On 17 December 2014, President Obama and President Raul Castro announced the historic decision to put decades of Cold War hostility behind them and re-establish long-frozen diplomatic ties. The move caught most people by surprise. But one of the few who knew it was coming was the US Charge d'Affaires in Havana, ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis. "It was just an extraordinary day, as you might imagine," says ambassador DeLaurentis. "I spent the very early part of the morning seeing off Alan Gross," he says in reference to a prisoner swap that saw a USAID sub-contractor in a Cuban prison on espionage charges exchanged for three Cuban intelligence agents in jail in the US. He then gathered his staff at the US Interests Section to tell them of the dÃ©tente. "Everyone erupted into thunderous applause and at that moment I knew that we were on a whole new journey. You could just feel the sea change." There was little time to dwell on the news or celebrate. By January, a high-level diplomatic mission from Washington was in Havana for the first of several rounds of talks towards normalising ties. There were some thorny issues on the table, as well as some initial practical difficulties. "We hadn't had this sort of negotiation in over 50 years so we obviously had to develop a certain level of trust and confidence," recalls the ambassador. The Cubans raised their key questions, including the future of the Guantanamo naval base, the US economic embargo on the island and the inclusion of Cuba on a US list of state sponsors of terror. The State Department soon removed Cuba from that list and by July, both sides were ready to restore full diplomatic relations. Did Washington's top diplomat to Cuba ever think that it might not happen? "No. I don't mean to imply that the issues we had to work through were easy because they weren't," he told the BBC. "But frankly I never doubted that we would get to the point we did in July." Less than a month later, John Kerry became the first Secretary of State to visit Cuba since 1945 and reopened the embassy. Ambassador DeLaurentis picks out the presence of the three marines who had lowered the flag in 1961 as a particular highlight. He also recalls the mixture of Americans, Cubans and Cuban-Americans in the audience as he stood at the podium. "At that point I realised that what we were really talking about here was reconciliation - that's pretty dramatic in my business," he adds with a wry smile. Since the thaw was announced, there has been a subsequent rise in immigration to the US, often via Ecuador, and from there overland to the US border with Mexico. Many Cubans hoping to flee to the US are fearful that special immigration privileges they receive as Cubans - under the "wet foot, dry foot" policy and the Cuban Adjustment Act - will soon disappear now that the two nations are becoming friends. I put it to the ambassador that many would-be migrants now see this

Summary: The past year has been perhaps the most significant in Cuba since the fall of the Berlin Wall.


People with mobility needs have been asked to call in advance if they require help accessing Platform One. A footbridge has been the only general way to get to the platform since last summer when anti-social behaviour led to its main entrance being closed. Great Western Railway said funding was in place for improving the access. This is likely to mean a new bridge but work is not expected to start until next year, according to spokesman Dan Panes. In the meantime the platform door would be open on some occasions when possible. "Whenever possible, we do ask people to call in advance because it does mean we are able to organise things more quickly and make sure we have enough staff in the right place," Mr Panes added. However, Gordon Richardson - vice chair of the Bristol Equality Forum- said he thought that was "totally unacceptable today". "If all they have to do is open a door, why should I have to tell them 24 hours in advance?," he told BBC Radio Bristol. "Why can't they have something where perhaps you come to that door, there's an intercom and they can then open the door for you and let you in?" Tina Keddy, a station user from the town, is also unhappy about the temporary measures. On a recent trip to Bath with her 81-year-old mother, she said she asked a guard if there was help for the disabled "and he said 'no'". "Mum has arthritis in her spine and in her knee. We were there in plenty of time so slowly we went up the steps, along the top, and down the other side but it was very difficult."

Summary: A temporary measure for disabled access at Weston-super-Mare railway station is "totally unacceptable", an equality forum has said.


