Four councils have pledged £250,000 for a detailed traffic modelling plan to look at traffic on both sides of the proposed bridge in detail. The idea for a new bridge to ease congestion in Reading town centre has been circulating for about 40 years. There are three main routes over the Thames in the area, two in Caversham, Reading and one in Sonning, Wokingham. Wokingham and Reading Borough Councils, along with Oxfordshire County Council and South Oxfordshire District Council have all pledged money for the study. A spokesman for South Oxfordshire District Council said: "We are mindful of the potential negative impact that a scheme such as and additional bridge could have on the road network within South Oxfordshire. "However we are committed to working with neighbouring authorities to identify solutions which may ease the traffic problems." Wokingham council leader Keith Baker, said other ideas to ease the traffic congestion including an expanded park-and-ride route were "tinkering at the edges - we need to do something big". Mr Baker said: "We've had an extensive traffic model for our area but what we didn't have was going across the river into Oxfordshire. "That hopefully will give us the definitive evidence to start mitigating against some of the issues that Oxfordshire County Council have." The bridge and any road alterations would cost between £60m and £100m, which would require government funding.

Summary: A feasibility study into a third River Thames bridge in the Reading area has been given council backing.


The company has been negotiating with the pension regulator and the PPF in a bid to offload its pension liabilities and a decision is expected soon. Most, if not all, members of the scheme would see a reduction in benefits. Those under retirement age would receive an immediate 10% cut in their pension pot. In addition, annual payments to most members, including those already retired, would be less in the PPF than if the Hoover scheme continued. At about £500m, the pension scheme is roughly the same size as BHS. BHS pensions is already receiving compensation from PPF which acts as a lifeboat for pensions so people are paid even when a company goes bust or is about to and if there are insufficient assets in the scheme. BHS is being assessed for take-over by the organisation. The Hoover scheme has a deficit of about £250m. Parent company Hoover Candy stopped producing washing machines in Merthyr Tydfil in 2009, blaming competition in the marketplace. More than 300 workers lost their jobs although there is still a head office and a distribution warehouse in the town. It is believed about half of the Hoover pension scheme's 7,800 members live in Wales. Pensions expert Stuart Price, partner at Quantum Advisory, said: "Members of the pension schemes will lose out on their benefits but, on the flipside, those still employed by the company will retain their jobs. "At the moment they [members] don't know what's happening so they can't really plan for their short-term future. "If they get a 10% reduction [for those under 65] and lower increases in the future they might find it very hard to overcome." Will you be affected by a change to the Hoover pensions scheme? You can contact us in the following ways: Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist.

Summary: Up to 4,000 people in Wales could be affected if the Hoover pension scheme goes into the Pension Protection Fund (PPF), BBC Wales understands.


Visitors are expected to flock to The Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh (RBGE) at the peak of the plant's pungency over the next three days. The giant Amorphophallus Titanum has a strong smell of rotting flesh. Horticulturist Sadie Barber says she was ''thrilled to finally see and smell" the plant after "12 years of careful cultivation''. The plant, which has the heaviest corm ever recorded (153.9kgs) has produced seven leaves in the 12 years that it has been at the garden, so horticulturists are "delighted to finally" have a flower. Ms Barber, who was gifted the corm in 2003 by Hortus Botanicus in Leiden, Netherlands, said: "We are thrilled to finally see, and smell, this incredible curiosity of the plant world after 12 years of careful cultivation by the Horticulture team at RBGE. "The spadix has so far reached an impressive height of 255cm and may even grow a few centimetres more in the next days. "It really is one of the most extraordinary flowering plants we have ever seen, and great to think that something that grows naturally so far away can be enjoyed by visitors to the Garden here in Edinburgh.''

Summary: One of the world's largest and smelliest flowers has blossomed for the first time in Scotland.


Aimee and Carl Pistorius said they were anxious ahead of Tuesday's hearing, and that the truth had been "twisted and manipulated" and "sensationalised". Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide after shooting dead girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, but cleared of murder. The prosecution has argued for a minimum 10-year jail sentence. Speaking to South African broadcaster eNCA, Aimee Pistorius said there was "obviously a lot of anxiety" ahead of the sentencing, and that the last 20 months had been "very taxing". She said she felt "heartache for both my brother, our family and of course Steenkamp's family and her friends", adding that both families would struggle to move on. "It's something that you never really get closure on... It's something that my brother will carry with him for the rest of his life. "It is important for us that [Ms Steenkamp's family] know that she was very much cared for and loved, and accepted as part of our family in the short time that she was with us... [Reeva] had a wonderful charisma and zest for life that she just exuded and it was easy to just fall in love with her." She added: "The truths had been twisted and manipulated, and things have been sensationalised. It causes hurt when things are also reported as fact when they are not." Carl Pistorius said the hardest part of the situation was "all the negative media, polarised publicity, twisted truths and untruths, and how that infiltrates your life regardless of whether you try to or try not to follow the media". "It permeates the very atmosphere of everywhere you go, including those that are close to you," he said. He added that he could not speculate on the outcome of the sentencing, but said "tomorrow will also be very difficult. This is a weight that we all carry". The high-profile, seven-month trial has captured public attention in South Africa and beyond. Pistorius, a Paralympic sprinter, denied murdering Ms Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year, saying he shot her by mistake, fearing there was an intruder in the house. Ms Steenkamp, a model, reality TV star and law graduate, was hit three times by bullets shot through a toilet door by Pistorius at his home in the capital, Pretoria. Last month, Judge Thokozile Masipa cleared Pistorius of murder, but convicted him of culpable homicide, saying he had been negligent. There is no legal limit on the length of a jail term, but experts say the typical maximum sentence for the crime is around 15 years. Pistorius' defence team has argued for him to be given community service and house arrest, a suggestion the prosecution said would be "shockingly disproportionate".

Summary: Oscar Pistorius' siblings have criticised media coverage of his trial, on the eve of the South African athlete's sentencing.


The two sides in the decades-old conflict have been holding peace talks since 2012. The Northern Ireland delegation includes the Rev Harold Good, Sinn Fein's Paul Maskey, the DUP's Jeffrey Donaldson and the SDLP's Mark Durkan. Two representatives from South Africa's ANC will also be attending. The Northern Ireland delegation will share their experiences of the peace process, particularly the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. Last month, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said that he had given his negotiating team instructions to resolve the outstanding issues before 23 March 2016. Since starting official peace talks in Havana in November 2012, the two sides have struck deals on land reform, political participation, illegal drugs and now transitional justice. However, none of these agreements will come into force until both sides put their signatures to the final agreement. An estimated 220,000 people have been killed in the conflict since the 1960s, and more than five million internally displaced. About 8,000 left-wing Farc rebels continue fighting. Rev Harold Good was one of two independent witnesses, the other being Fr Alec Reid, who oversaw the decommissioning of IRA weapons, a vital part of the peace process. Mr Durkan said he was "delighted to share any insights or experiences I have had that could in any way help efforts to achieve peace in Colombia. "Trade union and human rights groups have been engaging with people here on a cross-party basis for a number of years," he added.

Summary: A delegation from Northern Ireland is travelling to Cuba to provide support for peace talks between the Colombian government and the Farc rebel group.


Four tickets were purchased by Bournville College in Birmingham under former principal Norman Cave, a Freedom of Information request has revealed. The Longbridge further education college also held a Â£170,000 centenary event, a Â£35,000 staff party, and paid consultants Â£2.8m over three years. Mr Cave, who has since retired, denied any claims of financial mismanagement. Updates on this story and more from Birmingham New bosses at the college said they no longer had the season tickets. A whistleblower, who wished to remain anonymous, said previous management was "chaotic" and it was "clear funds were spent where they shouldn't have been". Referring to the Manchester United tickets, the source told the BBC: "I could possibly understand it if it were a local team [and] you would be showing off Birmingham at its best, but Manchester? No." More than 100 redundancies were made at the college during the last year- almost a quarter of the workforce. New interim principal Michelle Sutton said: "The college has experienced a period of financial challenges as a result of some of the strategic decisions that have been taken in the past." She said the management team had been halved in size and that a recovery plan was now in place. Regarding the football tickets, the college added: "The previous management team pursued a strategy of growth, of which the relationship with Manchester United was part. "The new management team and board cannot comment further on the rationale and detail behind decisions taken by the previous management team. "However, we can confirm that these arrangements no longer exist."

Summary: A college bought Manchester United season tickets in a "growth strategy" before cutting more than 100 jobs.


South Wales Police said 39-year-old Angharad Bullock was reported missing on 28 April, along with the toddler. Officers are concerned for the welfare of the pair.

Summary: Police are searching for a woman who has gone missing with her three-year-old son.


The roundabout, which saw more than 80 collisions and 90 people injured in 2012-14, was replaced with two-way traffic on Sunday. Transport for London (TfL) said congestion was due to "traffic getting used to the new layout". "It's a very busy junction and it always will be," a spokesman said. The reintroduction of two-way traffic at the junction for the first time in 50 years was a "key milestone" in the £25m transformation at Elephant and Castle, TfL said. In addition to the new road layout, left turns from Newington Causeway towards New Kent Road and right turns from New Kent Road to Newington Causeway have also been banned. But road users took to Twitter to complain about their Monday morning commute. "It's 8am and the queue for the new #elephantandcastle junction starts somewhere south of Camberwell. allow extra 1hr 4 journey (or walk!)", a Twitter user posted. "Shock horror! All approaches to Elephant and Castle worse than ever. Only TfL could spend millions and millions to make something worse!" tweeted @tango97. Andy Woodward tweeted: "Delays around Elephant and Castle even worse today. If this was the tube there would be outcry. Commuters use buses too!" Road users had been advised of traffic changes with a countdown to the traffic switch and advisors and police were on site to help keep traffic moving, the TfL spokesman said. A spokesman for London TravelWatch said: "It's early days - we need to wait and see how it pans out." TfL plans to convert the space created by removing the roundabout into a new public area. It will replace subways with new pedestrian crossings, create new cycle routes and introduce a 20mph speed limit, TfL said.

