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Writing in his Daily Telegraph column, he called for tougher powers to deal with British extremists who leave the UK to fight in Iraq and Syria. He said there should be a "presumption" that Britons who go without telling UK authorities have a "terrorist purpose". Deputy PM Nick Clegg said changing the law would not help defeat extremists. And former attorney general Dominic Grieve said Mr Johnson's proposal undermined UK values. The Human Rights Act states that anyone charged with a criminal offence in the UK is "presumed innocent until proved guilty". But Mr Johnson wrote: "The law needs a swift and minor change so that there is a 'rebuttable presumption' (which shifts the burden of proof on to the defendant) that all those visiting war areas without notifying the authorities have done so for a terrorist purpose." Mr Johnson also said he wanted stronger monitoring of extremists and suggested the government could bring back control orders, under which ministers could sign an order placing a suspect under close supervision. The orders were replaced in 2011 by the weaker Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures (TPims), which restrict movement, the use of computers and mobile phones, and meetings with others. Mr Johnson said Britons returning from Iraq and Syria would need "surveillance at the very least". "If we have to bring back control orders for some of the more serious risks, we should do so immediately," he said. People who "continue to give allegiance to a terrorist state" should have their citizenship taken away, Mr Johnson added. He said Britain must try to close down Islamic State (IS), warning that if nothing was done it would mean "a tide of terror will eventually lap at our own front door". He devoted much of his column to calling for a stronger military response against IS forces. While recent UK military interventions had left the nation reluctant to get involved in overseas conflicts, he said, "doing nothing is surely the worst of all". With the US and UK keen to avoid sending in troops, he said fighting IS would "probably need a vast and co-ordinated series of American strikes by drones and other missiles, coupled with a lot of effort from special forces". Mr Johnson said failing to act would be "allowing a new and hideous regime to be born". "The place would be a giant training ground for terrorists and wannabe jihadis. We need to try to close it down now, before it gets worse," he said. "What is the point of having a defence budget if we don't at least try to prevent the establishment of a terrorist 'caliphate' that is profoundly hostile to civilised values?" Mr Johnson has overall responsibility for the Metropolitan Police which believes that about half of the 500 British jihadists who have gone to Iraq and Syria to join IS are from London. Commenting on Mr Johnson's proposed law change, Mr Clegg said new legislation would not remove IS, and the government should focus on working
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Four steel columns were required at Scarthin Books, in Cromford, Derbyshire, to support the weight of about 100,000 books. Thousands of pounds were raised within days of the appeal starting and it is now close to hitting a £10,000 target. Manager David Booker said the fund had had donations from all over the world. The shop, which has four floors and a vegetarian cafe, was dubbed one of the best in the world by The Guardian, in 2008. "We've been blown away by the phenomenal response, it's very heart-warming," Mr Booker said. "[The appeal] brought out people's memories and touched a nerve." Initially, the aim was to raise 50% of the cost of the building work but the public's generosity has meant there is now enough money to carry out roofing and internal repairs. Work has begun on safeguarding the building's future with four steel posts being installed on the ground floor. Mr Booker said the builders had agreed to wait for payment until the crowd funding appeal ends on 26 April, with £9,042 raised so far.
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World number 96 Broady, who beat former Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki in the previous round, was soon 3-1 down to 2014 Wimbledon finalist Bouchard. And in only her second WTA semi-final, the 26-year-old lost the opening set to her Canadian opponent in 38 minutes. Bouchard, the world number 52 who won the only previous meeting between the pair in 2012, triumphed in 76 minutes. Broady had three break points in the eighth game of the second set to level at 4-4 but was unable to take them. Bouchard will next face 21-year-old Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, the second seed and ranked 19th in the world. She beat China's Lin Zhu 6-3 6-3. Broady, meanwhile, has withdrawn from the Indian Wells event which starts on Monday. She wrote on Twitter: "I've never played there before and was really looking forward to it but I need to look after my body." Elsewhere, British number two Heather Watson reached the semi-finals of the Monterrey Open. The 23-year-old beat second seed Caroline Wozniacki 7-5 6-4 in the quarter-finals and will meet France's Caroline Garcia in the last four.
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The Duchess said credit unions could "bring in from the cold" those who were unable to obtain traditional loans. She added that they offered a "friendly financial community" for their members. Her comments came in a speech to industry experts at a Clarence House event to mark International Credit Union Day. The Duchess said: "Credit unions serve people, not profit. They provide a friendly financial community where members mutually benefit from advice, as well as savings accounts and loans." UK Credit unions hold more than £1.1bn worth of assets and have more than one million members. They operate as mutual financial co-operatives that take deposits and give loans to members. The sector is still relatively small in the UK, compared with countries like the US where credit unions serve around one third of the country's population. The Duchess said she believed credit unions could "change the way we talk and think about savings and loans." She added: "They can encourage those who have the means to save, and bring in from the cold those vulnerable people who struggle to qualify for loans." And she said: "I do believe credit unions could be a real force for change in the financial landscape and are truly a cause worth championing." The maximum any credit union charges is 3% per month on a reducing balance, which would accumulate to 42.6% over a year. Mark Lyonette, chief executive of the Association of British Credit Unions Limited (Abcul), said: "We greatly appreciate the support she continues to give to the movement, and welcome this event which will bring the credit union message to a new audience. "Credit unions are attracting support from a number of high profile backers as more and more people recognise the valuable service they can offer to people from all walks of life."
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After Tom Briscoe put Leeds ahead, Warrington hit back with two tries from Ryan Atkins to lead 12-4 at the break. Tom Lineham's converted try stretched Wire's lead before Leeds replied with tries from Matt Parcell and Joel Moon. But Kurt Gidley then crossed, Declan Patton adding a fourth conversion of the night before his late drop-goal. Warrington were fortunate not to get a red card inside the first minute for second-row forward Ben Westwood, who was only yellow carded for his late hit on Liam Sutcliffe, whose night ended prematurely with concussion. After Westwood was sent to the sin-bin for the stiff-arm late tackle which put Sutcliffe out of the game, Leeds quickly cashed in down the right. On his 400th game for the club, Danny McGuire fed Briscoe, who twisted into a tackle before somehow propelling himself across the line for his second Super League try of the season. But, after Ashton Golding missed the kick, Warrington were ahead when Lineham touched back for Atkins to cross in the left corner, Patton adding the extras. Atkins then crossed for a second, the try still being awarded despite the Wire centre appearing to lose control of the ball just before touching down. Patton again converted, doing so again when the reprieved Westwood played Lineham in at the left corner early in the second half. Leeds responded with tries in quick succession, before Gidley's try on 68 minutes, again converted, took the hosts out of sight again to end the Rhinos' four-game winning run. Warrington coach Tony Smith: "It was late (Ben Westwood's challenge on Liam Sutcliffe) but there was nothing in it in terms of anything else. It was warranted, the 10 minutes." "There might be a couple of other things, chicken wings and those sort of things, that crept in there but we will have a look at that later on. "I'm pleased for the players. We had faith it was coming. There is not much difference between winning and losing. Leeds have played that standard this season and won games. It shows there is not a lot between us. "It is a tough competition and, if you are off in some areas, it is hard to turn that around in terms of results. We know we are going to climb the ladder. We've not had the start we wanted but the way we finished will be the way we want it to be." Leeds boss Brian McDermott: "I haven't seen it enough (the Westwood incident). "He certainly doesn't miss but I wouldn't comment on it. And it wasn't the the reason we lost the game. "If you were to go through our performance in detail you'd find one or two things where we weren't as good as we should be. "We didn't get much momentum with the ball in the first half but Warrington's kicking game was not far off a 10 out of 10 tonight. "We wanted to be more inventive with the ball. I find
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The attack on anti-junk mail group Spamhaus in 2013 slowed the internet around the world. Seth Nolan Mcdonagh was sentenced at Southwark crown court to 240 hours of community service for the attack. Mcdonagh had already pleaded guilty to five charges but details could not be reported until today's sentencing hearing by which time he had turned 18. The attack on Spamhaus - which tracks sources of junk mail messages, to help network administrators and law enforcement to block spam senders - began on 15 March 2013 and drew world-wide attention. It was a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack in which attackers bombarded servers with so many requests for data that they can no longer cope. This made them crash or stop working. Spamhaus called on anti-DDoS specialist Cloudflare for support which then led to further and heavier attacks. At its peak the attack was funnelling 300 gigabits of traffic every second to Spamhaus computers - the biggest DDoS attack ever seen at that time. The sheer volume of traffic caused problems for internet traffic internationally and particularly for LINX - the London Internet Exchange - which helps data hop from one network to another. The court heard the impact on the internet had been "substantial". Mcdonagh, who used the hacker alias "narko", was described as a "gun for hire" who took down websites for those willing to pay, although other individuals, the court heard, may also have been involved. Amongst other sites he targeted was the BBC on 24 February 2013, Sandip Patel QC for the prosecution said. The court also heard that more than £72,000 had been discovered in Mcdonagh's bank account after his arrest in April 2013. Source code used in the attacks was also found on machines in his house in London. He also had in his possession 1,000 credit card numbers, apparently from German financial institutions. Evidence presented in court revealed that Mcdonagh's criminal activity started when he was 13. Ben Cooper, defending Mcdonagh, said his client had suffered from a severe mental illness at the time of the attack and had withdrawn from school, the wider world and even his own family. His family have since played a key role in supporting his recovery to the point where he is now completing his A-levels and hoping to go to university . Judge Pegden described the case as "exceptional" adding that the crimes were "serious" and "sophisticated and unprecedented in scope". The judge did not impose a custodial sentence saying Mcdonagh's rehabilitation since his arrest was "remarkable" and that he had shown "complete and genuine remorse". He said there was virtually no risk of further harm or re-offending. Richard Cox, chief information officer at Spamhaus, thanked the UK's National Crime Agency for the "enormous effort and resources" it had dedicated to investigating Mcdonagh. He said he hoped the case would make very clear the considerable benefit that can result from law enforcement working closely with industry. "We fully appreciate the difficult predicament with which
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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
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English duo Peaty and Guy will make their Olympic debuts in Brazil, as will Welsh Commonwealth champion Jazz Carlin. "I want to make Britain proud," Peaty, 21, told BBC Sport. Scotland's Hannah Miley, 26, and Robbie Renwick, 27, will compete in their third Games. However, former world champion Liam Tancock and ex-European gold medallist Lizzie Simmonds - who both raced at Beijing 2008 and London 2012 - miss out. European Games medallist Georgia Coates, 17, who finished third in the 200m freestyle final, is the youngest member of the Rio swimming squad. Who else has made GB's squad for Rio? What's happening in Olympic sport this week? Team GB swimmers failed to achieve their Olympic medal target of five at London 2012, winning one silver and two bronzes. However, a record-breaking 2015 World Championship has given the squad cause for optimism with world medallists Peaty, Guy, Carlin and Siobhan-Marie O'Connor among their ranks. Media playback is not supported on this device Peaty, who won three world titles in Kazan, is aiming to be the first British man since Adrian Moorhouse in 1988 to win an Olympic swimming gold medal. "It's Olympic year so you never know who's going to appear, but I'm definitely the strongest I've ever been," Peaty said. "It has been a long time [since the 1988 gold], but I like the pressure because it leaves me with nowhere to hide." Miley has won World, European and Commonwealth honours in an impressive career, but hopes Rio will finally allow her to realise her lifetime ambition of an Olympic medal. Media playback is not supported on this device "It's another fantastic opportunity to put myself out there against the very best in the world," she said. "It's the biggest event in the world - and hopefully I can come out on top." Tim Shuttleworth (1500m), Chloe Tutton (200m breaststroke), Max Litchfield (400m individual medley) are among a group of exciting youngsters to claim breakthrough British titles last week and secure surprise Olympic selections. "The team has been refreshed as a result of a series of great performances from some of our Podium Potential youngsters," British Swimming performance director Chris Spice said. "Athletes have done a good job to make the team, but our primary focus is to improve performances in Rio." Media playback is not supported on this device Scottish Commonwealth champion Dan Wallace has been given a reprieve despite a disappointing performance at the trials last week which saw him fail to attain the qualification standard in any of his three strongest event. He, Cameron Kurle and Ieuan Lloyd are the 'wildcard' picks, reserved for those swimmers that the GB selectors feel could act as relay alternates to key athletes who have large competition schedules at August's Games. The British swimmers who missed out on selection for Rio - despite victories at the Olympic trials - were Roberto Pavoni, Luke Greenbank, Alys Thomas and Adam Mallett. James Guy, Adam Peaty, Max Litchfield, Jazz Carlin, Siobhan-Marie O'Connor, Andrew Willis,
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The white-haired and blue-eyed female orangutan was being held captive in a remote village in the Indonesian part of the island of Borneo. It had been held in a cage for two days and "still displays wild behaviours", the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation said. The animal could soon be released back into the wild, the group said. Albino orangutans are extremely rare and this is the first taken in by the organisation in its 25-year history, BOS Foundation told AFP news agency. The group said it had determined the animal had albinism after physical examinations, saying its eyes were very sensitive to light. The animal, believed to be five years old, is being assessed at the group's rehabilitation centre, home to nearly 500 orangutans. Bornean orangutans are classified as "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their populations decreased by more than 60% between 1950 and 2010, due to the destruction of their habitat and hunting, and a further decline of 22% is expected between 2010 and 2025, the IUCN says. Around 100,000 orangutans are estimated to live on the island of Borneo, which is split between Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. There may be more albino orangutans on the island, the BOS Foundation says. "There must be orangutans living in the forests from whom the albino orangutan inherited the disorder, for it is genetic," CEO Jamartin Sihite was quoted by the Jakarta Post newspaper as saying. Listen: Forest of the Orangutan (BBC Radio 4)
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The 37-year-old ended his career with the Bluebirds in 2014 and made 91 appearances during two spells with his hometown club. In the role, Bellamy will oversee the club's youth development as they progress to the first team. "It's a position I feel passionately about and one that comes with huge responsibility," Bellamy said. "To be appointed in such a role is a fantastic honour for me." Bellamy played for seven clubs in the Premier League and made 78 appearances for Wales before retiring from international football in October 2013. During two spells with Liverpool, he won the 2006 Community Shield and the 2011-12 League Cup, where they beat Cardiff City on penalties in the final. A season later, he moved to Cardiff City on a permanent basis and helped the club win promotion to the Premier League for the first time. The club's executive director and CEO Ken Choo said: "The Club has recently undertaken an internal restructure of its academy and development programmes. "With this firmly in mind, it's felt that having somebody of Craig's stature in this role can be of huge significance to us moving forward. "I know that Neil [Warnock] feels Craig's influence here can create greater synergy between our youth players and the first-team with the ultimate goal of bringing players through to senior football."
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It had been reported that he would continue to be an executive producer of the show he helped create. He tweeted on Saturday that he would "devote zero time" to the new series, which will be hosted by actor and politician Arnold Schwarzenegger. However, Mr Trump did reaffirm that he has a "big stake" in the show. Mr Trump fronted the series, which is owned by MGM and aired by NBC, until 2015, when his political career took over. There have been concerns about a conflict of interest because of The Apprentice's advertising deals and because NBC also runs various news productions. "I have NOTHING to do with The Apprentice except for fact that I conceived it with Mark B & have a big stake in it. Will devote ZERO TIME!" Mr Trump tweeted, referring to the show's creator, television producer Mark Burnett. He described the reports that he would be working on the programme during his presidency as "fake news". Mr Trump will be sworn in as US president on 20 January, 18 days after the new series begins. Variety magazine, which first reported the story, had claimed he would be paid at least "in the low five-figures" per episode. MGM declined to comment on the financial arrangements. Some observers have questioned whether the connection could affect the reporting on Mr Trump by NBC's news division. In June 2015, NBC said it had ended its business relationship with Mr Trump because of "derogatory statements" he made about immigrants during his presidential campaign. On the links between the president-elect and The Apprentice, the liberal Media Matters blog wrote: "NBC will invite scepticism into how NBC and MSNBC can fairly cover the sitting president when there is a financial incentive to protect his reputation and the ratings of the Celebrity Apprentice. "Furthermore, Trump and NBC should address the conflict of interest concerns raised by the fact advertisers may help to personally enrich President-elect Donald Trump by purchasing ads during Celebrity Apprentice." However, the new series was recorded in February, before NBC severed its ties with Mr Trump and before his election. Mr Trump's supporters have defended the president-elect, comparing his Apprentice credit to royalties received by Barack Obama from his books. Mr Trump is due to hold a news conference next week outlining how he plans to leave his business "in total in order to fully focus on running the country". The new series of Celebrity Apprentice features stars including singer Boy George, Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil and Jersey Shore personality Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi.
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The star back had shoulder surgery after being injured for the Melbourne Rebels against Wellington on Saturday. But after initially fearing Beale would miss all four June Tests, he has been included in their training squad. A Wallabies spokesman said: "He [Beale] could come back in time to be involved in the Wales series." However, Australia skipper and lock James Horwill will miss the Scotland and Wales games because of a torn hamstring. Quade Cooper, who suffered a knee injury at last year's World Cup, is included in the 38-man squad after only 120 minutes of Queensland Reds Super 15 action since his recovery. Beale's fellow Melbourne Rebel and another recent convert to the number 10 jersey James O'Connor recovering from a lacerated liver, another factor that prompted coach Robbie Deans to include Cooper so soon after his return. James Horwill, we are presuming, is out for the whole of June but it is not as bad as it first looked. It looked pretty sinister at the time Horwill's absence will force the Wallabies to name a new captain for the match against the Scots in Newcastle before the first of three Tests against Six Nations champions Wales. The lock, who suffered his injury in Queensland Reds' win over ACT Brumbies on Saturday, joined Deans' squad and had a scan on Monday. "James, we are presuming, is out for the whole of June but it is not as bad as it first looked. It looked pretty sinister at the time," said Deans. Scrum-half Will Genia and flanker David Pocock are the leading candidates to lead the Tri-Nations champions in Horwill's absence With a final round of Super Rugby games to be played before the international break, Deans will name his team on Sunday for the Scotland Test on Tuesday, 5 June. Deans thanked the Australian clubs for their assistance in releasing players, before admitting that such a short turnaround from selection to the game against the Scots was not ideal. "The co-operation of the franchises has been considerable and we appreciate that," said Deans. Wales have named a 38-man training squad for the clash with the Barbarians on 2 June at the Millennium Stadium and for the three Tests against the Wallabies on 9, 16 and 23 June, in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney respectively. Australia squad in full: Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Kurtley Beale, Quade Cooper, Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Anthony Faingaa, Saia Faingaa, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Michael Harris, Scott Higginbotham, Michael Hooper, Rob Horne, Digby Ioane, Sekope Kepu, Salesi Ma'afu, Pat McCabe, Ben McCalman, Jesse Mogg, Stephen Moore, Luke Morahan, Cadeyrn Neville, Dan Palmer, Wycliff Palu, Nick Phipps, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota Nau, Hugh Pyle, Benn Robinson, Nathan Sharpe, Dominic Shipperley, Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Sitaleki Timani, Joseph Tomane, Cooper Vuna, Nic White.