The Scotland international, 24, reached a century from just 70 deliveries and hit 18 boundaries and four sixes, as Sussex were all out for 345. Sri Lankan spinner Sachithra Senanayake (2-79) led Worcestershire's fight back with two wickets in two balls. Daryl Mitchell and Richard Oliver saw off the new ball to end the day without loss on 45. Machan's fireworks came after Luke Wells was dismissed early, caught at third slip playing a loose shot to Chris Morris. The number three attacked immediately, bringing up his half-century in 27 balls, before captain Ed Joyce (59) was dismissed by Jack Shantry (2-86). Luke Wright continued his good form (51) but Sussex's lower order, with the exception of Ajmal Shahzad (45*), struggled once Machan was caught by Mitchell. Senanayake picked up his first wicket for Worcestershire when he had Ashar Zaidi caught by Tom Fell, before trapping Steve Magoffin lbw next ball. Sussex's tail struggled to push the team towards 400, with Gareth Andrew bowling well to dismiss Tymal Mills and Matthew Hobden cheaply. Worcestershire had a scare shortly before stumps when opener Mitchell (18 not out) edged Shahzad to Joyce at second slip, but the Sussex captain was unable to cling on to the low chance. Sussex batsman Matt Machan: "I play better when I'm aggressive and go for my shots and it is something I have worked on. "I'm trying to take my game forward in red-ball cricket by playing more positively. "I only knew I was playing this morning so I decided to be aggressive from the start and once I'd got myself in I really enjoyed myself." Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes: "When a batsman hits the ball as sweetly as Matt did, it can be difficult to bowl at. "It was a special innings because he climbed into some really good balls. We were a bit shocked by the onslaught. "I was pleased we managed to drag it back a bit after he chipped one up. It's a good cricket wicket. There is some pace there but you can score quickly."

Summary: A career-best 135 from Matt Machan formed the backbone of Sussex's innings against Worcestershire at Hove.


Bakehouse Close and Riddle's Close - once home to philosopher David Hume - are among those selected for a makeover by Edinburgh World Heritage. Fleshmarket Close, which is famously a setting for an Inspector Rebus novel, has also made the final list. Lighting and artwork will be installed in the little-used closes. The people behind the project hope the improvements will encourage more people to use the historic network of narrow streets. Adam Wilkinson, the director of Edinburgh World Heritage, said: "Our aim is for this project to re-connect the people of Edinburgh with the closes of the Old Town. "The intricate network of closes and courtyards that bind the Old Town together gives it a unique identity, is underused but has the opportunity to be revitalised, used and celebrated by all." The closes date back to the medieval origins of the city. Originally, individual plots of land were set up lining the main street, with paths to gain access to the land behind. As each plot became built up over time, so they developed into narrow lanes connecting courtyards and streets behind the Royal Mile. The Twelve Closes project was welcomed by city leaders, including John Thompson, of the Old Town community council. He said: "This is a project to be welcomed, changing dilapidated and neglected closes into useful routes linking different parts of the Old Town. "The closes were once busy thoroughfares, buzzing with all the life of the city, and it would be wonderful to see some of that atmosphere return."

Summary: Twelve of Edinburgh's "dilapidated and neglected" closes are to be transformed as part of a major project to improve the Old Town.


The police admitted a claim of wrongdoing in public office in 2015 after being sued by John Flynn over two attempts on his life in the 1990s. However, it appealed against an attempt to access police documents. Judges dismissed the appeal and said it was hard to contemplate a more grave subject matter. Mr Flynn has said the PSNI did not fully examine claims of security force collusion with loyalists. A notorious UVF unit, based in Mount Vernon, north Belfast, is believed to be responsible for two attempts to murder Mr Flynn. A gunman tried to ambush him as he picked up a taxi fare, and a bomb was placed under his car. It is alleged the attacker was a police informer. The PSNI argued that it had already admitted liability in the case and that producing the documents would be irrelevant, costly and divert resources from other cases. However, judges at the appeal court said the full extent of police misconduct needed to be established before compensation for Mr Flynn can be decided. The judges said discovery of documents in the case has a long and tortuous history, and that the PSNI should provide the papers as quickly as possible. Mr Flynn's claim is linked to an investigation in 2007 by former police ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan. That report found that members of the RUC Special Branch had allowed UVF informers to act with impunity, and that the Mount Vernon gang may have been involved in up to 15 murders. Mr Flynn claimed Mrs O'Loan's successor, Al Hutchinson, did not adequately implement recommendations from the 2007 report to examine whether agents' handlers committed any crimes.

Summary: The PSNI has failed in an appeal against an order to disclose police documents related to two murder attempts on a Catholic taxi driver.