Summary: The removal of the Elephant and Castle roundabout has been causing chaos for commuters, with motorists complaining of queues of more than an hour.


Now, as Jaguar Land Rover announces plans to create an extra 1,700 jobs at its base in Solihull - on top of 800 created in January - is the West Midlands town becoming "Land Rover Land"? Discovery, Defender, and Freelander models line the leafy cul-de-sacs that surround the plant on the outskirts of the town centre. Families talk about the difficulty of finding their cars in supermarket car parks because there are now so many of the same cars from the same company. Even Solihull Council is in on the act, with the mayoral car being - of course - a black 2013 Range Rover Vogue. "Suddenly they are everywhere, throughout the streets of Solihull," said mayor Joe Tildesley. "I look out the window and it's the first car I see. It's a status vehicle people aspire to have. "They are here and are - quite properly - endorsed by many people, including the council. I don't see it as a bad thing." Mother-of-three Julie Henn, lives in Nerstal Drive in Solihull, just a stone's throw away from the Jaguar Land Rover site. The 55-year-old said she regretted leaving her Land Rover behind so much when she moved to the UK from South Africa about eight years ago that she ended up buying a replacement soon afterwards. Her husband is now hoping to buy a new one as well. "There was not a day that went by when I did not regret it," she said. "Now I can't believe how many there are. On Saturday I saw four in a row. "A Range Rover, two Discoveries and a Freelander - one after the other." Mrs Henn said she knew people who struggled to find their Land Rovers in supermarket car parks because they were so common. Mother-of two Joanne Rumney, who lives around the corner in Oakslade Drive, owns a Land Rover Discovery from the 1990s. "People are proud to have JLR here," said the 38-year-old. "It has a status that people like. They are good family cars." Jaguar Land Rover, which also has manufacturing bases in Castle Bromwich and Halewood on Merseyside, has said the latest announcement will bring the total number of jobs it has created in the UK over the past three years to almost 11,000. Mr Tildesley said the firm's investment had "undoubtedly" boosted Solihull with other firms benefiting from knock-on trade. Rachael Eade, from the Manufacturing Advisory Service, said every job created by vehicle manufacturers leads to two or three in the supply chain. "It's a huge confidence booster locally and UK-wide," she said. "It's 1,700 jobs and three times that in the supply chain. "I think the new technology involved will attract a new, younger market and will make a difference to the supply chain. "Younger people have more of a desire to be involved in that as they probably view car manufacturing to be a bit dusty, dirty and not for them." But not everyone is happy. Some shops said the expansion had brought with it increased parking problems. Terry Cosma, manager of Solihull Fish

Summary: Swindon is known by some as "Honda Town" and Detroit as "Motor City".


Media playback is not supported on this device The Real Madrid forward picked up his second yellow card of the campaign during Friday's 0-0 draw with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin. Bale will miss one game through suspension, the visit to Group D leaders Serbia on June 11. "It's up to us to fill that gap, go there and get a result," Gunter said. Neil Taylor will also be absent in Belgrade, the Aston Villa defender facing a potential three-match ban for the challenge which saw Republic captain Seamus Coleman require surgery on his shattered right leg. Reading defender Gunter, who became Wales' joint-third most capped player on Friday, says Wales have shown they can win without key players, even Bale, the world's second most expensive player. "We've missed important players in the past and we've always said it's not a one-man team," Gunter said. "For Gaz to play well, he needs the team. That won't change in the summer. "You'd rather him in your team, but he's not there and we've got to get a result. "We're more than capable with the squad we have to go and do that, with or without any of our players. "We will deal with it and move on." Bale, who has scored four goals in this campaign, has not missed a competitive international since October 2013 - having featured in 21 successive competitive matches. His absence comes at a difficult time for third-placed Wales who are four points adrift of Serbia and the Republic of Ireland at the halfway stage, having drawn four of their five matches in Group D. But Gunter said: "We've still got enough games to put a run of wins together and you can't predict how other results will go. "We'd like to have picked up a couple more points, but it's never easy to qualify. "We're still unbeaten and we're not far away from turning these draws into victories. "Even though it could be better, we're not in the worst position we've ever been in. "We've shown in the past that we can go anywhere and put wins together. We've got to remember that and stay positive." The Dublin draw was overshadowed by the horrendous injury to Everton defender Coleman. Media playback is not supported on this device Coleman was treated at length on the pitch and given oxygen before being taken off the field on a stretcher. Asked if there was some incitement, with Republic midfielder Glenn Whelan having earlier struck his Stoke team-mate Joe Allen with a flailing forearm, Wales manager Chris Coleman said: "Our boys will stand up for themselves because you have to. "Take the Seamus Coleman incident out of it and there was a bit of needle, but you've got to expect that. "What you don't expect is for anybody to come off with a serious injury - you don't want to see that. "But there are no complaints for me, saying the Irish boys are this, that or the other. Ireland did what they needed to do." The Wales manager continued his

Summary: Chris Gunter says Wales will prove they are not a one-man team as they attempt to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive without Gareth Bale.


Sistercharlie was second, with Terrakova third. Frankie Dettori managed to navigate Shutter Speed into a good position but she could not reply as Senga found top gear in the home straight. Senga is trained by Pascal Bary and was ridden by 39-year-old Frenchman Stephane Pasquier. Dettori, 46, was competing for the first time since he was thrown from his mount before racing at Great Yarmouth on Tuesday. The Italian, who has ridden 56 winners at Royal Ascot, fell after Tivoli seemed to be startled. This year's Royal Ascot meeting starts on Tuesday.

Summary: Shutter Speed finished fourth and Rhododendron was pulled up by jockey Ryan Moore as Senga claimed victory at the Prix de Diane in Chantilly.


The Crown Estate said that leasing the sites for technology development was "critical" for the UK to unlock the potential of wave and tidal energy. First Minister Carwyn Jones said the benefits could be significant in terms of the economy and renewable energy. Wales's first commercial tidal energy farm is due to launch off Anglesey in summer 2016. Its electricity generators will operate like wind turbines but with blades driven by tidal wave action. Menter Mon and Wave Hub were confirmed by the Crown Estate as managers for the west Anglesey tidal and south Pembrokeshire wave demonstration zones respectively. They will prepare and manage the sites for sub-letting to developers. In addition, development rights for a tidal site off Holyhead Deep have been granted to Minesto. Rob Hastings, director of energy and infrastructure at the Crown Estate said: "By providing these additional seabed rights we are pleased to be enabling further technology development and commercialisation, which will be critical if the UK is to unlock its significant natural resources for wave and tidal current energy. "This innovative approach to leasing the seabed sees us responding to market demand and introducing managed demonstration zones to give other organisations the opportunity to lend tangible support in their local areas." First Minster Carwyn Jones said: "The energetic waters off our coast are ideal for marine renewable energy projects. "Our ports, supply-chain infrastructure and grid infrastructure also put us in an enviable position for developing a thriving marine energy market, both as a significant generator and as an exporter of marine energy knowledge, technologies and services." Gareth Clubb, director of Friends of the Earth Cymru said: "To having testing sites approved for marine renewable energy is a significant step forward."

Summary: Sites for testing wave and tidal energy off the west coast of Anglesey and south Pembrokeshire have been approved.


The nine employees were made redundant when Ilex closed earlier this year. Ilex was set up in 2003 to regenerate two former Army bases but was shut down in March amid accusations it failed to deliver enough investment and jobs. The ex-workers taking the legal action have accused the Northern Ireland Executive of breaching employment law. A spokesperson for the executive said it could not comment as the case was before an industrial tribunal, which is due to be heard early next year. Ilex was criticised in an independent review in July 2015 over failings in the redevelopment of Fort George Army base and Ebrington Barracks in Derry. The report said the lack of progress in infrastructure investment, specifically in developing business accommodation, was particularly concerning. Among its successes, however, the company pointed to its role in helping to build Derry's Peace Bridge and the opening of the Northern Ireland Science Park on the Fort George site. In March, 18 Ilex workers were made redundant and the two bases were handed over to Derry City and Strabane District Council. Nine of those workers are taking action against the Northern Ireland Executive claiming their jobs should also have been transferred to the council. They have accused the Northern Ireland Executive of breaching a law which ensures workers move from one employer to another when a business changes hands.

Summary: Former staff at a government-run regeneration body in Londonderry are taking a case against Stormont over the way they lost their jobs.


The veteran broadcaster died of cancer on Sunday at the age of 77. The books, in Sir Terry's birthplace of Limerick, will allow people to mark the passing of "a true son of Limerick", the city's mayor Liam Galvin said. Evans told listeners of the BBC Radio 2 show that made Sir Terry's name: "He was the absolute governor." A condolence book for Sir Terry has also been opened in the entrance of the BBC's New Broadcasting House in London. In a career spanning 50 years, Sir Terry hosted TV chat shows, fronted the Eurovision Song Contest and was the face of Children in Need, while his long-running Radio 2 breakfast show regularly drew millions of listeners. At the start of his breakfast show on Monday, Evans said: "He was radio's Eric Morecambe, Ronnie Barker, he was our Captain Mainwaring, our Basil Fawlty but he made us laugh every day for two hours and for over 30 years. "All unscripted, all ad lib, always supremely assured, unwaveringly confident. "And do you know why? Because he never took any of this seriously, least of all himself. He was the butt of most of his jokes. "Laugh and the world laughs with you, sure, but Terry knew that if you go one better, and laugh at yourself then you're really onto something." Evans described Sir Terry as his "radio dad" and said that Radio 2 was "in disbelief and shock". "He taught me so much about being on the radio and not being on the radio," added Evans. "He was the absolute governor, everybody knows that." BBC Radio 4 Today presenter John Humphrys also paid tribute on Monday's programme, calling Sir Terry "one of the greatest broadcasters of our age". "Terry would be surprised by that description, at least, he'd affect to be. He liked to say that he never did anything, that required more than the minimal effort, and his success was down to 'natural laziness'. Which of course was complete rubbish," he said. "You didn't get to be the consummate professional he was by being lazy. It's true that he had a few God-given advantages - he was charming and articulate and witty and quick-thinking and whimsical and subversive and sardonic and, well, the list is a very long one. "But Terry had something else as well. He liked his audience, and they liked him. They felt he wasn't broadcasting to the nation, he was just talking to them." Prime Minister David Cameron told Jeremy Vine's BBC Radio 2 show Sir Terry was a "wonderful human being". "I remember growing up watching Blankety Blank and then the Eurovision Song Contest and he always made you smile, made you laugh. He had this fantastic sense of humour," he said. Veteran broadcaster Sir Jimmy Young, who worked with Sir Terry on Radio 2, said he was "stunned" at the news and that his condolences were "very much with Helen and the family". Sir Terry died surrounded by his family "after a short but brave battle with cancer", a statement released by his family said.

