Media playback is not supported on this device The Great City Games, an open and free event for the public, is due to take place in Manchester on Friday. Organisers said the event will go ahead as planned, but a decision on Sunday's Great Manchester Run "is expected in the next 24 hours". The FA Cup final, EFL play-offs and the PGA Championship are also this week. An eight-year-old girl was among those killed in Monday's suicide bombing at Manchester Arena, at the end of a concert by US singer Ariana Grande. Prime Minister Theresa May said the UK terror threat level has been raised to its highest level of "critical", meaning further attacks may be imminent. Manchester United cancelled a news conference on Tuesday, due to be held prior to their Europa League final against Ajax in Stockholm on Wednesday, and will wear black armbands for the match. The club said: "Our thoughts are with the victims and their families at this terribly difficult time." United's players held a minute's silence at training on Tuesday, and the club closed its megastore, museum, cafe and stadium tours to the public. A staff event scheduled for Wednesday has been cancelled by executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward. Manager Jose Mourinho said: "We are all very sad about the tragic events; we cannot take out of our minds and our hearts the victims and their families. "We have a job to do and we will fly to Sweden to do that job. It is a pity we cannot fly with the happiness that we always have before a big game. "I know, even during my short time here, that the people of Manchester will pull together as one." Ajax manager Peter Bosz said: "What happened yesterday evening in Manchester is something we all feel in Ajax and on behalf of all of us at Ajax we express our sympathies with the victims that fell. The feeling that prevails is the final does not have the glow it should have. "Tomorrow evening should be a football feast but because of the events in Manchester we are affected. It is horrible. My sympathies are heartfelt." Football's European governing body Uefa announced a minute's silence will be observed prior to the final. The opening ceremony will also be considerably reduced as a mark of respect for the victims. Aleksander Ceferin, president of Uefa, said he was "deeply saddened" and shocked that "so many innocent people lost their lives". A Uefa statement said there was "currently no specific intelligence" to suggest Wednesday's game could be a target for further attacks. "Uefa has been closely working with local authorities and the Swedish FA for many months and the terrorist risk had been taken into account since the very beginning of the project," it said. "Furthermore, a number of additional security measures were implemented following the attacks in Stockholm last April." There will be a minute's silence observed at Headingley cricket ground before England's one-day international against South Africa on Wednesday. Both sets of players will also wear black armbands during the

Summary: Sporting events and venues in England are conducting major security reviews after 22 people were killed in an attack at Manchester Arena.


He made more than 40 feature films in a career spanning 60 years. Many of his films - including Kanal, Man of Marble, Man of Iron and Katyn - were inspired by Poland's turbulent wartime and communist history. In 2000, Wajda was awarded an honorary Oscar for his contribution to world cinema. Wajda had been recently taken to hospital. Unconfirmed reports say he died of lung failure. Wajda's last film Powidoki (Afterimage) tells the life story of the avant-garde painter Wladyslaw Strzeminski, who suffered under the post-war Stalinist government in Poland. The director said he wanted to "warn against state intervention in art". The film was recently chosen as Poland's official entry for the best foreign language film at the 2017 Oscars. Four of Wajda's earlier works had been nominated for that category. Man of Iron won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1981. Wajda once said that "the good Lord gave the director two eyes - one to look into the camera, the other to be alert to everything that is going on around him." Wajda was born in 1926 in the north-eastern Polish town of Suwalki. His father was among the victims of the Katyn massacre of Polish army officers by the Soviet Union in 1940. Wajda tried to follow in his father's footsteps, but was rejected by a military academy, and joined the Polish resistance in World War Two. During World War Two, Wajda joined the Polish resistance. He later studied to be a painter, before entering the Lodz Film School. In 1955, he made his feature film debut with Generation, set during the German occupation of Warsaw in World War Two. It was followed by Kanal, and Ashes and Diamonds, which form a trilogy about life in wartime Poland. Some of his films found disfavour with the communist rulers of Poland because of their trenchant portraits of the wartime Warsaw Uprising and the suppression of the Solidarity movement in the 1980s. It was only after the fall of communism in 1989 that he was able to make his film about Katyn. "I never thought I would live to see the moment when Poland would be a free country," Wajda said in a 2007 interview with the Associated Press. "I thought I would die in that system. It was so surprising and so extraordinary that I lived to see freedom." Following Poland's first free elections in 1990, he served for two years as a senator in the upper house of parliament.

Summary: Oscar-winning Polish film director Andrzej Wajda has died aged 90, the Polish Filmmakers' Association has confirmed.


Reyaad Khan, 21, died in an RAF drone strike targeting Islamic State militants in Syria last August. David Cameron told MPs on Tuesday the attack was "necessary and proportionate" to protect the UK. Ms Harman said such action outside a war zone was a "new departure" and needed to be "properly accountable". In September, the prime minister announced that Khan and Ruhul Amin, from Aberdeen, had been killed by a UK drone strike in Syria. MPs have since voted to authorise UK air strikes in the war-torn country. Questioned by MPs on the Commons Liaison committee on Tuesday, Mr Cameron defended the drone attack which killed Khan and Amin as "necessary and proportionate". He said the UK was currently engaged in an operation against a terrorist group that intends to "blow up, kill and maim our citizens". Ms Harman, a member of the committee, told BBC Radio Wales on Wednesday she was concerned at the lack of oversight of the operation. "If you're a member of the armed forces, you kill somebody in a military situation, that is legal and defensible and because you're in an armed conflict situation," she said. "But where we were in Syria, where Reyaad Khan was targeted and killed, we were not actually in a war conflict situation there. "It was just a targeted, what's called extra-judicial killing." She added: "The idea of killing somebody in an area where the security services have targeted them and military carries out the killing, that is a new departure. "The Americans have done it for quite a long time but we've not done it before. "If the police kill somebody in the line of duty, here in this country, it's automatically referred to the independent police and crime commissioner, not because there's an automatic assumption they've done something wrong. "With the taking of a life you must make absolutely sure that it was the right person, that the evidence was sufficient, that they did it in such a way that it didn't kill innocent bystanders and that has to be looked at afterwards."

Summary: Labour's former acting leader Harriet Harman has questioned whether the "extra-judicial killing" of a Cardiff jihadist can be properly justified.


Labour called health policy, which is devolved to Welsh ministers, a "real dividing line" between it and the Conservative Party. Labour said it would use funds from a tax on expensive UK homes for 1,000 extra medical staff in the Welsh NHS. But the Conservatives said Wales was the only part of the UK where health spending had been cut. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "Ed Miliband has no plan to grow our economy - that's why he will put the future of our NHS at risk, just as Labour have done in Wales." Labour Welsh government Deputy Health Minister Vaughan Gething said: "The NHS is a real dividing line between Labour and the Tories this May. "With Labour you get additional funding, more frontline staff and a promise that we'll never privatise our health service. "The Tories are staying quiet because they've already begun the privatisation agenda in England, and they know that it's something they can use to tempt Nigel Farage into a post-election deal." Despite being a devolved issue, the NHS has featured prominently in the election campaign so far. Earlier this week, Conservative Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb said voters were not interested in whether the service was run from Cardiff or Westminster. Darren Millar, the Conservative shadow health minister in the assembly, said: "Ed Miliband has held Wales up as an example of what he'd do and the facts speak for themselves - longer waiting times for tests and treatment, poorer ambulance service performance and higher hospital death rates. "The truth is that Welsh Conservatives are the only political party consistently voting against cutting the health budget in Wales." Welsh Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Cardiff Central, Jenny Willott, said Conservative spending plans would damage vital public services. "The Tories still haven't said where they would find the money the NHS needs, unlike the Lib Dems. With their plans to cut and keeping cutting the budget throughout the next five years, they will have to take the money from other areas, damaging our precious public services. "Unless and until the Conservatives show how they plan to pay for their promises, the Liberal Democrats will remain the only party to make a real, credible commitment to funding the NHS. "The Liberal Democrats are the only party who has committed to giving the NHS the Â£8bn it needs, which means millions of pounds extra for Wales' health service, and we have set out how we will pay for it." Plaid Cymru candidate for Arfon, Hywel Williams, said the Westminster parties had used health as a political football for too long. "This is doing nothing for the morale of hard-working staff and the patients who rely on our Welsh health service," he said. "Plaid Cymru is interested in solutions. We have unveiled detailed, costed proposals to train and recruit an additional 1,000 doctors in Wales, and outlined plans to integrate health and social care to address the growing problem of bed-blocking." Nathan Gill, UKIP's MEP for Wales, said his party believed in "a National Health Service, not an International Health Service,

Summary: Clashes have taken place over the NHS between Labour and the Conservatives as general election campaigning continues.


Raymond Russell, 34, was charged with being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug to another person and also drug possession. He appeared in private at Jedburgh Sheriff Court where he made no plea or declaration and his case was continued. Russell was released on bail pending his next court appearance. He was one of two men arrested and charged following Operation Archerfish on Thursday. Eight houses in Galashiels, Hawick, Kelso and Selkirk were searched during the investigation of people suspected of being involved in the sale of drugs. A total of Â£1,200 was seized, as well as drugs with a street value in the region of Â£3,750. Police Scotland say they are also looking for another man in connection with a cannabis cultivation.

Summary: A Galashiels man has appeared in court following a major drugs operation involving 100 police officers in the Borders.


