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The chancellor did, however, confirm a £50m pot of money to support the expansion of grammar schools. He said the government's education policies had "expanded opportunity". But head teachers said capital investment in grammar schools was "the wrong priority". Mr Hammond told MPs on Wednesday: "The government's education reforms have raised standards and expanded opportunity, with 1.4 million more children now in 'good' or 'outstanding' schools. "And the new capital funding I have provided today for grammar schools will help to continue that trend." Responding to the statement, Malcolm Trobe, interim general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: "It is disappointing that the Autumn Statement failed to address the severe funding pressures in schools and colleges. "The situation is so serious that some are struggling to deliver a full curriculum, courses are having to be cut and some sixth-forms are closing. "Education is arguably the single most important investment we can make. "It provides the country's intellectual infrastructure, the knowledge and skills which will enable us to remain competitive in a global market." Russell Hobby, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teacher, also expressed his disappointment the government had failed to use the Autumn Statement to invest in education. "We know that school budgets are being pushed beyond breaking point," he said. "Almost nine out of 10 school leaders are telling us that a rise in national insurance employer contributions and pension contributions are the key reasons behind financial pressures in their school. "Freezing budgets at a time of rising costs is no protection at all. "The government has the levers to address rising costs, but has again failed to pull them. "Social mobility has rightly become a focus for the government. "And yet, without investment in what works - quality early years education, high quality teachers and the right funding delivered directly to schools - it is hard to see how the rhetoric can match the reality. "Capital investment in grammar schools is the wrong priority, and a distraction from the most important issues in education." Last month, a group of head teachers wrote to Downing Street to express concern about increased funding pressures. Plans to allow grammar schools to expand were first announced in September by Prime Minister Theresa May, who said that selective schools could help the life chances of poor pupils. Mrs May said that under the current system there was "selection by stealth", based on parents' wealth and ability to buy houses near the best schools. A consultation on the proposals is due to close next month.

Head teachers say it is "disappointing" that Chancellor Philip Hammond's Autumn Statement failed to address funding pressures faced by many schools and colleges across England.

Feminist groups were joined outside Belfast City Hall by people supporting gay rights, immigrants and the disabled. Organisers said the aim was to highlight women's rights. The protest comes after a series of controversial comments by President Trump during his election campaign. Protesters said they believe the rights of many Americans are under threat from the new administration. They said they were overwhelmed by the number of people who took part. The events draw inspiration from the Women's March on Washington, which also took place on Saturday and attracted crowds of 200,000 people. Almost 700 so-called sister marches took place on Saturday across the globe. Protests by women have already taken place in Australia, New Zealand and Japan. In the UK, rallies took place in London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol and Shipley. London organisers announced on stage that between 80,000 and 100,000 men, women and children had taken part in the rally. However, police have not given an independent estimate and the BBC has no way of verifying the figure.

Hundreds gathered for a Women's March in Belfast on Saturday as part of an international protest on the first day of Donald Trump's presidency.

City's 2-1 EFL Cup win at The Liberty on Wednesday was their ninth consecutive win since Guardiola's appointment. Spaniard Rangel is impressed with the way his compatriot has adapted to English football. "He's a maestro at what he does," Rangel told BBC Radio Wales Sport. The former Barcelona and FC Bayern manager has made City the team to beat in the Premier League, according to Rangel. "He's shown everywhere that he's been that he's a top manager," he said. "At the moment Man City are looking like the best team in the UK." Rangel says he is relishing the prospect of trying to stop Sergio Aguero. The City striker missed Wednesday's match with the Swans as he sat out the last game of a a three match suspension. "We've played against him a few times now and we know what he's capable of," added Rangel. "He's scored a few goals against us. At the end of the day you're in this league to play against the best. And you have to challenge yourself against the best." Rangel says Swansea must "go back to basics" if they are to start winning games. The Swans have lost three and drawn one of their last four and the pressure is mounting on boss Francesco Guidolin. "There were are a lot of positives to take from the [Man City] game. We showed a bit of character and we looked more compact. We defended well until their first goal," Rangel explained. "But at this level it's about winning and losing. It's as simple as that. "It's about being honest with each other and working on the simple things. In a difficult time you have to go back to basics. "There was better communication on the pitch [on Wednesday]. We looked solid and we kept them quiet for a long time. "We have to do the same in the league [on Saturday]. It isn't going to be easy. "Going back to basics doesn't mean that we'll start winning games again. But we know that we need to improve." Subscribe to the BBC Sport newsletter to get our pick of news, features and video sent to your inbox.

Swansea City will be coming up against a managerial 'maestro' in Pep Guardiola when they face Man City on Saturday, defender Angel Rangel has warned.

The $43bn (£33bn) deal is set to be the biggest ever foreign takeover by a Chinese company. The deal was cleared by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) which checks deals for national security implications. About a quarter of Syngenta's sales are in North America. China National Chemical Corporation offered $465 per share for Syngenta in February. Syngenta's shares subsequently fell to about 20% below that because of concerns that CFIUS would not clear the deal. However, now competition authorities elsewhere are expected to give the deal the go-ahead. In a joint statement, Syngenta and ChemChina said: "In addition to CFIUS clearance, the closing of the transaction is subject to anti-trust review by numerous regulators around the world and other customary closing conditions. "Both companies are working closely with the regulatory agencies involved and discussions remain constructive. The proposed transaction is expected to close by the end of the year." When the deal was announced earlier this year, Syngenta chairman Michel Demaré said that it would help the company's pesticides and seeds business to expand further in China. "ChemChina has a very ambitious vision of the industry in the future," he said. "Obviously it is very interested in securing food supply for 1.5 billion people and as a result knows that only technology can get them there." The Chinese company owns a variety of businesses, included the Italian tyre maker Pirelli, German machinery-maker KarussMaffei and Israel's biggest pesticides producer. The deal would be the second-biggest takeover in the chemicals industry in the past year after the $130bn Dow Chemical-DuPont merger announced last December.

Shares in Swiss agribusiness group Syngenta have risen 12% after its takeover by ChemChina was given the go-ahead by a US regulator.

The weather phenomenon is set to exacerbate droughts in some areas, while increasing flooding in others. Some of the worst impacts are likely in Africa with food shortages expected to peak in February. Regions including the Caribbean, Central and South America will also be hit in the next six months. This periodic weather event, which tends to drive up global temperatures and disturb weather patterns, has helped push 2015 into the record books as the world's warmest year. "By some measures this has already been the strongest El Nino on record. It depends on exactly how you measure it," said Dr Nick Klingaman from the University of Reading. "In a lot of tropical countries we are seeing big reductions in rainfall of the order of 20-30%. Indonesia has experienced a bad drought; the Indian monsoon was about 15% below normal; and the forecasts for Brazil and Australia are for reduced monsoons." As both droughts and floods continue, the scale of the potential impacts is worrying aid agencies. Around 31 million people are said to be facing food insecurity across Africa, a significant increase over the last year. Around a third of these people live in Ethiopia where 10.2 million are projected to require humanitarian assistance in 2016. Can Ethiopia cope with drought? South Africa grapples with worst drought in 30 years El Nino is a naturally occurring weather episode that sees the warm waters of the central Pacific expand eastwards towards North and South America. It was originally recognised by fishermen off the coast of South America in the 1600s with the appearance of unusually warm water in the Pacific Ocean. El Nino translates as Little Boy, or Christ Child. The phenomenon, which happens every two to seven years, usually peaks late in the calendar year, although the effects can persist well into the following spring and last up to 12 months. El Nino is part of what is known as the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle - the opposite phase of the cycle is called La Nina. La Nina is sometimes referred to as the cold phase and El Nino the warm phase The current El Nino episode is the strongest event since 1998 and is expected to be among the three most powerful ever recorded. According to the WMO, the peak three month average water surface temperatures in tropical Pacific are expected to exceed 2C above normal. Strongest El Nino since 1950 on the way Matt McGrath: 'High impacts' from globally stronger El Nino The UK's Department for International Development says (DfID) it is providing emergency support for 2.6 million people and 120,000 malnourished children. It says it will provide 8 million people with food or cash support from January 2016. "If we fail to act now against this especially powerful El Nino, we will fail vulnerable people across our world," UK International Development Minister Nick Hurd said in a statement. "Ensuring security for those affected by El Nino is important to their countries but also in Britain's national interest. Only by protecting and stabilising vulnerable countries can we ensure people are not forced to leave their homes in search of food or a new livelihood." According to the UN, around 60 million people have been forced to leave their homes because of conflict. Aid agencies like Oxfam are worried that the impacts of the continuing El Nino in 2016 will add to existing stresses such as the wars in Syria, South Sudan and Yemen. They say that food shortages are likely to peak in Southern Africa in February with Malawi estimating that almost three million people will require humanitarian assistance before March. Drought and erratic rains have affected two million people across Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua. More floods are expected in Central America in January. "Millions of people in places like Ethiopia, Haiti and Papua New Guinea are already feeling the effects of drought and crop failure," said Jane Cocking, from Oxfam. "We urgently need to get help to these areas to make sure people have enough food and water. "We cannot afford to allow other large-scale emergencies to develop elsewhere. If the world waits to respond to emerging crises in southern Africa and Latin America, we will not be able to cope," she said. While many parts of the developing world will more directly feel the ongoing impacts of El Nino, the developed world will see impacts on food prices. "It takes some time for the impacts of El Nino to feed through to social and economic systems," said Dr Klingaman. "Historically food prices have gone up by 5%-10% for staples. Crops like coffee and rice and cocoa and sugar tend to be particularly affected." The El Nino event is likely to tail off into the spring - but that may not be good news either. El Ninos are often followed by La Nina events, which can have opposite but similarly harmful effects. Scientists say during an El Nino there is a huge transfer of heat from the ocean to the atmosphere. Normally, as in 1997/98, that heat transfer tends to be followed by a cooling of the ocean, a La Nina event, "It's possible but far from certain that this time next year we could be talking about the reverse of many of these impacts," said Dr Klingaman. "In places where we are seeing droughts from El Nino, we could be seeing flooding from La Nina next year. "It's just as disruptive, it's just the other way round." Follow Matt on Twitter @mattmcgrathbbc.

The strongest El Nino weather cycle on record is likely to increase the threat of hunger and disease for millions of people in 2016, aid agencies say.

Last week Mr Cameron told the BBC he would not serve a third term as PM. Asked by Andrew Marr if that meant Mr Cameron would have to "stand down at some point during the next Parliament", Mr Duncan Smith replied: "He does." Downing Street said the PM would serve "every single day" of a second term. In his BBC interview on Monday, the prime minister said that, if re-elected this May, he would serve the full five years of another Parliament and then leave Number 10 - leading Labour to accuse him of arrogance. Mr Duncan Smith told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show the "way that all comes about will have to be discussed" adding that Mr Cameron would "serve what essentially is a full term" - but there would "of course" be a leadership contest at some point. "You've had to literally rap the knuckles of people like Gordon Brown and previous prime ministers to get them to think of going," he said. "[Mr Cameron] is actually very keen to say 'there is a limit, there's an amount of time a prime minister should serve before they get stale,' and he is right about that." Mr Cameron has tipped Home Secretary Theresa May, Chancellor George Osborne and London Mayor Boris Johnson as potential successors. But Mr Duncan Smith said that, having been Conservative leader at a time when the party "was quite interested in having a fight in an empty room", he would not make predictions. He said he expected the next Conservative leader would already have been "in the public sphere for some time". Following Sunday's interview, a Downing Street source told the BBC: "David is very clear he will serve a full five-year second term, every single day of that as prime minister. "In terms of what happens in five years' time, we'll sort that out in five years' time." A YouGov poll for the Sunday Times has suggested Labour has a four-point lead over the Conservatives, putting Labour on 36% with the Tories on 32% - while an Opinium poll for The Observer suggests the Tories are on 34% and Labour are on 33%.

The Conservatives would have to choose a new leader before the end of the next Parliament if David Cameron wins a second term as prime minister, Welfare Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has said.

UK-based Chatham House says more needs to be done to protect key transport routes such as the Panama Canal, the Suez Canal and the Turkish Straits. Almost 25% of the world's food is traded on international markets. This, the report says, makes food supply and prices vulnerable to unforeseen crises or climate change. Infrastructure at the chokepoints is often old and would struggle to cope with natural disasters which are expected to grow in frequency as the planet warms, the report authors add. They urge governments to invest in "climate-resilient" infrastructure, and diversify food production and stocks. The report gives examples of how reliant the world is on this trade: "The risks are growing as we all trade more with each other and as climate change takes hold," says Laura Wellesley, one of the study's authors. There are risks for both the food security of importing countries and the economies of those exporting food, she added.

The world's food security is increasingly reliant on 14 "chokepoints" for trade, a think-tank report has warned.

Jolie, whose directorial debut is set in Bosnia's 1992 to 1995 war, received a standing ovation as she picked up the honorary Heart of Sarajevo award. "I told Brad in the car I was afraid I was going to cry," she said. She presented the festival's best actor award to Thomas Schubert who starred in Atman, also named best film. Romanian leading lady Ada Condeescu won best actress for her role in Loverboy. Jolie, 36, who was at the 17th Sarajevo Film Festival with boyfriend Brad Pitt, visited Bosnia several times last year as a goodwill ambassador for the UN's refugee agency. She said she was "so honoured to be here". "There is no greater example of the strengths of the artists and the festival that began during the war and grew stronger every year," she added. The festival began as an act of resistance in 1995 with residents braving mortar shells to gather in a basement to watch Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction. Some scenes from Jolie's film In the Land of Blood and Honey - due for release in December - were shot in Bosnia while others were shot in Hungary. The film, which stars Zana Marjanovic and Rade Serbedzija, tells the story of a love affair between a Bosnian Muslim woman and a Serb, on opposite sides of the conflict. The licence to film in Sarajevo was at one point revoked following local rumours that the film featured a rape victim who falls in love with her assailant. The licence was given back when producers proved the rumour was not true. At the time, Jolie asked people to "hold judgement until they have seen the film". "There are many twists in the plot that address the sensitive nature of the relationship between the main characters and that will be revealed once the film is released," she said. On her visits to Bosnia for the UN last year, Jolie drew attention to the thousands of people who have been unable to return to their homes despite the war ending 16 years ago.

A tearful Angelina Jolie has been honoured at the Sarajevo Film Festival for her acting and "active engagement in the complexities of the real world".

The study, by the Institute of Education, London University, examined the reading habits of 6,000 children. It indicated reading for pleasure was more important to a child's development than how educated their parents were. The researchers concluded a wide vocabulary helped children absorb information across the curriculum. They analysed the results of tests taken at the age of 16 by 6,000 children, all born in one week, from the 1970 British Cohort Study. The findings showed those who had read often at the age of 10 and had been reading books and newspapers more than once a week aged 16 had performed better than those who had read less. There was a 14.4% advantage in vocabulary, a 9.9% advantage in maths and an 8.6% advantage in spelling, the research found, once parents' background and reading habits were taken into account. The study said: "The influence of reading for pleasure was greater than that for having a parent with a degree." The total effect on children's progress of reading often - reading newspapers at age 16 and being a regular library user - was four times greater than the advantage of having a university-educated parent, the study suggested. The Institute of Education also looked at the impact on test scores of having brothers and sisters and found that those youngsters with older siblings were less likely to do well, particularly in vocabulary. It suggests this could be because children in larger families spend less time talking one-to-one with their parents and have less chance to develop their vocabulary skills. There was less effect if children had younger brothers and sisters, although they may score lower on vocabulary, the study found. Study author Dr Alice Sullivan said: "It may seem surprising that reading for pleasure would help to improve children's maths scores. "But it is likely that strong reading ability will enable children to absorb and understand new information and affect their attainment in all subjects." Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, she said: "It absolutely makes sense that you would expect reading for pleasure to improve children's vocabularies. "But I think that that also does improve children's ability to take on new information and new concepts across the curriculum. "A child who has a narrow vocabulary may constantly be coming across things they don't understand."

Children who read for pleasure are likely to do better in maths and English than those who rarely read in their free time, research suggests.

Telford and Wrekin Council believes the proposals for MoD Donnington could create up to 700 new jobs. Donnington provides logistics support for the Army, handling military equipment and weapons. The local authority said it was putting together a planning application for a one million sq ft (93,000 sq m) development at the site. The council said it had been in talks with the MoD over the past 18 months to turn Donnington into one of the main support depots. Telford and Wrekin said the plans were still at a very early stage, and depended on winning investment from the MoD. Councillor Bill McClements, responsible for finance and enterprise, said it was a great opportunity for both the MoD and the local economy. "It's looking good and we're very optimistic," he said. "Potentially it safeguards over 1,000 jobs and can bring in between 500 and 700 new jobs, plus extra jobs and investment in the supply chain. "We're removing any barriers. We're offering incentives, we're offering to train and even help to build it." Mr McClements said the planning application was expected to be submitted before the end of the year. In a statement, the MoD said it was too early to talk about job opportunities and that it was also in talks with a number of other councils. The MoD said the negotiations were part of a project to rationalise its procurement and logistics operation.

Plans have been unveiled for a major expansion of a Ministry of Defence (MoD) base in Telford.

His career high came in the 1970s and included the anthemic Baker Street and Stuck in the Middle with You, recorded with his band Stealers Wheel. Rafferty had battled a drink problem and spent time in hospital in Bournemouth with liver failure. He was born in Paisley and began his musical career as a busker on the London Underground. Rafferty died peacefully at his home in Dorset, with his daughter Martha at his bedside. It is understood his funeral will be held in Paisley later this month. Rafferty had recorded and toured with Billy Connolly as part of the Humblebums, before forming Stealers Wheel with his friend Joe Egan in 1972. Stuck in the Middle with You was a hit in the early 70s and also appeared on the soundtrack of Quentin Tarantino's debut film Reservoir Dogs in 1992. Baker Street charted in the UK and US in 1978 after Rafferty began his solo career and still achieves airplay on radio stations around the world. Musican Raphael Ravenscroft, who played the song's famous saxophone melody, described Rafferty as "a fantastic writer" who "wrote some of my favourite songs of all time." In a statement, Billy Connolly called Rafferty "a hugely talented songwriter and singer who will be greatly missed". He added, "I was privileged to have spent my formative years working with Gerry and there remained a strong bond of friendship between us that lasted until his untimely death. "Gerry had extraordinary gifts and his premature passing deprives the world of a true genius." Music journalist and BBC Radio 2 presenter Paul Gambaccini said it was a cruel irony that Baker Street, about Rafferty's unhappiness with being a star, brought him more of the fame he hated. Gambaccini said: "He just wasn't of the constitution to deal with the music business, or to respect it. "And thus he found fame and artistic success incompatible, and he became a wanderer, a lonely man, allegedly a drinker. And now we have this unhappy end." Musician and BBC 6 Music presenter Tom Robinson said Rafferty would be greatly missed. "I'm deeply saddened to hear that Gerry has lost the battle with his failing health," he said. "His early work with Stealers Wheel was an inspiration to a whole generation of songwriters in the 70s, including me. "Many of us had hoped his recent album Life Goes On in 2009 would lead to a full-time return to writing and performing for a lyrical and highly gifted artist." BBC News website readers from around the world have sent in their tributes: Don't Speak of My Heart was my favourite. His voice was like velvet. Calmed me down just listening to him. I cannot believe he has gone. Susan Miller, Kilmaurs, Ayrshire, Scotland Have followed his releases from Stealers Wheel to present. He wrote beautiful songs and he and Joe Egan, who sadly didn't get the same recognition, have left me some great musical memories. George Morris, Donaghadee, County Down, Northern Ireland As a muso myself, I loved the arrangement of the haunting Baker Street and often performed Stuck In The Middle With You with a band I was a part of in the 80s and 90s in England. Both songs are played frequently on New Zealand radio stations. Gerry will be sorely missed. Tony Last, Hastings, New Zealand My first LP was Can I Have my Money Back, which I still have. My favourite song is The Ark from City to City with Jerry Donahue on guitar. He wrote about life itself, things one can relate to. He brought musical quality into life at times when there was not much around. Keith Dhan-Weller, Nuertingen, Germany Baker Street is probably my favourite song. I'm a songwriter and I teach creative writing. Baker Street is about Gerry's own experience with the music industry but he wrote the lyric in the third person. This makes the story more interesting and sad. The song works on so many different levels. Musically and lyrically. Richard Abbott, Limavady, Northern Ireland I was a young radio producer with BBC Scotland in the late 1960s when a couple of lads came in to Queen Margaret Drive to take part in some programmes. They were the Humblebums, and they made brilliant music. Rehearsals attracted all sorts of excuses from staff to absent themselves from their desks to go and listen in the studio cubicle. Little did we know... Alan Muirhead, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, England My eldest daughter was in school with his daughter Martha when Gerry lived in Kilmacolm. My husband and I were great fans of his music and songs and are sorry to hear of his death. Rita Walker, Greenock, Scotland Gerry Rafferty had depths beyond his two best-selling singles. A talented and open-minded musician who supported other talents - he will be missed. Alastair, Northampton, England

Scottish singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty has died at the age of 63 after suffering a long illness.

Kathleen and Jimmy Cuddihy, who were in their 70s, were found dead just outside Carndonagh on 22 October 2014. Their son, Julian Cuddihy, appeared at Dublin's Central Criminal Court on Tuesday. The court heard he admitted killing his parents but the jury must decide his mental state at the time. Counsel for the prosecution told the jury that forensic psychiatrists for both the prosecution and the defence are in agreement and will give evidence that Mr Cuddihy was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia at the time. The psychiatrists will also say that Mr Cuddihy, who was 42-years-old at the time, believed he was carrying out his parents' wishes and was helping them to secure a place in heaven. The jury heard evidence from a post-mortem examination that the couple had severe head injuries. The court was told that an axe and scissors were found at the scene. Julian Cuddihy was arrested a short time later after it became known he had taken his father's car to a lake area near Clonmany. The court heard that after his arrest, Mr Cuddihy asked gardai (Irish police) if they were telling him his parents were dead. Mr Cuddihy has been receiving treatment at the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum since his arrest. The trial continues.

A man has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of his parents at their home in County Donegal almost two years ago.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data showed the jobless total rose by 6,000 between October and December, to stand at 135,000. UK unemployment fell by 7,000 to 1.6 million over the same period. The Scottish unemployment rate is now 4.9%, slightly above the UK rate of 4.8%. The number of people employed north of the border increased by 8,000 over the quarter to 2,611,000. The employment rate is 73.6% - below the UK average of 74.6%. In January Scotland's claimant count, including Universal Credit, was 76,400. The Scottish government said Scotland's youth unemployment rate was at its lowest level since records began, while the nation continued to outperform the UK on female employment and inactivity rates. Employability and Training Minister Jamie Hepburn said the figures were "encouraging" and showed that Scotland's labour market remained "resilient". He said: "We are working to build an economy where everyone can share in the benefits of economic growth. "It is therefore encouraging to note this rise in the number of people in work alongside some positive statistics on female and youth employment, where we continue to lead the UK." The UK government's Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: "There is cause for some cautious optimism about the state of Scotland's labour market, with employment up and more women returning to the labour market. "However, declining economic activity during the last 12 months, and the gap between the Scottish and UK labour markets, remains a concern. "We have devolved a raft of new powers to the Scottish Parliament. It now needs to use those levers to strengthen the Scottish economy." Scottish Chambers of Commerce chief executive Liz Cameron said: "These figures underline the need to focus resources on those who are currently unemployed and recently unemployed; to enable them to become equipped with the skills that our businesses need right now. "We are still detecting significant skills shortages across a range of sectors and, in these circumstances, Scotland's employment rate really ought to be closing the gap with the UK as a whole."