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Eisner, a former president of Paramount Pictures, has previously considered investing in Championship club Reading. The 75-year-old billionaire is believed to be actively pursuing football interests through his investment firm. League Two Pompey said in a statement that "a robust process is in place to deal with any potential offers". Portsmouth, who have been a fan-owned club since exiting administration in 2013 with the Supporters' Trust (PST) as majority shareholders, declined to comment on any specific interest. "If we receive an offer, ultimately it will be for all our shareholders to decide if it would be in the club's best interest," the statement added. Eisner set up Tornante as a private company following his departure from Disney in 2005, which has interests in media and entertainment companies. The PST board have also responded to reports in the Portsmouth News of his alleged interest. "Retaining an ownership stake will be central to any discussions we enter in to," its statement said. "A club such as ours, with its incredible fan base, is bound to attract interest from possible buyers. It is our duty to listen to any serious and credible offer for the football club." Portsmouth are currently in the League Two automatic promotion places with eight games remaining this season.
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Substitute Odion Ighalo gave Watford the lead in the second half when he bundled home from close range. But Mark Byrne replied for the Gills with a stunning strike to take the tie into an additional 30 minutes. Striker Bradley Dack was the match winner on 100 minutes, guiding the ball in at the back post via the crossbar. Dack's winner made up for his penalty miss on 70 minutes, awarded after Elliot List was fouled inside the box by Juan Carlos Paredes. The victory is Gillingham's first against top-flight opposition since sending Portsmouth out of this competition at the same stage in 2005-06. Scotland winger Ikechi Anya should have given Watford a first-half lead but he shot straight at goalkeeper Stuart Nelson after Abdoulaye Doucoure's backheel pass. The result means new Watford boss Walter Mazzarri is still awaiting his first win after two defeats and a draw in his first three games. Gillingham boss Justin Edinburgh: "In the end we deserved it. We had to ride our luck a little bit in the first half. After Saturday we were a little fragile. "When we missed the penalty I thought we missed our chance, but we showed great courage and spirit to keep going. "It's a proud moment for the football club to come to a Premier League team with international stars and win. The level of fitness from my players was quite extraordinary." Watford manager Walter Mazzarri: "I am massively disappointed. Especially for the fans who don't deserve to see us losing like that. They are very warm and they didn't deserve that performance. "I need to change this mentality of the players when we go ahead. I'm very angry because we can't see the danger of teams when we go ahead." Match ends, Watford 1, Gillingham 2. Second Half Extra Time ends, Watford 1, Gillingham 2. Foul by Tommie Hoban (Watford). Cody McDonald (Gillingham) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Juan Zuñiga (Watford). Cody McDonald (Gillingham) wins a free kick on the right wing. Attempt missed. Etienne Capoue (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Mark Byrne (Gillingham) is shown the yellow card. Corner, Watford. Conceded by Max Ehmer. Juan Zuñiga (Watford) wins a free kick on the right wing. Foul by Cody McDonald (Gillingham). Foul by Troy Deeney (Watford). (Gillingham) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Attempt saved. Tommie Hoban (Watford) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Corner, Watford. Conceded by Emmanuel Osadebe. Corner, Watford. Conceded by Josh Pask. Attempt blocked. Odion Ighalo (Watford) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Corner, Watford. Conceded by Emmanuel Osadebe. Attempt blocked. Abdoulaye Doucouré (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Attempt missed. Odion Ighalo (Watford) header from the centre of the box is too high. Second Half Extra Time begins Watford 1, Gillingham 2. First Half Extra Time
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Gay rights are being taken more seriously than ever before. A tentative debate is under way about legalising same-sex marriage. The candidates in the upcoming presidential election are conscious that this is an issue on which they have to take a stand. Chile still lags behind some of its Latin American neighbours on these issues. In Argentina, for example, gay marriage is already legal. In Brazil, homosexuality has been tolerated since the 19th century, while in Chile it was decriminalised as recently as 1999. And this is still one of only four countries in South America where the age of consent is higher for gays than for heterosexuals. But attitudes are changing, and the murder of Mr Zamudio was undoubtedly a watershed. When Mr Zamudio was assaulted on 3 March last year, it wasn't simply the fact that a gay man was beaten to death in a public space that shocked Chileans. It was the sadistic nature of the attack. His four assailants carved swastikas on his skin, branded him with cigarettes and smashed his right leg with an 18lb (8kg) rock. According to graphic court testimony released earlier this month, they then urinated on his body. Mr Zamudio died in hospital three weeks later. On Monday, a judge sentenced one of the attackers, Patricio Ahumada Garay, to life in prison, describing him as the main perpetrator of the crime. He sentenced two other defendants, Alejandro Angulo Tapia and Raul Lopez Fuentes, to 15 years each and the fourth man, Fabian Mora Mora, to seven years. "We would have liked to see life sentences for three of the four but the Chilean law is what it is," said Rolando Jimenez, president of gay rights campaign group, Movilh. "But we're satisfied that our lawyers managed to get the stiffest sentences possible under the Chilean penal code," he told the BBC. Within weeks of Mr Zamudio's murder, legislators, spurred into action by public outrage, had signed into law an anti-discrimination bill that had been languishing in parliament for seven years. The bill makes it a crime to discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, appearance or disability. Gay marriage has been an issue in this year's election campaign. Chileans go to the polls on 17 November to choose a new president. "Of the nine presidential candidates, seven of them are proposing more comprehensive anti-discrimination laws and many of them are advocating gay marriage," Mr Jimenez said. Among them is Michelle Bachelet, the overwhelming frontrunner to win the election. She has changed her mind on gay marriage. During her first government, between 2006 and 2010, she opposed it, favouring civil partnerships for same-sex couples instead. But now she advocates it, although many Christian Democrats in her coalition do not and are likely to oppose any attempt to legalise it if she wins the election. The current president, Sebastian Pinera, opposes gay marriage but has broadly promoted gay rights, despite distaste from conservative elements within his centre-right coalition. He surprised
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The two vehicles burst into flames after the accident in the city of Yanan in the middle of the night, Xinhua news agency reports. It quoted local police as saying that three people survived the collision, but suffered injuries. The cause of the accident in Shaanxi province is being investigated. The two vehicles collided at about 02:00 local time (18:00 GMT Saturday) on the Baotou-Maoming motorway. "Soon after the collision, the bus was engulfed by flames," local police officer Yue Jiuxiang told the state-broadcaster CCTV. "The front part of the bus was seriously damaged. Also most of the passengers were sleeping. This is why so many people died." Chinese media later published photos, showing the burnt wreckage of the bus stuck against the back of the tanker. Officials said the bus had been heading to Shaanxi's provincial capital of Xian from Inner Mongolia. China's roads are highly dangerous, with traffic laws and safety widely flouted across the vast country. In 2011, more than 62,000 died in traffic accidents, state media reported.
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It's two o'clock on a crisp November day and Vanessa White saunters up to the gates of Ealing Studios in west London. The film studio has played host to Shaun of the Dead, Bridget Jones and the entire "downstairs" set of Downton Abbey - but she's not here to film a cameo ("Can you imagine?" she giggles). Instead, the 27-year-old climbs the fire escape of a dilapidated high-rise building, enters a propped-open door and navigates the corridors to a small back room that's been converted into a recording studio. Like all such facilities, it's painted black and littered with empty liquor bottles. The walls are haphazardly decorated with polaroids of previous occupants - including US hitmakers The Chainsmokers - and, in the corner, there's a tiny figurine of Ariel from The Little Mermaid. Inside, Vanessa's producer Swift King is ready and waiting, sorting through various tracks he's hoping she might choose for her forthcoming EP. But first, the singer has a confession: "I've got a sore throat and I'm a bit hung over." It doesn't seem to matter. If anything, the consensus is that a husky voice is better for the material - a sultry and sumptuous serving of downtempo R&B; all heavy breathing and soaring harmonies. Staving off the hangover with a "nourishing" lunch box, Vanessa explains her musical state of mind to the team. "Everything I'm doing now is so dark," she says, cueing up a song on her phone. "Not like I-want-to-kill-myself dark, but it's quite angry." One of the tracks - tentatively called Trust - is seething with vitriol. "I won't stroke your ego," she spits. "I'm onto you, I'm onto you. Don't underestimate my intelligence." The song was inspired by encounters with "snaky people" in the music industry, she explains: Specifically, a toxic situation that developed around her and ended up "with the lawyers" last year. She can't discuss the details, but says her solo career was significantly delayed as a result. The EP she's working on today was originally due last summer. "There were certain songs I loved that I couldn't use any more," she explains. "So I've basically had to start again, which is why it's taken this long. "The silver lining is it's given me something to write about. I'm in a much better position now, mentally. "I used to get so scared of going in the studio with people I didn't know but now, you could put me anywhere and I'd be fine." Vanessa certainly takes charge in the studio. Having brought the producers up to speed, she sits cross-legged on a sofa as they scroll through a few skeleton songs, looking for "an uptempo track with a dark heart". One by one, Vanessa dismisses them. "That's too light," she says of one. "I'm not instantly drawn to it," is her verdict on the next. After half a dozen tracks are waved off, engineer Day Decosta brings up a simple loop built around a gooey, pulsing bass groove. Vanessa instantly sits
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The £5 note - the first polymer note the bank has produced - was designed by 13-year-old Dundee schoolgirl Kayla Robson. The note will be a limited edition, with circulation limited to 50 notes to make it popular with collectors and raise more money for the charity. Pudsey Bear makes a guest appearance on the note, raising a Saltire flag. The serial numbers on the notes will also be unique, with the first 40 notes using the code PUDSEY01 to PUDSEY40, while the remaining ten will be personalised to buyers. The bank said given the rarity of the notes it is likely they could sell for hundreds of pounds each when they go under the hammer at Spink's in December. Annette Barnes, Bank of Scotland's retail managing director, said: "This new five pound note is brighter and bolder than most other banknotes in circulation and really brings to life what BBC Children in Need means to so many people. "Kayla did a fantastic job with her design and I am delighted to see how we have been able to incorporate it into our first polymer banknote."
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Media playback is unsupported on your device 28 October 2014 Last updated at 16:14 GMT Foreign Office minister Baroness Anelay has said such operations can encourage more people to attempt to make the dangerous sea crossing to enter Europe. The announcement comes as EU countries are meeting in Brussels to discuss how to cope with the huge numbers of people making the often treacherous journey across the Mediterranean to Europe. Here is the story in 15 seconds.
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Insurers have warned that car insurance premiums could "soar" due to a new government formula for calculating personal injury payments. Mr Hammond met insurance bosses on Tuesday to discuss the issue. In a joint statement with the industry, he said the system must be "fair" to claimants as well as other drivers. "The government will progress urgently with a consultation on the framework for setting future rates, and bring forward any necessary legislation at an early stage," Mr Hammond said. However, he did not commit to making changes to the formula before it comes into force next month. Mr Hammond met chief executives and other senior executives from 15 major insurance firms, including Aviva, Direct Line and Admiral. Ahead of the meeting, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) said it would urge the chancellor to block the new formula before it kicks in on 20 March. The ABI said the "crazy" change could increase car insurance premiums for young drivers by up to £1,000 a year. Insurance experts have predicted the new payout rate could also add £300 to premiums for drivers over the age of 65. Accident victims are paid compensation in a single lump sum, which in serious cases is supposed to support them for the rest of their lives. But someone who receives that lump sum can actually increase that amount by investing it, and getting a cash return. So to be fair to insurance companies, the payout is reduced accordingly. For the past 16 years the discount rate, as it is called, has been set at a typical rate of 2.5% - making the payout that much smaller. Now the Ministry of Justice has decided to reduce the discount rate from 2.5% to minus 0.75%. That will result in more money for the victim, but a higher cost for the insurer. The change was ordered because the formula assumes the victim were to invest his or her money in government bonds. By the time inflation is taken into account, real returns on such bonds have become negative. The reaction of the insurance industry has been overwhelmingly negative, with some insurers saying that profits would be hit by hundreds of millions of pounds. Aviva became the latest insurance firm to warn of a hit on Tuesday, saying the change would cost it £385m in profit. However, lawyers who campaigned in favour of the change said it was "long overdue". Accident victims who suffer long-term injuries are set to benefit as they will receive higher payouts under the new formula. The Ministry of Justice said on Monday it would launch a consultation "before Easter" on how the system can be made fairer. It said it would bring forward any necessary legislation "at an early stage".
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Media playback is not supported on this device The Liverpool striker, 27, cannot take part in any football-related activity until the end of October. He is not allowed to train with his club or enter a football stadium. Yet La Liga side Barca, who already have Argentina forward Lionel Messi and Brazil playmaker Neymar, would consider signing Suarez for the right price. Liverpool bought Suarez from Ajax for £25m in January 2011. He missed the start of last season after being handed a 10-match ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic in April 2013, but returned to score 31 Premier League goals as the Reds finished second in the table. His performances also earned him the Professional Footballers' Association and Football Writers' player of the year awards. Suarez was found guilty of biting Chiellini on the left shoulder during Tuesday's World Cup group match, which Uruguay won 1-0 to qualify for the last 16 in Brazil. The forward denied the allegations, claiming Chiellini bumped into him. But Fifa decided the former Ajax player had bitten the Italian defender, and banned him for four months as well as nine international matches. Chiellini says the four-month ban given to Suarez is excessive. and has "no feelings of joy, revenge or anger against Suarez". Suarez has also lost his role as a worldwide ambassador of online gambling firm 888poker, which said it had "decided to terminate its relationship" with "immediate effect". It is the third time Suarez has been suspended for biting an opponent. Prior to being banned for biting Ivanovic, he was suspended for seven games for biting PSV Eindhoven's Otman Bakkal in 2010. Suarez has flown to Uruguay after leaving his team's hotel in Brazil. A large group of people gathered at Carrasco International Airport near Montevideo on Thursday in the hope of welcoming him back to his homeland, but he is thought to have avoided the crowds.
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All Glamorgan's batsmen reached double figures in a healthy score of 234-4. But the key contributor was Allenby, who made an unbeaten 74, sharing an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 84 with Ben Wright (47 not out). The Australian all-rounder then took 2-18 in eight miserly overs as Hampshire fell short on 203-8 to lose by 31 runs. The hosts, victorious off the final ball to beat Warwickshire in the final a year ago, had won all their six previous completed List A matches against Glamorgan, an unbeaten run dating back to 2005. But the underdogs ripped up the formbook, running out comfortable winners over a Hampshire side for whom long-serving former England one-day international Dimitri Mascarenhas was playing his final game. Hampshire captain Jimmy Adams (59) and Sean Ervine (54) both hit half-centuries, but the hosts fell well short, Glamorgan fast bowler Michael Hogan ending with 4-51. In what will be his final act as coach, having not had his contract renewed, Matthew Mott's side will now face the winners of Monday evening's second semi-final between Nottinghamshire and Somerset at Lord's on 21 September. It will be Glamorgan's first trip to St John's Wood for a one-day final since being beaten by Gloucestershire in the 2000 Benson & Hedges Cup - and only the third in their history, having twice ended up losers. Glamorgan's progress had been unremarkable until the last four overs when they called a belated powerplay, allowing Allenby and Wright to smash 57 off Chris Wood and Sohail Tanvir. Hampshire immediately missed the big-hitting of England squad opener Michael Carberry and, despite making a healthy enough start with 40-0 from the first eight overs, soon began to fall behind the run rate after the loss of James Vince. There was still hope with his fellow opener Adams at the crease but a mix-up over a possible single led to the dangerous Neil McKenzie being run out. And, although Adams and Ervine each passed 50, the required rate rose to above 10 an over. Hogan, who has been such an inspirational signing this year, then finished Hampshire off when he came back for his final spell. He held a return catch to dismiss Adams, induced Ervine to offer a catch to Graham Wagg at long-on and then tempted Liam Dawson to hit to Wright at midwicket.
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The guitarist made the announcement on the website for his restaurant in San Rafael, California. He said he was diagnosed earlier this month and has been treated at a clinic in Arizona, where he will have surgery to remove his tumours. The illness means Lesh has had to postpone his 24 and 25 October Phil & Friends shows with Chris Robinson. The gigs with the former Black Crowes frontman were scheduled to take place at Lesh's restaurant, Terrapin Crossroads. Lesh, 75, wrote: "I am very fortunate to have the pathology reports show that the tumours are all non-aggressive, and that there is no indication that they have spread." He added that the postponed shows would be rescheduled "as soon as we can". Lesh, one of the founding members of the Grateful Dead, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2006 but underwent surgery and made a full recovery. The psychedelic band, which formed in 1965, split 30 years later following the death of frontman Jerry Garcia. Lesh was with them throughout - and also joined the group's other surviving members for a reunion tour of the US in 2003. The Grateful Dead performed their final shows in July this year, which also coincided with the 50th anniversary of the band's formation. The gigs took place at Chicago's Soldier Field, which was also where Garcia's final show took place in 1995.
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The firm said it would be winding down in the next year as it relocates its IT services to Portugal in order to "be closer to our core markets". Some of the job losses at will include contract workers. Euronext operates stock exchanges across Europe and has bases in Belgium, France, Portugal, the Netherlands, and the UK. Meanwhile, County Armagh crisp and snack company Tayto said there is a "strong possibility" it will have to consider redundancies. The trade union Unite said 80 jobs are at risk at the firm's Tandragee base. Tayto said this financial year had been "difficult", adding that "business is down". "We always experience a seasonal drop in the first few months of the year, but recovery has definitely been slower this year," the company said in a statement. "Production costs in Tandragee are considerably higher than at any of our other sites, which are all in England." The company said "only £25m of our £180m turnover comes from Tandragee" but said it has "no intention of ceasing production" at the site. But it added: "It could be that in the future we will be forced to restrict production here to what is sold in Northern Ireland in order to ensure the continued success of the company." Unite representative Sean McKeever said the company appeared "intent on marking the 60th anniversary of Tayto in Tandragee with large-scale job losses and a squeeze on workers' pay". "This latest announcement leaves Unite with no option but to ballot our members for strike action," he added. "It is likely that any strike action will cause significant disruption to the production of Tayto crisps but also own-brand products for the multiples."