The Boomtown Rats were to headline the event in Dumfries along with Rick Astley, ABC, The Stars from The Commitments and The Rezillos on 4 June. Last year the Doonhamers hosted their first concert when Status Quo were the headline act. However, advanced ticket sales of just 700 compared with 5,000 sold in 2015 prompted the decision to cancel. Organisers said sales were "not sufficient to justify the event going ahead on a commercial basis". "We have not been helped with the number of alternative outdoor festivals and concerts across Scotland and the north of England," they said. "After weighing up additional costs to go ahead with the concert from this point against the costs of cancelling altogether it was unfortunately a decision that had to be taken. "Clearly all customers who have already bought and paid for tickets for the event will be refunded in full."

Summary: A 1980s-themed concert at Queen of the South's Palmerston Park has been cancelled due to poor ticket sales.


Some 563 were held or arrested by Port of Dover police officers last year - up from 148 in 2013, a BBC Radio Kent Freedom of Information request shows. The figures come days after dozens of migrants attempted to storm the Channel Tunnel's Calais terminal. The Home Office said it was providing funding to bolster security and that many crossing attempts had been foiled. The FoI shows 46 illegal immigrants were detained or arrested at Dover - one of the main gateways to Britain - between January and April this year. The number of detentions and arrests is also up significantly from 2012, when 105 were held or arrested. Around 3,000 migrants from countries including Eritrea, Syria and Afghanistan are camped at a site dubbed "the Jungle II" near the Port of Calais. French aid workers have reported a "catastrophic" situation there. Road Haulage Association chief executive Richard Burnett, who recently visited Calais, said migrants are going to great lengths to cross the Channel. He told Radio Kent: "They think it's a great place to be and (Britain's) their target. They will do anything they possibly can to get into the UK." Last week, Channel Tunnel services were delayed and cancelled after immigrants entered restricted areas on the French side. And last month hundreds of migrants tried to board UK-bound lorries amid chaos as a strike forced the suspension of services through the tunnel. Eurotunnel said at the time that the number of migrants in the Calais area was the "highest ever". Hauliers have been advised by the Freight Transport Association not to stop within about 60 miles (97km) of Calais, to stick with other drivers and make sure padlocks are always kept on vehicles. Responding to the latest figures, a Home Office spokesman said 40,000 attempted illegal crossings of the Channel had been foiled last year. He added: "We are providing funding to bolster the security of ports in northern France and Belgium, including a Â£2m upgrade of detection technology, a Â£1m extension of dog searching capacity and Â£12m to reinforce security at Calais and other ports. "During the current period of disruption to cross-Channel services, Border Force has put its contingency plans into operation to ensure security is maintained. "We have deployed additional Border Force staff and sniffer dogs in northern France as well as bolstering screening checks at Dover for both tourist and freight vehicles." The Port of Dover Police is a non-Home Office constabulary funded entirely by the port authority, Dover Harbour Board. Port of Dover Police is not responsible for border security, which is down to the Border Agency and Kent Police frontier operations.

Summary: There has been a large increase in the number of illegal immigrants detained or arrested by police at Dover.


It was poured onto the front archway of the hall in Clifton Street on the night of Sunday 26 August. In July, the hall was damaged in another paint attack. Police have appealed for information. They have asked witnesses to contact them or to provide details on the Crimestoppers line.

Summary: Paint has been thrown over an Orange hall in north Belfast.


The government said that protests against the bill had given ministers "food for thought". Poland already has among the tightest abortion laws in Europe, and the proposal sought to ban all abortions unless the mother's life was at risk. MPs voted to reject the bill by 352 votes to 58. The bill came from an anti-abortion citizens' initiative that gathered some 450,000 signatures. It was initially backed by the Catholic Church, but bishops then said they could not support one of the proposals, to jail women who had an abortion. Poland's tussle over abortion ban The proposals were not sponsored by Poland's ruling, socially conservative Law and Justice party (PiS) and MPs were given a free vote. However, many PiS MPs initially voted to back the bill when it went before parliament last month. Some 100,000 people, mostly women, protested against the proposals in cities across Poland on Monday and appeared to prompt the PiS to swing against the bill, although the party promotes Catholic values. Prime Minister Beata Szydlo distanced herself from a change to the law and Deputy Prime Minister Jaroslaw Gowin moved to reassure women on Wednesday that a total ban would not get through. "Abortion will certainly not be banned when the woman is the victim of rape or if her life or her health is in danger," he insisted. Since Law and Justice came to power last year, it has been criticised by the EU for taking control of state media appointments and for reforms to Poland's constitutional court. Abortion is already largely banned in Poland. The only exceptions are a severe and irreversible damage to the foetus, a serious threat to the mother's health, or if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. The Stop Abortion campaign group wanted the ban extended to cases of rape and incest. The only exception would have been where the mother's life was in danger. Doctors already risk punishment if they carry out an illegal termination. But the tighter proposals would have made abortion punishable with an five-year prison term. In the end this was a bill that not even the Catholic Church could support. Just before the vote in parliament, Poland's bishops put out a statement saying that while they opposed abortion they did not support punishing women for having the procedure. The proposed ban was not popular amongst most Poles, even though some members of the right-wing ruling party initially supported it. The scale of Monday's protests clearly gave Law and Justice food for thought, and the education and science minister Jaroslaw Gowin spoke about a lesson in humility. After the vote, Prime Minister Beata Szydlo said a pro-life education campaign would be prepared instead. It seems that a 23 year-old compromise, which only allows abortion in cases of rape or incest or when the health of the mother or foetus is seriously endangered, will remain in place.

Summary: Poland's parliament has voted overwhelmingly to reject a controversial citizens' bill for a near-total ban on abortion.


An investigation is being into Emstrey Crematorium's failure to return babies' ashes to bereaved parents. Last month, its head David Jenkins said at least 60 families had been affected. The Justice and Civil Liberties Minister Simon Hughes said work on a national standard could begin as soon as the Shropshire inquiry concludes. "It is clear we need to have a much more consistent practice of burial and cremation across the country," he said. "We need to make sure we have absolutely the best standards in every part of the country and anything the inquiry recommends to me by the way of improved practice not just in Shropshire, but elsewhere, I would intend to follow. "There's been a commission into infant cremation in Scotland. We'll make sure we learn the lessons from that and the inquiry in Shropshire." Mr Hughes, who is responsible for coroners, cremations and burials, said work on national regulations could begin before the election and be in place later in the year. The Shrewsbury independent inquiry, set up by Shropshire Council, is investigating cases at Emstrey Crematorium before 2012 and is due to report its findings next month. A BBC investigation found just one set of ashes had been returned to bereaved families since 2004. Co-operative Funeralcare, which took over the running of the site in 2011, said while it had returned infant remains in all cases since new equipment was introduced in 2012, it continued to follow industry guidance in advising families it could not "fully guarantee ashes".

Summary: An inquiry into the mishandling of baby ashes at a crematorium in Shrewsbury could lead to new national guidelines, the government has said.


Market Cross Jewellers on Linthorpe Road in Middlesbrough was targeted on Tuesday by men carrying what were thought to be axes. No-one was injured, and police have not released any details of what was taken. In November, watches, and diamonds worth hundreds of thousands of pounds were stolen during a raid at the store's branch in Yarm. A 24-year-old man from Manchester was arrested on 8 January in connection with that robbery and later bailed pending further inquiries. Temporary Det Ch Insp John Ward said: "There are clearly similarities between [yesterday's] robbery and the one that took place in Yarm in November and numerous lines of inquiry are being pursued in both cases. "Officers would like to speak to anyone who may have seen, or have knowledge of, a silver Citroen C Crosser motor vehicle bearing the registration plates MK60 XCD. "We believe this vehicle was involved in the [Middlesbrough] robbery and it was later discovered abandoned in the car park next to Leader timber merchants on Newport Road, Middlesbrough. "We would also appeal to local hoteliers and to those who run local bed and breakfast venues to alert us should they have had any guests who may have raised their suspicions over recent days and who may have spoken with a North West accent."

Summary: An armed raid at a jewellers could be linked to one at another branch three months ago, police have said.


Williams was the first black woman to be named Miss America in 1983 but resigned after a magazine published nude photos of her without her consent. "I want to apologise for anything that was said or done," said Miss America CEO Sam Haskell. A tearful Williams called the statement "unexpected" and "beautiful". Now 52, she has forged a career as an actress, with major roles in Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives. She also scored a global hit in 1992 with the ballad Save the Best for Last; and her recording of Colors of the Wind from Disney's Pocahontas soundtrack earned her a Golden Globe, a Grammy and an Oscar for best original song. The New Yorker won Miss America in September 1983 but, months later, the pageant's executive committee voted unanimously to request that she resign after Penthouse magazine published naked photographs she had posed for several years earlier, Williams remains the only title-holder who was asked to resign in the pageant's history. She was invited back to the competition this year by Chairman Sam Haskell, who asked her to serve as head judge. Before the competition started, he invited her on stage to receive the apology. "I have been a close friend to this beautiful and talented lady for 32 years," he told the audience. "You have lived your life in grace and dignity, and never was it more evident than during the events of 1984 when you resigned. "Though none of us currently in the organization were involved then, on behalf of today's organization, I want to apologize to you and to your mother, Miss Helen Williams." He continued: "I want to apologize for anything that was said or done that made you feel any less than the Miss America you are and the Miss America you always will be." The audience gave Williams a standing ovation and TV coverage showed her mother on the verge of tears. "Thank you so much, Sam, so unexpected but so beautiful," said the actress. "I did the best that I could as Miss America in 1983 to 84," she said. "On behalf of my family, my mother in particular; [publicist] Brian Edwards, who orchestrated this entire thing to bring me back; and your leadership, your integrity and you bringing this pageant back to what it ought to be. I love you. I love the girls. And I'm so honoured to be back." Williams then returned to her seat and helped select the new Miss America - 21-year-old Betty Cantrell of Georgia.