The number of people seeking work in Scotland has risen for the third time in a row, according to official figures.

The vote in the St Louis suburb is the first since the death of Michael Brown last August led to protests. A federal investigation found racial bias in the Ferguson police department was widespread. Two-thirds of Ferguson's residents are black and now half the council. Shortly after the results came out, a video emerged showing an unarmed black man being shot dead by a police officer in South Carolina. State investigators said the officer, Michael Slager, would be charged with murder after the video showed him firing at Walter Lamer Scott who was running away. Turnout in Ferguson increased from 12% at the last elections, in 2013, to 29%. Wesley Bell, who defeated another black candidate in Ferguson's third ward, said: "This community came out in record numbers to make sure our voices were heard. "When you have a community engaged, the sky is the limit." A drive by activists to register new voters and encourage previously disenfranchised residents to vote appeared to have paid off. "People in general want to see change," Ferguson Mayor James Knowles told the Reuters news agency. Ella Jones defeated another black candidate and two white candidates in Ferguson's first ward to become the first black woman on the council. Black residents in Ferguson protested for several days last August after Mr Brown was shot dead by St Louis police officer Darren Wilson. The protests spread nationwide in November when it was announced that Mr Wilson, who has since left the police, would not be charged. US police have faced severe criticism from rights groups in the wake of Mr Brown's death, with a series of high-profile deaths of unarmed black men in police custody.

Voters in Ferguson, Missouri, where last year an unarmed black teenager was shot dead by police, have tripled the number of African-Americans on the six-member council from one to three.

Craig Rodger, 25, was hit by a Porsche as he crossed Wilbraham Road in Chorlton, Manchester, in March 2014. Mohammed Basit Chaudhry was accused of causing death by dangerous driving but died in Dubai the following year. Mohammed Omayr and Raheel Rehman, both from Chorlton, were sentenced to two and three years respectively at Manchester Crown Court. Police said Omayr had been contacted by Mr Chaudhry after the crash. The men drove in convoy to Brookburn Road, about half a mile away from the scene of the crash, where Rehman set fire to a Porsche Panamera. Mr Chaudhry was dropped off at his home by Omayr, police said, and, six days later, he left the country. The following month he died in a collision in Dubai. His identity and death were confirmed when his body was brought back to the UK. Omayr, 33, of Wilbraham Road, and Rehman, 28, of Lambton Road, both admitted conspiracy to pervert the course of justice at an earlier hearing. After sentencing, Mr Rodger's family said they had been given "legal closure" but "the grief and heartache for us will go on forever". They added: "To anyone who thinks they can drive recklessly and dangerously on our roads, this is the result, and to think you can then run and cover up your crime - you cannot and you will always look over your shoulder until you are brought to justice." Sgt Lee Westhead, of Greater Manchester Police, said Omayr and Rehman were "cowardly and insidious individuals". "The decisions they made that night are truly abhorrent," he said. "The unwavering patience and dignity demonstrated by Craig's family throughout this period is utterly amazing."

Two men who helped an alleged hit-and-run killer conceal evidence have been jailed.

Shamima Begum and Amira Abase, both 15, and Kadiza Sultana, 16, left home in February to join the Islamic State (IS) group, and two of them are now married. The families are not identifying which of the girls have married. Tasnime Akunjee, who represents the families, says it "does not bode well" that those girls will now return. The Bethnal Green Academy pupils flew from Gatwick to Turkey on 17 February after telling their parents they were going out for the day. They later entered Syria and are thought to be in Raqqa, the self-styled capital of the so-called Islamic State. Mr Akunjee said the girls had contacted their families "some weeks ago" to tell them of the marriages, which took place "some time ago". He added: "The families learned that the girls were not together in Raqqa three months ago, and it was because two of them were married. "They are distraught, because it doesn't bode well for their return. The girls are starting to grow roots socially, and deep roots." Mr Akunjee said the men the girls married are in their 20s, but said it is not known whether they are IS fighters. However, the Guardian reports that the two schoolgirls married in ceremonies approved by IS authorities. The three girls had been studying for their GCSEs at the school in Tower Hamlets, east London - where they have been described as "straight-A students". A fourth girl from the school is believed to have travelled to Syria in December. Mr Akunjee also said a video published by the Daily Telegraph claiming to show the girls in Raqqa, in the care of a woman handler, is unlikely to be them. "The girls were not together at the time of the video," he said. "It's unlikely that they would have been under the aegis of the leader of a woman's centre."

The families of two east London schoolgirls who travelled to Syria are "distraught" after learning they have married, their solicitor has said.

Sadiq Khan claimed expanding the West Sussex airport was "the only option that can actually be delivered". His letter to Theresa May was signed by 30 cross-party London MPs, council leaders and London Assembly members. It claimed a second runway at Gatwick would be the "obvious choice" for the capital and Britain. "Gatwick would not only require no public subsidy - a huge factor in our current uncertain economic times - but would give Britain all the benefits of expansion whilst keeping our air quality safe and within legal limits," Mr Khan said. In her keynote address to the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, Mrs May confirmed that the government would "shortly announce" which airport would get the go-ahead. The shortlisted options being considered are a third runway at Heathrow, extending its existing northern runway and a second runway at Gatwick.

The mayor of London has written to the prime minister in a last-ditch plea for an extra runway to be built at Gatwick Airport, rather than at Heathrow.

Watkins has been banned for four years after he tested positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone and the stimulant methylhexaneamine. He joins team-mate Shaun Cleary, who has been banned for two years as benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite, was found in his system. Both players tested positive before a friendly against Bridgend Ravens RFC. UKAD Director of Legal, Graham Arthur said: "Ryan Watkins deliberately ingested nandrolone and methylhexaneamine without any consideration for his responsibilities as an athlete. "By making this conscious choice to dope, Watkins has chosen to cheat his team-mates, the opposition and his sport. "I hope this case will act as strong deterrent to other young amateur players - the risks to your playing career, your reputation and more importantly to your health, just aren't worth it." Speaking about Cleary, Mr Arthur said: "Although Mr Cleary used cocaine three days before playing, cocaine was still in his system when he played. "Cocaine is banned from sport and athletes are solely responsible for what is in their system, regardless of whether there is an intention to cheat or not." Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Martyn Phillips said about Cleary: "This case serves as a strong warning to everyone in the game that non-compliance with anti-doping rules carries grave consequences. "Whether intentional, or inadvertent, players have a responsibility to themselves, to each other, to their clubs and to the sport to act within the rules and spirit of the game. "We work closely with UK Anti-Doping and fully adhere to the World Anti-Doping Code. There is no room in the code for carelessness or not knowing. "We will be relentless in working with UKAD to follow up leads that out players who dope in Welsh rugby." Maesteg Harlequins are mid-table in Welsh National League Division One West Central and Cleary has been banned until 10 October, 2017. Watkins is banned until 11 September 2019.

Maesteg Harlequins lock Ryan Watkins has become the 12th Welsh rugby player to be suspended by UK Anti-Doping.

Railways across the UK are currently overseen by British Transport Police. The Scottish government said it would be more efficient for these duties to be integrated into Scotland's national police force. Rail unions have spoken out against the move, while police chiefs have warned that a merger could be "massively complicated". However the senior police officers told MSPs at a Scottish parliament committee session in November that potential issues were "not insurmountable". Absorbing transport policing into Scotland's single force has been a long-running goal for Justice Secretary Michael Matheson. The BTP wanted to continue providing the service, but with oversight from Holyrood instead of Westminster after devolution, and three railway unions came out against the plan. As the Railway Policing (Scotland) Bill was tabled at Holyrood, Mr Matheson insisted it would "ensure railway policing has a strong future". The bill itself is just the first step in the integration process, aimed at conferring the extra policing powers on the Scottish Police Authority and the Police Service of Scotland. Further legislation will be needed both at Holyrood and Westminster to transfer staff, properties and cross-border policing functions. Mr Matheson said: "We have listened closely to the issues raised by the rail industry, policing services and unions and we have offered a triple-lock guarantee that secures jobs, pay and pension conditions through the course of integration. "We have been assured by Police Scotland that the specialist knowledge, skills and experience of BTP officers and staff will be protected and maintained within Scotland's wider policing service. As part of Police Scotland, railway policing will benefit from their local support, specialist resources and expertise. "Cross-border policing will continue to be seamless in both directions. Police Scotland has excellent relationships with their counterparts and we are working with the UK government to ensure police have appropriate powers for the entire duration of cross-border journeys." Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins, of Police Scotland, said the force was "committed to working with" the government and other organisations to make sure the integration was "seamless". In November, Mr Higgins told MSPs on the justice committee that the move could be "massively complicated", but said the force would "respect the decision of parliament". He said: "It would be complicated, but not insurmountable. There would be massive transition issues, but operationally, we could police the rail network in Scotland." However, BTP Deputy Chief Constable Adrian Hanstock asked the committee: "If it's not broken, what are we trying to fix?" He added: "Why does BTP exist now if it's so easy to absorb it into a geographic force? There's a reason why the specialism is so valued by the industry and passengers - it hasn't just emerged out of a want from some enthusiasts. There's a real need for policing the railway in a different way." The meeting heard that staffing levels in railway policing would be "ring-fenced" after a merger, with officer numbers guaranteed in all but "times of crisis". However, Nigel Goodband from the BTP Federation said he could "guarantee" that the expertise of BTP would be "diluted", with some officers wanting to remain with the force elsewhere rather than move to Police Scotland and others choosing to retire. "Ultimately you will lose expertise," he said. Committee convener Margaret Mitchell, a Tory MSP, said it was "clear that there is not a consensus on what is a very complex issue". Her party has set itself in opposition to the bill, saying Police Scotland is "already loaded with problems from top to bottom". Justice spokesman Douglas Ross said: "The SNP's plans for the BTP don't have the support of those operating in the force just now and need to be reconsidered. "These plans to change BTP will leave people thinking that the SNP is determined to cut ties with anything that happens to include the name Britain." Scottish Labour also spoke out against the bill, saying the government should "respect the independence of British Transport Police". Justice spokeswoman Claire Baker said: "We already have a transport police system in Scotland that works and serves us well. Yet with this Bill, Scotland risks losing expertise whilst eroding the cross border nature of transport policing. "We should not be putting the transport police and local policing under further risk by continued police centralisation."

A bill has been tabled at Holyrood to have Police Scotland take over railway policing duties north of the border.

The idea of the UK paying for tariff-free access to the EU's internal market has been mooted in recent days. The foreign secretary told the BBC's Andrew Marr that the question of whether the UK would pay anything at all was "pure speculation", but if it did, any payments had to be "sensible". Critics say leaving the single market would be an "act of self-harm". Former Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said remaining in the single market of 500 million customers was the "least economically disruptive form of Brexit", and, in return for this, the UK should be granted powers for an "emergency brake" on migration from the EU. Negotiations on the terms of exit from the EU will not officially begin until the UK begins the Article 50 process - which Theresa May has said will happen by the end of March. Pressed on suggestions by his cabinet colleague, the Brexit secretary David Davis, that the UK could pay for tariff-free access to the single market, Mr Johnson - who was a prominent Leave campaigner - said he was not "going to get into the minutiae" before negotiations began. Analysis by Ellie Price, BBC political correspondent He talked a lot in the EU referendum campaign about taking back control. Now Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is keen to show he hasn't changed his tune. But he seems to be singing from a slightly different song sheet to that his cabinet colleague, Brexit Secretary David Davis. On Thursday, Mr Davis suggested the government would consider paying the EU to maintain access to the single market. Boris Johnson said no decision had been taken, and he seemed to favour more limited payments to the EU, including student exchanges and research programmes. Labour say Britain's membership of the single market is crucial and will define the difference between a so-called hard or soft Brexit. "That is something that obviously David Davis is considering. It doesn't mean that a decision has been taken," he said. The EU, he insisted, wanted a "partnership" with the UK and that would involve a degree of mutual co-operation, for instance the UK continuing to partly funding the Erasmus education exchange scheme. But he hinted that this would not extend to actually paying to get access to the single market without any penalties or extra levies. "I have given you an indication of the kind of payments that I think might be sensible," he told Andrew Marr. "My own view is that I see no reason why those payments should be large. And I do see a big opportunity for us to spend the money we are getting back on other priorities." The government has yet to set out its negotiating objectives in detail but ministers are coming under growing pressure to avoid a so-called "hard Brexit" - a term coined by Remain supporters to describe what they say would be the impact of the UK giving up its membership of the single market Brexit supporters say continued membership of the single market is only possible if the UK continues to accept rules on the free movement of EU citizens and the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice - which they say is unacceptable. Mr Johnson said Brexit presented the chance to "take back control of our borders, to take back control of quite large sums of money, not to be run by the European Court - so not to have EU law in this country, and fourthly... to be able to do free trade deals". The EU is under pressure in many quarters to drive a hard bargain with the UK but Mr Johnson dismissed suggestions the UK would be punished for voting out. "It may get pretty hairy at times and there may be some difficult bits, but beneath it all there is a massive fondness for the UK and a desire to do the best possible deal." And in a separate interview with ITV's Peston on Sunday, he said foreign students should not be included in the official migration statistics - a view that contradicts current government policy. Labour's shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer said the choice was between an "isolated, hard Brexit and a collaborative, co-operative Brexit" and while Labour would not stand in the way of triggering Article 50, he said it would oppose a deal which resulted in an "arms-length" relationship with the single market. Mr Clegg, now Lib Dem EU spokesman, told the BBC's Sunday Politics he would oppose Brexit unless single market membership and a referendum on the final deal were guaranteed.

The UK should not have to pay "large" sums to the EU to trade with it after Brexit, Boris Johnson has said.

The changes come as part of what the police force has called the "biggest shake-up" in policing in years. The PSNI said the teams will "deal with community problems" and give "advice". The first LPTs to launch will be based in Lurgan and Armagh city police stations in County Armagh. They will be supported by four mobile neighbourhood policing teams (NPTs). The roll-out of all 26 LPTs is expected to be completed by 1 October. Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin said policing in Northern Ireland is in a process of "transformation" due to "significant budget pressures" and new council structures. He said "normal policing will carry on" and the new teams will respond to calls, conduct investigations, and "deal with community problems". "They will provide advice and reassurance and spend time learning about what most affects communities in order to work with them to improve safety and quality of life," he said. The 34 NPTs, which will be based in areas with higher levels of crime and deprivation, are to be set up with the aim of providing "an additional dedicated policing presence, reassurance and commitment to communities where it is most needed". ACC Martin said restructuring means the number of police stations currently in existence is under review. "The reality is that nearly all policing services are delivered outside of stations," he added. "Policing isn't about buildings it is about officers working with the community in the community."

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has started to phase in local policing teams (LPTs).

Afusat Saliu, 31, and Bassy, four, and Rashidat, two, from Leeds, had been due to leave on a Virgin Atlantic flight to Lagos at 22:20 BST on Thursday. The airline's boss Sir Richard Branson received more than 1,000 tweets calling on him to intervene personally. The Home Office would not confirm whether deportation had been delayed. Ms Saliu and her daughters were arrested by UK Border Agency staff on Wednesday. Anj Handa, a close friend of the family, said: "Afusat was meant to be given 72 hours' notice before she was actually deported, and the Home Office totally ignored that. Finally they have accepted that. "She is not going to be deported tonight or tomorrow morning but that does not mean she is not going to be deported. "She has been given an overnight reprieve but the campaign is still very much ongoing and the lawyers are still working on her judicial review. "We are still urging people to keep up the pressure to help her stay in this country while the case is reviewed." Ms Saliu's solicitors BP Legal have launched a judicial review in an attempt to allow her to remain in the UK. They say officials have ignored their own guidelines by ordering her deportation before the review is heard. Earlier, Sir Richard Branson said in a statement: "Without knowing the specifics on the case it is very difficult to comment in detail on a legal decision taken by the Home Office. "While Virgin Atlantic cannot confirm whether any passengers are or are not flying with them due to data protection laws, they would view any case like this with the safety and welfare of all passengers their primary concern "Regardless, if Afusat Saliu and her family are deported to Nigeria we call upon the UK and Nigerian governments to do all they can to protect the family and ensure they are not put at risk of female genital mutilation." Sir Richard described female genital mutilation (FGM) as an "horrendous practice and a serious violation of internationally recognised human rights". He called on the authorities to give the Saliu family all the support and protection possible. Ms Saliu fled from Nigeria in 2011 after her stepmother threatened to subject Bassy to female genital mutilation. Ms Saliu, who is herself a victim of FGM, was heavily pregnant at the time. She has said she fears both her daughters will be subjected to the practice and forced into marriage should they return to Nigeria. The family converted to Christianity in the UK and worry they would be targeted by Islamist militants Boko Haram in the west African country. It is understood the Salius were taken into custody and detained at a holding centre in Sheffield before being moved to a family immigration centre in Crawley, West Sussex. More than 120,000 people have signed a petition calling on the Home Office reconsider the case. A Home Office spokeswoman said it did not comment on individual cases.

A woman who fears her daughters will be subjected to female genital mutilation in Nigeria will not be deported for at least another day, family friends say.

Welsh language minister Alun Davies told AMs it would help efforts to reach that goal stay on the right track. Targets to meet growing demand for Welsh-speaking teachers and public sector workers will also be set. Culture committee chairwoman Bethan Jenkins said AMs had been told 70% more Welsh-medium teachers were needed. Mr Davies responded that around a third of teachers in Wales could speak Welsh, and that the challenge was to see if more of them would be willing to teach through the medium of Welsh. Earlier this month, Welsh language commissioner Meri Huws called for "radical change" in the education system to ensure all children under the age of seven were "immersed" in Welsh.

The Welsh Government will set a "framework" of five-year targets in its attempt to ensure a million people speak Welsh by 2050.

The Chiefs secured a bonus point before the break as Thomas Waldrom scored two tries and Jack Nowell and Mitch Lees also crossed the whitewash. Frank Halai replied for Wasps on the stroke of half-time and Ashley Johnson and Lorenzo Cittadini scored after the restart to pull the home side level. Waldrom then completed his hat-trick before Moray Low's late try secured a convincing victory for the visitors. Exeter put in a clinical display in the first half, scoring four tries in the first 34 minutes for a 27-6 lead, with Jimmy Gopperth kicking two penalties for Wasps in reply. But George Smith's grubber kick allowed Halai to score in the corner right on the half-time whistle and Gopperth converted to make it 27-13 at the break. Johnson and Cittadini powered over to drag Wasps level on 52 minutes but Chiefs number eight Waldrom crashed over to seal his hat-trick and put Exeter back ahead. After losing Henry Slade to a knee injury midway through the second half, Exeter asserted their control and Low bundled over for their sixth try of the afternoon. The Chiefs will be replaced at the top of the table if unbeaten Saracens beat Newcastle Falcons on Sunday. Wasps director of rugby Dai Young: "Today was a real leveller and brought us back down to earth. "We were beaten by a very good Exeter team that looked to be better than us in all departments. Sometimes you just have to put your hand up and say that. "We were hugely disappointing in the driving at the line-out and that is something we pride ourselves on. Today Exeter made it look easy. "You've got to give them credit but in saying that we have to be better than we were today. It tends to happen when people start saying nice things about you and you have to be careful not to believe it." Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter: "The performance was very good. Credit to Wasps, I was surprised how well they fought back into it. "Wasps have had some big emotional performances in the last few weeks. They are draining and sometimes it's hard to hit the field with that same intensity. "Our challenge was to try and put a bit of pressure on Wasps with our line speed, put pressure on their scoreboard and see if they had been drained by those two previous games." Wasps: Piutau; Tagicakibau, Daly, Jacobs, Halai; Gopperth, Simpson; Mullan, Johnson, Cittadini, Davies, Gaskell, Jones, Smith, Thompson. Replacements: Shervington, McIntyre, Cooper-Wooley, Myall, Hughes, Simpson, Jackson, Leiua. Exeter: Dollman; Nowell, Slade, Hill, Short; Steenson, Chudley; Moon, Yeandle (capt), Francis, Lees, Parling, Johnson, Salvi, Waldrom. Replacements: Taione, Rimmer, Low, Welch, White, Lewis, Whitten, Woodburn. Referee: Greg Garner. For the latest rugby union news follow @bbcrugbyunion on Twitter.

Exeter went top of the Premiership table after a thrilling win over Wasps.

Liam McGerrigan, 27, from the city, was pronounced dead at the scene after officers were called to Holyhead Road at about 22:10 BST on Thursday. He had been stabbed in the chest. West Midlands Police said it was still keen to hear from anyone who may have seen an altercation near a church. A 33-year-old man was arrested in the Tile Hill area on Friday. Det Insp Shaun Egan, of West Midlands Police Force CID, said: "We believe there was an altercation and Liam staggered to an address in Holyhead Road where he collapsed. "This was on a busy road and we believe there may be witnesses out there who can help with our investigation." Police were called to Holyhead Road near the junction of Northumberland Road on Thursday night.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man was found stabbed at an address in Coventry.

Rana Rahimpour was told by US authorities she could not travel under a visa waiver scheme. Under new laws, dual citizens from several nationalities must instead apply for a visa at the US embassy. But Ms Rahimpour said advice from the embassy on whether the rules had been implemented was unclear. The UK foreign office website says the rules come in on 1 April, while the US State Department website says the authorities have "begun the process of implementing changes" to the waiver scheme. Dual citizens fight new US visa rules It was only after contacting the agency overseeing the waiver while at the airport, that Ms Rahimpour - a presenter at the BBC's Persian service - was told her nationality excluded her from travelling. Two of her cousins were also prevented from flying. They had all been due to travel on the flight from Heathrow to a family birthday in the US. Ms Rahimpour described the new rules as "very unfair", pointing out they restrict Iranians who have gained their nationality through marriage or parentage. She tweeted: "My fully #British daughter can't attend her #American cousin's bday cos her mum was born in #Iran." The new rules, which also affect Iraqi, Syrian and Sudanese dual citizens, have sparked anger. They were enacted in the wake of raised security concerns following the Paris attacks, but a joint statement from European ambassadors warned of dual nationals being "disproportionately and unfairly affected".

A BBC journalist with dual British-Iranian nationality has been prevented from flying to the US after falling foul of changes to visa rules.