Some 450,000 asylum seekers have entered Germany already this year and up to a million are expected in 2015 - by far the most in the EU. The government in Berlin has broadly welcomed refugees, relaxing EU rules so that it no longer sends back Syrians to other EU countries. But it introduced temporary border controls on Sunday after admitting that its capacity had been stretched to the limit. Until now, the federal government has insisted it can cope with the high numbers of asylum seekers but wants the burden shared between EU countries. Authorities have been giving assistance to new arrivals at stations in Munich and other German cities before taking them to reception centres. The "Koenigsteiner Key" is used to distribute asylum seekers across Germany's 16 federal states, calculated according to their tax revenue and their population. For example, North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany's most populous state, will be expected to take 21% of all asylum seekers, while Thuringia, the focus of several attacks on asylum accommodation, is set to receive under 3%. With a huge build-up of asylum seekers in the Bavarian city of Munich, and reception centres apparently reaching capacity, authorities in affected states have been calling for the federal government in Berlin to do more. Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann told radio station Bayern 2 that stricter controls were needed because "many en route here are not really refugees". "It's got about in the last few days that you are successful if everyone claims to be Syrian," he added. The dispute has seen Chancellor Angela Merkel come under increasing pressure particularly from political allies in the Christian Social Union (CSU), which has ruled Bavaria, Germany's wealthiest state, for nearly 60 years. State Premier Horst Seehofer described the decision to open the borders as "a mistake that will occupy us for a long time". German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel told Tagesspiegel newspaper on Sunday that the problem was "not the number of refugees but the rapidity at which they arrived". He said "Europe's inaction in the refugee crisis had driven Germany... to the limit of its capacity". The government ordered police to begin checking travel documents on Sunday from anyone entering from the southern frontier with Austria, and federal police set up roadblocks on motorway networks. Rail services to Munich were affected by the changes, too. German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said the border controls would remain in place until further notice. "The aim of this measure is to limit the current influx to Germany and to return to orderly entry procedures," he said. "This is also urgently necessary for security reasons." The move goes against the principle of the Schengen zone, which allows free movement between many European countries. However, the Schengen agreement does allow for temporary suspensions. There have been warnings that the restrictions could make conditions worse for the thousands of migrants continuing to make the perilous journey across Europe to Germany. "These measures will not create more order but only much more chaos," said Katrin Goering-Eckhardt, the parliamentary leader of the opposition Greens, according to

Summary: Germany has become the preferred destination for thousands of people reaching Europe in search of a better life.


The site's new owners, City & Country Group, have invited people to share their thoughts on what should happen to the 220-year-old building. Some 320 inmates were held inside until March 2013 when it closed. Helen Moore, from City & Country, said they wanted to deliver a new scheme which would play "a significant role in the greater regeneration" of the area. Previous suggestions for the site, which is in the heart of the city and adjacent to Gloucester Docks, have included housing, a museum and a hotel complex.

Summary: Cells inside the redundant Gloucester Prison have been opened as part of a consultation on its future use.


Fire crews in south Wales have dealt with 623 deliberately-set grass fires since 1 April. Now residents have approached South Wales Fire and Rescue Service to volunteer as "spotters". It comes as 45 firefighters are tackling one fire, covering 148 acres (60 hectares), in the Swansea Valley. Crews were called to the mountain fire at Godre'r Graig, between Pontardawe and Ystalyfera, at about 08:00 BST. On Monday it was revealed that children as young as 11 are among those who have been arrested for starting blazes in south Wales. Gareth Davies, a fire service group manager with responsibility for Rhondda Cynon Taff and Merthyr, told BBC Wales' Good Morning Wales programme residents had "had enough". "Residents are contacting us... to see if they can get involved, if they can help us and support us in terms of maybe going out onto the mountains. "A number of them are getting together and spotting for us... where the fires are being located and trying to locate where the perpetrators are and pass that on to the police. "So that is a positive and I would implore people if they do want to get involved with us then by all means go to their local fire stations and we can work together to hopefully stop this happening." A community group calling itself Mountain Fire Prevention Team (RCT) has been set up on Facebook. The group said its key aim was to "help the fire service and the police by trying to prevent mountain fires" by organising foot patrols along the mountains. The group's Facebook profile reads: "The fire service does not have the man power to patrol the mountains, so if we were able to do it, it would take some strain away from them." The RSPCA has also warned the fires were posing a "great risk" to wild animals, especially at a time of year when many are very young and unable to escape fires. On 14 April the charity was approached by South Wales Fire and Rescue Service after a burnt hedgehog was found in Pontypridd. A spokeswoman said, "Fire not only kills wildlife but will also displace surviving animals from their territory, creating problems such as territorial disputes when they move on to new areas. "Species that live in dens, burrows and warrens can become trapped by the flames and smoke and suffocate."

Summary: Residents from communities across south Wales have rallied together to try and catch arsonists who deliberately start grass fires.


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

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


Twelve homes were evacuated after the hole opened in Ripon, North Yorkshire, at 22:30 GMT on Wednesday. The hole measured about 20m (66ft) by 10m (33ft) and 9m (30ft) deep. The BGS said Ripon lies in one of the most susceptible areas of the UK for sinkholes because of its "Permian gypsum deposits". It said these can dissolve more quickly than surrounding limestone, leading to the enlargement of underground caves. Experts are still examining data from the site behind the houses in Magdalen's Road but, releasing its initial findings, the BGS said sinkholes were often caused by surface water penetrating the ground, or fluctuations in groundwater levels. In 2014, a 100-year-old detached house in an adjoining street was demolished after a 25ft-wide (8m) sinkhole opened. According to the report, the wider area of Ripon periodically encounters sinkholes and in the 1980s and 1990s a hole was appearing every two to three years. No-one was injured in the latest collapse with the back gardens of two properties the worst affected. A sewerage system connected to several of the properties on the terrace fell in as the hole appeared. One resident described seeing the ground moving and finding her steps leading into the garden had gone. On Friday, further cracks appeared in the ground and on walls at the site. Ben Cairns, North Yorkshire Fire Service station manager, said: "Our main concern at the moment is what impact the weather is going to have for the next few days." The BGS is continuing to analyse data from the site.

Summary: A large hole that appeared behind a row of houses was in one of the UK's most susceptible areas for sinkholes, the British Geological Survey has said.


It is the first private clinic to offer early medical abortions to women in Northern Ireland under strict legal controls. A former leader of the Progressive Unionist Party, Ms Purvis has been director of the clinic since it was launched in 2012. Ms Purvis, who will step down on 24 April, said it was "time to move on". She will take on a new role on the clinic's Northern Ireland advisory board. Last November, anti-abortion protester Bernadette Smyth, who leads the Precious Life group, was convicted of harassing Ms Purvis at the Marie Stopes office in Belfast city centre. Ms Purvis told the BBC that had had no influence on her decision to step down. "I think the clinic's well established here now, we're providing services more and more every year and I'm delighted to be remaining on the advisory board for the clinic. "But I feel it's time to move on and I think it's time for Marie Stopes to get someone else in to manage the clinic and take it to new places," she said. "At times it was difficult, particularly last year with the court case and the harassment, but I put that behind me and have concentrated on delivering services for women in Ireland both north and south. "I think I've achieved a significant historical change in the perception of abortion in Northern Ireland from where the usual narrative was that abortion was illegal in Northern Ireland to now one where people understand that abortion is legal under certain circumstances. "I think we've challenged the myths and stereotypes that are presented by those who are opposed to a woman's right to chose." Genevieve Edwards, director of policy for Marie Stopes UK, said: "We were so lucky to have Dawn and wish her every success in whatever she chooses to do. "The support for the clinic since it opened in very challenging circumstances has been heartening and a source of great comfort and pride for our staff and volunteers. "We are now actively recruiting for Dawn's successor to lead us into the next phase of the clinic's journey."

Summary: Dawn Purvis is to step down as programme director of Northern Ireland's Marie Stopes clinic.


Mr Hollande, whose party was beaten by the far right in last week's European Parliament election, said the EU had become too complex and remote. In response, he will tell EU leaders at a meeting in Brussels later that they must focus on boosting the economy. The three big pro-EU centrist blocs are still on course for a majority. But they have lost seats in the European Parliament to parties seeking to curb EU powers or abolish the union, among them the UK Independence Party which came first in the domestic vote with 27% according to provisional results. In France, the far-right National Front stormed to victory with a preliminary 25% of the vote, pushing Mr Hollande's Socialists into third place. National Front President Marine Le Pen said on Tuesday that her party would use its electoral mandate to "defend France" and fight "crazy measures like votes for immigrants". The BBC's Matthew Price in Brussels says she made a direct challenge, not just to French politicians, but to Brussels too - saying it must listen to the people, and that the French had to protect their nation. This agenda will affect policy-making in the EU in the coming years, our correspondent says. Full coverage of results Speaking on French TV, Mr Hollande - a leading champion of the EU - said the project had become "remote and incomprehensible", and that that had to change. "Europe has to be simple, clear, to be effective where it is needed and to withdraw from where it is not necessary," he said. He said the union had overcome the crisis in the eurozone "but at what price? An austerity that has ended up disheartening the people". When European Union leaders meet on Tuesday he would "reaffirm that the priority is growth, jobs and investment", he said. Matthew Price, BBC News, Brussels Europe has not "voted against the EU". The vast majority of those who bothered to cast a ballot did so for parties that are pro-EU, and they will make up the majority in the new parliament. Yes, the focus is understandably on France and the UK, with Denmark, Greece, and others also giving Euro-enthusiasts cause for concern. However in many countries mainstream parties dominated - in Germany, Italy, Poland where it was felt a growing Eurosceptic movement could break through, in the Netherlands and elsewhere. So the results do not constitute a "problem" as such for the leaders of the EU. Many leaders will point this out around the dinner table tonight. Others, however, will stress that a sizeable chunk of voters chose parties that want "Brussels" to change, and that the EU needs to address this issue if it is to maintain popular support and legitimacy in the longer term. Ahead of this election most leaders were not planning to come to Brussels to discuss how to reset their country's relationship with the EU. David Cameron was of course - but others were not. Will others - under domestic pressure - now join him? Anti-EU forces overshadow Brussels talks Mrs Merkel - whose conservative

Summary: French President Francois Hollande has said the EU must reform and scale back its power, amid a surge in support for Eurosceptic and far-right parties.


They were able to hold a metal plate a few centimetres above the rabbit's chest and use it to regulate the animal's heartbeat. If such medical implants could be made to work in humans, it could lead to smaller devices that are safer to fit. The findings are published in the journal PNAS. The researchers from Stanford University hope their development could also eventually dispense with the bulky batteries and clumsy recharging systems that are currently a feature of such devices. The central discovery was a new type of wireless power transfer that could safely penetrate deep inside the body, using roughly the same power as a cell phone. "We need to make these devices as small as possible to more easily implant them deep in the body," said co-author Dr Ada Poon, from Stanford's department of electrical engineering. There are broadly two categories of electromagnetic wave that have been considered until now: far-field and near-field. Far-field waves, like those broadcast from radio towers, can travel long distances, but either bounce off the body harmlessly, or are absorbed as heat. Near-field waves can be safely used, but they can only transfer power over short distances. The researchers were able to design a device that blends the safety of near-field waves with the reach of far-field waves. "With this method, we can safely transmit power to tiny implants in organs like the heart or brain, well beyond the range of current near-field systems," said John Ho, a graduate student in Dr Poon's lab.

Summary: US researchers have built a wirelessly powered pacemaker the size of a grain of rice and implanted it in a rabbit.


Having earlier agreed to sit down with us, Shannon has gone out. She is just 19, and is barely coping. "She doesn't want to live here any more," says Julie. "It's all the memories of Kayden, this is where he lived." Shannon is sometimes suicidal. "I listen to my daughter and I cry, because of what my daughter's going through. She'll ring me and say she's going to take her own life and things like that," Julie says, tears in her eyes. 'How many more children like Kayden must die?' The living room is a shrine to Kayden. On the wall, in large letters, are painted the words: "Because someone we love is in heaven, there's a little bit of heaven in our home." Photos of Kayden paper the walls, along with mementoes - the hat he used to wear, the 3D glasses he wore to watch his favourite film. Framed too is the Mr Men book his grandmother read to him as he lay dying in Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. Julie tries to cling to the happy memories - Kayden chasing his cat around, or waiting excitedly for his beloved grandfather to come home from work. But she has been deeply affected. "I work 24-7," she told us. "I go to work to block it out. I don't ever take a day off." When Kayden fell on to a bed at home last April, banging his mouth on his bottle, Julie thought little of it, but his lips turned blue, so eventually she called an ambulance. Staff at nearby Stepping Hill Hospital took a chest X-ray, and told Julie and Shannon that Kayden had a hole in his diaphragm, a hernia that he had probably had since birth. They told her not to worry, but that he needed a simple operation to mend the hole. They were, after an overnight delay, sent to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, where they were admitted to a ward and, in Julie's words, "basically put in a room, and left". Days passed, and with each one Kayden's operation was postponed. Because his bowels and stomach had entered his chest through the hole in his diaphragm, he was in pain. The family stayed by his bedside day and night, pushing the hospital staff to find an operation slot for him. "I was just so angry with them because nobody would listen. Nobody would listen to how much pain he was in, and he was in a lot of pain," says Julie. Finally, on Friday night, five days after Kayden first fell ill, Shannon rang Julie. "She told me he was grunting in his sleep," says Julie. "I told her to get a nurse." Kayden was going into cardiac arrest - his eyes became fixed on the ceiling, and staff rushed to save him. The internal call system for summoning help failed though, and there were delays. It took almost 30 minutes to resuscitate him. