelon.
"Arrangements for a Jacuzzi have also been made for Bieber's personal use to unwind before he takes to the stage," the star's list says.
If whirlpool access could be made law for all people with normal jobs, we'd really appreciate it.
You do have to Love Yourself, after all, and Justin is clearly a man who believes you should practise what you preach.
Which would also explain the other requests for a massage table and an accompanying personal (female) masseuse.
It's quite irritating when you go out to do your food shop and remember to buy bread, milk and veg, but forget to pick up a special Indian yoga casket.
In Bieber's case, it's not just any special Indian yoga casket, but a special Indian yoga casket which contains aromatic essential oils, jasmine, mogra and incense sticks.
We're not totally confident we even know what a "mogra" is.
To compliment the casket, "books on chakras and yoga asanas will be placed in Bieber's suite knowing his love for yoga". We all knew about his love for yoga didn't we?
No Bieber tour is complete without his requested cola gummies, ping pong table, 12 white handkerchiefs and hydrating lip balm.
Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk. | A music journalist in India has claimed to have received a list of the singer's demands, which he posted on Twitter.
It's a pretty extensive list, but then again, Justin has a pretty extensive entourage of 120 people to look after.
And, to be fair, most stars pay for the things they request, so he is the one footing the bill for the many demands.
Its authenticity hasn't been verified by Bieber's team, but oh how we hope it's accurate.
In every dressing room, Justin needs white crew-neck T-shirts, tank tops and some socks.
All fairly normal right items of clothing right? Well, yes, but the sizes he's requested are a bit odd.
Let's take the socks. JB only wants sizes available in XS (extra small) and L (large).
Now, this suggests to us that he's got one foot significantly bigger than the other.
Either that or his crew is made up of only very large or very small people, so if you're of average build you might find it hard to join the Bieber clan.
You know what's, like, really annoying? When you have to go to the effort of opening your fridge to find out what's actually in it.
Bieber has come up with an excellent solution to this problem we all face - specifically requesting a glass-door refrigerator.
That way, he'll be able to see through to his requested energy drinks, cream sodas, protein drinks, half a gallon of almond milk and "24 still water bottles" (no need for the actual water, just the bottles).
He'll need some food to go with all that liquid, so there's also dried fruit, vegetables seasoned with ranch sauce, organic turkey and white cheddar popcorn on the list.
The list doesn't just cover snacks - it also offers many clues about the kind of meals A-list singers like to eat while on the road.
"Top culinary experts will supervise the gourmet food being served to Bieber over the four days with five dishes per day being renamed after his popular songs," it says.
This line is an absolute gift to any chef, surely.
You could have the Baby burrito, the Boyfriend burger, the Sorry sandwich, the Love Yourself lamb and the What Do You Mean watermelon.
"Arrangements for a Jacuzzi have also been made for Bieber's personal use to unwind before he takes to the stage," the star's list says.
If whirlpool access could be made law for all people with normal jobs, we'd really appreciate it.
You do have to Love Yourself, after all, and Justin is clearly a man who believes you should practise what you preach.
Which would also explain the other requests for a massage table and an accompanying personal (female) masseuse.
It's quite irritating when you go out to do your food shop and remember to buy bread, milk and veg, but forget to pick up a special Indian yoga casket.
In Bieber's case, it's not just any special Indian yoga casket, but a special Indian yoga casket which contains aromatic essential oils, jasmine, mogra and incense sticks.
We're not totally confident we even know what a "mogra" is.
To compliment the casket, "books on chakras and yoga asanas will be placed in Bieber's suite knowing his love for yoga". We all knew about his love for yoga didn't we?
No Bieber tour is complete without his requested cola gummies, ping pong table, 12 white handkerchiefs and hydrating lip balm.
Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk. |
Add punctuation: BBC+ is available on iOS and Android. It brings together news, iPlayer content, weather forecasts, recipes and more.
Users must have signed up for an account, which lets the BBC track their use of the software.
One expert questioned how much appetite there would be for the service.
It is the 15th app to be offered by the BBC, excluding those launched by its commercial arm BBC Worldwide.
"This follows a growing trend to have a super app which is a one-stop destination for a broad range of content and services," said Paolo Pescatore, from the CCS Insight consultancy.
"But the BBC, like others, needs to be very careful it does not overwhelm its customers with too many apps.
"Research has shown that there is growing 'app-athy' amongst consumers who can't cope with the sheer number of apps they end up with on their phones.
"The danger is that they use an app once and never return to it as it gets buried amongst other apps already installed - that is terrible for long-term consumer engagement."
The BBC recently announced one of its other apps - BBC Newsbeat - would soon close, and its youth-focused content would be rolled into the main BBC News app.
That decision was made, in part, because it had not attracted as many users as hoped.
"Audiences... are telling us that, online, BBC News is the brand," said BBC head of news James Harding at the time.
When people first use BBC+, it asks them to choose at least three topics from a list of more than 50 options.
Examples include:
The app then creates a scrollable "at a glance" feed and the option to click through to specific themed pages.
Once the user has flicked through all the options, they are presented with a page saying: "You're up to date!".
At present, the app appears low down in Apple's App Store and Google Play when searched for, but over time this should improve.
Many users had already signed up to have a myBBC account ahead of the new app's launch.
The feature allows the broadcaster to target its content and make it a smoother experience for users to move from one device to another while using its services.
Having an account is optional on some apps, such as BBC News, but obligatory on others, including BBC Music and BBC Bitesize.
"As seven million people have signed up to myBBC, we are increasingly able to provide them with more of what they love based on what they've told us," said Paul Owen, head of BBC+.
"BBC+ is a key part of the journey towards achieving a much more personal BBC, and truly brings topical information from across the whole organisation to your pocket, ready for you to access at your convenience."
The BBC has promised not to sell the data it gathers and allows users to delete information held about them.
But Mr Pescatore said gathering the data would give the BBC a competitive advantage.
"There is a huge vested interest for the BBC to get consumers signed up with a BBC ID," he said.
"If this app helps get people on board it will be yet another threat to other news outlets and broadcasters." | BBC+ is available on iOS and Android. It brings together news, iPlayer content, weather forecasts, recipes and more.
Users must have signed up for an account, which lets the BBC track their use of the software.
One expert questioned how much appetite there would be for the service.
It is the 15th app to be offered by the BBC, excluding those launched by its commercial arm BBC Worldwide.
"This follows a growing trend to have a super app which is a one-stop destination for a broad range of content and services," said Paolo Pescatore, from the CCS Insight consultancy.
"But the BBC, like others, needs to be very careful it does not overwhelm its customers with too many apps.
"Research has shown that there is growing 'app-athy' amongst consumers who can't cope with the sheer number of apps they end up with on their phones.
"The danger is that they use an app once and never return to it as it gets buried amongst other apps already installed - that is terrible for long-term consumer engagement."
The BBC recently announced one of its other apps - BBC Newsbeat - would soon close, and its youth-focused content would be rolled into the main BBC News app.
That decision was made, in part, because it had not attracted as many users as hoped.
"Audiences... are telling us that, online, BBC News is the brand," said BBC head of news James Harding at the time.
When people first use BBC+, it asks them to choose at least three topics from a list of more than 50 options.
Examples include:
The app then creates a scrollable "at a glance" feed and the option to click through to specific themed pages.
Once the user has flicked through all the options, they are presented with a page saying: "You're up to date!".
At present, the app appears low down in Apple's App Store and Google Play when searched for, but over time this should improve.
Many users had already signed up to have a myBBC account ahead of the new app's launch.
The feature allows the broadcaster to target its content and make it a smoother experience for users to move from one device to another while using its services.
Having an account is optional on some apps, such as BBC News, but obligatory on others, including BBC Music and BBC Bitesize.
"As seven million people have signed up to myBBC, we are increasingly able to provide them with more of what they love based on what they've told us," said Paul Owen, head of BBC+.
"BBC+ is a key part of the journey towards achieving a much more personal BBC, and truly brings topical information from across the whole organisation to your pocket, ready for you to access at your convenience."
The BBC has promised not to sell the data it gathers and allows users to delete information held about them.
But Mr Pescatore said gathering the data would give the BBC a competitive advantage.
"There is a huge vested interest for the BBC to get consumers signed up with a BBC ID," he said.
"If this app helps get people on board it will be yet another threat to other news outlets and broadcasters." |
Add punctuation: A leaked recording of top Trump adviser Paul Manafort's presentation to Republican Party insiders in Florida reveals that the kinder, gentler Donald Trump on display following his dominating New York primary win is a deliberate strategy.
"The part he's been playing is evolving," Manafort said.
Gone were the petty insults. Missing was the relentless immigrant bashing. In its place was a focus on his economic message, boasts about the breadth of his support and a more humble call to arms.
"Tomorrow, we go back to work," Mr Trump concluded.
Of course, old habits die hard, and the following day at rallies in Indiana and Maryland Mr Trump sounded a bit more like his old self. Ted Cruz was "Lyin' Ted" once more, and he revelled in the crowd's chants to "build the wall" along the US-Mexico border.
During a television interview, however, Mr Trump shed some additional light on his changing demeanour. During the rough-and-tumble, crowded primary process, he said, he had to mix it up with his fellow candidates.
"If I didn't, if I acted very presidential, I wouldn't be sitting up here today, somebody else might be," he said. "It wouldn't be me."
He said, however, that a change is coming "very soon".
"At the right time, I will be so presidential, you will be so bored," he said. "You will say, 'Can he have a little bit more energy?' But I know when to be presidential."
(Somewhere out there, Jeb "low energy" Bush must be laughing through his tears.)
For the remaining three months before the Republican National Convention in Cleveland - and beyond - Mr Trump will have to walk a fine line. Authentic but controlled. A rebel who knows how to play nice.
Can he pivot without losing his balance? It depends how three groups respond to Mr Trump's efforts, which will include detailed policy speeches over the coming weeks and fewer late-night Twitter dust-ups and talk-show taunting.
Mr Trump's legions have seen their candidate relentlessly savaged by his competitors, media commentators and independent attack advertisements.
They've watched as Mr Trump has occasionally tied himself in knots over issues like abortion, appeared hopelessly out-of-his-depth during detailed foreign policy questioning, and expressed views on the Iraq War and Planned Parenthood that usually constitute conservative heresy.
And yet his base level of support has remained remarkably stable.
"I have the most loyal people," Mr Trump said in January. "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn't lose any voters."
For his dedicated followers, Mr Trump is unassailable. They have an extreme distrust of the Republican Party establishment and the media (which they regularly heckle during Trump campaign rallies). So a few articles in the Washington Post and the New York Times revealing that the bellicose, unfiltered Donald Trump of the primary season is nothing more than a "persona" will likely be met with a shrug.
Mr Trump's pivot could have problems, but his supporters aren't among them.
There was a point during the Republican primary campaign, shortly after Mr Trump's dominating wins in the 1 March Super Tuesday states and two weeks later in Florida, where the Republican Party seemed to be making peace with the prospect of a Donald Trump nomination.
Then a combination of candidate excesses and campaign rally violence caused the party powers to have second (third and fourth) thoughts.
Mr Trump's new campaign team, with Manafort in charge, is trying to undo that damage.
The reality is that the Republican establishment - including both the committed and uncommitted delegates who will be in the hall at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland - don't have to love Donald Trump, but they have to at least be able to live with him.
If Mr Trump spends the next two months as he has the last six, barrelling through the news cycles with one outlandish controversy after another, they may find justification to deny him the nomination even though he will likely end the primary season with hundreds more delegates and millions more votes than second-place Cruz.
Poll numbers showing him being destroyed by Democrat Hillary Clinton and scuttling the hopes of his down-ballot Republicans will just add fuel to the fire.
"The negatives are going to come down, the image is going to change," Manafort assured the Republicans gathered in Florida.
Mr Trump has to finish strong and win as many delegates as he can in the remaining primary contests, but if he falls short of 1,237 pledged delegates, as he is likely to do, this perception campaign could be decisive.
Mr Trump has his die-hard supporters. He also has an insurmountable lead in the Republican delegate count and popular vote that will make it difficult, and extremely messy, to deny him the party's nomination.
But what about the American people? Mr Trump's rebranding attempts will be for naught if he can't convince a wide swath of the public that views him with scepticism bordering on disdain to give him another chance.
The current outlook is gloomy. In the latest NBC News poll, 65% of respondents had a negative view of the Republican front-runner versus only 24% who saw him positively. Hillary Clinton, by contrast, had a 56-32 negative-to-positive split.
Manafort, however, explained that the Democrat's negatives were more durable than those of his candidate.
"Fixing personality negatives is a lot easier than fixing character negatives," he said. "You can't change somebody's character. But you can change the way somebody presents themselves."
It's a tall mountain to climb, but one the Mr Trump has surmounted once already. When he first announced his candidacy, the New Yorker's prospects were roundly dismissed because of high negatives within his own party. In past presidential contests, no candidate - particularly one as well-known as Mr Trump - had been able turn around such ratings and find electoral success.
History, it turned out, was a lousy guide. In a few months Mr Trump was finding support across a wide swath of the Republican Party - moderates and ultra-conservatives, evangelicals and Tea Party seculars.
It was an unprecedented transformation.
Now Mr Trump and his team are seeking another transformation. It seems far-fetched, but campaigns aren't conducted in a vacuum. He doesn't have to be great. He doesn't have to be adored. He just has to get more votes than his Democratic opponent.
And Donald Trump is now taking steps to tone down the rhetoric and put himself in a position to make that happen. | A leaked recording of top Trump adviser Paul Manafort's presentation to Republican Party insiders in Florida reveals that the kinder, gentler Donald Trump on display following his dominating New York primary win is a deliberate strategy.
"The part he's been playing is evolving," Manafort said.
Gone were the petty insults. Missing was the relentless immigrant bashing. In its place was a focus on his economic message, boasts about the breadth of his support and a more humble call to arms.
"Tomorrow, we go back to work," Mr Trump concluded.
Of course, old habits die hard, and the following day at rallies in Indiana and Maryland Mr Trump sounded a bit more like his old self. Ted Cruz was "Lyin' Ted" once more, and he revelled in the crowd's chants to "build the wall" along the US-Mexico border.
During a television interview, however, Mr Trump shed some additional light on his changing demeanour. During the rough-and-tumble, crowded primary process, he said, he had to mix it up with his fellow candidates.
"If I didn't, if I acted very presidential, I wouldn't be sitting up here today, somebody else might be," he said. "It wouldn't be me."
He said, however, that a change is coming "very soon".
"At the right time, I will be so presidential, you will be so bored," he said. "You will say, 'Can he have a little bit more energy?' But I know when to be presidential."
(Somewhere out there, Jeb "low energy" Bush must be laughing through his tears.)
For the remaining three months before the Republican National Convention in Cleveland - and beyond - Mr Trump will have to walk a fine line. Authentic but controlled. A rebel who knows how to play nice.
Can he pivot without losing his balance? It depends how three groups respond to Mr Trump's efforts, which will include detailed policy speeches over the coming weeks and fewer late-night Twitter dust-ups and talk-show taunting.
Mr Trump's legions have seen their candidate relentlessly savaged by his competitors, media commentators and independent attack advertisements.
They've watched as Mr Trump has occasionally tied himself in knots over issues like abortion, appeared hopelessly out-of-his-depth during detailed foreign policy questioning, and expressed views on the Iraq War and Planned Parenthood that usually constitute conservative heresy.
And yet his base level of support has remained remarkably stable.
"I have the most loyal people," Mr Trump said in January. "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn't lose any voters."
For his dedicated followers, Mr Trump is unassailable. They have an extreme distrust of the Republican Party establishment and the media (which they regularly heckle during Trump campaign rallies). So a few articles in the Washington Post and the New York Times revealing that the bellicose, unfiltered Donald Trump of the primary season is nothing more than a "persona" will likely be met with a shrug.
Mr Trump's pivot could have problems, but his supporters aren't among them.
There was a point during the Republican primary campaign, shortly after Mr Trump's dominating wins in the 1 March Super Tuesday states and two weeks later in Florida, where the Republican Party seemed to be making peace with the prospect of a Donald Trump nomination.
Then a combination of candidate excesses and campaign rally violence caused the party powers to have second (third and fourth) thoughts.
Mr Trump's new campaign team, with Manafort in charge, is trying to undo that damage.
The reality is that the Republican establishment - including both the committed and uncommitted delegates who will be in the hall at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland - don't have to love Donald Trump, but they have to at least be able to live with him.
If Mr Trump spends the next two months as he has the last six, barrelling through the news cycles with one outlandish controversy after another, they may find justification to deny him the nomination even though he will likely end the primary season with hundreds more delegates and millions more votes than second-place Cruz.
Poll numbers showing him being destroyed by Democrat Hillary Clinton and scuttling the hopes of his down-ballot Republicans will just add fuel to the fire.
"The negatives are going to come down, the image is going to change," Manafort assured the Republicans gathered in Florida.
Mr Trump has to finish strong and win as many delegates as he can in the remaining primary contests, but if he falls short of 1,237 pledged delegates, as he is likely to do, this perception campaign could be decisive.
Mr Trump has his die-hard supporters. He also has an insurmountable lead in the Republican delegate count and popular vote that will make it difficult, and extremely messy, to deny him the party's nomination.
But what about the American people? Mr Trump's rebranding attempts will be for naught if he can't convince a wide swath of the public that views him with scepticism bordering on disdain to give him another chance.
The current outlook is gloomy. In the latest NBC News poll, 65% of respondents had a negative view of the Republican front-runner versus only 24% who saw him positively. Hillary Clinton, by contrast, had a 56-32 negative-to-positive split.
Manafort, however, explained that the Democrat's negatives were more durable than those of his candidate.
"Fixing personality negatives is a lot easier than fixing character negatives," he said. "You can't change somebody's character. But you can change the way somebody presents themselves."
It's a tall mountain to climb, but one the Mr Trump has surmounted once already. When he first announced his candidacy, the New Yorker's prospects were roundly dismissed because of high negatives within his own party. In past presidential contests, no candidate - particularly one as well-known as Mr Trump - had been able turn around such ratings and find electoral success.
History, it turned out, was a lousy guide. In a few months Mr Trump was finding support across a wide swath of the Republican Party - moderates and ultra-conservatives, evangelicals and Tea Party seculars.
It was an unprecedented transformation.
Now Mr Trump and his team are seeking another transformation. It seems far-fetched, but campaigns aren't conducted in a vacuum. He doesn't have to be great. He doesn't have to be adored. He just has to get more votes than his Democratic opponent.
And Donald Trump is now taking steps to tone down the rhetoric and put himself in a position to make that happen. |
Add punctuation: Yet Scott Mitchell, the newly-crowned BDO world darts champion, has been mixing with Johnny Depp, Amber Heard, Billy Bob Thornton and others on the set of an upcoming film.
The 44-year-old from Bransgore has been involved in the making of 'London Fields', a movie adaptation of the Martin Amis novel of the same name.
One of the main characters, Keith Talent, is an aspiring darts player and Mitchell was brought in to offer his expert advice to the cast.
"I'm a bit of a body double or stunt double, whatever you want to call it, because we look alike," joked Mitchell when asked about meeting Depp, 51, as he filmed scenes for a cameo role.
"He's a good guy and really talented at everything apparently.
"I put three darts in his hand and he asked where to throw, so I told him to throw for the bullseye.
"With his first three darts, he went 25, then missed, then 25. So I took the darts out of his hand. We don't want him playing, do we? We don't want him beating us."
Mitchell continued: "Amber is absolutely lovely. She was quite happy to pose for pictures with me.
"Every time Billy wasn't doing anything, he'd grab a set of darts and come over. He'd go round the board and I'd go round on doubles. We'd have games, we got all of the scaffolders involved and it was a really good four or five weeks.
"It was about 14 months ago that we did that, but in the film world it seems to take a long time."
Media playback is not supported on this device
So how on earth did a country boy like Mitchell end up on a London film set?
"A very good friend involved me," he revealed. "My name was bantered around because I'm quite easy-going and grounded. I'm quite happy to sit around for three or four hours not doing anything, then get called on for 10 minutes and then back off.
"They'd say 'we need a 180 and a 140'. I'd jump on set and try to hit it.
"I'd only been to London about twice before this film thing but it's a really cool place.
"We drove across Tower Bridge - I'd seen it on the telly with the fireworks going off and everything, but I'd never driven across it.
"I said at the time that it would be really cool to drive a tractor across there. I'd love to do that."
Ah, the tractor.
Mitchell earned £100,000 for triumphing at Lakeside and admitted afterwards it would change his life.
However, any dreams of flash cars or exotic holidays are on hold for now, as the vehicles on the family farm are in need of an upgrade.
"We've got about four tractors that don't run particularly well," said Mitchell. "We have to jump start them and one's got an oil leak.