Summary: Organisers of the Miss America pageant have apologised to actress Vanessa Williams, 32 years after she was forced to hand back her title.


The cost of borrowing will remain unchanged at 6.25% ahead of a possible increase in US interest rates later this month. The decision came as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) held its first press conference since new bank notes were introduced. The BBC was one of several media organisations prevented from attending the briefing. The central bank blamed a decision to move the press conference to a small venue. The Reserve Bank of India gave no clear reason for its unprecedented decision to exclude some media organisations including the BBC from attending today's press conference held by its governor, Urjit Patel, after the monetary policy meeting. "Space constraint" is the only official response we were given. That is somewhat ironic considering that only last year the RBI started holding press conferences in a bigger room to accommodate more journalists. The tradition has been that the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India addresses a long press conference after the monetary policy decision. And it's open to all media organisations. I have attended many such events in the past. We have been told that the decision to exclude certain media organisations had nothing to do with the coverage of the recent currency note ban in India - which received widespread criticism for its implementation. There are concerns that the cash clampdown could cut growth in the world's fastest-growing major economy. Expectations of a rate cut rose last week after India reported lower-than-expected economic growth of 7.3% for the three months to September. That put pressure on the central bank, particularly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on 8 November that 500 ($7.30; Â£6) and 1,000 rupee notes would no longer be legal tender. While demonetisation was a government decision, it had to be approved by the Reserve Bank. This has led to strong criticism of Mr Patel and the transparency of his institution. The governor reduced the cost of borrowing when he took up the post in October and replaced Raghuram Rajan, who chose to leave the RBI without seeking a second term. It was the third cut in rates this year after reductions in January and March. Mr Patel is known to take a tough line on inflation, which remains one of the big worries in the Indian economy. But fresh worries have emerged after the government's decision to ban 500 and 1,000 rupee bank notes, which caused chaos as people lined up at banks to exchange their old currency. Some banks ran out of cash. At others, police were called in to manage queues of anxious customers hoping to change their savings for legal tender. The surprise government move is aimed at tackling corruption and tax evasion. But many low-income Indians, traders and ordinary savers who rely on the cash economy have been badly hit. The two notes accounted for about 86% of the cash in circulation.

Summary: India's central bank has unexpectedly held interest rates at a six-year low.


This revolution is the result of someone sending a Facebook invitation to many people. I got it like other people on our network. The buzz around it was then created on different social media websites and with videos. I was here on 25 January when riot police forced us out and by the 28th, we were back following the violence. I've been sleeping here most of the time since. Our social network was established in 2005, when there was a democratic opening around the time of the presidential elections. People from different backgrounds all met through blogging and hoped to use technology for social change. It meant we have all gained good contacts, experience and strong networks. I like to think the social network is the people itself. Things like Facebook, Twitter, SMS and phones are just social tools. When they blocked Facebook and shut down technology, our network still operated because it's about people. Internet activists are also people and a lot of our organising, social work and relationships are developed offline. This is something that people dreamt of but didn't anticipate happening in reality. If anything, it shows that all the effort we put in over the past few years has not been wasted. It has climaxed into this critical mass of people you see in the square. At the moment I'm not getting a lot of internet connection. I'm trying not to drain my phone battery. We're still using it to distribute footage people are bringing to us that we've sorted through. I hope the internet will continue to play a complementary role in activism. At the moment we physically exist in downtown Cairo and I hope that when we have finished this sit-in, we will have won the right to organise ourselves outside the internet. Twitter: Amr Gharbeia I was involved in this revolution from the first day, 25 January, and I've now been spending my nights here for a while. For the past five years, I was very active online, blogging and tweeting. As we live under emergency laws in Egypt it has been very difficult to meet or communicate except on the internet. I'd never been part of a demonstration on the ground. At first we were mocking the event on 25 January. We questioned whether it was really possible to have a "Facebook revolution". I came on the 25th because I felt it was my duty as a citizen and I couldn't believe how it turned into something so different from what we've seen before. I was walking among the people and weeping. Now I sometimes just tweet to update people about what's going on or to call for a million-man demonstration or a day to remember our martyrs. I'm well-known among bloggers for my long articles and constant tweets, but once I was here I stopped communicating this way so much. I felt it was totally different to have real freedom rather than just hypothetical freedom or internet freedom. Blogging and tweeting has been important as we were building our minds. This regime stopped

Summary: Egypt's internet activists have played a key role in the pro-democracy protests from the outset, but they tell the BBC that the online campaigning is evolving to suit their real-life activism in Tahrir Square.


The memorial event will be attended by hundreds of firefighters, police officers, paramedics and volunteers in a chapel overlooking the crash site. Emergency workers and community leaders have organised the 22 November service. It will come three months after a jet crashed on to the West Sussex A27 during the Shoreham Air Show. The Right Rev Dr Martin Warner will open the service at Lancing College with a prayer for the victims. He said it would be an important moment for people who were caught up in the "sudden and tragic events" of that day. The names of the victims will be read out ahead of a minute's silence at 13:22 GMT - the exact time of the crash. Each family will then light a candle to be placed on the chapel's altar. The relatives affected will also give the readings. Personal reflections of the rescue effort have been written and compiled and will be read out by Sussex Police Chief Constable Giles York, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer Sean Ruth, and South East Coast Ambulance Service chief executive Paul Sutton. Two days after the crash, Assistant Chief Constable Steve Barry said he had never before in his career seen anything like the Shoreham crash, in terms of its scale, tragedy and impact on the local community. Friends and relatives gathered for the funeral of retired engineer Graham Mallinson at St Mary's Church, Newick, on Thursday, The keen photographer had been hoping to capture shots of the Vulcan bomber, which was making one of its last appearances at the air show, when the vintage Hawker Hunter jet crashed. He was described as being a "very dearly loved" husband, father and brother who would be "very sorely missed".

Summary: The families of 11 men who died in the Shoreham air crash will hear the reflections of emergency workers who dealt with the disaster at a service.


The Welsh beat Moldova 4-0 in their first qualifier, but drew against Austria, Georgia and Serbia. Chris Coleman's side are third in Group D, four points behind the Republic, who are top. "We've been unlucky where we've drawn a few games we felt we should have won," Burnley's Vokes told BBC Radio Wales. The side finishing top qualify automatically, with eight of the nine second-placed teams facing play-offs to reach next year's World Cup in Russia. Vokes added: "We've been apart for a few months, but if we can look back and take confidence from the last few performances, then I definitely think we can get the right result out there." The 27-year-old knows they must win in Dublin to boost their chances of qualifying for a first World Cup since 1958. He says Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale and Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey will provide welcome relief after struggling with injuries this season. "It's good news for the team. They're two very important lads in our squad," he added. "It's great to see they are back in training and fit and ready to go." Burnley travel to the Liberty Stadium on Saturday hoping to seal a win that could send them into the top half of the Premier League table. The Clarets lost against Swansea City at home on the opening day and Vokes is aware of the threat they pose given their recent return to form. "We know that if we don't get the right result down there then it closes the gap for us [on the relegation zone]," Vokes said. "It's important that we get the right results in the next few games to keep that distance between us and the bottom three."

Summary: Wales forward Sam Vokes hopes they can turn their World Cup qualifying fortunes around when they visit the Republic of Ireland on 24 March.


Artykov finished third in the men's -69kg weightlifting competition. The Court of Arbitration for Sport said the 22-year-old's "medal is forfeited" and "he is excluded from the Games" after testing positive for strychnine. The bronze medal will be reallocated by the weightlifting federation and the International Olympic Committee. Colombian Luis Javier Mosquera Lozano would be the weightlifter to move into the bronze medal position, having finished fourth. Meanwhile, Moldovan canoeist Serghei Tarnovschi has been provisionally suspended for failing a drug test. The 19-year-old was set to compete in the 1,000m C2 event on Friday with his older brother, Oleg. However, the International Canoe Federation said Tarnovschi - who won C1 1,000m bronze on Thursday - will "no longer be eligible". Subscribe to the BBC Sport newsletter to get our pick of news, features and video sent to your inbox.

Summary: Kyrgyzstan weightlifter Izzat Artykov has become the first Rio medallist to test positive for a banned substance and has been stripped of his bronze.


The final table based on all of his predictions is at the bottom of this page. In Lawro's league table, Chelsea and Liverpool finished joint champions and, overall, he has seven teams out of 20 in their correct positions going into the final round of fixtures. Lawro has been pitting his wits against a different guest each week this season and his opponent for the final round of fixtures is drummer Ben Thatcher from rock band Royal Blood. Thatcher is a Brighton fan who is looking forward to seeing his side in the top flight next season after their promotion from the Championship. "If you look at where the club was 20 years ago, getting to the Premier League is an amazing achievement," he told BBC Sport. "It is going to be a great season. "It will be all about staying up and, with the right signings, it can happen. We might even do a Leicester and win the title - who knows?" Media playback is not supported on this device The Seagulls held their promotion parade last week after returning to the top flight for the first time since 1983. "It was a day that the club will always remember," Thatcher said. "I won't remember it as well as most people because I got off a plane and went straight down to the seafront and partied hard. "But it was great to see how excited the whole city was that we had been promoted - it has pulled everyone together and we are all supporting our club." A correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points. You can make your Premier League predictions now and compare them with those of Lawro and other fans by playing the BBC Sport Predictor game. All kick-offs 15:00 BST Arsenal v Everton It appears Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is going to stay on for another year or two and, if that is the case, I am not sure why they have kept it such a big secret. So, it does not look like this will be Wenger's final game at the Emirates Stadium, but it could be Alexis Sanchez's - the future of the Gunners striker is still in doubt. Arsenal have got next week's FA Cup final to think about but I don't think that will affect the result, because they can still finish in the top four and they have to go for the win in case Manchester City or Liverpool slip up. Everton will finish seventh whatever happens and they will make a game of it, but the Gunners are on a good run and I think they will come out on top. However, even if Arsenal do win, I think it will be too little, too late for Wenger's side as far as making the Champions League places goes - I think Liverpool and City will both win. Lawro's prediction: 2-0 Royal Blood's prediction: This is going to be a great game - Alexis Sanchez is going to put Arsenal ahead

Summary: BBC Sport's football expert Mark Lawrenson has made a prediction for all 380 Premier League games this season.


