They are accused of kidnapping, torturing, and killing left-wing activists under the country's military rule between 1976 and 1983. Human rights groups hope the trial will shed light on Operation Condor, a joint effort among South American military rulers aimed at suppressing opposition. The five have denied the charges. They include two former intelligence officers, Honorio Martinez Ruiz and Eduardo Ruffo, former Gen Eduardo Cabanillas, former Col Ruben Visuara, and former military intelligence agent Raul Guglielminetti. A sixth man, former Vice Cmdr Nestor Guillamondegui, was excused from the trial on health grounds, court officials said. They said his health would be monitored to determine if he could face trial at a later date. The men are accused of having run a notorious detention centre in Buenos Aires. More than 200 people are believed to have been kidnapped and taken to the secret prison, known as Automotores Orletti. Most of the detained were from Uruguay, but survivors say it also housed prisoners from Chile, Paraguay, Bolivia and Cuba. Condor was devised in 1975 by military officials from Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. Its aim was to silence the opposition by sending teams into other countries to track, monitor and kill dissidents. A prosecutor said what happened at Automotores Orletti was "calculated and planned and amounted to a death sentence" for the prisoners. Marcelo Gelman, the son of Argentine poet Juan Gelman, was one of those detained in the clandestine prison in 1976. His body was later found in a cement-filled drum dumped in a river. His wife, Maria Claudia Garcia, was pregnant when she was abducted. She was taken to Uruguay, where she was disappeared. Their daughter, Macarena Gelman, was raised by a police officer in Uruguay. She says she will testify at the trial, which is expected to last months.

Summary: Five former intelligence and military officials in Argentina have gone on trial on charges of murdering 65 people.


It will take a while for supporters and other leaders of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party, or AIADMK, to come to terms with the huge void created by the death of Jayalalitha, one of India's most flamboyant and controversial leaders. The party, founded in 1972 by the charismatic MG Ramachandran, known as MGR, a film star turned politician, has been playing a crucial role in providing political stability in Tamil Nadu, which is among the most important Indian states economically and politically. Jayalalitha's death has triggered an air of uncertainty among the 75 million Tamils who have been used to seeing the AIADMK either as a governing party or as the main opposition for nearly four decades. Political stability has played a key role in Tamil Nadu's development over the years. Its economy has been growing at a rate of around 12% in the past 10 years, much higher than the national average of around 8%. Tamil Nadu is also the second largest economy among Indian states, next only to Maharashtra. Its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2015 was estimated to be around $150bn (Â£119bn). And as a whole, GDP per person in Tamil Nadu is 68% higher than the national average of $1,390 (Â£1,102) a year. For the moment, one of Jayalalitha's trusted lieutenants, O Panneerselvam, has taken over as chief minister. The smooth transition of power has surprised everyone. But there are challenges ahead. "The party does not have any other leader who is similarly charismatic or popular. That is a vacuum. Right from its inception, the AIADMK has had popular leadership. For the first time, the party does not have a popular figure," says Gnani, a veteran political analyst. It is well known that there is no second - or even third - line of leadership in the party. The AIADMK flourished and succeeded mainly because of the charisma of Jayalalitha after she took over the party in 1990. At the helm, she never allowed anyone to challenge her and those who showed signs of rebellion were summarily dismissed. As a woman leader in a male-dominated society, she stamped her authority to instil respect or even fear among her party's men. Her autocratic style led to her ministers and senior party members prostrating in front of her in public, sometimes even in front of her car, to get her blessing or attention. The AIADMK leadership - both MGR and Jayalalitha - appealed directly to its supporters, mostly in rural and semi-urban areas. The middle-level leaders were usually hand-picked and most of them had no political base of their own. The winning formula was achieved by offering free tablets, bicycles, televisions and money, and also by striking alliance with smaller or caste-based political parties. The party's election symbol, Two Leaves, introduced by MGR, is still a powerful tool to attract votes. There is speculation that Jayalalitha's long-time friend and confidante Sasikala Natarajan is likely to play a crucial role in the party's affairs and establish a power structure around her. Though she was close to the former

Summary: Jayaram Jayalalitha was the undisputed leader of the governing party in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, but her sudden death has raised questions over who will replace her and what direction the party will take.


The next public consultation in the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) scheme was due in September but may not be published until summer 2018. Regional mayor Andy Burnham promised to revise the plans following protests from affected communities. The revised plans will be announced "in due course", the mayor's office said. The GMSF scheme identifies sites for housing developments that may be built over the next 20 years. The area's combined authority, which brings together 10 councils, published a joint plan last October to allocate land for development. Due to the scale of development required to meet expected population growth, it outlined plans to make swathes of protected greenbelt land available for new homes. The authority received more than 25,000 responses to the consultation while community groups protested against the plans. Mr Burnham, who was elected as metropolitan mayor in May, promised to "radically re-write" the plans, calling them "unfair and disproportionate". The BBC understands council leaders are not expecting the next consultation to take place until next year due to the work involved. Matthew Collinge from the Save our Slattocks group, which is opposed to homes being built on greenbelt land between Middleton and Royton, said the delay was "disappointing". He said: "It stretches out the fear of the unknown and us. It's very easy for people to lose interest and we've been working towards this September deadline. "We now have to keep people aware of what's happening for longer and that makes it harder for a small community group like ours." Matthew Good, a spokesman for the House Builder's Federation said: "It's important for everybody that we have some certainty on this. "Councils need to invest in infrastructure. They need to know where those developments are going to happen. "Without a plan it's going to be a lot more piecemeal because investors will have to take chances on where they can get development and the councils may not be in control of that." A spokesman for Mr Burnham said the mayor had appointed Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett to lead a "radical" rewrite of the plans. He added: "This re-write is currently underway and details on the next round of consultation will be announced in due course."

Summary: A plan earmarking sites for 225,000 new homes in Greater Manchester is set to be delayed amid a "radical rewrite" to help protect green belt land.


St Helens Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in Merseyside could suspend all non-essential hospital referrals for four months during the winter. The CCG's lay chair, Geoffrey Appleton, said the group recognises the move "won't be popular" but is facing a funding gap of Â£12.5m this year. The British Medical Association (BMA) called the move "unacceptable". The CCG, which was recently rated "inadequate" by NHS England, is also suggesting a two-year suspension of IVF services for people aged under 37 and stopping provision of gluten free foods and some over-the-counter medicines. Mr Appleton said the plan would "support hospitals during the busy winter period" and allow them to concentrate on the sickest patients. Explaining the group's situation in its Financial Recovery Plan, he said: "Imagine our NHS budget is your household budget and every year the cost of living goes up but your salary doesn't increase; the result is money becomes tighter and tighter." "Now imagine another relative comes to live with you and because of their health needs are unable to work and cannot contribute financially. How would you manage?" Dr Richard Vautrey, deputy chair of the BMA's GP committee, said the move "highlights the incredible financial pressure facing general practice and its impact on patient care. "It cannot be right that the public will be effectively denied access to healthcare because the local CCG has run out of money," he said. He called on government ministers to "step up their commitment to resolving this crisis". "The cost to the health service of delaying referrals could ultimately be much greater in the long term as more complex and costly problems develop as a result". The CCG says it is "under-funded" compared with other areas in Cheshire and Merseyside. An NHS spokeswoman said deciding how to prioritise resources are "very difficult for commissioners" but CCGs must "plan and manage demand over winter". "St Helens CCG is actively engaging with its local population on the best way to ensure patients have their care prioritised over the busy months for the NHS", she said. Charity Coeliac UK criticised plans to cut gluten-free prescriptions, saying it "will leave vulnerable patients without support" and "could cost the NHS more in the long run". The NHS England regional office will review the proposals before a decision is made because of the CCG's inadequate rating. The proposals are under public consultation until 5 October.

Summary: An NHS commissioning group has proposed a temporary ban on non-vital operations in a bid to tackle funding problems.


Adrian Ismay, 52, was seriously hurt after a booby-trap device exploded under his van in Belfast on 4 March. The police said that a post-mortem examination showed he died as a "direct result of the injuries" of the bomb. A dissident republican group, widely referred to as the new IRA, said it carried out the attack. The organisation said Mr Ismay was targeted for training officers at Maghaberry Prison near Lisburn, County Antrim. Sue McAllister, director general of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, spent time with the Ismay family on Wednesday. She said they were "devastated and beyond shock at what's happened". "Like all of us, they thought that he was on the mend and was doing really well," said Mrs McAllister. "We thought he would make a full recovery, we expected him to come back to work in due course, so we're all shocked, but particularly Sharon and her daughters." Mrs McAllister condemned the behaviour of some paramilitary inmates at Maghaberry Prison, who reportedly cheered, smoked cigars and mocked wardens at the high-security jail when news of Mr Ismay's death filtered through. "This was just unacceptable behaviour by a very small number of prisoners," said Mrs McAllister. "My colleagues in Maghaberry dealt with it professionally, with great fortitude and with the courage they display on a daily basis." She admitted she and her colleagues in the Prison Service felt "very angry" on hearing the reports of the celebrations in the exercise yard of the prison. "We encounter challenging behaviour by a small number of prisoners every day, and we deal with it with great professionalism and we do not stoop to behaving that way in response," she added. A man appeared in court on Saturday charged in connection with the bomb attack on Mr Ismay. Det Ch Insp Richard Campbell said it was "yet another difficult day for the Ismay family, his friends and colleagues as they struggle to come to terms with the events of the past 12 days". He added: "We have spoken to the family this morning and advised them of this development. "We are also liaising with the Public Prosecution Service in relation to the individual who is currently charged with attempted murder and causing an explosion with intent to endanger life." The PSNI have also repeated an appeal for information on two cars that police believe may have been used by the bombers - a red Citroen C3 and a silver Skoda Fabia.