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The Catholic men were killed by the Ulster Volunteer Force at the Heights Bar as they watched a football match. No one has ever been convicted of the killings. In June, a Police Ombudsman investigation concluded that there was collusion between some police officers and the loyalist gunmen. However, it said there was no evidence that the police had prior knowledge. Speaking during a debate at Westminster on Wednesday, Ms Ritchie, SDLP, said she was "aware of the names" of those suspected of involvement in the attack. She said the PSNI should "bring them in for questioning" and confirmed that recently she had raised the matter with the PSNI Chief Constable, George Hamilton. Mrs Ritchie told fellow MPs that she knew all those who were killed in 1994 and that she was related to two of the dead men. She said "there must be truth and justice " and said that the investigation into the murders must be stepped up and "resources must be made available to the PSNI ". Prime Minister Theresa May said any allegations of police misconduct would be "taken seriously". Speaking during Prime Minister's Question Time in the House of Commons, Mrs May said the government had accepted the ombudsman's report. North Antrim MP Ian Paisley asked the Northern Ireland Office Minister Kris Hopkins for his definition of the word collusion and said people needed some clarity. Mr Hopkins said it was not up to him to define what collusion meant. Foyle MP Mark Durkan raised the behaviour of police officers during the investigation into the murders and said there was "a fatal flaw in the culture of policing ". Mr Hopkins said the government was sorry for "any failings by the police ". He said that the Chief Constable George Hamilton had apologised to the Loughinsland families.
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The result meant heartbreak for rivals Somerset, who needed the match to be drawn to take their first-ever title. After Dawid Malan (116) and Nick Gubbins (93) put on 198, Middlesex made a contrived declaration on 359-6. It left Yorkshire to score 240 off 40 overs for a third-successive title, but they were all out for 178 in the 36th. A compelling final day ended in dramatic fashion as Roland-Jones had Azeem Rafiq caught behind hooking at the end of one over and then bowled Andrew Hodd and Ryan Sidebottom with the first two deliveries of his next to finish with 6-54 and match figures of 10-127. Their third defeat of the summer left Yorkshire in third place in the final table. The home side began the day on 81-2 and Malan and Gubbins appeared in no particular hurry as they batted through the morning until the latter was caught and bowled by Rafiq off a leading edge shortly before lunch. At that stage they were only 81 runs ahead and after Malan reached his century off 203 balls, a strange interlude followed as Stevie Eskinazi took 27 balls to score his first run, with some spectators baffled by Middlesex's tactical approach. After only five overs with the new ball, however, Yorkshire turned to Adam Lyth and Alex Lees to provide some easy pickings and a rapid acceleration occurred as 120 came off the next 8.5 overs before the declaration. Lees seemed embarrassed by the wickets of Malan and John Simpson (31), the former caught one-handed by Jack Brooks at square leg, and the innings came to an end when James Franklin (30) literally gave his away by soft-batting an unmissable return catch to Lyth, leaving Eskinazi on 78 not out. Seeking to emulate their Yorkshire counterparts that won the title three times in a row from 1966-68, the last team to do so, the White Rose county suffered an early setback when Lyth (13) edged Roland-Jones to first slip. Lees (20) and David Willey (11) then fell to Tim Murtagh, but first-innings centurion Tim Bresnan did his best to revive their fading hopes with a 44-ball fifty, including two sixes. When he was lbw to Roland-Jones for 55, they needed 87 off the final 10 overs and the task was beyond their lower order as the Middlesex paceman, included in an England Test squad earlier in the summer, took the Championship trophy back to the home of cricket with 28 balls remaining in the match. Middlesex, who finished second to Yorkshire in 2015, have now won the title 11 times, and shared it on two further occasions. BBC Radio London's Kevin Hand: "A few negotiations happened very quickly, with Andrew Gale going off three times. "Yorkshire felt that perhaps Middlesex would gamble before the new ball, lost wickets and then they could have gone through the rest with the new ball. It didn't happen, so when the new ball became available, Yorkshire went to Middlesex and said 'what do
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REM's Michael Stipe inducted the group, saying: "Nirvana tapped into a voice that was yearning to be heard. "Nirvana were kicking against the mainstream. They spoke truth and a lot of people listened." The band's career was cut short by Kurt Cobain's death in 1994. His widow, Courtney Love, attended the ceremony. "You know, I have a big speech, but I'm not going to say it," she said, before hugging Cobain's bandmates Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl. "That's it," she concluded. "I just wish Kurt was here to do this." Grohl, Nirvana's drummer and now frontman of rock group Foo Fighters, paid tribute to the musicians who formed the early line-ups of Nirvana, in particular drummer Chad Channing, who he singled out for his contributions to the band's breakthrough album Nevermind. Bass guitarist Novoselic added: "Nirvana fans walk up to me every day and say thank you for the music. "When I hear that, I think of Kurt Cobain." Nirvana received their place in the Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. Artists can only be considered for the honour 25 years after their first release. The remaining members, also including guitarist Pat Smear, were joined on stage by four female musicians to perform some of the band's best-known songs. Joan Jett sang Smells Like Teen Spirit, Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon took on Aneurysm, alternative musician St. Vincent performed Lithium, while New Zealand pop star Lorde sang All Apologies. Other honourees at the New York ceremony included Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, 15 years after their leader was inducted as a solo artist. He welcomed the band on stage, saying: "I told a story with the E Street Band that was, and is, bigger than anything I could have told on my own." "We suffered ageing, illness and death together," Springsteen said. "We took care of each other when trouble knocked, and we hurt each other in big and small ways. In the end, we stuck with each other." Their induction took 85 minutes, including performances of The E Street Shuffle, The River and Kitty's Back. They were followed into the Hall of Fame by Maneater singers Daryl Hall and John Oates. "Lucky for you, there are only two of us," Hall said to laughter from the audience. Britain's Peter Gabriel was inducted by Coldplay singer Chris Martin, and made light of his elaborate stage outfits as a member of Genesis in the 1970s. "Dream big, and let your imagination guide you, even if you end up dressing as a flower or a sexually transmitted disease." Another British honouree was Cat Stevens, whose hits included Matthew and Son and Wild World. "Thanks so much to my fans for believing," said Stevens, who gave up music for 25 years after converting to Islam and changing his name to Yusuf Islam in 1977. "I can still see some sceptical faces, but my fans believed." Rock legends Kiss were one of the more controversial inductees, having pulled out of a performance
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Just a month after his appointment as England manager, Allardyce suggested Great Britain should enter football teams at future Olympics. After a 52-year absence from Olympic football, Great Britain's men had made a controversial return at the 2012 Games in London. Team GB entered a women's team as well but, with neither at the Rio Olympics this year, Allardyce championed a return for both teams at future Games. "To turn it down is a great shame. It's something we may look at in the future and try to compete in," he said. It was not a view shared by his Wales counterpart, Chris Coleman. "For us, no. I don't agree with that," said Coleman, who led Wales to a first major tournament semi-final at Euro 2016. "Anything that could put what we've got here, what we've built here, in jeopardy, we would not be for that. "We've always had a stance that we don't agree with it, and that hasn't changed." England's Football Association had put forward the idea of sending Great Britain teams to the Olympics, but Fifa said it would need the agreement of the ruling bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, who were against it. Those three home nations fear such a move could affect their independent status within the sport's world governing body and at international tournaments such as the World Cup. "I cannot accept we should be a Great Britain team. I think that is wrong. Our independence would possibly go away," former Football Association of Wales (FAW) president Trefor Lloyd Hughes told BBC Wales Sport. "People say it would not, but be careful. I'm giving the warning that it's a possibility. "This is my opinion, not the FAW's. I personally will not support Wales joining Team GB at all." There was a sinking familiarity to the way Team GB's most recent Olympic campaigns ended - both men and women exiting at the quarter-final stage - but it was the fraught nature of Great Britain's return which most will remember about football at London 2012. Great Britain had been Olympic football regulars until 1960 and, having failed to qualify for the next three Games, they decided not to enter a team. That was until London was awarded the 2012 Olympics, and the clamour grew - from some parts more than others - for Great Britain to field a team. The Football Associations of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland opposed the idea, fearful a British side could affect their status as independent footballing nations. In 2009, they suggested England could play on behalf of Great Britain. However, Britain's Fifa vice-president Jim Boyce said non-English players would have the legal right to be considered for Team GB. There was a compromise of sorts. Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish associations were still opposed to the idea in principle, but they would not stand in the way of any players selected for Great Britain - under the condition the London Olympics would be a one-off. Ultimately, the 18-man
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Wythenshawe Hall, which is owned by Manchester City Council, was partially destroyed by the blaze, which was tackled by 50 firefighters at its height on 15 March 2016. Jeremy Taylor, 28, of Cheadle Hulme, pleaded guilty to arson at Manchester Crown Court. He was remanded in custody for sentencing on 18 August. The roof and upper floor of the Grade II timber-framed hall, which was built in 1540, were gutted in the fire. Refusing a bail application, Judge Martin Rutland told Taylor: "It is inappropriate for you to be at large having pleaded guilty." The judge said arson was an extremely serious offence and the property in question was a unique building where a huge amount of damage had been caused.
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Pattinson, the brother of former Notts bowler Darren, will be available for the County Championship and 50-over One-Day Cup until the end of June. The 26-year-old made the last of his 17 Test appearances for Australia against New Zealand in February 2016. Siddle, 32, signed for Notts on a two-year deal ahead of last season, but never played because of a back injury. "As soon as James became available as a replacement, we knew he was a great option," head coach Peter Moores said. "He's got real pace - and he's very aggressive, which is the way we want to play our cricket." Pattinson has struggled with a string of injuries in recent seasons, and asked not to be considered for Australia's current tour of India in order to regain full fitness playing for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield.
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The service will take place at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on 12 June, two days after his birthday. Prince Philip, who is the longest-serving royal consort in British history, was born on 10 June 1921. A special page has also been set up on the British Monarchy website. On 12 June, the service will be followed by a reception for the guests in the state rooms at Windsor Castle. On the duke's birthday itself, it will be business as usual for the royal, with two engagements planned. In the afternoon, in his role as patron of the Royal National Institute for Deaf People, he will hold a reception to mark its centenary. In the evening, in his capacity as Senior Colonel, Household Division, he will chair the Senior Colonels' Conference and hold a dinner. Last November, Buckingham Palace announced the duke would step down as president or patron of more than a dozen organisations when he turns 90 to reduce his commitments because of his age. They include his chancellorships of the University of Edinburgh, held since 1952, and the University of Cambridge, held since 1976. He will also relinquish his patronage of UK Athletics, held since 1952. He will remain involved with more than 800 organisations. The special page dedicated to Prince Philip's birthday lists other charities and organisations - including the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme which he launched in 1956 - which the duke is involved with. It also includes a collection of photographs chronicling his life as the Queen's consort. One black-and-white image shows the duke and the monarch as parents with their first two children, the Prince of Wales and Princess Royal. As a young Anne sits on a swing and her older brother Charles stands above her, the duke pushes both of them as the Queen looks on during a holiday at Balmoral in September 1955. Others pictures include Prince Philip in a group photograph, dated 1944-46, with fellow officers on the warship HMS Whelp, and as a young man at his school Gordonstoun. There are also 90 facts about Prince Philip - as well as an opportunity for members of the public to send their birthday greetings to the duke.
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A four-year project investigating the history and geographical distribution of family names found almost 40,000 were native to Britain and Ireland. The study's authors said they had explained 8,000 surnames for the first time. Project leader, Prof Richard Coates, said the list was "more detailed and accurate" than those before it. Your surnames explained The team, led by the University of the West of England, analysed sources dating from the 11th to the 19th Century to fully explain the origins of the names. It found 80% of the most common surnames were native to the UK and Ireland, among them: "Some surnames have origins that are occupational - obvious examples are Smith and Baker; less obvious ones are Beadle, Rutter, and Baxter," Prof Coates said. "Other names can be linked to a place, for example Hill or Green, which relates to a village green. "Surnames which are 'patronymic' are those which originally enshrined the father's name - such as Jackson, or Jenkinson. "There are also names where the origin describes the original bearer such as Brown, Short, or Thin - though Short may in fact be an ironic 'nickname' surname for a tall person." 45,602 surnames in the dictionary 90% native to Britain and Ireland 50% of the 20,000 most common names come from places, like Leicester, Sutton and Green 23% are relationship names, like Dawson (son of Daw) and Phelps (son of Philip) 19% are nicknames, like Fox, Longbones and Goodfellow 8% are occupational or status names, like Tanner (tanner of skins) and Webster (weaver) Prof Coates said the remainder came from a diverse range of cultures and languages of immigrants who settled in the country from the 16th Century onwards. One of those included for the first time is Farah - a rare English name recorded with just five bearers in the 1881 Census who lived in Middlesex and northern England. Presenter's labour 'a BBC team effort' Images of India's huge and controversial wedding Trump stuns with impromptu night out The name was derived from the northern pronunciation of the much better known Farrer, based on the occupational name from Middle English, 'ferrour' meaning ironworker or blacksmith. Ferrour is itself a borrowing of the Old French word, ferreor. Although it is rare as an English family name, it is more common among Muslim families. The Arabic word of farah means joy, happiness and delight. Another name identified for the first time was Li, the most common Chinese name in the UK. There were over 9,000 bearers in 2011, not counting those who spell it Lee, which will multiply the number considerably. Researchers found it has at least six different origins in a range of Chinese dialects, including 'plum', 'chestnut', 'black', 'fortunate', and 'strict'. One of the most common Indian surnames, Patel, was a status name from a Hindu and Parsi name for a village herdsman. The findings have been published in the Oxford English Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland.
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Here are some of the clips from our interviews hosted by Andrew Neil and Jo Coburn, with films from our reporting team. Follow us on twitter or 'like' us on Facebook where we look forward to your comments and you can hear more news about upcoming guests and films. When Parliament is sitting, the Daily Politics is on BBC2 from 1200-1300 on weekdays, with an 1130 start on Wednesdays for PMQs, and the Sunday Politics is on BBC1 from 1100-1215, occasionally moving for live sport and news events. Both have a repeat on BBC Parliament at midnight, and are on BBC iPlayer for 30 days. DP and SP Facebook site with more interviews and pictures How serious is air pollution? Labour MEP: UK should rethink its position on Brexit Free trade agreement with UK 'won't take very long' Is air pollution in the UK going up or down? Labour MEP on rethinking Brexit Australian High Commissioner on free trade with UK Director of Greenpeace on air pollution Life outside EU 'can be pretty good' A flavour of the debate in Holyrood Derek Mackay on tax rates in Scotland Derek Mackay on Scottish tax and council spending What happened when the PM went to Brussels? How will UK work with EU after Brexit? How the welfare state has evolved Schools minister defends budget changes Who will be the next European Parliament president? City is relocated as iron ore mine expands What's happened in EU politics this week? School funding winners and losers Schools minister defends budget changes Why are Labour MPs singing about shops? Brexit tracker: Education Maguire and Wickham on Jayne Fisher appointment Jayne Fisher is due to start working in the Labour leader's office Norman Smith on social care funding announcement Communities secretary Sajid Javid on social care funding Why Davies wants to join equality committee Reviewing the 'longest-ever PMQs' PMQs: '13 years and no action whatsoever' on social care PMQs: Corbyn: Get a grip and fund it properly please PMQs: PM urged to sack 'passive transport secretary' Was this the longest-ever PMQs? PM asked about EU/EEA citizens living in Britain SNP leader asks about UK selling weapons to Saudis PM asks Corbyn to get Aslef to call off Southern rail strikes Corbyn and May on social care budget claims Jeremy Corbyn asks Theresa May about Jo Cox PM says foreign sec is an FFS - a fine foreign secretary Andy McDonald on strike action Penny Mordaunt on strike action Rail strikes and other industrial action Andy McDonald on Aleppo Penny Mordaunt on Aleppo Southern rail strike: Herbert v Whelan Beckett on Labour: We have not cracked it yet Brexit tracker: Environment, food and rural affairs Should big shops stay closed on Boxing Day? BBC political editor on Coyne v McCluskey BBC political editor on Unite union vote John Redwood on Liam Fox comments Southern Rail strike update from London's Victoria rail station What's the Southern strike about? Margaret Beckett on Morning Star coverage of Aleppo How to fund
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Here are some side-by-side comparisons of Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009 and Donald Trump's in 2017. App users should tap here to fully explore the interactive images.
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Dina Amos-Larkin, 21, from Poole, Dorset was at a sports festival in Salou when she fell backwards over the railings, smashing her spine. She said she was "overwhelmed" by the money raised after insurers refused to pay out. The law student said the medical repatriation alone would cost £10,000. Ms Amos-Larkin, who has represented Great Britain in trampolining, told the BBC: "It was the final night, I'd had a bit to drink and I was a bit upset because I had some differences with my friends throughout the whole week. "I was on the phone to my mum later in the evening, I went outside, had a cigarette and leant backwards on the ledge of the balcony." The Surrey University student then fell 50ft (15m) and landed on to the corrugated roof of a storage shed. She said: "I broke my spine, I severed my spinal cord, I had two bleeds on my brain, I broke both my wrists. "I'm paralysed from the chest down. The doctors told me that I very nearly didn't make it to hospital." She added it was hard to cope with the suddenness of her injury: "I was on holiday, I was having a good time, I woke up two weeks later and was told I would never walk again." Ms Amos-Larkin said the insurers have not paid out because of the amount of alcohol in her blood at the time she fell. Her friend James Cochrane set up a fundraising campaign on 25 April to help pay for the flight home. A spokeswoman for insurance company AXA said Ms Amos-Larkin's claim had been declined due to exclusions in the policy including "self-inflicted injury or illness, suicide or attempted suicide, sexually transmitted diseases, solvent abuse, alcohol abuse, the use of drugs, self-exposure to needless peril (except in an attempt to save human life)". She added: "However, we have been assisting Dina's family throughout their ordeal and continue to provide assistance operationally and financially on an ex-gratia basis for her repatriation."