Demonstrators marched outside the Iranian embassy accusing Tehran of interfering in Afghanistan's affairs. Soaring fuel prices have angered many Afghans at a time of high demand during winter. Afghan officials say 2,500 fuel tankers are stranded at the border. Iran denies blocking fuel exports to Afghanistan. It is thought the Iranian government fears the fuel could be used by foreign forces, but Afghan officials say these concerns are unfounded. Earlier this week Iran's ambassador in Kabul, Fadahoseyn Malaki, dismissed reports that Iran had barred fuel exports to Afghanistan. "We give fuel to the Afghan nation," he told a news conference, although he added his government still had concerns which "should be addressed". Friday's demonstration was led by Afghan MP Najib Kabuli, who has organised similar protests against Iran in the past.

Summary: Hundreds of protesters in Kabul have accused Iran of stopping fuel tankers from crossing the border into Afghanistan.


The "indigenisation law" has been blamed for choking off investment. It has never been fully implemented and Mr Mugabe has previously said many sectors of the economy are exempt. But it has been widely criticised, including by the IMF, for contributing to the collapse of the economy. Zimbabwe shutdown: What is behind the protests? Zimbabwe's pastor 'hero': #ThisFlag preacher In March, Zimbabwe threatened to close all companies that failed to comply with the legislation, which was passed in 2008, before later saying banks would be exempt. The government says the aim of the law is to empower the majority black population who were disadvantaged by colonial rule. But critics say it has benefited Mr Mugabe's allies. Speaking at the opening of parliament, Mr Mugabe also said the government would debate a bill on cybercrime. Political activists say this could be used against opposition supporters using social media as a way of circumventing security laws banning gatherings without police permission. There have been a number of protests against the government in recent months, largely because of the worsening economic situation.

Summary: Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has announced plans to water down a contentious law obliging foreign companies to hand over most of their shares to black Zimbabweans.


The 28-year-old Frenchwoman, ranked seventh in the world, said she was taking the decision with immediate effect because of persistent injuries. She made the tearful announcement at a media conference following defeat by Simona Halep at the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati. "It's time for me to retire and to call it a career," she told reporters. "I feel it's time for me to walk away." Bartoli, who beat Germany's Sabine Lisicki in the Wimbledon final in July, said her Achilles, shoulder, hip and lower back hurt continually when she plays. She added: "It's never easy, but that was actually the last match of my career. I just can't do it anymore." After her 6-1 6-4 win at Wimbledon, Bartoli hinted that the physical demands of the sport were taking their toll. "That was probably the last little bit of something that was left inside me," she said on Wednesday. The 2007 Wimbledon runner-up had won her first Grand Slam at the 47th attempt - the longest wait in women's tennis before a maiden Grand Slam. She had returned from her Wimbledon triumph to play in Toronto last week and was playing her first match in Cincinnati having received a first-round bye. "Sometimes your body just basically says 'that's it, I've had enough'. "I was fortunate enough to retire on my timetable but many athletes can't, they retire when their body gives out and it sounds to me like she was in constant pain everywhere. "It wasn't like it was the knee, or the hip or the shoulder it was like the whole body said 'I'm out of here'. "Once you are in pain, I had bad knees for a few years, it takes all the fun out of playing because every step you take is painful. However, the 3-6 6-4 6-1 loss to Halep appears to have been the last straw. "It's been a tough decision to take," she added. "I've been a tennis player for a long time and I had the chance to make my biggest dream a reality. "You know, everyone will remember my Wimbledon title. No-one will remember the last match I played here. "I made my dream a reality and it will stay forever with me, but now my body just can't cope with everything." WTA chairman and chief executive Stacey Allaster paid tribute to Bartoli's "long, successful career". "She is an inspirational champion and a great ambassador for women's tennis who has dedicated her life to the sport and given so much back to the game," she said. "I am so proud of her for who she is, her values and for fighting to realise her dream of winning Wimbledon."

Summary: Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli is retiring from tennis just 40 days after winning her only Grand Slam title.


Josh Hanson, of Kingsbury, north-west London, was stabbed in the neck at the RE bar in Eastcote, Hillingdon. He died at the scene shortly after 01:10 BST on Sunday. Scotland Yard said about 40 people were in the bar at the time of the attack and urged anyone there after midnight to contact them with information. No arrests have yet been made. Det Ch Insp Noel McHugh said: "It is believed there would have been around 40 people present at the time of the incident, many of whom left the venue as paramedics worked to save Josh's life. It is imperative these people contact us to let us know what they saw. "We are also keen to hear from anyone who was in Field End Road area at around 01:00 Sunday who may have seen or heard anything that they now think might be because of the incident at the RE bar."

Summary: A murder investigation has begun over a man who was fatally stabbed in front of dozens of customers at an over-21s bar in north-west London.


Relieved that the giant telecoms company would not be broken up, they piled into the shares, sending them up 3% in early trading. BT dodged a bullet - and, as the chief executive of Ofcom, Sharon White, admitted, it was for prosaic reasons. She said complications with land deals and BT's giant pension scheme meant there were "practical obstacles" to a break-up that would delay the process several years. It's the pension scheme that probably most influenced Ofcom's thinking. BT's retirement scheme, inherited from its time as a state-owned utility, has assets of about Â£40bn and a deficit, on some measures, of about Â£10bn, even though BT has poured in billions of pounds in recent years to redress the gap. Senior sources at the company say that about 80% of the scheme relates to Openreach, the internet infrastructure provider that BT's rivals would like to see spun off. Separating the pension as part of a break-up would be a costly headache - and there is the small matter of a government guarantee on part of the scheme, something that BT fought in the courts to preserve and won. Creating two new pension schemes, with the risk of weakening the financial resources of one or the other, might be too hot a political potato, even in the pursuit of faster broadband. BT's share price reaction might turn out to be overdone. Ms White plans to enforce the separation by introducing not only a new board to run Openreach, but also new articles of association that will give directors a duty to serve customers of the network as much as the company's owners. This holds out an obvious prospect of conflicts to come, and runs counter to the normal assumption that in private companies, the shareholder is king. It also carries an echo of the "golden shares" held by the government in Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems, two companies judged important for the defence of the realm. In each case, the golden share is actually enshrined by specific articles of association that give directors and the government powers beyond those normally enjoyed by company boards. BT's chief executive, Gavin Patterson, said he thought he could reach a compromise with Ofcom, but admitted they would need to see the detail of the new articles. If they prove too much at odds with BT's own desire to control Openreach - which it will still own - get ready for a court battle and perhaps, eventually, a full break-up.

Summary: The reaction from BT's investors told us much about media regulator Ofcom's ruling on the fate of Openreach, the BT subsidiary that provides much of the UK's broadband infrastructure.


Meanwhile more than 30,000 people in the eastern city of Halle have been told to leave their homes after rivers reached their highest level in 400 years. Floodwater is also threatening parts of Austria and the Czech Republic. At least 13 people have died and two are missing as a result of the floods. Rising waters have been triggered by heavy rain following a wet spring. Eight deaths were recorded in the Czech Republic and three in Germany, while two people were reported dead and two missing in Austria, according to a European Commission update on Tuesday evening. Parts of Germany have not seen such severe flooding in centuries. However, in the Czech Republic, the water level has stabilised in the capital Prague, where there had been fears of a repeat of disasters in 2002 and 1997. Helicopters started removing residents from their homes in Deggendorf on Wednesday after two levees along the Danube and Isar rivers broke. Firefighter Alois Schraufstetter said the floodwater in the Bavarian town was 3m (9.8ft) high. "This is a life-threatening situation," he was quoted as saying by Germany's DPA news agency. Four farmers were rescued at the very last minute by a helicopter before their tractor was submerged, he added. German newspapers said water levels in the eastern city of Halle were at their highest for four centuries. Officials said the city was in acute danger after floodwaters from the Saale river damaged a section of dykes. The level of the River Elbe in the historic German city of Dresden, where at least 600 people were evacuated, is not expected to peak until Thursday morning. Coaches reportedly ferried people out the town of Muhlberg, about 40km (25 miles) northwest of Dresden, as thousands were told to leave on Wednesday afternoon. Chemical plants next to the swollen rivers have been shut down and their chemicals removed over safety concerns, the Associated Press reports. Meanwhile, the floods were receding in the south German city of Passau. People could be seen sweeping up muck from their streets. In the Austrian city of Krems, emergency workers have been shoring up a dyke under threat from the swollen Danube. Thousands of people left their homes in the Czech Republic in recent days as floodwater threatened to overwhelm flood barriers. In the low-lying industrial city of Usti nad Labem, the River Elbe spilled over the 10m-high (33ft-high) metal flood barriers. The main rail link connecting Prague and Berlin in Germany have been underwater, with trains being diverted. Anti-flood barriers have reportedly gone up to protect the Czech capital's zoo after it was badly hit, causing animals to be evacuated.

Summary: Rescuers used helicopters to pluck families from rooftops in the southern German town of Deggendorf on Wednesday as the Danube flood crisis continues.


Having become the first Indian sprinter to reach a final at a global athletics event in 2013, the 18-year-old was already the national champion at 100m and 200m, and an Asian Games bronze medallist. Such was the excitement about her potential that the Sports Authority of India's director general Jiji Thomson described her as a "sure shot Olympic medallist" of the future, and a place in a final on her Commonwealth Games debut looked within her reach. But then, less than a fortnight before the opening ceremony in Glasgow, she "failed" a test that had nothing to do with fitness, form or even doping, and was dramatically withdrawn from the national team. Like South African 800m sensation Caster Semenya before her, Chand discovered - in bold newsprint - that her natural levels of the hormone testosterone were normally only found in men. It did not take long before reporters were outside her parents' humble home asking them and her six siblings if she was a boy or a girl. She has now been cleared to race by a landmark ruling questioning the validity of so-called gender tests around naturally high testosterone levels in female athletes. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) has suspended the International Association of Athletics Federations' "hyperandrogenism" rules for two years. The rules will be scrapped if the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) cannot provide new evidence supporting them. However, Chand's career has been on hold for a year, leading to her missing both the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games after she refused to subject herself to the "corrective" treatment (hormone suppression therapy and sometimes even genital surgery) prescribed by the IAAF, International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other leading sports bodies. "I am who I am," said Chand with a mixture of defiance and dismay at the time. Instead of the sprinter she has spent years training to be, she became the focus of a challenge to sport's rules on gender, a cause celebre and evidence in a scientific debate about testosterone. Concerns about men masquerading as women to win medals have been around for almost as long as women have been allowed to play sport, which is surprising given how rare it is. In fact, the last case most people can agree on is German high jumper Dora/Heinrich Ratjen. He nearly won a bronze medal at the 1936 Olympics. Undeterred by the unlikelihood of a man successfully passing himself off as a woman, the IOC started comprehensive "gender verification" testing in 1968. Initially, this was done by asking female athletes to drop their underwear, but eventually a less humiliating method was found: checking swabs of cheek tissue for chromosomes, women being XX, men XY. Unfortunately, Mother Nature is not as black-and-white as your typical blazer would like his competitions to be, and it turns out there are a dozen different conditions that would once have been lumped under "hermaphrodite", but are now referred to by the less pejorative term of intersex, or disorders of sexual development. Sport first cottoned on to this when Spanish hurdler Maria

Summary: Life looked pretty good for Dutee Chand last July.


The 31-year-old recently signed a two-year contract extension to play only limited-overs cricket for the county. Ingram, Glamorgan's player of the year in the one-day formats in 2016, says he is not necessarily aiming for the high-profile Indian Premier League. "The IPL is not high on my agenda at the moment, but you never know down the line" Ingram said. "For now it's nice to have something secure to come back to, playing for Glamorgan for the next few years." The South African international underwent knee surgery in August 2016 after injury prevented him from playing four-day Championship cricket that summer. He has returned to the longer format for Glamorgan in 2017, but cites family and fitness issues for wanting to reduce a hectic schedule, which also sees him playing for the South African side Warriors. "It's been really tough playing 12 months of the year, and still living back home in South Africa, so I'll spend a little extra time there and we all know about my injury issues," he told BBC Wales Sport. "To make sure I can play as much of my strongest formats, 50-over cricket and T20, is important to me so I'm really grateful to the club and thrilled to be coming back. "But I'd like to get out there as well, experience a bit of what is on the world stage, so hopefully some opportunities come up and I can grab those." The IPL and Australia's Big Bash are currently seen as the most successful tournaments in world cricket, in attracting big crowds- prompting the England and Wales Cricket Board to plan its own big-city competition in 2020. "Everyone talks about the IPL, but when you commit to play in the UK the IPL is of lesser importance, I've always wanted to play county cricket" said Ingram. "It's obviously a wonderful tournament, they get all the best players in from around the world and it's really well marketed. "But I'm fortunate I'm not massively money-driven, I just want to do the right thing, earn a good living and play the game that I enjoy." Ingram was speaking after his career-best limited-overs innings of 142 was just enough for Glamorgan to snatch a one-run victory over Essex in the One-Day Cup. He will continue to play Championship cricket for the remainder of the 2017 season.

Summary: Glamorgan batsman Colin Ingram says he would like to experience more of the "world stage."


The anonymous questionnaire was sent to 568 women in almost 40 different sports, with 339 responding. Asked why sexism was not reported, one respondent said she believed it could affect her selection chances. Another was worried sexism could be perceived as "banter", while a third said "inequality is normal". The survey was carried out as part of Women's Sport Week and other findings included: Media playback is not supported on this device Sports Minister Tracey Crouch coaches a girls' football team and believes more needs to be done to "stamp out" sexism, while cautioning that it is difficult to eradicate such behaviour without it being reported. "I would really encourage people to come forward and report it if they are seeing incidences of sexism," Crouch said. "It shouldn't be tolerated and we need to make sure we're doing all we can to stamp it out." Crouch was also disappointed that many top sportswomen fail to earn a living from their sport and hopes steps will be taken to address that. "Much progress has been made to make sure we do have the commercial sponsors to provide that additional funding for our athletes, but clearly much more needs to be done," she added. Liz Nicholl, who is the chief executive of UK Sport, believes the funding body's high-performance system does make a difference for women in sport. Women make up 45% of athletes on UK Sport's World Class Programme, with a combined 105 medals won by British females in the last summer and winter Olympics and Paralympics. However, Nicholl added: "If any female athlete in our high-performance system feels marginalised in this way, we want to hear from them, as this is unacceptable. "More needs to be done to drive the inclusion of women in sport at all levels, from the playing field to the board room, and we are committed to supporting our funded sports to continue to make progress in this area." A similar study was conducted by BBC Sport in 2013 and the results are alike, and Paula Dunn, who is the first female head coach at British Athletics, said more needs to be done to make a career in sport attractive to women. Fewer than 15% of UK coaches in high-performance sports are women. She said: "At British Athletics we do have quite a number of high-profile females so as a sport we're trying to address the imbalance, but we know it's not something you do overnight. "It's a slow, long process and we need to make sure females that are put into those jobs are the right people for the jobs. "It's all about perception. If people feel there is a career pathway you can dream to aim to get to that role. "But if you see nobody that looks like you, you don't see a female, you don't see a person of colour then it makes it very difficult to say actually I want to be that person. So I think role models are critically important." The electronic survey was sent to representatives of archery, athletics, badminton,

Summary: More than 40% of elite sportswomen in Great Britain have experienced sexism but only 7% have reported it, according to a survey conducted by BBC Sport.


From 2010 until mid-2014, world oil prices had been fairly stable, at around $110 a barrel. But since June prices have more than halved. Brent crude oil has now dipped below $50 a barrel for the first time since May 2009 and US crude is down to below $48 a barrel. The reasons for this change are twofold - weak demand in many countries due to insipid economic growth, coupled with surging US production. Added to this is the fact that the oil cartel Opec is determined not to cut production as a way to prop up prices. So who are some of the winners and losers? Russia is one of the world's largest oil producers, and its dramatic interest rate hike to 17% in support of its troubled rouble underscores how heavily its economy depends on energy revenues, with oil and gas accounting for 70% of export incomes. Russia loses about $2bn in revenues for every dollar fall in the oil price, and the World Bank has warned that Russia's economy would shrink by at least 0.7% in 2015 if oil prices do not recover. Despite this, Russia has confirmed it will not cut production to shore up oil prices. "If we cut, the importer countries will increase their production and this will mean a loss of our niche market," said Energy Minister Alexander Novak. Falling oil prices, coupled with western sanctions over Russia's support for separatists in eastern Ukraine have hit the country hard. The government has cut its growth forecast for 2015, predicting that the economy will sink into recession. Former finance minister, Alexei Kudrin, said the currency's fall was not just a reaction to lower oil prices and western sanctions, "but also [a show of] distrust to the economic policies of the government". Given the pressures facing Moscow now, some economists expect further measures to shore up the currency. "We think capital controls as a policy measure cannot be off the table now," said Luis Costa, a senior analyst at Citi. While President Putin is not using the word "crisis", Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has been more forthright on Russia's economic problems. "Frankly, we, strictly speaking, have not fully recovered from the crisis of 2008," he said in a recent interview. Because of the twin impact of falling oil prices and sanctions, he said the government had had to cut spending. "We had to abandon a number of programmes and make certain sacrifices." Russia's interest rate rise may also bring its own problems, as high rates can choke economic growth by making it harder for businesses to borrow and spend. Venezuela is one of the world's largest oil exporters, but thanks to economic mismanagement it was already finding it difficult to pay its way even before the oil price started falling. Inflation is running at about 60% and the economy is teetering on the brink of recession. The need for spending cuts is clear, but the government faces difficult choices. The country already has some of the world's cheapest petrol prices - fuel subsidies cost Caracas about $12.5bn

Summary: Global oil prices have fallen sharply over the past seven months, leading to significant revenue shortfalls in many energy exporting nations, while consumers in many importing countries are likely to have to pay less to heat their homes or drive their cars.


Mr Byrne was shot dead in the Regency Hotel during a boxing weigh-in in the north of the city in February. This is the second search to be carried out in a week. RTÉ has reported that searches are being carried out on ten houses and flats in Dublin's south inner city. The operation began at around 06:30 local time on Friday morning. It is understood that over 80 armed gardaí are involved in the investigation, as well as the Emergency Response Unit, the Drugs and Organised Crime unit and the Criminal Asset Bureau. On Wednesday, Irish authorities seized over 1m euros (£770,000) worth of luxury cars, cash and other valuables.