Summary: The PSNI has launched a murder inquiry into the death of a prison officer who died 11 days after being injured in a dissident republican bomb attack.


Performers from the comic opera L'elisir d'amore gathered outside the Bow Street venue in full costume at 20:30 BST, alongside members of the audience. The theatre said the interruption was a false alarm and the show had restarted. People took to Twitter after being caught up in the real-life drama. Grace Mallon tweeted: "Exciting times at Elisir d'Amore @RoyalOperaHouse - first time I've been evacuated for a fire alarm in the middle of a performance!" Matt Innes tweeted: "Delightful Donizetti interrupted for a fire alarm, but about to restart to a cheer. Blitz spirit right here." Michael Amon added: "#royaloperahouse big says that wasn't a drill and thanks everyone for a "brilliant" evacuation. Ready to start in a couple minutes."

Summary: Cast members and theatre-goers were evacuated from the Royal Opera House in London after a fire alarm went off mid-performance.


They've kicked up a stink with their council, who've decided to use the liquid to kill weeds around the city. It's all part of a trial to get rid of the unwanted plants without using strong chemicals, which some people think aren't environmentally friendly. But many locals say they're not happy with the unpleasant pong the trial's creating. They've started a campaign and also say they don't think vinegar is strong enough to kill the weeds. Bristol City Council say they'll continue with their trial, but will keeping track of feedback from the people who live there.

Summary: People living in Bristol have complained about a vinegary whiff in the air.


The Lancastria troopship was carrying between 6,000 and 9,000 people when it was sunk by German dive bombers on 17 June 1940. Only about 2,500 people survived in the largest single loss of life for British forces in the whole of World War II. Relatives and survivors have until 15 May to apply for a commemorative medal. The Scottish government commissioned a medal in 2008, issuing more than 375 since. The upcoming 75th anniversary of the event signals the closure of the commemorative medal application process. The Lancastria, a converted Cunard liner built on the Clyde, was carrying servicemen - including about 400 Scots - and a number of civilian women and children when it was bombed by German planes, sinking within minutes off the coast of France. At the time news of the disaster was suppressed by the British government because of the impact it might have on the country's morale. Nearly six weeks later the New York Times broke the story, printing dramatic pictures of the disaster. Veterans' Secretary Keith Brown said: "We in Scotland feel a strong bond with the servicemen and women who have served us throughout the years and continue to protect the democratic freedoms we still enjoy today. "The commemorative HMS Lancastria medal from the Scottish government is a lasting reminder of our gratitude to those who made the ultimate sacrifice on that fateful day. Their memory is honoured, their place in history is secured." Mr Brown appealed for anyone who believes they or a family member is entitled to a medal to come forward and make a claim.

Summary: Survivors and descendants of those killed during Britain's worst ever maritime disaster are being urged to claim medals honouring them.


Rochus Misch was the last survivor from Hitler's bunker in Berlin. The former SS man had operated the telephones in the bunker and had proudly reminisced about his wartime duties for the "boss". He had called Hitler "a very normal man... he was no brute, he was no monster", according to the Associated Press news agency. For five years, Misch was part of the Fuehrer's inner circle, as a bodyguard, a courier and telephone operator. AP said that in his interview he stayed away from the central questions of guilt and responsibility, saying he knew nothing of the murder of six million Jews and that Hitler never brought up the Final Solution in his presence. "I knew about Dachau camp and about concentration camps in general," he told the BBC in 2009. "But I had no idea of the scale. It wasn't part of our conversations. The Nuremberg Trial dealt with crimes committed by the Germans. "But you must remember there was never a war when crimes weren't committed, and there never will be." Born in 1917 in the village of Alt Schalkowitz in what is today Poland, Misch was orphaned at an early age and grew up with his grandparents. He trained as a painter before joining the SS at the age of 20. He served in Poland in 1939 before being appointed to Hitler's personal entourage. His first task for the Fuehrer was to deliver a letter his sister in Vienna. "In the Fuehrer's entourage, strictly speaking, we were bodyguards," Misch told the BBC. "When Hitler was travelling, between four and six of us would accompany him in a second car. But when we were at Hitler's apartment in the Chancellery we also had other duties. "Two of us would always work as telephone operators. With a boss like Hitler, there were always plenty of phone calls." With the Allies advancing and the Nazis on the brink of defeat, Hitler retreated to his Berlin bunker and Misch became the final witness of the drama that took place there on 30 April 1945. He said he was on the telephone when Hitler killed himself, so did not hear the gunshots. But others in the bunker did hear them and Hitler's private secretary asked everyone to be silent and ordered that the door to the Fuehrer's room to be opened. "I saw Hitler slumped with his head on the table. [Hitler's wife] Eva Braun was lying on the sofa, with her head towards him," Misch said. "Her knees were drawn tightly up to her chest. She was wearing a dark blue dress with white frills. I will never forget it." The next day, the six children of Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels were killed in the bunker, by drugging them with morphine and administering cyanide - a plan organised by their mother Magda. Misch said she came to the bunker to do it as no-one was allowed in and she would have been stopped by others above ground. Hitler's doctor Ludwig Stumpfegger helped her, he said. "All of us knew what was

Summary: A former bodyguard of Adolf Hitler who witnessed the Nazi dictator's final hours has died in Germany aged 96.


The animal charity said there were 297 convictions last year in Wales, a rise of 20%, following an increase in the number of animal welfare cases reported. RSPCA Cymru's Steve Carter said workers faced "immense demands". The charity said the economic downturn was probably still partly to blame with some people unable to look after pets. The 100% conviction rate was up from 97.8%. Mr Carter said it demonstrated "how robust our investigative process is". The number of animals rescued or collected also more than doubled, which the charity says is more positive. Other figures reported for 2013: HORSE SUFFERING: A Gwynedd horse breeder allowed his ponies to suffer so much that nine had to be put down. Evan Lloyd Evans, 69, was jailed for 10 weeks after being found guilty of multiple animal welfare offences in October 2013. The conditions the horses were kept in were described as "appalling and completely inappropriate". EMACIATED DOGS: In another case, a married couple from Pembrokeshire were banned from keeping dogs for five years after their dogs were found to be so emaciated that one of them - a lurcher - weighed less than a cat. CATS LEFT TO BREED: A mother and daughter from Wrexham who neglected 17 cats in their care were disqualified from keeping all animals indefinitely. The family had left the cats to breed uncontrollably with only one of their cats being neutered. Several, including the two kittens, had to be put to sleep because of their serious health issues. Both women were given community orders. 'WORST' FLEA INFESTATION: A suspended sentence and life ban were given to a Pontypridd man, 55, who had a cat with the worst flea infestation the vet had ever seen. The cat, which was found living in squalid conditions in an upstairs bedroom, recovered. The man had previously been prosecuted by the RSPCA regarding two of his dogs. Source: RSPCA The RSPCA believes the economic downturn could still be playing in part in the increase in cases reported to it, where people are unable to look after pets which in some cases leads to neglect. The charity said social media was also playing a part in raising the profile of the charity's work. "We are getting people reporting cases on Twitter but we'd really encourage them to contact our helpline as the first port of call, and those messages we receive on social media we refer on to there," said a spokesman. Mr Carter said the rise in cautions reflected how the charity had tried to work with people to educate them. "However, where there is evidence of a crime and serious animal abuse then we will take legal action to protect the animals and prevent further abuse. We also want to see courts taking these offences far more seriously," he said.

Summary: The RSPCA has had a 100% success rate for its prosecutions after facing a "growing animal cruelty crisis".


The increase of 15,000 seeking work was precisely matched, according to the Office for National Statistics survey, by the fall of 15,000 in the number of Scots seeking work at some point during the spring months. One thousand more Scots were in work. Watchers of the Scottish figures won't feel this more welcome jolt to be much of a surprise. It's been a bumpy ride in recent months, most of which have seen the Scottish employment picture worsen relative to the UK as a whole. These most recent figures return Scotland to a better position (just) of 5.5% unemployment, while the UK is at 5.6%. The Scottish employment rate remains higher. The unusual aspect of the UK-wide jolt is that rising unemployment has been accompanied by a sharp increase in pay. Economists don't usually expect those to go together. But these continue to be abnormal times, as the labour market adjusts towards something like normality, or perhaps a new normal. The Scottish job statistics show that most jobs growth is in full-time work. The number of people in part-time work is growing more slowly, and fewer of them are telling ONS surveyors that it is because they can't find full-time posts. The numbers in temporary posts have been falling. It appears that women have been the ones leaving temporary posts and going full-time, while there's also a rise in women taking a second job (more than 60,000 of them in Scotland). The number of men in temporary roles is on the rise too, but they're much slower to get a second job. The overall picture emerging from this reflects the strengthened bargaining position of workers, while employers accept they have to sacrifice some of the flexibility of the temporary, contractorised job market if they're to get the people and skills they need. At 3.2% annual growth rate for June earnings, including bonuses, that's the fastest rate for five years, and with consumer price inflation back at noflation, it means a significant rise in real earnings. It helps fuel speculation that there could be more inflation coming back into the economy, for which the Bank of England may have to consider an interest rate rise. The pay figures bear out the view shared by trade unions and the Chancellor of the Exchequer that "Britain deserves a pay rise". Not the public sector, though. It has been pegged back to no more than 1% for each of the next four years, though Holyrood could choose to vary that, if John Swinney can find the money. You can see tensions stoking up between public and private sector pay. George Osborne's announcement of a "national living wage" in the Budget last week, which caught the headlines, is now catching the ire of business bosses, in some sectors at least. The chairman of Wetherspoon's has weighed in with a warning that the higher pay creates "considerable uncertainty" about the future of the pub industry. It's already suffering from very tough competition from off-licences, notably supermarkets, while drinking habits are changing unfavourably. His reckoning is that a Â£1

Summary: The rise and rise of UK employment has taken a jolt, with a fall of 67,000 in March to May and the first rise in unemployment for two years.