Summary: Books of condolence have opened for Sir Terry Wogan, as his breakfast show successor Chris Evans paid tribute on air to "radio's Eric Morecambe".


Failed leadership candidate Lisa Duffy was having dinner with her staff in Bournemouth on Friday. No action was taken against the curry house, which had completed pre-employment checks. UKIP has long campaigned for tougher border controls to cut illegal immigration. Jay Beecher, a spokesman for Ms Duffy, said: "Watching our chef running away into the night, his apron flapping in the wind, was a surreal moment. "Politics can sometimes be such a stale and serous affair, so you have to see the funny side of things. "In this case too, I couldn't help [but] be tickled by the irony." The Border Agency questioned staff about their right to work and live in the UK. Diane James was elected ahead of Ms Duffy to succeed Nigel Farage as the UKIP's new leader on Friday.

Summary: Immigration officials raided an Indian restaurant during a UK Independence Party conference dinner, sending the chef "running into the night".


Media playback is not supported on this device The Foxes completed one of sport's greatest shocks when they won the league with a squad costing £57m. Winger Riyad Mahrez, striker Jamie Vardy and midfielder N'Golo Kante are among the previously unheralded players to be linked with moves away. "I'm very, very confident," Ranieri said. "Don't go. If you go another team, you might not get on the pitch." The Italian, who only replaced Nigel Pearson as manager last summer, was given a standing ovation by journalists as he came into his news conference for Saturday's home game with Everton. "From the beginning I felt something special," he said. "Never could I imagine this, but it's good. We work so hard." He laughed off suggestions that he could quit on a high this summer, and added he will not be signing global stars for next season's Champions League campaign. "I don't want big names here. My lads are special. We have to bring some good players but they must have the same spirit." Algeria forward Mahrez, 25, won the PFA Player of the Year award after scoring 17 goals and 11 assists. However, his agent Kamel Bengougam says it is "50/50 at the moment whether he stays or goes". "We have interest from the UK and overseas," he added. Everton boss Roberto Martinez, who takes his side to Leicester on Saturday at 17:30 BST, thinks a shock winner of the Premier League is likely to be a one-off. "What Leicester have achieved is a great inspiration for any team sport and for any group in order to dream high and have huge expectations but I think we need to be realistic that this is not the norm. "It's something we haven't seen in the modern game and I don't think that's going to be repeated easily." Media playback is not supported on this device Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew, whose side face Manchester United in the FA Cup final, said: "Leicester won it after 36 games. Last year for 10 games they were in the best form. For nearly 50 games they've been best in the country. "It's proof the underdog can do it. And it will give us a boost for the cup final. "Leicester have shattered the glass ceiling, and I thought it was impossible to break. They've gone and done it. Amazing. "Football isn't all logic. It's almost like some stardust has fallen on Leicester - great for them. Let's hope it falls on us for the final." Opera star Andrea Bocelli will perform at King Power Stadium before Saturday's game. Ranieri revealed the 57-year-old - who has sold more than 80 million records - called him and offered to perform two months ago. "He was so happy about what we were doing in Leicester. He said: 'I would like to come and sing something'. I said: 'Great, why not?'," said Ranieri. "I gave all the information to the club and they made all the arrangements. It is great for all the community."

Summary: Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has asked his Premier League title winners to "stay one year more".


Drivers from the Rail, Maritime and Transport union have unanimously backed the deal. Aslef officer Finn Brennan said the new agreement offered "real improvements in conditions". Maintenance workers represented by the TSSA and RMT have rejected the proposal, as have Unite members. Aslef said its members voted by almost nine to one to accept the deal, clearing another hurdle in plans for a Night Tube. The service was due to start on some lines at weekends last September but has been delayed because of failure to reach agreement with the unions over pay and conditions. Aslef officer Finn Brennan said union members' "strength and solidarity have achieved an above-inflation pay rise and real improvements in conditions that will give drivers, and other grades, much more flexibility and control over their work-life balance". Steve Griffiths, London Underground's chief operating officer, said: "I'm pleased that Aslef members have voted to accept our offer. "This is a fair and affordable pay deal." Mr Griffiths added LU wanted to "deliver the night Tube for London as quickly as possible".

Summary: London Underground train drivers with the Aslef union have voted to accept a pay deal for a new all-night Tube service.


County are tenants at the ground which is also used by rugby union teams Newport Gwent Dragons and Newport RFC. "We've already made our position clear in respect to the pitch issues and what we're dealing with," Davies said. "It points to the fact Newport County are bottom of the league and I suggest he focuses on preparing his own side." "I'm not sure why he [Westley] feels it necessary to go on about it," Davies told BBC Wales Sport. Davies is also the chief executive of Rodney Parade Limited, which owns the ground and agreed a 10-year lease for the football club to use the stadium in 2013. On Thursday, Westley questioned whether Newport County were getting value for money out of the leasing deal. The Exiles have had two games - against Morecambe and Barnet - abandoned at half-time while their game against Stevenage in October was postponed because of the state of the pitch. "It costs us more for us to have County playing there than it's worth. The estimated cost of drainage work is worth twice as much as we receive from County each season," Davies continued. The Dragons were beaten 10-0 by Ospreys at Rodney Parade on New Year's Day on a dreadful pitch and Davies says he is aware of the state of the playing surface. "This issue is very important and I'm not trying to say the pitch is perfect. We're doing all we can to repair the pitch but there's no short-term solution," he said. "In the meantime, it helps no-one that it continues to dominate the agenda."

Summary: Newport Gwent Dragons chief executive Stuart Davies says he is disappointed at Newport County boss Graham Westley's criticism of the Rodney Parade pitch.


The commission had barred Mr Shafiq on Tuesday under a law that prevents senior officials from the era of President Hosni Mubarak from standing. However, on Wednesday the commission upheld Mr Shafiq's appeal. Mr Shafiq was the last prime minister to serve under Mr Mubarak, who was ousted by protests in February 2011. "The decision to accept my client's appeal proves that the electoral committee functions as an independent body according to the rule of law," Shafiq's lawyer, Shawqi Sayyid, said, according to Reuters. The law under which Mr Shafiq was originally disqualified bars from the presidency anyone who served in senior positions in government and the former ruling National Democratic Party under President Mubarak. The law had been rushed through the Islamist-dominated parliament and ratified by the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (Scaf) on Tuesday. However, in his appeal Mr Shafiq challenged the measure's constitutionality and the commission has now referred the law to Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court. The commission is due to announce the final list of candidates on Thursday. Mr Mubarak's former vice-president and spy chief, Omar Suleiman, has also been disqualified for different reasons, along with two Islamists - Khairat al-Shater of the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafist Hazem Abu Ismail. The front-runners among those left in the race are considered to be former Foreign Minister Amr Moussa, the independent moderate Islamist Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh and Mohammed Mursi, the chairman of the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP). The first round of voting is scheduled on 23 and 24 May, after which there is expected to be a run-off between the top two candidates in June. The ruling Scaf, which assumed presidential powers after Hosni Mubarak was overthrown, is due to hand over to the new president on 1 July.

Summary: Egypt's election commission has reinstated former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq as a candidate in the country's forthcoming presidential election.


The St Athan Search and Rescue Helicopter Service was officially launched on Thursday. From its £7m Vale of Glamorgan base, it will conduct land and sea missions previously carried out by the RAF. It started operating on 4 October and has so far completed eight missions. The new base is one of 10 being set up around the UK by 2017, with 22 helicopters set to conduct land and sea searches on behalf of HM Coastguard. A ten-year contract was awarded by the Department for Transport to Bristow Helicopters to deliver the service. Two of the new bases are in Wales, with one in Caernarfon, Gwynedd replacing RAF Valley and St Athan covering an area once served by helicopters from RAF Chivenor in Devon. There are two Agusta Westland AW139 helicopters based at St Athan, each worth around £7.5m and fitted with night vision and state-of-the art medical equipment. "We aim to be ready to fly within 15 minutes of the call in the day and 45 minutes at night. But for the last emergency we were airborne in seven minutes," said Capt Olly Padbury. "We also had a call within 45 minutes of going live on 4 October, so it shows the importance of the service." The 30-person team will be on 24-hour call and cover an area that runs roughly between mid Wales, Bude in Cornwall, Oxford and London. Capt Padbury said the base's location meant the two helicopters could get quickly to areas that receive large amounts of emergency calls- such as Worm's Head on Gower, Fishguard in Pembrokeshire and Woolacombe Beach in Devon. Moving at speeds of roughly 160mph, the crew travelled to Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, in seven minutes to answer a call of a man stuck in mud recently. Other call-outs have been to a horse rider who fell in west Wales and someone who had fallen at Cheddar Gorge, Somerset. Another recent mission was to aid the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team, who made an emergency call after a walker fell near Ystradfellte, Powys and had a pelvis injury. Richard Parkes, the director of maritime operations at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, called the base launch a "bittersweet" moment. He praised the previous rescue work conducted from Chivenor, saying: "A high benchmark has been set by the RAF through 70 years of search and rescue. "The challenge is to emulate it."