Noel Conway, 67, who was diagnosed in November 2014 and is not expected to live beyond 12 months, said he should be free to determine his own death. Mr Conway, from Shrewsbury, attended court in a wheelchair and on a ventilator. The case is the first heard since the law was challenged in 2014 and 2015. Right-to-die campaigners lost an appeal to the Supreme Court in 2014 and this was followed by a debate in Parliament which concluded with MPs rejecting an attempt to introduce assisted dying in 2015. The campaign group Dignity in Dying is supporting the legal bid. Mr Conway wants permission to bring a judicial review which could result in terminally ill adults who meet strict criteria making their own decisions about ending their lives. Richard Gordon QC, who is representing Mr Conway, said: "He wishes to die in the country in which he was born and has lived for his whole adult life. "The choices facing him therefore are stark: to seek to bring about his own death now whilst he is physically able to do but before he is ready; or await death with no control over when and how it comes." He said that Mr Conway contended that these choices, forced upon him by the provisions of the criminal law, violated his human rights. He wants a declaration that the Suicide Act 1961 is incompatible with Article 8, of the Human Rights Act 1998 which relates to respect for private and family life, and Article 14, which protects from discrimination. If the judges rule that Mr Conway has an arguable case, they will be asked to direct that it is heard as quickly as possible. Lord Justice Burnett, sitting in London with Mr Justice Charles and Mr Justice Jay, said at the start of the hearing, which is due to last half a day, that they were minded to reserve their decision "only for a relatively short time". Before his illness, Mr Conway, who is married, with a son, daughter, stepson and grandchild, was fit and active, enjoying hiking, cycling and travelling. His condition means that whilst he retains full mental capacity, his ability to move, dress, eat and deal with personal care independently has diminished considerably. At present there is a blanket prohibition on providing a person with assistance to die. Mr Conway has said: "I feel very strongly that it is a dying person's right to determine how they die and when they die. The current law denies me this right. "Instead, I am being condemned to unbearable suffering in my final months. I may die by suffocation or choking, or I could become completely unable to move or communicate. "The only way for me to have some control is to refuse use of my ventilator, but there is no telling how long it would take for me to die, or whether my suffering could be managed. "I'm going to die anyway. It's a question of whether I die with or without suffering and on my own terms or not. "I'm bringing this case not just for me, but for all others facing terminal illness who want and deserve to have the option of a safe, dignified assisted death." But a spokesman for the Care Not Killing Alliance said that changing the law would send out the wrong message. "Changing the law would send out a negative message about those who are terminally ill, disabled or old and might pressure some into ending their lives because they feel that they have become either a financial or care burden. "The current law exists to protect those who have no voice against exploitation and coercion. "It acts as a powerful deterrent to would-be abusers and does not need changing." A case brought by Tony Nicklinson - who suffered from paralysis after a stroke - was ultimately dismissed in 2014 by the Supreme Court, which stated it was important that Parliament debated the issues before any decision was made by the courts. Mr Conway's case is different in that he has a terminal illness and his legal team are setting out a strict criteria and clear potential safeguards to protect vulnerable people from any abuse of the system.

A man with terminal motor neurone disease has told the High Court he faces an "unbearable death" because of the law on assisted dying.

The Crucible's production of Show Boat and its new musical Flowers for Mrs Harris are both up for best musical. Paapa Essiedu, the Royal Shakespeare Company's first black Hamlet, is in the running for best performance in a play. Sir Ian McKellen will receive a special prize at this year's event, to be held at London's Guildhall on 9 October. Previous recipients of the outstanding contribution to British theatre award include Sir Peter Hall, choreographer Sir Matthew Bourne and actor Simon Callow. Clare Burt is nominated for best performance in a musical for Flowers for Mrs Harris, which was adapted from a 1958 novel by Paul Gallico. Daniel Evans directed both Flowers for Mrs Harris and Show Boat, which transferred to the West End in April. He has since left Sheffield Theatres to become artistic director of Chichester Festival Theatre. Chichester's exuberant summer production of Half a Sixpence is up for two awards ahead of its West End transfer next month. Actress Lesley Manville, host of this year's awards ceremony, said she "looked forward to celebrating a year of artistic achievement". The full list of nominations is as follows: Theatregoers have until 12:00 BST on 19 September to cast their vote for the UK's most welcoming theatre. Follow us on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, on Instagram, or if you have a story suggestion email [email protected].

Musicals staged by Sheffield's Crucible theatre lead the nominations for this year's UK Theatre Awards, which reward the best shows produced outside London.

The visitors took the lead when a clever dummy from the impressive Oscar Dorley set up Maksim Maksimov to net. Defender Joe Shaughnessy headed home Liam Craig's corner to level but Trakai responded with a stunning long-range strike from Vaidotas Silenas. Craig and Graham Cummins wasted chances as Saints failed to find an equaliser. Trakai finished with 10 men as Silenas picked up a second yellow card with eight minutes left, but the visitors held on. St Johnstone made a positive start but Trakai carved out the first opening in the seventh minute. A cross found Aliaksandr Bychanok, but his diving header went wide. The Lithuanian side looked technically accomplished with 18-year-old Liberian Dorley causing Saints plenty of problems, and the visitors took the lead with a fine move in the 14th minute. A low cross into the box found Maksimov, who fired smartly past Zander Clark. The hosts should have equalised when Blair Alston broke through the centre of the FK Trakai defence but he fired straight at the keeper. The rebound fell to Cummins, who had his first shot blocked before blazing his second over the bar. Richard Foster's shot was diverted wide by Arunas Klimavicius, and from the resultant corner St Johnstone equalised, Shaughnessy heading home from close range into the corner. But the joy for the home fans was short-lived as FK Trakai took the lead for a second time. A fantastic strike from Silenas from range flashed past Clark. The noise levels inside McDiarmid Park dipped once more. At the start of the second half Dorley played in Alma Wakili down the left hand side but he fired his shot well wide of the post. Saints manager Tommy Wright brought on new signing Stefan Scougall in the hope of improving the levels of creativity from the home side. His ball from the flank presented Craig with a great chance to equalise, but the midfielder volleyed his shot high over the crossbar. Then an even better chance. From a poor Saints corner the ball fell fortuitously to the feet of Scougall. He lashed in a low shot which beat the keeper, but struck the post. FK Trakai remained a danger, Clark saving well from Maksimov, but St Johnstone had further opportunities. Alston burst through from midfield and engineered a chance at the edge of the box, but his shot was deflected wide. From the resultant corner Saints had the ball in the net from another Shaughnessy header, but the referee blew his whistle for a foul on the keeper. Silenas was sent off for a second bookable offence, but the home side could not capitalise. Alston again created an opening and as the ball flashed across goal, it fell straight to Cummins, but from five yards out the striker's shot was too close to Trakai keeper Ignas Plukas, who blocked the ball with his trailing foot. St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright: "Obviously, the result is disappointing. The second goal is criminal from us. It was a great finish but the ball should never get to him. "We were sloppy at times in possession but I thought we created enough chances to get back in the game. But we probably didn't do enough over the 90 minutes. "Every one of the teams in this competition are all probably technically better than us, that's why we can't allow them time on the ball. We didn't get in about them enough in the first half. "We will have to be better in the second leg and I think we will be better. The two away goals is a huge advantage for them but I wouldn't rule us out."

St Johnstone need to score at least twice in Lithuania next week after losing their Europa League first round qualifying home tie with FK Trakai.

The trial, which targets women who are too late to undergo surgery, gives six weeks of additional chemotherapy. On average, 94 women in Northern Ireland each year are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Approximately 22 will die. Tara Millar from Belfast was diagnosed on 1 April 2015. After her diagnosis which was stage 2b, research staff at the cancer centre in Belfast offered her the choice of joining the UK trial. "After I did all the research it was a no brainer," she said. "I knew I was going to lose my hair and I had a mane of hair at the time. In fact, it weighed four pounds when it was cut off. "But I looked at the facts and it gave me a higher percentage chance of surviving. " The trial, which is called Interlace, is being conducted by Cancer Research UK. This week it awarded £1.3m to Belfast Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre for trials. Currently, four women in Northern Ireland are taking part in the trial, which is now in phase three of its research. Additional nurses are often required which offer one-to-one treatment to the patient. Wendy Cunningham has been a cancer research nurse for 20 years and looked after Tara. "The trial involves half of the women getting two extra drugs (carboplatin and paclitaxel) for about six weeks before their standard round of chemotherapy starts," she said. "And these drugs are already being used for ovarian and breast cancer. So we know what their side effects are like. "We know they work but they are given at a certain dose, and weekly, so it is not harmful. That means the patient, all being well, can be ready to start the standard treatment after six weeks." While not all women are suitable for the trial, even those who are eligible sometimes refuse. as it adds another six weeks to the standard round of treatment. According to Tara, who was 31 when diagnosed and is now two years in remission, the prospect of losing her hair, while daunting, was worth it. "I knew my hair would grow back and it has. I said 'yes' to the trial very easily. "I was asked, 'Do you want more drugs? If it gives you more of a chance to survive, it was just an extra six weeks'. So far it's been worth it." One of the problems around the condition is women are being diagnosed too late. Tara said she regrets not taking up the offer of a smear test in her local GP surgery and is appealing for other women to go. Richard Wilson is a consultant oncologist and a professor at the centre of cell research at Queen's University Belfast (QUB). Prof Wilson said this it was a very exciting time for Belfast and its research into cancer. He said there was one current area of research that is particularly exciting. "This is a trial in ovarian cancer and it's a trial of a drug that's being developed from research in QUB. "We're giving this drug here and in two English centres to patients for the first time ever - it's a drug called ALM201. "It cuts down the blood supply to ovarian cancer. We've finished the first phase of it and are going into the second phase." He said the number of cancer cases in Northern Ireland is increasing as people are living longer and diagnosing cancer is improving. But he had this stark warning. "Cancer is increasing inexorably year on year. It occurs in all ages but it is more a disease of older people. We're all living longer but are living longer to get cancer. "Lifestyle choices are driving more cancers as well - the increase in obesity for example is fuelling cancer, so we're getting better at treating it but we're playing catch-up all the time. Meanwhile, Tara is looking ahead. Recently married she and her husband are planning to do a lot of travelling - she is also intending to grow her hair long again. The trial is still recruiting new candidates.

The first woman to take part in a cervical cancer trial in Northern Ireland has said signing up to it was a "no brainer".

Moslemuddin Sarkar, 52, arrived back in Dhaka on Tuesday, a day after being freed from a Pakistani jail with the help of the Red Cross. His family lost contact after Mr Sarkar left for India in search of work in 1989. Years later, he ended up in Pakistan, where he was arrested. He says he was beaten and tortured in his subsequent 15 years in prison. "I requested that embassy officials send me back to Bangladesh but no one listened to me," he told the BBC. "I suffered a lot in the prison and was crying for help. But no-one came to my rescue. Still I don't understand why I was kept in jail for such a long time. At last, I am back with my family and I feel great." There were emotional scenes when Mr Sarkar was welcomed by relatives at Dhaka airport, the BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan reports from Bangladesh. A younger brother, Julhas Uddin, told the AFP news agency that Mr Sarkar's mother "passed out as he hugged her" after returning to his home village. "It was a heartbreaking scene. He could not control his tears for hours," Julhas Uddin said. A dockworker at the port of Chittagong, Mr Sarkar says he illegally crossed the border to India in 1989 in search of better opportunities, without telling his family. "We searched for him for years and finally gave up hope believing he might have drowned in the sea. But our mother always believed that her son would return home one day," Julhas Uddin said. In 1997, he was caught trying to enter Pakistan without valid travel documents, spending the next 15 years in prisons in Lahore and Karachi. He told the BBC he was completely cut off from the world during that time. "I went to Pakistan believing that I would get a better job there. But they caught me at the border," he told AFP. "I wrote dozens of letters to my village address, but did not have any clue that they were never posted. At one stage I lost all hope of returning home." His fate reportedly came to light when Pakistan sent a list of long-serving Bangladeshi prisoners to consular officials, who informed Mr Sarkar's family. They in turn appealed to the International Committee of the Red Cross, who facilitated his release.

A Bangladeshi man who went missing for 23 years has been reunited with his family, who had given him up for dead.

Mae gan Gymru a rhannau eraill o'r DU rai o'r cyfraddau goresgyn canser gwaethaf yn y byd datblygedig. Nawr mae cynllun peilot yng Nghwm Cynon a Chastell-nedd yn canolbwyntio ar gleifion mae eu meddygon teulu yn amau sydd â chanser ond ddim yn dangos unrhyw arwyddion neu symptomau brys. Daw hyn flwyddyn ar ôl i feddygon ymweld â Denmarc er mwyn gweld y systemau diagnostig yno. Fe welodd swyddogion Bwrdd Iechyd Cwm Taf bod y gwasanaeth iechyd yn Nenmarc wedi gwella cyfraddau goresgyn canser. Y pryder yw bod claf yng Nghymru sydd ddim gyda symptomau clir yn disgwyl am gyfnod rhy hir am ddiagnosis, am nad ydyn nhw yn "ffitio'n hawdd" i unrhyw lwybr triniaeth benodol. Mae'n golygu bod meddygon teulu yn cyfeirio'r claf yn ôl ac ymlaen er mwyn cael nifer o brofion, a hynny yn cymryd sawl wythnos. Oherwydd hyn, yr ofn yw bod gormod o gleifion yn dechrau triniaeth pan mae eu canser wedi datblygu neu nad oes modd ei wella. Bydd 40 o feddygon yng Nghwm Cynon sydd yn credu efallai bod rhywbeth o'i le yn gallu cyfeirio'r claf at ganolfan ddiagnostig yn Ysbyty Brenhinol Morgannwg, Llantrisant o fewn saith diwrnod. Yr amcangyfrif yw y bydd rhyw chwe chlaf yr wythnos yn cael eu gweld ac yn cael profion gwahanol, a'r gobaith yw bod hyn yn digwydd ar yr un diwrnod. Ar hyn o bryd dim ond 35% o gleifion sydd â symptomau sydd yn "peri pryder" sy'n cael diagnosis yn ardal Cwm Taf. Mae meddygon felly eisiau cyrraedd y mwyafrif o'r cleifion sydd heb symptomau mor amlwg o'r clefyd yn gynt. Bydd clinig tebyg yn cael ei sefydlu yn Ysbyty Castell-nedd Port Talbot fel rhan o gynllun prawf arall gan Fwrdd Iechyd Abertawe Bro Morgannwg. Mae'r treialon wedi eu datblygu yn ystod y 12 mis ers i arbenigwyr o Gymru ddychwelyd o Aarhus. Fe aeth Denmarc ati i sefydlu'r canolfannau diagnostig wedi pryderon bod y wlad ar ei hôl hi o ran cyfraddau goresgyn canser. Yn ôl Dr Gareth Davies, Cyfarwyddwr Cyswllt Rhwydwaith Canser Cymru, bydd y cynllun yn tawelu meddwl claf ond hefyd yn cyflymu'r broses. "Os yw'r meddyg teulu yn gweld claf a ddim yn siŵr beth sydd o'i le ond yn pryderu ac yn teimlo bod rhywbeth o'i le, bydd yn rhoi cyfle i'r meddyg teulu gyfeirio'r claf yn syth i'r clinig ac yn golygu bydd y claf yn cael ei weld yn gyflym a gobeithio yn cael diagnosis." Mae Gareth Jordan, meddyg teulu yn Aberdâr, yn dweud y gallai'r cynllun peilot wneud gwahaniaeth mawr i fywydau'r cleifion. "Mi fyddai gallu dweud, 'Dwi wedi gweld y gŵr yma, mae wedi colli llawer o bwysau... allai ddim ei anfon i ffwrdd i gael profion arbenigol neu pe bydden ni fyddai'r profion yn cael eu rhoi yn nhrefn tebygolrwydd'. "Ond mae'r ffaith eu bod nhw'n cael eu gweld mewn un lle a phob un yn gweld cynnydd cyflym, y tebygrwydd ydy diagnosis cynnar os oes ganddyn nhw ganser yn fy marn i." Os bydd cynllun peilot Cwm Cynon - fydd yn para chwe mis - yn llwyddiannus, bydd gweddill byrddau iechyd yr ardal yn cynnig yr un gwasanaeth yn y misoedd wedyn.

Mae arbenigwyr canser yn gobeithio y bydd cynllun newydd, fydd yn cael ei dreialu yn ne Cymru, yn lleihau'r amser mae'n cymryd i gael diagnosis o'r clefyd.

Hend, 43, carded a one-over-par 73 to finish on nine under after the third round at Wentworth. Hatton, 24, birdied five of his last eight holes to shoot a six-under 66. England's Lee Westwood (68) and YE Yang (75) are tied for third on seven under, while Masters champion Danny Willett (76) is a shot further back. Hend complained after his round about the behaviour of some spectators towards him over the closing holes, as he played in the final match with Willett. The Australian said: "Danny was getting all the crowd support and I had no problem with that. But there were a couple of guys out there who were really over the top and it wasn't very nice what they were saying. "It was quite rude and personal and if it was up to me I would have had them thrown out. "Danny and I are mates. I've played with him before and he wants me to do well and I want him to do well. But when you get hecklers in the crowd saying pretty rude things as they were, I was ready to punch them." Willett again struggled on the back nine. Having coming home in 39 after a tournament record first-nine of 29 in his second round, Willett took 41 strokes on Saturday. The 28-year-old Englishman said: "It's disappointing to be somewhere there or thereabouts and then to play poorly on the back nine like we did yesterday. "We had everything under control nicely and then a couple of loose shots, a couple of bad decisions, a couple of missed putts and very quickly it kind of slipped away." Hatton, who has finished fifth, 13th and 12th in his last three events, set the clubhouse target more than two hours before the leaders finished after firing the day's lowest score. He said: "I've been walking around this place since (I was) a five-year-old and I was in awe of the guys inside of the rope. "For me now, playing my third BMW PGA, it's great. I love this event." England's Westwood is playing the event for a 23rd year in a row and is targeting a first win after a second-place finish in 2000 and losing a play-off to Luke Donald in 2011. Westwood, who finished second to Willett at the Masters in April, maintained his ever-present run after taking painkillers to help overcome a foot ligament injury sustained while running on Tuesday. He said: "For a pro to win the PGA at any stage in their career is special. But to do it at 43 years old, in my 23rd appearance and having been in contention a lot before, would be great. "I've played well here in the past and having finished second in the Masters and 10th in the Irish Open, I was surprised to be 33-1 going into this week. "I haven't played a lot at the start of the year, so I'm pretty fresh coming into this part of the season. Normally I would have played 15 events and I've only played six. I'm looking forward to a run of golf now." We've launched a new BBC Sport newsletter ahead of the Euros and Olympics, bringing all the best stories, features and video right to your inbox. You can sign up here.

Australia's Scott Hend eagled the 18th hole for the second successive day to take a one-shot lead over England's Tyrrell Hatton at the PGA Championship.

The floes have experienced much reduced winter coverage and go into the warmest months tracking below the all time satellite minimum year of 2012. But the Reading team says current ice extent is actually a poor guide to the scale of the eventual September low point. A better correlation is with the fraction of the floes in May topped with melt ponds - and that metric suggests 2016 will not be a record year. Ponding water accelerates melting by changing the reflectivity, or albedo, of white ice. The darker liquid absorbs more energy from the sun, promoting further melting and a larger fraction of standing water… and so on. However, despite some remarkable conditions during the Arctic winter, this feedback process has not become a dominant factor in the right places and at the right time to really suppress sea ice in the coming weeks, contends Dr David Schroeder from the Nerc Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling (CPOM). "2016 certainly looks to be an interesting year when you consider how low the extent has been through the winter, together with the strong sea-surface temperature anomalies. But the winter months are not when melt ponds start forming; this happens in the second half of May and the beginning of June. And during this period, although there were still positive anomalies in some locations, in the most important areas for melt pond fraction - such as in the east Siberian sea towards the central Arctic, for example - the temperatures were not very high." The CPOM team has developed a model to forecast the evolution of melt ponds in the Arctic and has incorporated this into a more general climate sea-ice model. Its simulations suggest sea-ice extent for the end of this coming summer will be 4.5 (+/- 0.5) million square km. This number is for an average across the entire month of September - traditionally the period of minimum coverage. It is slightly lower than last year (4.6 million sq km), but larger than the extraordinary September of 2012 when the floes retreated to just 3.6 million sq km. Past forecasts have shown a high degree of skill. 2014 was pretty much spot on; 2015 came in a bit high but just on the edge of the error range. "There is still an irreducible level of uncertainty associated with the weather conditions," said colleague Prof Daniel Feltham. "We can't predict the atmospheric chaos that happens every year, and this places fundamental limits on how well we can predict the Arctic ice cover." And to illustrate this point, 2012 was notable for an intense storm that blew up over the central Arctic Ocean during the early part of August. This gave the summer melt season an additional kick. Something similar could very easily happen again this year. Reading's outlook has just been submitted to the Sea Ice Prediction Network (SIPN) - a community forum for scientific and stakeholder groups that aim to compare and improve forecast tools. These groups all have their own perspectives, and the SIPN is expected to publish their individual forecasts online in the coming days. Nasa's Dr Walter Meier is on the leadership team at SIPN. He told BBC News: "I'd say we're at a stage where we're looking at people's different methods, looking at how they are performing, trying to understand why and how they get things right or wrong, and then hopefully working out how that might play into improving forecasts in the future. "Making seasonal forecasts is a really hard problem because in the three-to-four months before September so much can happen that is weather-related: how much sun versus how much cloud; the temperature; the winds, and which way they're blowing. Do the winds blow to compress the ice together or blow to spread it out? Do they blow the ice into warmer water where it melts? This is really tough." There is no doubt having better models for sea-ice forecasts would be useful to many sectors. Shipping, tourism and oil industries - all are looking to exploit the opportunities that will emerge in an Arctic that is expected to become more open in a warming climate. "For many stakeholders - they're not so much interested in the amount of ice in total; rather, they are interested in the amount of ice where they happen to be. So, it's the spatial variation that's of interest and that's something we're working on as well and hope to improve for the future," said Prof Feltham. [email protected] and follow me on Twitter: @BBCAmos

Arctic sea-ice extent is unlikely to see a new record this summer, claim polar experts at Reading University, UK.

Arthur Cave, 15, was found with multiple injuries on the underpass of Ovingdean Gap in July. He died later at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. Sussex Police said his death was not suspicious, and the coroner ruled it was "accidental". Nick Cave, 58, is an Australian songwriter and is best known as lead singer of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Mr Cave and his wife Susie Bick are at the hearing which is being held in front of Brighton senior coroner Veronica Hamilton-Deeley at Woodvale Crematorium. The inquest heard Arthur had taken LSD with a friend and he was seen "staggering" on his own before he fell off the cliff. Members of the public tried to resuscitate him after he was found lying on the ground without any shoes or socks on. During evidence given by pathologist Dr Simi George, Ms Hamilton-Deeley asked: "The history you had was that LSD was used?" Dr George replied: "Yes." The cause of death was given as "multiple traumatic injuries due to a fall from a height". Recording a conclusion of accidental death, Ms Hamilton-Deeley, said: "I expect the decision and planning to take LSD, or a hallucinogenic drug likely to be LSD, was made on the spur of the moment. "It's clear he could not know what was real and what was not real. "It's completely impossible to know what was in Arthur's mind and what he was seeing." In a statement issued after the inquest, the Cave family said they had been "overwhelmed" by the messages of support from people "in Brighton and beyond". It read: "Arthur was a wonderfully unruly, creative and free-spirited young man with an infectious, happy, funny daredevil nature. "He loved his friends and family, idolised his twin brother Earl and was never far from his side."