The France player's emoji was shown on advertising boards around the pitch in his side's 1-1 draw with Liverpool. Pogba, 23, missed a first-half chance and conceded a penalty at Old Trafford. "Social media is part of the game now," said forward Ibrahimovic, who scored the late equaliser on Sunday. Pogba, who re-signed for United for a world-record £89m in August, referred to his performance against the Reds with a Facebook post on Monday, saying: "I'd like to thank the supporters who are always there and keep believing in me. At least we did not lose." Former Sweden striker Ibrahimovic, 35, has 4.3m followers on Twitter, which is 1.24m more than Pogba. "I think Paul likes the pressure because without it, we would not be on our toes," said Ibrahimovic. "If you want to play at the top, the pressure is 24 hours and if you play well the pressure becomes even greater." Ibrahimovic said pressure from the press and fans has little impact on top players, adding that he personally puts more pressure on himself. "I want to be more than perfect, in every game and even in training," he added. Ibrahimovic's equaliser on Sunday was his 14th Premier League goal of the season. It puts the former Barcelona and Inter Milan forward level with Chelsea's Diego Costa and Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League Golden Boot standings. "Me winning something and not my team-mates is not the way I want it," he added. "I'd prefer Manchester United to be first in the table and me to have five goals with the media saying 'He can't do it in the Premier League'. I am here to win." Take part in our Premier League Predictor game, which allows you to create leagues with friends.

Summary: Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba would not have felt any extra pressure on Sunday after launching his own Twitter emoji, according to team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic.


The woman, named only as Uzma, was escorted across the Wagah border by Indian High Commission officials. She has accused her husband, Tahir Ali, of torturing her. He denies the allegations. The incident comes amid increasing tension between India and Pakistan. On Thursday, India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted, welcoming her return: Pakistani security officials escorted Uzma, who is in her early 20s, to the border crossing in the morning. She arrived in Delhi later in the day. Uzma's return comes as India and Pakistan trade accusations over violence in disputed Kashmir, territory which both countries claim. Tensions also rose after Pakistan sentenced an Indian national, Kulbhushan Jadhav, to death on charges of spying. On her arrival in Delhi, Uzma described Pakistan as "a death trap". "I've seen women who go there after arranged marriages. They're miserable and living in terrible circumstances. There're two, three, even four wives in every house," she told a press conference. "If I'd remained there for a few days more, I would have died." Uzma met Tahir Ali in Malaysia and fell in love with him, according to reports. She then travelled to Pakistan earlier this month where, she said, she was forced into marriage on 3 May. While there is enough evidence to suggest that Uzma came to Pakistan of her own accord, it remains unclear why she changed her mind. Tahir Ali has said that his father sponsored Uzma's visa for Pakistan after the couple met in Malaysia and decided to get married. Uzma's contention that she was married at "gunpoint" sits uneasily against the fact that she, along with Mr Ali and his relatives, had visited a district court in Buner town to get married. The official who performed the wedding says she appeared to participate willingly in the ceremony. Mr Ali has alleged that Indian officials at the high commission forced her to change her mind. On 12 May, Uzma filed an appeal in the Islamabad High Court, accusing her husband of harassing and intimidating her, and taking away her travel documents to stop her from leaving Pakistan. She told the court that he had not told her that he was a married father of four and that she had been "terribly beaten... tortured physically and mentally". Uzma also has a five-year-old daughter from an earlier marriage. Her lawyer requested that the court should allow her to go back to India, saying her daughter was thalassaemic and needed daily blood transfusions. Mr Ali told BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad that the charges against him were false - he said she had known about his marital status and was "disappointed" that he was not allowed to speak to her under court's supervision. He said he was "confident" that she would get in touch with him once the dust had settled.

Summary: An Indian woman who alleges she was forced to marry a Pakistani man at gunpoint has returned to India, a day after a court in Islamabad granted her request to leave.


Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton was convicted of killing Jennifer Laude in a hotel room in Olongapo city, north-west of Manila, last year. Pemberton will face between six and 12 years imprisonment. The case has strained ties between the US and the Philippines, a former US colony where the Americans have a significant military presence. The marine was on leave in Olongapo on 11 October 2014, after joint military exercises with the Philippine army, when he met Ms Laude in a bar. Police said they left together and checked into a hotel, where she was found dead the next day, apparently strangled and with her head inside the hotel toilet. Pemberton had previously testified in court that he had attacked Ms Laude after he realised she was transgender, but said she was still alive when he left the room. The prosecution had argued Pemberton should be convicted of murder, but the court downgraded this to homicide. Pemberton was also ordered to pay at least 4.5 million pesos ($95,350; Â£63,140) to Ms Laude's family. Ms Laude's sister, Malou, told Reuters news agency: "We expected a murder conviction but instead got homicide. We are not content with the decision." Pemberton will be temporarily detained in a Philippine jail until the Philippine and US governments agree on where he should be held during his prison term. The case has led to calls from left-wing groups for the Philippines to end its military agreements with the US. Under the agreement, the Philippines can prosecute US military personnel but the US retains custody over them "from the commission of the offence until completion of all judicial proceedings", the Associated Press reports.

Summary: A court in the Philippines has found a US marine guilty of killing a transgender woman.


Sir Christopher Pitchford, the inquiry's chairman, said he recognised the public interest in proceedings being "as open as possible". The senior judge said he would assess each anonymity request individually. The Metropolitan Police has already asked for large parts of the investigation to be in private. Campaigners who say they were wronged during operations dating back decades are calling for maximum disclosure. They include women who did not realise their partners were undercover officers, and a long list of social justice campaigners who are trying to establish whether they were unfairly monitored. The preliminary ruling means that there will be no blanket restrictions on material relating to undercover operations being disclosed if Sir Christopher rules the public interest lies in disclosing them. Some 33 individuals, nine of them former undercover police officers, have already asked for anonymity. Scotland Yard, backed by the government, has also argued it should not be forced to admit to the existence of some operations. Undercover Inquiry: Why it matters - what's at stake? Deceived women: Who has received an apology from the police? In an 85-page ruling, Sir Christopher says that the inquiry will have to grapple with seemingly "irreconcilable" arguments over whether the public interest lies in keeping sensitive police information secret and protecting the true identities of former undercover officers - or in disclosing past events because of public concerns. "The starting point is that no restriction order will be made, in the public interest of openness in the Inquiry and its proceedings, unless it is necessary in the countervailing public interest of the protection of individuals from harm and/or effective policing," says the ruling. "It is not possible to state at the level of principle or generality where the public interest balance will rest. "The Chairman will approach evaluation on a case-by-case basis according to the nature and quality of evidence received in support of the application." One woman who was deceived into an undercover relationship, known only as "Lisa", said she was not optimistic that the ruling would lead to the truth coming out - saying she feared the inquiry had failed to recognise there was a duty to reveal the truth to people who had been victims. "I'm glad that they have not been allowed to have blanket anonymity," she told the BBC. "But my biggest fear is that the police will be able to drag this out. "They won't give up a single piece of information without applying for restriction orders. "It took four-and-a-half years for me to get an apology in my case." The ruling stresses that police officers who want to remain anonymous will have to provide evidence of the possible harm they could be exposed to, if named in public. This would have to include evidence about the nature or gravity of the risk an individual would face and complex arguments about whether naming someone would breach their human rights. Similarly, forces will have to show how disclosure of operational details would cause damage to undercover policing. The Metropolitan Police, backed by other police chiefs and government, had

Summary: Undercover police officers facing claims of wrongdoing will not automatically get anonymity at a forthcoming major public inquiry.


When Adidas, Gazprom, Hyundai-Kia, McDonald's, Budweiser, Coca-Cola and Visa signed their deals, they would have envisaged seeing their brands beamed into millions of households around the world. Pitch-side exposure at World Cup matches, accompanied by high-profile advertising campaigns, means that backing the World Cup guarantees getting your company promoted in all parts of the globe. However, having spent tens of millions of pounds to be associated with sporting excellence, those famous brands now find their name and products associated with the increasingly tarnished Fifa brand, arrests and allegations of "rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted corruption". A number of the sponsors - Coca-Cola, Kia, Adidas and Visa - have made known their concerns about what is happening at Fifa, with the latter particularly vociferous, warning that unless the global governing body makes "changes now", it would "reassess our sponsorship". And McDonald's said it "takes matters of ethics and corruption very seriously and the news from the US Department of Justice is extremely concerning. We are in contact with FIFA on this matter. We will continue to monitor the situation very closely". For the four years of the last "World Cup cycle", from 2011 to 2014, Fifa's six top tier Global Partners (as was - it is now five) paid a total of $177m (Â£116m) annually, which would mean each partner paid roughly $30m a year for this status. Tier one sponsor Sony decided not to renew its contract last year - it had been a Fifa partner since 2007, after signing a contract in 2005 worth $38m annually. One publicity-savvy bookmaker has offered odds on which sponsor will be the first to pull out of its association with football's Swiss-based powerbrokers. It has Visa as the favourites, followed by Hyundai-Kia, although none of Fifa's backers have said yet they are ending their deals. Russian gas firm Gazprom is bottom of the betting to leave, and indeed it has put out a statement saying the current situation will have "no influence" on its agreement. But as the scandal is not likely to go away any time soon, what damage is being done to these well-known companies, some of whom have associations with Fifa stretching back decades? "This is disastrous for the main core group of big Fifa sponsors. For them, this is a major issue," says Anastasia Kourovskaia, a brands expert at agency Millward Brown. "The idea of sponsorship is to transfer the goodwill that supporters feel for the sport, to the benefit of a brand's equity." She suggests that the big seven corporations may have to position themselves at arms-length from Fifa, if they do not want to be hit by the fall-out from the sensational developments. "The solution is to emphasise that they are supporting football for the benefit of the game itself, and the pleasure and challenge of winning and playing football, rather than Fifa as an organisation," she says. "They have to differentiate themselves from Fifa's management." In addition, she points out that as this is not the first scandal to hit Fifa, it might be a good time for the

Summary: It has not been an easy week for the big multinational corporations that sponsor football's world governing body Fifa.