Summary: Rescues of a fallen horse rider, someone trapped in a gorge and a man stuck in mud are among the first missions completed by a new helicopter unit.


Pakistan's military spokesman says the line has just been used for the first time as the two countries work to improve co-ordination along the border. The move was agreed when Pakistani army chief Raheel Sharif visited Kabul. Security co-operation between the two countries is seen as crucial in countering the growing Taliban threat. Earlier this month Afghan President Ashraf Ghani blamed Pakistan-based militant groups for the escalating violence. Afghan officials often accuse Pakistan of controlling the Afghan Taliban. The say that Islamabad allows the most senior Afghan Taliban leaders to operate freely there. Pakistan denies this although it admits having contacts with the militants. News of the hotline comes as Afghanistan will host discussions next week with Pakistan, the US and China to prepare the ground for possible Afghan peace talks involving the Taliban. Afghanistan sees Pakistani support as crucial if negotiations with the Taliban are to be successful. President Ghani has recently moved towards strengthening ties with Pakistan - the Taliban's historic supporters - in what correspondents say is a desperate bid to restart peace negotiations as the insurgency spreads. The president warned that the presence of international militant groups - including al-Qaeda, Islamic State and militant groups from China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and the Middle East - was growing in Afghanistan. Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said at the beginning of this month that "working for the achievement of a peaceful neighbourhood is a cardinal principal of Pakistan's foreign policy". "We should envisage collective and co-ordinated measures on the regional security front to ensure that the gains and struggle against terrorism are durable and irreversible," he said.

Summary: Pakistan and Afghanistan have established a hotline between their respective military commanders to reduce frequent cross-border tensions.


A 38-year-old man, who was a back seat car passenger, is in a critical but stable condition in hospital following the B9080 crash at about 22:15 on Wednesday. The injured passenger suffered serious stomach and abdomen injuries. The Vauxhall Zafira was travelling south when it crashed with a First bus between Kirkliston and Winchburgh. The driver of the car, a 58-year-old man, suffered spinal injuries and a fractured ankle. The front seat passenger, a 34-year-old man, had injuries to his face and leg. All were admitted to hospital. Three of the bus passengers were treated in hospital for minor injuries. They have all since been discharged. Police said the driver and six other passengers on the single-decker bus were treated at the scene. The bus had 26 people on board. A First Bluebird spokeswoman: "We can confirm that one of our Service 38 vehicles was involved in a collision yesterday at around 22:15 between Kirkliston and Winchburgh. The bus was travelling to Falkirk from Edinburgh. "Unfortunately the incident resulted in a number of injuries and our thoughts are with the injured at this time. "We have launched an investigation to establish exactly what happened and are assisting Police Scotland with their inquiries."

Summary: Police are appealing for witnesses following a head-on crash between a car and a bus in West Lothian.


Andrew Barrett, 32, from Norfolk, worked for the East of England Ambulance Service but resigned when he was charged. The girl was aged 14 and 15 when she was sexually assaulted in summer 2013 and May last year. Barrett, of Rayners Way, Mattishall, who was not on duty when he committed the offences, was jailed for 16 months. Norwich Crown Court heard the father of one met the girl while doing voluntary work and began sending her sexually explicit messages on Whats App and by text. He also texted the girl naked photographs of himself and became "persistent in his requests" for her to do the same, the court was told. Martin Ivory, prosecuting, said she eventually sent him five pictures. During the first sexual assault, he hugged her when she became upset and touched her indecently. The second took place while he was driving and she was in the passenger seat. He again touched her indecently. In a victim impact statement read to the court, the girl said she became anxious every time she heard an ambulance siren and at the prospect of ever having to call an ambulance. She said she had nightmares and had self-harmed. David Wilson, defending, said Barrett had been a man of "exemplary conduct" and had worked for the ambulance service for 13 years. Disregarding Mr Wilson's call for a suspended sentence, Judge Antony Bate said: "I would be failing in my public duty if I didn't send you to prison immediately today."

Summary: A paramedic who admitted sexually assaulting a teenager and possessing indecent images of her has been jailed.


Naz Shah has apologised for sharing the graphic showing Israel's outline superimposed onto a map of the US with the comment "problem solved". It was shared in 2014, before she became Bradford West MP. The Board of Deputies said the post, highlighted by the Guido Fawkes political website, was "appalling". The graphic said relocating Israel would be a "solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict", and that it would allow Palestinians to "get their life and their land back". In a statement, Ms Shah said: "This post from two years ago was made before I was an MP, does not reflect my views and I apologise for any offence it has caused." Labour confirmed she had stepped down as Parliamentary Private Secretary - an unpaid backbench assistant - to shadow chancellor John McDonnell. In a second statement, the MP said: "I made these posts at the height of the Gaza conflict in 2014, when emotions were running high around the Middle East conflict. "But that is no excuse for the offence I have given, for which I unreservedly apologise." She said she would be expanding her "existing engagement and dialogue with Jewish community organisations and will be stepping up my efforts to combat all forms of racism, including anti-Semitism". The Board of Deputies of British Jews said the comments were "simply appalling", calling for an urgent meeting "for clarification of her views on Israel and the UK Jewish community".

Summary: A Labour MP has stepped down as an aide to the shadow chancellor over a Facebook post suggesting Israel should be moved to the United States.


Wilson's side were demolished by 101 runs against Hampshire on Tuesday. But Wilson said they were not too worried about a one-off defeat and instead took heart from their form throughout the group stage. "It's disappointing to go out one step away from Finals Day and we'll come back next year," said Wilson. "We will take pride from the brand of cricket we've played throughout the competition." Derbyshire were the surprise package of this season's T20 Blast, finishing second in the North Group having reached the quarter-finals only once before. "We were all desperate to get over the line and get down to Birmingham," Wilson told BBC Radio Derby. "We won't accept that a quarter-final is good enough. "But, moving forward, it could be an exciting time for us and the challenge will be to go one step further."

Summary: Derbyshire captain Gary Wilson has said his side will be back in contention for T20 Finals Day next season after their quarter-final defeat to Hampshire.


Out of work for half a year, Liisa, 26 and from Helsinki, has been looking for a job without success. "While I'm unemployed I will only get €36 more per month with the basic income. I've always been positive about the idea, though, so it was nice to be one of those who were chosen." Basic income has frequently been suggested as a way of cutting welfare bureaucracy as well as poverty. But one of the main reasons why Finland's social insurance agency Kela is trying out the monthly tax-free payment of €560 (£490; $600) is to see whether providing a basic income will make the unemployed more eager to go into short-term jobs. Finland has some 213,000 unemployed, a higher rate than its Nordic neighbours, and a working population of 2,413,000. Short-term contracts here have steadily become a key feature of Finland's labour market. €560 Monthly income for two years €20m Cost to government 8.1% Unemployment rate 5,503,347 Finnish population The benefit system in many cases provides people with little incentive to go into low-income jobs because welfare is generally cut back if you start earning. "Every single euro that a person earns diminishes his or her social benefits," says Olli Kangas, head of society relations at Kela. "In some cases an unemployed person is afraid of losing their benefits in the future, if he or she receives a temporary employment." The idea behind the basic income experiment is that any earnings would be a supplement; €560 a month may not sound much but it is a start. "The government wants to see if it's possible to eliminate at least the worst disincentives to work," says Mr Kangas. Randomly selected from Finland's unemployed, the 2,000 taking part in the experiment were all receiving the lowest rate of unemployment benefit. After tax, it was little different from the €560 they now receive monthly in basic income. The difference is that they will receive it without filling in a form and irrespective of whether they get a job or not over the next two years. For Liisa Ronkainen, already looking for work for several months, it is certainly an attractive idea. "Now that I will get a salary in addition to the basic income I might try even harder," she suggests. And there was a similar message from another of the participants, Juha Jarvinen, who has been out of work for five years but now hopes to start a new business. "For my part, the basic income will mean I can escape enslavement and feel that I am a functioning citizen again," he told Finnish public broadcaster YLE. The trial has aroused interest worldwide, because it will answer the burning questions about how people out of work will respond to the idea of a basic income. Some might decide to acquire more education or change their career, to make themselves more attractive to the labour market. Others might seek to start a business. But there is always the chance that it could be used as an excuse to take it easy and work

Summary: "I was so surprised when I got the letter, and a bit sceptical too," says Liisa Ronkainen, one of 2,000 Finns chosen for a government experiment to provide unemployed people with a basic income.


It is the largest ever contingent of Scots in a Great Britain team for an overseas Olympics, surpassing the previous record of 31 in Beijing in 2008. Scots will compete in 15 of the 42 sports in Rio. There are defending champions in tennis star Andy Murray and rowers Heather Stanning and Katherine Grainger, the latter competing in her fifth Games at 40, and other returning medallists from London in canoeist David Florence and sailor Luke Patience. Athletics boasts the largest contingent of Scots with 15 among the 80-strong track and field squad, the highest representation since 1908. There are also eight Scottish swimmers - a third of the British team - and eight Scottish rowers, although two of those are travelling as reserves. For 33 Scots, Rio will be their first Olympic experience. As well as Grainger among the 17 who have competed at previous Games, fencer Richard Kruse will heading to his fourth Olympics, while this will be a third for Florence and swimmers Robbie Renwick and Hannah Miley. Sportscotland, the national agency for sport in Scotland, have set ambitious targets for Rio. The first - the largest number of Scots in the team for an 'away' Olympics - has already been met. Can the second - the most medals won by Scottish competitors at an overseas Games - also be achieved? To do so, they will need to surpass the eight won in Sydney in 2000, while the record haul for Scots at any Games is 13 from London four years ago. "I think we have between 15 and 20 medals 'hits' - in other words, they are in that medal zone," says Mike Whittingham, Director of High Performance at Sportscotland. "I think we could have as many as 20% of those 50 Scots in serious medal contention, and probably nine or 10 sports where we could win medals. "We want a best ever away Olympics and I think we're on track; I think we can get 10.'' So where might those Scottish medals come from in Rio? It's not easy to predict medal winners at the best of times, but many Scots have been performing well in the build-up. Andy Murray defends the singles title and will be full of confidence after a remarkable run of five consecutive finals, culminating in his second Wimbledon triumph. The world number two also picked up a silver medal from the mixed doubles in London and this time he will be in doubles action with his brother Jamie. The Dunblane siblings combined to great effect in Britain's Davis Cup triumph last year and many of the regular top pairings will be split up in Rio. In rowing, Stanning and Helen Glover have formed an outstanding partnership in the women's pair. The defending champions' unbeaten run stretches back to 2011. As well as Olympic gold, they have also won the last two World and European Championships together. Grainger finally got her hands on an Olympic gold medal in 2012 - at the fourth time of asking after three silvers in the three preceding

Summary: The selection of rugby sevens players Mark Bennett and Mark Robertson brings the total number of Scottish competitors heading to Rio for this summer's Olympic Games to 50.


Within minutes, water cannon showered the demonstrators and there were loud thuds as tear gas canisters were fired. People ran into the side streets of this poor neighbourhood, on the edge of the capital, with their eyes streaming. "Let the world see what is happening in this country," yelled one elderly man. "We will never stop until this... government goes." Ordinary Egyptians appear to be losing their fear of direct confrontation with the security forces. There have been bloody and drawn out clashes all over Cairo and in some of Egypt's main cities. They have a long list of grievances and the demands are an explicit challenge to their rulers. "We want a real democratic system. This regime of Hosni Mubarak has been in power for 30 years," declared Ahmed, a man in his 20s. "I was unemployed for five years. I had to move to the United Arab Emirates. This is what I was dragged into. My son will not suffer what I have suffered. This ends here." When you talk to people, they tell you economic reforms have not eased the poverty of Egypt's masses, education and social services are inadequate, and they complain of high levels of corruption and political stagnation. "We are so furious. We must have change, better chances to work, to buy a flat and have just the life's basics," said a bank clerk clutching an Egyptian flag. "What happened in Tunisia has changed things a bit. It knocked some sense into people." Opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei - who joined worshippers in Giza - was swiftly moved inside the gates of the mosque as clashes began. "One, two, ElBaradei where are you?" was the cry that then went up outside. Some expressed disappointment that the Nobel Laureate - who set up the National Association for Change opposition coalition when he returned home to Egypt a year ago - had not taken a more prominent role in protests. He has put up supportive messages on his Twitter account but was absent, in Vienna, for the first "Day of Rage" on Tuesday. He returned to Cairo on Thursday night. "I support ElBaradei, my father wants (Arab League Secretary General) Amr Musa," one man said. "We could have ElBaradei or anyone else," added Amgad, who had brought his young children along to witness the protest. "We need change, not any specific person." The main opposition movement, the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, subtly changed its message ahead of the latest protests. Despite the reported arrest of some senior figures, deputy leader Mahmoud Izzat spoke encouragingly of the protests. "People are demanding freedom, the dissolution of this invalid parliament. From the beginning this is what the young people have been shouting and we are with them," Mr Izzat told the al-Jazeera news channel. And he went on to criticise "the excessive force" of the security services. With multiple flashpoints across Egypt, many thousands of uniformed police, plain-clothed officers and paid thugs have been deployed. They line the bridges and main routes into central Cairo. While they remain strong and well-resourced, there have

Summary: "Go, go, Mubarak go" and "the people need to end this regime" shouted the angry crowds around al-Istiqamma mosque in Cairo's Giza Square, as they shook their fists at the lines of helmeted riot police after Friday prayers.


The Queen's cousin, 79, was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on Monday after he suffered the injury while staying at Balmoral. He was seen walking to a waiting car with the help of a walking stick. The duke, who undertakes a large number of official royal engagements and has close associations with many charities, suffered a "mild stroke" in 2013. He is perhaps best known as president of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in which capacity he has presented trophies to winners at Wimbledon. He is also grand master of the main organisation of Freemasons in England, the United Grand Lodge. He became Duke of Kent in 1942 at the age of six after his father, brother of King George VI, died in an RAF plane crash. Balmoral is the Scottish home of the Royal Family.

Summary: The Duke of Kent has left hospital following successful treatment for a dislocated hip.


Media playback is not supported on this device The former Reds captain, 36, is to return to his former club as a youth coach in February in what will be his first job since retiring as a player. Klopp said he "had a good long chat" with the ex-England skipper, describing his appointment as "wonderful news". "He said he wants to be a manager in the future. That's cool," Klopp added. "It was important to know what Steven wants. Being a manager is a job you have to learn and he is ready to make steps. "Combining his playing experience with all the things he has to learn, he has a bright future. Everyone in this room knows better than I do he is a wonderful guy and it's wonderful news for football." Gerrard made his Liverpool debut in 1998 and left Anfield at the end of the 2014-15 season to join MLS side LA Galaxy having won the Champions League, Uefa Cup, FA Cup and League Cup on three occasions. He retired as a player in November after a 19-year career. Gerrard had been linked with the manager's job at League One side MK Dons after announcing he would leave LA Galaxy, but said the opportunity came "too soon" for him. He is also working towards his Uefa A coaching licence, which is required to manage in the Premier League.

Summary: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says he will do "everything I can" to help Steven Gerrard develop into "the best manager he can be".


The images are all the more striking when you consider that Mr Jenkinson, 42, from Y Ffor, near Pwllheli in Gwynedd, is blind. He suffers from panhypopituitarism, a condition which has left him with just 5-10% vision in his left eye and 50% in his right eye. He has no perception of 3D and is also colour-blind. Nevertheless, he is a keen photographer who works hard to capture "the best shot I can". Mr Jenkinson, who was diagnosed at the age of 28, said doctors think the condition was caused by a piece of his skull not forming correctly in the womb. This allowed fluid from his brain to squash his pituitary gland and his optic nerves. "The last 10 years or so have been crushing, medically," he said. "I was put on hormone therapy and have been taking steroids for 14 years but a side effect of that is that I now have osteoarthritis in both knees and hips." An operation to try to correct his vision was not successful and temporarily left him with seizures. He has also suffered a "severe" aneurysm and 18 months ago, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. A former building control officer for Gwynedd council, Mr Jenkinson's health problems have meant he has not been able to work for a decade. "I have had some very, very low days after my cancer diagnosis, even some suicidal moments," he said. "But my photography helps me cope. "When you're concentrating on something, like how to get the best shot or where to set up your tripod, you're not thinking about your problems. "I hope my story will help others in the same situation to know that there can be some light at the end of the tunnel, as I have found in my photography."

Summary: From Afon Dwyfor to the animals in the Welsh Mountain Zoo, Paul Jenkinson's pictures show his native north Wales in all its glory.


Police were called to a unit at Derwent Works, Matlock Road, Ambergate, at about 20:00 BST on Sunday following reports a man had been injured. The man, believed to be 19, was later confirmed dead in hospital. A file is being prepared for the coroner, but the force does not believe there are any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

Summary: A man has died after apparently falling through the roof of a building at an industrial site in Derbyshire.


Mr Khan is the city's first Muslim mayor, after beating Tory Zac Goldsmith by 1,310,143 votes to 994,614. The result bolsters leader Jeremy Corbyn after Labour was beaten into third in Scotland by the Tories and lost some English councillors. In Scotland, the SNP said it would form a minority government after winning its third election in a row. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is celebrating what she said was an "emphatic" victory, her first as party leader, after the SNP emerged as the largest party at Holyrood with 63 seats, ahead of the Conservatives on 31 and Labour on 24. But she played down talk of another independence referendum after falling short by two seats of an overall majority. In Wales, Labour remains as the largest party, with 29 out of 60 seats, but was denied a majority as Plaid Cymru and UKIP both made notable gains. Counting is continuing in Northern Ireland.

Summary: Sadiq Khan has been elected the new Mayor of London - boosting Labour after it slumped in Scotland's elections.


Many lizards can detach their tails when attacked, but fish-scale geckos have large scales that tear away with ease. The new species is a master of this art, say scientists, having the largest scales of any known gecko. The reptile, named Geckolepis megalepis, is described in PeerJ. The skin of fish-scale geckos is specially adapted to tearing. The large scales are attached only by a relatively narrow region that tears with ease. In addition, beneath the scales there is a pre-formed splitting zone within the skin itself. Although several other geckos are able to lose their skin like this if they are grasped firmly, fish-scale geckos are able to do so actively - and at the slightest touch. They can also grow them back scar-free in a matter of weeks, while other geckos might take a long time to regenerate their scales. But Geckolepis megalepis is remarkable for the huge size of its scales. The researchers hypothesise that larger scales tear more easily than smaller ones, because of their greater surface area relative to the attachment area, and larger friction surface. "What's really remarkable though is that these scales - which are really dense and may even be bony, and must be quite energetically costly to produce - and the skin beneath them tear away with such ease, and can be regenerated quickly and without a scar," said lead author Mark Scherz, from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. The new species was discovered in the Tsingy cave formations of northern Madagascar.

Summary: A newly discovered species of gecko has tearaway skin that leaves predators with nothing but a mouthful of scales when attacked.