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Early tries by Michael Allen and Viliame Mata, three from Stuart McInally and two from Nasi Manu put Edinburgh in firm control. Stephen Shennan got Timisoara's first score in the first half. Mata's second-half try and Manu's third of the game continued the rout before Shennan replied with his second. Acting head coach Duncan Hodge's side join Harlequins on five points, with the top two meeting at Murrayfield next Saturday. Stade Francais and Timisoara Saracens prop up the group and meet in Paris on Thursday. Hooker McInally set up wing Allen to cross within the opening minute and fly-half Jason Tovey converted. And debutant Mata, who won an Olympic gold medal with Fiji sevens in the summer, soon crossed and Tovey's kick took the visitors to 14 points. Driven mauls led to captain McInally's initial brace, Tovey unsuccessful with the first conversion but knocking over the second. Scrum-half Valentin Calafetnanu's penalty at 14-0 down and wing Shennan's try after McInally's first had given the Romanians some reward for their first-half endeavours. But the visitors finished the half strongly with McInally going over to complete his hat-trick, Tovey missing the conversion. Flanker Mata offloaded for Manu's first try and the number eight went over again soon after, Tovey adding the extras on both occasions. Edinburgh were not done there as Mata crossed again early in the second half and Manu's tap and break extended the hosts' misery, Tovey converting both. Shennan went over for the hosts and Calafetnanu maintained his record with the boot. Timisoara Saracens: Catalin Fercu, Fonovai Tangimana, Brian Sefanaia, Jack Umaga, Stephen Shennan, Jody Rose, Valentin Calafeteanu; Gigi Militaru, Eugen Capatina, Horatiu Pungea, Valentin Poparlan, Marian Drenceanu, Daniel Ianus, Vasile Rus, Sandu Stelian Burcea (capt). Replacements: Andrei Radoi, Edmund Aholelei, Samuel Maris, Ionut Muresan, Randall Morrison, Gabriel Conache, Tevita Manumua, Daniel Vladut Zaharia. Edinburgh: Rory Scholes, Alex Northam, Sasa Tofilau, Junior Rasolea, Michael Allen, Jason Tovey, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne; Allan Dell, Stuart McInally (capt), Murray McCallum, Fraser McKenzie, Ben Toolis, Viliame Mata, John Hardie, Nasi Manu. Replacements: Neil Cochrane, Rory Sutherland, Jack Cosgrove, Lewis Carmichael, Viliami Fihaki, Nathan Fowles, Blair Kinghorn, Glenn Bryce. Referee: Ian Tempest.
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Up to £500,000 is to be cut from North East Lincolnshire Council's library services by 2014/15. Closures, reduced opening hours or transferring control to voluntary groups are options being considered. The authority said a two-month public consultation would take place before a final decision was made. The Labour-run council said the service had been making efficiency savings for several years but more needed to be done to "balance the books". Councillor Mick Burnett, portfolio holder for tourism, leisure and culture, said: "We need to consider all options and most importantly we need to seek the views of the local community. "We have a duty to provide a good quality library service, but the stark facts are that we can't afford to provide the same level of financial support for the libraries as we have done in the past." The consultation runs until the end of January.
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The university said the leader of a project had been told only UK passport-holders should be involved in talks on national security and foreign trade. But the Foreign Office said nothing had changed following Brexit. It said it would "continue to take advice from the best and brightest minds, regardless of nationality". Former Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, now the party's EU spokesman, said: "It is utterly baffling the government is turning down expert, independent advice on Brexit simply because someone is from another country. "This is yet more evidence of the Conservatives' alarming embrace of petty chauvinism over rational policymaking." A spokesman for the LSE said that after the referendum, a team of fewer than 10 researchers had been charged with providing policy advice to help ministers troubleshoot any issues that might arise as the process of leaving the EU progresses. In a statement, the LSE said: "We believe our academics, including non-UK nationals, have hugely valuable expertise, which will be vital in this time of uncertainty around the UK's relationship with Europe and the rest of the world. "Any changes to security measures are a matter for the UK government." A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "The FCO regularly works with academic institutions to assist in its policy research, and nothing has changed as a result of the referendum. "It has always been the case that anyone working in the FCO may require security clearance depending on the nature and duration of their work. "Britain is an outward-looking nation and we will continue to take advice from the best and brightest minds, regardless of nationality." The LSE's assistant professor Sara Hagemann wrote on Twitter she was no longer wanted on the project. The Danish academic joined the university's European Institute in September 2009 and is regarded as a leading commentator on European Union affairs. She tweeted: "UK govt previously sought work& advice from best experts. Just told I & many colleagues no longer qualify as not UKcitizens #Brexit @LSEnews". The information was communicated yesterday to team members who do not hold UK passports in an internal LSE email. Alistair Jarvis, deputy chief executive of Universities UK, said foreign academics played an "important role" in providing advice and expertise to the government. "As the UK prepares for Brexit, it is important that those in government responsible for negotiating the UK's exit from the EU have access to the very best possible advice and expertise available, regardless of the nationality of the individual providing it," he added. "Experts of all nationalities at British universities specialising in areas such as European policy, law, economics, trade and other relevant fields are well qualified to offer expert support to the UK government."
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The body of 48-year-old Michelle Wright was found at a house on Nether Shire Lane, Shiregreen, on Saturday. A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said detectives are awaiting the result of a post-mortem examination. A 47-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail pending further enquiries. The force has appealed for witnesses to come forward. Live updates on this story and others in South Yorkshire
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The University of Exeter has announced an "international partnership" with education giant Pearson to develop online masters' degrees. The university says they are "currently researching the potential to deliver online postgraduate degrees in a variety of subjects". It adds: "It is intended that courses will start as early as September 2016." Pearson, best known in the UK as an educational publisher and owner of the Edexcel exam board, already helps run similar courses in the United States at Arizona State University, which offers more than 70 degrees entirely online at both graduate and undergraduate level. The announcement says the Exeter degrees will allow students, many of whom will be fitting their studies around full-time jobs, to access course material when and where it suits them. The university says it will focus initially on taught masters' degrees which will be "competitively priced with 'on the ground' courses". The new courses will include weekly interactive online teaching sessions delivered from university faculties, it adds, while students who take degrees in this way would have to meet the same entry standards as those who study in person. Exeter University's provost, Prof Janice Kay, said the partnership offered exciting possibilities. "The University is already well-known for its innovative approach and global ambitions and this initiative will help us realise our goals more quickly and effectively," she explained. The project would help widen access to higher education for vulnerable and disadvantaged people, Prof Kay added. Pearson's UK managing director, Mark Anderson, said the project represented "an opportunity to make the UK's highest quality courses far more widely available". Exeter and Pearson will also collaborate to research issues such as progression to higher education for students with vocational rather than academic qualifications and the development of degree-apprenticeships. A number of higher education institutions already provide online courses. The Open University, the UK's largest academic institution, is a world leader in flexible distance learning. It set up the Futurelearn platform, which carries massive open online courses from universities including Warwick, Kings College London and Sheffield which are taken by more than a million students, Other online innovations from the OU include Open Science Lab, and the OU Anywhere app. An Exeter University described the OU as "terrific" but said the new courses would explore "some of the really exciting work and discovery that's happening at Exeter" as well as taking it "to as many people as possible around the globe". The aim would be to explore and test innovative and rigorously academic methods of delivery, said the spokesman.
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Police were called to Nuthurst Park in Moston, Manchester, just before 18:55 BST on Saturday. Greater Manchester Police said officers responded to reports of a girl being raped. A boy was arrested in a nearby shop. The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was remanded to appear at Manchester Crown Court on 10 July. Dressed in a grey tracksuit, he stood in the dock and spoke only to give his name and address during the five-minute hearing at Manchester Youth Court. Only reporters and lawyers were present in court along with the defendant's mother and father, who sat in the public gallery holding hands. No plea was entered by the defendant, the court heard, and there was no application for bail. As he remanded the teenager in custody, District Judge Mark Hadfield told him: "This charge is an extremely serious charge." The defendant smiled and nodded to his parents as he was taken down.
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Johnny Russell's 30-yard effort put the Rams ahead, before Tom Ince's volley doubled the lead before half-time. Jacob Butterfield's deflected shot and Russell's close-range finish, either side of Zach Clough's consolation from the penalty spot, made sure of the win. Bolton, without an away victory this season, have not played in the third tier of English football since 1992-93. They looked bereft of confidence, having been in the Championship relegation zone since the start of October, and could have easily been six or seven goals down by the break. In a campaign featuring only one win before Christmas, Wanderers had a brief upturn in results in January and February, but are now without victory in 11 matches. Media playback is not supported on this device Derby, on the back of Tuesday's 4-0 win against play-off rivals Hull, were at their fluent best as Ince, Cyrus Christie and Craig Bryson all had chances to put the game beyond Bolton's reach in the first half. Clough's spot-kick - after Mark Davies was fouled by George Thorne - prevented the Rams from winning a fifth straight home game without conceding a goal, a feat unequalled by Derby since 1925. But it made no difference to the result as Bolton's 23rd league defeat of the season moved the hosts up to fourth in the table. Asides from the problems on the pitch, Bolton's relegation caps a tumultuous season behind the scenes, including staff wages being withheld, a winding-up petition issued and a takeover completed. Manager Neil Lennon left the Macron Stadium by mutual consent last month, with academy boss Jimmy Phillips put in temporary charge. Media playback is not supported on this device They were also £172.9m in debt, but it is believed the majority has been written off by former owner Eddie Davies. Bolton's slide into the third tier comes just over a decade after they finished sixth in the Premier League and qualified for the UEFA Cup for the first time in their history. They now need one point from their remaining five games left to avoid the ignominy of equalling the lowest-ever points total in the Championship, Blackpool's 26 last season. Derby head coach Darren Wassall: "After beating Hull on Tuesday, the message to the players was we have to do this all over again on Saturday and that it was going to be even harder because of the expectation. "The most pleasing thing was, from the very first minute, our attitude, application, desire and passion and everything you need in football was there. "We have a motto that talent alone is not enough and the last two games have shown that because we've won the games through our character and determination and earned the right to play. "Having Will Hughes back was the icing on the cake. But I don't want to take the attention away from the performance of the rest of the players because they were magnificent from start to finish." Bolton Wanderers caretaker manager Jimmy Phillips: "This
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Durham paceman James Weighell took his first five-wicket haul as the Bears, 15-2 overnight, slumped to 114 all out. Chris Wright then hit back with four wickets as Durham slipped to 87-4. But visiting opener Keaton Jennings remained to make an unbeaten 88 to steer his side to 154-4 at the close. Backed by a gritty 26 from captain Paul Collingwood over the final hour and a half of the day, the pair have so far put on an unbroken 67 for the fifth wicket. And, if they are still together for a further hour and a half on the final day, then the visitors ought to have the game won. Trailing by 123 on first innings, Durham bowled out Warwickshire inside 38 overs, only Varun Chopra (34), Jonathan Trott (26) and captain Ian Bell (15) reaching double figures. Weighell took 5-33 to complete new career-best match figures of 9-130, backed chiefly by former England Test seamer Graham Onions, who added the wicket of Keith Barker to his late Monday evening brace to finish with 3-36. With no Chris Woakes to combat, Durham's openers made a strong start in their pursuit of 238 to win, Jennings and Mark Stoneman having knocked off 67 from 28 overs by tea - their sixth half-century partnership this season. Wright then removed Stoneman for 23, the first of four wickets for the England Lions man in 23 deliveries to turn the contest once more. But South African Jennings and Collingwood, just two days before his 40th birthday, ensured that there would be no further alarms. Warwickshire fast bowler Chris Wright: "It is delicately poised. They are slight favourites but we have seen in this game that, once you get on a roll, wickets do fall quite quickly. If we come fast out of the blocks and take an early wicket or two, then we are in with a great chance. "They batted calmly at the end. As a side, they have played Jeetan Patel exceptionally well. Jeets has bowled well without taking any wickets. "But Woakesie bowled exceptionally well to take nine wickets and to lose a player who has had that much impact on the game is a big deal. "There is a little movement in the pitch and a little bit of rough which hopefully the spinners can work with. The heavy roller has taken a little bit of the sting out of it but it is still a wicket where if you bowl well you can get bits out of it." Durham opener Keaton Jennings: "It's been a great game with everything from a beautiful debutant hundred to a nine-for to a great finish with us just needing 84 runs on the final day. It will be an exciting day. "It's been a good season so far for Mark Stoneman and myself. Mark has played beautifully without kind of racing away. "It's a wicket that is really tough to get in on, as you can see from so many guys facing
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Ministers want to appoint a named person, usually a teacher or health visitor, to be responsible for ensuring the welfare of every child. The plans were held up when the Supreme Court ruled that information sharing sections did not comply with the law. Changes to legislation are being considered, but the Faculty of Advocates say they need improvement. They want to see guidance for named persons "phrased in more accessible language" and a helpline provided for them, raising concerns that the plans as they are currently drafted might not resolve the concerns raised in the Supreme Court. Other groups, including City of Edinburgh Council and NHS Highland, have also raised questions about the legislative changes. The Scottish government said it was confident the changes would address the issues raised by the Supreme Court. The named person plans were signed off by MSPs as part of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 - passed by 103 votes to nil - but were quickly tied up in legal challenges by campaigners who feared the scheme would cause unnecessary intrusion into family life. Judges at the UK's highest court ruled against the scheme in July 2016, citing concerns that information-sharing plans were incompatible with the rights to privacy and a family life under the European Convention on Human Rights. The did however say that the aim of the scheme was legitimate, and the ministers said they remained "absolutely committed" to implementing it. The government brought forward the Children and Young People (Information Sharing) (Scotland) Bill in a bid to make the necessary changes, and Holyrood's education committee is examining the new legislation. The submission from the Faculty of Advocates forms part of this process. In their written remarks, the Faculty said the principal issues raised about the legislation were not easy to resolve, and said that "some of the criticisms of the Supreme Court will continue to apply if the bill as drafted is passed". They said that named persons - non-lawyers, who would not be familiar with complicated legal guidance - would be required to "carry out a proportionality exercise" as part of the role, while balancing their other work. They described this as "an exceptionally difficult requirement" which "risks making their job considerably more difficult and undermining the trust of families and the willingness to share information with the professional concerned". The submission said: "In our view, the Code of Practice itself would benefit from being phrased in more accessible language. Given the complex exercise being expected of those professionals, they should also, in our view, have access to an advice service or helpline to provide assistance when they are uncertain how to deal with information sharing." Similar concerns were raised by City of Edinburgh Council in its submission, which said guidance would need "further clarification for day to day practice". However East Ayrshire Council said their response was "wholly positive". NHS Highland meanwhile raised questions about the difficulty of assessing whether young children were capable of making their
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5 January 2016 Last updated at 18:57 GMT His government is trying to secure funds to combat Nigeria's $11bn (£7.4bn) budget deficit. But Christine Lagarde said she was not holding talks on a loan or a bailout, saying she saw no reason why Nigeria would need IMF money. BBC Monitoring looks at why Nigeria needs to borrow and how crucial oil is to its economy. Produced by Alexi Peristianis BBC Monitoring reports and analyses news from TV, radio, web and print media around the world. You can follow BBC Monitoring on Twitter and Facebook.
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The proposed £6m facility at Woodford Leisure Centre would see the closure of East Hull Pools on Holderness Road, which has been open since 1898. The Hull City Council consultation is running until 5 January. The local authority has said the new 25 metre pool would be more modern, energy efficient and less expensive to maintain and run.
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The works, which are the second phase of a key scheme to protect the A372 at Beer Wall and increase the capacity of the River Sowy, started in April. Completion was pushed back into August to accommodate additional engineering, but it is now hoped it will be finished the week beginning 20 July. The associated closure of the A372 will also be lifted. The Beer Wall scheme is part of a multi-agency 20 Year Flood Action Plan which is now overseen by the Somerset Rivers Authority. John Osman, authority chairman and county council leader, said it was a "large and complicated" project. "That means an end date is especially hard to pin down as some design work is still going on while construction is underway," he said. "The good news is that the engineers now have plans that bring forward the expected completion date. "I'm delighted that things are going in the right direction." Mr Osman asked for "continued patience" from local residents, business and commuters, and said the council wanted to get the work finished "as soon as possible". The stretch of the A372 was closed for several weeks in 2014 due to flooding and to accommodate emergency pumping.
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It will see French firm Total take control Denmark's Maersk's assets in the UK sector of the North Sea, including the Culzean gas field. Total said an "exceptional overlap" of businesses would increase its competitiveness through growing assets and annual cost-savings. The deal will require the approval of regulators. Total chairman and chief executive Patrick Pouyanne said: "The combination of Maersk Oil's North Western Europe businesses with our existing portfolio will position Total as the second operator in the North Sea with strong production profiles in UK, Norway and Denmark."
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Pte Matthew Boyd, 20, was off-duty in the barracks town of Brecon, Powys, when he was attacked by Jake Vallely. His friend Aaeron Evans, 23, has denied taking part in the fight by assisting or encouraging 24-year-old Mr Vallely. Mr Vallely, of Brecon, denies murder and Mr Evans, also of Brecon, denies manslaughter at Cardiff Crown Court. Pte Boyd, who served with the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, had been on his way back to his barracks before he was found unconscious by police in the early hours of 15 May. The prosecution claims Mr Evans was present when an argument broke out between Mr Vallely and Pte Boyd outside The Cellar Bar. It is claimed the pair then chased Pte Boyd down the street and Mr Evans remained present when Mr Vallely assaulted him. But Vincent Coughlin QC, summing up his defence case for Mr Evans, said his client left before the fight started. He said CCTV footage of the events leading up to the fight showed Mr Evans was trying to discourage Mr Vallely from getting involved in an argument with Pte Boyd. He said Mr Evans pushed his friend away and told him to "walk away". Mr Coughlin QC said this was accepted by Mr Vallely who, during cross examination, agreed Pte Boyd had died as a result of a one-to-one fight with him and Mr Evans was not present at the time. Mr Coughlin QC told the jury Mr Vallely said Mr Evans did not know about the fight until he told him about it later. The trial continues.
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Medway Maritime Hospital, in Gillingham, has been rated "inadequate" following its latest Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection. It found the hospital's A&E department could not cope when busy. Medway Maritime's chief executive Lesley Dwyer said the hospital was on a "continuous journey of improvement". The trust was originally placed in special measures in July 2013 because of concerns over mortality rates and standards of care. The latest inspection took place in August and September 2015 and found there were continuing concerns with medical care, surgery, outpatient and diagnostic services. The chief inspector of hospitals, Prof Sir Mike Richards, said he was not satisfied the "underlying issues" had been resolved. "It is disappointing to report that performance may even have deteriorated in some areas, despite the support which has been offered to the trust up until now," he said. "It is clear that the trust cannot solve these important issues on its own, and will require continued support for the foreseeable future." However, the hospital was praised for the "compassionate care" staff provided in "almost all their interactions" with patients. The report said patients spoke positively about the staff and said they considered their privacy and dignity had been maintained in most cases. Ms Dwyer said: "We accept the findings of the CQC, we recognise that was in a point of time in August and take their concerns seriously. "We are continuing to make changes that we know will improve the safety and quality of care we provide here at Medway."
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Don Gardner, from Camborne, Pool and Redruth charity, said it provided more than 2,000 meals in two hours recently. The centre has announced it is extending its opening hours because of the level of demand for its service. The MP for Camborne and Redruth, George Eustice, said there was help for those "who are in real genuine need." Mr Gardner said: "It's been absolutely horrendous since Christmas. Last week in Camborne alone - 2,180 meals in just two hours. "We were expecting an increase after Christmas but nothing like this. "The food coming in has been outstripped by demand, so I am having to go out and buy food to top it all up." Two years ago the centre was providing fewer than 10 families with food. Mr Eustice, the Conservative MP for the area, said: "These are very difficult times. "I know there are pressures on household bills, but we do have a benefits system that is there to help people who are in real genuine need." Mr Gardner said: "Fortunately we have very generous donations from people. "One man stopped me and said he liked what we were doing, and gave me £500. All of that is going to supplement our shortfall."
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Gabriele Angella - a summer signing from Udinese - opened the scoring when he scrambled in from close range. Bournemouth levelled when Ryan Fraser crossed for Lewis Grabban to convert, before Angella headed his second and Deeney scored via a deflection. Lewis McGugan slotted in and Deeney smashed in from 20 yards before completing his treble with a penalty. Troy Deeney is the first Watford player to score a hat-trick at Vicarage Road since Kevin Phillips on 1 March 1997 Deeney missed the start of last season but returned to score 20 goals and help Gianfranco Zola's side to the play-off final. He was decisive again as the Hornets proved too strong for Bournemouth - who were the better side for large periods of the first half. Sloppy defending allowed Angella to hook Watford ahead but the visitors' spirited response was rewarded when the lively Fraser burst into the penalty area and squared for Grabban to slide home his third of the season. Watford were much improved after the interval though as Angella again escaped his marker to meet Almen Abdi's free-kick with a powerful header, before Deeney ran on to a neat through-pass to fire across Ryan Allsop and in with the aid of a deflection. Media playback is not supported on this device McGugan added the fourth with a neat finish from an angle for his first goal since joining from Nottingham Forest in the summer, before Deeney's spectacular second. The striker took the ball on his chest and shrugged off two challenges to score from the edge of the area. Deeney then completed the scoring in stoppage time when he steered home from the spot after Diego Fabbrini was tripped. Watford manager Gianfranco Zola: "Bournemouth probably didn't deserve to lose 6-1 because especially in the first half they played well and they played in the right way. "In the second half my team really put a good performance in and it was just what they needed because otherwise it was going to be difficult. Media playback is not supported on this device "We changed gears because in the first half we were playing under rhythm and we pushed a little bit higher up the pitch and that made it more difficult for them." Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe: "If we're guilty of anything it was still chasing the game at 3-1. "We felt we could still try and get back into it but they were ruthless in exposing that and we were a little bit naive towards the end where we kept giving the ball back to Watford and you can't do that against a good team. "I always knew it was going to be a huge step up for our squad and for everyone at the club. "If you look at our history we've hardly played in the Championship and history is always a good gauge and this is a big step up." Full Time The referee ends the match. Goal! - Troy Deeney - Watford 6
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The OU says affected staff would need to relocate, or take voluntary redundancy or early retirement. The OU says services to students will not be reduced or withdrawn and the institution remains committed to operating across the whole of the UK. But unions described the plans as catastrophic and warned that 500 jobs across the seven centres were at risk. Under the proposals, OU offices in Bristol, Birmingham, Cambridge, Gateshead, Leeds, London and Oxford would close. The university said these were not offices that were used predominantly as teaching centres. The new structure would see existing offices in Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Milton Keynes, Manchester and Nottingham retained, as well as a small sub-office in Dublin. The OU said the centres in Milton Keynes, Manchester and Nottingham would expand, allowing them to give greater investment in student support and "deliver improvements that are not possible in the current configuration of 13 offices". "These improvements include quicker response times, more proactive support to those students who need help during their studies and longer opening hours," a statement from the university said. "The larger centres will help us provide seamless support for students from first contact through to completion of studies." The OU says the new structure will be in place by February 2017 at the earliest. A final decision will be made by the university's council in late November. If approved, a period of consultation with unions will follow. Peter Horrocks, vice-chancellor of the OU, said students' experience of the university had not been limited by geography for some time. "This is a difficult decision and I fully recognise the impact it will have on many of our staff, but we cannot afford to stay still. "This recommendation, if approved, would allow us to enhance student support in a way that's simply not possible in our current office network, and offer our students the sort of support they expect and deserve." But the University and College Union (UCU) warned that thousands of current and future students could be affected by the move, which could see the removal of services, such as careers counselling, study advice and support for disabled students. OU UCU branch president Pauline Collins said the OU was respected all over the world for the way it brought quality higher education to a wide range of people. "At the core of that mission are its dedicated regional staff who provide essential support to thousands of students and their tutors. "Axing almost 500 staff across seven centres would be catastrophic and decimate the Open University's ability to provide the kind of local support that students need. "We are unconvinced by the university's talk of staff relocating, especially as this will mean hours spent in the car or on the train just trying to get to and from work." The OU has almost 200,000 students, with many combining their study with employment and other commitments.
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He wants more action on how such groups use social networks. He is also unhappy about plans to offer greater encryption for online communications. So can the uneasy relationship between tech firms and the security services be rebuilt? What exactly is Mr Hannigan worried about? His concerns appear to be twofold. Firstly the fact that militant organisations such as Islamic State (IS) are using Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp to promote themselves and the increasing sophistication that extremists are showing in their use of such platforms. And secondly he is not happy about pledges from Microsoft, Google, Apple and Yahoo to make encryption a default option to protect users from government snooping. Tech firms are keen to put user privacy top of the agenda following allegations from former US National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden about mass surveillance in the US and the UK. How are extremist groups using social media? The internet is a tool for communication so it should come as little surprise that extremists are using it to recruit, plan campaigns and spread their messages. But they are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their use of it - recent slick, well-produced videos using hostage British journalist John Cantlie to pass on the IS message provided chilling evidence of how well-versed the modern militant is in using the media. English-translated bomb-making manuals are freely available online and increasingly terrorists are using chatrooms to openly discuss the best ways to make a bomb. IS uses popular hashtags to boost the popularity of its material and sends thousands of tweets a day without triggering spam controls. When social media became a key part of the Arab Spring, one Egyptian activist explained the relationship thus: "We use Facebook to schedule the protests, Twitter to co-ordinate and YouTube to tell the world." Now it seems that message has become the rallying call for extremist organisations. If terrorists are communicating openly on Twitter, doesn't that make the security agencies' job easier? The fact that terrorist organisations now have multiple ways to get their message across means that the drumbeat of terrorism is getting louder and the phrase "anyone can become a terrorist" has never been so relevant. The problem is summarised by Joseph Kunkle, who works in the office of security technology for the US Department of Homeland Security in a recent article he wrote on the issue : "No longer do traditional media control the messages that terrorists seek to deliver. Today instant-messaging jihadists can communicate with anyone... and is increasing the potential for recruiting operatives legally living in targeted countries." But there is a flipside - having a social-media presence offers law enforcement an unprecedented window onto terrorist activity. It allows intelligence agencies to determine the identities of supporters and potential recruits. Anyone who follows or befriends terrorist organisations is likely to become of interest to the authorities and, using data analysis, governments can potentially trace entire networks of contacts. What are internet companies doing to prevent extremist groups using their networks
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Hideto Kijima had boarded with the help of friends on his outbound flight. But on the return leg from the island of Amami, airline employees told him that for safety reasons, he would not be allowed to board if he could not climb the stairs without assistance. In response, Mr Kijima left his wheelchair and pulled himself up the stairs with his arms. Mr Kijima is an experienced traveller, and head of the Japan Accessible Tourist Center, a non-profit organisation which catalogues accessibility issues for tourists to Japan. He says he has been to more than 200 airports in 158 countries since he was paralysed from the waist down in a school rugby accident in 1990. In a blog post, he said that wherever facilities were not available for mobility disabled passengers, he has relied on the help of friends or staff members in whatever way possible. He said that although travel had occasionally been difficult, he had never been told he could not board a plane. He told Japan's Nippon TV he was "surprised" by the strict rule. "I wondered if the airport employees didn't think that was wrong," he said. Vanilla Air, a budget airline subsidiary of All Nippon Airways, has apologised for the incident and announced new measures to aid wheelchair users at the airport. The company's website now says that while it cannot provide a boarding bridge at Amami airport, it will now provide a special chair for the purpose. "We're sorry that we caused him that hardship," a company spokesman told AFP news agency. There have been several other incidents this year involving the treatment of passengers by airlines. In April, a Vietnamese-American doctor was dragged from a United Airlines flight in Chicago by law enforcement officials after he refused to give up his seat voluntarily. A video of the incident posted online caused a massive backlash against the airline, forcing it to change its policies and pay a settlement to the injured doctor.
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A letter reading: "Next time it will be a bomb, you Muslim scum," was posted to the Jamia Masjid Abu Bakr mosque and was signed with a number code which is believed to be used by neo-Nazi groups. Mosque secretary Sabir Hussain called it "appalling and very frightening". Ch Supt Rob Odell said police had "offered security advice" to the town's mosques. Mr Hussein claims the Muslim community has felt "under siege" since the publication of the Jay Report into the sexual exploitation of teenage girls by men predominantly of Pakistani heritage. More on this and other South Yorkshire stories. He said community cohesion was "very low" in the town following far-right marches. "There is never a day goes by when we don't get abuse. "At first we thought the letter might be a prank with somebody messing about, but when we looked at the code and checked it on the internet then that made us think this is very, very serious and not just an ordinary prank." Rotherham has seen 15 protests over the past two years in reaction to the report, which found at least 1,400 girls were abused between 1997 and 2013.
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He pioneered new underwater filming techniques while making The Abyss. And for the blockbuster Titanic, he used two Russian submersibles to gather footage of the wrecked liner, which lies nearly 4,000m (13,000ft) down in the Atlantic. Now he has turned his attention on the deepest ocean - and became the first person in 50 years to make the journey to the deepest place on the planet. His submarine is called the Deepsea Challenge, and was built by an Australian team of engineers - many of whom have worked with him on his films. The tiny compartment that the film-maker sat in is made from thick steel, which is able to resist the 1,000 atmospheres of pressure he experienced at full ocean depth. The rest of the vertical column is made from a material called syntactic foam - a solid made mostly of hollow "microballoons" - giving it enough buoyancy to float back up. He describes the sub as a "vertical torpedo" that slices through the water allowing him a speedy descent. It took him just two hours to make the 11km (seven mile) dive. The vessel is fitted with an array of 3D, high-definition stereoscopic cameras and a vast lighting array, that allowed him to film this deep, dark spot. The footage will form a documentary, which will be based on the dive. After making the dive, Mr Cameron told the BBC: "It was absolutely the most remote, isolated place on the planet." "I really feel like in one day I've been to another planet and come back."
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The west London Championship club said it "takes these allegations very seriously" and would "co-operate fully in any forthcoming investigation". Mr Gieler died in 2002, shortly after leaving the club. He was employed by QPR for about 30 years, working in youth development and as chief scout. Mr Gieler arrived at Loftus Road in 1971 as a schoolboy scout and in 1979 he became youth development manager, responsible for the entire youth programme. Child sex abuse claims: The story so far The club's announcement came as the Football Association announced that the internal review into child sexual abuse allegations in football would be led by Clive Sheldon QC. A total of 450 people have alleged they are victims and 55 amateur and professional football clubs are linked to allegations of abuse going back several decades. The Police Service of Northern Ireland has become the latest force to confirm it is investigating claims, so there are now 21 police forces looking into reports. A dedicated sexual abuse helpline has been set up by the NSPCC, supported by the FA. In a statement, QPR said: "Any form of abuse has no place in football or society. "QPR has robust recruitment procedures and safeguarding policies in place to ensure the protection and welfare of both children and vulnerable adults, and we employ a full-time designated safeguarding manager who works across all areas of the club." The club said it had had someone responsible for safeguarding in place since 2011, in line with FA, Premier League and Football League guidelines. Earlier, former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp told the BBC that "rumours" that ex-Southampton coach Bob Higgins may have abused young players in the 1980s had been "rife" for years. He said that, because of this, he was "amazed" that Mr Higgins, who is facing fresh allegations of historical sexual abuse, had continued to be involved in football. Former Southampton youth player and ex-professional footballer Billy Seymour told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme that he had been abused by Mr Higgins from the age of 12 to 14. He said that because of this he had "self-medicated" with drink and drugs, and said he had been to prison three times for "anger issues". "My life has been chaos really, over the last 20 years," he said. "I'm just hoping now I can start opening up and start living." Mr Seymour told the BBC that the abuse "started with grooming and preferential treatment, coming round and picking me up, taking me to scouting missions, gifts, tracksuits, aftershave". He said he would stay at Mr Higgins' house, where he said the former coach would walk into his bedroom late at night, or would invite him into his bedroom in the morning, and touch his "groin area". Mr Higgins has previously denied all allegations and was acquitted of sexual abuse charges in 1992. The BBC has been unable to contact him for comment. Meanwhile, the FA has published the full terms of reference of its review, which
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Specifically, Ambassador Kevin Vickers is worried about a spirit that might be haunting Canada's official residence in Dublin. In a recent Facebook post, the ambassador describes hearing unusual bangs, laboured breathing and heavy footsteps in the residence's halls. Mr Vickers, a history buff, suggests it may be the spirit of one of the leaders of Ireland's 1916 Easter Rising. When he first moved into the residence, the ambassador heard rumours that Irish nationalist Patrick Pearse had once lived at the home in Dublin's Ranelagh district. Pearse was one of the architects of the April 1916 rebellion to overthrow British rule and set up an Irish republic. Over 450 people were killed during the six-day armed struggle and more than 2,600 were injured. Pearse was court-martialled and executed for his role in the rebellion. In a 2016 interview with Maclean's magazine, Mr Vickers described how the rumours that the Irish nationalist leader lived in the home spurred him to dig up documents signed by Pearse to lease the residence's grounds between 1908 and 1912. "So I wonder if it is he who walks the hallways of this residence," Mr Vickers wrote in the 16 August Facebook post first reported on by CTV News. Mr Vickers said he did not believe in ghosts until moving into the official residence, Glanmire House. "Some evenings he or she seems agitated. Then days go by and all is quiet," he said. The evening before writing the post he was watching TV "when all of sudden I heard a heavy chain fall on the floor in the dining room. I immediately went there and there was nothing on the floor". Mr Vickers says a couple of weeks prior he heard heavy footsteps on the stairs and laboured breathing but that no-one was in the hallway when he checked. His "wonderful maid, Anna" sometimes refuses to go upstairs. "If anyone doubts the validity of this story, you are welcome to come and stay a night or two here," he said. "Just now I heard an unusual bang downstairs." Mr Vickers was appointed Canada's ambassador to Ireland in January 2015. He had a nearly 30-year career with the Canadian Mounties and in 2006 was appointed Sergeant-at-Arms in Canada's House of Commons. He became well-known to Canadians when he and a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer shot dead a gunman who rampaged through the parliament building on 22 October 2014. The attacker had earlier killed a soldier, Cpl Nathan Cirillo, who was on ceremonial guard duty at the nearby National War Memorial.
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When ministers in England last year announced they were going to cap how much hospitals could pay agency staff, they felt they had found a solution to a factor increasingly cited as a cause of the financial problems engulfing the health service. But the temporary downgrading of Chorley's accident and emergency unit from next week suggests it merely tackles the symptoms of the problem rather than the causes. Bosses at the Lancashire hospital took the regulations seriously. They started phasing them in from November, but it soon became clear they had a problem. Like many A&E units, Chorley relies heavily on locum staff. This is because there is a national shortage of doctors willing to work in emergency departments full time. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine says young medics are being put off by the relentless pressures in the system and the lack of work-life balance that comes with the regular weekend and night shifts. When Chorley realised it had a problem, bosses stopped implementing the cap - this is allowed as there is a clause in the regulations for exceptional circumstances. But, despite this, the trust that runs the unit - Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - still couldn't fill the shifts, prompting the announcement it would be downgraded to an "urgent care service" that will no longer take the most seriously ill patients and will close at night. The interesting question is why - despite this U-turn - the hospital still struggled. Its location - relatively close to Wales, where the cap is not in place - could mean doctors have simply moved across the border to work, while it is also possible the introduction of the cap has prompted some locum doctors to take permanent jobs elsewhere (one of the aims of the policy). But another suggestion put to me is that some hospitals are playing fast and loose with the cap regulations to make themselves more attractive options than those who follow the rules to the letter. One ruse apparently involves locums being paid for additional hours they never actually work so they can effectively get a higher rate, while some trusts - I am told - are paying extras, such as accommodation allowances, to top up pay. It is unclear at the moment just how widespread this is and whether other hospitals are struggling like Chorley. And, certainly, it is fair to say bigger hospitals in major cities find it easier to attract doctors than a site located in rural Lancashire. But what seems clear is there is no quick fix for the growing problems in A&E. The news about Chorley came as NHS England released its monthly performance report for February. It covers everything from cancer care to routine treatments, such as knee and hip operations. Many of the key targets were being missed. But none as badly as A&E. Fewer than 88% of patients were seen within four hours - well below the 95% target. That is the worst performance since
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Media playback is not supported on this device "I went off social media, so I can't wait to get home and have a look at it," said the 20-year-old swimmer from Seaford in County Down. Firth won gold in the 100m backstroke, 200m freestyle, 200m individual medley and was runner-up in the 100m breaststroke.
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Built by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the Tejas - meaning radiant - is expected to replace the ageing fleet of Russian MIG-21s. The company handed over two of the aircraft to the air force on Friday. It is not the first Indian-made fighter jet - that was the HF-24 Marut, which was also built by HAL, in 1961. The Tejas was designed and manufactured in India, although some technologies, such as its engine and radar, have been imported. It was declared fit to fly in 2011. The two aircraft will be part of a squadron named 'Flying Daggers' 45, the PTI news agency reported. The air force aims to induct a total of six Tejas aircraft this financial year and eight in the next, the report added. The Tejas is touted by Indian defence officials as the smallest lightweight, single-engine, tactical fighter aircraft in the world. The fighter - which can carry air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons - has been long delayed by technological hurdles. US sanctions imposed after India carried out nuclear tests in 1998 further stalled development of the jet.
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About 2,700 competitors took part in what organisers called the UK's "biggest-ever" Ironman event in Weymouth in September. Dorset County Council said it would investigate "delays and confusion" on the roads following complaints from motorists. Organisers said next year's event will not have a 140.6 mile (226.3km) option. Drivers on the day reported taking three hours to make a four-mile journey between Weymouth and Dorchester. The competition involves a swim in Weymouth bay followed by a run through Weymouth and a cycle through rural west Dorset. September's event included both a 70.3 mile (113.2km) and the full distance 140.6 mile (226.3km) route. Dorset Police said traffic disruption on the day of the event was made worse by vandals who removed road signs. Dorset County Council's audit and governance committee chairman Trevor Jones said: "Unfortunately, this is not the first time that events such as these have experienced problems. This is despite previous assurances by organisers that issues would not be repeated. "We have therefore decided to investigate the circumstances so we can scrutinise and make recommendations for necessary improvements." Speaking following the decision to only use a 70.3 mile (113.2km) route in 2017, Ironman UK chief executive Kevin Stewart said: "We know the important part is to see the economic impact with more visitors to the area - there is a focus there to make sure it is a big and successful race going forward."
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The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the Maltese-registered Svetlana had been held since 12 October. An MCA spokeswoman said the 11 deficiencies showed there was "clear evidence of a serious failure or lack of effective implementation of the safety management system on board". Svetlana's owners have been asked to comment. Port state control officers said the issues on the Svetlana all related to the international safety management code. The MCA said these included a corroded main fire-fighting pipeline and a defective fire detection system for the cargo hold. Upon re-inspection on 20 October, the MCA said crew members made complaints about non-payment of wages, so the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) was contacted. ITF inspector Tommy Molloy said low wages were being paid to the Russian, Ukrainian and Bulgarian crew. He added: "The MLC [Maritime Labour Convention] requires member states that have ratified to establish procedures for determining minimum wages for seafarers and that when doing so they should give consideration to those set by ILO [International Labour Organization]. "I have asked how low wages can be set before it becomes an issue for the Malta shipping register."
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The audio includes a flight attendant's plea for help and discussions about an order from Vice-President Dick Cheney to shoot down rogue civilian planes. Threats from one of the lead hijackers, Mohammed Atta, are also heard. The audio was prepared for the 9/11 Commission, but was not completed before that inquiry reported in 2004. Much of the material has been previously published in transcript form. Among the recordings is a phone call from Betty Ong, a flight attendant on American Airlines Flight 11. "Somebody's stabbed in business class, and, um I think there is Mace that we can't breathe," Ms Ong says. "I don't know, I think we're getting hijacked." One of the hijackers, Mohammed Atta, is heard on the same plane saying: "Nobody move, everything will be OK. "If you try to make any moves, you will injure yourself and the airplane. Just stay quiet." Most of recordings come from the Federal Aviation Administration and are of controllers and the military officials working with them. After Flight 11 hits the World Trade Center, controllers are heard as a second plane streaks past a radar control facility on its way to Manhattan. "Another one just hit the World Trade," says a voice. That is followed by: "The whole building just, ah, came apart." When some fighter jets were scrambled eastward in the confusion, a military commander ordered them back to Washington as fast as possible. "I don't care how many windows you break," Maj Kevin Nasypany says, several minutes before the last of the planes, United flight 93, crashes in Pennsylvania. The order from the vice-president to shoot down unresponsive planes comes at about 10:30.
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Ryan Devaney, 27, is accused of biting the baby, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and putting a blanket over his head. Mr Devaney is also accused of pushing him on the body or otherwise causing him to fall to the ground, shaking him and inflicting blunt force trauma. He is also accused of assaulting a woman and having extreme pornography. Mr Devaney, from Dundee, denies all of the charges against him. The offence is alleged to have taken place in a house in Dundee, an Asda car park in the city and a house in Angus on various occasions in 2015. Defence counsel Louise Arrol said: "Special defences have been lodged." A trial was set for 31 May at the High Court in Edinburgh.
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But when they did, they noticed that the crumbling building - which had recently been used for cold storage and was covered in layers of insulation - was actually something much grander than its decaying exterior would suggest. "There was a little opening on the south façade and we thought we should really put a gate in here," recalls Bradley Samuels, one of the four founding partners of the architecture and fabrication firm, which was started in 2005. "We started removing material and we just kept removing more and more until we realised, oh my god, there's this enormous door that steam engines used to come through," he says. Built in 1905, it turned out that Building 132 was once a steam engine repair shop - and that its "bones", in Mr Samuels words, were perfect for the cutting-edge 21st century manufacturing that the firm was planning to do. That a building which was purpose built for late 19th century technology could still be useful - even ideal - for an innovation-focused firm like Situ might seem surprising, but it makes perfect sense to Mr Samuels and others like him who have moved into the Navy Yard. Today, the Navy Yard has gone from a Brooklyn eyesore that once symbolised the decline of urban manufacturing to a model for keeping production in urban centres. At the Navy Yard's peak during the boom years of World War II, the site employed more than 70,000 people. Even during peacetime, the premises had around 15,000 full-time employees working in the "classic manufacturing jobs that made the American middle class," says Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC) president David Ehrenberg. But when the Navy decided to move out in 1966, almost 12,000 people lost their jobs overnight. By the 1970s, when Mr Ehrenberg was growing up in Brooklyn, only 100 people worked at the 300 acre (121 hectare) site. "It was really symptomatic and [an] example of the industrial flight from New York," says Mr Ehrenberg. "You could see all up and down the Brooklyn waterfront—formerly very active, dynamic manufacturing facilities going completely dormant. "You know, I grew up hearing stories of the Dodgers moving out of Brooklyn, and that being a terrible blow to Brooklyn, but losing 20,000 middle class jobs was really a devastating hit to the borough." To revitalise the site, the BNYDC, the non-profit which now runs the property, sought to move away from big tenants - like the shipbuilders that once loomed over its piers - to a more diversified manufacturing base. The BNYDC brought in older companies - like Cumberland, which has been packaging artificial sweeteners like Sweet 'n Low and Splenda for half a decade - as well as more cutting edge firms, which include everything from space suit designers to a robotics builder to a motorcycle manufacturer. In doing so, they created a web of interconnected manufacturers who could lean on each other for design knowledge or fabrication help. For instance, Mr Samuels of Situ says
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His endorsement came after meeting Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders who has been battling Mrs Clinton for the nomination. Speaking in a video tweeted out by Mrs Clinton, Mr Obama said she may be the most qualified person "ever" for the role of president. The two are set to start campaigning together soon. "I want those of you who've been with me from the beginning of this incredible journey to be the first to know that 'I'm with Her.' I am fired up and cannot wait to get out there and campaign for Hillary," Mr Obama said in the video. "Secretary Clinton and Senator Sanders may have been rivals during this primary, but they're both patriots who love this country and they share a vision for the America that we all believe in." The two ran against one another for the Democratic nomination in 2008 and Mr Obama later made Mrs Clinton secretary of state. Speaking to Reuters following the endorsement, Mrs Clinton said Mr Obama's endorsement "means the world". "It is absolutely a joy and an honour that President Obama and I, over the years, have gone from fierce competitors to true friends," she said. Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump tweeted that Mr Obama's endorsement means he wants "four more years of Obama" and "nobody else does". Barack Obama is now in the game. In a slickly produced video endorsement, the president has thrown his support behind Hillary Clinton's bid to keep the White House in Democratic hands. Given the high production value of the video, the announcement had obviously been in the works for some time. In fact, astute observers have noted that Mr Obama is sporting the tie he wore on Tuesday. Bernie Sanders has said he will continue to campaign in Washington DC, leading up to the capital city's primary next week - but expect most Democrats to close ranks quickly. The Vermont senator even struck a more conciliatory tone after a meeting at the White House, saying he looks forward to "working together" with the former secretary of state to defeat Donald Trump. Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton will make their first joint appearance together in Wisconsin next week. Before that she's visiting Ohio and Pennsylvania. The Democrats clearly view the general election battleground as the industrial Rust Belt states. And for the first time since 1998 there is a popular, scandal-free second-term incumbent president working hard on the campaign trail to preserve his legacy. What an Obama endorsement will mean for Hillary
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Tigers captain Mashrafe Mortaza took 4-29 to back up his performance with the bat as England were dismissed for 204. England's bowlers performed well on a slow pitch to restrict Bangladesh, before 44 from Mortaza and a fine 75 from Mahmudullah pushed them to 238-8. Jos Buttler was the stand-out for England but his 57 was not enough to help them overcome a poor start. The three-match series is tied at 1-1, with the final match to be played in Chittagong on Wednesday. Spin has been England's weakness in the past and Bangladesh made their intentions clear as slow left-armer Shakib Al Hasan opened the bowling, while the hosts looked sharper in the field than in the previous ODI, and England's early struggles with the bat gave them confidence. Bangladesh thought they had trapped Jason Roy lbw with the first ball of the innings but a loose drive from James Vince cost England their first wicket, before Ben Duckett and Roy were both beaten for pace and Friday's centurion Ben Stokes played around a straight delivery to leave England in trouble at 26-4. A 79-run partnership between Buttler and Jonny Bairstow gave England some hope, as Buttler combined power with patience to register a 48-ball half-century. Once Bairstow fell, edging a fine Taskin Ahmed delivery to the keeper, it was left to stand-in skipper Buttler to urge England over the line as he pulled Taskin through mid-wicket. Tempers frayed when a frustrated Buttler was trapped lbw by Taskin, with the England captain left visibly angry as the Bangladesh players celebrated his dismissal. Both Buttler and Chris Woakes were agitated, with the umpires stepping in to calm the situation, and the tension continued at the end of the game as Stokes exchanged words with Bangladesh players. Ball and Adil Rashid batted with some aggression in the final few overs to give England thoughts of a surprise victory, but Ball hit a Mortaza delivery to extra cover to ease Bangladesh's worries and ensure victory. Mortaza was dismissed for just one run on Friday, but he backed up Mahmudullah's mature knock with some composed hitting at the end of the innings. After winning the toss, England's bowlers performed well on a slow pitch and their accuracy was rewarded when Imrul Kayes, another century-maker in the first ODI, pulled Woakes to a fielder in the deep. England's seamers mixed up their pace and length throughout to stop Bangladesh from settling, and it was only in the final stages - when the humidity had risen to 70% - that the tourists' fielding faltered. Bangladesh were struggling at 39-3 as Tamim Iqbal and Sabbir Rahman fell to short deliveries from Woakes and Ball, but Mahmudullah took the initiative by pushing for singles as England increased the pressure in the middle overs, and had just begun to accelerate when he was trapped lbw by Rashid. Mortaza, who did not reach double figures during the Tigers' recent ODI series against Afghanistan, took an aggressive approach and counteracted the
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The Galloway Kite Trail was launched in 2003 in an area north of Castle Douglas. The latest study of its economic value concluded it had contributed more than £8.2m since it opened to the public. It has attracted more than 100,000 visitors and supported the equivalent of about 20 full-time jobs in the region. Calum Murray, RSPB Scotland community liaison officer, said: "The re-introduction of red kites in Dumfries and Galloway has been a massive conservation success story, and we now have over 100 pairs breeding across the region. "But this survey clearly demonstrates how nature can bring economic benefits to communities as well. "Tourists are visiting the Galloway Kite Trail from all over the UK, and many are coming here specifically to see our amazing red kites, as well as the other wildlife this region is rightly renowned for. "It also demonstrates the fantastic support given to the trail by local businesses, and with many visitors making repeat visits, it's a good indication of the high standard of hospitality in the area as well." The Galloway Kite Trail is a self-guided tour circling Loch Ken, taking visitors to some of the best locations to see kites, as well as promoting activities and services provided by local businesses. It was set up following the successful reintroduction of red kites to Galloway after an absence of 130 years. The birds were persecuted to extinction in Scotland in the 19th Century but have since made a comeback. An economic survey carried out annually by the RSPB between 2004 and 2015 found that visitors to the trail have spent an estimated £54.6m in Dumfries and Galloway, with £8.2m directly attributable to people visiting the area to see the kites. The survey also found that almost 70% of respondents had travelled to the area from outside Scotland, with two thirds visiting Dumfries and Galloway for the first time. Doug Wilson, VisitScotland regional director, said: "The Galloway Kite Trail has been a fabulous success story, in many more ways than one. "As an ambitious nature conservation project, it has achieved outstanding results in terms of increasing red kite numbers, educating the public about these spectacular birds of prey, and raising awareness of the RSPB's superb efforts to protect them and their habitat and encourage breeding. "The kite trail has also become an outstanding asset in Dumfries and Galloway's incredible portfolio of outdoors activity attractions, giving visitors another great reason to come to the beautiful Galloway Forest Park and explore the stunning Loch Ken area. "Having attracted well over 100,000 visitors, the trail has delivered significant benefits to tourism within the region and the impact on our local economy has been tremendous."
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It was alleged last year extremists had tried to take over several schools in Birmingham to advance radical interpretations of Islam. A series of official investigations found the claims to be groundless. The Department for Education (DfE) says it is "building resilience" by actively promoting British values in schools. In its report, the education committee investigates how the DfE, Ofsted and other bodies reacted to the allegations of extremism in Birmingham, and draws out wider lessons for the entire school system. The chairman of the education committee, Graham Stuart, said that apart from one incident in one school "no evidence of extremism or radicalisation was found by any of the inquiries in any of the schools involved". The MPs had found "a worrying and wasteful lack of coordination between the various inquiries carried out by the DfE, Birmingham City Council, the Education Funding Agency, Ofsted and others", Mr Stuart said, adding that those overlapping inquiries had "contributed to the sense of crisis and confusion". The report criticises the Department for Education for what it calls a "lack of inquisitiveness" and says the department was "slow to take an active interest" in the allegations. The report also criticises Ofsted's "inability to identify problems" in schools on first inspection, when they were found "shortly afterwards to be failing". The committee concluded that Ofsted would now have to "act to restore confidence in the inspectorate". "Questions have been raised about the appropriateness of Ofsted's framework and the reliability and robustness of its judgements," Mr Stuart said. In 2011, the education committee called for Ofsted to be split in two, saying separate bodies should supervise child protection and schools. The education committee's latest report recommends the government should: Ofsted said in a statement that it welcomed scrutiny, "continually strives" to improve inspection, and would consider the committee's recommendations "carefully". "As the chief inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw, made clear to the committee last year, sudden changes in governance and leadership can have a significant impact on the standards in education. These Birmingham schools were no exception," the statement said. "Ofsted is committed to ensuring that such drastic declines are not repeated elsewhere and will continue to work closely with other agencies to identify and investigate any areas of concern. "All schools have an expectation on them to teach values such as tolerance and the rule of law and prepare pupils for life in modern Britain. "From September 2015 Ofsted will begin conducting shorter more frequent inspections of good schools. "Our new approach will mean that signs of decline can be spotted early and the necessary action can be taken to ensure pupils are receiving a broad and balanced education which prepares them for life in modern Britain." The DfE said the understanding of extremism and way the ability of schools to respond to it is monitored had "advanced hugely in the past few years". "As today's report recognises, we are tackling this problem at both ends: taking determined action where we find areas of concern,
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The markings show a beast, crescent, comb and mirror. Archaeologist Cait McCullagh said it was a mystery how it had taken until this year for the stone to be officially recorded. She said it also suggested that more Pictish stones have still to be documented on the Black Isle where the beast was recorded. Ms McCullagh, the co-founder and director of Archaeology for Communities in the Highlands (Arch), said the symbol stones probably dated from the 5th to 7th centuries AD. She said it was unusual to find such carvings on the north side of the Moray Firth. A lack of weathering on the Pictish beast may suggest the stone had been kept inside, or had been buried, for a long period before it was placed in the wall of the byre. Isobel Henderson, an expert in the field of early medieval sculpture, came across the Pictish beast stone earlier this year and alerted Highland Council archaeologists. Easter Ross-based Ms McCullagh was also notified and she confirmed the markings as Pictish. She also went on to identify a Pictish symbol stone in the wall of a nearby farmhouse with markings thought to represent goose feathers, or fish scales. Harling obscures most the carving. Both stones are on private properties built in the 19th Century and owned by the same family for about 50 years until two years ago. Ms McCullagh said the relics were never mentioned during a recent local heritage project that had asked people to suggest sites of archaeological and historical interest. The Pictish beast and goose, or fish, markings have been recorded by Highland Council's Historic Environment Record. Ms McCullagh said: "It is a mystery why it has taken so long for the stones to come to our attention. "It is also exciting to think that there are maybe more still to be found. "We are always encouraging people to put their Pictish specs on and look out for stones in church yards and dykes." The Picts lived in north and east Scotland in the 3rd to 9th centuries AD. Few written records of the people survive. According to Highland Council, inscriptions suggest that the Picts spoke a language closely related to both Welsh and Gaelic.
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The 30-year-old England international joined Chelsea from Bolton in January 2012 and signed a new four-year contract last December. He has not started in the Premier League since 26 December, though. Asked about his meeting with Hiddink, Cahill said: "He was very approachable and it was beneficial, very positive." Kurt Zouma and John Terry have become preferred starters in central defence as Chelsea have gone nine matches without defeat under Hiddink. There were suggestions that Cahill had become concerned about his future, as he attempts to secure a place in England's Euro 2016 squad. "Obviously, I want to be at the club," he told Chelsea's website. "I signed a contract a couple of months ago so that shows I want to be here. "But ultimately, I feel like I need to play football matches. I've always been that way; it's always been in my make-up to play a high percentage of games. "I realise sometimes things go well, sometimes they don't, but it's very important for me to play football matches."
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Janet and John Stocker, aged 63 and 74, were killed in Sousse on Friday their family confirmed. The couple, who had five children and 10 grandchildren, "tragically lost their lives as a result of Friday's atrocities" a statement said. A minute's silence will be held on Friday to remember all the victims. The family statement said: "Mum and dad were the happiest, most loving couple who enjoyed life's simple pleasures as well as the pleasures and love of their extensive family and their many friends. "But most of all they were still very much in love with each other." It said they were "both young at heart" and enjoyed "travelling to new places, exploring and appreciating local cultures, and they died together doing what they enjoyed most; sunbathing side by side". Mr Stocker was a retired printer "born and bred in Peckham" while his wife came from Fulham and was a "fun-loving and devoted mother". The family said: "They made a huge impact on our lives, and touched the hearts of so many people and they will both be sorely missed and never forgotten." Britons killed by the gunman have started being repatriated to RAF Brize Norton ahead of a joint inquest being opened by the West London coroner. One Belgian and one German are also thought to be among the dead. Tunisian authorities have arrested several people on suspicion of helping the gunman Seifeddine Rezgui, who had links to the jihadist group Islamic State (IS). Rezgui was shot dead by police.
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Mr Kerry is travelling to Vienna for talks with foreign ministers on ending the four-and-a-half year conflict. Iran is for the first time taking part in such talks, which will also include Russia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Russia and Iran both support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The US, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab nations insist he cannot play any long-term role in the country's future. Foreign ministers from the UK, France, Germany, Egypt, Lebanon and the EU have also confirmed they will attend the meeting, and other Middle Eastern powers are also expected. "The challenge that we face in Syria today is nothing less than to chart a course out of hell," Mr Kerry said in a speech at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace think-tank in Washington DC. "While finding a way forward on Syria will not be easy... it is the most promising opportunity for a political opening we have seen." He added: "At the end of the day, nothing would do more to bolster the fight against Daesh [the Islamic State militant group] than a political transition that sidelines Assad so that we can unite more of the country against extremism." But in his speech, Mr Kerry stressed that the US and Russia also shared "common ground", arguing that both want "a united, secular Syria". Four years into Syria's civil war, and with Russia now conducting its own bombing campaign there separate from that of the US-led coalition, the conflict looks more dangerous than ever. But it's also created a new urgency to try to find a way out of the fighting. Some of the impetus comes from Russia, keen to be seen as a major player and anxious, apparently, to keep its air strikes limited. It's also due to a new readiness by the United States and Saudi Arabia to hear what Iran has to say - especially about the main point of disagreement: what role Syria's President Assad should be allowed to play in any transition. The Saudis and most Western powers see him as an obstacle. The Russians and Iranians argue he's a vital partner. The test of this Vienna meeting is whether there is any movement towards a compromise. But even without tangible progress, the very fact such a high-profile gathering is happening could mark an important step in the search for a way out of Syria's nightmare. Iran now seen as part of solution to Syria conflict Washington struggles for clear line on Syria Iran is believed to have spent billions of dollars over the past four years propping up President Assad's government, providing military advisers and subsidising weapons. However, Syria's political opposition has warned that Iran's involvement will only complicate the meeting in Vienna. Both Iran and Russia have recently stepped up their military role in the Syrian conflict. Iran has long acknowledged sending military advisers to Syria, but has denied the presence of any ground forces. Despite that, unconfirmed reports earlier this month said that hundreds of Iranian
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Anderson, 44, will form part of the staff alongside head coach Wayne Bennett and fellow coaches Denis Betts and Paul Wellens. He will also support football manager Jamie Peacock to prepare training and recovery sessions for the squad. "I thought it would be a good fit for me," Anderson said. "The biggest factor in taking this job was the opportunity to work alongside Wayne, Denis and Paul. "To see people who have been in the game for long periods and learn from them is something I'm looking forward to." England will face Australia, New Zealand and Scotland in the Four Nations, which starts on 28 October with Scotland against Australia at Hull KR's Lightstream Stadium and England against New Zealand at Huddersfield's John Smith's Stadium on 29 October. During Anderson's time at Huddersfield, the Giants finished top for the first time in 81 years with the 2013 League Leaders' Shield, posting three top-four finishes in three full seasons in charge. As a player, the Castleford-born prop made 10 appearances for Great Britain and five for England.
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It comes as ministers began campaigning on the UK's EU membership, after the PM called a referendum for 23 June. The BBC's Norman Smith said Mr Johnson, previously thought to have been "conflicted", had now made up his mind. The MP is expected to reveal his decision at 22:00 GMT. He will give the reasons in his column for the Telegraph newspaper later, according to a count-down on the paper's website. The BBC's political editor, Laura Kuenssberg, said it would be a "big blow" to Number 10. But she said Downing Street had been resigned to Mr Johnson campaigning to leave following a meeting this week which left him disappointed with Mr Cameron's plans on the EU. The Conservative candidate to be the next mayor of London, Zac Goldsmith, will also vote to leave the EU, his team has confirmed. Mr Cameron has said he will campaign to remain in a "reformed" EU, but six ministers who attend cabinet have joined the leave campaign. Asked on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show if he wished to send a message to Mr Johnson, the prime minister said he would "say to Boris what I say to everybody else". "We will be safer, we'll be stronger, we'll be better off inside the EU. "If Boris and if others really care about being able to get things done in our world, then the EU is one of the ways in which we get them done." Referring to two other prominent supporters of the leave campaign, Mr Cameron also warned against "linking arms with Nigel Farage and George Galloway". Earlier on the Marr Show, UKIP leader Mr Farage said he would "absolutely" like to see Mr Johnson come out in favour of leaving the EU. "He's one of those half a dozen people that reaches out to a large number of voters. We'd love to see 'Bo Go' as the headline tomorrow." Mr Johnson's sister, the writer Rachel Johnson, told Sky News's Murnaghan programme that her brother was not "milking his decision for maximum publicity". She said: "It's a very, very hard choice that he has to make. It's a hard choice for everybody to make, because there are good and bad arguments on both sides." Asked if he was "on the horns of a dilemma", she agreed, saying it was "agonising" for him. Ms Johnson's refusal to give away what her brother might have decided led the Sun's Westminster correspondent, Harry Cole, to tweet about her "poker face". House of Commons leader Chris Grayling told the BBC's Sunday Politics programme that he hoped Mr Johnson would join the campaign to leave the EU, adding: "I know no more about his intentions than anyone else." Mr Johnson has also discussed the referendum with Justice Secretary Michael Gove, one of those to declare support for the leave campaign. The Sunday Times reported that Mr Johnson, thought to have been undecided earlier, had told a Westminster colleague: "I'm veering all over the place like a shopping trolley."
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Yvonne Blackman, 66, was seriously hurt in the accident involving her car, a van and a lorry on the A75 on 8 February. A short statement from Police Scotland confirmed she had died in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital on Wednesday. It added that the procurator fiscal had been informed.
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Sir Ivan Rogers predicted much of the talks would be "conducted very publicly" with "name-calling" and an "extremely feisty atmosphere". He added that EU Commission chiefs were saying the UK should pay 40-60bn euros to leave and thought a trade deal could take until the mid-2020s to agree. Sir Ivan, who had been due to leave his post in October, resigned last month. In December he attracted criticism from some MPs when his warning to ministers that the European consensus was that a deal might not be done until the early to mid-2020s was revealed by the BBC. Giving evidence to the Commons European Scrutiny Committee, he said this had come from a briefing he had written for Prime Minister Theresa May in October, based on the views of key figures in the EU and the remaining member states. He said he did not know how it became public. The government says it can conclude all separation negotiations, including a new free trade deal, within two years, having given notice of the UK's departure from the EU by the end of March. Asked about the anticipated timescale, Sir Ivan said a comprehensive free trade agreement such as the one Mrs May was seeking would be the most comprehensive ever negotiated by the EU, and previous agreements have taken "an awful lot of time". He said he believed an agreement with the UK could be concluded more quickly, but said the Brexit negotiation would be "unprecedentedly large" covering "huge tracts of Whitehall". "It's a negotiation on the scale that we haven't experienced ever, certainly not since the Second World War." Sir Ivan said there was a "big financial debate coming up" about the amount to which the UK should be expected to pay as it leaves the EU. EU commission chief negotiator Michel Barnier and other key figures were "openly" saying the UK's total financial liabilities would be in the order of 40 to 60bn euros, Sir Ivan said, describing this as a "predictably hard line". Sir Ivan told MPs the 27 remaining EU states would spend "an awful lot of time debating with each other" before negotiating with the UK, agreeing a common position. Asked how confidential the negotiations would be, he said: "I think an awful lot will leak, Brussels is very leaky...stuff will get out, and incessantly in my view." He added: "Expect an awful lot of this negotiation to be conducted very publicly." Sir Ivan said that after a "phoney war period" talks "usually end up in a fairly mercantilist fist-fight" before finally resolving themselves in a deal of some sort. A determination on both sides to make progress would be crucial, he said. "That involves generating a momentum and generating an atmosphere so that even when we get into name-calling and an extremely feisty atmosphere - and we undoubtedly will in both exit negotiations and future trade and economic negotiations - there is still an atmosphere to proceed and finalise agreement." He said there was "no
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Police called fire crews at 10:31 GMT over concerns of a potentially "noxious substance" at a detached house in Gleneldon Road in Streatham. A 57-year-old man was found dead on the third floor. No-one else was hurt and 15 people were evacuated for safety. The substance was assessed and readings from within the house were normal. The case has not been linked to terrorism. A spokesman for the Met Police said the death was being treated as unexplained and formal identification had yet to take place. Officials have declined to comment on the nature of the substance they suspected may pose a chemical hazard and residents were allowed to return by 12:19 GMT.
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A parade began in Caerphilly at 11:00 BST, followed by a drum head service at the castle at 12:00. Flag-raising ceremonies are being held at Castle Square in Swansea and the Centenary Gardens in Beddau, Rhondda Cynon Taff. Military-themed celebrations are also taking place in Porthcawl, Bridgend county, and Garndiffaith in Torfaen. Events to mark the occasion took place earlier in the week, with flags flown from council offices including those in Newport, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion. And on Thursday, hundreds of people turned out to support the council's Armed Forces Day event in Ferndale.
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PSG's all-time top scorer is leaving the club this summer and after 10 minutes the game with Nantes was halted while fans applauded their number 10. By scoring twice, he broke another club record - for most goals by a PSG player in a league season, with 38. He chested in an opener, and headed home to make it 4-0 late on. His 89th-minute goal saw him overtake Carlos Bianchi's 37-goal league haul of 1977-78. The 34-year-old Swede has scored 154 goals in 179 appearances in his four years in France. Next Saturday's French Cup final against Marseille will be his final game for the club. PSG have won Ligue 1 in each season Ibrahimovic has been at the club, with the veteran - who has been linked with a move to LA Galaxy - winning the golden boot three times. His 38 goals in 31 league games this season saw him finish 17 goals above second-placed Alexandre Lacazette of Lyon. Check out Ligue 1's top scorers here Match ends, Paris Saint Germain 4, Nantes 0. Second Half ends, Paris Saint Germain 4, Nantes 0. Attempt missed. Johan Audel (Nantes) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Ermir Lenjani with a cross following a corner. Corner, Nantes. Conceded by Marquinhos. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Zlatan Ibrahimovic went off injured after Paris Saint Germain had used all subs. Delay in match (Nantes). Goal! Paris Saint Germain 4, Nantes 0. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint Germain) header from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Javier Pastore. Attempt missed. Ermir Lenjani (Nantes) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Alejandro Bedoya. Attempt missed. Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes) left footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Johan Audel. Offside, Paris Saint Germain. Ángel Di María tries a through ball, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic is caught offside. Attempt missed. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint Germain) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Javier Pastore with a through ball. Substitution, Nantes. Valentin Rongier replaces Rémi Gomis. Corner, Paris Saint Germain. Conceded by Maxime Dupé. Attempt saved. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint Germain) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ángel Di María with a through ball. Attempt blocked. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint Germain) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Javier Pastore. Corner, Paris Saint Germain. Conceded by Maxime Dupé. Attempt saved. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint Germain) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Ángel Di María (Paris Saint Germain) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Guillaume Gillet (Nantes). Attempt saved. Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint Germain) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in
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Holyrood takes control of air tax from 2018, with the government aiming to cut it by half and eventually abolish it. The government wants to pass laws enabling changes before setting out the detail of proposed rates and bands. But convener Bruce Crawford told Derek Mackay that the finance committee's report would call for more evidence. He said there was a "growing consensus" about this, amid "wide-ranging criticism" of the lack of evidence available on the environmental and economic impact of cutting the tax. The Air Departure Tax (Scotland) Bill currently under consideration at Holyrood is "enabling legislation" to set up the devolved tax, a replacement for Air Passenger Duty, but does not go into detail about rates. When the bill was introduced, the government said it would allow them to "progress plans" for a 50% reduction in air tax by the end of the current parliament, with the levy to be abolished "when finances allow". Opposition parties and tax experts have raised concerns about this, with the Chartered Institute of Taxation saying it was important for the government to publish "as much detail as possible" to allow "robust and effective scrutiny and greater clarity around what these reforms can deliver". During a finance committee meeting examining the legislation, SNP MSP Mr Crawford told Mr Mackay that the group's report would recommend an independent economic assessment. He urged the finance secretary not to wait for the report, but to "assume that's going to be in it so we can begin to answer some of these questions". During the meeting, Scottish Green co-convener Patrick Harvie questioned Mr Mackay about what evidence the government currently had about the economic and environmental impact of cutting the tax. Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser described the current evidence available as "poor", while Labour's James Kelly said it was important the government brought forward "robust research". Mr Mackay said there was still work to be done around "the specifics of the policy". Addressing environmental arguments, he said: "This stage is the enabling legislation to allow us to collect the tax. More detail comes from the tax rates and bands, and from that, more information around what the impact of that would be would require a strategic and environmental assessment. "Looking at the government's ambitious environmental policies, it's recognised that we will have to work harder in other areas, to recognise that such a policy could lead to an increase in emissions." Focusing on economic criticisms, Mr Mackay said: "Our officials have certainly looked at all the reports and considered them. "We haven't commissioned to the best of my knowledge any independent research of our own. "If committee wishes me to look at that, I will certainly consider that absolutely."
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The small train came off the tracks at Pembrey Country Park at about 12:30 BST on Thursday. The Welsh Ambulance Service said an adult and three children were taken to Glangwili General Hospital with injuries, which are not believed to be serious. Four adults and nine children were treated at the park for minor injuries. Dyfed-Powys Police said the Health and Safety Executive was due to carry out an investigation. Carmarthenshire council's deputy leader, David Jenkins, said: "The local authority is extremely concerned to hear about an incident regarding the miniature railway at Pembrey Country Park. "Our main focus at the moment is on assisting the emergency services; we are not able to comment further on this incident at this stage. "Whilst the park remains open to the public, we would ask visitors to be sensitive to the situation and allow emergency services to do their job."
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Wales and Scotland were beaten by South Africa and Australia in two dramatic quarter-finals in October. In Cardiff on Saturday, Wales will bid for a ninth straight win over Scotland. "I've got massive respect for Scotland because they should have been World Cup semi-finalists," Edwards said. "You're looking at two teams who were only one refereeing decision away from being in the semi-finals of a World Cup." Scotland suffered an agonising defeat by Australia in their quarter-final, as the Wallabies won thanks to a controversial late penalty by Bernard Foley. Referee Craig Joubert called a deliberate offside when replays seemed to indicate the ball had come off an Australia player, and the South African official was booed as he ran for the tunnel at the final whistle. Wales were also cruelly denied in the closing moments of their quarter-final against the Springboks, with Fourie du Preez scoring the clinching try with five minutes left. Edwards believes Wales were undone by a refereeing mistake. "[South Africa wing] Bryan Habana was offside at the ruck which created the last scrum," he said. "We didn't mention it at the time because we didn't think it was the right thing to do but he was clearly halfway up the ruck when he counter-drove and they got the scrum, which created the last try." Wales' opening draw in Ireland means they are unbeaten in their last five Six Nations matches, while Scotland's defeat to England was their eighth successive loss in the competition. Wales and Scotland have both agreed to have the Principality Stadium roof closed for Saturday's match, which Edwards believes will make for an entertaining game. "The roof is going to be closed. Scotland have agreed to that, which shows they want to play rugby," he added. "I'm pretty sure it's going to be an exciting game. "I like to see running rugby - people making breaks - but just not against us. I love seeing tries but not against us." Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones says the tumultuous final day of the 2015 Six Nations heralded the beginning of an era of more expansive rugby in the competition. Ireland won the title on points difference as 221 points were scored across three matches, though Wales defence coach Edwards was less than impressed. "I'm probably one of the few people who thought the defence was terrible on the last day of the Six Nations last year," he said. "I'll let the rest of you enjoy the attacking side of it but I thought the defence was a pretty poor on that last day last year, and that definitely contributed to some of the tries being scored."
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Raised levels of the bacteria were found at Staines fire station during a routine inspection but were within "safe parameters". The building has been in use during the day. Night-time crews have returned after being based at Sunbury. The fire service said it was "difficult to completely eradicate". Showers were removed and portable toilets brought in to allow work to be carried out on pipe work, and chemical treatments used to try to eliminate the bacteria. A "spike" in levels of the waterborne legionella bacteria had been detected six weeks ago, but were "within safe parameters", the fire service said. Bob Weldon-Gamble, from Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We have done absolutely everything we could - that's not been working as well as we hoped." A Surrey County Council spokesman said: "It's not unusual for legionella to be found in large buildings with no effect on human health in most cases." Chemical treatments will continue, and filters on tap and showers will remain in place.
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Kris Beech and Mike Radja both scored twice with Craig Peacock and Chris Higgins also on target as Belfast earned a sixth win in seven games. Goals from Beech and Peacock put Belfast 2-0 up and while Cale Tanaka replied, Radja and Higgins then netted to leave the Giants 4-1 ahead. Coventry twice cut the lead to two goals but could get no closer. James Jorgensen's goal late in the second period reduced Belfast's lead to 4-2 only for Beech to leave the Giants with a three-goal cushion early in the last period. Russell Cowley cut Belfast's lead to 5-3 with less than five minutes remaining but Radja scored his second goal of the night with just over two minutes left. The sides will meet again, but in Coventry, on Sunday evening when the game will start at 17:15 GMT. With leaders Cardiff losing 3-2 against Dundee after a penalty shootout, the Giants are now five points off the pace in the Elite League although Belfast have three games in hand on the pacesetters. Sheffield remain second in the table - level on points with the Giants - although Belfast also have played a game less than the Steelers.
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Cyprus was the only crisis-hit eurozone country to restrict capital transfers, as it faced a run on the banks. The controls were eased in January. There will no longer be a monthly cap of €20,000 (£15,000; $22,000) on transfers by individuals to foreign banks, or of €10,000 for travellers moving money out of the country. Cyprus received a €10bn bailout from the EU and International Monetary Fund (IMF) after its biggest banks nearly collapsed in March 2013 because of huge losses on their Greek investments. The island's second-biggest lender, Cyprus Popular Bank (also known as Laiki Bank), was wound up and deposits worth more than €100,000 in the largest bank, Bank of Cyprus, were seized. Those measures were part of the deal to ensure that Cyprus funded part of the €10bn bailout. Speaking on Friday, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades voiced confidence that the Mediterranean island was recovering well, despite three years of recession. Lifting capital controls, he said, was "a vote of confidence in our banking system which, now fully independent of Greek banking institutions, can move forward". The Greek debt crisis had a severe impact on Cypriot banks, which lost about €4.5bn worth of Greek sovereign bonds - equivalent to 25% of Cypriot gross domestic product, Reuters news agency reports.
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1 February 2017 Last updated at 08:14 GMT The fires are the worst in decades and have spread to affect 480,000 hectares so far. That's around the size of 576,000 football pitches. The blazes spread quickly in the dry and particularly hot summer that many South American countries are experiencing. They have struck mainly in rural areas in the central regions of O'Higgins and El Maule, which have small populations living there.
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In January, 550 people were caught getting through - up from 270 in December. More than 1,200 were caught in the first 20 days of February. Hungary caused controversy with the 4m (13ft) barrier, completed in September. However, several other countries have since introduced tough border controls to stop the influx of migrants. The number of people crossing from Serbia dropped after Hungary built the fence along the 175km (110-mile) border with its neighbour last year. But police say migrants are now increasingly getting through, mostly by cutting through or climbing over the barrier. Migrants feel chill of tighter borders EU migration: Crisis in seven charts John Simpson: This migrant crisis is different from all others Most are from Pakistan, Iran and Morocco, who are no longer admitted through other routes. It follows moves by Austria, Slovenia, and Balkan countries to limit the nationalities and the numbers of those being allowed through. More than a million people arrived in the EU in 2015, creating Europe's worst refugee crisis since World War Two. The majority of migrants and refugees have headed for countries like Germany and Sweden via Hungary and Austria after crossing from Turkey to Greece. Many are fleeing the conflict in Syria. Far fewer migrants are entering Hungary than Austria but the sharply increasing trend of people breaching the border fence is alarming the authorities, reports the BBC's Central Europe correspondent, Nick Thorpe. More people crossed from Serbia into Hungary in the first 20 days of February than in the same period in 2015, before a fence was even contemplated, our correspondent adds. Once in Hungary, they face criminal charges or deportation. Meanwhile Interior Minister Sandor Pinter has renewed the closure of three railway crossings to Croatia, for fear that migrants and refugees will again start walking down the tracks into Hungary. On Friday Austria introduced a daily cap on the number of migrants and refugees allowed into the country. Just 80 asylum applications will be accepted each day at the country's southern border, in a move condemned by critics as incompatible with European law. The huge number of migrants and refugees arriving illegally in Europe has left countries struggling to cope and put the EU's Schengen passport-free travel zone at risk. A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.
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The singer was dropped by Simon Cowell's label in 2014, after a series of controversies, including the use of a homophobic slur in a freestyle rap. He has since revealed he was crippled by anxiety and self-medicating with alcohol and drugs. After being dropped, he had panic attacks and suicidal thoughts, but slowly turned things around. He gave up drugs, which he said were exacerbating his anxiety, and managed to kick a gambling habit for good measure. At the start of this year, he began to write songs again, and signed a deal with the German arm of Sony music. The first single, an impassioned ballad called Say You Won't Let Go, quickly rose to the top of the charts - at which point Cowell's Syco label got back in touch, and re-signed him for the UK. "They said: 'Please let us back in. We want to be part of this amazing story'," Arthur recently told London's Evening Standard. "It made sense to me. I'm a sucker for that story. Syco are notorious for dropping people, so what a compliment it is for them to re-sign me. So I thought, 'Let's do the full circle'." Arthur's album, appropriately called Back From The Edge, was released last Friday. It sold 41,000 copies, beating artists like Elvis Presley and Michael Buble to reach number one. "To have a body of work go to number one… it's the ultimate sense of achievement," said Arthur. "Thank you so much to everyone who has bought it." The singer is only the second X Factor winner to top the chart with their second album, after Leona Lewis's Echo in 2009. Other new entries in this week's album chart include Mapping The Rendezvous, the fifth album by Manchester indie band Courteeners, which debuts at four. Madness chart at number five with Can't Touch Us Now, their first album in four years, which features a tribute to Amy Winehouse called Blackbird. Singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti is new at number six with his third album Sleep No More, while Pointless host Alexander Armstrong enters at eight with his second album Upon A Different Shore. Armstrong, a formal choral scholar, performs music by Vaughan Williams, Stephen Sondheim and Pink Floyd on the album, as well as playing oboe on two tracks. Robbie Williams' greatest hits also returns to the top 10 for the first time in a decade, after being discounted on iTunes. The singer's new album, The Heavy Entertainment Show, is released on Friday and expected to be a high-placing new entry next week. In the singles chart, Little Mix continue their reign at number one with the over-you anthem Shout Out To My Ex. With three weeks in pole position, it now ties with the band's 2015 hit Black Magic as their longest-ever chart topper. However, sales of the song are down to 79,000, from a high of 111,000 last week, meaning next week's number one slot is up for grabs. Challengers could include Clean Bandit's Rockabye, which climbs
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Four Dutch provincial governments have said they oppose a takeover of AkzoNobel, fearing the impact on jobs. It comes amid speculation that US industrial chemicals rival PPG is lining up a second offer for Akzo. Akzo rejected a $22bn (£18bn) offer from PPG on 9 March, saying that the bid substantially undervalued the business. Analysts expect PPG to return soon with a fresh offer, and the Bloomberg news agency reported on Monday that the US company was preparing the details. But the mounting Dutch political opposition underlines the uphill struggle PPG could face. In a joint statement published on Monday, the four provinces of Gelderland, Overijssel, Groningen and Zuid Holland - where Akzo has its biggest research and development facilities as well as several factories - said they expected a new proposal from PPG and that they would oppose it. "This takeover would put 5,000 jobs at risk in the provinces," the four provincial governors said. "Akzo belongs in the provinces." Akzo also has operations in the UK. A 110m-euro Dulux paint factory in Ashington, Northumbria, is about to begin production and the company is investing in a new research facility. Earlier this month, Dutch Economic Affairs Minister Henk Kamp of the governing VVD Party - known as the most pro-business party in the country - said a PPG takeover would not be "in the interest of the Netherlands". That was shortly before elections on 15 March in which national identity and anti-foreign sentiment played a prominent role. The VVD Party is now expected to lead a new government. Jeroen Dijsselbloem of the Netherlands' left-leaning Labour party (PvdA) has called for expanding a proposed law giving the national government power to block telecommunications sector takeovers to include all industries. The country's main employers' association, the VNO-NCW, said in a statement before the election it did not want "new far-reaching protective measures by the government". However, chairman Hans de Boer said the organisation was "concerned" about proposals to take over AkzoNobel and an offer in February by Kraft Heinz for Unilever, which was also rejected. "The buying parties may pose a threat to the unique position Dutch companies hold at the forefront of sustainability and long term value creation," he said.
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EU leaders have said free movement must be accepted if the UK is to retain full membership of the single market. But Emily Thornberry said the UK had "common cause" with other countries and urged "good faith" in negotiations. The government says it wants the maximum possible access to the single market and control of the UK's borders. Labour says it wants guaranteed access to the single market, which removes tariffs and non-tariff barriers from trade within the EU, after Brexit. On Saturday, shadow home secretary Diane Abbott told The Guardian such access would mean there could be "no deal to be done on freedom of movement". But speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Ms Thornberry said she believed there was "quite a lot of room to manoeuvre" on free movement. She said "a whole range of options" could be looked at including changing the definition of a worker for free movement purposes. People "would still be allowed to come here", she said, but for how long they were allowed to look for work or in which parts of the country could be reviewed. "We have a common cause with other people across Europe in terms of exactly what free movement of workers means, and I think there's more work that could be done if it was done in an atmosphere of good faith," she said, accusing Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson of "undermining any good faith" with other EU countries. Ms Thornberry also said too many people were coming to the UK, calling for action to tackle a "skills shortage" among UK workers. She declined to rule out a second referendum on the terms of the final Brexit deal. Asked whether she agreed with Tony Blair and Sir John Major that a second referendum should not be ruled out, she said the Brexit process should be taken "in stages", adding that it was impossible to have a debate about how to leave the EU because of the lack of information provided by the government. She urged ministers to "come out of their darkened room" and set out their negotiating strategy, adding: "Let us start with what it is the government wants to negotiate and then we can have a reaction from the public and a proper debate, and then we can decide how to proceed." Also on Marr, former cabinet minister and Vote Leave campaign chief Michael Gove said the single market was a "bureaucratic web" which the UK should leave, as well as exiting the customs union. He called for a "fair migration policy which does not discriminate between EU citizens and others". Mr Gove also warned against attempts to over-complicate Brexit and suggested that transitional measures could be an attempt to keep the UK in the EU.
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Media playback is not supported on this device The Ballymena boxer, who is seeded eighth, had a unanimous first round win on a 29-28, 30-26, 30-27 score card. The 27-year-old will face Tuvshinbat Byamba of Mongolia, who is a two-time Olympian, in the last 16 on Thursday 11 August (16:45 BST). Donnelly needs two more victories to guarantee at least a bronze medal. Media playback is not supported on this device After easing his way into the opening round, Donnelly looked comfortable with quick combinations and landed several punches on his Algerian opponent, all three judges scoring it 10-9 in favour of the Ballymena fighter. His growing dominance was reflected in a second round card of 10-9, 10-9, 10-8. Donnelly continued to pick off his opponent and eased through the third round in a comfortable start to his Olympic campaign. Also on Sunday, Donnelly's Irish team-mate David Oliver Joyce progressed to the last 16 in the lightweight division as he earned a unanimous decision over Andrique Allisop of the Seychelles. Joyce will face a tough next bout against Azerbaijan's number two seed Albert Selimov. Selimov won a silver medal in the division at last year's World Championships and clinched gold in the inaugural European Games 14 months ago.
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Writers, artists, politicians and personalities in all their guises descend on the Wigtown Book Festival to debate ideas, share gossip - and sell books. This year comedian Phill Jupitus, politician Vince Cable and Communard-turned-cleric, the Reverend Richard Coles, have been spotted in the unassuming town by the River Cree. Before the festival finishes on Sunday, Alex Salmond and broadcaster Hardeep Singh Kohli will also appear at Wigtown. The big names are not just drawn to the festival for publicity and marketing purposes however. According to Scottish crime writer Chris Brookmyre, Wigtown is "infused with literature" and his audiences at the festival are engaged and enthusiastic. He said: "[As an author] you spend most of your time alone with a computer and you're never present at the point where someone experiences the thing you spend all your time working on. "The closest you can get really is to read something to an audience, and see how they respond to it. "Obviously sometimes you're hearing their response months or even years after they've experienced it but it's better than nothing. "It's a very solitary pursuit most of the time, writing, so this is the chance to get out there and actually encounter people." Richard Coles, who claims to be the only vicar in Britain to have had a number one single, admitted authors "sort of have to" go to book festivals as part of their publishing deal. But he added: "The other thing is that it's really good fun. You go to places... where perhaps you've not been before and enjoy the company of other authors. That's the best thing, so you can bitch about your agent and your publishers." As he discussed his journey from pop to the pulpit (he was part of The Communards with Jimmy Sommerville) on stage in the ScottishPower Foundation marquee on Tuesday, he certainly appeared to be enjoying himself. "I was sitting down in front of people talking about myself which is invariably something which leaves me very... I enjoy that, yeah. Mea culpa," he said. The festival massively swells the population of Wigtown, which is normally home to about 1,000 people. That generates a cash boost for the myriad of local bookshops, hotels and restaurants, but it also adds a vibrancy to the atmosphere of the town. Artist Emily Nash, a 20-year-old who grew up on the family farm about 10 miles from Wigtown, said the town "comes alive" when the festival is on. "Everybody is in high spirits... you get to meet loads of different people and everybody is telling you what they've been to and everybody's always happy," she added. Inevitably, there are some surreal experiences when the festival comes to town. Ms Nash, who has an art studio in the town, said: "I saw Phill Jupitus looking in my window the other day, which was a highlight. "Then somebody thought I was famous and they asked me for a selfie the other day so I was, like, ok, I'm just going to
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Mr Shkreli's lawyer informed the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, that he would invoke his right against self-incrimination. The former hedge fund manager hit the headlines when his company raised the price of a life-saving drug by 5,000%. He also faces separate criminal charges that he defrauded investors. The committee sent a letter to Mr Shkreli requesting he testify about his former company Turing Pharmaceuticals' decision to raise the price of the drug Daraprim. In a statement, Congressman Elijah Cummings, a member of the committee said: "If he [Mr Shkreli] plans on trying to use his own intentional inaction as some kind of bogus excuse for not showing up at Tuesday's hearing, people will see right through such a juvenile tactic." On Wednesday, Mr Shkreli posted a picture of the subpoena letter on his Twitter account and wrote, "Found this letter. Looks important." In December, Mr Shkreli was arrested in New York on charges he defrauded investors at a drug company he previously ran, Retrophin, and a hedge fund, MSMB Capital Management, where he was a fund manager. He has denied the charges and was released on bail pending the trail. The FBI allege Mr Shkreli "engaged in multiple schemes to ensnare investors through a web of lies and deceit". The US Securities and Exchange Commission separately charged him with defrauding investors to hide poor investment choices. Neither of those cases are connected to Daraprim's price increase or Turing Pharmaceuticals. Mr Shkreli stepped down as Turing's head after his December arrest.
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Ram Kaji Awale was at his brick factory when the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Kathmandu on 25 April, 2015. The 20-metre-high chimney of the brick kiln came down and the oven was completely destroyed. "We managed to save all but one worker from the oven on that day," Mr Awale says. More than 9,000 people died because of the quake that hit central Nepal and many old buildings were destroyed in Kathmandu, including nearly all of the brick kilns in the valley. After the disaster, Mr Awale decided to rebuild his brick kiln with improved technology. Traditional brick kilns run using old-style technology, with limited air passages in the oven. That means coal is not burnt efficiently, so that large amounts of soot and other polluting particles are emitted from the chimney. The new oven now has several air passages with fans installed in them so that there is plenty of air to burn the coal efficiently, creating significantly less polluting smoke. "The new technology has not only stopped sending out thick black smoke," says Mr Awale, pointing at the stack, which now billows whitish smoke. "It has also increased our brick production by 25%." Experts say the new design, known as zigzag technology, has been able to bring down pollution from the new brick kilns by around 60%. "When this brick kiln ran with the old technology, it emitted more than 700 micrograms per cubic metres of particulate matter and now it is around 200," says Bidhya Pradhan, an atmospheric scientist with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), which helps brick kiln operators to switch over to cleaner technology. "And if they are really good at it, they can also increase their energy efficiency by 50%." A week of coverage by BBC News looking at ways to cut air pollution. Mr Awale says that more than the energy efficiency, it was the health factor that motivated him to make the change. "Of course, it requires huge investment - almost double to what the previous technology required - but I was prepared for it because it is for my own and others' health," he says proudly. "Everyone is happy about what I have done, our neighbours are also very happy about it." His neighbours certainly seem happy. "Before when we worked on our land like this, our hands were covered by black particles, same was the case with our feet when we went to our roof tops to dry clothes in the sun," says Ram Shova Bhandari, collecting vegetables from her kitchen garden just a hundred metres from the brick kiln. "Now we have no such problem, the number of people suffering from coughs and other respiratory diseases too has gone down." Workers in Mr Awale's brick kiln confirm that there are less soot particles coming out of the chimney but they say other issues remain. "For us, more than the smoke from the chimney, it is the dust from bricks that causes problems because we inhale it
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Mr McKay and Thomas O'Hara are alleged to have coached Mr Bryson before his appearance at Stormont's National Management Agency (Nama) inquiry. The DUP has complained to the Assembly Standards Commissioner. Mr McGuinness said any investigation would vindicate Sinn Féin. The claims emerged after leaked Twitter messages between Mr Bryson, Mr McKay and Mr O'Hara were obtained by the BBC's Nolan Show and The Irish News. The messages were exchanged before Mr Bryson testified at a finance committee inquiry, chaired by Mr McKay, into the £1.2bn sale of Nama's property loan portfolio in Northern Ireland. That inquiry was set up last year due to political controversy over the deal. Deputy First Minister Mr McGuinness said he wanted to see the inquiry expedited swiftly. "I do believe the outcome of that will vindicate everything that I have said in the course of the last 24 hours about the non-involvement of the Sinn Féin team at the assembly," he said. "I have absolutely no concerns about that whatsoever." Daithi McKay resigned as an MLA on Thursday and apologised for his actions. Sinn Féin has suspended Mr O'Hara. On Friday, Mr Bryson denied that he was the source of the leaked messages and said he had started "the legal process of making an application to the Secretary of State under the inquiries act, asking for a full public inquiry into the Nama scandal". DUP Chairman Maurice Morrow submitted his complaint to the Assembly Standards Commissioner, citing paragraph three of the Stormont code of conduct which emphasises the need for MLAs to act with integrity and not bring the assembly into disrepute. The commissioner has the power to investigate former MLAs. The Nama inquiry was investigating an allegation made in the Dáil (Irish parliament) that a politician or political party in Northern Ireland stood to profit from the loan sale. Last September, Mr Bryson used a meeting of the committee to name former DUP leader Peter Robinson as the individual he referred to as "Person A" in relation to the scandal. The then first minister of Northern Ireland strongly denied he had sought to benefit in any way from the multi-million pound property deal. On Thursday, Mr McKay stood down, accepting that his actions were "inappropriate, ill-advised and wrong". The clock is ticking on finding his replacement, says BBC NI's Political Editor Mark Devenport, as Sinn Féin would have to co-opt another party member to take over as an MLA within the next seven days in order to avoid triggering a by-election.
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A negotiator for the rebels at peace talks in Havana, Victoria Sandino, read out a statement saying they would no longer recruit anyone under 18. The Farc last year said it would stop recruiting children under 17 and discharge those under 15. The government had said that move did not go far enough. Human rights groups define any member of a force aged under 18 as a child soldier. Army sources estimate that close to half of Farc members have been recruited as minors. One of those was Martin (not his real name). When I spoke to him, he told me how it was a natural thing for him and his brothers to end up in the Farc, a group that was consistently present in the area where they lived. They started, he said, doing errands for the rebels. When he was 11 he became a full member. "We joined because it was the only choice we had," he told me. He left when he was 16. "The important thing was to regain my freedom, to be able to do whatever I wanted," he said. The Farc has in the past said that its youngest members were the offspring of guerrilla fighters or had joined the Farc after they had been orphaned. In its statement on Wednesday, the Farc said that minors joined the rebel group because they had been left "unprotected" by the state. The rebels also urged President Juan Manuel Santos to end compulsory military service. The two sides have been engaged in peace talks since November 2012 and have reached agreement on four out of five main issues on their agenda. In September, President Santos set a deadline of 26 March 2016 for a final agreement to be signed, although Farc negotiators have since cast doubts on the probability of meeting that deadline. More than 220,000 people have been killed in almost 52 years of armed conflict in Colombia and more than six million people have been internally displaced.
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