The draft guidelines propose that two doctors rather than one should make the assessment. It describes as a grey area the lawfulness of advocating or promoting terminations outside Northern Ireland. The draft guidelines are still being considered by ministers and will be consulted on for 16 weeks. The document, titled 'the limited circumstances for lawful termination in Northern Ireland', include a recommendation that a consultant psychiatrist should be involved where a mental health assessment is required. There is an allowance for conscientious objection and a new section dealing with accountability and collecting data on each abortion - the reason given must be clearly documented. Abortion is only allowed in very restricted circumstances in Northern Ireland. Justice Minister David Ford has called for clarification on some of the guidelines and said the document could lead to more confusion. "On an issue like abortion we need to have a law which is absolutely clear and not something that brings further confusion and disarray to the legislation," he said. In February, a judicial review in the High Court by the Family Planning Association (FPA) to have guidelines issued on the law on abortion in Northern Ireland, was halted after the department of health promised to publish draft advice within a week. The FPA had been campaigning for more than a decade for guidelines to be issued on abortion for the NHS in Northern Ireland. After previous legal action by the charity, the department of health issued a 20-page document in 2009 containing guidance for health professionals on the termination of pregnancy in Northern Ireland. It was withdrawn the following year after a successful legal challenge by anti-abortion campaigners led to a ruling that sections on counselling and conscientious objection should be rewritten. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said its members were working from the earlier draft guidelines, described by government officials as having "no status". Meanwhile, two Stormont assembly members are attempting to change the law to make it illegal to perform an abortion outside the NHS. It follows the opening of the private Marie Stopes International clinic in Belfast last year. The DUP's Paul Givan, who chairs the justice committee, and the SDLP's Alban Maginness have tabled a joint amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill. The laws covering abortion in Northern Ireland are the 1861 Offences against the Person Act, and the Criminal Justice act from 1945. It is a criminal offence, which carries a life sentence. The only exceptions are to save a woman's life, or if there is a risk of permanent and serious damage to her mental or physical health. Last year official figures confirmed that at least 40 terminations a year are carried out on these grounds. More than a thousand women a year who do not fit in these categories travel from Northern Ireland each year to have an abortion in other parts of the UK. In England, Wales and Scotland access to abortion is covered by the 1967 Abortion Act. That permits terminations up to 24 weeks of pregnancy on grounds that include risk to the

Summary: The Northern Ireland health minister, Edwin Poots, has circulated a 30 page draft document to executive colleagues on long-awaited abortion guidelines.


The 20-year-old was shot in Malvern Road in Kilburn, north-west London, on Friday night and later pronounced dead at the scene. It is believed she was standing with a group when they were "approached by a number of suspects possibly on pedal cycles", a Met Police spokesman said. A shot was fired at the group and the woman was killed. The victim's family has been notified and a post-mortem examination is due to take place later.

Summary: A woman was shot dead by attackers who may have been on bicycles, police have said.


They include 14 Olympians, four of them gold medallists, along with two Rio 2016 Paralympic champions. The event in Sarasota-Bradenton takes place between 24 September and 1 October. European champion Victoria Thornley continues in the single scull, having also won two World Cup silver medals this season. Thornley moved to the single scull in 2017 having won silver with Dame Katherine Grainger in the double scull at the Rio Olympics. Rio gold medallists Moe Sbihi and Will Satch are included in the men's four, while another Rio champion, Tom Ransley, is part of the men's eight. London 2012 gold medal-winner Katherine Copeland is named in the lightweight double scull. Rio Paralympic champions Grace Clough and James Fox are part of the mixed coxed four crew. Pair: Tom Jeffery, Tom George Coxed pair: Tim Clarke, Tom Ford, Harry Brightmore (cox) Lightweight pair: Joel Cassells, Sam Scrimgeour Four: Matt Rossiter, Moe Sbihi, Mat Tarrant, Will Satch Eight: Ollie Cook, Callum McBrierty, Jacob Dawson, Adam Neill, Tom Ransley, Alan Sinclair, James Rudkin, Lance Tredell, Henry Fieldman (cox) Single scull: Tom Barras Lightweight double scull: Sam Mottram, Jamie Copus Quadruple scull: Jack Beaumont, Jonny Walton, John Collins, Peter Lambert Lightweight quadruple scull: Gavin Horsburgh, Peter Chambers, Ed Fisher, Zak Lee-Green Men's reserves: Frazier Christie, Cameron Buchan, Oliver Wynne-Griffith Pair: Holly Hill, Melissa Wilson Eight: Anastasia Chitty, Rebecca Chin, Fiona Gammond, Katherine Douglas, Josephine Wratten, Holly Norton, Karen Bennett, Rebecca Shorten, Matilda Horn (cox) Single scull: Victoria Thornley Lightweight double scull Katherine Copeland, Emily Craig Quadruple scull: Beth Bryan, Mathilda Hodgkins-Byrne, Holly Nixon (fourth rower to be confirmed) Lightweight quadruple scull: Maddie Arlett, Robyn Hart-Winks, Eleanor Piggott, Gemma Hall Women's reserves: Alice Baatz, Georgia Francis, Ellie Lewis PR1 single scull: Andy Houghton PR3 mixed coxed four: Oliver Stanhope, Grace Clough, Giedre Rakauskaite, James Fox, Anna Corderoy (cox)

Summary: Great Britain has selected 17 crews for the World Rowing Championships in Florida.


The 47-year-old Kerr, who presently coaches Stirling University's Lowland League men's side, will take over from Finland-bound Anna Signeul in June. And Grant believes Kerr can take Scotland to greater success. "She could take any men's team in Scotland in my opinion, she is that good a coach," Grant told BBC Scotland. "Anna's done fantastic, Shelley has learned off her and now she can hand it over and Shelley can continue and make the team stronger and better. "The squad is the strongest it's been and I think Shelley will take them even further than Anna." Grant, who is sidelined at present with a knee injury, is a former team-mate of Kerr's with Scotland and Hibernian, where the latter was also a coach. "It's a great appointment," said the Motherwell forward. "I was fortunate enough to play with and be coached by Shelley. "She's great in the changing room, she's a great personality, one of the best coaches I've ever been under, so it's great for the game. "She knows all the players personally and as players that makes a massive difference. "It's really important that we now have a Scottish coach and Shelley deserves it because she came up through the ranks as a player and she is also a great role model because she had a child on the way - Christie Kerr actually plays for my team now at Motherwell." Kerr became the first-ever female head coach in senior British football when, three years ago, she took charge of Stirling University in the Lowland League, the new feeder league for the Scottish Professional Football League. "She is just a great role model to have in the Scottish game, she's been involved in the men's game, which a fantastic step for her, and if anyone deserves the role now, it is definitely Shelley," Grant added. Kerr not only led Stirling University, who currently sit fourth in the league table, to a British Universities Championship final, she also completed a MSc in sports management. In a university statement, the former Arsenal Ladies manager said: "I have no doubt the academic education I received will be of great benefit in my new role as well as in the future and beyond." Stirling University director of sport Cathy Gallagher paid tribute to Kerr, who will remain in charge until the end of their season. "During Shelley's tenure, the University of Stirling has established its position at the top of British university football and the Scottish non-league game," she said.

Summary: Scotland boss-in-waiting Shelley Kerr is good enough to coach any men's side in Scotland, according to 104-time capped forward Suzanne Grant.