Heard, 30, filed for divorce in Los Angeles Superior Court citing irreconcilable differences. They married 15 months ago and have no children. They have recently been embroiled in a legal case in Australia after Heard took two dogs into the country illegally. She pleaded guilty in April to a charge of falsifying documents. Depp, 52, and Heard met while co-starring in the 2011 film The Rum Diary. In the court papers, Texan-born Heard listed the separation date as Sunday. Celebrity news website TMZ reported that Depp had asked a judge to reject Heard's claim for spousal support. The split comes days after the death of Depp's mother. His latest film, Alice Through the Looking Glass, is due to be released on Friday. The Australian court case started last year when Heard brought two dogs into the country where her husband was filming the latest movie in the Pirates of the Caribbean series. When the case was settled, the couple released a video apology expressing remorse and advising travellers to respect Australian quarantine laws. However, Australia's Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce had threatened to have the dogs put down, triggering a war of words with Depp that lasted for months. The actor recently said on a US TV show that Mr Joyce looks "somehow inbred with a tomato". Mr Joyce responded by saying he was "pulling strings" in Johnny Depp's head, like film villain Hannibal Lecter.

Summary: Film star Johnny Depp and his actress wife Amber Heard are to divorce, US court documents have revealed.


Sir Richard Leese is a senior figure in the drive to unite the north of England as an economic force. North Wales could benefit from better transport links and growth potential and the Welsh government had been supporting the development, he said. But Sir Richard also said the region "needed more freedom". "Devolution to Wales has to go beyond the Welsh assembly," he told the BBC's Wales At Work programme. "I'd argue Cardiff and its city region ought to be able to do some of the things we're doing in Greater Manchester. "North Wales again needs to be given more power by the Welsh assembly to enable it to work better with us in the north of England." "From the discussions I've had in north Wales, the growth potential is enormous but it's more likely to be realised if we can work out those synergies between what's happening in north Wales and just the other side of the border. "They need to be given the freedom by the Welsh assembly to do that." The cities of the "Northern Powerhouse" stretch from Manchester and Liverpool to Sheffield, Leeds and Hull and up to Newcastle and Sunderland in the north east. Radical improvements to transport connections over the next 15 to 20 years could create a single labour market and "virtual city" of 15 million in the north of England, which could provide an economic counter-balance to London. Sir Richard, who is also chair of the Core Cities cabinet which includes Cardiff, said north Wales could also benefit from that and there was a recognition in Cardiff Bay that the links between north Wales and northern England were more important than those with south Wales. Sir Richard said energy production, advanced manufacturing and health innovation and digital industries were not just based in the urban cores and some of these sectors already existed in north Wales. "North Wales has the opportunity to play into and contribute to those sectoral strengths of the north of England. "For industry in north Wales its route to market is through the North of England. So what we're do to improve transport connections, there's a shared interest in extending that beyond the north of England." He said care had to be taken with comparisons, as Wales had the same population as Greater Manchester but he said areas like transport and business support might benefit from greater devolution within Wales. Tracy North, chair of the CBI in north Wales said company owners and managers wanted to be involved with the Northern Powerhouse but there was not an obvious body or mechanism for doing so. "The CBI wants the next Welsh government to create a regional development corporation for north Wales," she said. "It would need to be set up immediately after the election. It would have funding and staff, run in partnership with business and be unencumbered by local red tape. "This way, the north Wales region can act independently to optimise economic opportunities, without going through the impracticality of discussing and voting on devolution, which would out of necessity

Summary: North Wales needs more devolution if it is to fully benefit from the "northern powerhouse," Manchester city council's leader has said.


The preliminary Caixin manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to 47 in September, below forecasts of 47.5 and down from 47.3 in August. A reading below 50 indicates contraction in the sector, while one above shows expansion. The Shanghai Composite dropped 2.2% to 3,115.89 on the disappointing data. The private survey also marked the seventh consecutive month of contraction in the sector. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index closed down 2.3% at 21,302.91. Japanese markets are closed for a three-day public holiday and will reopen on Thursday. In Australia, shares in mining companies were hit by falling commodity prices. Oil prices continued to decline after US crude fell 2% overnight on global growth concerns, while copper prices slipped further on slowing Chinese demand. Sydney's S&P/ASX 200 index closed down 2.1% at 4,998.10. In South Korea, the Kospi index ended 1.9% lower at 1,944.64 following the release of the data from China.

Summary: Asian markets headed lower after a survey of China's manufacturing sector indicated it is shrinking at the fastest pace for six-and-a-half years.


The Toffees have been working with Liverpool City Council to find a replacement for Goodison Park, where they have played since 1892. Everton chief executive Robert Elstone said the plan was at "an early stage". He hoped the new sites would provide a "more straightforward, deliverable opportunity" to build a new stadium. Iranian businessman Farhad Moshiri bought a 49.9% stake in Everton in February and quickly outlined plans for a move from Goodison, which has a capacity of 39,572. "Goodison Park has served the club extremely well but we need to make sure the club has a suitable stage to perform on for the future," he said. An initial plan was to build a stadium at Walton Hall Park, a short distance north-east of Goodison, but it was strongly opposed by local protestors. Mayor Joe Anderson said the site would now remain a park. "Most people will be aware that I did give a commitment to Everton to support a potential scheme at Walton Hall Park with the aim of regenerating the area and creating new jobs," he said. "However, through the work that the club and the council have done, we have concluded that effectively building a new village in north Liverpool with lots of retail space is a step too far in this current economic climate." Across Stanley Park at Anfield, Liverpool are in the process of expanding their main stand which will take their capacity to around 54,000.

Summary: Everton have abandoned plans for a new stadium at Walton Hall Park but have identified two possible alternative sites within the Liverpool boundary.


Archibald was responding to comments by his former player Ziggy Gordon that he has learned more in a few months in Poland than in his years in Scotland. "I don't think he's trying to downgrade the standard here," said the Jags boss. "I just think he has learned a little bit more abroad." Jose Mourinho, Costinha, Andre Villas-Boas, Brendan Rodgers, Pedro Caixinha and Alan Shearer are among those who have come to Scotland to sit their Uefa Pro licence over the years. Archibald, who is on the four-man shortlist for the PFA Scotland manager of the year award, said he had never seen Polish coaches at work so did not know how accurate the Jagiellonia Bialystok defender's comments were. "I've never been there, so I don't know where he's coming from," said the Jags boss. "But I think when any player goes abroad, you'll pick something up. Your eyes are opened wide, and you'll learn something a little bit different." Further, Archibald said the standard of coaching in Scotland was "very good". He continued: "I think a lot of top coaches come here to do their coaching badges so we must be doing something right. "As (Celtic manager) Brendan Rodgers says, you get a challenge every week. This has probably been the best season in terms of the challenge, tactically. "All the managers are now playing different shapes and changing it during games as well, so I think all coaches are tactically very aware and they all do their homework now as well. "I don't think any team just turns up on a Saturday and says 'right, on you go, go and play'. There's a lot of work going in during the week from every team in the league." Archibald admitted to being taken aback to be nominated by his peers as Scotland's top manager this season, along with Rodgers, Aberdeen's Derek McInnes and Morton's Jim Duffy. "I think (I'm surprised) just because we've not won anything," said the manager, whose team reached the Premiership's top six for the first time. "Brendan's won trophies, Derek's been to semi-finals and finals and so has Jim. "We are sixth and sometimes from the outside people don't know how hard you work, or what it takes to get there. "Making the top six is huge to a club like ours, and sometimes it's as good as winning a trophy."

Summary: Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald points to the procession of coaches coming to Scotland to attain their Uefa licence as proof that the standard of coaching in Scotland is high.


They were named as Robert Roche, 36, from Hove, Sussex, a boy aged three and a girl aged 18 months. They set off from their home at 09:00 BST to go to a day nursery in nearby Holland Road but did not arrive. Police were called at 17:30 when family members realised that they had not returned home. Mr Roche is described as white, 5ft 10in (1.78m), stocky, with dark hair. His children are three-year-old Joey and 18-month-old Betsy, who was in a very distinctive black "Bugaboo donkey stroller" buggy with a pink hood. There is also a step and a "saddle" by the handle bar. Det Insp Mick Jones from Sussex Police said: "We are searching the local area and are keen to hear from anyone who has spotted Robert and his children. "If you see them or know where they might be, please let us know right away on 101 or 999, quoting serial 1053 of 14/08. "We also ask Robert to get in touch with us so that we can arrange to meet and confirm that he and the children are ok. "We are not treating the disappearance as suspicious at this stage but it has not happened before and we are naturally very concerned for Robert and especially for his children."

Summary: Police and family are concerned for the welfare of a man and his two small children who have not been seen since Monday morning.


Ednane Mahmood, from Blackburn, is also alleged to have provided internet links to others with speeches and propaganda that encouraged acts of terrorism. He was stopped by police at Manchester Airport after returning from Turkey on 21 September and charged on Wednesday. Mr Mahmood was released on conditional bail when he appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court. The conditions include sleeping at his family home, reporting to a police station in Blackburn twice a week, not applying for travel documents and a ban from using the internet. During the brief hearing before magistrates, the 18-year-old spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address. Mr Mahmood will next appear at the Old Bailey on 24 April. His arrest followed an investigation by the North West Counter Terrorism Unit and Lancashire Constabulary.

Summary: An 18-year-old man has appeared in court charged with attempting to travel to Syria to commit acts of terrorism.


The incident happened after the vehicle left the A68 in Jedburgh at about 09:40. Police said a "small number of passengers" on board had been left shaken and were checked over by paramedics at the scene. Investigations are continuing to determine what caused the bus to leave the road. It hit a car and also struck a roadside wall a number of times before travelling across a grassy area and finally coming to rest against a metal barrier overhanging the Jed Water. The route was closed for about an hour while the vehicle was safely removed from the scene.

Summary: A metal barrier has blocked a bus from ending up in a river after a crash in the Scottish Borders.