Musician Nick Cave's teenage son took LSD before he fell off a cliff in Brighton, an inquest has heard.

The bodies of Ronald Kidd, 40, and Holly Alexander, 37, were discovered at a tenement in Rosefield Street, in the city's west end, at about 21:00 on Sunday. The property was sealed off by police while detectives and scenes of crimes officers investigated. The man is expected to appear at Dundee Sheriff Court on Wednesday. Detectives said a review of CCTV in the are was being carried out, while house-to-house inquiries are continuing. Police have also appealed for anyone with information to come forward. Det Insp Brian Geddes, who is leading the investigation, said: "I would be keen to hear from anyone who heard or saw anything suspicious in the Rosefield Street area, in the days between Thursday 8 December 2016 and Sunday 11 December 2016."

A 37-year-old man has been charged in connection with the deaths of a man and woman at a Dundee flat.

Domenico Scala, who heads up Fifa's Ad-Hoc Electoral Committee, is Swiss-Italian - as is Gianni Infantino, one of the five presidential candidates. Scala excused himself from the 2015 elections as he shared nationality with a candidate, Swiss Sepp Blatter. LFA boss Musa Bility says he will go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if Scala does not withdraw by Thursday. The battle to replace long-standing president Blatter takes place in 18 days' time. "Article 7.4 of the Electoral Regulations is clear that any member of the Ad-Hoc Electoral Committee who has a conflict of interest … is thereby barred from sitting as a member of the Committee and must be replaced," Bility wrote in a letter to Scala on Monday. Ahead of elections in May 2015 between Blatter and Prince Ali of Jordan - both Scala and Claudio Sulser, who was also on the Ad-Hoc Electoral Committee, stepped aside for this reason. "Prior to the final review process, Domenico Scala (as a dual Swiss/Italian national) and Claudio Sulser (as a Swiss national) withdrew from their positions to avoid any appearance of a potential conflict of interest based on nationality," Fifa wrote at the time. However Andreas Bantel, a spokesman for Scala, says "the fact that a member of the ad-hoc electoral committee has the same nationality as a candidate does not result in a conflict of interest. "There is no such provision whatsoever in the relevant regulations of Fifa," he told BBC Sport. "For the last election period Mr Scala withdrew because the Swiss candidate was the incumbent President. Scala did so in order to avoid even any appearance of a potential conflicted of interest situation and simply as a precautionary measure on a voluntary base. "For this election there are five candidates with no incumbent President. Hence, there is no potential conflict of interest at all." It remains to be seen whether Bility will go ahead with his threat to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. In his letter to Scala, he wants to know why the same process has not been followed ahead of the 26 February election. "Following an unprecedented period of sustained turmoil and damage for Fifa as an institution, the fairness and integrity of the current electoral process are absolutely vital for Fifa," Bility wrote. "If we do not receive confirmation from the Fifa Ah-Hoc Electoral Committee within three working days of receipt of this latter that you are stepping down … with immediate effect, the Liberian FA reserves its right to challenge that decision by all available routes." Bility had hoped to participate in the elections himself before being denied by the Electoral Committee in November after failing an eligibility check. On Saturday, the Liberian pledged his vote to Prince Ali while urging his fellow Africans to do the same. Alongside Prince Ali and Infantino, Frenchman Jerome Champagne, Bahrain's Sheikh Salman and South Africa's Tokyo Sexwale are also bidding to replace Blatter as president. The election, which is voted on by Fifa's 209 members, will take place in the organisation's headquarters in the Swiss city Zurich.

The man overseeing Fifa's presidential polls should step aside due to conflict of interest, says the Liberian FA.

The man was once a specialist in chemical and biological weapons for Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi leader overthrown by the US invasion in 2003, Iraqi and US sources told US media. Named as Sleiman Daoud al-Afari, he was reportedly seized last month. In a statement to the BBC, the Pentagon would not confirm his capture. However, its spokesman confirmed US special forces had begun operations in Iraq - part of a more aggressive strategy against IS. The man has already told interrogators how IS loaded mustard gas into shells, US sources told the New York Times. Last month, sources at the global chemical watchdog, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), announced that sulphur mustard had been used last year in an attack on Kurdish forces in Iraq blamed on IS. If confirmed, it would be the first known use of chemical weapons in Iraq since the fall of Saddam. Mr Afari was identified as a former employee of the Military Industrialisation Authority, which functioned under Saddam, who used poison gas against Iraq's Kurdish community in the 1980s. Unnamed US defence sources told the New York Times Mr Afari was being held in Irbil, a Kurdish stronghold in northern Iraq. He is being questioned about IS plans to use mustard gas, which is banned under international law, in Iraq and Syria, the paper says. The alleged IS weapons expert reportedly gave his captors details of how the group had weaponised mustard gas into powdered form and loaded it into artillery shells. One defence official quoted by the paper said the gas was not concentrated enough to kill anyone but that it could maim people. Mustard gas, which is liquid at ambient temperature, is a powerful irritant and blistering agent which causes severe damage to the skin, eyes and respiratory system and internal organs. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) visited the prisoner after it was notified of his capture by US officials, the paper adds. No details were given. Two unnamed Iraqi intelligence sources quoted by the Associated Press news agency described Mr Afari as the head of the IS unit trying to develop chemical weapons. A Pentagon spokesman told the BBC on Wednesday: "I cannot confirm these reports. "What I can tell you is, and as the [Defense] Secretary [Ashton Carter] said recently, the Expeditionary Targeting Force [ETF] has begun operations in Iraq, but we will not discuss the details of those missions when it risks compromising operational security. "One of the goals of the ETF is to capture ISIL [IS] leaders. Any detention would be short-term and coordinated with Iraqi authorities." US officials announced last week that a US commando force had captured an IS leader in Iraq without giving his name. IS, a fundamentalist Sunni Muslim group also known as Daesh, is notorious for its brutal methods in gaining territory in Iraq and Syria. It claimed a number of devastating gun and bomb attacks outside the region in 2015, notably the attacks on Paris and downing of a Russian airliner over Egypt. Last week, the UK's national head of counter-terrorism policing, Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, warned that IS might be planning a "spectacular" attack in the UK.

A chemical weapons expert from the Islamic State (IS) group in Iraq has been captured by US special forces and is being questioned, reports say.

The Queensferry Crossing was scheduled to be completed by December this year but that deadline will not be met. Keith Brown, the cabinet secretary for the economy, said the delay had been caused by "adverse weather conditions" in April and May. In a statement to MSPs he said the delay was a "very recent development" caused by high winds earlier this year. Mr Brown said the contractor, Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC), had advised Transport Scotland that it was unable to achieve a target opening date of December 2016. In response to a question from Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser, the minister said the bad weather "exceeded expectations" and resulted in an increase in the number of days lost to the weather. He told MSPs that 25 days were lost over April and May due to high winds, using up the time contractors had put aside for contingencies. Work was also halted in April when a 60-year-old worker was killed on the site. Mr Brown said contractors remain on schedule to complete the project ahead of the contractual completion date - six months after the December target. He also insisted that there would be no financial impact or cost to the taxpayer due to the opening date being pushed back, but did admit that "weather is still a factor" in the May 2017 target. The Scottish Conservatives said ministers must now give a date for completion. Murdo Fraser said: "This is very disappointing news for people on both sides of the bridge. "They were continually told by the Scottish government that this project was ahead of schedule and would soon be up and running. "Now we find this is not the case, so the SNP must now give an exact date when this will be completed by." The existing Forth Road Bridge was closed to traffic for almost three weeks in December after a crack was discovered under a truss in the roadway. Mr Fraser called for assurances that the current bridge is fit to carry on while the new crossing is completed. "We saw the sheer disruption caused to people and businesses when the existing Forth Road Bridge was closed over Christmas," he said. "It's essential we know whether or not the patch-and-mend approach taken at that point will be enough to ensure it can cope until the Queensferry Crossing opens." Mr Brown insisted that the existing Forth Road Bridge could handle an extra six months of heavy traffic. Labour's Alex Rowley said the delay "will be greeted with great disappointment in Fife and beyond". Stressing that the building of the new bridge remains good news, he said it was "important that ministers do not announce unrealistic deadlines", calling for "full transparency" in the project. Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamiltion, whose Edinburgh Western ward includes the southern end of the bridge, said the project was in "abject distress". He queried "how on earth" 25 days of delays had caused the opening date to be pushed back 180 days. Mr Brown said "everything possible" was being done to get the bridge open as quickly as possible, in line with safety guidelines. In February, Transport Scotland said the project was scheduled to finish "on time and under budget". But earlier this week, in the wake of newspaper reports that the opening of the bridge could be delayed, the transport agency would not give a completion date. Instead, it said FCBC was "making every effort to open the bridge as soon as possible".

The new £1.35bn road bridge across the Forth will now open in May 2017, six months later than originally planned.

The probe is due to scream past the dwarf world on 14 July at almost 14km/s and at an altitude of just 12,500km. New Horizons' 23-second thruster burn will adjust very slightly its speed and arrival time. The spacecraft needs to take a very calculated path past Pluto and its moons, to ensure its instruments point where they are supposed to on the 14th. Had the thruster burn not been executed, the US space agency (Nasa) probe would have arrived 20 seconds late and 184km off from the point where mission controllers wanted it to be. If something concerning is seen in the path such as icy debris, a further manoeuvre could still be implemented. Shortly, New Horizons' Mission Operations Center, which is based at Johns Hopkins University, will upload the commands that will drive the observation sequence during the flyby. In the meantime, the spacecraft continues to return pictures and other data on approach to Pluto, even though the dwarf is still currently only a very small feature in the distance. Its latest detection is of frozen methane on the little planet's surface. Earth-based telescopes first saw this back in the 1970s, but New Horizons can now confirm the hydrocarbon's presence. Almost daily, new pictures from the probe's LORRI camera are uploaded on to a public website. "We can see very large regional differences in brightness across the planet,” said principal investigator Alan Stern from the Southwest Research Institute. "We see a polar cap. In fact, on Pluto's moon Charon, we see an anti-polar cap - a dark cap, a dark pole, which is very unusual and we don’t understand it. "But we’re going to get a lot closer, and we're going to see a lot better. "We’ll get spectroscopy, which will allow us to fingerprint whether the composition is different there. And soon we’ll be able to start making atmospheric studies [of Pluto] and do some of the other things we came to do." On flyby day itself, no pictures will come back to Earth, because New Horizons will be so busy gathering data. The first images are expected on Wednesday, 15 July. "We’ll eventually get to a resolution of 80m per pixel with LORRI," explained Prof Stern. "So, if you were to fly over a typical city here on Earth, at the same altitude and looked with LORRI, you could spot major parks, you could spot runways; you could spot a football stadium and see the field inside. Things like that; it's going to be pretty incredible resolution." As of 1 July, New Horizons was 4.7 billion km from Earth and 14.9 million km from Pluto. The travel time of a radio signal between New Horizons and Nasa's antenna network is about 4.5 hours. [email protected] and follow me on Twitter: @BBCAmos

The American New Horizons spacecraft has made its last planned targeting manoeuvre as it bears down on Pluto.

Elias Kachunga nipped in after Norwich failed to clear a long ball to score his 12th goal of the season. Aaron Mooy made it 2-0 with a low shot that beat Michael McGovern at his near post and Nahki Wells fired in a third underneath the visitors' goalkeeper. Huddersfield are nine points behind Brighton with a game in hand. Philip Billing had hit the post in the opening minutes for the home side and Wells struck the woodwork late on, although their three goals came at a time when Norwich - who remain nine points off a play-off place with six games to play - were having their best spell of the match. However, the game turned when Canaries defender Ryan Bennett did not deal with Tommy Smith's hopeful pass forward and Kachunga outpaced his opponent before firing in first time past McGovern. Huddersfield's victory ensured a successful return to action for midfielder Jonathan Hogg, less than three weeks after a neck injury which threatened to rule him out for the remainder of the season. There were fears that Hogg had fractured his neck in the 4-0 loss at Bristol City on 17 March, but the initial diagnosis was proved incorrect and he was cleared to return to training at the start of April. Huddersfield head coach David Wagner: "There is a long way to go but this is a big step towards a play-off position, and that's an unbelievable achievement for this club. "I've said all along, but people don't believe me, that we don't feel any pressure. We are enjoying what we are doing. We are still the small dog Huddersfield Town. Look at our budget. We know where we have come from and we know how hard it is to win in the Championship. "I am delighted about the performance all over the pitch. It was a totally deserved win and I am very proud of the players. We were poor against Bristol City but you try to learn and get better and we were unlucky to lose against Burton. Tonight we showed what we are capable of. The players trust each other and believe in what we are doing." Norwich interim boss Alan Irvine: "We went from being in a promising position to caving in and that is something the new manager needs to address. have been frank with the players and they have said the same among themselves. We cannot cave in like this. "It's a weakness of character that we've had this season and that must change. Alex (Neil) tried to solve that by changing the personnel because he thought it might be individuals, but it's throughout the team at the present time. "Whoever comes in will make their own decisions. It appears to be clear what needs to be done but it's someone else's decision." Match ends, Huddersfield Town 3, Norwich City 0. Second Half ends, Huddersfield Town 3, Norwich City 0. Attempt missed. Tareiq Holmes-Dennis (Huddersfield Town) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Corner, Huddersfield Town. Conceded by Michael McGovern. Attempt saved. Elias Kachunga (Huddersfield Town) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Joe Lolley. Rajiv van La Parra (Huddersfield Town) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Nélson Oliveira (Norwich City). Attempt blocked. Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Attempt missed. Joe Lolley (Huddersfield Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Nahki Wells with a cross. Substitution, Huddersfield Town. Mark Hudson replaces Michael Hefele. Corner, Huddersfield Town. Conceded by Steven Whittaker. Substitution, Huddersfield Town. Tareiq Holmes-Dennis replaces Chris Löwe. Michael Hefele (Huddersfield Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Cameron Jerome (Norwich City). Substitution, Huddersfield Town. Joe Lolley replaces Jonathan Hogg. Attempt missed. Nélson Oliveira (Norwich City) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Yanic Wildschut. Substitution, Norwich City. Josh Murphy replaces Alex Pritchard. Nahki Wells (Huddersfield Town) hits the right post with a right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right. Assisted by Elias Kachunga. Jonny Howson (Norwich City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Rajiv van La Parra (Huddersfield Town) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Jonny Howson (Norwich City). Nahki Wells (Huddersfield Town) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Yanic Wildschut (Norwich City). Goal! Huddersfield Town 3, Norwich City 0. Nahki Wells (Huddersfield Town) left footed shot from the left side of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Rajiv van La Parra. Substitution, Norwich City. Nélson Oliveira replaces Alexander Tettey. Goal! Huddersfield Town 2, Norwich City 0. Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Nahki Wells. Rajiv van La Parra (Huddersfield Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Jonny Howson (Norwich City). Goal! Huddersfield Town 1, Norwich City 0. Elias Kachunga (Huddersfield Town) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner. Attempt saved. Alex Pritchard (Norwich City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Steven Naismith. Christopher Schindler (Huddersfield Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Cameron Jerome (Norwich City). Attempt missed. Yanic Wildschut (Norwich City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left following a set piece situation. Foul by Jonathan Hogg (Huddersfield Town). Alex Pritchard (Norwich City) wins a free kick on the left wing. Attempt missed. Alex Pritchard (Norwich City) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Steven Naismith. Jonathan Hogg (Huddersfield Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Steven Whittaker (Norwich City). Attempt missed. Jonathan Hogg (Huddersfield Town) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Attempt saved. Nahki Wells (Huddersfield Town) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Aaron Mooy.

Three goals in seven second-half minutes gave Huddersfield a 3-0 win over Norwich which lifted the Terriers back up to third in the Championship.

Lee Waters said Neil McEvoy had suggested a "great party political conspiracy theory" was behind various matters the Public Accounts Committee had investigated. Mr Waters warned against the committee becoming a "circus". Mr McEvoy said he was "not surprised" Mr Waters "wants to brush the failures of his government under the carpet." Speaking in a Senedd debate about the committee's work, Mr McEvoy suggested former economy minister Edwina Hart or the first minister should be called to give evidence on several issues the committee had looked at. They included the Welsh Government's financial support for failed companies, its sale at a loss of two shops in Pontypridd and the RIFW land deals. "We need to get serious about ending financial waste in Wales, and I think the public accounts committee is the perfect place to do that," said Mr McEvoy . "I'd ask the chair if he would accept my call to put to the committee the suggestion of a forensic investigation into all these matters, because Labour incompetence is endangering devolution, and we have to shed light on these matters and bring transparency." Mr Waters responded: "It's imperative it [the public accounts committee] doesn't become a circus. "I have no problem following any evidence and in holding governments to account with rigour but that requires all members to take the committee seriously, to engage in its work, read the voluminous papers in advance, to engage with the evidence. "Not to spend the whole committee meeting tapping away at their iPhones then lobbing in some partisan-fuelled conspiracy theory, because that I think brings the committee into disrepute." Mr Waters said that "when there is evidence we must follow it" and "we should be ruthless in pursuing it". Following the debate, Mr McEvoy told BBC Wales: "I'm not surprised that Lee wants to brush the failures of his government under the carpet because he's a Labour AM. "It's becoming a consistent theme now that when I challenge Labour on the issues their AMs resort to smears and personal attacks. "I've highlighted £53m that the taxpayer has lost thanks to Labour incompetence - this isn't some conspiracy theory."

A Labour assembly member has accused a Plaid Cymru committee colleague of being a conspiracy theorist.

The baby was found at the bus stop near the Magpie and Stump pub in Towyn, Conwy county, at 07:15 BST on Tuesday. Daniel Braxton, 35, who discovered the infant, has told how she was lifeless at the time but managed to revive her. Police are concerned about the welfare of the baby's mother and have urged her to come forward. A North Wales Police spokesman issued an appeal for motorists who drove along the main A548 Towyn coast road between 23:30 BST on Monday to 09:00 on Tuesday to send any footage they have. Conwy council said the baby had been placed under an interim care order.

Police have appealed for motorists to check their dashcams as they continue their search for the mother of a newborn girl found in a bus shelter.

The newspaper has been widely boycotted in the city because of its accusations following the Hillsborough disaster. A motion put forward at a meeting on Wednesday night condemned the paper for its "blatant lies" about the tragedy, in which Liverpool 96 fans were killed. The Society of Editors said the council was "stretching towards censorship". Put forward by Labour councillor Mary Rasmussen at Liverpool Town Hall, the motion said: "Due to crowd control mismanagement those fans, whose ages ranged from 10 to 67 years old, had the life crushed out of them. "Contrary to the facts, The S*n published a front page story with the banner headline 'The Truth' which contained blatant lies. "For this reason we call on all retailers and vendors of newspapers in Liverpool to stop selling The S*n," said the motion, which recognised the efforts of the campaign group Total Eclipse of the S*n to "rid" the city of the newspaper. The Sun said it had no comment on the vote, although the newspaper and the editor at the time of the Hillsborough tragedy have previously apologised for the coverage. Relatives of Hillsborough victims attended the full council meeting, where mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said the newspaper would "never, ever be forgiven", and if he could legally do so he "would ban it from shops across the city". However, Bob Satchwell, from the Society of Editors, which represents about 400 media outlets, said: "In a free society people must be free to choose which newspapers they read or sell. "The comments from Joe Anderson demonstrate the danger when he says that if he has his way he would ban The Sun. That is what happens in dictatorships and banana republics." Everton-based newsagent Ronald Butterfield also said it was "wrong for the council to get involved". "I don't sell it but it is up to people to decide." He added: "When I tell people who aren't from Liverpool I don't sell it they look at me like I've got knickers on my head. "One Liverpool man who always bought it for the horses not the news cancelled it because he was worried about the paperboy being seen delivering it." Explaining why a council-backed campaign was necessary in a city where The Sun is widely boycotted, Emily Heywood of the Total Eclipse of the S*n group said that with new newsagents and changing owners some retailers "had started selling it again and it wasn't being questioned". All 96 fans who died as a result of a crush at Hillsborough were unlawfully killed, their inquests concluded in April.

A campaign calling on retailers in Liverpool to stop selling The Sun has received the unanimous backing of city councillors.

There have been calls for Carroll, 27, to make an international return after his recent hat-trick against Arsenal. But Hodgson said: "Every time someone scores a goal and he's English it is 'why is he not playing for England?' "I'm certainly not going to pick him on the basis that he scored a hat-trick so therefore has to be in the England team." Ex-Newcastle and Liverpool forward Carroll has scored two goals in nine England appearances, but has not featured for the national side since October 2012. Tottenham's Harry Kane, the Premier League's top-scorer with 22 goals this season, and Leicester striker Jamie Vardy, who has netted 21 times, have established themselves in the England set-up and both played in last month's friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands. Arsenal forwards Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott and Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge were also in those squads, while captain Wayne Rooney has now returned to the Manchester United side following injury. Media playback is not supported on this device Carroll has scored seven league goals this season and Hodgson will name his 23-man squad for this summer's tournament in France on 12 May. "We know Andy, we know his qualities," added the 68-year-old. "In an ideal world, if you had a lot of places at your disposal, you'd always include a guy like him because he is exceptional in the air - but whether or not I'd be able to include him with all these others, I don't know." The England boss hinted that even skipper Rooney might not be assured of a place after his two-month lay-off with a knee problem. "There's no disguising the fact that people like (Arsenal midfielder) Jack Wilshere, (Manchester City forward) Raheem Sterling, (Liverpool midfielder) Jordan Henderson, (Arsenal midfielder) Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wayne Rooney - a year ago they were five players who were getting into every squad," said Hodgson. "Things have happened to them and we have to reassess. "If we can be sure they are at the level of fitness and capability to produce the performances they produced a year ago they will be serious contenders. If we are not convinced, we have to give it some thought."

England manager Roy Hodgson has played down West Ham striker Andy Carroll's chance of being selected for Euro 2016.

Cerberus bought the loan portfolio for £1.3bn in 2014. It paid a £15m "success fee" to the Brown Rudnick law firm for work it had done on the portfolio. Brown Rudnick also claimed it could help Cerberus "position itself effectively with key stakeholders". Cerberus chief operating officer Mark Neporent said Brown Rudnick claimed that they could get access to the executive via the Belfast law firm Tughans. "They told us they could get us access to other stakeholders... the Northern Ireland Executive, people in the Republic," he said. Mr Neporent is giving evidence to the Public Accounts Committee in Dublin. Cerberus agreed to hire Brown Rudnick on 24 March 2014 and on 25 March the Cerberus chairman Dan Quayle met First Minister Peter Robinson at Stormont. Mr Neporent agreed with committee member Mary Lou McDonald that Brown Rudnick "were as good as their word" in getting access. Nama, an Irish state agency, was established in 2009 to take control of billions of euro of bad property loans which were damaging the Irish banks. Controversy has surrounded the sales process. Brown Rudnick and Tughans had previously been working with another fund, Pimco, which was bidding for the portfolio. Pimco withdrew from the bidding process when it emerged that its fee arrangement with the firms was to involve a payment to Frank Cushnahan, a former Nama advisor. Cerberus then engaged Brown Rudnick on what it terms "a success fee only basis", meaning a fee would only be paid if the deal was done. Brown Rudnick agreed to share the success fee with Tughans. Cerberus said it received "express confirmation" from both firms that no fee or commission was payable to any current or former Nama advisors.

The investment fund which bought Nama's Northern Ireland portfolio was told by a law firm that it could get them "access" to the NI Executive, an Irish parliamentary committee has heard.

US academics have produced international comparisons in key subjects - using tests taken in 2011 by 900,000 pupils in over 60 countries. It shows that Northern Ireland is Europe's top performing education system for primary maths. England has slipped in science, but is top 10 for primary and secondary maths. The top places in this global education league table have been taken by Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea. Finland is among the highest placed European countries. Such comparisons have become increasingly influential - measuring pupils against the standards of international competitor countries. Globalisation in the jobs market and the economy has seen education ministers wanting to benchmark pupils' achievement against current international rivals. Such international rankings have also highlighted the educational strength underpinning the emerging economic powers in Asia. These latest rankings bring together two major studies - the four-yearly Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and the five-yearly Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS). They reveal the continuing pattern of domination by a group of Asian education systems - South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong (such international comparisons include regional school systems as well as countries). But the study, compiled by researchers at Boston College in the US, shows that England and Northern Ireland are performing strongly in the following group of European education systems. Source: TIMSS 2011 In maths, the study says England has been one of the most improved between 1995 and 2011. England remains in the global top 10 for maths - in 9th for primary and 10th for secondary. England has slipped in primary science tests, taken by 600,000 10 year olds - down to 15th place from 7th place in the last tests in 2007. There was also a dip for secondary science, taken by 14 year olds, down from 5th to 9th place. In the literacy tests, taken by a sample of 325,000 primary school pupils, there was progress for England - up from 15th to 11th. A spokesman for Education Secretary Michael Gove said: "These tests reflect progress between 2006 and 2011 and were taken only a year after the election. "So to the limited extent the results reflect the effect of political leadership, Labour deserves the praise for the small improvement in reading and the blame for the stagnation in maths and the decline in science. The tests say nothing, good or bad, about what we have done." Labour's education spokesman, Stephen Twigg, said: "These results show schools in England are some of the best in Europe - thanks to the hard work of teachers and pupils. The Labour government's reforms saw reading results improve thanks to better teaching, smaller class sizes and Labour's National Literacy Strategy. Source: TIMSS 2011 "However, we need to understand why East Asian countries out perform us in key skills - particularly science and maths." Mr Twigg also highlighted the lower achievement for Sweden in reading - linking it to the free schools inspired by the Swedish education system. There was a particularly strong performance for Northern Ireland - in 6th place for primary maths, which meant it was the highest ranking European school system. Northern Ireland, taking part in these tests for the first time, is in 5th place for primary reading - in a top group alongside such education superpowers such as Finland and Hong Kong. In terms of the proportion of pupils reaching the highest ability levels, Northern Ireland was even more successful, in 3rd place. The maths study also ranked the "safe and orderly" levels of schools - and found Northern Ireland was at the top, with England in 14th place. There was also a ranking of bullying for the primary maths study - with England having one of the worst records in Europe, in 30th place in terms of students' views of the levels of bullying. Scotland and Wales did not take part in these rankings. Such results show long-term trends, overlapping between different governments and education ministers. In England, the tests were taken under the current coalition government, but the pupils would have studied under the reforms of the previous Labour government. Source: PIRLS 2011 Researchers say the factors linked to success are a supportive home background and schools which have good discipline and experienced and well-motivated teachers. They also mention negative social factors, such as too many older pupils having learning impaired by a lack of adequate sleep. The maths study examined the availability of resources at home - such as books - with pupils in South Korea, Norway, Sweden and the US being the best equipped. Indonesia and Ghana had the least learning materials at home. There is a broad pattern repeated across these tables, with a cluster of Asian, Pacific Rim, countries at the top, European and western countries in the upper and middle ranks, with countries in North Africa and the Middle East in the lower ranks. Report author and Boston College professor, Michael Martin, said that the success of the top-performing countries reflects the long-term investment - and shows the way for other developing countries to follow. "Education is a multi-generational enterprise," he said. "One thing you can learn from these is what's possible. That comes as a shock sometimes, what students in other countries can actually do and the gap sometimes between what your students are achieving and what students in other countries are achieving," said Prof Martin. There are other international rankings - but these also show a similar picture at the top of the table, with education systems such as South Korea, Hong Kong, Finland and England among the highest performers. In global league tables assembled by Pearson last month, Finland and South Korea were top, with England in 6th place. The less expected success of the TIMSS and PIRLS rankings will be the high performance of Russia, which has a place in all their top 10s. Another prominent international ranking, the PISA tests run by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, has shown a strong performance for Chinese education systems, including Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Asian countries have taken top places in global school rankings for maths, science and reading, with England and Northern Ireland among high performers.

Alexander Enoch built his robot, called Marty, as a low-cost tool to inspire interest in programming and robotics while studying at Edinburgh University. XpoNorth takes place on 7 and 8 June in Inverness and will bring together designers, writers and musicians. The festival will include talks, workshops and performances. XpoNorth is funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the European Regional Development Fund and is free to attend. Mr Enoch and Marty will be a feature of the festival's Gaming and Technology Playground, which will also have video games played at 48-hour-long Moray Game Jam, which takes place in March in Elgin. Speakers at XpoNorth will include Matteo Alessi of Italian design house Alessi and Halla Helgadóttir, managing director of the Iceland Design Centre. Sarah Bridge, music supervisor in charge of the multi-Oscar-winning Stephen Hawking biopic, The Theory of Everything, and commercials such as Nike NFL: Fast is Faster, is also to appear at the festival.

A flat pack robot designed by an Edinburgh-based entrepreneur is to be a feature of this year's creative industries festival XpoNorth.

Police were called to an address in Holland Street at about 16:15 on Wednesday where they found the body of James Chadwick, who was from the city. He had a number of unexplained injuries. Following the results of a post-mortem examination, his death is now being treated as murder. Officers have been carrying out door-to-door inquiries and reviewing CCTV images from the area. Det Ch Insp Iain Smith, of Police Scotland, said: "This investigation is at an early stage and it is important we establish what has happened which led to James Chadwick losing his life. "Our inquiries so far have established that Mr Chadwick was last seen on Monday 31 August and we're appealing to anyone who has any knowledge of his movements since 31 August to contact police as a matter of urgency."

A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a 37-year-old man in Aberdeen.

With 18 minutes remaining at Pittodrie and with the score at 1-1, the winger was given a straight red card for a challenge on defender Mikael Lustig. A Scottish FA disciplinary tribunal reviewed the case and rejected the claim of wrongful dismissal. Hayes will now serve a two-match suspension. The appeal process meant the 28-year-old Irishman was free to play in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Hamilton, which took the Dons five points clear at the top of the Premiership. However, he will miss Saturday's visit to Hearts and the following midweek League Cup meeting with Hibernian. Speaking after the win against Celtic, Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes thought the red card was harsh. "It's not a two-footed challenge," he told BBC Scotland. "If he [referee Craig Thomson] sees again, I'd be surprised if he thought it was a red card but it is what it is. We had to deal with it and we dealt with it."

Aberdeen have been unsuccessful with their appeal against Jonny Hayes' sending off in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Celtic.

John Jackson worked in the Witham-based criminal justice mental health team when concerns were raised about his internet use in 2013. A Health and Care Professions Council panel heard 40% of his work internet use between May 2012 and May 2013 involved "adult pornographic material". Mr Jackson admitted the findings of the investigation, the panel was told. Live: For more on this and other Essex stories An investigation into Mr Jackson's internet use found he had viewed pornography on 1,296 occasions. The panel also heard how Mr Jackson, who was employed by Essex County Council but seconded to the North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust as a senior practitioner, "no longer wished to work as a social worker". Mr Jackson was dismissed following an internal disciplinary hearing in August 2013. His appeal against that dismissal was dismissed. Essex County Council has yet to comment on the case.

A senior social worker who viewed adult pornography more than 1,000 times using a work computer has been struck off.

The origin of the giant 'A' at Playhatch Roundabout on the A4155 Reading to Henley road is not yet known. The roundabout is near Sonning-on-Thames, where a red letterbox 'appeared' on a bridge last year. A BBC Radio Berkshire reporter saw the 'pin' and posted an image on a BBC Facebook page. "I was just driving to Sonning to go play touch rugby on Monday night and the sign caught my eye as I went round Playhatch Roundabout," said reporter Catherine Bolsover. "I asked around on Twitter but no-one knew where it had come from or who had made it. "One suggestion was that it's linked to whoever put a postbox on Sonning Bridge." In response to her Facebook photograph, one person commented: "Noticed this yesterday nearly drove on to it!" Anita Trif, a waitress at The Crown pub nearby, said no-one knew where the sign had come from. "I first saw it on Friday or Saturday," she added. "We have all seen it but have no idea where it's come from. We have all been wondering about it."

A sign resembling a large, red Google Maps pin has been spotted on an Oxfordshire roundabout.

Winger Kluivert came on as a 39th-minute substitute for the injured Amin Younes with the game goalless. Lasse Schone's penalty put Ajax ahead and Hakim Ziyech doubled the lead. Nicolai Brock-Madsen pulled a goal back, but Ziyech sealed a victory that ensures Ajax stay five points behind leaders Feyenoord, who beat Roda 2-0. Kluivert Sr won two Dutch Eredivisie titles and the Champions League during three years at Ajax between 1994 and 1997. He went on to play for AC Milan, Barcelona, Newcastle United, Valencia, PSV Eindhoven and Lille and scored 40 goals in 79 appearances for his country. The 40-year-old is now director of football at French champions Paris St-Germain. Match ends, PEC Zwolle 1, Ajax 3. Second Half ends, PEC Zwolle 1, Ajax 3. Attempt blocked. Mustafa Saymak (PEC Zwolle) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Stef Nijland. Davy Klaassen (Ajax) wins a free kick on the right wing. Foul by Ted van de Pavert (PEC Zwolle). Offside, Ajax. Donny van de Beek tries a through ball, but Anwar El Ghazi is caught offside. Attempt missed. Stef Nijland (PEC Zwolle) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Hachim Mastour. Foul by Joël Veltman (Ajax). Hachim Mastour (PEC Zwolle) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Attempt missed. Stef Nijland (PEC Zwolle) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Queensy Menig. Offside, PEC Zwolle. Stef Nijland tries a through ball, but Nicolai Brock-Madsen is caught offside. Attempt saved. Stef Nijland (PEC Zwolle) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Substitution, Ajax. Donny van de Beek replaces Lasse Schöne. Attempt missed. Anwar El Ghazi (Ajax) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Joël Veltman. Substitution, PEC Zwolle. Stef Nijland replaces Wouter Marinus. Attempt missed. Mustafa Saymak (PEC Zwolle) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Queensy Menig. Goal! PEC Zwolle 1, Ajax 3. Hakim Ziyech (Ajax) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Daley Sinkgraven following a fast break. Foul by Lasse Schöne (Ajax). Wouter Marinus (PEC Zwolle) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Attempt missed. Hakim Ziyech (Ajax) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Joël Veltman. Offside, PEC Zwolle. Ryan Thomas tries a through ball, but Nicolai Brock-Madsen is caught offside. Attempt saved. Nicolai Brock-Madsen (PEC Zwolle) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Dirk Marcellis with a cross. Attempt saved. Anwar El Ghazi (Ajax) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Davy Klaassen. Attempt blocked. Kasper Dolberg (Ajax) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Nick Viergever. Kasper Dolberg (Ajax) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Ted van de Pavert (PEC Zwolle). Justin Kluivert (Ajax) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Dirk Marcellis (PEC Zwolle). Foul by Joël Veltman (Ajax). Ryan Thomas (PEC Zwolle) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Goal! PEC Zwolle 1, Ajax 2. Nicolai Brock-Madsen (PEC Zwolle) header from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Queensy Menig with a cross. Attempt saved. Philippe Sandler (PEC Zwolle) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Mustafa Saymak. Substitution, PEC Zwolle. Ryan Thomas replaces Josef Kvída. Offside, PEC Zwolle. Philippe Sandler tries a through ball, but Queensy Menig is caught offside. Attempt missed. Queensy Menig (PEC Zwolle) right footed shot from the right side of the box is too high. Assisted by Nicolai Brock-Madsen. Foul by Justin Kluivert (Ajax). Hachim Mastour (PEC Zwolle) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Attempt saved. Nicolai Brock-Madsen (PEC Zwolle) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Wouter Marinus. Daley Sinkgraven (Ajax) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Foul by Daley Sinkgraven (Ajax).

Justin Kluivert, the 17-year-old son of former Netherlands striker Patrick, made his Ajax debut in a comfortable win at PEC Zwolle on Sunday.

A spokesman said the new estimate was based on a review of intelligence reports from May to August. IS has seized vast swathes of Iraq and beheaded several hostages in recent months, leading to US airstrikes. US Secretary of State John Kerry is visiting Turkey, seeking more support for action against IS. US officials say retired Gen John Allen will be tasked with forming an international coalition to fight IS. On Thursday, 10 Arab countries agreed to help the US attack the group in both Iraq and Syria. The CIA had previously believed that IS had about 10,000 fighters, spokesman Ryan Trapani said. "This new total reflects an increase in members because of stronger recruitment since June following battlefield successes and the declaration of a caliphate, greater battlefield activity, and additional intelligence," he added. The revision comes a day after President Obama outlined a plan to "degrade and destroy" IS and to increase military support for allied forces engaged in fighting the group. For the first time, he authorised air strikes against the group in Syria. In recent months IS has expanded from its stronghold in eastern Syria and seized control of more towns, cities, army bases and weaponry in Iraq. The US has already carried out more than 150 air strikes against IS in Iraq. It has also sent hundreds of military advisers to assist Iraqi government and Kurdish forces, but has ruled out sending ground troops. Other countries, including the UK, have contributed humanitarian assistance to Iraqis displaced by the group's advance. Mr John Kerry secured the co-operation of several Arab countries during a meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Thursday. Nato member Turkey, however, refused to sign a communique calling for countries to join the US in the fight against IS. Analysts say this may be because the group currently holds 49 Turkish citizens, including diplomats. Mr Kerry downplayed the move, saying the important US ally was dealing with some "sensitive issues". He is due to travel to Turkey on Friday to try to secure more co-operation from the government.

The CIA says the Islamic State (IS) militant group may have up to 31,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria - three times as many as previously feared.

Chris Erskine crossed low for Kris Doolan to tap home and give the Jags an early lead. Adam Barton and Steven Lawless came close to doubling the hosts' advantage. After a poor first half Well carved out chances to score in the second, Zak Jules's header kept out by goalkeeper Tomas Cerny. Media playback is not supported on this device With one more round of fixtures to play before the Premiership splits in two, Thistle have a seven-point gap over Kilmarnock and will face Celtic, Aberdeen, Rangers, St Johnstone and Hearts in the final few weeks of the season. Before then, they will visit Rangers next weekend, when Motherwell host basement side Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Having come from a goal down to beat Ross County last week and drawing away to champions Celtic on Wednesday, Thistle's confidence was high and they were in a hurry to make that count. Doolan scored both goals against County - his 100th and 101st for the Jags - and the striker marked being captain for the day with a simple finish off Erskine's ball across from the left. Barton's free-kick drifted narrowly past the left-hand post and Lawless's shot was deflected on to the crossbar. And Doolan should have got Thistle's second following an incisive pass by Ryan Edwards, the striker firing across the face of goal from the right of the six-yard box. Other than an early Scott McDonald header that was blocked out for a corner, Motherwell failed to seriously trouble their hosts in the opening period. Manager Stephen Robinson needed a reaction in the second half and sent on Keith Lasley and Lionel Ainsworth in place of Elliott Frear and Craig Clay. Shea Gordon flashed the ball across goal but the stretching McDonald could not apply the finish, Cerny clawed away Jules's header and Lasley's effort did not trouble the Jags goalkeeper. A late scramble in the box did not provide the telling shot at goal the visitors needed as Thistle held on, leaving Motherwell four points above Inverness and below Lanarkshire rivals Hamilton Academical on goal difference. Lawless dragged a shot wide after driving at the Well defence but Alan Archibald's side struggled to create as many openings in the second half. But one goal proved to be enough to ensure they will claim their highest top-flight finish since 1981. They had been bottom of the division in December, a couple of months after Archibald stayed at the club following an approach by Shrewsbury Town. He will now have the chance to get Thistle even higher in the Premiership with only three points separating the Jags from Hearts. Match ends, Partick Thistle 1, Motherwell 0. Second Half ends, Partick Thistle 1, Motherwell 0. Niall Keown (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Jacob Blyth (Motherwell). Liam Lindsay (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Ben Heneghan (Motherwell). Attempt blocked. Jacob Blyth (Motherwell) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Liam Lindsay. Adam Barton (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Keith Lasley (Motherwell). Attempt missed. Carl McHugh (Motherwell) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Christie Elliott. Foul by Andrew McCarthy (Partick Thistle). Keith Lasley (Motherwell) wins a free kick on the left wing. Substitution, Partick Thistle. Andrew McCarthy replaces Steven Lawless. Attempt missed. Ben Heneghan (Motherwell) header from the right side of the six yard box misses to the right. Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Ryan Edwards. Adam Barton (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Keith Lasley (Motherwell). Foul by Adebayo Azeez (Partick Thistle). Carl McHugh (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Attempt missed. Keith Lasley (Motherwell) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high. Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Danny Devine. Substitution, Motherwell. Jacob Blyth replaces Shea Gordon. Attempt missed. Steven Lawless (Partick Thistle) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Attempt saved. Zak Jules (Motherwell) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Foul by Liam Lindsay (Partick Thistle). Scott McDonald (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Substitution, Partick Thistle. Adebayo Azeez replaces Chris Erskine. Kris Doolan (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Carl McHugh (Motherwell). Attempt missed. Shea Gordon (Motherwell) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Liam Lindsay (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Ben Heneghan (Motherwell). Foul by Kris Doolan (Partick Thistle). Stephen Pearson (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Christie Elliott. Ryan Bowman (Motherwell) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Niall Keown (Partick Thistle). (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Partick Thistle will finish in the Scottish Premiership's top six for the first time after beating Motherwell, who slipped to second bottom.

The Scotland international has been part of a side to have kept six clean sheets in their last nine matches. "Berra is the best defender in the league, for me, without a doubt," McCarthy told BBC Radio Suffolk. "He's just outstanding, he's big and powerful and wins it in the air, he's quick, he blocks things and is good at defending corners." Berra has impressed alongside youngster Adam Webster at the centre of Ipswich's defence this season, and McCarthy has previously said Webster will go onto play in the Premier League. The pair played on Tuesday against Burton as Town ended a winless run of five matches and McCarthy's side travel to leaders Newcastle United on Saturday. Former Republic of Ireland boss McCarthy said he was impressed by the signings the Magpies made following their relegation to the Championship, such as Matt Ritchie from Bournemouth and Dwight Gayle from Crystal Palace. "They went out and got players who know the Championship, don't mind playing in the Championship, all want to be out of the Championship again and probably think they can be. "How they dealt with it, they were good signings in the summer."

Ipswich Town's Christophe Berra is the best defender in the Championship, according to his manager Mick McCarthy.

Reprinting the anti-Semitic book was banned after WW2 by Bavaria's regional government, which held the copyright. The copyright has now expired and Munich's Institute of Contemporary History is to publish a new edition. New versions are expected in many countries. Historians say the book helps academics understand what happened in the Nazi era. Its annotated version, with thousands of academic notes, will aim to show that Mein Kampf (My Struggle) is incoherent and badly written, rather than powerful or seductive. Many Jewish groups have welcomed this particular publication, saying it is important to have access to a critical edition to help explain the Holocaust, reports the BBC's Damien McGuinness in Berlin. Mein Kampf was originally printed in 1925 - eight years before Hitler came to power. After Nazi Germany was defeated in 1945, the Allied forces handed the copyright to the book to the state of Bavaria. The local authorities have refused to allow the book to be reprinted to prevent incitement of hatred, although the book was so widely printed during the war that it remained relatively easily available. Under European copyright law, the rights of an author of a literary or artistic work runs for the life of the author and for 70 years after his death - in Hitler's case on 30 April 1945, when he shot himself in his bunker in Berlin. Those rights cease on the first day of January 70 years after the author's death, and so publishers now have free access to the original text. However, German officials have said they will limit public access to the text amid fears that this could stir neo-Nazi sentiment.

For the first time in 70 years, Adolf Hitler's Nazi manifesto Mein Kampf is to be available to buy in Germany.

Researchers are preparing to contact all 6,400 families in the country affected by the condition. Children who have a parent or sibling with type-1 diabetes will be invited for a blood test to see if they are at high risk of developing the disease. Those at risk will be offered a drug called metformin to see if it can hold off diabetes. Metformin is already used to treat diabetes, but it is not clear if it might prevent it from developing in the first place. If successful, the study could challenge long-established thinking on what lies behind type-1 diabetes. Type-1 diabetes develops when the body does not produce insulin. This is the hormone needed to control blood sugar levels. Despite extensive research, there is no way of preventing the disease. Most experts believe it is caused by a problem with the immune system - mistaking insulin-producing cells in the pancreas - called beta cells - as harmful, and attacking them. This study, called the autoimmune diabetes Accelerator Prevention Trial (Adapt), tests an alternative theory developed by Prof Terence Wilkin, from the University of Exeter Medical School. Rather than focusing on halting the immune system, Prof Wilkin says it could be better to work on protecting the beta cells. He argues the key cause of damage is stress on the beta cells as they struggle to cope with demand for insulin. Then, he says, in some people, the immune system kicks in, killing off more cells, accelerating the development of diabetes into childhood - what we know as type-1 diabetes. He hopes metformin will relieve the stress on the beta cells, so they can continue to make insulin. Prof Wilkin said: "It is possible that a modern environment accelerates the loss of beta cells by overworking and stressing them. "As a consequence, this could be contributing to the rising incidence of type-1 diabetes, which is appearing in ever younger age groups. "Adapt will use a medication to protect the beta cells from the stress, so that they survive longer." The researchers say if it is successful, the trial will offer a cost-effective way of preventing type-1 diabetes that could be made available immediately to children at risk. The trial has initial funding from the type-1 diabetes charity JDRF. Scotland has the third highest rate of type-1 diabetes in the world, and a good system of record to identify affected families. The study will start recruitment in Tayside and will then extend across Scotland before crossing into England. There are two main types of diabetes: Type-1 diabetes can develop at any age, but usually appears before the age of 40, particularly in childhood. About 10% of all diabetes is type-1, but it is the most common type of childhood diabetes, so it is sometimes called juvenile or early onset diabetes In type-2 diabetes, the body either fails to produce enough insulin to function properly, or the body's cells do not react to insulin. About 90% of adults with diabetes have type-2, and it tends to develop later in life than type-1. Source: NHS Choices

A major trial is set to start in Scotland aimed at preventing type-1 diabetes in children.

With all the walking, running, cycling and gym activity you intend to do, obviously you need an activity tracker -a small, trusty device that you can wear 24/7 to monitor every footstep, every mile clocked up, every calorie burned, and even the quality of every moment's shuteye. You'll believe what it says. I mean, why wouldn't you? Millions of these things have been sold, and you're not exactly going to buy multiple devices to check they come up with the same results. And that's why I felt compelled to carry out this experiment for you. I've spent a full week wearing four of the latest and best-known trackers to see if they all came up with the same results. My findings? They don't. This isn't about which device presents your text messages to you, or comes in three shades of pink, but about cold, hard data. The Garmin Vivosmart, Fitbit Charge, Misfit Shine and Jawbone Up Move are all in the dock. At their worst, one day saw a variation between them of 23% in distance covered, and over the course of a week a difference in opinion between the Fitbit Charge and Jawbone Up Move of 2,649 calories burned - that's more than an entire day's calorie intake for someone of my build. Both companies are united in saying that it's not the figures that matter, but the pattern. Managing director of Fitbit Europe Gareth Jones advises people to simply be aware of the trend. "Rather than get down to the half step or the next calorie is to look at the trend in their step pattern," he says, "Are they increasing the number of steps in their day all week? Are they increasing the calorie burn day to day, week to week? Because it's that trend that's going to make you healthier." It's a sentiment echoed by Jawbone's head of international partner and product development, Jorgen Nordin. "What's important really is that our system is all about getting better, becoming a better version of yourself," he says. And maybe there is something in that. Goodwill, good intention, motivation to improve your lifestyle and upping your own activity may become so enshrined in this new active tracked you that you transform your entire being. Yet rely too much on the tech, inviting in third-party apps, inputting what you've eaten, and taking the figures as gospel, and you may just find it all going the wrong way. But, surely buying a device is buying into the idea that precise data matters to you? Well, Misfit's medical director Matthew Diamond explains it's not an exact science. "Variations in algorithms, the sensors used, the characteristics of the individual wearing the device, like height and gait, as well as wearing position, can result in observed differences," he says. That's not dissimilar to Mr Jones's view - he puts inaccuracies down in part to the lack of a standardised algorithm. Yet it is acknowledged that trackers that incorporate heart-rate monitoring sensors offer better calorie burn accuracy, which could be interpreted as a nod to the fact they need to. "Garmin's activity trackers are all about motivation, nudging the user to make healthier choices," says Chrissy Winchcombe, Garmin's marketing executive of wellness. "You can also use it with a heart-rate monitor for more accurate calorie counting when exercising." Right now it feels as though a new device is launched weekly, some with looks to replicate mere watches. Others, like the Swarovski crystal, solar-powered Misfit - tracking abilities aside - would put J-Lo's bling to shame. But providing stats and prompting "do more exercise" notifications are just the start of their makers' ambitions. "With wearables and looking at the Jawbone band, you know so much about the individual that you can actually start using that information to make the internet of things more like the internet of you," says Jawbone's Jorgen Nordin. "For example, you've been out running, you come home. Your house knows you've been running, not just because of the temperature of your skin, but it also knows you've been sweating based on sensors. "Based on that information your stereo system could be playing some cool jazz to cool you down. Your Nest thermostat can cool down the house to help you get cooler. "If you're in a house with a boiler connected to your shower, that could be turned on as you walk into your house." Mr Nordin has connected his Jawbone UP to turn his coffee machine on as soon as he wakes. For most of us though, the simple question now is more likely to be: "Is it still worth me wearing an activity tracker then?" Sensors are still improving, and as we've seen, we can't expect military precision, but this is a personal choice. Will I be laying mine to rest? No chance. It makes me think more about my activity. It makes me walk instead of getting the bus. It makes me feel smug at the end of the day (usually). My husband I can compete over footsteps - don't worry, we have the same device. And now, maybe I'll work that extra bit harder just in case it's going easy on me.

Filled with goodwill, unfathomable optimism and a slightly heavy heart, you embark on a health kick.

Support workers believe that a report on children abused in the town between 1997 and 2013 may have under-estimated the number because it was unlikely to include the experiences of Asian girls. The Jay report, published in August, put the figure at at least 1,400. But Yasmin Ishaq, who has supported victims, said: "It's not just the young white girls that they're targeting." Ms Ishaq, who runs a voluntary organisation, said men who they knew to be abusers had never been prosecuted and were also systematically abusing young girls within their own network of family and friends. She told BBC File on 4: "The Pakistani girls are not going to be part and parcel of this report. There's no record of what's happened to them. They're too afraid to have ever gone to the law. "The men will get away with this because nobody wants to address it and nobody wants to own up to the fact that their daughter has been molested." Although none of the victims would talk directly to the BBC, File on 4 heard reports of some Asian girls being blackmailed by grooming rings, while others were forced at knifepoint to perform sexual acts on men. Ms Ishaq described how one teenage girl she had been helping was taken to what she thought was a party by her boyfriend. "When she got there, there was no party, there were no other female members present. What she found was that there were five adults, their ages ranging between their mid 20s going on to the late 40s and five men systematically, routinely, raped her. And the young man who was supposed to be her boyfriend, stood back and watched." Ms Ishaq explained that the group photographed the abuse and threatened to publish it unless she did as she was told. "This is what is being said to her now: that if you do not comply, we will be submitting these photographs not only to your parents, to your fathers, to your brothers, but we will actually be posting them to local mosques," she said. "She is still currently in this hell-hole. She cannot see how by going to the police or asking for their help, she can save herself from the consequences of what her family will do to her. She has a genuine fear that she will be beaten, she will be taken abroad, she will be forced into a marriage she doesn't want to be in." Listen to File on 4: The Last Taboo on 28 October at 20.00 GMT or later on iPlayer. Other organisations told the BBC they had heard similar stories of abuse in the town. "There's a particular woman with learning difficulties that we're supporting and she will show you pictures on her phone of about six to eight different Pakistani men. She's adamant they're all her boyfriends," said Zlakha Ahmed, head of Apna Haq, a group that supports women from ethnic minorities in Rotherham. "She talks about the chocolates, the phones, the clothes, the presents, that they buy for her. They regularly pay for her train fare so she can go down to Manchester, Blackburn, London, Birmingham. "When she arrives she'll go to a really posh hotel, she meets a number of these men and she's introduced to some of their friends. Then she'll always say, 'I was given a drink and I don't remember what happened then'. "She talks about how she wakes up in the morning and her legs hurt badly, and she's had a number of abortions. For us, that is gang-related abuse of a vulnerable woman. We know this is one young woman. How many others will they be abusing?" There are no official figures for the number of cases of sexual abuse and grooming within the Asian community, and the Crown Prosecution Service does not record the ethnicities of the women in the cases that come to them. But because of the culture of honour and shame protecting these cases, only a very small proportion are even reported to the authorities. Listen to File on 4 on BBC Radio 4 on 28 October at 20.00 BST or later on iPlayer.

Asian - as well as white - girls are being groomed for sex by Asian men in Rotherham, victim support groups say.

Atkinson, who can also play in midfield, has made 20 appearances for the Magpies since signing in July 2015, following his release by West Brom. The 22-year-old has yet to play in a League Two game this season, but has featured twice in cup competitions. He could make his debut for the Heed when they travel to face struggling Guiseley on 25 October. Meanwhile, on-loan Carlisle midfielder Russell Penn, 30, has extended his loan stay with Gateshead until 26 December.

National League side Gateshead have signed versatile Notts County defender Wes Atkinson on a one-month loan deal.

From next season, the Championship winners will go up automatically if they meet 'minimum standard criteria'. Jersey and Yorkshire Carnegie are among clubs that are in favour of the change. "I hope it doesn't lead to the Championship becoming a non-entity," said Pirates chairman Paul Durkin. "If you're relegated from the Premiership you're put in the naughty boys corner, which is in the Championship, for a year and expected to come back up. "That's what it feels like to us, the way that it's going - it takes away from the competition, I think." As part of the new agreement between the Rugby Football Union and Premiership Rugby, Championship clubs will be given increased funding. Durkin told BBC Radio Cornwall that second-tier sides will share £2.7m between them over three years, but relegated Premiership sides will receive a parachute payment of "over £3m". "While first past the post is a good idea, and I would be in favour of that if there was a level playing field, this is not a level playing field," he continued. The majority of Championship sides, including Jersey Reds, are not eligible for promotion, as they lack the required ground facilities. "You've got London Irish sitting top of the Championship, 15 points ahead of Yorkshire Carnegie - they're undefeated," Reds chairman Mark Morgan told BBC Radio Jersey. "It would be very unfair to get to the end of the season and, just because they have one bad game in a knock-out situation, they don't go to the Premiership." The 2015-16 Championship play-off final was held on 25 May, with the new Premiership campaign starting 100 days later. "To be in the middle of May recruiting for a new season that is just two or three months away is impossible - and we can see the result that's had on Bristol," Morgan added. "Although they would not say that they have ring fenced the Premiership, to all intents and purposes on a financial basis that's really what's happened." Yorkshire Carnegie were in the top flight as recently as 2011 - they are now second in the Championship, which will put them in the promotion play-offs this term but count for nothing from next season. Although scrapping the play-offs could arguably make it more difficult for them to go up, executive president Sir Ian McGeechan, the former British & Irish Lions coach, supports the RFU change. "Having been part the play-off system for a number of years, I am pleased to see the return of the first-past-the-post system," he said. "The decision to make this announcement now is particularly welcome for all the clubs and allows the Championship sides the opportunity to get their financial and personnel planning in place for 2017-18 at the right time of year." The Championship play-offs were introduced for the 2009-10 campaign, with Exeter Chiefs the side to gain promotion despite finishing second in the regular season. Bristol - the side Exeter defeated in the final - have been the side most affected by the play-offs, finishing top of the league on five occasions before finally reaching the Premiership last year. "Most people would probably say [scrapping play-offs] benefits the Premiership - I wouldn't disagree with that," Exeter head coach Rob Baxter told BBC Radio Devon. "It'll be a tougher scenario and a different management situation for the regular Championship clubs, because they can't focus on seeing if they can create some moments in a final. "They now have to create a good pre-season that builds a good start to the season, because they'll need to be up and challenging from day one."

The Championship has become a "naughty boys corner" for relegated Premiership sides, according to the Cornish Pirates chairman, after the scrapping of play-offs from the second tier.

The Queen's Park Rangers player made his NI debut in March and scored in his second game against Slovenia. Washington, a postman just four years ago, followed that up with another goal against Belarus on Saturday. "The last few months have been a crazy time and I don't think it has sunk in yet. I know I have been fortunate," said the 24-year-old. "Football can be about being in the right place at the right time, and I have been lucky. "Maybe in a couple of years I will look back and realise how mad it has all been." Washington combined representing non-League St Ives between 2010 and 2012 with a job delivering mail. Having averaged more than a goal-a-game in his 50 appearances for a club in the ninth tier, he then got his break with Newport who paid £5,000 for him. The Welsh club were promoted to the Football League in his first season, although Washington barely featured. He then moved to Peterborough in 2014 and by mid-January of this year, when QPR took him from London Road, Washington had scored 15 goals and aroused the interest of Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill. Washington had only been to the country once before his international bow against Wales in March but he qualified through the grandparent rule. "It was nice to be accepted so quickly and so readily with Northern Ireland," he added. "Life doesn't get much better. I'm proud of my achievements and just have to try to enjoy it."

Northern Ireland striker Conor Washington counts himself a lucky man as he prepares to head to Euro 2016.

Media playback is not supported on this device The 31-year-old won the 13.1-mile race in 59 minutes, 32 seconds, to knock 20 seconds off the record set 14 years ago by Spain's Fabian Roncero. Farah, also world champion at 5,000m and 10,000m, beat Kenya's Micah Kogo. The world record of 58:23 was set by Eritrea's Zersenay Tadese in the 2010 edition of the Lisbon race. Farah's only world record is the two-mile indoor mark he set at the Birmingham Grand Prix last month. He clocked a time of one hour exactly in winning 2014's Great North Run, becoming the first British man to win the North East's famous half marathon for 29 years. Kenya's Kogo, the 10,000m bronze medallist from the Beijing Olympics in 2008, was one of six men lining up against Farah to have already run under 60 minutes for the distance. There was also British success in the wheelchair races for David Weir and Shelly Woods who continued their preparations for next month's London Marathon, which also doubles as the IPC World Championships. Weir beat Swiss rival Marcel Hug in a photo-finish while Woods got the better of British rival Jade Jones.

Double Olympic champion Mo Farah has won the Lisbon half marathon in a new European record time, becoming the first Briton to break 60 minutes.

Writing on his Instagram account, the singer explained he was "taking the opportunity of not having to be anywhere... to travel the world". He also confirmed to fans that his third album is "on its way" and "is the best thing I have made thus far". Sheeran has 16 million Twitter and 5.5 million Instagram followers. He has just completed a world tour of his number one album x (pronounced "multiply") in Auckland, New Zealand. Before the final show, he also tweeted that he was "buggering off for a while". His world tour saw him play three sold out dates at London's Wembley Stadium. His second album x topped the chart in the UK, Australia and the US and was nominated for album of the year at the Grammys. It won the Brit award in the same category. Sheeran recently set up his own label, Gingerbread Man Records, and signed newcomer Jamie Lawson - whose album topped the UK chart - and Northern Irish singer Foy Vance.

Singer Ed Sheeran has announced he is "taking a break" from social media as he is "seeing the world through a screen and not my eyes".

Perry Beeches III is one of a chain of six free schools. Mr Cameron described the schools as "a real success story". But the Ofsted report said too many students were underachieving and described teaching as "inadequate". Perry Beeches chief executive Liam Nolan said he "fundamentally disagreed" with the inspectors. The school's headteacher, Darren Foreman, its senior leadership team and chair of governors have resigned, Mr Nolan said. Mr Nolan has taken on the role of interim head teacher, together with Jackie Powell. The report said: "Teaching is inadequate. Too much is dull and fails to engage students who became bored and start to fidget." It also accused the school's leadership of having an, "unrealistic and inaccurate" view of the school and added students' behaviour required improvement. Mr Nolan said: "This judgement makes me question Ofsted's credibility." However he said he intended to work with Ofsted to make the school outstanding. He described the report as an, "unfortunate blip". He said: "Within six months you will see us back on the top." The Perry Beeches schools are funded by central government but not run by local authorities. Two of the other schools in the chain have been rated "outstanding" by Ofsted. Perry Beeches III was opened by the Prime Minister in September 2013. At the time, he said the majority of free schools were, "a real success story we should build on as a country". A Department for Education spokesman said: "Liam Nolan and the Perry Beeches free schools are transforming the life chances of children in Birmingham, in some of the most deprived communities of the country. "The performance of Perry Beeches I and II has set the bar for schools across the rest of the country. "Swift action has already been taken to change the leadership of Perry Beeches III and to turn around the performance of the school."

A £7m Birmingham free school opened by Prime Minister David Cameron is to go into special measures following a highly critical Ofsted report.

After captaining England to nine victories in a row this year, Hartley is favourite for the Lions job in 2017. But after meeting for a short camp last weekend, Hartley insists all the focus is on England's November opener against South Africa. "Every player has that in the back of their mind," Hartley told BBC Sport. "Lions selection comes off the back of playing well for your country, so at the moment everyone's focus should be on playing well for their clubs and getting picked for England. "You are always judged on your next performance, so I just want to play well for my club and be in [the frame for] selection for that South Africa game in November." England face South Africa, Fiji, Argentina and Australia in successive weekends in the autumn, and can go through 2016 unbeaten if they avoid defeat. "The key message from Eddie is how as a team do we get better, how do we improve?" Hartley added. "Without winning that first game there is no point talking about going unbeaten, [so] every meeting we have had these last few days has been about South Africa and building for that game. "I don't think anyone in our team has beaten South Africa before, so there's a huge opportunity there for us as a group." Meanwhile, Hartley believes the new club and country agreement will be of great benefit to the national side. Under terms of the new deal between the RFU and the Premiership clubs, which was finalised last month, England coach Eddie Jones will have more regular access to his players. A 45-man group assembled in Teddington last weekend, a matter of weeks after the successful tour of Australia in June. "We have a couple more of these camps before [the matches in] November which keeps us all connected and in England mode," Hartley said. "It's hard to go from club to England, so the more we can meet together as a group the better for us as a team. "It keeps us tighter as a group, and the more we meet those bonds stay tight."

England skipper Dylan Hartley has urged his players not to become pre-occupied with the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand next summer.

The materials, which can sense pressure as sensitively and quickly as human skin, have been outlined by two groups reporting in Nature Materials. The skins are arrays of small pressure sensors that convert tiny changes in pressure into electrical signals. The arrays are built into or under flexible rubber sheets that could be stretched into a variety of shapes. The materials could be used to sheath artificial limbs or to create robots that can pick up and hold fragile objects. They could also be used to improve tools for minimally-invasive surgery. In one approach, Ali Javey at the University of California, Berkeley, and his colleagues built up layers of criss-crossed nanometre-scale wires topped with a thin rubber sheet. Together, the stack acts as what is known as a thin-film transistor, or TFT, with a pressure-sensitive layer on top. The amount of electrical current running through the device is dependent upon how much pressure is exerted on the rubber sheet; more pressure allows more current to flow. The team demonstrated the flexibility of their TFT stacks by bending them to a radius smaller than that of a pencil without changing the skin's performance. "Javey's work is a nice demonstration of their capability in making a large array of nanowire TFTs," said Zhenan Bao of Stanford University, whose group demonstrated the second approach. The heart of Professor Bao's devices is micro-structured rubber sheet in the middle of the TFT - effectively re-creating the functionality of the Berkeley group's skins with less layers. "Instead of laminating a pressure-sensitive resistor array on top of a nanowire TFT array, we made our transistors to be pressure sensitive," Professor Bao explained to BBC News. "Our microstructured rubber can bounce back to its original shape much faster and enable higher sensitivity," she added. The overall flexibility of the Stanford group's skins appears to be lower, and Professor Bao concedes that to develop her group's approach further, better conductive rubber will be needed. Nevertheless, both groups demonstrate that their skins can register a pressure in a tenth of a second, over a large range - from five grams per square centimetre to 40 times that high. Those numbers rival the response of human skin, made with relatively inexpensive manufacturing techniques. John Boland, a nanotechnologist from Trinity College Dublin, praised the two approaches in a critique for Nature Materials. "Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of these studies is how they elegantly demonstrate that it is possible to exploit well-established processing technologies to engineer low-cost innovative solutions to important technical problems," he wrote. However, he notes that there are still "significant opportunities for further innovation", such as reducing the distance between the sensors in the arrays to maximise the detail they could "feel", as well as improvements that could make large-area arrays possible and affordable.

"Artificial skin" that could bring a sensitive touch to robots and prosthetic limbs, has been shown off.

A spokesman for the zoo said it was hard to predict a specific date for any cub being born, and that the breeding season can last until late September. Tian Tian, who arrived at the zoo as part of a breeding pair with Yang Guang in 2011, was artificially inseminated earlier this year. The zoo said she was being closely monitored. This is the fifth time Tian Tian has been artificially inseminated. She had previously given birth to twins in China but all attempts to produce a cub at Edinburgh Zoo have failed. A spokesman for RZSS Edinburgh Zoo said: "Giant panda breeding is a very complicated process but we believe that Tian Tian is pregnant. "Although a specific date was suggested, like all babies it's hard to predict precisely and the panda breeding season can last until late September. "Tian Tian is being closely monitored by our expert team and we will be the first to share any news as soon as we can." A spokesman for animal rights campaigners OneKind said: "This poor panda cub will never be introduced to the wild and will only ever know a life in captivity. "To make matters worse, to produce a cub, Tian Tian has been subjected to repeated invasive procedures since coming to Edinburgh. "This has not been in the interest of pandas or conservation, and appears instead to be driven by the pursuit of PR and gate fees. "If you want to help pandas, you don't need to go and see one at a zoo. Just make a donation to conservation charities conserving pandas in their natural habit instead." News of the pregnancy came to light after documents were released to the Edinburgh Evening News under the Freedom of Information Act. If a cub was born, it would be returned to China at the age of two - mimicking natural dispersal age in the wild. Panda reproduction is a notoriously difficult process, with females only ovulating once a year. Tian Tian (Sweetie) and Yang Guang (Sunshine) are the only giant pandas living in the UK. They arrived on loan from China in December 2011 and are due to remain at Edinburgh Zoo for a decade. The zoo first announced it was in negotiations to bring a pair of giant pandas to Scotland in 2008. The pair were brought to the UK under a historic agreement between the UK and Chinese governments. Described as a gift from China, they were the first giant pandas to live in the UK for 17 years.

The UK's only female panda, Tian Tian, is believed to be pregnant, according to Edinburgh Zoo.

Anthony McIntyre conducted a series of interviews with former IRA members, on the understanding that the contents would not be made public until after their deaths. Boston College has been issued with a subpoena instructing it to hand over the material on 6 May. Mr McIntyre said he had engaged a lawyer to "resist the efforts to raid his personal memoirs". Dozens of loyalists and republicans provided testimonies to Boston College staff compiling an oral history of the Northern Ireland conflict. What are the 'Boston tapes'? Dozens of former paramilitaries were interviewed in Belfast and other cities and towns from 2001-2006 as part of an oral history project known as the Belfast Project. Details about internal politics and activities of the IRA were revealed on tape, including accounts of a hunger strike in prison in the 1980s. Overall, the project cost about $200,000 (£118,520), mostly provided by an Irish-American businessman. Each interview was transcribed, sent by encrypted email to New York and then the material was sent to Boston College, where it was placed under lock and key at Burns Library. Following a lengthy legal battle with the college, the Police Service of Northern Ireland gained access to a small number of the interviews in 2013. Interviews were given on the understanding that tapes would not be made public until after their deaths. Detectives want to access the recordings as part of their investigations into murder and other paramilitary crimes from the 1970s to 1990s. In June last year, police were given access to interviews given by former loyalist prisoner Winston Rea. It followed a decision by senior judges in Belfast to lift an injunction on the PSNI taking possession of Mr Rea's recorded account to Boston College researchers. In 2013, detectives investigating the abduction and murder of Belfast mother-of-10 Jean McConville in 1972 secured the transcripts of former IRA woman Dolours Price's account. That material was handed over following court battles on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Public Prosecution Service and the PSNI have launched a legal bid to gain access to all interviews and notes by a former IRA member who was one of the main researchers for a Troubles history project at Boston College.

The European Commission says it is Europe's most comprehensive study so far of bee colony deaths. Winter mortality was especially high for bees in Belgium (33.6%) and the UK (29%) in 2012-13. But in spring-summer 2013 France was highest with 13.6%. Bumblebees and other wild bees were not studied, nor were pesticide impacts. The study, called Epilobee, described 10% as an acceptable threshold for bee colony mortality - and Greece, Italy and Spain were among the countries with rates below that threshold. The mortality percentages are national estimates based on representative samples. All 17 countries applied the same data collection standards, the report says. The survey covered almost 32,000 bee colonies. But there is also much concern about death rates among wild bees, which are vital pollinators too. Last year the EU introduced a ban on four chemicals called neonicotinoids which are used in pesticides. They are believed to be linked to the collapse of bee colonies across Europe, though there is a heated scientific debate over the chemicals' impact and many experts say further studies are needed. The Commission wanted pesticide impacts to be included in the Epilobee study, but it was overruled by member states' governments.

A new study covering 17 EU countries says that far more honeybees are dying in the UK and other parts of northern Europe than in Mediterranean countries.

Supermarket Morrisons cut the price of diesel by up to 2p per litre, and Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury's followed the move with their own price cuts. The last time diesel was cheaper than petrol was 2001, according to analysis by Experian Catalyst. Morrisons said lower wholesale diesel costs meant it could pass on savings. Mark Todd, petrol director for Morrisons, said: "This is a milestone in motoring and many younger drivers won't remember the last time that diesel prices were lower than unleaded." Pump prices are influenced by factors including the distance from oil terminals and refineries, so not all diesel prices will be lower than petrol, the supermarkets said. In July 2001, diesel cost 77.92 pence per litre on average, compared with 77.94 pence for a litre of petrol, according to Experian Catalyst data. A month prior, diesel had been as much as a penny cheaper per litre, and a price difference of just under two pence was found in 2000. There may be some delay until UK motorists see the price dip among all competitors. Experian Catalyst said the on Sunday UK average prices narrowed to 117.10 pence per litre for petrol and 118.33 pence for diesel. Diesel is normally more expensive than petrol per litre for a variety of reasons, according to the United Kingdom Petroleum Industry Association. While most recent investment in refineries UK has been for unleaded petrol production, more efficient engines mean petrol demand has been decreasing since the early 1990s, depressing prices by comparison to diesel, it says. However, increased supply of diesel from refineries outside the UK is likely to be the reason behind this recent price flip, according to the RAC. "With the price of crude oil standing at $56.50 and the pound relatively strong against the US dollar - the fuel trading currency - there is scope for further price cuts of up to 4p per litre off diesel over the next fortnight, and unleaded may even benefit from a slight reduction too due to the continued oversupply of oil," said RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams. "Drivers of unleaded petrol vehicles should not feel short changed - what we are seeing is the diesel pump price coming down to a level closer to what it should be due to the effects of greater refining capacity in the Middle East." Wholesale prices for diesel have been cheaper than petrol since 27 May, the RAC said. As crude oil has become cheaper, both petrol and diesel prices have fallen too. However, petrol prices have fallen more slowly allowing diesel to become cheaper, says James Challinor, research director for research and consultancy group Wood Mackenzie. This is caused in part by demand for petrol from the US. "Fundamentally it is strong demand for European gasoline [petrol] from the US and West Africa that is supporting the wholesale" petrol price, he said. Refinery outages in Latin America are creating demand for exports of US petrol into that region, which in turn leads European petrol to be exported to the US, he added.

The price of diesel has fallen below petrol at some supermarkets for the first time in more than a decade, after the big chains announced price cuts.

Tries from Macgraff Leuluai, Ah Van and Chris Bridge gave Widnes a 14-6 half-time lead, with Cas loanee Paddy Flynn responding against his parent club. Flynn scored another early in the second, but Ah Van, Lloyd White (2) and Joe Mellor tries made it 38-12. Despite three Cas tries in four minutes - Larne Patrick, Luke Gale and Flynn's hat-trick score - Widnes held on. The Vikings' victory had looked assured when Mellor took advantage of Castleford indecision on a short kick-off, running straight through to help them to a 26-point lead. But, having lost nine of their previous 10 matches, their defence creaked as they let Patrick, who has just signed a three-year deal to move from Huddersfield after his loan spell, in for a try. Gale and Flynn - on loan at Castleford from the Vikings until the end of the season - made it a nervy finish, but the Tigers suffered their fourth consecutive home league defeat. Widnes moved above Wakefield into seventh, while Castleford remain in sixth, one point above the Vikings. Castleford: Solomona, Monaghan, Crooks, Webster, Flynn, McShane, Gale, Jewitt, Milner, Patrick, Moors, McMeeken, Massey. Replacements: Millington, Springer, Tickle, Cook. Widnes: Hanbury, Thompson, Runciman, Bridge, Ah Van, Mellor,Brown, Cahill, White, Buchanan, Whitley, Dean, Leuluai. Replacements: J. Chapelhow, Manuokafoa, Walker, Heremaia. Referee: J Smith

Patrick Ah Van scored two tries on his return from a five-match ban to help Widnes to victory at Castleford.

There are also rumours that Mokhtar Belmokhtar, the leader of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), has also been killed in a separate drone strike in Libya although the group has denied this. Meanwhile, the United States deployed a special forces team deep inside Syrian territory last month which killed Abu Sayyaf, a senior figure within Islamic State. Killing jihadist leaders is an established policy, although its efficacy as a strategy is not always clear. The most famous example of this approach, of course, came with the raid to kill Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. A few months later the wildly popular al-Qaeda ideologue, Anwar al-Awlaki, was killed in a drone strike in Yemen. The appeal of both men declined sharply afterwards prompting the view that killing terrorist leaders might be enough to force the global jihad movement into terminal decline. That belief has pervaded parts of US President Barack Obama's administration, which has pursued an aggressive drone strategy aimed at decimating much of al-Qaeda's leadership. The overwhelming majority of its most important figureheads have now been killed in this way, severely impacting the group's operations. For a moment it seemed as if the so-called "War on Terror" was won. Al-Qaeda hit back. When the group announced Osama Bin Laden's death, it asked: "Are the Americans able to kill what Sheikh Osama lived and fought for, even with all their soldiers, intelligence, and agencies? Never! Never! Sheikh Osama did not build an organisation that would die with him, nor would end with him." A similar message of defiance followed the death of Awlaki when the group declared: "America has killed Sheikh Anwar, but they can never kill his ideology." Indeed, the global jihadist current has not ended with the death of Osama bin Laden. Instead it has spread into something much more potent, particularly in Syria and Iraq where fighters of the Islamic State (IS) group run rampant. They are, ironically, the inheritors of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's legacy - the former leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq who was himself killed by the US in 2006. When Islamic State detached itself from the central leadership of al-Qaeda to pursue an even more aggressive policy in Syria and Iraq, it claimed to be following the true spirit of Bin Laden's vision. They defied his successor, Ayman al-Zawahiri, who had ordered IS to confine its operations to Iraq while leaving Jabhat al-Nusra to fight as the official representatives of al-Qaeda in Syria. The dispute between al-Qaeda and Islamic State has now given way to fratricidal conflict between the two groups and demonstrates both the limits and unintended consequences of killing terrorist leaders. Herein lies the dilemma. There is obvious utility in killing terrorist leaders. Their deaths offer huge psychological blows to the groups they lead and impairs their operational capacity. But there are clear drawbacks too. The vacuum left by the absence of terrorist leaders can also fracture the movements they leave behind, spawning even more violent and nihilistic offshoots. Shiraz Maher is a Senior Fellow at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation (ICSR), King's College London. Follow him @ShirazMaher

The West's "whack-a-mole" approach to counter-terrorism has gathered momentum with the killing of Nasser al-Wuhayshi, leader of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).

The home secretary wrote to cabinet colleagues in December seeking approval to "reduce significantly" one type of stop and search, Newsnight has learned. Despite setting a 12 December deadline, the changes are yet to be announced. Downing Street said the prime minister accepted reforms needed to take place. However, officials have refused to say when any decisions might be taken. Critics say stop and search unfairly targets the black community. In November, the Equality and Human Rights Commission said that, overall, black people were six times more likely than white people to be stopped, with Asian or other ethnic minority groups two times more likely to be stopped. On 4 December, Home Secretary Theresa May wrote seeking approval from the cabinet's home affairs committee to a "package of measures". This included a plan to "amend section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 so that the test for the power's use is 'necessary' and 'expedient', (to prevent incidents involving serious violence)". Under Section 60, police can stop and search someone for weapons in a designated area, for a specific time, without suspicion that the individual is involved in wrongdoing. However, a senior officer must hold a reasonable belief that violence has happened or may occur in the area. Mrs May told cabinet colleagues she intended to "raise the level of authorisation to a senior officer who must reasonably believe that violence 'will' take place (as opposed to 'may')". She continued: "I expect this to reduce significantly the number of stop and searches under section 60. Section 60 is only one kind of stop and search." One minister told Newsnight's chief correspondent Laura Kuenssberg that "we all want to get on" with the changes. But sources told her they feared "there's just a lack of will, a fear of looking soft on crime". The Liberal Democrats agree with the proposals and Labour has offered cross party talks to push the policy forward. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: "Instead of internal rows over this, Theresa May should accept our offer to work together to change stop and search." The prime minister's former adviser on youth and crime, Shaun Bailey, said: "Not getting stop and search right, certainly in urban communities, would be very dangerous because I believe it breeds criminals. "If I was talking to someone in government I'd say: 'Take the brave pill, you'll be rewarded for taking the brave pill and reforming stop and search'." He added: "There's many communities up and down the country who are divorced from politics and feel that the forces-that-be don't represent them and don't care about them. This would be a massive message in the right direction." While filming in Brixton, south London, Newsnight spoke to a teenager who said he had been stopped and searched as an 11 year-old. "Since then I've despised them [the police] more and more because for me they are like criminals in fancy dress," he said. "They've got such a big mob mentality." Another young man said he had been stopped and searched by the police "over 100 times" because he was "in a black neighbourhood" where the police "think everyone is a drug dealer". Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe agreed that random stop and search powers had created distrust between some communities and the police in London. He said over the last two years the Met had reduced the number of stop and searches by over a third, while doubling the number of arrests to one in five. "We employ human beings, they make mistakes and when we make a mistake - particularly with someone who's innocent of any crime, and frankly never will be guilty of any crime - we leave a really bad imprint on that child, on that family, so it's important we get it right. "But I think it's an important power, that used wisely, is really effective."

Plans to limit police stop and search powers in England and Wales have been held up by "regressive" attitudes in Downing Street, senior Conservatives have told BBC Newsnight.

Butterfield has a thigh injury while Olsson suffered a concussion in their 1-0 pre-season win at Sheffield United. "With any head injury you err on the side of caution," Pearson said. "We could push Jacob back quickly but I don't see the point in putting him into a situation where the potential for injuring him further is there." Pearson's Rams have six games in 20 days during August, but have few injury concerns other than Butterfield and Olsson. "It's a long season we've got to make sure any teething problems with players are managed sensibly because I'd like a fully-fit squad to choose from every week," Pearson told BBC Radio Derby. "I'm not going to have that but that's what the aim is. We want to keep the players in good condition and available." Derby drew with Brighton in both league meetings last season, but the Rams boss is happy with the level of preparation going into the new campaign. "Match days are a different entity to the rest of the week.," he said. "We always do as much as we can whether it's enough at any given time remains to be seen."

Derby County boss Nigel Pearson says injury may force Jacob Butterfield and Marcus Olsson to miss Saturday's season opening game against Brighton.

The animal, thought to be a juvenile minke whale, is about 4m long. It was first seen on Thursday morning and seems to be healthy and content. Minke whales are one of the most common in our waters. It is thought it may have swum in in pursuit of fish in the channel. A fully-grown minke can grow to 9m in length. The harbour authorities are liaising with experts in the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, and are expected to monitor the animal for several days in the hope it returns to open water. There are no immediate grounds for concern over the animal's health, said the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). "Minke whales frequent the waters around the mouth of Belfast Lough, but young or inquisitive animals will, on occasion, come closer inshore," said a spokesperson. "However, our Marine and Fisheries team will continue to monitor the whale's behaviour in conjunction with colleagues from Belfast Harbour Commissioners. "The animal is currently in a well-regulated area within Belfast Harbour where there is no risk of disturbance. "The whale is not in an area that is easily viewable by the public, however, as a marine-protected species, people are advised to enjoy any views they are fortunate to have of this remarkable animal but not to approach or do anything to disturb it," the statement added.

A whale has been spotted in Belfast Harbour.

Some commentators feel the new constitution will further divide Egyptian society and may lead to more chaos. However, the new constitution had some takers among the press as well, who hailed the referendum's results. And a section of the press showed no interest in the referendum, commenting on the country's worsening economy instead. Hilmi al-Jazzar from the Muslim Brotherhood, which backed the new constitution, questions whether its approval constitutes the end of a phase or the beginning of a new one. In the independently-owned Al-Watan, he writes: "The phase of constitutional vacuum is about to end, and with it the political debate about all constitutional declarations will end." But, Hilmi al-Jazzar goes on, "a new political conflict is about to start", this time involving those members of the opposition who are opposed to the constitution and those who are prepared to live with it. The commentator also urges the opposition groups to acknowledge the choice of the people, but expects the conflict to extend throughout the upcoming parliamentary elections. In the same paper, former Muslim Brotherhood member Muhammad Habib comments on what may follow the referendum results. He says: "He who believes matters will proceed smoothly is mistaken. The reasons for congestion, tension and conflict persist. The breaches and irregularities during the referendum will make the situation worse." Source: Egyptian election commission Constitutions compared Ismail Ibrahim in the state-owned Al-Ahram al-Masai satirises the opposition which is calling for the new constitution to be abolished after the majority of voters approved it. Addressing them, he says: "Those who participated in the referendum did not do so because the Muslim Brotherhood or religious groups gave them the choice, as some claim, between heaven and hell. They voted because they want to end a phase which threatened to make the country collapse over everybody's heads." In the official Al-Ahram newspaper, Muhammad Jamal Hishmat calls on Egyptians to focus on the coming period. He says: "After the constitutional referendum ended with more than two-thirds of voters saying yes, everyone should look forward to what they may do in the coming period; even if it is to amend articles of the constitution. It is time the Egyptian revolution moved forward to achieve its targets." Writing in the Muslim Brotherhood's mouthpiece Al-Hurriyah wal Adalah, Asma Muhammad Ziyadah congratulates the Egyptian people on their "great new constitution". She says: "The only people who would have benefited from the constitution not being approved are the remnants of the former regime who want the political, judicial and media authorities to be a field for their corruption, as the homeland is not in their minds and consciences." Concern is also growing in Egypt's press over the country's failing economic fortunes. A bold red headline on the front page of state-owned Al-Ahram is about the "fear in the street" over economic insecurity. Writing in the paper, Safwat Qabil urges politicians to leave the economy out of their squabbles. "The later we start treating the economic crisis, the more severe the treatment will be," he warns. Independent Al-Watan ridicules Islamists' proclamations that the new constitution would bring prosperity to Egypt: the paper's main headline says stability will only be achieved once there are enough dollars. BBC Monitoringreports and analyses news from TV, radio, web and print media around the world. For more reports from BBC Monitoring, click here. You can follow BBC Monitoring on Twitter and Facebook.

Egyptian press and commentators are divided over the approval of a disputed new constitution in a referendum.

Blackwell retired from boxing after he suffered bleeding on his skull and was put in an induced coma in a loss to Eubank in March. Eubank Jr will be defending his British middleweight title for the first time. "I'm not going to let a situation like what happened in my last fight affect my future performances," he said. The fight against unbeaten Doran, 28, is on the undercard of Anthony Joshua's IBF heavyweight title defence against Dominic Breazeale at London's O2 Arena. Blackwell woke from his coma a week after the fight, which was stopped in the 10th round, without requiring an operation. Eubank Sr, who was a two-time world champion in the 1990s, admitted he lost his killer instinct after the 1991 rematch with Michael Watson that left the latter with near-fatal brain injuries. But Eubank Jr, 26, said that would not happen to him as he and his father are "two different men". He added: "Something like that might affect someone's fighting style and mindset. For me, I've used it to fuel myself even more. "I'm in there to win, defend myself and attack, and to further my career, so there is no mercy. "It's the referee's job. It's not for me to have to say I should ease up."

Chris Eubank Jr says he will not be affected by his last fight with Nick Blackwell and has vowed to display "no mercy" against Tom Doran on Saturday.

Many residents are "devastated" at the move, according to a local councillor. But Shoreline Housing said 52% of locals backed the demolition of the East Marsh blocks and Comber Place maisonettes, while 42% were against it. A total of 457 flats are affected and will start to be emptied in October, with residents rehomed over the next four years. Councillor Steve Beasant, who represents people in the East Marsh ward, said: "Residents are devastated at the news. "They actually thought that Shoreline was beginning to think again about the multi-storey flats." Shoreline said it would carry out a study by April to find out if it is "affordable and viable" to provide suitable alternative older persons' accommodation. The company added that its employees at the buildings would also be affected by the demolition decision. A review of staff structure is to be undertaken. A Shoreline spokesman said: "We strongly believe this is in the best long-term interests of Shoreline so that we can ensure our continuing ability to invest in affordable modern accommodation across the borough for years to come."

Six high rise blocks in Grimsby are to be demolished meaning hundreds of people will have to move home.

Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said judiciary chief Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani had agreed to contribute towards the cost. The prison, covering 43 hectares (106 acres) in the north of city, has thousands of inmates, including many of Iran's political prisoners. Human rights activists say they have documented systematic abuses there. Last year, the head of Iran's prison service was replaced amid allegations that inmates at a special wing at Evin used to hold political prisoners, academics, intellectuals and journalists were badly beaten by guards. Iranian dailies welcomed the Tehran municipality's plans to turn Evin prison into a park. "Converting the prison into a museum or park has been a long-time wish of many citizens," said the centrist Ebtekar daily. "It is good news as Evin is among the few regions in Tehran that has good weather and the city's residents could make good use of the park." But many commentators on news websites and social media were critical. One Facebook user said that the planned park "would reek of blood". "How can I walk in a park which is tied to the bitterest moments of my life," tweeted another. Others wondered about the logistics of the move. "There is concern that moving the prison out of Tehran will inflict more problems on the prisoners and their families," suggested an opinion piece on the moderate Asr-e Iran website. Evin was also used to detain many activists arrested when millions participated in protests after the disputed re-election of former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2009. Several are believed to have died as a result of torture, ill treatment, or medical neglect. Judiciary officials have said they plan to move prisons and military bases outside the capital, and two months ago plans were presented to change Evin's purpose, according to the AFP news agency. On Monday, Mr Qalibaf told reporters that he had discussed the future of Evin at a meeting with Ayatollah Larijani. "He told me that [the judiciary] had reviewed the [Tehran] municipality's proposal and that they were ready for the municipality to start talks to turn the Evin prison complex into a green space," he was quoted as saying by the Tasnim news agency. The mayor cited the example of Qasr prison, which was closed in 2008 and turned into a museum.

The mayor of Tehran hopes to transform the notorious Evin prison in Iran's capital into a public park, after receiving the judiciary's approval.

The eight-page booklet gives advice on who can vote, how to register and a page on each of the lead campaigns. It is part of a £6.4m awareness campaign organised by the Electoral Commission, which includes a TV advert. People not on the electoral register have until 7 June to apply for a vote in 23 June's referendum. Around 7.5 million people in Britain are not registered to vote - and a recent survey by the commission suggested that a fifth of survey respondents were either not registered or were unsure if they were registered to vote. 'Consider a proxy' The commission says its campaign - "You can't miss it" - is designed to "cut through the noise" that everyone will be hearing about the EU referendum. It comes a month after the government spent £9m distributing a 16-page pro-EU membership leaflet to 27 million UK homes - a move which drew heavy criticism from Leave campaigners. Alex Robertson, the Electoral Commission's director of communications, says the commission's booklet "gives everyone the information they need". "This is an historic event and we don't want anyone to miss out," he said. "A lot of people won't have voted in a referendum before - or will be unsure what the question is. "If you aren't already registered to vote, then make sure you do it by the 7 June deadline or you'll miss out on the referendum. It's easy and only takes a few minutes online. Tens of thousands of people are doing it every day." The commission is also advising voters to think about where they will be on polling day. Anyone who is likely to be away on Thursday, 23 June should consider applying to vote by post or via a proxy - a trusted person permitted to vote on their behalf. Glastonbury festival, which clashes with polling day, is encouraging the expected 135,000 or more attendees to register for a postal vote so that they don't miss out. The Electoral Commission has confirmed that there will be no polling stations on the festival site. Electoral Commission advertising will run until polling day and appear across TV, radio, video on demand services, billboards, digital and social media. Bilingual versions of the booklet - which cost £2.4m to produce and deliver - will be delivered to households in Wales. Nearly 140,000 people registered to vote in the final through weeks before the Scottish referendum in September 2014. Over 11,000 applied to register after the deadline - and missed out as a result. EU referendum issues guide: Explore the arguments The UK's EU vote: All you need to know EU referendum campaign latest

An impartial voting guide for the EU referendum will drop through the letterboxes of 28 million households across the UK from 16 May.

Felix Barrow sustained many broken bones and spent three weeks in a coma when he was knocked over outside his home in Swanmore in October last year. His parents were told he might never walk again, but they said he has now exceeded all his doctors' expectations. The family has raised nearly £100,000 for the services that saved his life. Felix was on his way to school when he tripped in the road and was hit by a car as he was getting to his feet. His mum Vanessa said the accident was "horrific" and added: "You just think this can't be happening to you. "It was just a normal Wednesday, normal things going on, and your life is turned upside down into an unrecognisable sate where you are thrust into a hospital environment. "At first I don't think we really realised the extent of his injuries. "It's been a slow process of learning to do things again, learning to walk, learning to eat, drink normal fluids." She added that her son has surpassed all expectations and made "amazing" progress. Felix's dad Stuart said his life was saved by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, which flew him to hospital, and the Southampton General Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. He said: "We wanted to repay them for saving his life. It's been fantastic, the whole community has come together." The family set up a charity, Fit For Felix, inspired by his love of running and named by his friend Bradley. It has now raised £93,850 by organising a range of activities including fun runs, bike rides, and sponsored swims.

A 12-year-old boy left with a severe brain injury after he was hit by a car has returned to school after making an "amazing" recovery.

The deaths plunged the community in the town of Arnstein into mourning. The five young men and a woman, all aged 18 or 19, were found on Sunday by the landowner whose son and daughter were among the victims. Police say a wood-burning stove was in use at the hut, but other possible causes are still being investigated. "The six adolescents... died from carbon monoxide poisoning," said a police statement. "The cause of the leakage of the toxic gas remains under investigation." The owner of the hut said he had gone there after his children failed to return from the party the night before. A neighbour told German media that his daughter had been celebrating her 18th birthday. The brick building is some distance outside the town and the area was covered in snow. The tragedy has caused an outpouring of grief in the town, which is about 30km (18 miles) north of the city of Wuerzburg. An area has been set aside in the local church for flowers, candles and other tributes to the teenagers. A gathering for friends and relatives was held there on Monday "for grief, remembrance and prayer".

Six teenagers found dead in a garden hut in the German state of Bavaria died from carbon monoxide poisoning, police have said.

A bounceback for US shares, a further recovery in China and a stellar performance by Japanese shares helped the benchmark FTSE 100 index to close 82.91 points or 1.35% up at 6,229.01. Revised growth figures for the eurozone on Tuesday also underpinned confidence. Ryanair was a strong performer, up 5.2%, after it said profits would be 25% higher than thought. Broker Hargreaves Lansdown's shares were up 7% after its results and Barratt Developments shares were 0.2% higher after an initial 2% rise. It earlier reported profits up 45%. Foxtons estate agents were another good gainer, rising 3.75% after an upgrade. On the currency markets, the pound was down 0.2% against the dollar at $1.5366 but was up 0.2% against the euro to €1.3774.

(Close): London's leading shares ended the day in positive territory as global investors regained confidence.

Authors including The English Patient writer Michael Ondaatje and Peter Carey will not attend the PEN Literary Gala in New York on 5 May. They said PEN - known for defending imprisoned writers - was stepping beyond its traditional role. Islamists stormed the Charlie Hebdo offices in Paris in January. Twelve people were killed during the attack, over the magazine's depiction of the Prophet Mohammed. Authors Rachel Kushner, Teju Cole, Taiye Selasi and Francine Prose are also against PEN handing the Freedom of Expression Courage Award to Charlie Hebdo, as they are uncomfortable with the magazine's "cultural intolerance". Booker Prize-wining author Carey told the New York Times that the group of writers felt PEN's role was to protect freedom of expression against government oppression. "A hideous crime was committed, but was it a freedom of speech issue for PEN America to be self-righteous about?" said Carey. "All this is complicated by PEN's seeming blindness to the cultural arrogance of the French nation, which does not recognise its moral obligation to a large and disempowered segment of their population." The boycott has been criticised by the author Salman Rushdie, a former president of PEN who was in hiding for years over Islamist threats in response to his novel The Satanic Verses. He said his friends were "horribly wrong" and he hoped nobody ever came after them. Charlie Hebdo essayist Jean-Baptiste Thoret, who escaped the attack by arriving late to work, will accept the award on behalf of his colleagues. PEN said it did not believe Charlie Hebdo's intent was to "ostracise or insult Muslims, but rather to reject forcefully the efforts of a small minority of radical extremists to place broad categories of speech off limits." It added: "We will be sorry not to see those who have opted out of the gala, but we respect them for their convictions."

Six prominent writers are boycotting a major US literary event over plans to give satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo a freedom of speech award.

They say the parts, possibly from a Buk surface-to-air system, are "of particular interest" and could help show who was behind the crash. But they say they have not proved their "causal connection" with the crash. MH17 crashed on land held by Russian-backed rebels in July 2014, killing all 298 on board. There were 283 passengers, including 80 children, and 15 crew members on the Malaysian Airlines airliner. About two-thirds of those who died were Dutch nationals, with dozens of Malaysians and Australians among the rest. Ukraine and many Western countries have accused pro-Russian rebels of shooting down the plane, saying they could have used a Buk missile system supplied by Russia. Russia and the rebels deny any responsibility and say the Ukrainian military was to blame. How a missile could have brought down MH17 MH17: What we know A tale of two sisters and flight MH17 Air disaster that touched a nation The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) said in a joint statement with the Dutch Safety Board that the parts had been "secured during a previous recovery mission in eastern Ukraine". "The parts are of particular interest to the criminal investigation as they can possibly provide more information about who was involved in the crash of MH17. For that reason the JIT further investigates the origin of these parts," the statement said. Fred Westerbeke, a spokesman for the Dutch Prosecutor's Office, said that seven fragments had been found which were definitely not part of the aircraft, and further investigations had shown that they were probably from a missile system. "We are going to need more investigation to really find out what exactly this is and if it is part of a possible system that took down MH17," he added. "If we can establish that, then we can say that it is a breakthrough." The Dutch safety board is characteristically cautious. For now it is insisting that no causal connection can be established between the discovered parts and the crash. The aircraft is widely believed to have been downed by a surface-to-air missile. Indeed the investigators' preliminary report - released last September - noted that the damage to the aircraft's fuselage and cockpit indicated impacts from a large number of high-energy objects from outside the aircraft; consistent with an engagement by a Buk-type missile. The crucial question remains who fired the weapon - Russian-backed separatists or even the Russian military itself? The Ukrainians also operate a variant of the Buk system. The missile parts could be a help here but satellite intelligence may provide more of the picture. Independent investigators have already established a video trail which appears to place a Buk launcher in the crash area on the day in question. The investigators would now enlist the help of weapons experts and forensic specialists to examine the parts, the statement added. The JIT comprises representatives of the Netherlands, Ukraine, Belgium, Malaysia and Australia. They are meeting in The Hague to discuss a draft report on the causes of the crash, the final version of which is expected to be published by the Dutch Safety Board in October. The statement comes two weeks after Russia vetoed a draft resolution to set up an international tribunal into the disaster, triggering widespread outrage. Moscow described the Malaysian initiative as "premature" and "counterproductive". The Boeing 777 was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was brought down on 17 July last year in Donetsk region.

Fragments of a suspected Russian missile system have been found at the Flight MH17 crash site in Ukraine, investigators in the Netherlands say.

Mr Yanukovych flew from China to Sochi in southern Russia for the meeting. He also cancelled a visit to Malta. Last month he shelved a partnership deal with the EU, triggering angry protests in Ukraine's capital Kiev. Jailed opposition politician Yulia Tymoshenko has reportedly called off a prison hunger strike. The former prime minister's daughter, Eugenia, said her mother had accepted a request from protesters in Kiev to stop the fast. She had reportedly begun the hunger strike on 25 November in protest at Mr Yanukovych's failure to sign the EU deal. Thousands of anti-Yanukovych protesters remain outside the government building on Kiev's Independence Square, braving bitter cold. They are furious that he made an 11th-hour U-turn in relations with the EU, refusing to sign the association agreement that had been prepared during years of negotiations. In Sochi, Mr Yanukovych discussed "preparation of a future treaty on strategic partnership" with Russia, his press service said. The talks covered various economic issues, the statement said, without elaborating. Mr Putin has been urging Ukraine to join Russia's customs union with Belarus and Kazakhstan - a union whose entry terms are far less demanding than the EU's. In recent months Russia has put Ukraine under economic pressure, imposing long customs delays at the border and banning imports of Ukrainian sweets. Arseniy Yatsenyuk, a Tymoshenko ally and leader of the main opposition faction in parliament, condemned the talks in Sochi. "Their attempts to sell Ukraine to Russia have not ended in any way," he said. "If Yanukovych tries to sign anything with Russia about the customs union it will lead to a bigger wave of protests."

Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have held surprise talks on a "strategic partnership treaty".

James Moore, from Tullymore road in the Waterside, was due in court on Friday for driving without insurance, tax, L-plates and without a qualified driver. The 24-year-old then texted his solicitor to request a postponement. "Tell him to go easy on the paella and cerveza because his fines are going up," said the judge. Judge Barney McElholm asked what was to stop Mr Moore dropping his driving licences in to his solicitor office before going on holiday. "I will expect to see him in court in three weeks' time with his driving licence and glowing with a tan," said the judge. The sentencing of Mr Moore, who committed the offences in February, was adjourned until 23 June at Londonderry Magistrates' Court.

A Londonderry motoring offender has missed his court sentencing to go on a surprise Spanish holiday with his grandmother.

The Spiders' David Galt headed against the outside of the post before Shire took the lead. Thomas Orr took advantage of Bryan Wharton's poor header to burst through on goal and finish past William Muir. David McKenna doubled the advantage from close range and Scott Ferries' effort completed the win.

East Stirlingshire moved off the bottom of Scottish League Two with a surprise victory over promotion-chasing Queen's Park.

It is the second estimate for GDP growth from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). It was a slowdown from the 0.7% rate in the second quarter, but still marked the 11th consecutive quarter of growth. A widening trade gap is being blamed for the slowdown, with trade having a record negative effect on GDP. The deficit in the trade balance, the gap between the level of exports and imports, widened from £7.7bn in the second quarter to £14.2bn in the third. Exports increased by 0.9% while imports grew by 5.5%. Overall, the trade gap knocked 1.5 percentage points off GDP, which is the most since records began in 1997. Construction output was also a drag on growth, with the sector contracting by 2.2%. The services sector, which accounts for more than three quarters of the economy, grew by 0.7% in the quarter. Industrial production, which includes manufacturing, grew by 0.2%, and business investment was estimated to have risen by 2.2%. "No surprises in the second estimate as the economy was ticking over, including a chunky contribution from business investment, which has had an unbroken run of expansion for a year," said Lee Hopley, chief economist at EEF, the manufacturers' organisation. "Pulling sharply in the opposite direction is the contribution from net trade, with modest export growth being swamped by a massive bounce in imports."

The UK economy grew 0.5% between July and September, official figures have confirmed, unchanged from the initial estimate.

Energy firm Island Gas Limited (IGas) wants to carry out test drilling on Springs Road, in Misson, Bassetlaw. Campaign group Bassetlaw Against Fracking said the drilling operation would be "devastating" for wildlife. Nottinghamshire County Council said the application did not include proposals for hydraulic fracturing - better known as fracking. IGas has applied to carry out test drilling to check the suitability of the rock for shale gas extraction, through fracking. A separate application would have to be made to carry out fracking. IGas plans to develop one vertical exploratory shale gas well, drilling for about 14 weeks, and possibly a second horizontal well, drilling for about 19 weeks. During drilling, operations would take place 24 hours a day. The authority said at the project's peak there would be an average of 18 heavy goods vehicles and 10 light vehicles visiting the site each day. David Larder, campaign group chairman, said: "We object to the 24 hour a day drilling for several months. The noise of this operation and the vibration will have a devastating effect upon the wildlife." Sally Gill, planning manager for the county council, said: "If permission is granted, the test drilling would allow IGas to evaluate the potential resource of shale gas trapped beneath the surface. "Depending on the results of the test drilling, IGas may, or may not, seek permission to extract the shale gas using fracking, but that would require a separate planning application which would be subject to further consultation." Before this stage of the exploration process, the company is required to monitor methane levels in groundwater for 12 months. A separate application has been submitted, which is yet to be considered.

The first application to explore for shale gas in the East Midlands has been submitted to a Nottinghamshire council.

They made the appeal at an election hustings in Belfast on Tuesday. The event was attended by representatives from the five largest political parties. Speaking though an interpreter, Majella McAteer from the British Deaf Association says the move was long overdue. "Language, such as Irish or Ulster Scots, whilst they provide people in Northern Ireland with an option, you can choose to use Irish or Ulster Scots, sign language is ultimately a language of lead, it's completely different," she said. Ms McAteer said the event provided an opportunity for those attending to learn at first hand more about the issues on the campaign trail. "It's an opportunity for the deaf people to come along and see in their first language, which is sign language, five parties and their representatives giving some information about their manifestos and their political policies," she said. "It's giving deaf people an opportunity to make some better and more informed decisions about which party they'll vote for."

Members of Northern Ireland's deaf community have called for the introduction of a sign language act.

The storms over the weekend killed six people, including two Girl Guides who were crushed by a falling tree. Thousands of homes were also damaged. Poland's chief forester Konrad Tomaszewski said it would take up to two years to clear the fallen trees, and decades for the lost natural habitat to recover. He called it "undoubtedly the worst disaster in the history of Polish - and perhaps even European - forestry". It is estimated the storms brought down over eight million cubic metres of lumber across 45,000 hectares of forest. Some of the hardest hit areas were Torun, Gdansk, and Poznan - all in the northern and western parts of the country. In Torun alone, the storms left more than 23,000 hectares of damaged forest. It also destroyed the habitats of rare species. In a statement (in Polish), Polish State Forests said they found "destroyed bird nests" and "dead animals that failed to escape the storm." The disaster comes as the Polish government faces criticism for logging in Europe's oldest forest, which is situated in the east of the country. The Bialowieza forest is a Unesco world heritage site that sits along Poland's border with Belarus, and is home to rare wildlife. Unesco, EU officials, and green activists have all opposed logging there and last month the European Union's top court ordered that large-scale logging operations be immediately stopped. Logging banned in Europe's oldest forest The Polish government responded by saying logging was necessary to protect the forest from an infestation of bark beetle. The European Court of Justice will meet in a few months to determine whether the injunction will remain in place. The European Commission is taking legal action against Warsaw, and if Poland loses the case it will be liable for multimillion euro fines.

Tens of thousands of trees have been brought down by storms that wreaked havoc across northern and western Poland, the forestry service says.

The Roughyeds, fourth from bottom of the second tier, led 24-6 at the break with tries from Will Hope, Richard Lepori, Steve Roper and Adam Clay. Shaun Lunt, Dane Tilse, Maurice Blair and Joe Wardill crossed after the break to give the Super League side hope. But missed conversions proved costly as Gary Middlehurst and Lepori's second try secured victory for Oldham. Hull KR coach James Webster described his side's performance as an "utter embarrassment". Media playback is not supported on this device Rovers, who lost 50-0 to Leeds in last year's final at Wembley, have only won twice in Super League this season and lost 40-0 to Catalans Dragons in their last match. They were still expected to beat part-timers Oldham, who are in their first season in the Championship after winning promotion from League 1. Yet Oldham outscored them six tries to five, while Lewis Palfrey's six goals to Ben Cockayne's one gave the second-tier side an ultimately comfortable margin of victory against the hosts, who finished with 12 men after Cockayne was sent to the sin-bin moments before Lepori's try with the game's last move. Meanwhile, last season's Championship winners and Challenge Cup giant killers Leigh, who knocked out Super League sides Wakefield and Salford, are out after losing 10-8 at League 1 side Toulouse. Batley Bulldogs are also through to the sixth round after a 28-10 victory over fellow Championship side Featherstone Rovers. Oldham Roughyeds coach Scott Naylor: "This is probably the biggest win since the club reformed [in 1997]. We spoke about getting to 20 minutes, then 30 minutes and see what happens. "We didn't expect the half-time score to be 24-6 and we knew they would come out in the second half and have a go after getting a bit of a roasting. For the club, this is something we'll cherish. "It's a massive day for Oldham and it could be a massive night for the players. I'll go home and have a few beers with my family." Hull KR coach James Webster: "It was the biggest embarrassment of my career since before I left school. What we dished up was utter embarrassment. "I've protected these boys since I've been here, but I have to apologise to everyone associated with this club. That is not of a level that's needed to pick up the wage they pick up. "Supporters give up cars, holidays to follow this club because I deal with these people every day. I understand what people think and it's all true. "Well done to Oldham because I thought they played very well." Hull KR: Cockayne, Wardill, Sio, Thornley, Dixon, Blair, Marsh, Tilse, Lunt, Green, Greenwood, Clarkson, Walker. Replacements: Mulhern, Donaldson, Boudebza, Lawler. Oldham: Lepori, Clay, Gee, Grimshaw, Chisholm, Palfrey, Roper, Joy, Owen, Spencer, Middlehurst, Langtree, Hope. Replacements: Ward, Hughes, Files, Thompson Ref: S Ansell

Championship side Oldham Roughyeds stunned last season's Challenge Cup finalists Hull KR to reach the last 16.

Aguirre was best known for his role in the long-running children's TV series El Chavo del Ocho, where he played the teacher, Professor Jirafales. Episodes of the programme were repeated for years across Latin America, dubbed into Portuguese in Brazil. He had been very ill for some time and died in his home in Puerto Vallarta. In his role as Professor Jirafales, a play on the word "giraffe" because Ruben Aguirre was very tall and skinny, he enchanted his audience with his gentle slapstick humour, his catchphrases and his character's courtship of a local woman who had a cheeky son in his class. He had started early in show business, first in radio, then television, and played various comedy roles. In the nineties when his television contracts had finished he bought a circus and travelled with it across the Americas. At one time he had earned a living as a bull-fighting commentator and he presented the first bullfight broadcast live via satellite from Madrid to Mexico.

Mexican comic actor Ruben Aguirre, loved by millions of children and adults across Latin America, has died, aged 82.

The new deal with French oil and gas company Total will begin with the 2017 Africa cup of Nations finals in Gabon. For the time being the value of the deal has not been revealed. "The parties have agreed not to release the amount of the deal for time being," Caf's director of communication, Junior Binyam, told BBC Sport. Total take over from mobile phone company Orange, whose deal came to an end in 2016, as headline sponsor of its 10 competitions. "This partnership is a major milestone in our ongoing search for additional resources to accelerate African football's development, bring its governance up to date, upgrade its sports infrastructure and advance its performance globally," Caf president Issa Hayatou said in a statement. Patrick Pouyanné, president and chief executive officer of Total, had this to say on the deal: "Football is equal parts enthusiasm, sharing and team performance, concepts that resonate across cultures. "We are delighted to partner with Caf, because Africa is part of Total's makeup. "Through this commitment, we hope to strengthen ties to our stakeholders and customers through exciting, celebratory events that are always popular, including within our own teams."

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has signed a new main sponsor for its top club and national team competitions for the next eight years.

The Portuguese side went ahead early on through a Ricardo Quaresma penalty, after Manuel Neuer tripped striker Jackson Martinez in the box. Winger Quaresma then dispossessed Dante before running through on goal and calmly slotting a second into the net. Thiago pulled a goal back for Bayern, but Martinez grabbed a brilliant third. The return leg takes place on 21 April. Porto hold a significant advantage in the tie as they aim to reach their first semi-final since winning the competition in 2004 under Jose Mourinho. Their performance was built on hard work and pressure, before moving the ball quickly to the front, but they were helped by shambolic defending from Bayern. The Germans - who boasted an 11-game unbeaten run in Portugal - managed to claim an away goal, but missed key players including wingers Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben, as well as midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger. Porto boss Julen Lopetegui and Bayern's Pep Guardiola played together at Barcelona in the 1990s, and 48-year-old Lopetegui's tactics were spot on at Estadio do Dragao. The ex-Real Madrid Castilla man deployed a high-intensity pressing game, giving his former team-mate's side little time on the ball. And it worked instantly as Bayern went behind after three minutes. Midfielder Xabi Alonso was caught in possession by the returning Martinez - playing after six weeks out with a groin injury - who attempted to round goalkeeper Neuer but was brought down. The German received only a yellow card, as the Colombian front man had been running away from goal, and Quaresma dispatched the penalty. Minutes later, former Barcelona and Inter Milan man Quaresma doubled the lead after nicking the ball from Dante, before keeping his composure to stroke home. The visitors reduced the deficit through Thiago, who swept home Jerome Boateng's cross, but Martinez's beautifully taken third with instant control and cool finish - after the ball sailed over Boateng's head - leaves the five-time winners with much to do in the second leg. Porto manager Julen Lopetegui: "It was fundamental that we tried our best to impose ourselves on Bayern and not give them a chance to settle. "We are facing one of the strongest Bayern teams in history. The hardest part will be in Munich. "We will need to produce a perfect performance in Germany next week to progress." Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola: "There's still another leg. We're a bit upset but we have six days to analyse it. "We have players who were out a long time with injuries - their legs don't last very long," "It's a tough result to take into the second leg, but we'll give it a go."

Porto shocked Bayern Munich to take a first-leg lead in an entertaining Champions League quarter-final tie.

The Northern Irishman's win in the Tour Championship, which also saw him land the $10m (£7.7m) FedEx Cup prize, was his second victory in three weeks. "We were all in the bar watching last night when he won. It was a great moment and a huge boost," Lawrie said. "He is obviously back to his best and that bodes well for the team." Lawrie, 47, flew out to the United States on Monday with captain Darren Clarke and other members of the European team. The Scot, one of five vice-captains alongside Thomas Bjorn, Sam Torrance, Padraig Harrington and Ian Poulter, insists the Europeans are not fazed by the United States' billing as favourites on home soil. "I don't think it really matters if we are the underdogs or not," Lawrie said. "Everyone is extremely happy with the team we have got. There are lot of unbelievable players in there. "We are going to focus on what we can bring to the party, and we are all really looking forward to it. "I think the boys will lean quite heavily on you as a vice-captain. Darren has not chosen you and is not asking for your opinion if you are not going to give it. "I have no problem giving it if he asks me. I have known him a long time and I will give him an honest answer." With six rookies among Europe's line-up, Lawrie hopes his two Ryder Cups as a player - both in America - will be beneficial to the team. Lawrie contributed 3½ points to the 'Battle of Brookline' in 1999, when the US recovered from 10-6 down to win 14½-13½, a contest remembered for most of the US team invading the 17th green thinking the match was over while Jose Maria Olazabal still had a putt to halve the hole against Justin Leonard. He also featured in the 'Miracle of Medinah' four years ago, as Europe completed a stunning comeback from 10-4 down during the Saturday afternoon fourballs to win 14½-13½, the Scot winning his singles match for a second time. "We all know how tough it is to play out there," Lawrie added. "The fans get into it and the majority of the fans watching are American and home supporters. "I hope to be able to pass on to the boys who have not played over there before what it is like, and what they can expect." The first practice day is on Tuesday, with the three-day contest starting on Friday, 30 September with the first foursomes at 13:35 BST, and the fourballs scheduled to follow at 18:30 BST. The match concludes with the singles on Sunday, 2 October, starting at 17:00 BST.

Vice-captain Paul Lawrie says Rory McIlroy's recent form is a "huge boost" to Europe's Ryder Cup team ahead of this week's contest at Hazeltine.

Police say 540,000 people rallied in Barcelona, the capital of the region in north-east Spain, while the rest gathered in four other Catalan towns. But numbers were down sharply compared with last year's event, when 1.4 million rallied in Barcelona alone. Spain has consistently blocked attempts to hold a referendum on secession. Catalan regional president Carles Puigdemont had urged support for "converting Catalonia into an independent state". Divisions have also emerged between the separatist movement's main political grouping in the Catalan parliament, the Together for Yes coalition, and its radical leftwing ally, the CUP. Mr Puigdemont, who took power in January, faces a confidence vote on 28 September. He advocates a negotiated withdrawal from Spain. When Catalan nationalists held an unofficial referendum on independence in November 2014, 80% of those who voted backed independence. Sunday is the "Diada", Catalonia's national day. It commemorates the moment in 1714 when Barcelona fell to troops loyal to Spain's King Philip V during the War of the Spanish Succession. "We have to move towards the final outcome," 58-year-old office clerk Xavier Borras, who planned to attend the rally in Barcelona with a friend, told AFP news agency. "We can't wait any longer." Spain's leading parties, deadlocked in their efforts to form a new government after two inconclusive general elections since December, have shown little sympathy for Catalan grievances. The region of 7.5 million people makes up 16% of Spain's population and accounts for almost 19% of national GDP.

Some 800,000 people have turned out in Barcelona and other towns in Catalonia on a day of rallies by nationalists wishing to break with Spain.