India's greatest leader had moved to a village called Segaon two years earlier. He had renamed it Sevagram or a village of service. He built an ashram, a commune which was home to "many a fateful decision which affected the destiny of India". Gandhi had moved in with his wife, Kasturba, and some followers. There was also a steady stream of guests. Kanu Gandhi, a callow young man in his 20s and a grand nephew of the Mahatma, was also there. Armed with a Rolleiflex camera, he was taking pictures of the leader. He had wanted to become a doctor, but his parents had goaded him to join Gandhi's personal staff doing clerical work, looking after accounts and writing letters at the ashram. Kanu Gandhi had developed an interest in photography, but Gandhi had told him there was no money to buy him a camera. The nephew did not relent. Finally, Gandhi asked businessman Ghanshyam Das Birla to gift 100 rupees ($1.49; Â£1.00) to Kanu so that he could buy the camera and a roll of film. But the leader imposed three conditions on the photographer: he forbade him from using flash and asking him to pose; and made it clear that the ashram would not pay for his photography. Kanu made do with a stipend from a Gandhi acolyte who liked his work. He also began selling his pictures to newspapers. Over the years and until Gandhi's assassination in 1948, Kanu Gandhi shot some 2,000 pictures of the greatest leader of the Indian Independence movement. For decades, his pictures remained in obscurity, once surfacing with a German researcher who began compiling and selling them. Now, 92 of those rare pictures of Gandhi during the last decade of his life have been published in an exquisitely produced cloth-bound monograph by the Delhi-based Nazar Foundation, a non-profit trust founded by two of India's most well-known photographers Prashant Panjiar and Dinesh Khanna. This is possibly my most favourite image from the book. Here Gandhi is standing on a weighing scale at the Birla House in Bombay (what is now Mumbai) in 1945. For a man who undertook more than a dozen fasts during the freedom movement as a part of his non-violent protests - to bring peace, demand Muslim rights or to shame rioting mobs - the picture is telling. "This is a picture of a man keeping an eye on his weight, testing himself all the time. It tells you a lot about the man," says leading photographer Sanjeev Saith who went through more than 1,000 images and helped curate the monograph. Here, Gandhi is seen in front of his office hut at Sevagram ashram in 1940. A pillow covers his head as protection against the severe heat. It is, at once, an intimate and remote image. Which is one of the reasons, many say, that made Kanu Gandhi's pictures of the Mahatma so special. "Although he had incredible access to the icon, we are always struck at the way Kanu, perhaps because he was in awe of Gandhi always kept a respectful

Summary: Here's an anxious-looking Mahatma Gandhi making a telephone call from his office in Sevagram village in the western state of Maharashtra in 1938.


Gino Asquith was born on 9 November 2014, but died three days later. His mother, Sarah Ellis, had been sent home from the hospital two days earlier as there were no free beds. She was seen by eight medics before having an emergency caesarean after they failed to spot signs of distress. Recording a verdict of death by misadventure Coroner Oliver Longstaff said there had been four missed chances to provide medical input. The inquest heard that after Ms Ellis was turned away by Calderdale Royal Hospital (CRH), in Halifax, she went to Huddersfield Birthing Centre, but was sent home on 8 November as her labour was not in an advanced stage. The following day she went back to CRH as she could no longer feel her baby moving but was told she was not dilated enough and was left in the Maternity Assessment Unit for six hours. She later underwent an emergency Caesarean section after being seen by a consultant. Gino had to be resuscitated twice after his birth. Mr Longtsaff said: "At the very least the delays in Gino being delivered made the chance of him being born alive significantly reduced." Speaking after the inquest, Ms Ellis and her partner Adam Asquith said: "Words cannot explain what we have been through in losing our first child together in this terrible way. "It is hard to accept that the delays we faced and the failure to pick up signs that Gino was in distress led to his death. "We can only hope that by speaking out we will ensure lessons are learned and that mothers and their babies are in the best possible hands when they are at their most vulnerable." Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust admitted liability for Gino's death in a civil case ahead of the inquest.

Summary: A series of delays and missed opportunities to provide medical intervention contributed to the death of a baby boy at Calderdale Royal Hospital, a coroner has said.


Jack Sexty, 25, from Bristol, bounced non-stop on the spot for 10 hours 21 minutes at an event in Philadelphia. Hopping 88,047 times, he not only beat his two American opponents but broke the previous record of 75,005. "Five or six hours in I just couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel - it was really hard but I got there in the end," he said. To land the Guinness World Record, Mr Sexty had to out-bounce world champion Casie Merza and previous record-holder James Roumeliotis. But eight hours into the Xpogo world championship event both his opponents had "collapsed with exhaustion". "He [James Roumeliotis] was going at such a pace but I kept steady and stayed on for longer and ended up coming out on top," he said. "But it just wrecks your whole body." Bouncing just under two-and-a-half times a second, the multiple pogo record-holder was raising money for Alzheimer's Research UK. "If bouncing up and down for 10 hours can raise a bit of money towards that then that's great," he said. "And when I get back I'm going to start training for the fastest mile on a pogo stick and hopefully go for an attempt in September." In 2014, Mr Sexty became the first person to complete a marathon on a pogo stick.

Summary: A man has set a new world record for the most consecutive bounces on a pogo stick.


Charity Twelves Company, based in Devon, said it had turned away 112 people seeking support in 2015. A BBC investigation revealed that in Devon and Cornwall police have seen a 55% rise in reports of sexual abuse in the past four years. Police urged victims to come forward and said they would be protected. Updates on this story and more from Devon and Cornwall Between January and November 2015, 1,326 reports of sexual abuse were made to the force, compared with 853 in 2011. The figures show more than 380 historic allegations - in which the offence was committed before 1 May 2004 - of rape involving a child have been reported to the force since 2011. Jon Brown, head of development and impact at the NSPCC, said: "Unfortunately there is a significant gap between the number of people who need help and therapy as a result of the abuse, and the availability of services." He said the rise in reports was a result of historic cases of child sex abuse in the news, which had encouraged more people to come forward. 853 - 2011 888 - 2012 979 - 2013 1,221 - 2014 1,326 - 2015 Mr Brown said the prime minister had highlighted child sexual abuse as a priority along with dealing with terrorism which was "encouraging". However, Mr Brown said there needed to be a "more joined up approach [between authorities] to provide the provision of help for victims" including "greater treatment and help" and working with schools and families to prevent abuse. He said local authorities, health services and the police, as well as charities such as the NSPCC, had a duty to protect and care for victims. Tom Dingwall, chief executive of Twelves Company, which supports sexual and domestic abuse victims in the South West, said it provided services to almost 300 victims in 2015. "Last year, demand outstripped our capacity to deliver services and we turned away 112 adults from receiving specialist support." Across Devon and Cornwall there are four Local Safeguarding Children's Boards - which aim to protect those at risk. Andy Bickley, chair for Plymouth, said investments, including training courses for those who come into contact with children, have been made. David Taylor, the chair for Devon and Torbay, said authorities were "getting better at identifying abuse". He said: "It is an extremely complex and challenging area of work, and authorities in the region are learning from best practice in other parts of the country." Source: Devon and Cornwall Police Det Ch Insp Neil Ralph said the rise in reports of abuse was a "challenge for the police service, locally and nationally", but the force had made a "huge investment" by creating a dedicated unit and was working with other forces. "It is a large increase and we've increased our digital and online footprint as these things can be really difficult to report over the phone so it enables them to report abuse [online] much easier. "People have a high level of trust in the police and the Operation Yewtree impact [means] they have

Summary: Victims of child sex abuse are being turned away from support services that are being overwhelmed by a large rise in cases.


US researchers say the slow-is-more-accurate rule generally applies. In a series of calculations, they looked at the physics behind releasing a projectile with the human arm. Their equations suggest a slow underarm throw is the best strategy for getting a piece of paper into a nearby bin. Lead researcher Madhusudhan Venkadesan, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and materials science at Yale University, said faster throws tend to be less accurate. This is because the ball travels in a nearly straight line, so any errors in the angle at which the object is released tend to be amplified. In slow and curved flight paths, small errors in the angle of release have little effect, he said. "What we find is that almost the slowest arc is often the most accurate," said Dr Venkadesan. "We've compared these calculations to published data of people throwing into wastebaskets; we've compared it to a study in dart throwing." In sports such as basketball or darts, the strategy depends on conditions and the trade-off needed between speed and accuracy. For example, experienced darts players throw overarm at about 5.5 metres per second, optimally releasing the dart 17 to 37 degrees before the arm becomes vertical. On the cricket pitch, fielders are more likely to strike the wicket with a fast underarm throw. And in basketball, the underhand free throw, nicknamed "the granny throw", has a marginal advantage over overhand, despite almost disappearing from the game. Accurate throwing is uniquely human - a skill relied upon by our ancient ancestors for hunting with spears or stone tools. The researchers say monkeys also throw things, but they are really bad at it. The study is published in the journal, Royal Society Open Science. Follow Helen on Twitter.

Summary: Scientists have calculated the optimal strategy for throwing something accurately - whether it's a dart or a crumpled-up piece of paper.


News agency AFP said 10 people have been affected by E. coli in Bordeaux. It is thought a number of them had eaten rocket and mustard vegetable sprouts, believed to have been grown from seeds sold by Thompson and Morgan. The Ipswich-based company told the BBC it had no evidence of a link. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said no E. coli cases had been reported in the UK. However, it has revised its guidance and is advising people not to eat raw sprouted seeds, including alfalfa, mung beans (or beansprouts) and fenugreek. The agency said these should only be eaten if cooked until steaming hot throughout. A spokeswoman for Thompson and Morgan said the company sold "hundreds of thousands of packets of these seeds" throughout France, the UK and other parts of Europe every year. "We are very confident the problem is not with our seeds. People can still grow these seeds and use these seeds with absolute confidence," she said. "For such a small number of people to have been affected, it does suggest that the problem is perhaps in the local area, how the seeds have been handled or how they have been grown, rather than the actual seeds themselves." The company was co-operating fully with investigations, she added. Paul Hansord, the company's managing director, said: "We make sure that everything we do is to a high standard." He said the firm bought its seeds in bulk from suppliers around the world. The affected seeds may have been sourced from Italy. Thompson and Morgan also said they did not raise any seeds, instead selling packets via mail order to gardeners. Seven of those affected by the E. coli outbreak, who ate the sprouts at a country fair at Begres near Bordeaux, needed hospital treatment. Close contact The FSA says it is asking the company for more information about the seeds. There is no suggestion of a link to the German E. coli outbreak, which came from bean sprouts grown on an organic farm, but two people are said to be infected with a similar strain. Frederic Lefebvre, France's secretary of state for consumer affairs, was quoted by AFP recommending "consumers who bought these same products not use them". Mr Lefebvre added: "The link between the symptoms and eating of the sprouts so far has not been definitively established." The sale of the three seed types - mustard, rocket and fenugreek - has been halted in France. Thompson and Morgan have provided samples of these seeds to investigators in the UK. An FSA spokesman told the BBC: "We have been in contact with the French authorities about this outbreak and are aware that a UK business has been named in connection with it. "No cases of food poisoning have been reported in the UK linked with the outbreak in France but we are in close contact with the Health Protection Agency. "We have asked for further information from the French authorities with regard to the three named type of seeds to help us carry out investigations in the UK."

Summary: Officials are investigating a possible link between seeds sold by a UK firm and an E. coli outbreak in France.


Land and Housing Minister Anna Tibaijuka had not shown "due diligence" when she took the money, he said. Ms Tibaijuka, a former UN official, denies any wrongdoing. She is a high-profile casualty in a corruption scandal that has rocked Tanzania's government and energy firms, straining relations with donors. On 17 December, Attorney-General Frederick Werema resigned after MPs accused him of authorising the fraudulent transfer of about $120m to an energy firm. He denied the allegation, but said he was stepping down because the controversy had "disrupted the country's political atmosphere". Mr Kikwete, in a televised address, said the government was still investigating allegations of impropriety against Energy and Minerals Minister Sospeter Muhongo and his permanent secretary Eliakim Maswi. The president's office later said that Mr Maswi had been suspended, pending the outcome of the probe. Ms Tibaijuka rejected parliament's call for her resignation, saying the $1m was a donation for a school where she serves as the main fundraiser. She accepted it in good faith and presented it to the school, she said. However, Mr Kikwete said he had dismissed her because "one of the biggest questions raised is why this money was not paid directly to the school and was instead deposited in a personal bank account in her name," Reuters news agency quotes him as saying. Ms Tibaijuka was the executive director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, before she became an MP and government minister in 2010. Tanzania's parliament, which is dominated by the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, has been putting pressure on Mr Kikwete to sack top officials accused of siphoning government money in collusion with businessmen linked to the energy sector. An investigation by a parliamentary watchdog committee found that about $120m had been taken from an escrow account, paid to an energy firm and then given to various government ministers. A group of 12 donors - including Japan, the UK, the World Bank and the African Development Bank - decided in October to withhold about $490m until the government took action over the alleged corruption. Mr Kikwete took office in 2005 with a promise to tackle corruption in government.

Summary: Tanzania's President Jakaya Kikwete has fired a senior government minister accused of wrongly taking $1m (Â£640,000) from a businessman.


Media playback is not supported on this device Wales go into Saturday's semi-final against France with Gatland claiming: "We are not whiter than white." Media playback is not supported on this device While England were damaged by stories of late-night revelry, the Welsh have been portrayed as virtually teetotal. "A lot [has been] made of us being like monks and that there has been an alcohol ban. That's completely untrue," said Gatland. "There has been no alcohol ban in this squad. Some of the stuff has been self-imposed by players. We have had a couple of nights when we have gone back to the hotel and we've had a drink. "And a couple of times we have spoken with [captain] Sam [Warburton] and the senior players about putting the curfew on when the players come back after going out. "You can't keep a lid on everything. You play a night game and there's a lot adrenalin and you say to players 'look go out if you are back in the hotel by 1.30 in the morning'. They might have gone to the casino [but] they are not drinking alcohol - some of them might have had a beer. "There is a lot made that we are whiter than white. We definitely are not." But Gatland admitted he has been impressed with the attitude of his players both on and off the field. "These guys have been great ambassadors in this campaign for Wales," said the coach, whose side set up a meeting with France by beating Ireland in the quarter-finals. "That's what's been important. There has been a sea-shift in terms of the professionalism and the way we have prepared. "These guys have known right from day one that we were in pretty good shape heading towards this World Cup and if we looked after ourselves, both on and off the field, we could made an impact. I think we have done that." Gatland was quick to point out that he has taken little pleasure from England's controversial World Cup, which was haunted by a string of off-the-field controversies. The conduct of some England players resulted in front-page headlines throughout the tournament, prompting the Rugby Football Union to launch a review of player behaviour following the country's quarter-final exit at the hands of France. On one occasion, captain Mike Tindall found his conduct under scrutiny after a group of players were given permission by team manager Martin Johnson to enjoy a night out drinking in Queenstown. As a coach I don't take any satisfaction whatsoever or any pleasure in the criticism that has been heaped on England Tindall, who married the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips in July, later issued an apology for misleading the England management over his movements, having initially claimed he did not go on to another bar afterwards. There were other indiscretions, too, notably when centre Manu Tuilagi was formally warned by police and fined £3,000 by England rugby officials after jumping from a ferry in Auckland. "As a coach, I don't take any satisfaction whatsoever or any pleasure

Summary: Coach Warren Gatland denies Wales have been existing "like monks" during their World Cup campaign in New Zealand.


Chapelcross, near Annan, is one of five sites being considered but is the only one north of the border. Capenhurst in Cheshire, Sellafield in west Cumbria and Aldermaston and Burghfield, both in Berkshire, are the other possible locations. The consultation was at the Victoria Halls in Annan on Friday. Councillor Ronnie Ogilvie, who chairs the Chapelcross Site Stakeholders Group, said it was important as many people as possible took the opportunity to examine the proposals and express their opinion. The UK government has pledged that public opinion will be taken into account in deciding the final location. Consultation will run until February around all the locations on the shortlist. Ministers are planning that waste from nuclear-powered Royal Navy submarines which have left service would be stored at one of the sites until "some time after 2040" when the UK's deep level underground waste dump is available.

Summary: A final consultation event has been held on proposals to use a former Scots nuclear plant to store radioactive waste from redundant submarines.


Scientists believe the drug, metformin, may mimic the effects of extreme calorie restriction. This regime, which is based on eating a very low calorie diet, is thought to promote healthy ageing. The human implications of the study are unclear, the researchers report in the journal, Nature Communications. Rafael de Cabo, of the National Institute on Ageing in Baltimore, Maryland, US, said calorie restriction in laboratory animals had been shown to increase their lifespan. His team is searching for interventions - such as a drug - that can mimic these effects. Metformin is one of the most widely prescribed treatments for type-2 diabetes, which occurs mainly in people above the age of 40. It is also used to treat metabolic syndrome, a combination of diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. Previous work has shown that metformin can extend the lifespan of simple organisms such as worms, but studies in flies and mammals have given conflicting evidence. The scientists gave one of two different doses of metformin to middle-aged male mice and found that lower doses increased lifespan by about 5%, and also delayed the onset of age-associated diseases. But they said the higher dose of metformin was toxic and reduced the lifespan of mice. Further studies were needed to determine if metformin has any effect on human health and lifespan, said Dr de Cabo. "These are very promising results that need to be translated to humans via clinical studies," he said. He said the best current advice was to eat a good diet and exercise. "Right now the best that we can say is probably what your grandmother told you," he told BBC News. "Eat a good diet and exercise are the only two things that we know for sure that they work very well in humans." Prof Tom Kirkwood, associate dean for ageing at Newcastle University, said it is unclear what the study might mean for human health. "Metformin is a well-established drug that acts on metabolism and has long been used against type-2 diabetes," he said. "We've known for a long time that modulating metabolism in mice can extend survival and postpone age-related conditions, and there are sound reasons why this should be the case is a small, short-lived animal. "What we don't know however is whether similar effects on lifespan might be produced in humans. "This is something that we cannot simply take for granted and the study's authors do well to sound a note of caution."

Summary: A diabetes pill has anti-ageing effects and extends the life of male mice, research suggests.


Murray, who won the men's doubles at the Australian Open, is made an OBE. Along with with brother Andy - a former recipient - he also helped the British team win the Davis Cup for the first time in almost eight decades. Singer Rod Stewart has been given a knighthood, while Prof Sue Black, a world-leading expert in forensic anthropology, becomes a dame. Prof Black, 55, originally from Inverness, has helped secure convictions in several high-profile criminal cases, including one of Britain's worst paedophiles Richard Huckle, who was given 23 life sentences earlier this week for abusing up to 200 children. She also helped to convict Scotland's largest paedophile ring in 2009. She was previously awarded an OBE for her work in exhuming mass graves in Kosovo. The Dundee University professor said she was "deeply honoured" by the recognition, "if a little embarrassed". Rod Stewart, 71, who is famous for songs such as Maggie May and Sailing, was born in London, to an English mother and a Scottish father. The famous Celtic supporter receives his knighthood for services to music and charity. Lord Smith of Kelvin, the man tasked by the prime minister with chairing the cross-party commission on Scottish devolution in the wake of the 2014 independence referendum, is being made a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour, which is "conferred on persons for having done conspicuous national service". Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour - Lord Smith of Kelvin (for public service, particularly in Scotland). Knighthoods - Rod Stewart (for services to music and charity), Labour MP David Hamilton (for political and parliamentary service), Alex Fergusson (For services to politics, Scottish Parliamentary process and public life). Damehoods - Sue Black (For services to forensic anthropology) Dr Denise Coia (for services to mental health and the NHS), Prof Anna Dominiczak (for services to cardiovascular and medical science). Read the full honours list here. The Smith Commission produced a package of recommendations which has led to new tax and welfare powers being devolved to Holyrood. Lord Smith also had a key role in delivering the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Labour MP David Hamilton, a former miner who spent two months in jail on remand during the miner's strike in the 1980s before being cleared, is given a knighthood for political and parliamentary service. Alex Fergusson, former presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament is also given a knighthood for services to politics. He has now retired as a Conservative MSP. Dr Denise Coia, is being given a damehood for services to mental health and the NHS while Prof Anna Dominiczak is being given the same honour for services to cardiovascular and medical science. Another tennis star being recognised this year is Glasgow-born Leon Smith, captain of the successful Davis Cup team, who also receives an OBE. Award-winning composer John McLeod, from Edinburgh, is honoured with a CBE for his services to music. Born in Aberdeen, he is said to be one of the UK's busiest and most prolific composers, although he initially studied the clarinet at

Summary: Tennis star Jamie Murray is among the Scots being honoured in the Queens Birthday Honours list.