Writing in The Observer he said he reveres "the sanctity of life but not at any cost". He also suggested that prolonging the life of Nelson Mandela had been an "affront" to his dignity. His comments follow a U-turn by former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey, who also said he would support assisted dying for the terminally ill. The Church of England (CofE) has called for an inquiry into the issue. In his column the 82-year-old retired Anglican Archbishop of South Africa said: "I think when you need machines to help you breathe, then you have to ask questions about the quality of life being experienced and about the way money is being spent." He also described as "disgraceful" how former South African leader Nelson Mandela was kept alive with intensive hospitalisation in the final stages of his life and was photographed with various visiting politicians. He said: "You could see Madiba [Nelson Mandela] was not fully there. He did not speak. He was not connecting. My friend was no longer himself. It was an affront to Madiba's dignity. "Yes, I think a lot of people would be upset if I said I wanted assisted dying. I would say I wouldn't mind actually." He said: "I have been fortunate to spend my life working for dignity for the living. Now I wish to apply my mind to the issue of dignity for the dying. I revere the sanctity of life - but not at any cost." His comments follow those of Lord Carey, who wrote in the Daily Mail that he had dropped his opposition to the Assisted Dying Bill - due for debate in the House of Lords on Friday - "in the face of the reality of needless suffering". "The fact is that I have changed my mind. The old philosophical certainties have collapsed in the face of the reality of needless suffering," he wrote. The 1961 Suicide Act makes it an offence to encourage or assist a suicide or a suicide attempt in England and Wales. Anyone doing so could face up to 14 years in prison. The law is almost identical in Northern Ireland. There is no specific law on assisted suicide in Scotland, creating some uncertainty, although in theory someone could be prosecuted under homicide legislation. There have already been several attempts to legalise assisted dying, but these have been rejected. The Commission on Assisted Dying, established and funded by campaigners who have been calling for a change in the law, concluded in 2012 that there was a "strong case" for allowing assisted suicide for people who are terminally ill in England and Wales. But the medical profession and disability rights groups, among others, argue that the law should not be changed because it is there to protect the vulnerable in society. In other countries, such as Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, legislation has been introduced to allow assisted dying. France is considering a possible introduction of similar legislation, although there is opposition from its medical ethics council. Campaign group Dignity in Dying predicts that a lot

Summary: Desmond Tutu has said he would support assisted dying for the terminally ill.


Spain's Marta Corredera curled the hosts into an early lead before England striker Dan Carter doubled their lead moments later. Alex Scott made it 3-0 straight after half-time, before Kirsty Linnett pulled one back for the visitors. Three-times winners Arsenal will now face Notts County Ladies in the final at Rotherham on 1 November. In a repeat of the 2011 and 2012 finals, Arsenal made an energetic start and Carter struck the crossbar before Corredera's sweet strike from the edge of the area opened the scoring. Carter than raced clear, one-on-one with Sophie Baggeley, and calmly lobbed over the Birmingham goalkeeper. The Blues responded well to falling two-goals behind but Karen Carney's deflected shot was turned on to a post by Sari Van Veenendaal, and bounced back across the face of goal and clear. After the break, Arsenal made the win safe with Scott's powerful finish, before Linnett's well-struck consolation. In a bad-tempered second half, Carter drilled wide after a superb knock-down from Jordan Nobbs late on, but a two-goal cushion was sufficient to see Arsenal through. Arsenal manager Pedro Martinez Losa told BBC Sport: "We have been starting games well. I'm very happy with that. "The best feeling today is to offer the fans victories in the last three home games of the season. I'm proud of the players, the staff and the team. "This is the reward for everybody's efforts. We have to do everything possible between now and the final to prepare." Birmingham manager David Parker told BBC Sport: "Arsenal were the better side in the first half, that's won them the game. "Defensive errors and mistakes in that first 20 minutes were the difference. "Looking at the second half display, for long, long periods we were the better side and we really showed our quality." Arsenal Ladies: Van Veenendaal, Scott (c), Stoney, Losada (Yankey), Natalia (Ubogagu), Nobbs, Carter, Williamson, Corredera, Rose, Janssen (Sampson). Subs not used: Byrne, Humphrey, Kelly, Bailey. Birmingham City: Baggaley, Sargeant, Carter, Mannion, Harrop, Allen, Linnett, Carney (c) (Wellings), Potter, Lawley, Westwood (Ayisi). Subs not used: Windell, Hill, Haines, Peplow. Referee: Nigel Lugg Attendance: 782

Summary: Arsenal Ladies reached their fifth consecutive Continental Cup final with a 3-1 win over Birmingham City.


Most of the injuries were minor, but several people had been taken to hospital, one official said. The trains had come from Bakersfield and Los Angeles. They collided near Oakland Station at around 2200 local on Wednesday (0500 GMT Thursday). A fire official told Associated Press one train had been stationary and the other was travelling at 15mph (24kph). A passenger said there had been "an awful jolt" when the collision took place. Oakland Fire Department battalion chief Emon Usher told AP the stationary train had been unloading passengers when it was hit. He said several of 16 people injured in the collision had been taken to local hospitals. The Oakland Tribune and KTVU-TV put the number of injured at 18. They said most had suffered bruises and bumps, with one report of a broken arm. Authorities said the injured came from both trains. Amtrak said it had been a "low speed" collision between the "San Joaquin" train - travelling between Bakersfield and Oakland - and the Coast Starlight, which was on its way from Los Angeles to Seattle. The wheels of both trains' lead engines had derailed, a spokesman said. Train traffic through Oakland Station has been suspended and emergency services and rail inspectors are at the scene.

Summary: At least 16 people have been injured after two Amtrak trains collided in California, US media reports say.


The US administration signalled heavy cuts to UN operations, in its budget proposals released on Tuesday. The US foots more than a quarter of the UN's $7.9bn (Â£6.1bn) peacekeeping bill. A spokesman for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the organisation was willing to discuss how peacekeeping could be made more cost-effective. Mr Trump's budget proposal declares new "attention on the appropriate US share of international spending at the United Nations". The document does not provide a detailed breakdown, but Reuters news agency reports the drop in funding for the operations could amount to $1bn. The spokesman said the UN was studying Mr Trump's plan. "The figures presented would simply make it impossible for the UN to continue all of its essential work advancing peace, development, human rights and humanitarian assistance," he said. The BBC's Nick Bryant at the UN says such a warning from the organisation is unusually blunt. The US president does not set the budget, but makes recommendations to Congress. It is understood that the UN secretary general has been lobbying Congress members on the importance of international peacekeeping. The US provides 28.5% of the United Nations peacekeeping budget - almost three times as much as the next-highest contributor, China. While Mr Trump's plan does not include details, the US is known to want to cap its contributions to a maximum of 25%. There are currently 16 active peacekeeping operations, including Syria, South Sudan, and on the border of India and Pakistan.

Summary: The United Nations has warned that President Donald Trump's plans to cut contributions to peacekeeping will make such work "impossible".


Programme makers did not disclose the comments made by Biggins, who had been the bookmakers' favourite to win. But they said the Channel 5 show "does not tolerate offensive language". Biggins, 67, had sparked controversy four days earlier over comments that bisexual people were "the worst type". Opening Friday's live show - which saw presenter Anthea Turner's ex-husband Grant Bovey voted out of the house - presenter Emma Willis made brief reference to Biggins' removal but gave no details. A statement posted on the Celebrity Big Brother website said the show had "taken the decision to remove Christopher Biggins". "Since entering Big Brother, he has made a number of comments capable of causing great offence to housemates and the viewing public," it said. "Big Brother does not tolerate offensive language capable of causing widespread offence." During a conversation about homosexuality earlier this week, the openly gay star said: "The worst type though is, I'm afraid to say, the bisexuals... what it is is people not wanting to admit they are gay." He was then seen agreeing with fellow contestant Renee Graziano's comment that "You have to pick a team". The programme's producers have not said whether these comments were among those that they considered before ordering Biggins to leave the house. Two of the other housemates have received official warnings from Big Brother over their behaviour in the show's first week. US singer Aubrey O'Day was warned for spitting in reality TV star Stephen Bear's sandwich. Bear himself received a warning after throwing a mug, which smashed a glass window, following a row with Heavy D from the TV show Storage Hunters. Biggins won ITV show I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2007. The other contestants on this year's Celebrity Big Brother are: Renee Graziano of TV's Mob Wives; former X Factor contestants Chloe Khan and Katie Waissel; US actor Frankie Grande; reality TV stars Lewis Bloor and Marnie Simpson, former EastEnders actor Ricky Norwood; Loose Women presenter Saira Khan, and former model Samantha Fox.

Summary: Actor Christopher Biggins has been removed from the Celebrity Big Brother house for making "a number of comments capable of causing great offence", the reality TV show has said.


Valentine, who had been suffering from Parkinson's disease, died "peacefully" in the early hours of Wednesday morning, his agent Derek Webster said. In the BBC's World War Two drama series Colditz, he played Luftwaffe officer Major Mohn and the title role of the aristocrat jewel thief AJ Raffles. Valentine was also known as a theatre and film actor, director and writer. Mr Webster described him as "brilliant" and "talented". "In 2012 he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In spite of this diagnosis his sense of humour never failed him and he continued to live a full and happy life," he added. Valentine's wife, the actress Susan Skipper, said: "Tony was my best friend and it was a privilege to know, love and care for him." The couple first met on Yorkshire Television's Raffles and then appeared together three years later on the television film of Ivor Novello's show The Dancing Years. They married in 1982. As well as his starring role in Colditz - which centred around the inmates of the notorious German prisoner-of-war camp - and Raffles, Valentine was also known for playing the character of upper-class thug Toby Meres in the secret agent drama series Callan, starring Edward Woodward. The actor was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, but went to school in London. He began his acting career at the early age of 10 and appeared in several BBC children's TV shows, including an adaptation of the classic Billy Bunter stories. He worked pretty much continuously from the 1950s and had roles in TV dramas throughout the decades, including Lovejoy, New Tricks, The Detectives, Heartbeat, Casualty and Coronation Street. His last TV role was as a voice actor for the animated series Chuggington: Badge Quest in 2011. Valentine was also a regular face on the West End stage, most notably in Hans Anderson at the London Palladium and, more recently, Art at the Wyndhams theatre.

Summary: Actor Anthony Valentine, best known for the 1970s TV series Colditz and Raffles, has died at the age of 76.


The 23-year-old striker, on loan from Al Hilal, pounced on a sloppy pass from defender Daniel Ayala and slotted a fine finish past Darren Randolph. Boro forward Martin Braithwaite should have levelled at Molineux before the break, but headed wide while unmarked. Britt Assombalonga was denied by goalkeeper John Ruddy as Boro pressed late on and Wolves held on for victory. Wolves' new manager Nuno Espirito Santo handed starts to seven summer acquisitions, including the Championship's record signing Ruben Neves in midfield. Finding a prolific striker was one of Nuno's priorities ahead of the campaign, after midfielder Dave Edwards and winger Helder Costa, missing through injury, topped Wolves' scoring charts last season. And it was former Brazil under-17 player Bonatini who made the difference with the most composed of strikes after some terrible defending. Ayala attempted to pass the ball to Ben Gibson, but it was woefully short allowing Bonatini to nip in and place his effort into the bottom corner. Middlesbrough also struggled to find the back of the net in 2016-17, scoring just 27 times as they were relegated from the Premier League. New boss Garry Monk started three of his new forwards - Ashley Fletcher, Assombalonga and Denmark international Braithwaite - but they could not find a way through a resolute Wolves defence. Wolves head coach Nuno Espirito Santo: "It was a tough game and in the first half we played very well. We controlled the game and this is the way we should work. "I think that we deserved the three points and we are pleased with the boys. "We are still not the final product and every game will be better. This is the line that we want from the boys, always progress, always get better." Middlesbrough boss Garry Monk: "In the first half Wolves were the better team and we made too many mistakes and obviously one of them led to a goal. "But I thought we were the better team in the second half and we upped our level of urgency. We need that at the start of games. "We had the best chances in the game and on any other day we could have taken one or two of them. That is football and is sometimes the way that it works out." Match ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Middlesbrough 0. Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Middlesbrough 0. Adam Forshaw (Middlesbrough) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Foul by Adam Forshaw (Middlesbrough). Jordan Graham (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the left wing. Hand ball by David Edwards (Wolverhampton Wanderers). Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Matt Doherty tries a through ball, but David Edwards is caught offside. Foul by Daniel Ayala (Middlesbrough). Jordan Graham (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the left wing. Attempt missed. Cyrus Christie (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high. Substitution, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Jordan Graham replaces Diogo Jota. Attempt missed. Romain Saiss (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Substitution, Middlesbrough. Rudy Gestede replaces Jonny Howson.

Summary: Brazilian Leo Bonatini scored on his debut to give Wolves an opening-day Championship win against Middlesbrough.


Police initially said that business rivalry was a more likely motive for the attack on the Movida bar restaurant outside Kuala Lumpur on 28 June. They added that two men suspected of involvement had been arrested. Authorities are increasingly concerned about IS-related attacks as a number of Malaysians have gone to fight in Syria. "There were elements of IS involvement in the attack," national police chief Khalid Abu Bakar told reporters. "We found out that the two of them received instructions from one of our own citizens in Syria... to conduct attacks in Malaysia." There have been dozens of extremism-related arrests in recent years, including 13 Malaysians detained following the latest attack but who police said were not directly connected to it. Governments across the region have warned of an increased threat from the group.

Summary: Malaysian police have said a blast at a bar last week, which injured eight, was the first attack by the so-called Islamic State group in the country.


On Friday, a 34-year-old woman became the second person in three weeks to die at the busy Bow Roundabout junction. The victim, who is yet to be named, was pronounced dead at 16:45 GMT. The 29-year-old driver of a lorry involved in the crash was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He was released on bail to return to an east London police station on 7 December pending further inquiries. The London Cycling Campaign (LCC) group demanded an immediate redesign of the roundabout. It said the roundabout was dangerous because the cycle superhighway stopped in the middle of the Bow roundabout. LCC's chief executive Ashok Sinha said: "We're appalled at this latest preventable death and are fearful of what may happen when large numbers of cyclists are expected to tackle this junction on their way to and from the Olympics next year. "We can't understand how this junction can form part of what is one of the Mayor's flagship cycling projects: it must be redesigned now." TfL surface transport manager Leon Daniels said: "We are extremely sorry to learn of the tragic death of a female cyclist, following a collision with an HGV on the Bow Road roundabout on Friday evening. "Our thoughts are with her family and friends. I have visited the scene and both TfL and the police have launched inquiries which will report as quickly as possibleâ€¬." Â Last month a 58-year-old man was killed in a collision with a tipper truck. Four priority lanes for cyclists, branded cycle superhighways, have been painted blue around London, and another eight are due to open within the next four years. On Saturday, more than 300 cyclists rode through the capital in a "Tour du Danger" protest calling for the capital's roads to be made safer. Cycling blogger Danny Williams said: "I think the superhighways should be made proper superhighways. "I think it's a good idea, incredibly badly implemented and not very well thought through, and the Mayor needs to take responsibility for that. A TfL spokesman said: "There has been an 18% fall in the number of cyclists killed or seriously injured on London's roads in the last decade, compared to the TfL's baseline figures from the mid to late 1990s." No-one from the office of Mayor Boris Johnson was available for comment.

Summary: Transport for London (TfL) has said it is "sorry" about the death of a female cyclist who was killed on a cycle "superhighway" in east London.


In a 6-3 decision, the justices said that tax subsidies that make health insurance affordable for low-income individuals can continue. The ruling preserves the law known as Obamacare, which Mr Obama considers a major part of his presidential legacy. Republicans have vowed to continue fighting the law. "We've got more work to do, but what we're not going to do is unravel what has now been woven into the fabric of America," Mr Obama said. The case, known as King v Burwell, was the second major challenge the law has faced in the US's highest court. Unlike in many other western countries, the US does not have a single-payer healthcare system. Private companies, rather than the US government, provide health insurance for US citizens. The enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) - one of Mr Obama's most significant and controversial domestic achievements - in 2010 mandated that every American had to purchase private insurance. It provided the subsidies to allow many to do so. In 2012, the mandate portion of the law was challenged in the court. The justices ruled to preserve it. In that decision, as in the decision on Thursday, Chief Justice John Roberts surprised observers by siding with his liberal colleagues in support of the law. "Congress passed the Affordable Care act to improve health insurance markets, not to destroy them," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the opinion. Justice Anthony Kennedy dissented in 2012, but sided with the majority on Thursday. Had the court made the opposite decision, an estimated 8.7 million people in the US would have been at risk of losing the aid that makes healthcare affordable. The stakes could not have been higher. People's health (crucially important) and Obama's legacy (less important, but for him and those around him fairly vital) were at stake. Well a politically finely balanced Supreme Court has given an emphatic, overwhelming vote in favour of the president by 6-3. I bet "No-drama Obama" is high-fiving anyone and everyone in the White House - that is how big it is. Obama defies lame-duck expectations Demonstrators gathered outside the court as early on Thursday morning. Reading updates on their mobile phones, the crowd became jubilant when they learned mid-morning that the court had ruled in their favour. Some began dancing, while others chanted "If you're covered and you know it clap your hands." "This is a big sigh of relief for millions across the country," said Ron Pollack of Families USA, a health-care advocacy organisation. "The ACA is not just the law of the land, it will remain the law of the land". "Today is a good day for healthcare in America," said activist Benton Strong. "I hope this is the end of the line." Demonstrators opposing the subsidies did not have a large visible presence. Justice Antonin Scalia wrote in his dissent that the Supreme Court is setting a precedent of favouring some laws over others. "We should start calling this law Scotuscare" Justice Scalia wrote, referring to the court's acronym. "Today's interpretation is not merely unnatural; it is unheard

Summary: The US Supreme Court has upheld a key portion of President Barack Obama's healthcare law, preserving health insurance for millions of Americans.


Kitchens, toilets and washing facilities haven been installed at Tredegar Park with the first demonstration expected on Saturday, five days before the summit. More than 150 heads of state and ministers will attend the two-day event at Newport's Celtic Manor Resort. Police have taken over Rodney Parade sports ground to manage extra policing. Security for the summit will be provided by 9,500 police officers drawn from 43 UK police forces with 12 miles (20km) of security fencing already in place at keys sites in Cardiff and in Newport. But the million dollar question is how many campaigners will descend on Newport, according to Eddie Clarke, of the No Nato Newport group. He is one of a core of 100 volunteers from several campaign groups such as the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), who have set up the campsite in anticipation of their supporters needing somewhere to pitch tents while staying in Newport to protest their cause in front of world leaders and media. Groups like Stop the War have organised coaches with peace campaigners being driven in from London, Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle. They also expect campaigners to come from further afield with a Counter Summit on Sunday including speakers representing peace movements in the US and Russia in their bid to "end the drive to war and military spending". Newport council said it had been given assurances the camp will be a "peaceful encampment" and will not interfere with the park's normal activities. A spokesperson said: "Newport City Council is continuing to work with partner agencies to monitor the situation and minimise the impact of such a camp." Gwent Police have taken over Rodney Parade sports ground to help manage the huge security operation already described as "unchartered territory" by the office in charge. A police spokesperson told the South Wales Argus it was one of a number of local venues being used for various activities, including booking officers on and off duty, briefings, and canteen facilities. The Nato security operation budget would pick up the bill for hiring the facility which is the home of the Newport Gwent Dragons, Newport County FC and Newport RFC, the spokesperson added.

Summary: Campaigners have opened a camp with thousands of protesters due in Newport ahead of next week's Nato summit.