"Everybody thinks I've got a lot of money now, so all of a sudden the tractor prices have probably gone up in my area."
Wife Sharon, meanwhile, has been waiting many years for a proper honeymoon. It was initially postponed because the groom was taking part in a motocross race in Weymouth shortly after their wedding.
"The first time I ever took her anywhere was probably to the Jersey Open a few years ago," added Mitchell, a huge speedway fan who follows Elite League side Poole Pirates.
"She'd always wanted to go to Jersey and she said she would come along, but she didn't realise the darts was on.
"She's been two or three times to Jersey now - what more can I do?" he laughed, before suggesting Cornwall - a place he describes as a "home from home" - as an alternative destination.
Mitchell has been aided by a hypnotherapist in recent weeks and won the world title on his sixth appearance at Lakeside, having failed to make it past the last 16 in his five previous visits.
Clinching a 7-6 victory in a gripping final with Martin 'Wolfie' Adams assured Mitchell of his place among the pantheon of world champions.
But it was quickly back to reality for the 'Scotty Dog'.
Less than 30 minutes after being presented with the trophy and heading off the Lakeside stage, Mitchell was already thinking about cutting and marking the pitches at three local football clubs later in the week.
And he was also digesting the disappointment of possibly being dropped by his local pub team, who play in the Wimborne Minster League on Monday evenings, as he had missed their previous fixture because of his commitments at Lakeside.
"They are that strict," Mitchell said of his colleagues.
It seems there is no excuse good enough for missing a darts match with your mates these days. Not even winning a world title. | Yet Scott Mitchell, the newly-crowned BDO world darts champion, has been mixing with Johnny Depp, Amber Heard, Billy Bob Thornton and others on the set of an upcoming film.
The 44-year-old from Bransgore has been involved in the making of 'London Fields', a movie adaptation of the Martin Amis novel of the same name.
One of the main characters, Keith Talent, is an aspiring darts player and Mitchell was brought in to offer his expert advice to the cast.
"I'm a bit of a body double or stunt double, whatever you want to call it, because we look alike," joked Mitchell when asked about meeting Depp, 51, as he filmed scenes for a cameo role.
"He's a good guy and really talented at everything apparently.
"I put three darts in his hand and he asked where to throw, so I told him to throw for the bullseye.
"With his first three darts, he went 25, then missed, then 25. So I took the darts out of his hand. We don't want him playing, do we? We don't want him beating us."
Mitchell continued: "Amber is absolutely lovely. She was quite happy to pose for pictures with me.
"Every time Billy wasn't doing anything, he'd grab a set of darts and come over. He'd go round the board and I'd go round on doubles. We'd have games, we got all of the scaffolders involved and it was a really good four or five weeks.
"It was about 14 months ago that we did that, but in the film world it seems to take a long time."
Media playback is not supported on this device
So how on earth did a country boy like Mitchell end up on a London film set?
"A very good friend involved me," he revealed. "My name was bantered around because I'm quite easy-going and grounded. I'm quite happy to sit around for three or four hours not doing anything, then get called on for 10 minutes and then back off.
"They'd say 'we need a 180 and a 140'. I'd jump on set and try to hit it.
"I'd only been to London about twice before this film thing but it's a really cool place.
"We drove across Tower Bridge - I'd seen it on the telly with the fireworks going off and everything, but I'd never driven across it.
"I said at the time that it would be really cool to drive a tractor across there. I'd love to do that."
Ah, the tractor.
Mitchell earned £100,000 for triumphing at Lakeside and admitted afterwards it would change his life.
However, any dreams of flash cars or exotic holidays are on hold for now, as the vehicles on the family farm are in need of an upgrade.
"We've got about four tractors that don't run particularly well," said Mitchell. "We have to jump start them and one's got an oil leak.
"Everybody thinks I've got a lot of money now, so all of a sudden the tractor prices have probably gone up in my area."
Wife Sharon, meanwhile, has been waiting many years for a proper honeymoon. It was initially postponed because the groom was taking part in a motocross race in Weymouth shortly after their wedding.
"The first time I ever took her anywhere was probably to the Jersey Open a few years ago," added Mitchell, a huge speedway fan who follows Elite League side Poole Pirates.
"She'd always wanted to go to Jersey and she said she would come along, but she didn't realise the darts was on.
"She's been two or three times to Jersey now - what more can I do?" he laughed, before suggesting Cornwall - a place he describes as a "home from home" - as an alternative destination.
Mitchell has been aided by a hypnotherapist in recent weeks and won the world title on his sixth appearance at Lakeside, having failed to make it past the last 16 in his five previous visits.
Clinching a 7-6 victory in a gripping final with Martin 'Wolfie' Adams assured Mitchell of his place among the pantheon of world champions.
But it was quickly back to reality for the 'Scotty Dog'.
Less than 30 minutes after being presented with the trophy and heading off the Lakeside stage, Mitchell was already thinking about cutting and marking the pitches at three local football clubs later in the week.
And he was also digesting the disappointment of possibly being dropped by his local pub team, who play in the Wimborne Minster League on Monday evenings, as he had missed their previous fixture because of his commitments at Lakeside.
"They are that strict," Mitchell said of his colleagues.
It seems there is no excuse good enough for missing a darts match with your mates these days. Not even winning a world title. |
Add punctuation: Murty made the revelation in the wake of the 2-1 defeat at Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Friday night.
"The board have taken steps, they have offered me help and I have taken advantage of that help," Murty said.
"At the moment that will remain private between me and the person who is helping me."
The result in Inverness makes it two league defeats in a row for Murty's side, following the 2-1 loss at Dundee.
The Ibrox outfit fell behind to Greg Tansey's strike on the stroke of half time but squared it from the penalty spot thanks to Martyn Waghorn.
Iain Vigurs then missed a penalty for Inverness but Billy Mckay's overhead kick sealed all three points for the home side.
Murty, whose team host St Johnstone on Wednesday, said: "The board will take their time and appoint the person that they think should be in place at a time of their choosing. So until I'm told otherwise I will carry on doing what I'm doing.
"But I have to say, my help and the people helping me, doesn't take away from the fact that the players have to focus what they can control, and they can control their attitude and performance.
"You haven't got the space and I haven't got the time to convey how I'm feeling. Suffice to say we are walking away with nothing and that's not good enough for this football club. This club has been and will be again about winning football matches and we haven't managed to do that.
"We weren't clinical enough in either box and we paid the price.
"You saw a group of players who were focused, I thought for 25 minutes we were great, but it's the same old problem, if you don't score when you have the chance and you let in too many goals, then you are not going to take too many points home." | Murty made the revelation in the wake of the 2-1 defeat at Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Friday night.
"The board have taken steps, they have offered me help and I have taken advantage of that help," Murty said.
"At the moment that will remain private between me and the person who is helping me."
The result in Inverness makes it two league defeats in a row for Murty's side, following the 2-1 loss at Dundee.
The Ibrox outfit fell behind to Greg Tansey's strike on the stroke of half time but squared it from the penalty spot thanks to Martyn Waghorn.
Iain Vigurs then missed a penalty for Inverness but Billy Mckay's overhead kick sealed all three points for the home side.
Murty, whose team host St Johnstone on Wednesday, said: "The board will take their time and appoint the person that they think should be in place at a time of their choosing. So until I'm told otherwise I will carry on doing what I'm doing.
"But I have to say, my help and the people helping me, doesn't take away from the fact that the players have to focus what they can control, and they can control their attitude and performance.
"You haven't got the space and I haven't got the time to convey how I'm feeling. Suffice to say we are walking away with nothing and that's not good enough for this football club. This club has been and will be again about winning football matches and we haven't managed to do that.
"We weren't clinical enough in either box and we paid the price.
"You saw a group of players who were focused, I thought for 25 minutes we were great, but it's the same old problem, if you don't score when you have the chance and you let in too many goals, then you are not going to take too many points home." |
Add punctuation: Media playback is not supported on this device
Scores from Danny Houghton, Scott Taylor, Gareth Ellis and Jamie Shaul established Hull's first-half cushion.
Luke Walsh reduced Saints' deficit after the break to add to Mark Percival and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook's tries.
However, the visitors pulled clear with Curtis Naughton, Kirk Yeaman, Scott Taylor and Fetuli Talanoa scores.
Marc Sneyd was on target with 15 points from the boot.
Saints have a remarkable record when the year ends in six, winning in five of the past six decades, but that quirk was not to be continued as Hull continued their dual push for honours in 2016.
The home side reached the semi-finals last season but failed to match Hull throughout.
Ruck-speed, powerful forwards, ruthlessness with field position and the accuracy of Sneyd's kicking helped the Airlie Birds to dominate the game for large periods, despite conceding the opening tries of each half.
St Helens captain Jon Wilkin told BBC Sport:
"Hull outperformed us in most facets of the game, it's disappointing, it's a big game and we haven't produced.
"You can win game without possession, and whatever through penalties, poor kicking, ill-discipline or dropped-ball we gifted them.
"I thought we were terrible from the start today and without being cynical about the performance, we talked a good game all week and we haven't delivered."
Hull FC head coach Lee Radford told BBC Sport:
"It was massive effort, the conditions, the heat played a major factor but we completed at a high really high percentage which is something we've done all year so long may that continue.
"The boys did good, we made the boys [Frank Pritchard and Sika Manu - away on international duty] a promise we'd be in the draw and they've come good on that promise.
"Marc Sneyd's been fantastic over the past six games, he's leading us around the park really well and he's got one of the best kicking games in the competition.
"For a club of our size and history not to have won at Wembley is a bitter pill to swallow, but we're through and we look forward to whoever we come up against."
St Helens: Lomax; Dawson, Peyroux, Percival, Owens; Fages, Walsh; Walmsley, Roby, Amor, Vea, Greenwood, Wilkin.
Replacements: McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Tasi, Richards, Knowles.
Hull FC: Shaul; Naughton, Fonua, Yeaman, Talanoa; Pryce, Sneyd; Taylor, Houghton, Watts, Washbrook, Minichiello, Ellis.
Replacements: Green, Thompson, Hadley, Bowden.
Referee: Richard Silverwood | Media playback is not supported on this device
Scores from Danny Houghton, Scott Taylor, Gareth Ellis and Jamie Shaul established Hull's first-half cushion.
Luke Walsh reduced Saints' deficit after the break to add to Mark Percival and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook's tries.
However, the visitors pulled clear with Curtis Naughton, Kirk Yeaman, Scott Taylor and Fetuli Talanoa scores.
Marc Sneyd was on target with 15 points from the boot.
Saints have a remarkable record when the year ends in six, winning in five of the past six decades, but that quirk was not to be continued as Hull continued their dual push for honours in 2016.
The home side reached the semi-finals last season but failed to match Hull throughout.
Ruck-speed, powerful forwards, ruthlessness with field position and the accuracy of Sneyd's kicking helped the Airlie Birds to dominate the game for large periods, despite conceding the opening tries of each half.
St Helens captain Jon Wilkin told BBC Sport:
"Hull outperformed us in most facets of the game, it's disappointing, it's a big game and we haven't produced.
"You can win game without possession, and whatever through penalties, poor kicking, ill-discipline or dropped-ball we gifted them.
"I thought we were terrible from the start today and without being cynical about the performance, we talked a good game all week and we haven't delivered."
Hull FC head coach Lee Radford told BBC Sport:
"It was massive effort, the conditions, the heat played a major factor but we completed at a high really high percentage which is something we've done all year so long may that continue.
"The boys did good, we made the boys [Frank Pritchard and Sika Manu - away on international duty] a promise we'd be in the draw and they've come good on that promise.
"Marc Sneyd's been fantastic over the past six games, he's leading us around the park really well and he's got one of the best kicking games in the competition.
"For a club of our size and history not to have won at Wembley is a bitter pill to swallow, but we're through and we look forward to whoever we come up against."
St Helens: Lomax; Dawson, Peyroux, Percival, Owens; Fages, Walsh; Walmsley, Roby, Amor, Vea, Greenwood, Wilkin.
Replacements: McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Tasi, Richards, Knowles.
Hull FC: Shaul; Naughton, Fonua, Yeaman, Talanoa; Pryce, Sneyd; Taylor, Houghton, Watts, Washbrook, Minichiello, Ellis.
Replacements: Green, Thompson, Hadley, Bowden.
Referee: Richard Silverwood |
Add punctuation: AMC Networks said production on the eighth season of the hit zombie TV series was "temporarily" shut down after Wednesday's "tragic" accident.
A coroner in Georgia confirmed Bernecker died of blunt force trauma in hospital in Atlanta.
The stuntman's other credits include Black Panther, Logan and the 2015 version of Fantastic Four.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who plays Negan in The Walking Dead, paid tribute on Twitter. "Deep sorrow today, and for every tomorrow," he wrote.
"Love, respect, and condolences to johns family, and friends. He will be forever missed."
Kellan Lutz, a star of the Twilight film series, remembered Bernecker as "one of the best, most talented stuntmen I have ever been blessed to work with."
A statement posted by the LifeLink Foundation, an organ donor network, said: "The family of John Bernecker is heartbroken to confirm that John has passed away from injuries sustained earlier this week.
"Although devastated by their loss, John's loved ones have ensured his legacy will live on, not only through the personal and professional contributions he made during his life, but also by their generous decision to allow John to save lives as an organ donor."
The Walking Dead showrunner Scott M Gimple said: "Our production is heartbroken by the tragic loss of John Bernecker.
"John's work on The Walking Dead and dozens of other movies and shows will continue to entertain and excite audiences for generations. We are grateful for his contributions, and all of us send our condolences, love, and prayers to John's family and friends."
AMC said Bernecker's family had decided that he would be removed from life support following organ donation.
"We are deeply saddened by this loss and our hearts and prayers are with John's family, friends and colleagues during this extremely difficult time," the network said in a statement.
The actors' union SAG-AFTRA described Bernecker's death as "heartbreaking".
It added: "The safety of our members is paramount. We will work with the authorities and closely monitor their investigations into this tragic incident."
The programme stars Andrew Lincoln, Danai Gurira, Norman Reedus and Cohan as the survivors of an epidemic that has wiped out much of humanity after a zombie apocalypse.
Based on the comic books by Robert Kirkman, the show is due to return to screens in October.
Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk. | AMC Networks said production on the eighth season of the hit zombie TV series was "temporarily" shut down after Wednesday's "tragic" accident.
A coroner in Georgia confirmed Bernecker died of blunt force trauma in hospital in Atlanta.
The stuntman's other credits include Black Panther, Logan and the 2015 version of Fantastic Four.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who plays Negan in The Walking Dead, paid tribute on Twitter. "Deep sorrow today, and for every tomorrow," he wrote.
"Love, respect, and condolences to johns family, and friends. He will be forever missed."
Kellan Lutz, a star of the Twilight film series, remembered Bernecker as "one of the best, most talented stuntmen I have ever been blessed to work with."
A statement posted by the LifeLink Foundation, an organ donor network, said: "The family of John Bernecker is heartbroken to confirm that John has passed away from injuries sustained earlier this week.
"Although devastated by their loss, John's loved ones have ensured his legacy will live on, not only through the personal and professional contributions he made during his life, but also by their generous decision to allow John to save lives as an organ donor."
The Walking Dead showrunner Scott M Gimple said: "Our production is heartbroken by the tragic loss of John Bernecker.
"John's work on The Walking Dead and dozens of other movies and shows will continue to entertain and excite audiences for generations. We are grateful for his contributions, and all of us send our condolences, love, and prayers to John's family and friends."
AMC said Bernecker's family had decided that he would be removed from life support following organ donation.
"We are deeply saddened by this loss and our hearts and prayers are with John's family, friends and colleagues during this extremely difficult time," the network said in a statement.
The actors' union SAG-AFTRA described Bernecker's death as "heartbreaking".
It added: "The safety of our members is paramount. We will work with the authorities and closely monitor their investigations into this tragic incident."
The programme stars Andrew Lincoln, Danai Gurira, Norman Reedus and Cohan as the survivors of an epidemic that has wiped out much of humanity after a zombie apocalypse.
Based on the comic books by Robert Kirkman, the show is due to return to screens in October.
Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk. |
Add punctuation: All seven candidates have pledged to keep the process peaceful but an opposition supporter died when a rally tuned violent on Monday.
The campaign has been dominated by the faltering state of Ghana's economy and the issue of corruption.
Results are expected within three days.
A run-off will be held later in the month if neither of the two main candidates secures more than 50% of the votes.
In Tema, where I'm registered, I found a queue of men and women waiting for voting to start. The first in one of the queues, Alfred Aggrey, told me he arrived five hours earlier. Many wanted to get on with their day's business.
Loud noises of disapproval rung out when polling officers positioned the voting booths away from the crowd. People demanded that the booths be made to face them so they could see people going in to thumbprint only the assigned ballot papers and no other papers that they suspected could be smuggled in.
After a few minutes of shouting at the officers, their request was carried out to cheers of approval.
Many Ghanaians began queuing at polling stations overnight.
"I needed to register the strong feeling I have about this country with my thumb and the least I could do was to sacrifice sleep," Comfort Laryea, a 78-year-old who had waited to vote since 04:00 in the capital, Accra, told the Reuters news agency.
For many, the economy is the main issue.
"We need change in Ghana because things are very difficult," taxi driver Stephen Antwi Boasiako told the AP news agency. "This country has a lot of resources that can provide good jobs, but they're not used."
Police have told voters to go home after casting their votes, Joy FM reported.
The candidates signed a pact last week vowing to follow electoral rules and keep the peace.
But clashes broke out on Monday in Chereponi, a small northern town on the border with Togo. In addition to the reported death, six people are said to be in a critical condition as a result.
Thousands of domestic and foreign election observers have been deployed at the nearly 29,000 polling stations across the country.
Defeat for Mr Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would make him the first incumbent to lose an election since Ghana returned to multi-party democracy.
He has been nicknamed "Mr Dumsor", a local word that refers to the power cuts that have blighted the country during his term, but on the campaign trial has been trying to convince Ghanaians that he is delivering on his promise of creating more jobs.
Mr Akufo-Addo meanwhile has promised free high-school education and more factories, but his critics have questioned the viability of his ambitions.
NDC candidate: John Dramani Mahama, 58
Can 'Mr Power Cut' John Mahama win a second term?
NPP candidate: Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, 72
Third time lucky for opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo? | All seven candidates have pledged to keep the process peaceful but an opposition supporter died when a rally tuned violent on Monday.
The campaign has been dominated by the faltering state of Ghana's economy and the issue of corruption.
Results are expected within three days.
A run-off will be held later in the month if neither of the two main candidates secures more than 50% of the votes.
In Tema, where I'm registered, I found a queue of men and women waiting for voting to start. The first in one of the queues, Alfred Aggrey, told me he arrived five hours earlier. Many wanted to get on with their day's business.
Loud noises of disapproval rung out when polling officers positioned the voting booths away from the crowd. People demanded that the booths be made to face them so they could see people going in to thumbprint only the assigned ballot papers and no other papers that they suspected could be smuggled in.
After a few minutes of shouting at the officers, their request was carried out to cheers of approval.
Many Ghanaians began queuing at polling stations overnight.
"I needed to register the strong feeling I have about this country with my thumb and the least I could do was to sacrifice sleep," Comfort Laryea, a 78-year-old who had waited to vote since 04:00 in the capital, Accra, told the Reuters news agency.
For many, the economy is the main issue.
"We need change in Ghana because things are very difficult," taxi driver Stephen Antwi Boasiako told the AP news agency. "This country has a lot of resources that can provide good jobs, but they're not used."
Police have told voters to go home after casting their votes, Joy FM reported.
The candidates signed a pact last week vowing to follow electoral rules and keep the peace.
But clashes broke out on Monday in Chereponi, a small northern town on the border with Togo. In addition to the reported death, six people are said to be in a critical condition as a result.
Thousands of domestic and foreign election observers have been deployed at the nearly 29,000 polling stations across the country.
Defeat for Mr Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would make him the first incumbent to lose an election since Ghana returned to multi-party democracy.
He has been nicknamed "Mr Dumsor", a local word that refers to the power cuts that have blighted the country during his term, but on the campaign trial has been trying to convince Ghanaians that he is delivering on his promise of creating more jobs.
Mr Akufo-Addo meanwhile has promised free high-school education and more factories, but his critics have questioned the viability of his ambitions.
NDC candidate: John Dramani Mahama, 58
Can 'Mr Power Cut' John Mahama win a second term?
NPP candidate: Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, 72
Third time lucky for opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo? |
Add punctuation: Ronnie Coulter, 48, from Wishaw, denies murdering Mr Chhokar, 32, in Overtown, North Lanarkshire, on 4 November 1998.