The man died in Inverness on 27 October this year. The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc), Kate Frame, has been asked to scrutinise the initial police response to the man's call. Police Scotland said it was "fully engaging" with the investigation and awaited its findings. A spokesman for Pirc said: "The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has instructed the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner to undertake an investigation into the initial police response to a call from a 72-year-old man who was later found dead at a sheltered housing complex in Inverness. "A report on the commissioner's findings will be submitted to the COPFS in due course."

Summary: An investigation has been launched into the police response to a call from a 72-year-old man who was later found dead in a sheltered housing complex.


From implementing plans to further grow their companies, to dealing with the likely problems that will need to be overcome, this is the time of year when forward planning is the centre of attention. Here some of the best business leaders - and rock music legends - profiled in 2015 for the BBC's The Boss slot share their thoughts on running or setting up a business in 2016. Have a clear objective. Understand the DNA of your business. What you put in is what you get out. Do not take "no" or "can't" as an answer. Socialise and network within your industry. Get rid of all your loser friends. You know the ones - they drink too much, they get high. And like vampires they will suck the life blood out of you. That may not leave you with very many friends, butâ€¦ in business your friends will not be much help. You're too young and not rich enough to take vacations. Work, it's a good word. There are many reasons people get into business. For me it was creative pursuit, and being a creator of my own destiny. You need to build your business the right way for the right reasons. If it is just for the money then you will only have a business short term. New companies are hungry for cash, so anything you are making will go straight back into the business. And often the founder, who is working 120 hours a week, is the last person to see any returns for a long time from their hard yards. Yet these are the businesses that succeed, and in the long run are the ones that are truly successful. By contrast, firms that are stripped of their cash to "fund" the lifestyle of their owners are very short-lived. Building a business on passion and hard work, and surrounding yourself with great people, is the recipe for success. Be digitally minded - digital is a vital part of any business now, and it goes beyond just having a good website and being on social media. Consumers want a digital experience across all elements of any business they engage with, and they want it to be seamless. Diversify - think about how your business can grow and diversify in to new areas, but always ensure these new areas reflect your customer demographic. I always look for new ways to evolve the brand, and in early 2016 we will be launching Rabbit, our own dating app. Listen - this is a tip that's relevant every year, never stop listening to your customers. They are the most vital source of information and their feedback is invaluable. When leading your business, focus on what makes you different - not what is generic. This allows your team, customers and suppliers to all "buy in" to why your business matters, and why it is worth joining, and staying and working with. It also means that everyone is better focused on your competitive advantage and unique proposition. Talk about what makes your business what it is. Collective

Summary: As 2016 arrives, business leaders around the world are now focusing intently on their aims and challenges for the next 12 months.


It is the second successive time the area has been at the bottom of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD), which is published every four years. Statisticians rate almost 7,000 areas in Scotland by standards including income, employability and health. Lower Whitecraigs in East Renfrewshire is classed as the least deprived. Glasgow has 56 of the 100 most deprived areas, down five on 2012. Edinburgh has six, up two on four years ago. The 10 most deprived areas in Scotland: The 10 least deprived areas in Scotland: Renfrewshire Council, which covers the area including Ferguslie Park, said a long-term plan to change the area's fortunes was already under way. Council leader Mark Macmillan said: "The council has adopted an innovative approach to tackling poverty, recognised as leading the way in Scotland - and the SIMD stats are based on data from last year which does not fully capture the impact of that. "The figures show the overall picture for Renfrewshire has improved and we believe we are making a difference on the ground. "In the four years since the last SIMD figures were released, Renfrewshire has seen a 10% real-terms drop in the cash coming our way from Holyrood. "The deprivation issues affecting Ferguslie and similar areas are long-term and deep-rooted - there are no easy solutions but through our unique approach, we believe we are on the right track." The Scottish government said the figures showed "why Scotland needs a government committed to tackling deep-seated deprivation, poverty and inequalities". Communities Secretary Angela Constance said: "This will not be an easy job while we do not have the full levers of power, but I am determined we take on the challenge of making a generational change for those areas that have been in poverty for too long. "In the face of continuing UK government welfare cuts, an austerity agenda and attempts to take Scotland out of Europe, this will continue to be a long-term challenge." She added: "We are spending Â£100m protecting people against the worst effects of welfare reform and every pound spent on mitigation measures is a pound less that can be spent on lifting people out of poverty." The Scottish Conservatives said the figures should be a "wake-up call" to the SNP government. Equalities spokeswoman Annie Wells said: "There are many causes of deprivation - poverty, family breakdown, drug and alcohol abuse, low educational standards and poor health and we now need a new approach. "Powers need to be devolved from the Scottish government to enable cities and city-regions to work more closely together to regenerate and redevelop their local economies." Scottish Labour's deputy leader Alex Rowley said: "If we are serious about cutting the gap between the richest and the rest we need to fully understand the picture of poverty in Scotland. "These numbers are an important start - and they show a Scotland which remains too unequal, and further SNP cuts will only make it worse. "The most deprived communities in Scotland will suffer more because of hundreds of millions of pounds of cuts to schools

Summary: Ferguslie Park in Paisley has been identified as the area of Scotland with the greatest level of deprivation.


For most footballers, the recovery time they get after training and between matches usually means plenty of golf, or computer games. But saving birds by re-homing them after they have finished their commercial lives is what keeps Wales international Allen busy. "The football can threaten to take over at times but spending time with my family and pets is very important to me so I always find a way to get the right balance," he told the British Hen Welfare Trust publication. Media playback is not supported on this device Allen, though, isn't the only professional player using his downtime in a different way. Arsenal goalkeeper Cech fills his time by performing fills - on his drum kit. The Czech Republic international posts videos online showing him drumming along to rock bands like the Foo Fighters. He credits drumming with improving his keeping skills too, recently telling the Arsenal Weekly podcast: "It is especially useful for a goalkeeper. There are so many things I learn on the drums that I can use in goalkeeping as well, because the hand-eye coordination and the independence on each of the limbs is helpful." Cech showed off his musical skills in a Christmas video for the Arsenal foundation, alongside team-mates Alexis Sanchez and Nacho Monreal. Media playback is not supported on this device The former Liverpool defender is now playing back home in Denmark, at Brondby. The prototype inked footballer was one of the first to sport tattoo sleeves but is also capable of etching his designs onto others - he's a qualified tattoo artist. The Russian ex-Arsenal forward is still playing for Kairat at the age of 34, but when his career ends he can still fall back on the fashion design skills he learned at university, where his thesis was on tracksuit design. Turns out he's pretty handy with a needle and thread, too. Tottenham and Manchester United fans used to say he was an artist when he played in the Premier League. Now playing for PAOK in Greece, the Bulgarian striker is as deft with a pencil in his hand as he is with the ball at his feet. He has posted sketches of rapper Snoop Dogg, actor Marlon Brando and the Breaking Bad cast to his social media accounts. The Everton full-back, 35, has not made a first-team appearance this season, which will have given him more time to focus on his carp fishing empire. Like Allen, Hibbert was a cover star of a non-football magazine - the Angling Times - in 2013 after catching a 42lb beast at his private fishery in France - the aptly named Lac de Premiere. An ex-Millwall centre-half with a love of felines. The 37-year-old former Premier League defender is now captain at League Two Yeovil Town, but has a family business on the side - a cattery in Hertfordshire. BBC Sport visited the cats home in 2011 and Ward said: "Playing for Millwall you've got to be thick-skinned. You do get some eyebrows raised and a few giggles." Put a plate full of wild mushrooms

Summary: Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen has ruffled a few feathers by appearing on the front cover of Chicken & Egg magazine.


It means bloggers with more than 3,000 daily readers must register with the mass media regulator, Roskomnadzor, and conform to the regulations that govern the country's larger media outlets. Internet companies will also be required to allow Russian authorities access to users' information. One human rights group called the move "draconian". The law was approved by Russia's upper house of parliament in April. It includes measures to ensure that bloggers cannot remain anonymous, and states that social networks must maintain six months of data on its users. The information must be stored on servers based in Russian territory, so that government authorities can gain access. Critics see it as the latest in a series of recent moves to curb internet freedom. Hugh Williamson, of New York-based Human Rights Watch, has called the law "another milestone in Russia's relentless crackdown on free expression". "The internet is the last island of free expression in Russia and these draconian regulations are clearly aimed at putting it under government control," he added. Opposition figures have used the internet to air their views, with some gaining millions of followers. Commentators opposing Vladimir Putin often face restrictions in broadcast outlets and newspapers. Analysis: Famil Ismailov, news editor, BBCRussian.com Russian bloggers are bracing themselves for the moment when Russia's new "information security law" comes into force on 1 August. Some already share advice on how to use proxy servers in order to access social media sites that, in their view, are under threat of being closed. It is hard to see how the law will be enforced. The servers for most of the popular social media platforms that many Russians use are based outside Russia. Many popular bloggers are already looking for, and apparently finding, ways to "cheat" the feature that counts page visits and keep their daily unique visitor numbers just under 3000, or to make sure that the statistics are hidden altogether. Anton Nossik, who is considered Russia's "internet guru", wrote in his LiveJournal blog that the new law didn't threaten individual bloggers directly, but provided legal grounds to block popular social networks like Facebook, Twitter, LiveJournal and Google. "The issue of banning all these platforms in Russia is a political one and it will be decided by only one person", Mr Nossik wrote, with a thinly veiled reference to President Vladimir Putin. Earlier in the year, Russia enacted a law that gave the government powers to block websites without explanation. In March, Moscow blocked the blog of Mr Navalny, along with two news sites and a organisation run by Garry Kasparov - a vocal critic of the Russian government. In a statement, Russia's prosecutor general's office said the blocks were imposed because of the sites' role in helping stage illegal protests. Earlier this week, Twitter blocked access to an anti-Kremlin account that often publishes leaked government documents, following a request by Russia's federal communications agency Roskomnadzor. For many years, Russia had relatively lax internet laws. However Moscow has recently changed its tune, with Mr Putin branding the internet an ongoing "CIA project". He also claimed that

Summary: A new law imposing restrictions on users of social media has come into effect in Russia.