Summary: Irish police have begun another series of raids on properties linked to members of a criminal gang connected to shooting victim David Byrne in Dublin.


Media playback is not supported on this device Ali Crawford missed a hat-trick of chances for Accies in the first half while Killie's Kris Boyd twice headed wide from close range. Souleymane Coulibaly's volley for the hosts just after the break was well saved by Gary Woods. Boyd fired into the net after connecting with an Adam Frizzell shot but the striker was flagged offside as both sides had to settle for a point. There was a familiarity about the manner in which Accies enjoyed periods of dominance and yet failed to capitalise. It is a characteristic that has haunted them throughout the early part of the season and has cost them points on several occasions. Media playback is not supported on this device So it proved again in east Ayrshire as a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping denied them a breakthrough. And though a point away from home might prove valuable in the final analysis, a win would certainly have been more welcome. Accies were culpable of a lack of composure and accuracy in front of goal, with the normally reliable Crawford skewing shots wide or hitting tamely into the keeper's arms. Rakish Bingham missed arguably the chance of the match when he headed wide of goal from inside the six-yard box. But Accies were not the only team guilty of profligacy in front of goal. Kilmarnock - and Boyd - in particular passed up good chances, with the striker heading off target from good positions on a couple of occasions. He was also caught offside far too often, notably when tapping Frizzell's shot into the net. When the strikers did find their shooting boots, both keepers earned their corn with some excellent saves. Woods kept out a controlled Coulibaly volley and also denied Frizzell late in the game, with the Kilmarnock substitute making a good impression from the bench. Jamie MacDonald, so often a hero for Kilmarnock, did superbly to tip Greg Docherty's goal-bound header round the post. And he did likewise with a Massimo Donati long-range volley in added time to ensure the game ended in a stalemate. Kilmarnock manager Lee Clark: "It was a good point when you consider Jamie's made a fantastic save right at the death. I don't think we deserved anything more - Hamilton have had their fair share of opportunities. "We've blown a big opportunity to get ourselves into the top six going into the international break and feel good about ourselves. "In comparison to where we were in our last two home games and where we were against Inverness and St Johnstone, we didn't play enough on the front foot and we let Hamilton's shape cause us too many problems." Hamilton manager Martin Canning: "I thought we deserved to win the game on opportunities created but if you're having one of those days when the ball's not going to go in for you, you need to keep the back door shut. "I thought Dougie Imrie should have had a penalty [in the first half] - he's wrong side of the defender

Summary: Kilmarnock and Hamilton Academical drew a blank in the Scottish Premiership.


Sue Sim was the first woman to lead the force and led the hunt for murderer Raoul Moat in 2010. Last month Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird launched an investigation into Ms Sim over alleged rudeness to staff. Ms Sim is retiring on 3 June to spend more time with her family to "make up for the sacrifices" they made. She joined Merseyside Police in 1985, progressing through the ranks before moving to Northumbria in 2004. Ms Sim said the hunt for Moat following the murder of Christopher Brown and shooting of one of her officers, PC David Rathband, was one of the biggest challenges she faced. She said: "That was the largest manhunt the country has seen for 44 years. I spent my time out and about reassuring the public and responding to their questions. "I am immensely proud of my officers and staff who went about their roles fully aware of the threats against them, but determined to support the public." She has also overseen savings of Â£117m since 2010 and was at the helm as Northumbria Police reopened no crime rape reports following an audit. Ms Baird's office said the misconduct investigation will continue but admitted if the complaints against her were upheld, Ms Sim's retirement would mean any sanctions, such as a written warning, would have no impact. Ms Baird said: "Sue has brought passion and enthusiasm to her role and leaves at a time when Northumbria is one of the highest performing forces in the country."

Summary: The chief constable of Northumbria Police will retire after 30 years of service, it has been announced.


The girl, who suffered "extensive dog bite wounds to her face" in the attack in Stoke-on-Trent, is being treated at Birmingham Children's Hospital. Her condition is "serious" but not thought to be life-threatening. Her family remain at her bedside. Staffordshire Police said the dog had been taken to specialist kennels. Emergency services were called to Pretoria Road in Etruria at 10:20 BST. Officers said they understood the attack took place in the garden of the property. West Midlands Ambulance Service said the girl was airlifted for "emergency care and surgery". "The girl, who was understandably upset, was given pain relief to help ease her discomfort before ambulance staff assessed her nasty wounds and applied dressings." "Her condition was said to be serious but stable," the ambulance service said.

Summary: A six-year-old girl is undergoing surgery after being attacked by a Staffordshire bull terrier, police have said.


Four US tourists and an Australian pilot died after their light plane came down on a shopping centre on Tuesday. It had just taken off from the small Essendon Airport, which reopened on Thursday. The nearby shopping centre remains closed "until further notice". Safety officials said they would investigate with "an open mind" and make a preliminary report next month. The victims were pilot Max Quartermain and passengers Greg Reynolds De Haven, Russell Munsch, Glenn Garland and John Washburn, four men from Austin, Texas, who were on their way to Tasmania's King Island for a golfing trip. Greg Hood, chief commissioner of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), said four investigators would examine the scene for several days. "We're very much in the gathering of evidence phase," he said. Police said the flight appeared to have had a "catastrophic engine failure" before Mr Quartermain gave two mayday calls. However, Mr Hood said investigators would make no assumptions. "We'll look at maintenance records, the history of pilot, the history of aircraftâ€¦ at this very early stage, we're not going to speculate in relation to any specific part of the investigation," he said. The West Australian newspaper reported the Beechcraft B200 King Air plane recently passed a safety check. The inspection by industry regulator Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) found no issues with the plane or pilot, the newspaper said. Mr Quartermain was investigated by the ATSB over a near mid-air collision in September 2015, but he later passed a series of proficiency tests set by CASA. Victoria's Premier Daniel Andrews said the crash on Tuesday was state's worst in 30 years.

Summary: An airport in the Australian city of Melbourne has reopened two days after a plane crash that killed five people.


It does not include a final decision about where to locate a new station in or near Sheffield. The announcement confirms ministers' commitment to push ahead with the controversial £56bn project, which they say will boost the economy. Critics say HS2 is not needed and will spoil parts of the countryside. The announcement removes much of the uncertainty over the project, except over where to site Sheffield's station - a decision on which is expected next year. The government's preferred option is for the main HS2 route to run east of Sheffield, with a separate spur to take passengers to Sheffield city centre. This would cost around £1bn less than the alternative suggestions - which involved taking the main HS2 line through Sheffield city centre or to a new station at the Meadowhall shopping centre just outside Sheffield, near the M1. Another spur will take HS2 to a new station at Manchester airport. The first phase of the £56bn railway is due to open in December 2026, with trains to travel at high speed between London and Birmingham before continuing on the existing West Coast Main Line. The second, Y-shaped phase is due to be completed by about 2032-33. Now that the government has confirmed most of its chosen route, it will go through the parliamentary process. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said support and compensation would be available to those affected by the project, who can begin the process now by contacting HS2 Ltd. The Department for Transport says compensation will be calculated at 110% of the value their home would have had without any plans for HS2. Anyone living within 60m of the route is entitled to compensation, although the DfT said that could be extended in certain circumstances and wasn't "a hard and fast rule". Nevertheless, communities along the proposed route in South Yorkshire are still voicing strong objections. Among them are residents of the newly built Shimmer Estate in Mexborough, which is likely to be demolished to make way for the new rail line. Resident Russell Holmes said: "It may be a new estate, but it's a proper community. For that to be destroyed is devastating. "But the uncertainty, waiting until it happens, when you can actually put something in place to move, is horrible as well." The area's MP, former Labour leader Ed Miliband, said he would oppose the planned Sheffield part of the route, saying it "flies in the face of evidence, logic, value for money and the needs and interests of local people". He added: "This is the wrong decision for South Yorkshire, wrong for Doncaster and wrong for the residents who will see their homes destroyed and communities blighted." Jonathan Pile, of campaign group Yorkshire Against HS2, said the proposed route was "unsuitable, should be struck out" and was "unfit for purpose". Pressure group Stop HS2 said that once the high-speed railway was operating, existing intercity services to London would be reduced by up to two trains an hour. The group's campaign manager, Joe Rukin, said ministers were "trying to con the public" that the

Summary: The government has announced the route for the second phase of the high-speed rail line HS2, from Crewe to Manchester and the West Midlands to Leeds.


The search engine has also revealed we asked "Who is Banksy?" and "What is ALS?" more than anything else. The deaths of Peaches Geldof, Robin Williams and Rik Mayall also featured in the top 10 trending search list. Flappy Bird, the Grand National and Jennifer Lawrence appeared in the top searches as well. Ebola was the top news story of the year, followed by ALS - inspired by the ice bucket challenge which aimed to promote awareness of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - and Malaysia Airlines, which lost two passenger planes in separate incidents during 2014. Take our quiz to see how well you know your city Luis Suarez's bite on Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup was fourth, with the Scottish Independence vote fifth. Cliff Richard, the celebrity photo hack and Oscar Pistorius were also in the top 10. Google is often used to answer questions, with the most common this year being "Who is Banksy?" That was followed by "Who is Frenchy?" - the Celebrity Big Brother star - with rapper Dappy, Palestinian group Hamas and Isis also appearing on the list. Googlers in 2014 were also asking for tips on learning new skills, with the most popular being "How to draw", followed by "How to kiss" and "How to crochet". Kissing was the most popular "How To" search in Newcastle, Leeds, Glasgow, Liverpool, Brighton, Nottingham, London and Edinburgh. Finding out how to meditate, knit, twerk and squat were also among the most popular things Google users wanted to know. While there were a host of celebrity deaths in 2014, the loss of Peaches Geldof was the most searched for, followed by Robin Williams and Rik Mayall. Beyonce topped the most searched female celebrity list, beating the likes of Jennifer Lawrence and Katy Perry to the number one spot. Pop star Ariana Grande topped the rising female celebrity list, with British vlogger Zoella also making it into the top five. Ed Sheeran tops the male celebrity list with fellow singer Pharrell sitting at the top of the rising list, with Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch second. In sport, there was something of a surprise as Hull City were the fourth most searched for Premier League team, ahead of both Chelsea and Manchester City. Liverpool topped that particular table ahead of Manchester United, with Arsenal in third. Michael Schumacher was the top sportsperson search of the year as Google users looked up how the seven-time Formula 1 world champion continued his recovery from a skiing accident. The German came ahead of Oscar Pistorius and Andy Murray. Former footballer and I'm a Celebrity star Jimmy Bullard also made it into the top 10. 1. World Cup 2014 2. iPhone 6 3. Peaches Geldof 4. Robin Williams 5. Rik Mayall 6. Flappy Bird 7. Ebola 8. Philip Seymour Hoffman 9. Grand National 2014 10. Jennifer Lawrence 1. Ebola 2. ALS 3. Malaysia Airlines 4. Luis Suarez bite 5. Scottish Independence 6. Cliff Richard 7. Celebrity photo hack 8. Oscar Pistorius 9. Michael Schumacher 10. Frank Maloney 1. Who is Banksy? 2. Who is

Summary: The World Cup in Brazil, Ebola and the iPhone 6 were the biggest Google trends in the UK in 2014.


Having first conducted there in 1971, and regularly since, he is back in 2014 to launch the musical festivities with a First Night performance of Elgar's The Kingdom. Sir Andrew, who turned 70 in February, is one of four of this year's British Proms conductors celebrating significant birthdays. Sir Neville Marriner - who last conducted a Prom in 1997 - is 90, while Sir Roger Norrington is 80 and Donald Runnicles turns 60 in November. After 11 years with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew became music director and principal conductor of Lyric Opera of Chicago in 2000. In 2013 he also became chief conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. He returns to the Albert Hall on 19 August when the Melbourne orchestra makes its Proms debut with Strauss's Don Jon, Elgar's Cello Concerto and Symphonie fantastique by Berlioz. We spoke to Sir Andrew during rehearsals for Friday's opening performance. There's a devotional sense about it, but it's very human at the same time. I find the ending one of the most deeply moving things in music. It is serene but also joyous and exultant at times. It's not a riotous piece to get everybody on their feet, but it's a wonderful statement and the music is Elgar at his greatest. I'm sure all the Elgar fans are going to be delighted because it doesn't get performed that often. Oh yes, absolutely. The Albert Hall is still my most preferred concert hall in London. I love the atmosphere there. I can't wait to hear what the Prommers think of them. The Symphonie fantastique is one of the most remarkable pieces. I always think it occupies a similar place in musical history to that occupied by The Rite of Spring. They were both revolutionary in their way. I remember hearing a performance of Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius that made a deep impression on me. I earned money from a paper round and I saved up and bought a record player. The first record I bought was The Dream of Gerontius. It was on two LPs, but I just bought the first one because I couldn't afford the second. When we performed it in Berlin and I told them this story and said that if it appeared that I knew part one better than part two - that's the reason. I don't know that they have - it's still the greatest music festival in the world. I used to come up on the Metropolitan Line and Prom myself in the arena in my teens. I suppose there's more variety of music now - there's jazz and world music, although there was always a lot of contemporary music - even in the old days. It's always been an adventurous kind of programme that is all things to all music lovers. Neville and I go back a long way. I was an organ scholar at Cambridge from 1963-67 and with the choir we used to do a lot of recording with [Marriner's] Academy of St Martin in the Fields. When he got his Knighthood I

Summary: World famous conductor Sir Andrew Davis is one of the most familiar faces at the Proms.


Capt Ranong Chumpinit told the BBC that Daniel Clarke was found at 01:05 GMT on Saturday lying by the train track in Thung-Kha, Chumphon province. He said Mr Clarke, from Aldershot, told police that he stepped out to smoke between two carriages when he fell. The Foreign Office said a Briton had been hospitalised in Thailand. "We are supporting the family of a British national who has been hospitalised in Thailand," a spokeswoman said. Capt Ranong said a friend of the backpacker told police it was an accident. He said: "We don't believe there's a foul play going on because his belongings remained intact."

Summary: A 21-year-old British man is in hospital in Thailand with head and leg injuries after he fell out of a moving train, Thai police have said.


They're also increasingly participating in a war of words over illegal immigration and how the candidates could best address the more than 11 million undocumented workers currently living in the US. Mr Cruz initiated the fight on Thursday, attacking Mr Rubio by name for his bipartisan work in the Senate to pass immigration reform in 2013. He said the Florida Senator - and other members of the "Gang of Eight" leading reform - backed legalisation that would give a pathway to citizenship for undocumented workers and blocked his attempts to offer amendments to strengthen border protection. "Talk is cheap," Mr Cruz said. "You know where someone is based on their actions." By scheduling happenstance, Mr Rubio and Mr Cruz were the first two speakers on Friday at the Sunshine Summit presidential forum in Orlando, Florida. They offered a distinct contrast in styles. Mr Rubio, a gifted politician, offered a polished set-piece, delivered from behind a lectern - compelling but traditional. In contrast, Mr Cruz paced the stage with a wireless microphone. He waved his arms as he spoke and encouraged audience interaction. His appearance was more akin to a religious tent revival. During a news conference after his speech, Mr Rubio was asked early and often about his record on immigration and Mr Cruz's criticism. He fired back that he was "puzzled and surprised" by Mr Cruz's words, since the Texas senator was on record supporting a legal status for undocumented workers as well and that their positions aren't "dramatically different". "Everyone running for president on the Republican side in one way or another supports legalisation of some people who are here illegally," he said. Earlier in the day, Mr Cruz had told a radio interviewer that attempts by Mr Rubio to draw comparisons between their immigration views make him "laugh out loud". While he supported some legal status, his objection was to Mr Rubio's support for eventual citizenship for those who had entered the country illegally. "That's like Obama saying my position is the same as his on Obamacare," Mr Cruz said. "That's like the Ayatollah Khamenei saying my position is the same as his on the Iranian nuclear deal. It is laughingly, blazingly, on-its-face false." At a rally in an evangelical church later on Friday, Mr Cruz announced an immigration plan that would cap legal immigration and end automatic citizenship for those born on US soil. He also took another not-so-veiled swipe at Mr Rubio, saying that those who supported the 2013 immigration reform effort - "including some Republicans" - were opting for the "Washington cartel" over "hardworking American men and women". The two candidates are increasingly being viewed by pundits and Washington insiders as leading candidates to be the last two men standing when the Republican field eventually narrows. Such a theory is predicated on outsider candidates like Ben Carson and Donald Trump eventually fading, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush's campaign continuing to flounder and the other cast of candidates unable to gain traction. If this turns out to be the case, then the fight between Mr Cruz and

Summary: Marco Rubio of Florida and Ted Cruz of Texas are both US senators, they're both the children of Cuban immigrants, they're both running for president, and they are both surging in the polls thanks to strong performances in Republican candidate debates.


The Welsh Government wants to remove the legal defence for parents who use corporal punishment to discipline children. But campaigners said removing the reasonable chastisement defence would leave "ordinary parents facing jail". The Welsh Government said it would make sure the law made "life better for parents and children". It is due to consult on the plans in the next 12 months. Now a group of parents, known as Be Reasonable Wales, have started a petition calling on the Welsh Government to scrap the plans. Mother-of-one Lowri Turner said there was a difference between smacking and abuse and the move would paint ordinary parents as "no better than violent thugs and child abusers". She said: "They're trying to make out that a gentle smack on the back of the legs from a loving mum is the same as beating up your kids. "Does anyone seriously think that that sort of abuse is not already illegal? "If the government can't tell the difference then they shouldn't be passing laws about it." The move would mean if an allegation of hitting a child is made against an adult, it would remove a defence for those who might argue they had not realised they had hit the child so hard. Andy James, chairman of Children are Unbeatable, a campaign group in favour of a smacking ban, accused the group of "scaremongering". He said the law had been changed to give children the same protection against assault as adults in 52 countries and there was no evidence parents would be criminalised by the move. "No-one has a right to hit another person, or to punish and control them," he told BBC Radio Wales. "Children should have the same protection from the law that we enjoy as adults." A poll of 1,000 people by ComRes on behalf of the campaign group shows 85% of Welsh adults were smacked as children and close to 70% agree that it is at times necessary to smack a naughty child. Children's Commissioner Sally Holland said she was "disappointed and saddened" people would actively campaign for their "right to hit children". She added: "Fewer parents than ever resort to smacking these days and I believe that in the next generation we will look back on the current outdated law and find it astounding that we had a legal defence for hitting those more vulnerable than us." A previous attempt to ban the smacking of children failed in the assembly in March 2015 when AMs voted against removing the defence of reasonable chastisement from the Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Bill. But the Welsh Labour Government is trying again, saying it has made a "firm commitment to seek cross-party support" in the assembly to end the defence. A spokeswoman added: "We will work hard to ensure that our legislation makes life better for both parents and children." The assembly does not yet have powers to make laws on parental discipline, but these will be devolved to Wales from Westminster under provisions in the Wales Act.

Summary: Thousands of Welsh parents would be criminalised if a smacking ban is passed, campaigners have warned.


The suspected green mamba was found on a ship that had docked in Aberdeen from west Africa last month. The snake died after it was placed in a freezer by the animal charity after attempts to rehome it with specialist reptile keepers failed. The snake was later identified as a harmless green tree snake. Police Scotland said a complaint was under consideration. Scottish SPCA Ch Supt Mike Flynn said: "We were called out after a green snake arrived in Aberdeen on a boat from Africa. "The snake was thought to be a green mamba, one of the deadliest snakes in the world. The snake was taken by police escort to our Aberdeenshire animal rescue and rehoming centre. "Sadly the snake, which staff genuinely believed to be a green mamba, had to be put to sleep after our attempts to rehome it to specialist reptile keepers were unsuccessful." He added: "We could not keep the snake in our centre due to severe health and safety concerns, as the closest anti-venom is held in Bedford. Green mambas also require a Dangerous Wild Animal Licence which the society does not have. "The safety of our staff and the public is paramount and as such the snake was placed in a freezer where it passed away. "The Scottish SPCA is proud of its policy not put healthy animals to sleep. Animals are only put to sleep on veterinary advice if they are too ill or too aggressive to be rehomed, or where we are legally required to do so. "The decision to euthanise the snake was not taken lightly. Unfortunately, the snake has since been identified as a harmless green tree snake. This has been an honest mistake on the society's part as we genuinely believed this was an extremely deadly snake." The western green mamba feeds on small animals and rodents and is mainly found in the coastal tropical rainforests of western Africa. Experts say its bite can be fatal in as little as 30 minutes.

Summary: A complaint about the Scottish SPCA putting what was thought to be one of the world's most deadly snakes to sleep is being investigated by police.


The statue at the University of Cape Town had been attacked as a surviving symbol of white minority rule. The university's vice-chancellor has backed calls to move the statue and says a final decision will be brought forward to a special meeting next week. Student leaders have hailed a "victory" for their Rhodes Must Fall campaign. Vice-chancellor Max Price has said the university's senate accepted calls for the statue to be permanently removed from the campus and that it should be boarded up until a final decision was reached. With more than 180 votes in the senate, only one voted against the statue's removal and there were three abstentions. A meeting of the university's council to decide the statue's fate is being brought forward to next week, said a statement from Dr Price - and there will need to be consultations with local heritage authorities. The statue of Cecil Rhodes has become part of a symbolic struggle at the University of Cape Town, one of the the highest ranking universities in Africa in international league tables. Rhodes, a British politician and business magnate who died in 1902, was a powerful figure in colonial South Africa, and his statue has remained on the campus of this high-profile university. But earlier this month, the statue was attacked by a protester who tipped a bucket of human excrement over the figure of Rhodes. It began several weeks of protest by students who saw the statue as representing the lack of opportunities still facing the black majority two decades after the end of apartheid. It sparked arguments about how modern South Africa should represent the legacy of its colonial and apartheid-era past. There have also been debates about access for black students to top universities. The statue had been wrapped in black plastic to protect it, but it has now been entirely boarded up. "It is certainly a victory for us," said Ramabina Mahapa, president of the student representative council.

Summary: A colonial-era statue of Cecil Rhodes on a South African university campus has been boarded up after student protesters demanded its removal.


The 18-year-old - making his first appearance of the season - steered home Wayne Rooney's cross to spark wild celebrations on the away bench. Moments earlier, David Meyler had blazed over in a rare Hull attack. But it was a deserved win for United, who had gone close though Rooney, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba. United and Chelsea are now the only Premier League sides with a 100% record from three games, with Manchester City - who have two wins from two games - playing West Ham on Sunday. Relive the late drama at the KCOM Stadium Rashford's winner was the climax to a performance of persistence and intelligence from the visitors, who changed tack several times before eventually breaking down Hull. Ibrahimovic arrived at Old Trafford with a reputation for audacity, but, in the first half, it was his physical size rather than mercurial skill that posed most threat. Offering himself as a constant target in the box, the Swede headed just over the bar in the 10th minute before an extravagant backheel found the side-netting. The excellent Curtis Davies blocked the more direct route to goal after the break, but the guile of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and the pace of fellow substitute Rashford stretched the Hull defence in different directions and, finally, beyond breaking point. A back muscle injury which is likely to rule Marouane Fellaini out for several weeks means United will need to show similar adaptability when they meet Manchester City in their next match With Harry Maguire returning from injury on the bench, former Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan had a season-high 14 fit senior professionals available for Hull. But what his squad lacks in numbers, it makes up for in spirit. Alongside Davies, Sam Clucas impressed in midfield, while Adama Diomande and Abel Hernandez chased hard to make something from the few scraps in attack. Before Meyler's late wasted chance, Tom Huddlestone saw a shot deflect just wide with David De Gea hopelessly wrong-footed as they briefly threatened a smash-and-grab victory. But, after wins over Leicester and Swansea in their opening two games, their 100% start to their top-flight campaign is over. The uncertainty over the club's future might also be at an end, however, with vice-chairman Ehab Allam writing in the programme that the match could be his family's last as owners, with takeover talks with a Chinese consortium well advanced. That deal may free up funds to supplement the Tigers' threadbare squad - Tottenham's Ryan Mason is a target - and help them continue to defy the Premier League's usual rules of gravity. Media playback is not supported on this device Alan Shearer: "I don't think it will be long before he is a regular. It has to be absolutely brilliant for him at that football club, working, training and socialising with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney." Ruud Gullit: "What I like about Rashford is that he goes straight past players. He gives you opportunities. I hope Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho considers him more because he's a great player." Hull manager Mike Phelan:

Summary: Substitute Marcus Rashford scored an injury-time winner as Manchester United finally overhauled a stubborn Hull at a sodden KCOM Stadium.


It is that time of the year again, when we take stock of the highs and lows of the last 12 months. From the perspective of a news reporter, there have been some stand-out moments. Insecurity was a running concern in many parts of the continent in 2013. The beginning of the year saw a major operation in Mali led by French forces to recapture cities and towns that had been taken over by militant Islamists and Tuareg rebels. To a large extent, the operation, which is still ongoing, has been a success. I could not help but see the irony watching French President Francois Hollande welcomed as a hero and liberator in Mali in the same year the African Union marked 50 years of its existence. Some of the security concerns of this year will drag on into 2014. The conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR), which started with a rebellion to overthrow ex-Francois Bozize, is worsening. 2013 will also be remembered as the year the leaders of South Sudan handed their people the worst of holiday gifts. Political disputes have taken on a military dimension. For a nation that is just two years old and had suffered decades of war before gaining independence, one would have thought the South Sudanese would not see fighting each other as an option. Elsewhere in the neighbourhood, the M23 rebels were defeated in the Democratic Republic of Congo by the combined efforts of the army and United Nations (UN) troops. But there is still a long way to go before all the militia who operate in the area are subdued. The most high-profile terror incident of the year took place in Kenya in September. I was in London when I woke up to the news that there was an attack at a shopping centre in Nairobi. I knew Westgate. I had been there several times during my visits to Kenya. The first news reports I saw did not indicate how serious the crisis was. By evening, it was clear that we were dealing with a situation far more troubling than I had imagined. The following days were extraordinary. I stood in front of the shopping centre for days watching the military vehicles come and go, separating rumour from fiction. Finally, the special units moved in and brought the crisis to a violent end. However there are many questions that have been left unanswered: How could al-Shabab attack a mall in the middle of the capital without warning? 2013 was also the year US President Barack Obama returned to the continent. Six years after his last visit, I got the sense that some of the enthusiasm for the Obama phenomenon had waned. Mr Obama visited Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania in an effort to re-calibrate his relationship with the continent. President Obama will host a summit of African leaders next year. How different this will be from the China-Africa, India-Africa or France-Africa summits? We will have to wait and see. But 2013 has been a good year too. Economic growth in many countries has

Summary: In our series of letters from African journalists, BBC Africa's Komla Dumor looks back at 2013.


If made law, the measure will put a 20% ceiling on any foreign stakes in Russian media, including those held indirectly through Russian partners. Russia's main media outlets are state-owned or controlled by loyal oligarchs. But top Putin ally Sergei Zheleznyak said Russia was facing "an information war unleashed against the country". Russian TV news has accused the Ukrainian government of provoking clashes in eastern Ukraine through acts of aggression, including indiscriminate shelling of civilians. The Kiev government blames pro-Russian separatists for the violence, and says Russia has fomented it by supplying soldiers and heavy weapons to the rebels. The media bill is to go before Duma (lower house) deputies on 23 September, Itar-Tass news agency reports. The restrictions would apply to magazines and internet publications as well as newspapers and broadcast media. The bill is highly likely to become law as it was proposed by MPs who usually support the pro-Kremlin group United Russia. BBC Monitoring reports that foreigners directly own stakes in some Russian mainstream media:

Summary: A bill to restrict foreign ownership in Russia's media will soon go before the parliament, which is dominated by MPs loyal to President Vladimir Putin.


The council has launched an appeal to raise Â£150,000 for a bronze sculpture in the Barkers Pool area. Former steelworker Kathleen Roberts said: "It breaks my heart that we haven't been recognised and everyone else has been." The planned sculpture has been designed by artist Martin Jennings. Mrs Roberts said: "Times were tough in 1941, as a country we had our backs against the wall. We worked flat out for the war effort and we were just young girls. "I think the Sheffield industry could give more because they give so freely to others." Sheffield City Council put up a commemorative plaque to the women in 2011, while plans for the sculpture were already under way. Leader of Sheffield City Council, Julie Dore, said: "We all owe it to these amazing women to make the statue a reality."

Summary: A woman who "gave up her youth" to work in Sheffield's steel factories during World War II has said the city's "women of steel" need proper recognition.