He has lodged a special defence blaming his nephew Andrew Coulter, and another man, David Montgomery.
Judge Lord Matthews told jurors: "In order to convict Ronnie Coulter you must be convinced he used a knife and stabbed the deceased."
At the High Court in Glasgow, the judge told the 10 women and four men to take as much time as they needed.
Lord Matthews said: "It's not a case where you want to rush to judgement and I'm sure you won't do that."
The judge also told the jurors there were three verdicts open to them - guilty, not guilty or not proven.
The jury has already heard that Ronnie Coulter, his nephew Andrew and Mr Montgomery went to see Mr Chhokar on the night he died following a row over a £100 Giro cheque.
After an altercation, Mr Chhokar collapsed in front of his partner Liz Bryce.
He was stabbed three times in the chest and one of the blows pierced his heart, resulting in his death from massive blood loss.
The court has also heard how Ronnie Coulter was previously tried for Mr Chhokar's murder in 1999, but cleared of the charge.
Andrew Coulter, who was convicted of stabbing and killing another man in 1999, and Mr Montgomery, were also cleared of Mr Chhokar's murder at another trial in 2000.
Both men have given evidence during the most recent trial and admitted being there on the night Mr Chhokar died, but they denied murder. | Ronnie Coulter, 48, from Wishaw, denies murdering Mr Chhokar, 32, in Overtown, North Lanarkshire, on 4 November 1998.
He has lodged a special defence blaming his nephew Andrew Coulter, and another man, David Montgomery.
Judge Lord Matthews told jurors: "In order to convict Ronnie Coulter you must be convinced he used a knife and stabbed the deceased."
At the High Court in Glasgow, the judge told the 10 women and four men to take as much time as they needed.
Lord Matthews said: "It's not a case where you want to rush to judgement and I'm sure you won't do that."
The judge also told the jurors there were three verdicts open to them - guilty, not guilty or not proven.
The jury has already heard that Ronnie Coulter, his nephew Andrew and Mr Montgomery went to see Mr Chhokar on the night he died following a row over a £100 Giro cheque.
After an altercation, Mr Chhokar collapsed in front of his partner Liz Bryce.
He was stabbed three times in the chest and one of the blows pierced his heart, resulting in his death from massive blood loss.
The court has also heard how Ronnie Coulter was previously tried for Mr Chhokar's murder in 1999, but cleared of the charge.
Andrew Coulter, who was convicted of stabbing and killing another man in 1999, and Mr Montgomery, were also cleared of Mr Chhokar's murder at another trial in 2000.
Both men have given evidence during the most recent trial and admitted being there on the night Mr Chhokar died, but they denied murder. |
Add punctuation: The Glasgow City Alcohol and Drug Partnership said about 500 vulnerable drug users injected in public places.
It said these people were responsible for the majority of discarded needles which posed a health risk and also contributed to public order problems.
The partnership will examine if an injecting area, like those in Europe, Canada and Australia, could help here.
If such a facility was approved, it would be the first of its kind in the UK.
The Glasgow City Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) is a multi-agency group tasked by the Scottish government with tackling alcohol and drug issues.
ADP chair, Susanne Millar, said: "There are approximately 5,500 drug injectors in Glasgow with around 500 of these injecting in public in the city centre.
"While this is a tiny percentage of the city's population, it has a huge level of need and consists of a huge cost to the public purse.
"We need to make our communities safer for all people living in and visiting the city, including those who publicly inject."
ADP said the majority are people who injected drugs in public places experienced problems such as homelessness, mental health issues, recent imprisonment and poverty.
They were at heightened risk of blood-borne viruses, overdose and drug-related death, and other injecting-related complications such as serious bacterial infections.
The partnership said that in 2015 there was an HIV outbreak in Glasgow, with 47 new infections compared to the previously consistent annual average of 10.
There were also several other outbreaks of serious infectious diseases such as botulism and anthrax.
ADP will look at the case piloting a medically supervised injecting facility in Glasgow city centre, extending the existing opioid substitution therapy services to include heroin-assisted treatment and developing a peer support network for harm reduction.
Dr Emilia Crighton, director of public health at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and vice chair of the ADP, said: "We are decades behind other countries in the way we tackle this problem.
"Our ultimate goal is for drug users to recover from their addiction and remain drug free.
"However, until someone is ready to seek and receive help to stop using drugs it is important to keep them as safe as possible while do they continue to use drugs." | The Glasgow City Alcohol and Drug Partnership said about 500 vulnerable drug users injected in public places.
It said these people were responsible for the majority of discarded needles which posed a health risk and also contributed to public order problems.
The partnership will examine if an injecting area, like those in Europe, Canada and Australia, could help here.
If such a facility was approved, it would be the first of its kind in the UK.
The Glasgow City Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) is a multi-agency group tasked by the Scottish government with tackling alcohol and drug issues.
ADP chair, Susanne Millar, said: "There are approximately 5,500 drug injectors in Glasgow with around 500 of these injecting in public in the city centre.
"While this is a tiny percentage of the city's population, it has a huge level of need and consists of a huge cost to the public purse.
"We need to make our communities safer for all people living in and visiting the city, including those who publicly inject."
ADP said the majority are people who injected drugs in public places experienced problems such as homelessness, mental health issues, recent imprisonment and poverty.
They were at heightened risk of blood-borne viruses, overdose and drug-related death, and other injecting-related complications such as serious bacterial infections.
The partnership said that in 2015 there was an HIV outbreak in Glasgow, with 47 new infections compared to the previously consistent annual average of 10.
There were also several other outbreaks of serious infectious diseases such as botulism and anthrax.
ADP will look at the case piloting a medically supervised injecting facility in Glasgow city centre, extending the existing opioid substitution therapy services to include heroin-assisted treatment and developing a peer support network for harm reduction.
Dr Emilia Crighton, director of public health at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and vice chair of the ADP, said: "We are decades behind other countries in the way we tackle this problem.
"Our ultimate goal is for drug users to recover from their addiction and remain drug free.
"However, until someone is ready to seek and receive help to stop using drugs it is important to keep them as safe as possible while do they continue to use drugs." |
Add punctuation: The verdict of history on all prime ministers after they leave office remains hotly disputed, but few in modern times have been subject to as much hostility as Tony Blair.
To a controversial premiership, which ended in May in 2007, Mr Blair has added a still more controversial post-premiership.
We need to examine both, the premiership and what followed it, if we are to understand why he has become the most reviled former prime minister since 1945.
Mr Blair succeeded to the leadership in July 1994 and set about "modernising" the Labour Party so it embraced rather than rejected capitalism, and sought to rule in the interests of the whole country, not just the working class and trade unions.
Coming to power after four election defeats for Labour in a row, 1979, 1983, 1987, and 1992, Mr Blair's formula proved outstandingly successful.
He won the general election in May 1997, with a landslide victory against the discredited Conservative government, won again with a landslide in 2001, and won a third time, albeit it with a smaller majority, in 2005. No Labour leader in history ever won three election victories and lost none.
One would expect the Labour Party to revere Mr Blair as its greatest electoral asset. But the opposite is true.
He is reviled by many in the party, and his supporters are in decline as a new generation of Labour MPs has entered Parliament, rejecting Mr Blair and the way he tried to rid their party of its left-wing elements.
Mr Blair was more successful as a party leader winning elections than he was as a governing prime minister.
Fulfilment of his moderate reforming agenda was hampered for several years because of the antipathy of his chancellor, Gordon Brown, who increasingly resented Mr Blair, and wanted him out of Downing Street so that he could take his place.
This gave birth to the struggle that characterised the decade 1997-2007, between "Blairites" and "Brownites".
The former could be found on the centre-right of the party, the latter on the centre-left. Many Labour supporters cannot forgive these two men for what they see as allowing personal acrimony to squander the best opportunity in a generation for advancing the cause of working people.
Mr Blair began with as much support on the right of British politics as on the left, although his perceived failure to control immigration led ultimately to the ire of the right.
It was Mr Blair's foreign policy, though, that was to produce the biggest controversy of his premiership, including protests in London and across the country.
His support for US President George W Bush in the invasion of Iraq in March 2003 was the most disputed foreign policy decision by a British prime minister since Anthony Eden decided British troops should invade Egypt in 1956.
The manner of Mr Blair's decision was hotly disputed, including question marks over whether he had misled the country to build his case for committing British troops.
He might have been forgiven had the American-led invasion been a success, but its spectacular failure to bring peace to Iraq led to many years of recrimination.
Mr Blair, ironically, enjoyed his most successful period of governing in his final few years in Downing Street, when he had learnt, as he himself admitted, how to manage the job.
But Mr Brown's succession as prime minister in May 2007 could not calm the angst surrounding him.
Thus begins part two of our story, the post-premiership. Mr Blair outlined a very ambitious prospectus for his life after Downing Street. He became the UN's "Middle East Envoy" and worked to bring peace to the Arab-Israeli conflict.
He also had ambitious plans for Africa, for helping world religions to understand each other, and a host of other good causes.
This was an admirable programme, which should have earned him approbation rather than opprobrium.
The fact remains though that almost a decade after leaving Number 10, Mr Blair's public standing is even lower.
The lack of palpable progress in the Middle East, in Africa, and in world religions, do not of themselves explain the hostility.
Rather, it has been his contacts with regimes and individuals of questionable morality, and his money-making activities and his homes, all of which have been regularly aired by a profoundly suspicious press, that seem to have caused the damage.
Members of the Labour Party cannot understand why it is necessary for their former leader to make so much money and to be travelling the world in private jets.
Here, he suffers in contrast to Mr Brown, whose years since being removed from Downing Street in May 2010 have been characterised by modest living and circumspection, together with a few well-judged interventions, as during the final days of the Scottish referendum campaign in September 2014.
Mr Blair's standing remains far higher abroad, notably in the United States, than in the UK.
It may be some time before the reputation of this former giant of the world stage begins to rise again.
Sir Anthony Seldon is headmaster of Wellington College and vice-chancellor of the University of Buckingham. A noted political historian, he has written biographies of John Major, Gordon Brown and Tony Blair and is currently working on David Cameron's official biography. | The verdict of history on all prime ministers after they leave office remains hotly disputed, but few in modern times have been subject to as much hostility as Tony Blair.
To a controversial premiership, which ended in May in 2007, Mr Blair has added a still more controversial post-premiership.
We need to examine both, the premiership and what followed it, if we are to understand why he has become the most reviled former prime minister since 1945.
Mr Blair succeeded to the leadership in July 1994 and set about "modernising" the Labour Party so it embraced rather than rejected capitalism, and sought to rule in the interests of the whole country, not just the working class and trade unions.
Coming to power after four election defeats for Labour in a row, 1979, 1983, 1987, and 1992, Mr Blair's formula proved outstandingly successful.
He won the general election in May 1997, with a landslide victory against the discredited Conservative government, won again with a landslide in 2001, and won a third time, albeit it with a smaller majority, in 2005. No Labour leader in history ever won three election victories and lost none.
One would expect the Labour Party to revere Mr Blair as its greatest electoral asset. But the opposite is true.
He is reviled by many in the party, and his supporters are in decline as a new generation of Labour MPs has entered Parliament, rejecting Mr Blair and the way he tried to rid their party of its left-wing elements.
Mr Blair was more successful as a party leader winning elections than he was as a governing prime minister.
Fulfilment of his moderate reforming agenda was hampered for several years because of the antipathy of his chancellor, Gordon Brown, who increasingly resented Mr Blair, and wanted him out of Downing Street so that he could take his place.
This gave birth to the struggle that characterised the decade 1997-2007, between "Blairites" and "Brownites".
The former could be found on the centre-right of the party, the latter on the centre-left. Many Labour supporters cannot forgive these two men for what they see as allowing personal acrimony to squander the best opportunity in a generation for advancing the cause of working people.
Mr Blair began with as much support on the right of British politics as on the left, although his perceived failure to control immigration led ultimately to the ire of the right.
It was Mr Blair's foreign policy, though, that was to produce the biggest controversy of his premiership, including protests in London and across the country.
His support for US President George W Bush in the invasion of Iraq in March 2003 was the most disputed foreign policy decision by a British prime minister since Anthony Eden decided British troops should invade Egypt in 1956.
The manner of Mr Blair's decision was hotly disputed, including question marks over whether he had misled the country to build his case for committing British troops.
He might have been forgiven had the American-led invasion been a success, but its spectacular failure to bring peace to Iraq led to many years of recrimination.
Mr Blair, ironically, enjoyed his most successful period of governing in his final few years in Downing Street, when he had learnt, as he himself admitted, how to manage the job.
But Mr Brown's succession as prime minister in May 2007 could not calm the angst surrounding him.
Thus begins part two of our story, the post-premiership. Mr Blair outlined a very ambitious prospectus for his life after Downing Street. He became the UN's "Middle East Envoy" and worked to bring peace to the Arab-Israeli conflict.
He also had ambitious plans for Africa, for helping world religions to understand each other, and a host of other good causes.
This was an admirable programme, which should have earned him approbation rather than opprobrium.
The fact remains though that almost a decade after leaving Number 10, Mr Blair's public standing is even lower.
The lack of palpable progress in the Middle East, in Africa, and in world religions, do not of themselves explain the hostility.
Rather, it has been his contacts with regimes and individuals of questionable morality, and his money-making activities and his homes, all of which have been regularly aired by a profoundly suspicious press, that seem to have caused the damage.
Members of the Labour Party cannot understand why it is necessary for their former leader to make so much money and to be travelling the world in private jets.
Here, he suffers in contrast to Mr Brown, whose years since being removed from Downing Street in May 2010 have been characterised by modest living and circumspection, together with a few well-judged interventions, as during the final days of the Scottish referendum campaign in September 2014.
Mr Blair's standing remains far higher abroad, notably in the United States, than in the UK.
It may be some time before the reputation of this former giant of the world stage begins to rise again.
Sir Anthony Seldon is headmaster of Wellington College and vice-chancellor of the University of Buckingham. A noted political historian, he has written biographies of John Major, Gordon Brown and Tony Blair and is currently working on David Cameron's official biography. |
Add punctuation: Teignbridge District Council said the 30ft (9.1m) fin whale, which was found on Red Rock Beach near Dawlish, will be removed by contractors.
The London Zoological Society has taken samples from the whale as part of a research project into strandings around the UK.
People again turned out to see the whale, which has been cordoned off.
More on the washed up whale, and other Devon and Cornwall news
The council, which has begun work to remove the whale, has advised members of the public not to approach the badly-decomposed carcass.
Councillor Humphrey Clemens said: "This is a very unusual and unfortunate situation and it's not going to be an easy job.
"We would ask people to respect the cordon around the whale and keep their dogs on a lead."
A council spokesman said it would know the cost "when the removal has been complete".
She said: "Our focus right now is doing the job carefully, safely and appropriately. We will, of course, look to recover costs where we can." | Teignbridge District Council said the 30ft (9.1m) fin whale, which was found on Red Rock Beach near Dawlish, will be removed by contractors.
The London Zoological Society has taken samples from the whale as part of a research project into strandings around the UK.
People again turned out to see the whale, which has been cordoned off.
More on the washed up whale, and other Devon and Cornwall news
The council, which has begun work to remove the whale, has advised members of the public not to approach the badly-decomposed carcass.
Councillor Humphrey Clemens said: "This is a very unusual and unfortunate situation and it's not going to be an easy job.
"We would ask people to respect the cordon around the whale and keep their dogs on a lead."
A council spokesman said it would know the cost "when the removal has been complete".
She said: "Our focus right now is doing the job carefully, safely and appropriately. We will, of course, look to recover costs where we can." |
Add punctuation: Sheikh Abid Gulzar said he agreed the deal with owner Cuerden Leisure on Wednesday.
He would not disclose the cost, but the BBC understands it is less than the £5.5m asking price when the pier was last for sale in 2009.
Cuerden said the sale was not completed and it would comment later.
About one third of the 1870 Grade II* listed structure was destroyed in the blaze on 30 July 2014.
It was partially reopened in September 2014 but a large section remains empty.
The pier was put up for sale this summer when Eastbourne Borough Council refused Cuerden Leisure permission to install temporary children's rides on the vacant section of the structure.
Sheikh Gulzar, who owns two hotels in Eastbourne and another near Hailsham, said he was now "the daddy of the pier" but would work with the council to ensure any plans had its full approval.
"I have got a lot of love and affection for it and I will look after it," he said.
"I can see the pier from my bedroom."
Cuerden director St John Stott said: "A sale of Eastbourne Pier did not complete yesterday.
"We will let you have a statement if and when anything happens."
Chamber of Commerce chief executive Christina Ewbank said she was delighted a local business person was investing in the pier.
"If Abid Gulzar is looking at a series of changing events that will bring people on to the pier that can only be good," she said.
Council leader David Tutt said the council was keen to work with whoever owned the pier to ensure it remained the landmark attraction for Eastbourne. | Sheikh Abid Gulzar said he agreed the deal with owner Cuerden Leisure on Wednesday.
He would not disclose the cost, but the BBC understands it is less than the £5.5m asking price when the pier was last for sale in 2009.
Cuerden said the sale was not completed and it would comment later.
About one third of the 1870 Grade II* listed structure was destroyed in the blaze on 30 July 2014.
It was partially reopened in September 2014 but a large section remains empty.
The pier was put up for sale this summer when Eastbourne Borough Council refused Cuerden Leisure permission to install temporary children's rides on the vacant section of the structure.
Sheikh Gulzar, who owns two hotels in Eastbourne and another near Hailsham, said he was now "the daddy of the pier" but would work with the council to ensure any plans had its full approval.
"I have got a lot of love and affection for it and I will look after it," he said.
"I can see the pier from my bedroom."
Cuerden director St John Stott said: "A sale of Eastbourne Pier did not complete yesterday.
"We will let you have a statement if and when anything happens."
Chamber of Commerce chief executive Christina Ewbank said she was delighted a local business person was investing in the pier.
"If Abid Gulzar is looking at a series of changing events that will bring people on to the pier that can only be good," she said.
Council leader David Tutt said the council was keen to work with whoever owned the pier to ensure it remained the landmark attraction for Eastbourne. |
Add punctuation: The Philippines had pushed for the 10-member Asean group to mention an international tribunal's recent rejection of China's claims in the sea.
But Chinese ally Cambodia had blocked such a move, in what is seen as a diplomatic victory for China.
One Southeast Asian diplomat told AFP a "compromise" had been reached.
The statement says Asean remains "seriously concerned" over recent developments in the sea "which have eroded trust and confidence".
It does not mention China directly.
Asean foreign ministers were meeting for the first time since the ruling on 12 July by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which found there was no evidence that China had historically exercised exclusive control over the waters or resources in a case brought by the Philippines.
China, which claims almost all of the South China Sea, including reefs and islands also claimed by others, called the ruling "ill-founded" and said it would not be bound by it.
US Secretary of State John Kerry and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi are also in Laos for regional meetings.
Over the weekend it had been feared that Asean ministers would fail to issue a joint statement for just the second time in the grouping's history.
The last time was in 2012, and also stemmed from Cambodian opposition to language used about the territorial dispute.
Mr Wang had earlier praised Cambodia's support for China's stance, Xinhua news agency reported.
Beijing has in recent years provided generous aid packages and loans to Cambodia, one of the region's poorest countries.
Asean (the Association of South-East Asian Nations) is made up of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
Along with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei also have claims on the South China Sea, as does non-Asean Taiwan. | The Philippines had pushed for the 10-member Asean group to mention an international tribunal's recent rejection of China's claims in the sea.
But Chinese ally Cambodia had blocked such a move, in what is seen as a diplomatic victory for China.
One Southeast Asian diplomat told AFP a "compromise" had been reached.
The statement says Asean remains "seriously concerned" over recent developments in the sea "which have eroded trust and confidence".
It does not mention China directly.
Asean foreign ministers were meeting for the first time since the ruling on 12 July by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which found there was no evidence that China had historically exercised exclusive control over the waters or resources in a case brought by the Philippines.
China, which claims almost all of the South China Sea, including reefs and islands also claimed by others, called the ruling "ill-founded" and said it would not be bound by it.
US Secretary of State John Kerry and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi are also in Laos for regional meetings.
Over the weekend it had been feared that Asean ministers would fail to issue a joint statement for just the second time in the grouping's history.
The last time was in 2012, and also stemmed from Cambodian opposition to language used about the territorial dispute.
Mr Wang had earlier praised Cambodia's support for China's stance, Xinhua news agency reported.
Beijing has in recent years provided generous aid packages and loans to Cambodia, one of the region's poorest countries.
Asean (the Association of South-East Asian Nations) is made up of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
Along with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei also have claims on the South China Sea, as does non-Asean Taiwan. |
Add punctuation: But disruption was better managed than previous nights, the union said, with extra security and riot officers helping to control the situation.
It is unclear if migrants accessed UK-bound vehicles, they said.
It comes as French police figures suggested 70% of migrants processed in Calais leave within four months.
"They cannot ascertain whether these migrants leave to go elsewhere in France, or whether they enter the UK," Kent Police Chief Constable Alan Pughsley told the UK Parliament's Home Affairs Select Committee.
The prime minister's official spokeswoman stressed there was "no evidence" all of those leaving Calais were reaching the UK.
"Indeed, there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that some will be seeking opportunities elsewhere in France or elsewhere in Europe," she added.
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond will later chair a meeting of the government's Cobra contingencies committee to discuss the latest on the crisis.
Eurotunnel passenger services are currently disrupted, with trains leaving later than planned, and some DFDS ferry sailings are also delayed.
It is estimated there are 3,000 migrants in the Calais area, and many are continuing their attempts to reach the UK by crossing the Channel.
There have been thousands of attempts to access the Eurotunnel terminal in recent weeks. Nine people have died trying to access the tunnel since the start of June.
Some attempt to stow away on lorries headed for the Eurotunnel, or climb or cut security fences to try to hide on Eurotunnel shuttles.
The French police union said 1,000 people were pushed back by a line of riot police on Sunday night. Some 700 were physically removed from the freight terminal or restrained, they said.
One man was arrested and a police officer was left with minor facial injuries after being hit by a rock.
The figures do not necessarily mean 1,700 people tried to make it into the Channel Tunnel, the BBC's Gavin Lee said, as some may have made more than one attempt during the course of the night.
The number of intrusions was the highest since last Monday night, according to the figures, which also revealed:
No figures for Saturday night were released.
At the scene: BBC News correspondent Gavin Lee
The word amongst the migrants in the so called "Jungle" camp is that Monday night will be the biggest attempt so far to break into the Channel Tunnel freight terminal.
Whether it's rumour or reality, French riot police are already preparing for another big test of their security operation, with officers stationed at potentially vulnerable spots along the terminal's 10 mile perimeter.
Meanwhile, the dynamic has changed at the Jungle, six miles away from the terminal.
Some of the estimated 3,000 migrants who've been living rough in makeshift tents have abandoned the camp and are now sleeping in fields closer to the train terminal in Coquelles, presenting a new problem for police trying to monitor increasingly separate groups.
Measures have been brought in to try to tackle the situation in Calais, including police reinforcements, new fencing and surveillance, and a safe zone for UK-bound lorries.
Prime Minister David Cameron has warned illegal immigrants who reach Britain will be deported.
On Monday, it was announced landlords in England would be expected to evict tenants who lose the right to remain in the UK, under new measures to clamp down on illegal immigration.
The director of public affairs for Eurotunnel, John Keefe, said measures to discourage people from coming to Britain in the first place may work in the long term, but wouldn't solve the situation in Calais.
He said the "major problem" was the thousands of migrants living and moving around the Calais area "at will".
"And until the government can do something about removing that group of people and stopping the flow directly to Calais, we're going to remain in this situation," he said.
629
the number of unaccompanied children seeking asylum that require care from Kent county council
220 the equivalent number in March 2014
£5.5m funding shortfall according to the council | But disruption was better managed than previous nights, the union said, with extra security and riot officers helping to control the situation.
It is unclear if migrants accessed UK-bound vehicles, they said.
It comes as French police figures suggested 70% of migrants processed in Calais leave within four months.
"They cannot ascertain whether these migrants leave to go elsewhere in France, or whether they enter the UK," Kent Police Chief Constable Alan Pughsley told the UK Parliament's Home Affairs Select Committee.
The prime minister's official spokeswoman stressed there was "no evidence" all of those leaving Calais were reaching the UK.
"Indeed, there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that some will be seeking opportunities elsewhere in France or elsewhere in Europe," she added.
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond will later chair a meeting of the government's Cobra contingencies committee to discuss the latest on the crisis.
Eurotunnel passenger services are currently disrupted, with trains leaving later than planned, and some DFDS ferry sailings are also delayed.
It is estimated there are 3,000 migrants in the Calais area, and many are continuing their attempts to reach the UK by crossing the Channel.
There have been thousands of attempts to access the Eurotunnel terminal in recent weeks. Nine people have died trying to access the tunnel since the start of June.
Some attempt to stow away on lorries headed for the Eurotunnel, or climb or cut security fences to try to hide on Eurotunnel shuttles.
The French police union said 1,000 people were pushed back by a line of riot police on Sunday night. Some 700 were physically removed from the freight terminal or restrained, they said.
One man was arrested and a police officer was left with minor facial injuries after being hit by a rock.
The figures do not necessarily mean 1,700 people tried to make it into the Channel Tunnel, the BBC's Gavin Lee said, as some may have made more than one attempt during the course of the night.
The number of intrusions was the highest since last Monday night, according to the figures, which also revealed:
No figures for Saturday night were released.
At the scene: BBC News correspondent Gavin Lee
The word amongst the migrants in the so called "Jungle" camp is that Monday night will be the biggest attempt so far to break into the Channel Tunnel freight terminal.
Whether it's rumour or reality, French riot police are already preparing for another big test of their security operation, with officers stationed at potentially vulnerable spots along the terminal's 10 mile perimeter.
Meanwhile, the dynamic has changed at the Jungle, six miles away from the terminal.
Some of the estimated 3,000 migrants who've been living rough in makeshift tents have abandoned the camp and are now sleeping in fields closer to the train terminal in Coquelles, presenting a new problem for police trying to monitor increasingly separate groups.
Measures have been brought in to try to tackle the situation in Calais, including police reinforcements, new fencing and surveillance, and a safe zone for UK-bound lorries.
Prime Minister David Cameron has warned illegal immigrants who reach Britain will be deported.
On Monday, it was announced landlords in England would be expected to evict tenants who lose the right to remain in the UK, under new measures to clamp down on illegal immigration.
The director of public affairs for Eurotunnel, John Keefe, said measures to discourage people from coming to Britain in the first place may work in the long term, but wouldn't solve the situation in Calais.
He said the "major problem" was the thousands of migrants living and moving around the Calais area "at will".
"And until the government can do something about removing that group of people and stopping the flow directly to Calais, we're going to remain in this situation," he said.
629
the number of unaccompanied children seeking asylum that require care from Kent county council
220 the equivalent number in March 2014
£5.5m funding shortfall according to the council |
Add punctuation: Belfast couple Robert McKenzie and his wife, Wilma, had just come out of the sea when a gunman opened fire at a beach resort in Sousse.
Three Irish people and at least 15 British were among 38 people killed.
The couple were staying at a hotel about 300 yards from where the shooting happened.
Mr McKenzie said "pandemonium" broke out.
"Everyone was running. I hadn't heard any gunfire," he said.
"I didn't see anything. I didn't hear anything other than people running and I saw horses running back towards us. Where the incident happened, I understand, is three hotels down from us. It was close enough, and close enough to get everyone off the beach on our particular section of it."
He said he had subsequently been told that people had been shot dead.
"We were very upset but the people of Tunisia, all the hotel staff that we have known over the years were very, very nice and they kept apologising to us, they were in tears, they are such beautiful people."
Mr McKenzie said they were very upset by what had happened.
"If they had come to our section of the beach, we'd have been wiped out because we always lay right at the front of the beach and we're never off the beach and wouldn't have had a chance, quite honestly," he said.
"By the grace of God, it didn't happen to us, God was looking after us."
A couple from County Westmeath and a woman from Robinstown, County Meath, are among the dead.
Irish broadcaster RTÉ said the couple had been named locally as Laurence (Larry) and Martina Hayes.
They were in their 50s and came from Athlone. They had one daughter.
Irish woman Lorna Carty, a mother-of-two from from Robinstown in County Meath was also killed.
The Irish government is warning people travelling to Tunisia to "exercise extreme caution". | Belfast couple Robert McKenzie and his wife, Wilma, had just come out of the sea when a gunman opened fire at a beach resort in Sousse.
Three Irish people and at least 15 British were among 38 people killed.
The couple were staying at a hotel about 300 yards from where the shooting happened.
Mr McKenzie said "pandemonium" broke out.
"Everyone was running. I hadn't heard any gunfire," he said.
"I didn't see anything. I didn't hear anything other than people running and I saw horses running back towards us. Where the incident happened, I understand, is three hotels down from us. It was close enough, and close enough to get everyone off the beach on our particular section of it."
He said he had subsequently been told that people had been shot dead.
"We were very upset but the people of Tunisia, all the hotel staff that we have known over the years were very, very nice and they kept apologising to us, they were in tears, they are such beautiful people."
Mr McKenzie said they were very upset by what had happened.
"If they had come to our section of the beach, we'd have been wiped out because we always lay right at the front of the beach and we're never off the beach and wouldn't have had a chance, quite honestly," he said.
"By the grace of God, it didn't happen to us, God was looking after us."
A couple from County Westmeath and a woman from Robinstown, County Meath, are among the dead.
Irish broadcaster RTÉ said the couple had been named locally as Laurence (Larry) and Martina Hayes.
They were in their 50s and came from Athlone. They had one daughter.
Irish woman Lorna Carty, a mother-of-two from from Robinstown in County Meath was also killed.
The Irish government is warning people travelling to Tunisia to "exercise extreme caution". |
Add punctuation: Knox shot a second round seven-under 65 to move to 12 under and two off leader Kevin Kisner, who carded a 66.
Northern Ireland's McIlroy, who is playing despite struggling this week with food poisoning, fell 10 behind the lead after shooting a 72.
Matthew Fitzpatrick is the highest-placed Englishman on seven under.
Fellow countrymen Ross Fisher and Tommy Fleetwood are a shot further behind, while Paul Casey, James Morrison and Danny Willett are five under.
World ranked number two Jordan Spieth had a mixed round of four birdies and four bogeys as the American finished with a 72 as he tumbled down the leaderboard.
Knox, however, is making the most of being a late entrant into the event, having only found out he would be making his WGC debut while playing in the CIMB Classic in Malaysia last Friday.
The 30-year-old from Inverness praised his wife Andrea for making the necessary arrangements - and also stepping in as a temporary caddie.
"My wife was a superstar and she filled out all the forms for us," said Knox.
"While we were playing on Friday she took all the stuff to the Chinese embassy in Kuala Lumpur and had it processed.
"We flew here on Tuesday morning but my caddie didn't have proof of accommodation so he was a day behind us. So when we got here my wife caddied for me.
"We got a stand bag from the pro here and chucked the clubs in and played the quickest practice round ever and she complained heavily for the last nine holes." | Knox shot a second round seven-under 65 to move to 12 under and two off leader Kevin Kisner, who carded a 66.
Northern Ireland's McIlroy, who is playing despite struggling this week with food poisoning, fell 10 behind the lead after shooting a 72.
Matthew Fitzpatrick is the highest-placed Englishman on seven under.
Fellow countrymen Ross Fisher and Tommy Fleetwood are a shot further behind, while Paul Casey, James Morrison and Danny Willett are five under.
World ranked number two Jordan Spieth had a mixed round of four birdies and four bogeys as the American finished with a 72 as he tumbled down the leaderboard.
Knox, however, is making the most of being a late entrant into the event, having only found out he would be making his WGC debut while playing in the CIMB Classic in Malaysia last Friday.
The 30-year-old from Inverness praised his wife Andrea for making the necessary arrangements - and also stepping in as a temporary caddie.
"My wife was a superstar and she filled out all the forms for us," said Knox.
"While we were playing on Friday she took all the stuff to the Chinese embassy in Kuala Lumpur and had it processed.
"We flew here on Tuesday morning but my caddie didn't have proof of accommodation so he was a day behind us. So when we got here my wife caddied for me.
"We got a stand bag from the pro here and chucked the clubs in and played the quickest practice round ever and she complained heavily for the last nine holes." |
Add punctuation: Police reported Aubrey McClendon, 56, was the only person in the vehicle when it smashed into a concrete pillar.
He was charged on Tuesday with conspiring with two energy companies to rig the price of oil and gas contracts.
Mr McClendon, who stepped down from Chesapeake in 2013, denied the charges.
In a statement on Tuesday, he said: "Anyone who knows me, my business record and the industry in which I have worked for 35 years, knows that I could not be guilty of violating any antitrust laws."
Police are still investigating the cause of the accident, but said the car was so badly burnt it was difficult to tell if Mr McClendon had been wearing a seatbelt.
A spokesperson for Oklahoma City police said the former energy boss "drove straight into the wall".
On Tuesday, the Department of Justice accused Mr McClendon of having been involved in an anti-trust scheme between 2007 and 2012.
The scheme involved two companies - which the Justice Department did not name - deciding who would have the winning bid for oil and gas leases ahead of the offer and then splitting the contract after it was awarded.
Mr McClendon stepped down as the head of Chesapeake Energy in 2013 amid concerns about his heavy spending and its corporate governance. He was considered to be one of the fathers of the US fracking industry.
He went on to found American Energy Partners and was was also a co-owner of US basketball team the Oklahoma City Thunder. | Police reported Aubrey McClendon, 56, was the only person in the vehicle when it smashed into a concrete pillar.
He was charged on Tuesday with conspiring with two energy companies to rig the price of oil and gas contracts.
Mr McClendon, who stepped down from Chesapeake in 2013, denied the charges.
In a statement on Tuesday, he said: "Anyone who knows me, my business record and the industry in which I have worked for 35 years, knows that I could not be guilty of violating any antitrust laws."
Police are still investigating the cause of the accident, but said the car was so badly burnt it was difficult to tell if Mr McClendon had been wearing a seatbelt.
A spokesperson for Oklahoma City police said the former energy boss "drove straight into the wall".
On Tuesday, the Department of Justice accused Mr McClendon of having been involved in an anti-trust scheme between 2007 and 2012.
The scheme involved two companies - which the Justice Department did not name - deciding who would have the winning bid for oil and gas leases ahead of the offer and then splitting the contract after it was awarded.
Mr McClendon stepped down as the head of Chesapeake Energy in 2013 amid concerns about his heavy spending and its corporate governance. He was considered to be one of the fathers of the US fracking industry.
He went on to found American Energy Partners and was was also a co-owner of US basketball team the Oklahoma City Thunder. |
Add punctuation: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he hoped the intervention would help restore "Mali's constitutional order and territorial integrity".
Thousands of African troops are due to join Malian and French forces to help push back the rebels' offensive.
France intervened on Friday after the Islamists began advancing southwards.
French authorities said they had feared that the rebels would march on the capital, Bamako, creating a grave security threat for the wider region.
On Monday, the Security Council convened in New York for an emergency meeting at France's request.
After the meeting, France's UN ambassador Gerard Araud said his country had the "understanding and support" of the 14 other Security Council members.
But he added that France also wanted the deployment of a West African force to happen "as quickly as possible".
By Barbara PlettBBC UN correspondent
The Security Council's support for the French military intervention is an indication of the deep concern here about the growing strength and control of armed extremist groups in Mali.
Diplomats seem most preoccupied about how quickly African troops can get to the country to help Mali's weak army.
That's the UN plan, but the resolution authorising it envisaged a timeline over many months to prepare for an offensive, alongside a political reconciliation process between the government and nationalist rebels.
That's been disrupted by the Islamist advance and the French intervention. The plan is being fast-tracked now, with African contingents set to arrive in Bamako as early as next week.
Mr Araud said France wanted the Africans to take over the military operation as soon as possible, but he admitted it wasn't clear how this transfer was going to happen. The danger is that the Africans might not be able to take on the Islamists with the West playing only a supporting role, sucking France into a long military engagement.
The force will be deployed under UN Security Council resolution 2085, which was passed in December and allows for a 3,000-strong African-led mission to intervene in Mali later this year in the absence of any negotiated solution.
The African troops are expected in Mali in "coming days and weeks", Mr Araud said, adding that the Nigerian commander of the force was already on the ground.
Mr Ban echoed Mr Araud's call for rapid deployment of an African force.
"The Secretary-General welcomes that bilateral partners are responding, at the request and with the consent of the government of Mali, to its call for assistance to counter the troubling push southward by armed and terrorist groups," his office said in a statement.
However the Islamist advance and French response also "underscore the urgency of implementing all aspects of the resolution".
France says its air strikes have forced back Islamists who took control of northern Mali last year, though the rebels seized one town on Monday.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said the West African force would include 600 troops from Nigeria, 500 each from Niger, Burkina Faso, Togo and Senegal, and 300 from Benin.
He said France's involvement would last "a matter of weeks".
France has sent about 550 troops to the central town of Mopti and to Bamako, and a defence ministry official told Reuters troop numbers would increase to 2,500 in coming days.
At least 11 Malian soldiers and a French helicopter pilot have died in Mali. More than 100 militants are reported to have been killed.
France's war in the desert
Aid workers said many people had been fleeing areas targeted by French air strikes over the past four days.
A spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross said the humanitarian situation was "fast deteriorating"
"Mass displacement of the population has already been observed, casualties have been reported and we're trying our best to address the humanitarian needs of the population," said Ali Naraghi.
France intensified its air strikes on rebel targets over the weekend, with its aircraft also bombing the town of Gao in eastern Mali. On Monday witnesses told AFP news agency that there had been air strikes on Douentza for a fourth consecutive day.
Mali a risk for 'new' Hollande
Residents in several northern towns also told AFP that Islamists in several key northern towns including Gao and Douentza had either fled or taken cover from the air strikes by Monday.
Rebels of the al-Qaeda-linked Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (Mujao), said that France would pay for its intervention.
Meanwhile, Algeria, which has allowed French jets to cross its airspace, said it had closed its long desert border with Mali.
Islamist groups and secular Tuareg rebels took advantage of chaos following a military coup to seize northern Mali in April 2012.
But the Islamists soon took control of the region's major towns, sidelining the Tuaregs.
One Islamist group, Ansar Dine, began pushing further south last week, seizing Konna.
The town has since been recaptured by Malian troops with French aerial support. | UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he hoped the intervention would help restore "Mali's constitutional order and territorial integrity".
Thousands of African troops are due to join Malian and French forces to help push back the rebels' offensive.
France intervened on Friday after the Islamists began advancing southwards.
French authorities said they had feared that the rebels would march on the capital, Bamako, creating a grave security threat for the wider region.
On Monday, the Security Council convened in New York for an emergency meeting at France's request.
After the meeting, France's UN ambassador Gerard Araud said his country had the "understanding and support" of the 14 other Security Council members.
But he added that France also wanted the deployment of a West African force to happen "as quickly as possible".
By Barbara PlettBBC UN correspondent
The Security Council's support for the French military intervention is an indication of the deep concern here about the growing strength and control of armed extremist groups in Mali.
Diplomats seem most preoccupied about how quickly African troops can get to the country to help Mali's weak army.
That's the UN plan, but the resolution authorising it envisaged a timeline over many months to prepare for an offensive, alongside a political reconciliation process between the government and nationalist rebels.
That's been disrupted by the Islamist advance and the French intervention. The plan is being fast-tracked now, with African contingents set to arrive in Bamako as early as next week.
Mr Araud said France wanted the Africans to take over the military operation as soon as possible, but he admitted it wasn't clear how this transfer was going to happen. The danger is that the Africans might not be able to take on the Islamists with the West playing only a supporting role, sucking France into a long military engagement.
The force will be deployed under UN Security Council resolution 2085, which was passed in December and allows for a 3,000-strong African-led mission to intervene in Mali later this year in the absence of any negotiated solution.
The African troops are expected in Mali in "coming days and weeks", Mr Araud said, adding that the Nigerian commander of the force was already on the ground.
Mr Ban echoed Mr Araud's call for rapid deployment of an African force.
"The Secretary-General welcomes that bilateral partners are responding, at the request and with the consent of the government of Mali, to its call for assistance to counter the troubling push southward by armed and terrorist groups," his office said in a statement.
However the Islamist advance and French response also "underscore the urgency of implementing all aspects of the resolution".
France says its air strikes have forced back Islamists who took control of northern Mali last year, though the rebels seized one town on Monday.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said the West African force would include 600 troops from Nigeria, 500 each from Niger, Burkina Faso, Togo and Senegal, and 300 from Benin.
He said France's involvement would last "a matter of weeks".
France has sent about 550 troops to the central town of Mopti and to Bamako, and a defence ministry official told Reuters troop numbers would increase to 2,500 in coming days.
At least 11 Malian soldiers and a French helicopter pilot have died in Mali. More than 100 militants are reported to have been killed.
France's war in the desert
Aid workers said many people had been fleeing areas targeted by French air strikes over the past four days.
A spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross said the humanitarian situation was "fast deteriorating"
"Mass displacement of the population has already been observed, casualties have been reported and we're trying our best to address the humanitarian needs of the population," said Ali Naraghi.
France intensified its air strikes on rebel targets over the weekend, with its aircraft also bombing the town of Gao in eastern Mali. On Monday witnesses told AFP news agency that there had been air strikes on Douentza for a fourth consecutive day.
Mali a risk for 'new' Hollande
Residents in several northern towns also told AFP that Islamists in several key northern towns including Gao and Douentza had either fled or taken cover from the air strikes by Monday.
Rebels of the al-Qaeda-linked Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (Mujao), said that France would pay for its intervention.
Meanwhile, Algeria, which has allowed French jets to cross its airspace, said it had closed its long desert border with Mali.
Islamist groups and secular Tuareg rebels took advantage of chaos following a military coup to seize northern Mali in April 2012.
But the Islamists soon took control of the region's major towns, sidelining the Tuaregs.
One Islamist group, Ansar Dine, began pushing further south last week, seizing Konna.
The town has since been recaptured by Malian troops with French aerial support. |
Add punctuation: It is alleged Richard Griffin, 64, and William Hammersley, 79, who died in 2012, were exposed to harmful levels of Legionella bacteria from a heated spa display.
JTF Wholesale Limited has pleaded not guilty to two counts of corporate manslaughter.
A trial is expected next year.
The firm also denied four counts of health and safety breaches during a hearing at Stafford Crown Court on Monday.
It is accused of failing to take reasonable care to prevent or control the men's exposure to harmful levels of bacteria at its store in the Fenton area of Stoke.
JTF is also accused of failing to ensure the safety of employees and customers under the Health and Safety at Work Act and failing to prevent or adequately control exposure to substances hazardous to health. | It is alleged Richard Griffin, 64, and William Hammersley, 79, who died in 2012, were exposed to harmful levels of Legionella bacteria from a heated spa display.
JTF Wholesale Limited has pleaded not guilty to two counts of corporate manslaughter.
A trial is expected next year.
The firm also denied four counts of health and safety breaches during a hearing at Stafford Crown Court on Monday.
It is accused of failing to take reasonable care to prevent or control the men's exposure to harmful levels of bacteria at its store in the Fenton area of Stoke.
JTF is also accused of failing to ensure the safety of employees and customers under the Health and Safety at Work Act and failing to prevent or adequately control exposure to substances hazardous to health. |
Add punctuation: Steven Poole, who has since died, often fitted flue connections incorrectly and failed to supply and fit carbon monoxide detectors.
At Haverfordwest Magistrates' Court before his death, he admitted regularly breaching legal requirements.
The council said the burners should be checked as they could be dangerous.
The council said Poole, of Johnston, who traded as SM Poole, also falsely claimed he had correctly carried out the installation and that his work met Hetas (Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme) safety requirements.
Cllr Huw George, cabinet member for environmental and regulatory services, said the council was "very concerned that there could be several hundred incorrectly fitted stoves in the county, which may very likely be unsafe".
Hetas said any stoves fitted by Mr Poole should be tested to ensure they are safe to use.
It has written to 500 people warning them to get their burners checked, but the council said it was not convinced many people had responded.
"We are concerned that a significant number of people may not have responded to the letters and we urge anyone affected to contact Hetas without delay," Mr George added. | Steven Poole, who has since died, often fitted flue connections incorrectly and failed to supply and fit carbon monoxide detectors.
At Haverfordwest Magistrates' Court before his death, he admitted regularly breaching legal requirements.
The council said the burners should be checked as they could be dangerous.
The council said Poole, of Johnston, who traded as SM Poole, also falsely claimed he had correctly carried out the installation and that his work met Hetas (Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme) safety requirements.
Cllr Huw George, cabinet member for environmental and regulatory services, said the council was "very concerned that there could be several hundred incorrectly fitted stoves in the county, which may very likely be unsafe".
Hetas said any stoves fitted by Mr Poole should be tested to ensure they are safe to use.
It has written to 500 people warning them to get their burners checked, but the council said it was not convinced many people had responded.
"We are concerned that a significant number of people may not have responded to the letters and we urge anyone affected to contact Hetas without delay," Mr George added. |
Add punctuation: The incident was reported at the Bekaot checkpoint in the northern West Bank. The soldiers were not injured.
The two Palestinian men, aged 23 and 38, were reported to be from villages south of Jenin.
Tension between Palestinians and Israelis has risen in recent months with a series of violent incidents.
The Palestinian Wafa news agency named those killed as Ali Muhammad Aqqab Abu-Maryam and Said Judah Abu-al-Wafa and said they had been shot "in cold blood".
The Israel Defense Forces said the soldiers had "thwarted the attack and shot the assailants".
Relations between Israelis and Palestinians remain tense amid a wave of attacks on Israelis by Palestinians and some Israeli Arabs which have killed 22 Israelis since the beginning of October.
During that time 149 Palestinians - more than half said by Israel to be attackers - have been shot dead by security forces or their victims. Others have been killed in clashes with Israeli forces.
Overnight, Israeli forces demolished a home in the West Bank belonging to relatives of a Palestinian - Muhannad Halabi - shot dead in October after killing a rabbi in Jerusalem's Old City.
Israel says home demolitions, which have come under international criticism, are a way of discouraging Palestinian attacks.
On Friday, an Israeli Arab wanted for shooting dead three people in Tel Aviv on 1 January was killed by security forces in northern Israel.
Nashat Melhem was followed to a mosque in his home town of Arara and died in a gun battle, police said.
Police said Melhem, 29, was the gunman who killed two Israelis at a bar, then the Israeli Arab driver of a taxi who picked him up after the attack.
Melhem's father, Mohammed, had identified his son as the suspect and reported him to the police. Mohammed Melhem and several relatives have been arrested in connection with the case.
Police have not yet established a motive for the Tel Aviv killings. | The incident was reported at the Bekaot checkpoint in the northern West Bank. The soldiers were not injured.
The two Palestinian men, aged 23 and 38, were reported to be from villages south of Jenin.
Tension between Palestinians and Israelis has risen in recent months with a series of violent incidents.
The Palestinian Wafa news agency named those killed as Ali Muhammad Aqqab Abu-Maryam and Said Judah Abu-al-Wafa and said they had been shot "in cold blood".
The Israel Defense Forces said the soldiers had "thwarted the attack and shot the assailants".
Relations between Israelis and Palestinians remain tense amid a wave of attacks on Israelis by Palestinians and some Israeli Arabs which have killed 22 Israelis since the beginning of October.
During that time 149 Palestinians - more than half said by Israel to be attackers - have been shot dead by security forces or their victims. Others have been killed in clashes with Israeli forces.
Overnight, Israeli forces demolished a home in the West Bank belonging to relatives of a Palestinian - Muhannad Halabi - shot dead in October after killing a rabbi in Jerusalem's Old City.
Israel says home demolitions, which have come under international criticism, are a way of discouraging Palestinian attacks.
On Friday, an Israeli Arab wanted for shooting dead three people in Tel Aviv on 1 January was killed by security forces in northern Israel.
Nashat Melhem was followed to a mosque in his home town of Arara and died in a gun battle, police said.
Police said Melhem, 29, was the gunman who killed two Israelis at a bar, then the Israeli Arab driver of a taxi who picked him up after the attack.
Melhem's father, Mohammed, had identified his son as the suspect and reported him to the police. Mohammed Melhem and several relatives have been arrested in connection with the case.
Police have not yet established a motive for the Tel Aviv killings. |
Add punctuation: Launching the campaign, Mr Jones said voters' decisions were partly based on party leader's performances.
Labour has led the Welsh government since 1999 and Mr Jones has been first minister since 2009.
Rival parties said Labour should be judged on its record, after 17 years in power in Wales.
Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies has previously said of Mr Jones that "it's me or him" on election day.
Asked whether the Labour campaign was too focused on him, at a launch event in Barry Island, Mr Jones said: "We're not a cult, we're not UKIP.
"There are two things here - first, we've got our pledges out already, manifesto next week so all that's coming.
"I know full well that people will look at party leaders, and judge whether that person is up to the job - it's the age that we live in.
"So I'm leading from the front, but of course we've got the policies, the best pledges and the best manifesto next week."
Schools, the NHS and apprenticeships have already been named as priorities.
Labour is currently the largest party in Cardiff Bay, with 30 of the 60 seats in the Senedd.
Mr Jones has previously said it would be Welsh Labour's "toughest ever assembly campaign".
He defended his government's 17 years of uninterrupted rule in Wales but admitted "each election gets harder because our record gets longer".
He said his Labour government had "kept all of our promises" since the last assembly election in 2011, and it would do the same again if returned to power in May.
Asked how his party would avoid a repeat performance of Welsh Labour's poor general election performance in 2015, Mr Jones said: "The difference is we have more data than we had last year.
"We have more resources. We're in a much better place."
The party suffered a disappointing result in the 2015 general election, recording its second worst share of the vote in Wales since 1918, including losing Gower and the Vale of Clwyd to the Conservatives. | Launching the campaign, Mr Jones said voters' decisions were partly based on party leader's performances.
Labour has led the Welsh government since 1999 and Mr Jones has been first minister since 2009.
Rival parties said Labour should be judged on its record, after 17 years in power in Wales.
Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies has previously said of Mr Jones that "it's me or him" on election day.
Asked whether the Labour campaign was too focused on him, at a launch event in Barry Island, Mr Jones said: "We're not a cult, we're not UKIP.
"There are two things here - first, we've got our pledges out already, manifesto next week so all that's coming.
"I know full well that people will look at party leaders, and judge whether that person is up to the job - it's the age that we live in.
"So I'm leading from the front, but of course we've got the policies, the best pledges and the best manifesto next week."
Schools, the NHS and apprenticeships have already been named as priorities.
Labour is currently the largest party in Cardiff Bay, with 30 of the 60 seats in the Senedd.
Mr Jones has previously said it would be Welsh Labour's "toughest ever assembly campaign".
He defended his government's 17 years of uninterrupted rule in Wales but admitted "each election gets harder because our record gets longer".
He said his Labour government had "kept all of our promises" since the last assembly election in 2011, and it would do the same again if returned to power in May.
Asked how his party would avoid a repeat performance of Welsh Labour's poor general election performance in 2015, Mr Jones said: "The difference is we have more data than we had last year.
"We have more resources. We're in a much better place."
The party suffered a disappointing result in the 2015 general election, recording its second worst share of the vote in Wales since 1918, including losing Gower and the Vale of Clwyd to the Conservatives. |
Add punctuation: The Note 2 handset was smouldering and spitting sparks, according to a statement from airline IndiGo.
The crew's prompt action meant the aircraft landed safely at Chennai, its intended destination, said IndiGo.
The incident comes as Samsung recalls millions of new Note 7 devices because of faulty batteries.
IndiGo said no-one was hurt during the incident, on flight 6E-054 from Singapore to Chennai.
Passengers told the aircraft's cabin crew about smoke emerging from an overhead luggage compartment which, when opened, revealed the smoking phone in a piece of hand luggage, it said.
Once doused with an extinguisher, the sparking phone was put in a bucket of water in the plane's toilet and kept there until the aircraft landed.
"The aircraft made a normal landing at Chennai airport, and all passengers were deplaned as per normal procedure," IndiGo told Reuters.
In a statement, Samsung said: "We are aware of an incident involving one of our devices. At Samsung, customer safety is our highest priority.
"We are in touch with relevant authorities to gather more information and are looking into the matter."
Earlier this month Samsung issued a worldwide recall for its new Note 7 phones because faulty batteries can make the devices catch fire while the handset is charging or being used. Samsung is offering free replacements or refunds.
Before now, no similar problems with the older Note 2 have been reported.
The problems with the Note 7 have led many airlines to tell passengers to keep the phones turned off during a flight.
In the US, the Consumer Products Safety Commission said it had received 92 reports of faulty Note 7s overheating. Of those, 26 involved left owners with burns and 55 caused property damage. | The Note 2 handset was smouldering and spitting sparks, according to a statement from airline IndiGo.
The crew's prompt action meant the aircraft landed safely at Chennai, its intended destination, said IndiGo.
The incident comes as Samsung recalls millions of new Note 7 devices because of faulty batteries.
IndiGo said no-one was hurt during the incident, on flight 6E-054 from Singapore to Chennai.
Passengers told the aircraft's cabin crew about smoke emerging from an overhead luggage compartment which, when opened, revealed the smoking phone in a piece of hand luggage, it said.
Once doused with an extinguisher, the sparking phone was put in a bucket of water in the plane's toilet and kept there until the aircraft landed.
"The aircraft made a normal landing at Chennai airport, and all passengers were deplaned as per normal procedure," IndiGo told Reuters.
In a statement, Samsung said: "We are aware of an incident involving one of our devices. At Samsung, customer safety is our highest priority.
"We are in touch with relevant authorities to gather more information and are looking into the matter."
Earlier this month Samsung issued a worldwide recall for its new Note 7 phones because faulty batteries can make the devices catch fire while the handset is charging or being used. Samsung is offering free replacements or refunds.
Before now, no similar problems with the older Note 2 have been reported.
The problems with the Note 7 have led many airlines to tell passengers to keep the phones turned off during a flight.
In the US, the Consumer Products Safety Commission said it had received 92 reports of faulty Note 7s overheating. Of those, 26 involved left owners with burns and 55 caused property damage. |
Add punctuation: John Thomas McNamara, a father-of-three, was a leading amateur rider before being seriously injured.
He fractured two vertebrae in his neck after being thrown from his horse Galaxy Rock in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup on 14 March, 2013.
He moved back home to Limerick in 2014 after being discharged from the North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre.
I've done nothing but cry all morning
Adrian McGoldrick, senior medical officer for the Irish Turf Club confirmed McNamara "passed away peacefully during the night".
McNamara rode four winners at the Cheltenham Festival, including guiding Teaforthree to victory in the 2012 National Hunt Chase.
He won the same race in 2002 on Rith Dubh, was successful in the Cross-Country Chase with Spot Thedifference three years later and won the 2007 Fox Hunter Chase on Drombeag.
A minute's silence will be held at the Galway Festival on Tuesday as a mark of respect, before the second race at 17:45 BST.
Sir AP McCoy, 20-time champion jump jockey, on BBC Radio 5 live:
I would hate for him to be looking down on me at this moment in time because I've done nothing but cry all morning.
He was every bit as experienced as me and talented as I am and he had a fall.
I'll never forget that day for the rest of my life. The doctor Adrian McGoldrick pulled me to one side because I'm president of the Injured Jockeys Fund in England and said to me 'he's not very good, he's been resuscitated and it's touch and go whether he's going to make it or not'. It's a memory that will stick with me forever.
He was a very tough man. Very mentally tough and has been for the last three and a half years since the accident. He was a brilliant man and a brilliant amateur jockey. The last three and a half years have been tough for him and his family - his wife was unbelievable for him. It is a sad day.
He made the best of it and tried to make it easy for others around him.
I know he would like us to remember to good days. I'd like him to be remembered as a fantastic person, fantastic jockey and a fantastic human being.
BBC Sport's Frank Keogh:
JT McNamara will be remembered for his distinguished, stylish career in the saddle and his formidable strength of character after serious injury.
The jockey had told friends he intended to retire in the summer of 2013 but a fateful fall that March prematurely ended his career.
Weighing room colleagues were in shock and the Cheltenham Gold Cup the following day was run against a sombre backdrop.
A plaque above where he sat at Cheltenham celebrates his 16 winners at the track, including four at the Festival.
When Bruce Springsteen played in Limerick, he dedicated his song My Hometown to the stricken jockey. He was a much-loved and respected figure. | John Thomas McNamara, a father-of-three, was a leading amateur rider before being seriously injured.
He fractured two vertebrae in his neck after being thrown from his horse Galaxy Rock in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup on 14 March, 2013.
He moved back home to Limerick in 2014 after being discharged from the North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre.
I've done nothing but cry all morning
Adrian McGoldrick, senior medical officer for the Irish Turf Club confirmed McNamara "passed away peacefully during the night".
McNamara rode four winners at the Cheltenham Festival, including guiding Teaforthree to victory in the 2012 National Hunt Chase.
He won the same race in 2002 on Rith Dubh, was successful in the Cross-Country Chase with Spot Thedifference three years later and won the 2007 Fox Hunter Chase on Drombeag.
A minute's silence will be held at the Galway Festival on Tuesday as a mark of respect, before the second race at 17:45 BST.
Sir AP McCoy, 20-time champion jump jockey, on BBC Radio 5 live:
I would hate for him to be looking down on me at this moment in time because I've done nothing but cry all morning.
He was every bit as experienced as me and talented as I am and he had a fall.
I'll never forget that day for the rest of my life. The doctor Adrian McGoldrick pulled me to one side because I'm president of the Injured Jockeys Fund in England and said to me 'he's not very good, he's been resuscitated and it's touch and go whether he's going to make it or not'. It's a memory that will stick with me forever.
He was a very tough man. Very mentally tough and has been for the last three and a half years since the accident. He was a brilliant man and a brilliant amateur jockey. The last three and a half years have been tough for him and his family - his wife was unbelievable for him. It is a sad day.
He made the best of it and tried to make it easy for others around him.
I know he would like us to remember to good days. I'd like him to be remembered as a fantastic person, fantastic jockey and a fantastic human being.
BBC Sport's Frank Keogh:
JT McNamara will be remembered for his distinguished, stylish career in the saddle and his formidable strength of character after serious injury.
The jockey had told friends he intended to retire in the summer of 2013 but a fateful fall that March prematurely ended his career.
Weighing room colleagues were in shock and the Cheltenham Gold Cup the following day was run against a sombre backdrop.
A plaque above where he sat at Cheltenham celebrates his 16 winners at the track, including four at the Festival.
When Bruce Springsteen played in Limerick, he dedicated his song My Hometown to the stricken jockey. He was a much-loved and respected figure. |
Add punctuation: They warn that they reserve the right to respond to recent bombings of areas around Damascus, Homs and the south.
The rebels describe the attacks as a "bloody message" from President Bashar al-Assad's government.
This comes just days before UN-sponsored talks are due to start in Geneva, Switzerland.
The UN envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, has played down hopes for the talks on 23 February.
He said the talks were aimed at seeing if there was any possibility of starting to discuss a political process.
A nationwide ceasefire brokered by Russia, Turkey and Iran took effect on 30 December after peace talks in Kazakhstan.
At least 16 people were killed in government shelling of an area near Damascus on Saturday, monitors and medical workers say.
Casualties were also reported in other rebel-held parts of the country.
There were also reports of rebel shelling of government-controlled areas in Damascus.
These reports have not been independently verified.
More than 300,000 people have been killed and 11 million others displaced since the uprising against President Assad began in March 2011. | They warn that they reserve the right to respond to recent bombings of areas around Damascus, Homs and the south.
The rebels describe the attacks as a "bloody message" from President Bashar al-Assad's government.
This comes just days before UN-sponsored talks are due to start in Geneva, Switzerland.
The UN envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, has played down hopes for the talks on 23 February.
He said the talks were aimed at seeing if there was any possibility of starting to discuss a political process.
A nationwide ceasefire brokered by Russia, Turkey and Iran took effect on 30 December after peace talks in Kazakhstan.
At least 16 people were killed in government shelling of an area near Damascus on Saturday, monitors and medical workers say.
Casualties were also reported in other rebel-held parts of the country.
There were also reports of rebel shelling of government-controlled areas in Damascus.
These reports have not been independently verified.
More than 300,000 people have been killed and 11 million others displaced since the uprising against President Assad began in March 2011. |
Add punctuation: In papers filed in Los Angeles, the 45-year-old cited irreconcilable differences and revealed the couple signed a prenuptial agreement.
Sheen wants joint custody of their twin sons while his wife, who has also filed for divorce, wants sole custody.
Both say in legal papers that they separated after an argument in Aspen, Colorado, on Christmas Day.
A police report, released in August, stated Mueller feared for her life during the argument.
Sheen was sentenced to 30 days at a rehabilitation centre after pleading guilty to assault.
Last week, the actor was accused of causing damage to a hotel room in New York.
After hotel security reported Sheen was disorderly, the actor voluntarily went with authorities for a psychiatric evaluation.
However, Sheen's publicist said he went to hospital because he had "an adverse allergic reaction to some medication".
Sheen's ex-wife, actress Denise Richards, was staying at the Plaza in a different room with their two children, Sam and Lola.
Sheen and Richards divorced acrimoniously in 2006 after four years of marriage. | In papers filed in Los Angeles, the 45-year-old cited irreconcilable differences and revealed the couple signed a prenuptial agreement.
Sheen wants joint custody of their twin sons while his wife, who has also filed for divorce, wants sole custody.
Both say in legal papers that they separated after an argument in Aspen, Colorado, on Christmas Day.
A police report, released in August, stated Mueller feared for her life during the argument.
Sheen was sentenced to 30 days at a rehabilitation centre after pleading guilty to assault.
Last week, the actor was accused of causing damage to a hotel room in New York.
After hotel security reported Sheen was disorderly, the actor voluntarily went with authorities for a psychiatric evaluation.
However, Sheen's publicist said he went to hospital because he had "an adverse allergic reaction to some medication".
Sheen's ex-wife, actress Denise Richards, was staying at the Plaza in a different room with their two children, Sam and Lola.
Sheen and Richards divorced acrimoniously in 2006 after four years of marriage. |
Add punctuation: The Jamaican artist who created the installation claims to have been the first person to reveal Banksy's identity, by photographing him in 2004.
Peter Dean Rickards bought the wall which featured the mural from a bar in Kingston and intentionally smashed it.
The exhibition, at the New Art Exchange, celebrates 50 years of Jamaican independence.
Curator of the exhibition Rachael Barrett said: "Most Jamaican people didn't really understand why it [the mural] would be a valuable work of art.
"The artist, Peter Dean [Rickards], is questioning this fake sense of value and obsession with celebrity we've got."
The mural was a version of Banksy's Balloon Girl. Mr Rickards paid about £1,500 for the wall "in cash and rum", Ms Barrett said.
Banksy is thought to have painted it in Jamaica's capital in 2004.
Mr Rickards claims to have photographed Banksy at work while he was in Kingston.
In 2008 the Mail on Sunday claimed to have worked out Banksy's identity from one of the photos, and named him as former public school pupil Robin Gunningham.
Also in 2008, it was reported that Mr Rickards had allowed a dog to defecate on the artwork after he bought the wall.
A video of him removing the mural plays on loop alongside the installation in Nottingham.
The smashed wall is displayed in the corner of a room, which has been made to look like the garage in which it was stored for several years after being cut down.
Mr Rickards is quoted in the exhibition notes as saying: "That was done by a guy in the UK named Banksy.
"The white people love him there and he sells stuff like that for thousands of pounds. Lets cut it down!"
The exhibition, called I Is AnOther, is on until 8 December. | The Jamaican artist who created the installation claims to have been the first person to reveal Banksy's identity, by photographing him in 2004.
Peter Dean Rickards bought the wall which featured the mural from a bar in Kingston and intentionally smashed it.
The exhibition, at the New Art Exchange, celebrates 50 years of Jamaican independence.
Curator of the exhibition Rachael Barrett said: "Most Jamaican people didn't really understand why it [the mural] would be a valuable work of art.
"The artist, Peter Dean [Rickards], is questioning this fake sense of value and obsession with celebrity we've got."
The mural was a version of Banksy's Balloon Girl. Mr Rickards paid about £1,500 for the wall "in cash and rum", Ms Barrett said.
Banksy is thought to have painted it in Jamaica's capital in 2004.
Mr Rickards claims to have photographed Banksy at work while he was in Kingston.
In 2008 the Mail on Sunday claimed to have worked out Banksy's identity from one of the photos, and named him as former public school pupil Robin Gunningham.
Also in 2008, it was reported that Mr Rickards had allowed a dog to defecate on the artwork after he bought the wall.
A video of him removing the mural plays on loop alongside the installation in Nottingham.
The smashed wall is displayed in the corner of a room, which has been made to look like the garage in which it was stored for several years after being cut down.
Mr Rickards is quoted in the exhibition notes as saying: "That was done by a guy in the UK named Banksy.
"The white people love him there and he sells stuff like that for thousands of pounds. Lets cut it down!"
The exhibition, called I Is AnOther, is on until 8 December. |
Add punctuation: Gregg and Kathryn Brain and their son Lachlan, 7, who live in Dingwall in the Highlands, failed to meet Monday's deadline to qualify for a new visa.
Immigration Minister Robert Goodwill has now ruled there are no exceptional circumstances that would justify allowing the family to stay in the UK.
He said the family would now be contacted by Immigration Enforcement.
The minister said if the family did not co-operate it could lead to them not being allowed to return to the UK at a later date.
Mr Brain told the BBC that the family's fight was not over or lost, and that they were still talking to their lawyer about potential options.
He added: "We're of the understanding that we may yet be able to make an application and have that considered by the Home Office.
"So we're still desperately searching from an employer and I hope that one will come forward and we'll be able to make an application to allow us to stay."
SNP MP Ian Blackford said he was "astonished with the callous disregard to the interests of the Brain family".
The Brains moved to Scotland in 2011 on Mrs Brain's student visa.
They have said that they expected to be able to later move on to a Tier 1 post-study work visa, but the scheme was scrapped in 2012.
In a letter to the family and Mr Blackford, who has been campaigning on their behalf, Mr Goodwill said the announcement that the scheme was going to be abolished was made three months before the Brains arrived in Scotland.
Although the family said they were unaware of the announcement until 2012, they have still had a number of years in which to search and apply for jobs which would qualify under Tier 2, Mr Goodwill added.
The minister insisted there was therefore "no breach of faith" in relation to the closure of the Post-Study Work route.
He added: "It was not an entitlement of the student visa Kathryn Brain originally applied for, which was for a time-limited period of study only.
"The Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) category was closed because too many applicants were not using the student route primarily to gain a world-class education at our universities, but merely as a means to the end of living and working in the UK.
"Even when the route was open, applicants needed to find a job that would qualify under Tier 2 before the end of the two years in the route.
"I regret that that has not yet happened, despite having had since 2012, nearly a year having passed since Kathryn finished her studies and the three extensions that have been granted to the family on an exceptional basis."
He said there was therefore "no fundamental difference between their circumstances and that of any other individuals who came to the UK on a temporary study visa and there are no exceptional considerations which would justify granting them leave outside the Immigration Rules."
2010: Kathryn Brain is granted a student visa with husband and son as dependents. She intends to later move onto post-study work visa
March 2011: Announcement of cancellation of post-study work visa
June 2011: Brains arrive in Scotland
2012: Post-study work visa scrapped. Brains say they became aware of this just months before the change
May 2015: Mrs Brain applies for leave to remain under tier 4 (student) visa. Granted till December
December 2015: Family makes application for leave to remain made under article 8 of the European convention on human rights, the right to a family life. Refused in March
April 2016: Immigration Minister James Brokenshire extends family's "grace period" to remain in UK until 11 May. It is later extended until the end of May
30 May 2016: Family given new deadline of 1 August 2016
Mr Goodwill also dismissed suggestions by the Brains and Mr Blackford that the family was being denied access to what they have claimed is a scheme similar to the post-work visa that is being piloted at four English universities.
The pilot, which launched last week, is intended to streamline the application process for Masters students at the four participating universities.
By making those universities responsible for eligibility checks, students applying for their visas can submit fewer documents with their applications, Mr Goodwill said.
He said the pilot extended the leave period following the end of their study to six months, rather than the usual two or four months, but pointed out that Mrs Brain had already had "significantly longer" than six months after the end of her course in which to find work that would qualify her for a visa.
Mr Goodwill said the case would now be handled by the Family Returns Unit of Immigration Enforcement, who would contact the Brains later this week to begin discussions with them regarding a voluntary departure to Australia.
He urged Mr Blackford to encourage the family to co-operate with the process and leave the UK voluntarily.
Failure to do so would lead to an "adverse immigration history" which could preclude the family making a future Tier 2 job application or even returning to the UK as visitors, the minister warned.
Responding to the letter, Mr Blackford said he was "astonished with the callous disregard to the interests of the Brain family", who he said had been given the support of the local community and the Scottish government.
He added: "The minister states the government had a commitment to reduce net migration, the Brains are to leave so the government can trumpet it is being tough on immigration.
"There is no compassion, there is consideration that we are dealing with real people not just numbers on an immigration count.
"Not looking at the situation based on the needs of the Highlands in attracting families to deal with our own specific demographic challenges but pandering to an anti-immigration mantra to drive the net UK migration numbers down." | Gregg and Kathryn Brain and their son Lachlan, 7, who live in Dingwall in the Highlands, failed to meet Monday's deadline to qualify for a new visa.
Immigration Minister Robert Goodwill has now ruled there are no exceptional circumstances that would justify allowing the family to stay in the UK.
He said the family would now be contacted by Immigration Enforcement.
The minister said if the family did not co-operate it could lead to them not being allowed to return to the UK at a later date.
Mr Brain told the BBC that the family's fight was not over or lost, and that they were still talking to their lawyer about potential options.
He added: "We're of the understanding that we may yet be able to make an application and have that considered by the Home Office.
"So we're still desperately searching from an employer and I hope that one will come forward and we'll be able to make an application to allow us to stay."
SNP MP Ian Blackford said he was "astonished with the callous disregard to the interests of the Brain family".
The Brains moved to Scotland in 2011 on Mrs Brain's student visa.
They have said that they expected to be able to later move on to a Tier 1 post-study work visa, but the scheme was scrapped in 2012.
In a letter to the family and Mr Blackford, who has been campaigning on their behalf, Mr Goodwill said the announcement that the scheme was going to be abolished was made three months before the Brains arrived in Scotland.
Although the family said they were unaware of the announcement until 2012, they have still had a number of years in which to search and apply for jobs which would qualify under Tier 2, Mr Goodwill added.
The minister insisted there was therefore "no breach of faith" in relation to the closure of the Post-Study Work route.
He added: "It was not an entitlement of the student visa Kathryn Brain originally applied for, which was for a time-limited period of study only.
"The Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) category was closed because too many applicants were not using the student route primarily to gain a world-class education at our universities, but merely as a means to the end of living and working in the UK.
"Even when the route was open, applicants needed to find a job that would qualify under Tier 2 before the end of the two years in the route.
"I regret that that has not yet happened, despite having had since 2012, nearly a year having passed since Kathryn finished her studies and the three extensions that have been granted to the family on an exceptional basis."
He said there was therefore "no fundamental difference between their circumstances and that of any other individuals who came to the UK on a temporary study visa and there are no exceptional considerations which would justify granting them leave outside the Immigration Rules."
2010: Kathryn Brain is granted a student visa with husband and son as dependents. She intends to later move onto post-study work visa
March 2011: Announcement of cancellation of post-study work visa
June 2011: Brains arrive in Scotland
2012: Post-study work visa scrapped. Brains say they became aware of this just months before the change
May 2015: Mrs Brain applies for leave to remain under tier 4 (student) visa. Granted till December
December 2015: Family makes application for leave to remain made under article 8 of the European convention on human rights, the right to a family life. Refused in March
April 2016: Immigration Minister James Brokenshire extends family's "grace period" to remain in UK until 11 May. It is later extended until the end of May
30 May 2016: Family given new deadline of 1 August 2016
Mr Goodwill also dismissed suggestions by the Brains and Mr Blackford that the family was being denied access to what they have claimed is a scheme similar to the post-work visa that is being piloted at four English universities.
The pilot, which launched last week, is intended to streamline the application process for Masters students at the four participating universities.
By making those universities responsible for eligibility checks, students applying for their visas can submit fewer documents with their applications, Mr Goodwill said.
He said the pilot extended the leave period following the end of their study to six months, rather than the usual two or four months, but pointed out that Mrs Brain had already had "significantly longer" than six months after the end of her course in which to find work that would qualify her for a visa.
Mr Goodwill said the case would now be handled by the Family Returns Unit of Immigration Enforcement, who would contact the Brains later this week to begin discussions with them regarding a voluntary departure to Australia.
He urged Mr Blackford to encourage the family to co-operate with the process and leave the UK voluntarily.
Failure to do so would lead to an "adverse immigration history" which could preclude the family making a future Tier 2 job application or even returning to the UK as visitors, the minister warned.
Responding to the letter, Mr Blackford said he was "astonished with the callous disregard to the interests of the Brain family", who he said had been given the support of the local community and the Scottish government.
He added: "The minister states the government had a commitment to reduce net migration, the Brains are to leave so the government can trumpet it is being tough on immigration.
"There is no compassion, there is consideration that we are dealing with real people not just numbers on an immigration count.
"Not looking at the situation based on the needs of the Highlands in attracting families to deal with our own specific demographic challenges but pandering to an anti-immigration mantra to drive the net UK migration numbers down." |
Add punctuation: The Range, Poundworld, Farmfoods and Greggs are to move into Marina Quay.
Talks are continuing with other firms to take up space in the second part of the project which has yet to get under way, developer Scarborough International Properties has said.
The funfair, which opened in the 1890s, was bulldozed in 2007.
The first phase of the development has been completed and construction on the next phase is due to start this winter.
Development director Paul Kelly said: "Completion of this first phase of Marina Quay is a significant event not just for Marina Quay, but for the town of Rhyl as a whole.
"This new retail and leisure development will play an important role in attracting further food and leisure operators, establishing Rhyl as a key shopping destination in Wales."
The developer believes in the region of 500 jobs could be created when the project is complete. | The Range, Poundworld, Farmfoods and Greggs are to move into Marina Quay.
Talks are continuing with other firms to take up space in the second part of the project which has yet to get under way, developer Scarborough International Properties has said.
The funfair, which opened in the 1890s, was bulldozed in 2007.
The first phase of the development has been completed and construction on the next phase is due to start this winter.
Development director Paul Kelly said: "Completion of this first phase of Marina Quay is a significant event not just for Marina Quay, but for the town of Rhyl as a whole.
"This new retail and leisure development will play an important role in attracting further food and leisure operators, establishing Rhyl as a key shopping destination in Wales."
The developer believes in the region of 500 jobs could be created when the project is complete. |
Add punctuation: Mr Hollande said no agreement had been reached, contradicting an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"Discussions are under way. I will make a decision in the coming weeks," Mr Hollande told a news conference.
France stopped the planned sale after the outbreak of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
The deal, for two Mistral helicopter carriers, was worth €1.2bn (£843m; $1.3bn). Russia made an advance payment of about €840m.
The first of two - the Vladivostok - was supposed to be delivered to Russia in November 2014.
Vladimir Kozhin, a military technology adviser to Mr Putin, said on Friday that negotiations over compensation were "completely finished".
"Everything has already been decided, both the time-frame and the amount," Mr Kozhin told Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.
But Mr Hollande's comments suggest that the agreement is still in question.
Sources close to the talks, quoted by Russia's Kommersant daily, have suggested France will compensate Russia to the tune of €1.16bn.
That sum includes the amount that Russia has already spent on special training for 400 sailors, on port infrastructure in Vladivostok for the two warships and on developing four prototype Ка-52К helicopters.
The compensation deal was discussed last week at talks between Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin and French Defence Secretary-General Louis Gautier, Kommersant reports.
The Mistral contract dates back to a June 2011 agreement reached under the previous French President, Nicolas Sarkozy.
Western sanctions have been ratcheted up against Russia since March 2014, when the Ukrainian conflict erupted with Russia's annexation of Crimea.
Russia denies backing pro-Russian separatist rebels fighting in eastern Ukraine. | Mr Hollande said no agreement had been reached, contradicting an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"Discussions are under way. I will make a decision in the coming weeks," Mr Hollande told a news conference.
France stopped the planned sale after the outbreak of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
The deal, for two Mistral helicopter carriers, was worth €1.2bn (£843m; $1.3bn). Russia made an advance payment of about €840m.
The first of two - the Vladivostok - was supposed to be delivered to Russia in November 2014.
Vladimir Kozhin, a military technology adviser to Mr Putin, said on Friday that negotiations over compensation were "completely finished".
"Everything has already been decided, both the time-frame and the amount," Mr Kozhin told Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.
But Mr Hollande's comments suggest that the agreement is still in question.
Sources close to the talks, quoted by Russia's Kommersant daily, have suggested France will compensate Russia to the tune of €1.16bn.
That sum includes the amount that Russia has already spent on special training for 400 sailors, on port infrastructure in Vladivostok for the two warships and on developing four prototype Ка-52К helicopters.
The compensation deal was discussed last week at talks between Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin and French Defence Secretary-General Louis Gautier, Kommersant reports.
The Mistral contract dates back to a June 2011 agreement reached under the previous French President, Nicolas Sarkozy.
Western sanctions have been ratcheted up against Russia since March 2014, when the Ukrainian conflict erupted with Russia's annexation of Crimea.
Russia denies backing pro-Russian separatist rebels fighting in eastern Ukraine. |
Add punctuation: Last Monday, Venezuela deployed 17,000 troops along the border and began closing all the crossings at night.
The one-month ban will be lifted in mid-September.
Before the restrictions, up to 40% of goods Venezuela subsidises for its domestic market were being smuggled into Colombia, the authorities said.
The goods were being sold illegally in Colombia at much higher prices.
More than 20,000 litres of fuel have been seized from alleged smugglers in the past eight days, the Venezuelan authorities said.
Venezuela, a major oil producer, has the cheapest petrol prices in the world. It costs less than $1 (£0.60) to fill a medium car's tank.
It estimated, before the operation was launched, that 100,000 barrels of petrol were smuggled through its western border every day and sold illegally in Colombia.
"The amount of staples smuggled to Colombia would be enough to load the shelves of our supermarkets," Gen Efrain Velasco Lugo, a military spokesman, told El Universal newspaper.
"Those mafias are making a final, desperate attempt to get hold of them. But we are fighting them and vigorously tackling smuggling in the region."
The Venezuelan military said it has also destroyed or partially blocked 64 paths used by smugglers to cross the porous 2,200-km long (1,360-mile) border.
Dissatisfaction with the shortage of many staples, as well as rampant crime and high inflation, led thousands of people in the western Venezuelan states of Tachira and Merida to take to the streets in January.
The protests quickly spread to the rest of Venezuela, which faces similar problems.
The opposition blames what it says are the failed left-wing policies of the past 15 years - initiated by late President Hugo Chavez - for the country's economic crisis.
Correction 11 September 2014: This report, originally published on 19 August, contained a reference to the border closure being agreed by the two countries, based on statements by Venezuelan officials. This has been removed as Colombia later called it a "unilateral decision". | Last Monday, Venezuela deployed 17,000 troops along the border and began closing all the crossings at night.
The one-month ban will be lifted in mid-September.
Before the restrictions, up to 40% of goods Venezuela subsidises for its domestic market were being smuggled into Colombia, the authorities said.
The goods were being sold illegally in Colombia at much higher prices.
More than 20,000 litres of fuel have been seized from alleged smugglers in the past eight days, the Venezuelan authorities said.
Venezuela, a major oil producer, has the cheapest petrol prices in the world. It costs less than $1 (£0.60) to fill a medium car's tank.
It estimated, before the operation was launched, that 100,000 barrels of petrol were smuggled through its western border every day and sold illegally in Colombia.
"The amount of staples smuggled to Colombia would be enough to load the shelves of our supermarkets," Gen Efrain Velasco Lugo, a military spokesman, told El Universal newspaper.
"Those mafias are making a final, desperate attempt to get hold of them. But we are fighting them and vigorously tackling smuggling in the region."
The Venezuelan military said it has also destroyed or partially blocked 64 paths used by smugglers to cross the porous 2,200-km long (1,360-mile) border.
Dissatisfaction with the shortage of many staples, as well as rampant crime and high inflation, led thousands of people in the western Venezuelan states of Tachira and Merida to take to the streets in January.
The protests quickly spread to the rest of Venezuela, which faces similar problems.
The opposition blames what it says are the failed left-wing policies of the past 15 years - initiated by late President Hugo Chavez - for the country's economic crisis.
Correction 11 September 2014: This report, originally published on 19 August, contained a reference to the border closure being agreed by the two countries, based on statements by Venezuelan officials. This has been removed as Colombia later called it a "unilateral decision". |
Add punctuation: "I first saw the Queen as a little girl of four and have been following her all of my life," Sheila says.
Her mother took her to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace when they were living in London. It was while watching one of these events that Sheila became fascinated by the Queen.
"I saw Her Majesty sitting in the royal car," she says. "I remember she was wearing a yellow outfit, a white hat and white gloves.
"Since then I have been lucky enough to have met her on many walkabouts.
"My mother was a huge royal enthusiast and her enthusiasm rubbed off on me. That's how it started.
"I suppose that my interest was also due to the fact that I'm close in age to Princes Andrew and Edward."
"I was always interested in history at school so I started collecting royal memorabilia when I was quite young. I had pictures and guidebooks and later when I was a bit older I started to add more items to the collection.
"As my collection has grown over the years, I can't begin to tell you how many items I have, although there are other followers with larger archives.
"It's the photos that mean the most to me. I have over 400 now.
"My two favourites include one of the changing of the guard which I got when I was about seven years old. And the other is one taken of my late mother with Prince Charles in 2003."
Another key moment for Sheila was the 1981 marriage of the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer.
"Everything became bigger once Prince Charles married Diana," she says.
"The number of royal events I attended increased during that decade. I also met my friend Mary Relph at this time. Mary is from King's Lynn and another royal watcher like me."
Sheila and Mary have since been to many royal events together and received seats in the Diamond Jubilee ballot to watch events outside Buckingham Palace.
"It was my most poignant memory over the years as the Duke of Edinburgh had to miss some of the ceremony due to ill health.
"I remember thinking that the Queen looked very lonely without him at her side."
Sheila still goes to events whenever she can, although nowadays these tend to be mostly in Scotland with occasional trips to London or Sandringham.
"I've met the Queen many times over the years. She's got to know me pretty well.
"The most memorable and special meetings were when she stopped her Range Rover to speak to me once in a village near Sandringham in 2005 and in the grounds of Balmoral in July 2006.
"Sandringham is the one that I most recall as I was there with another royal watcher friend.
"Her Majesty was driving a Range Rover at the time. She recognised us both and asked whether we were going to be at the Sunday service the next day."
"When we heard that my mother was ill and dying of cancer, we told Her Majesty. She made a point of making an extra special effort to come over to speak to us everywhere we went.
"Just a few hours after my mum gave the Queen some flowers after the Maundy service in Liverpool in 2004, my mum was taken ill and sadly died a couple of weeks later.
"I think Her Majesty is a very special person who has devoted her entire life to serving this country and deserves the respect in which she is held all round the world."
Find out more about Queen Elizabeth II on BBC iWonder | "I first saw the Queen as a little girl of four and have been following her all of my life," Sheila says.
Her mother took her to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace when they were living in London. It was while watching one of these events that Sheila became fascinated by the Queen.
"I saw Her Majesty sitting in the royal car," she says. "I remember she was wearing a yellow outfit, a white hat and white gloves.
"Since then I have been lucky enough to have met her on many walkabouts.
"My mother was a huge royal enthusiast and her enthusiasm rubbed off on me. That's how it started.
"I suppose that my interest was also due to the fact that I'm close in age to Princes Andrew and Edward."
"I was always interested in history at school so I started collecting royal memorabilia when I was quite young. I had pictures and guidebooks and later when I was a bit older I started to add more items to the collection.
"As my collection has grown over the years, I can't begin to tell you how many items I have, although there are other followers with larger archives.
"It's the photos that mean the most to me. I have over 400 now.
"My two favourites include one of the changing of the guard which I got when I was about seven years old. And the other is one taken of my late mother with Prince Charles in 2003."
Another key moment for Sheila was the 1981 marriage of the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer.
"Everything became bigger once Prince Charles married Diana," she says.
"The number of royal events I attended increased during that decade. I also met my friend Mary Relph at this time. Mary is from King's Lynn and another royal watcher like me."
Sheila and Mary have since been to many royal events together and received seats in the Diamond Jubilee ballot to watch events outside Buckingham Palace.
"It was my most poignant memory over the years as the Duke of Edinburgh had to miss some of the ceremony due to ill health.
"I remember thinking that the Queen looked very lonely without him at her side."
Sheila still goes to events whenever she can, although nowadays these tend to be mostly in Scotland with occasional trips to London or Sandringham.
"I've met the Queen many times over the years. She's got to know me pretty well.
"The most memorable and special meetings were when she stopped her Range Rover to speak to me once in a village near Sandringham in 2005 and in the grounds of Balmoral in July 2006.
"Sandringham is the one that I most recall as I was there with another royal watcher friend.
"Her Majesty was driving a Range Rover at the time. She recognised us both and asked whether we were going to be at the Sunday service the next day."
"When we heard that my mother was ill and dying of cancer, we told Her Majesty. She made a point of making an extra special effort to come over to speak to us everywhere we went.
"Just a few hours after my mum gave the Queen some flowers after the Maundy service in Liverpool in 2004, my mum was taken ill and sadly died a couple of weeks later.
"I think Her Majesty is a very special person who has devoted her entire life to serving this country and deserves the respect in which she is held all round the world."
Find out more about Queen Elizabeth II on BBC iWonder |
Add punctuation: The woman answered the door to her home in Russell Hill Road, Purley, south London, to find a man outside, police said.
He used his foot to force the door open and barged in to her home. He first assaulted her before raping her.
A 46-year-old man was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of rape and remains in police custody. | The woman answered the door to her home in Russell Hill Road, Purley, south London, to find a man outside, police said.
He used his foot to force the door open and barged in to her home. He first assaulted her before raping her.
A 46-year-old man was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of rape and remains in police custody. |
Add punctuation: Lancaster's future has been the subject of constant speculation since the 46-year-old's side became the first World Cup hosts to exit at the pool stage.
"He has got the ability - it's a no-brainer to me," Henry, 69, told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek programme.
"Stuart is a good man and has produced a side with good values."
Lancaster, who was appointed in 2011, came into the World Cup having overseen three successive second-place finishes in the Six Nations.
England's failure to reach the quarter-finals - following defeats by Wales and Australia - has led to calls for him to leave his post.
The review of England's campaign will begin on Monday, with the Rugby Football Union adamant the future of Lancaster - who signed a new six-year contract in 2014 - is yet to be decided.
Henry, whose New Zealand side lost in the quarter-finals of the 2007 tournament before winning the competition four years later, believes the RFU should stand by Lancaster.
"All professional sporting coaches who have been in their job for a while have rollercoasters," he said. "Those times are extremely difficult and I can empathise with Stuart.
"I hope Stuart stays because you learn a lot more from tough times."
Martin Johnson stepped down as England manager in November 2011 after a World Cup quarter-final defeat by France.
Henry added: "I thought that was wrong. He hadn't got experience and would have grown a great deal. Too often we burn our coaches because it is public opinion and media opinion.
"Continuity of people is critical if you want to produce something special. They know where they have been and where they are at and what they need to do to get better.
"If you bring a new person in, it starts all over again and takes someone two or three years to get their feet under the table and feel comfortable in the job." | Lancaster's future has been the subject of constant speculation since the 46-year-old's side became the first World Cup hosts to exit at the pool stage.
"He has got the ability - it's a no-brainer to me," Henry, 69, told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek programme.
"Stuart is a good man and has produced a side with good values."
Lancaster, who was appointed in 2011, came into the World Cup having overseen three successive second-place finishes in the Six Nations.
England's failure to reach the quarter-finals - following defeats by Wales and Australia - has led to calls for him to leave his post.
The review of England's campaign will begin on Monday, with the Rugby Football Union adamant the future of Lancaster - who signed a new six-year contract in 2014 - is yet to be decided.
Henry, whose New Zealand side lost in the quarter-finals of the 2007 tournament before winning the competition four years later, believes the RFU should stand by Lancaster.
"All professional sporting coaches who have been in their job for a while have rollercoasters," he said. "Those times are extremely difficult and I can empathise with Stuart.
"I hope Stuart stays because you learn a lot more from tough times."
Martin Johnson stepped down as England manager in November 2011 after a World Cup quarter-final defeat by France.
Henry added: "I thought that was wrong. He hadn't got experience and would have grown a great deal. Too often we burn our coaches because it is public opinion and media opinion.
"Continuity of people is critical if you want to produce something special. They know where they have been and where they are at and what they need to do to get better.
"If you bring a new person in, it starts all over again and takes someone two or three years to get their feet under the table and feel comfortable in the job." |
Add punctuation: The brother, known at the inquiry as BR10, taught at Rubane House boys home, County Down, in the 1970s and 1980s.
Several former residents accused him of physically abusing them at the home.
Earlier, the inquiry took evidence from a lay worker at Rubane, who also denied abuse and claimed the boys pulled knives on each other in the home.
He said the incident happened after a De La Salle brother was removed amid sex abuse allegations.
The lay staff member worked at Rubane more than 30 years ago and has been accused of assaulting a number of boys, which he denies.
He told the inquiry social services used the home as a "dumping ground" for "the most difficult children".
He added: "I think maybe some of the boys could have been better placed."
The man described how glue-sniffing was "very prevalent" in the home, and said workers "very often found glue bags strewn around Rubane".
Describing the moment when a De La Salle brother was removed from the home amid sex abuse allegations, he said: "The boys were going mad.
"They had pulled knives on each other and the whole place was in an uproar.
"Boys were accusing each other of touting on them to the police."
Giving evidence on Tuesday afternoon, the witness known as BR10 said he was "flabbergasted" by allegations that he physically assaulted boys at Rubane.
One former resident had claimed the brother "punched the living daylights out of me" and others also alleged he had punched and kicked them.
BR10 repeatedly denied the claims and on one occasion, he told the inquiry: "I can't understand. I'm flabbergasted by that. Flabbergasted."
It was also revealed that the police decided not to prosecute him over sex abuse allegations.
BR10 said he taught and worked with young children for more than 30 years, after leaving his post at Rubane House and had never been accused of any physical or sex abuse linked to his work.
The HIA inquiry was set up in 2013 to investigate child abuse in residential institutions in Northern Ireland over a 73-year period, up to 1995.
A total of 13 Northern Ireland institutions are being investigated.
The inquiry is currently examining alleged abuse at Rubane.
About 200 former residents have made allegations of abuse.
A total of 55 former residents have come forward to the inquiry to allege that they were physically or sexually abused. | The brother, known at the inquiry as BR10, taught at Rubane House boys home, County Down, in the 1970s and 1980s.
Several former residents accused him of physically abusing them at the home.
Earlier, the inquiry took evidence from a lay worker at Rubane, who also denied abuse and claimed the boys pulled knives on each other in the home.
He said the incident happened after a De La Salle brother was removed amid sex abuse allegations.
The lay staff member worked at Rubane more than 30 years ago and has been accused of assaulting a number of boys, which he denies.
He told the inquiry social services used the home as a "dumping ground" for "the most difficult children".
He added: "I think maybe some of the boys could have been better placed."
The man described how glue-sniffing was "very prevalent" in the home, and said workers "very often found glue bags strewn around Rubane".
Describing the moment when a De La Salle brother was removed from the home amid sex abuse allegations, he said: "The boys were going mad.
"They had pulled knives on each other and the whole place was in an uproar.
"Boys were accusing each other of touting on them to the police."
Giving evidence on Tuesday afternoon, the witness known as BR10 said he was "flabbergasted" by allegations that he physically assaulted boys at Rubane.
One former resident had claimed the brother "punched the living daylights out of me" and others also alleged he had punched and kicked them.
BR10 repeatedly denied the claims and on one occasion, he told the inquiry: "I can't understand. I'm flabbergasted by that. Flabbergasted."
It was also revealed that the police decided not to prosecute him over sex abuse allegations.
BR10 said he taught and worked with young children for more than 30 years, after leaving his post at Rubane House and had never been accused of any physical or sex abuse linked to his work.
The HIA inquiry was set up in 2013 to investigate child abuse in residential institutions in Northern Ireland over a 73-year period, up to 1995.
A total of 13 Northern Ireland institutions are being investigated.
The inquiry is currently examining alleged abuse at Rubane.
About 200 former residents have made allegations of abuse.
A total of 55 former residents have come forward to the inquiry to allege that they were physically or sexually abused. |
Add punctuation: For the first time, embryos have been grown past the point they would normally implant in the womb.
The research, in the UK and US, was halted just before the embryos reached the legal limit of 14-days old.
But in an ethically-charged move, some scientists have already called for the 14-day limit to be changed.
The earliest steps towards human life are largely a mystery, but the research in Nature and Nature Cell Biology, has been able to study embryos for longer than ever before.
About a week used to be the limit - with scientists able to grow a fertilised egg up to the stage it would normally implant into the womb.
But they have now found a way to chemically mimic the womb to allow an embryo to continue developing until the two week stage.
It requires a combination of a nutrient-rich medium and a structure the embryo can pretend to "implant" upon.
The experiments were deliberately ended at the 13-day stage - just before the legal limit, but far beyond anything that has been achieved before.
Nine things that shape your identity before birth
The research is already providing insight into how an embryo starts the process of organising itself into a human being.
It is a crucial time when many embryos acquire developmental defects or fail to implant.
For example the study has allowed scientists to see the formation of the epiblast in 10-day-old embryos.
It is a crucial and tiny cluster of cells that eventually forms the human being, while the cells surrounding it go on to make the placenta and yolk sac.
Prof Magdalena Zernicka Goetz, from the University of Cambridge, said she "couldn't remember being more happy" than succeeding in growing the embryos.
She told the BBC: "It actually allows us to understand the very first steps in our development at the time of implantation where the embryo, really for the first time, reorganises itself to form the future body.
"Those steps we didn't know before so it has enormous implication for reproductive technologies."
There is international agreement that experiments should not allow embryos to develop past 14 days.
This research is pushing right up against the legal limits and some scientists are already making the case for the 14-day limit to be reviewed.
Prof Azim Surani, from the Gurdon Institute, said: "In my opinion, there has been a case to allow culture beyond 14 days even before these papers appeared. "
The 14-day limit is decades old and is thought to represent the first point at which an embryo becomes an "individual" as it can no longer form a twin.
But Prof Daniel Brison, from the University of Manchester, argued: "Given the potential benefits of new research in infertility, improving assisted conception methods, and in early miscarriage and disorders of pregnancy, there may be a case in the future to reconsider this."
The Nuffield Council of Bioethics - which played a prominent role in the debate around three-person babies - has announced it will review the issue.
It is an area that could spark huge ethical debate in the coming years.
Follow James on Twitter. | For the first time, embryos have been grown past the point they would normally implant in the womb.
The research, in the UK and US, was halted just before the embryos reached the legal limit of 14-days old.
But in an ethically-charged move, some scientists have already called for the 14-day limit to be changed.
The earliest steps towards human life are largely a mystery, but the research in Nature and Nature Cell Biology, has been able to study embryos for longer than ever before.
About a week used to be the limit - with scientists able to grow a fertilised egg up to the stage it would normally implant into the womb.
But they have now found a way to chemically mimic the womb to allow an embryo to continue developing until the two week stage.
It requires a combination of a nutrient-rich medium and a structure the embryo can pretend to "implant" upon.
The experiments were deliberately ended at the 13-day stage - just before the legal limit, but far beyond anything that has been achieved before.
Nine things that shape your identity before birth
The research is already providing insight into how an embryo starts the process of organising itself into a human being.
It is a crucial time when many embryos acquire developmental defects or fail to implant.
For example the study has allowed scientists to see the formation of the epiblast in 10-day-old embryos.
It is a crucial and tiny cluster of cells that eventually forms the human being, while the cells surrounding it go on to make the placenta and yolk sac.
Prof Magdalena Zernicka Goetz, from the University of Cambridge, said she "couldn't remember being more happy" than succeeding in growing the embryos.
She told the BBC: "It actually allows us to understand the very first steps in our development at the time of implantation where the embryo, really for the first time, reorganises itself to form the future body.
"Those steps we didn't know before so it has enormous implication for reproductive technologies."
There is international agreement that experiments should not allow embryos to develop past 14 days.
This research is pushing right up against the legal limits and some scientists are already making the case for the 14-day limit to be reviewed.
Prof Azim Surani, from the Gurdon Institute, said: "In my opinion, there has been a case to allow culture beyond 14 days even before these papers appeared. "
The 14-day limit is decades old and is thought to represent the first point at which an embryo becomes an "individual" as it can no longer form a twin.
But Prof Daniel Brison, from the University of Manchester, argued: "Given the potential benefits of new research in infertility, improving assisted conception methods, and in early miscarriage and disorders of pregnancy, there may be a case in the future to reconsider this."
The Nuffield Council of Bioethics - which played a prominent role in the debate around three-person babies - has announced it will review the issue.
It is an area that could spark huge ethical debate in the coming years.
Follow James on Twitter. |
Add punctuation: The programme's future on ITV1 had been the subject of intense speculation for some time.
ITV confirmed it had decided not to commission any further series of Taggart for the ITV network.
Programme producers STV said they were exploring a range of options with other broadcasters to keep Taggart going.
The company said it was committed to the brand and recognised the continuing popularity of this long-running series.
It is believed the company will look at possible co-financing deals with other UK-based channels or foreign broadcasters.
An ITV spokesman said: "Since it was first broadcast in 1983, Taggart has been one of ITV's most enduring dramas but, reflecting the demands of our audience and as part of the ongoing creative renewal of the ITV1 schedule, our priority is to invest in new and original drama for the channel."
He added: "ITV1 broadcast five out of the top 10 new dramas on any channel last year, including the most popular new drama in over five years, Downton Abbey.
"A broad range of new drama series premiering on the channel over 2011 includes Marchlands, Vera, Injustice, Scott & Bailey, The Jury and DCI Banks."
Two years ago, Taggart came close to being axed but STV and ITV worked out a co-production deal.
This meant that STV paid a significant proportion of the production cost itself but also gained the right to screen the series before it was shown across the network.
Previously STV had simply been commissioned by ITV to make the series and it was shown across the whole of the UK simultaneously.
The most recent series was shown in the STV region last autumn while viewers in the rest of the UK saw the acclaimed costume drama Downton Abbey. Taggart's ratings within the STV region remained strong.
But when the series was shown on the network a few months later, it was a different story. Taggart's ratings across the UK fell to 3.8 million for the most recent series - considered poor for a mainstream drama.
In recent years, ITV has axed a number of long-running dramas - notably Heartbeat and The Bill - to put more effort into bringing new shows to the screen.
Although Taggart had lost its popularity on ITV1, it remains popular in Scotland and is important to STV commercially and the television industry in Scotland.
For instance, STV generates money from Taggart through sales to foreign broadcasters - over the years it has been screened in many countries around the world.
Distributor DRG said Taggart was a "hugely popular" series internationally, airing across three different TV channels in Australia alone.
A DRG spokesperson added: "It's our shared ambition to return Taggart to UK screens and we can confirm we're currently working closely with STV as we explore options to achieve this."
ITV did recently commission another drama from STV - a 90-minute one-off called Fast Freddie, The Widow and Me, which is expected to be shown over Christmas.
STV and ITV recently ended a long-running legal dispute amicably. The dispute was triggered by STV's decision to drop a number of ITV network programmes but touched on many other matters.
ITV sources are stressing the decision to discontinue Taggart was a purely creative decision, completely unconnected with the dispute. | The programme's future on ITV1 had been the subject of intense speculation for some time.
ITV confirmed it had decided not to commission any further series of Taggart for the ITV network.
Programme producers STV said they were exploring a range of options with other broadcasters to keep Taggart going.
The company said it was committed to the brand and recognised the continuing popularity of this long-running series.
It is believed the company will look at possible co-financing deals with other UK-based channels or foreign broadcasters.
An ITV spokesman said: "Since it was first broadcast in 1983, Taggart has been one of ITV's most enduring dramas but, reflecting the demands of our audience and as part of the ongoing creative renewal of the ITV1 schedule, our priority is to invest in new and original drama for the channel."
He added: "ITV1 broadcast five out of the top 10 new dramas on any channel last year, including the most popular new drama in over five years, Downton Abbey.
"A broad range of new drama series premiering on the channel over 2011 includes Marchlands, Vera, Injustice, Scott & Bailey, The Jury and DCI Banks."
Two years ago, Taggart came close to being axed but STV and ITV worked out a co-production deal.
This meant that STV paid a significant proportion of the production cost itself but also gained the right to screen the series before it was shown across the network.
Previously STV had simply been commissioned by ITV to make the series and it was shown across the whole of the UK simultaneously.
The most recent series was shown in the STV region last autumn while viewers in the rest of the UK saw the acclaimed costume drama Downton Abbey. Taggart's ratings within the STV region remained strong.
But when the series was shown on the network a few months later, it was a different story. Taggart's ratings across the UK fell to 3.8 million for the most recent series - considered poor for a mainstream drama.
In recent years, ITV has axed a number of long-running dramas - notably Heartbeat and The Bill - to put more effort into bringing new shows to the screen.
Although Taggart had lost its popularity on ITV1, it remains popular in Scotland and is important to STV commercially and the television industry in Scotland.
For instance, STV generates money from Taggart through sales to foreign broadcasters - over the years it has been screened in many countries around the world.
Distributor DRG said Taggart was a "hugely popular" series internationally, airing across three different TV channels in Australia alone.
A DRG spokesperson added: "It's our shared ambition to return Taggart to UK screens and we can confirm we're currently working closely with STV as we explore options to achieve this."
ITV did recently commission another drama from STV - a 90-minute one-off called Fast Freddie, The Widow and Me, which is expected to be shown over Christmas.
STV and ITV recently ended a long-running legal dispute amicably. The dispute was triggered by STV's decision to drop a number of ITV network programmes but touched on many other matters.
ITV sources are stressing the decision to discontinue Taggart was a purely creative decision, completely unconnected with the dispute. |
Add punctuation: The organisations became liable for the tax after merging from regional into national bodies.
The Scottish government said it meant Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service still faced an annual VAT cost of about £35m.
The UK government said MSPs knew of the VAT implications before the mergers.
Local police and fire services were exempt from VAT but this ended with the creation of national bodies in Scotland in 2013.
Other territorial services in the UK remain exempt.
The fresh calls for the UK government to deal with the "anomaly" follow a Sunday Times Scotland report suggesting an end to the payments could be on the cards in the chancellor's next budget.
Mr Mackay said: "We have repeatedly called on the UK government to end the glaring disparity in the way that VAT affects emergency services across the UK, with Scottish police and fire services facing £35m of unnecessary annual costs which other territorial services do not have.
"This is unacceptable and I will be pursuing with the chancellor whether the reports he has changed his mind are true or simply more mixed messages from the UK government.
"We have repeatedly made clear that the financial support we are providing for our frontline emergency services would go much further if Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were able to recover VAT.
"Any move to end this would be welcome - it would make a real difference to frontline services in Scotland."
A UK government spokeswoman said: "Before the Scottish government made the decision to make Scotland's police and fire services national rather than regional bodies, they were told this would mean that Scottish police and fire services would become ineligible for VAT refunds.
"They pressed ahead with the changes fully aware of the implications. There has been absolutely no change in this position." | The organisations became liable for the tax after merging from regional into national bodies.
The Scottish government said it meant Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service still faced an annual VAT cost of about £35m.
The UK government said MSPs knew of the VAT implications before the mergers.
Local police and fire services were exempt from VAT but this ended with the creation of national bodies in Scotland in 2013.
Other territorial services in the UK remain exempt.
The fresh calls for the UK government to deal with the "anomaly" follow a Sunday Times Scotland report suggesting an end to the payments could be on the cards in the chancellor's next budget.
Mr Mackay said: "We have repeatedly called on the UK government to end the glaring disparity in the way that VAT affects emergency services across the UK, with Scottish police and fire services facing £35m of unnecessary annual costs which other territorial services do not have.
"This is unacceptable and I will be pursuing with the chancellor whether the reports he has changed his mind are true or simply more mixed messages from the UK government.
"We have repeatedly made clear that the financial support we are providing for our frontline emergency services would go much further if Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were able to recover VAT.
"Any move to end this would be welcome - it would make a real difference to frontline services in Scotland."
A UK government spokeswoman said: "Before the Scottish government made the decision to make Scotland's police and fire services national rather than regional bodies, they were told this would mean that Scottish police and fire services would become ineligible for VAT refunds.
"They pressed ahead with the changes fully aware of the implications. There has been absolutely no change in this position." |
Add punctuation: The singer met 13-year-old Shamsher Sherin at a Calais refugee camp last week and was so moved by his story that she apologised "on behalf of my country for what we've put you through".
Shamsher is now with his father in Birmingham, according to translator Mohammad Ishaq, who is helping them.
He was among dozens of child migrants brought to the UK on Wednesday.
They will be joining their families and are among about 100 minors who will be brought over by the Home Office.
More updates on this story and others in Birmingham
During the interview with the pop star, Shamsher revealed he had been in the Calais refugee camp for two months after fleeing his home in Afghanistan.
He said his father lived in Birmingham, giving him a legal right to make his way across the Channel.
But he said it was better to make his way into the country on the back of a lorry because the legal process was too slow.
He described one occasion when he was kicked and slapped by police after a failed attempt to get into the UK.
Speaking to the BBC, he said he looked forward to starting a life in England and wanted to go to school.
After watching the interview, his father Hazrat Gul Sherin, who fled Afghanistan in 2005 and now lives in Alum Rock, said he would hold his son close to his chest and embrace him as soon as they were reunited.
Translator Mr Ishaq said he received a phone call on Thursday evening from Mr Sherin to say he was now with his son and he was "very happy".
"He was so emotional... he wanted to thank the UK government... he said 'my dream is completed now'."
After hearing the boy had crossed the border, Allen tweeted: "So happy to see that Sham Sher made it to the UK safely and won't be risking his life jumping on to moving vehicles." | The singer met 13-year-old Shamsher Sherin at a Calais refugee camp last week and was so moved by his story that she apologised "on behalf of my country for what we've put you through".
Shamsher is now with his father in Birmingham, according to translator Mohammad Ishaq, who is helping them.
He was among dozens of child migrants brought to the UK on Wednesday.
They will be joining their families and are among about 100 minors who will be brought over by the Home Office.
More updates on this story and others in Birmingham
During the interview with the pop star, Shamsher revealed he had been in the Calais refugee camp for two months after fleeing his home in Afghanistan.
He said his father lived in Birmingham, giving him a legal right to make his way across the Channel.
But he said it was better to make his way into the country on the back of a lorry because the legal process was too slow.
He described one occasion when he was kicked and slapped by police after a failed attempt to get into the UK.
Speaking to the BBC, he said he looked forward to starting a life in England and wanted to go to school.
After watching the interview, his father Hazrat Gul Sherin, who fled Afghanistan in 2005 and now lives in Alum Rock, said he would hold his son close to his chest and embrace him as soon as they were reunited.
Translator Mr Ishaq said he received a phone call on Thursday evening from Mr Sherin to say he was now with his son and he was "very happy".
"He was so emotional... he wanted to thank the UK government... he said 'my dream is completed now'."
After hearing the boy had crossed the border, Allen tweeted: "So happy to see that Sham Sher made it to the UK safely and won't be risking his life jumping on to moving vehicles." |
Add punctuation: They struck at the branch in Haunch Lane, Kings Heath, just before 22:00 BST on 4 June, police said.
The women rammed open shutters with a milk crate before threatening staff and forcing them to open the tills.
Police said they snatched handfuls of notes from the tills and escaped with hundreds of pounds in cash.
See more stories from across Birmingham and the Black Country here
Det Con David Cockbill, said: "No injuries were reported despite the use of weapons. However, the staff members have understandably been left very shaken by what happened.
"As part of the investigation we've examined CCTV and audio of the incident and we are confident the two suspects are female." | They struck at the branch in Haunch Lane, Kings Heath, just before 22:00 BST on 4 June, police said.
The women rammed open shutters with a milk crate before threatening staff and forcing them to open the tills.
Police said they snatched handfuls of notes from the tills and escaped with hundreds of pounds in cash.
See more stories from across Birmingham and the Black Country here
Det Con David Cockbill, said: "No injuries were reported despite the use of weapons. However, the staff members have understandably been left very shaken by what happened.
"As part of the investigation we've examined CCTV and audio of the incident and we are confident the two suspects are female." |
Add punctuation: The Romanian, 24, won 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 to claim her third title of the year.
However, the world number five was unable to add a second title as she and compatriot Monica Niculescu were beaten by Russian duo Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina in the doubles final.
Makarova and Vesnina, who will represent their country at the Rio Olympics, won 6-3, 7-6 (7-5).
It was a different matter in the singles where fifth seed Halep eventually breezed through a tie-break against the 21-year-old American after a first set that saw eight breaks of serve.
Halep, who also beat Keys in the fourth round at Wimbledon, broke again in the second set and never looked troubled thereafter.
You can now add tennis alerts in the BBC Sport app - simply head to the menu and My Alerts section | The Romanian, 24, won 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 to claim her third title of the year.
However, the world number five was unable to add a second title as she and compatriot Monica Niculescu were beaten by Russian duo Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina in the doubles final.
Makarova and Vesnina, who will represent their country at the Rio Olympics, won 6-3, 7-6 (7-5).
It was a different matter in the singles where fifth seed Halep eventually breezed through a tie-break against the 21-year-old American after a first set that saw eight breaks of serve.
Halep, who also beat Keys in the fourth round at Wimbledon, broke again in the second set and never looked troubled thereafter.
You can now add tennis alerts in the BBC Sport app - simply head to the menu and My Alerts section |
Add punctuation: Speaking on BBC Radio 2, Peter said: "I feel it’s time to move on."
The new series airs in spring and Capaldi said his final episode will be shown at Christmas.
The 58-year-old Glasgow-born star became the 12th actor to play the Doctor in 2013.
He's shared his adventures with Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) and Bill Potts (Pearl Mackie)
This chat page is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
He was a good doctor to be honest, however if you read the chronicles of Doctor Who and it states that there should have been only 12 regenerations. And so there can't be a new doctor. I am sad to see him go because he really made a impact on the Doctor Who series and I just don't think there should be anymore since this is the Doctor's last regeneration.
William, Sheffield, England
I think Martin Freeman should be the next doctor. He would be really good at it and he would be really funny.
Alice, Weymouth, England
I think the next actor to play the doctor should definitely be a man. My dad and I think it should be British actor Simon Pegg.
Joshua, United Kingdom
I would like to be the next doctor!
William, Okehampton, England
I agree that Peter made a good choice so he can move on to other things. I also think that next doctor should be a woman.
Sophie, Surrey, England | Speaking on BBC Radio 2, Peter said: "I feel it’s time to move on."
The new series airs in spring and Capaldi said his final episode will be shown at Christmas.
The 58-year-old Glasgow-born star became the 12th actor to play the Doctor in 2013.
He's shared his adventures with Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) and Bill Potts (Pearl Mackie)
This chat page is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
He was a good doctor to be honest, however if you read the chronicles of Doctor Who and it states that there should have been only 12 regenerations. And so there can't be a new doctor. I am sad to see him go because he really made a impact on the Doctor Who series and I just don't think there should be anymore since this is the Doctor's last regeneration.
William, Sheffield, England
I think Martin Freeman should be the next doctor. He would be really good at it and he would be really funny.
Alice, Weymouth, England
I think the next actor to play the doctor should definitely be a man. My dad and I think it should be British actor Simon Pegg.
Joshua, United Kingdom
I would like to be the next doctor!
William, Okehampton, England
I agree that Peter made a good choice so he can move on to other things. I also think that next doctor should be a woman.
Sophie, Surrey, England |
Add punctuation: The six have now been sentenced for life "for a period of 25 years", the court in Maharashtra state has ruled.
Eight men were found guilty in September 2008. Two were given life sentences. Three others were acquitted.
The Dalits - a woman, daughter and two sons - were killed by an upper-caste mob in a land row. The husband escaped.
The case led to widespread protests. Crimes against Dalits, formerly known as untouchables, often go unpunished in India.
Discrimination against Dalits, who are at the bottom of the centuries-old Hindu caste system, is a punishable offence in India.
But campaigners say violence against Dalits continues.
Raped and murdered
The brutal killings took place on 29 September 2006 in a remote village called Khairlanji, in Bhandara district in the north-east of Maharashtra, western India.
Surekha Bhotmange, her 17-year-old daughter Priyanka and two sons, 19-year-old Roshan and 21-year-old Sudhir, were at home when the mob broke into their mud hut and murdered them.
The four were dragged out and beaten with bicycle chains, sticks and other weapons.
The court heard that the mother and daughter were stripped and raped by the mob. The women's bodies were found in a nearby canal the next day.
Surekha's husband, Bhaiyyalal Bhotmange, managed to escape and hid behind a tree from where he watched helplessly as his family were killed.
He pursued the case with the support of several human rights activists.
The killings led to widespread protests across Maharashtra.
In the traditional Hindu caste system, Dalits were considered the lowest of the low castes.
They were expected to do the most menial jobs in villages. They could not share basic amenities, including drinking water, with upper-caste people.
Such practices still exist in rural areas. | The six have now been sentenced for life "for a period of 25 years", the court in Maharashtra state has ruled.
Eight men were found guilty in September 2008. Two were given life sentences. Three others were acquitted.
The Dalits - a woman, daughter and two sons - were killed by an upper-caste mob in a land row. The husband escaped.
The case led to widespread protests. Crimes against Dalits, formerly known as untouchables, often go unpunished in India.
Discrimination against Dalits, who are at the bottom of the centuries-old Hindu caste system, is a punishable offence in India.
But campaigners say violence against Dalits continues.
Raped and murdered
The brutal killings took place on 29 September 2006 in a remote village called Khairlanji, in Bhandara district in the north-east of Maharashtra, western India.
Surekha Bhotmange, her 17-year-old daughter Priyanka and two sons, 19-year-old Roshan and 21-year-old Sudhir, were at home when the mob broke into their mud hut and murdered them.
The four were dragged out and beaten with bicycle chains, sticks and other weapons.
The court heard that the mother and daughter were stripped and raped by the mob. The women's bodies were found in a nearby canal the next day.
Surekha's husband, Bhaiyyalal Bhotmange, managed to escape and hid behind a tree from where he watched helplessly as his family were killed.
He pursued the case with the support of several human rights activists.
The killings led to widespread protests across Maharashtra.
In the traditional Hindu caste system, Dalits were considered the lowest of the low castes.
They were expected to do the most menial jobs in villages. They could not share basic amenities, including drinking water, with upper-caste people.
Such practices still exist in rural areas. |
Add punctuation: The Price of Football surveys the cost of the cheapest and most expensive match-day and season tickets, as well as the cost of a pie, programme, cup of tea and adult and junior replica shirts.
The calculator helps you navigate through this data with ease.
Simply enter the name of your club and you'll have all the key data presented and put into context for you.
In addition you can work out how much support of your team is costing you. Simply enter your ticket cost, food, drink and programme spend, plus how many replica shirts you buy and the amount you pay on TV sports subscriptions. The calculator will then compare that to a number of costs, such as player wages, transfer fees and other leisure pursuits.
Throughout the calculator, we compare how various costs have changed using data from previous BBC Price of Football studies.
Some data comparisons are not available for clubs not included in previous years.
The 'price of a goal' is calculated by dividing the cost of a club's cheapest season ticket last season by the number of goals scored by the team at home in the same season.
Some comparisons are not available for clubs not surveyed last season, or promoted to the National League.
Programme costs were not collected from European clubs, as many do not publish match-day programmes in the same way as UK teams.
The BBC contacted 227 clubs for the study. Of those, 200 were in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales and another 27 in Europe.
The data was collated and verified by BBC Sport journalists.
Swansea are omitted from the survey and calculator because they declined to take part.
All ticket prices refer to an adult ticket when bought individually.
The match-day ticket prices quoted refer to high and low prices available on the day of a game, to reflect the price for fans who decide on match day they would like to attend a game, and not individual offers.
Match-day costs reflect categories that are registered with the relevant league, rather than individual, or one-off, offers.
The season ticket prices quoted refer to the cheapest possible ticket (including early bird offers), and the most expensive season ticket.
Replica shirt prices are listed according to the official cost in the club shop or website - rather than separate retailers. | The Price of Football surveys the cost of the cheapest and most expensive match-day and season tickets, as well as the cost of a pie, programme, cup of tea and adult and junior replica shirts.
The calculator helps you navigate through this data with ease.
Simply enter the name of your club and you'll have all the key data presented and put into context for you.
In addition you can work out how much support of your team is costing you. Simply enter your ticket cost, food, drink and programme spend, plus how many replica shirts you buy and the amount you pay on TV sports subscriptions. The calculator will then compare that to a number of costs, such as player wages, transfer fees and other leisure pursuits.
Throughout the calculator, we compare how various costs have changed using data from previous BBC Price of Football studies.
Some data comparisons are not available for clubs not included in previous years.
The 'price of a goal' is calculated by dividing the cost of a club's cheapest season ticket last season by the number of goals scored by the team at home in the same season.
Some comparisons are not available for clubs not surveyed last season, or promoted to the National League.
Programme costs were not collected from European clubs, as many do not publish match-day programmes in the same way as UK teams.
The BBC contacted 227 clubs for the study. Of those, 200 were in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales and another 27 in Europe.
The data was collated and verified by BBC Sport journalists.
Swansea are omitted from the survey and calculator because they declined to take part.
All ticket prices refer to an adult ticket when bought individually.
The match-day ticket prices quoted refer to high and low prices available on the day of a game, to reflect the price for fans who decide on match day they would like to attend a game, and not individual offers.
Match-day costs reflect categories that are registered with the relevant league, rather than individual, or one-off, offers.
The season ticket prices quoted refer to the cheapest possible ticket (including early bird offers), and the most expensive season ticket.
Replica shirt prices are listed according to the official cost in the club shop or website - rather than separate retailers. |
Add punctuation: Schools where over 40% of pupils are eligible for free meals will lose most, say National Union of Teachers and Child Poverty Action Group researchers.
Ministers should rethink the national funding formula, which is due to begin in 2018-19, they say.
The government says the proposals will end a "postcode lottery" in funding.
The plans, announced late last year, will change the way that per pupil funding for schools is allocated and will mean a cash boost for more than half of schools, according to the government.
The aim is to stop inequalities that see schools in different parts of England, with similar intakes, receive different levels of per-pupil budget, say ministers.
But the overall budget will not increase, and education unions have already complained the proposals mean most schools will lose out, against a background of flat-lining budgets not keeping pace with costs.
Calculations, published in January by an alliance of six unions representing school staff, suggested that 98% of schools faced "a real terms funding cut for every pupil".
The six unions - the National Union of Teachers, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, the National Association of Head Teachers, Unison, Unite and the GMB, said this would mean an average annual loss of £339 for every primary pupil and £477 for every secondary pupil.
The new analysis compares the predicted funding changes for schools generally with those for 997 schools with more than 40% of pupils on free school meals.
The figures suggest that funding for these schools would fall:
Child Poverty Action Group chief executive Alison Garnham called the figures "shocking".
"If the country - and our education system - is to work for everyone, not just the privileged few, ministers must reconsider the school funding formula," she said.
"Poverty at home is the strongest statistical predictor of how well a child will do at school, [but] schools and teachers can help to weaken that link if they have sufficient resources."
Ms Garnham said funding cuts in the poorest areas would set children up to fail.
"In the context of the prime minister's social justice agenda, that outcome looks perverse," she added.
NUT general secretary Kevin Courtney said it was disturbing that children in most need were in the worst affected schools.
By failing to fund the poorest children's schools properly, the government would be "seriously threatening their life chances", he said.
"Justine Greening must listen to the many voices that are saying her funding proposals are unfair in the extreme and in need of a complete rethink," said Mr Courtney.
But a Department for Education spokeswoman called the analysis "fundamentally misleading".
"Our proposed new funding formula recognises educational disadvantage in its widest sense, including pupils who do not necessarily benefit from the pupil premium but whose families may be only just about managing," she said.
"It also increases the total funding directed specifically to deprived pupils to £3bn.
"The union's figures ignore the fact that school funding is driven by pupil numbers, and as pupil numbers rise, the amount of money schools receive will also increase." | Schools where over 40% of pupils are eligible for free meals will lose most, say National Union of Teachers and Child Poverty Action Group researchers.
Ministers should rethink the national funding formula, which is due to begin in 2018-19, they say.
The government says the proposals will end a "postcode lottery" in funding.
The plans, announced late last year, will change the way that per pupil funding for schools is allocated and will mean a cash boost for more than half of schools, according to the government.
The aim is to stop inequalities that see schools in different parts of England, with similar intakes, receive different levels of per-pupil budget, say ministers.
But the overall budget will not increase, and education unions have already complained the proposals mean most schools will lose out, against a background of flat-lining budgets not keeping pace with costs.
Calculations, published in January by an alliance of six unions representing school staff, suggested that 98% of schools faced "a real terms funding cut for every pupil".
The six unions - the National Union of Teachers, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, the National Association of Head Teachers, Unison, Unite and the GMB, said this would mean an average annual loss of £339 for every primary pupil and £477 for every secondary pupil.
The new analysis compares the predicted funding changes for schools generally with those for 997 schools with more than 40% of pupils on free school meals.
The figures suggest that funding for these schools would fall:
Child Poverty Action Group chief executive Alison Garnham called the figures "shocking".
"If the country - and our education system - is to work for everyone, not just the privileged few, ministers must reconsider the school funding formula," she said.
"Poverty at home is the strongest statistical predictor of how well a child will do at school, [but] schools and teachers can help to weaken that link if they have sufficient resources."
Ms Garnham said funding cuts in the poorest areas would set children up to fail.
"In the context of the prime minister's social justice agenda, that outcome looks perverse," she added.
NUT general secretary Kevin Courtney said it was disturbing that children in most need were in the worst affected schools.
By failing to fund the poorest children's schools properly, the government would be "seriously threatening their life chances", he said.
"Justine Greening must listen to the many voices that are saying her funding proposals are unfair in the extreme and in need of a complete rethink," said Mr Courtney.
But a Department for Education spokeswoman called the analysis "fundamentally misleading".
"Our proposed new funding formula recognises educational disadvantage in its widest sense, including pupils who do not necessarily benefit from the pupil premium but whose families may be only just about managing," she said.
"It also increases the total funding directed specifically to deprived pupils to £3bn.
"The union's figures ignore the fact that school funding is driven by pupil numbers, and as pupil numbers rise, the amount of money schools receive will also increase." |