Tomasz Raszkiewicz "forcibly lunged" at Lucasz Gal's mother as she held him in her arms, causing the baby to fracture his skull on a door. Lucasz' "catastrophic" injuries mean he will have "no quality of life", Preston Crown Court heard. Raszkiewicz, 33, admitted wounding or inflicting GBH with intent and was jailed for three years and two months. The court heard Raszkiewicz was on the run from Polish authorities at the time of the attack on 22 November. His name had not been included on Lucasz's birth certificate as part of his efforts to evade capture. The court heard Raszkiewicz did not go to hospital with his son but left the couple's flat in Blackpool before his arrest three days later. Sentencing, Judge Heather Lloyd told him: "You then lied and said this was a terrible accident. That was cowardly behaviour." The court heard Lucasz's mother Jadwiga Gal gave the police five accounts as to how her son sustained his injuries, and it was the testimony of the boy's uncle which brought the case to court. Judge Lloyd told Raszkiewicz his actions had resulted in "catastrophic, life-changing injuries". "Such was the severity... a piece of his skull was embedded in his brain. "He only survived as a result of the skill of the surgeons," she said. The judge also criticised the boy's mother for choosing to protect Raszkiewicz rather than her baby boy. "Lucasz will never life a normal life... and be dependent on others for the rest of his life," she said. Raszkiewicz will be deported upon his release from prison, the court heard. Det Sgt Chris Williams of Lancashire Police said Raszkiewicz had shown "no remorse" or "regard for the safety and welfare of this defenceless baby, who should have been safe in the arms of his mother".

Summary: A father whose drunken attack left his newborn son with severe brain damage has been jailed.


A police source told BBC Radio WM a passenger was seen pouring a liquid into a box, which then started smoking. The 48 passengers on the Megabus Preston to London service were led off the coach and forced to sit apart in a cordon on the opposite carriageway. Police said a report of vapour escaping from a bag which led to the security alert was caused by "a health improvement aid for smokers". The motorway was closed between junctions T3 and T4 near Lichfield before police said they were no longer treating the incident as suspicious, but it has now reopened. Staffordshire Police said the coach stopped on the hard shoulder "of its own accord" at 08:20 BST. About four hours after armed officers arrived, police confirmed the scene as safe. Shortly before 1500 BST the M6 Toll reopened. The passengers have been allowed to continue their journey to London, although some have chosen to return north, to Manchester. A police spokesperson said: "We received a report from a genuinely concerned member of the public about suspicious activity on a coach travelling on the M6 toll at Weeford, near Lichfield. "Given the nature of the report we responded swiftly and proportionately, treating the information as credible and extremely seriously. "The M6 Toll carriageways were closed in both directions, the coach was directed to the hard shoulder of the motorway and armed officers calmly evacuated passengers with their full support and co-operation. "Following an initial assessment, we can confirm that no-one has been injured and that there is no danger to passengers at the scene or any other travellers who were on the motorway at that time. "We are also not treating anyone as a suspect." A Megabus spokeswoman said the coach had left Preston at 05:10 and was due in London at 10:55. Earlier, armed police officers could be seen next to the single-decker coach on the southbound carriageway, as passengers were led off one by one. Passengers were made to sit on the northbound carriageway, apart from one another, while surrounded by officers. Sniffer dogs and forensic officers were also brought in to aid the search, as officers in forensic suits and others in military fatigues checked the area. The Ministry of Defence confirmed military personnel were assisting police, at their request, under routine procedure. One of the passengers on the bus told the BBC that she had no idea what was going on, that she didn't see anything supsicious, and wasn't told why they were pulled over. She was made to sit cross-legged on the tarmac and still was not told what was happening. She said the whole experience had been very "scary and frightening". The fire service, police from the West Midlands and Staffordshire forces and ambulance crews were all involved in the operation. Nick Jones, a sales manager from Cambridge, said he was about four vehicles behind the coach when police stopped traffic. "I've never seen so many ambulances turning up, also armed police, helicopter and dozens of police cars. "We were told to stay in our cars,

Summary: Armed police swooped on a coach on the M6 Toll motorway in the West Midlands.


Management body NHS Employers has given the plan the green light after advisers said there were a range of extra tasks they could do with more training. A Nuffield Trust review found examples of nurses filling in for hospital doctors and pharmacists for GPs. But unions warned against using it as a quick fix for problems in the NHS. It has been well documented that there are gaps in junior doctor rotas, while GPs are struggling to cope with the rising number of patients coming through their doors. NHS Employers asked the Nuffield Trust to look at ways the 1.3 million-strong workforce could be reshaped to help. The think tank highlighted examples of areas that were already experimenting. These included: The report said as well as helping cover for doctor shortages, such moves made sense because of the changing nature of care, with much more stress on looking after people with long-term conditions such as diabetes and heart disease rather than curing them. It said that as doctors only made up about one in 10 of the workforce much more was needed from other health staff, but the Nuffield Trust admitted money would need to be set aside to ensure it happened. Are nurses the new doctors? NHS short of front-line staff, MPs say Report author Candace Imison said there were "huge opportunities" in reshaping the workforce, in both improving patient care and providing staff with more rewarding roles. And NHS Employers chief executive Danny Mortimer said: "Our challenge now is to take forward the learning and recommendations in the report." But British Medical Association leader Dr Mark Porter said while he supported increasing the skills of the workforce, this should not be done "at the expense of good quality training for doctors or indeed doctors themselves". "It takes doctors many years to learn how to provide the best care for their patients, and there is no substitute for this kind of expertise and experience," he said. "There should be more staff support for doctors to help them coordinate the best possible care for their patients." And Unison head of health Christina McAnea said the squeeze on funding in the health service meant there was "all too often" no funding for training courses. "Developing the NHS support workforce must not be seen as a quick and cheap fix for the chronic shortages of nurses and other health workers across the country," she added. Read more from Nick Follow Nick on Twitter

Summary: Nurses, paramedics and pharmacists should be trained to fill in for doctors and help the NHS in England cope with demand, bosses say.


Bill Cosby 77 was to have been streamed from 27 November. It is not clear when or if the special will now be shown. Netflix's announcement came shortly after Tuesday's airing of an interview with a model and TV host who claimed Cosby sexually assaulted her in 1982. Cosby's lawyer previously said the comedian would be making no comment. John P Schmidt said the allegations were a "decade-old [and] discredited" and that he did not intend to "dignify [them] with any comment". A follow-up statement amended the earlier denial to say it did not refer to Andrea Constand, an accuser whose civil action against him was settled in 2006. The latest allegation came from TV presenter Janice Dickinson, who accused Cosby of sexually assaulting her after a dinner date in Lake Tahoe, California. "The next morning I woke up and I wasn't wearing my pyjamas," she told Entertainment Tonight. "I remembered before I passed out that I had been sexually assaulted." Dickinson claimed she had written about the alleged assault in a 2002 autobiography but had been pressured by Cosby's lawyer and her publisher to remove the details. Dickinson, a contestant in the 2007 series of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, is one of several women to have accused Cosby of sexual assault going back almost 30 years. Cosby remained silent during an NPR radio interview that aired on Saturday when he was asked to comment on the accusations levelled against him. The veteran comedian is best known for playing Cliff Huxtable, benign patriarch of an African-American family in hit US sitcom The Cosby Show.

Summary: Streaming service Netflix has postponed a Bill Cosby comedy special in the wake of allegations of sexual assault that have resurfaced in recent weeks.


The Newry firm had been run by its founder Lord Ballyedmond, until his death in a helicopter crash in March. Mr Nagle is currently the chairman of the Dublin-based Sisk Group, one of the largest privately owned companies in Ireland. Sisk is primarily a construction business but also has a significant manufacturing division. Mr Nagle is an experienced corporate manager, having held senior roles at firms like Intel and Nortel. He joined Sisk in 2005 as head of its non-construction trading activities and led the development of a strategy to diversify the business. Sisk entered the healthcare sector and initially acquired a number of businesses in Ireland and the UK. Norbrook chairman Sir Roy McNulty said Mr Nagle "brings a wide range of skills and experience which will be of great benefit to the team in Norbrook".

Summary: The Northern Ireland pharmaceutical firm Norbrook has appointed Liam Nagle as its new chief executive.


The 34-year-old was in intensive care in a Swiss hospital and an MRI scan detected bleeding on the brain. His mount Boomerang Bob was brought down and fatally injured in the race. The Injured Jockeys Fund said: "In due course George will leave the intensive care area to the rehabilitation wing of the Wellington Hospital."

Summary: Jockey George Baker has returned to England for treatment in London after his heavy fall on a frozen lake track in St Moritz, Switzerland last month.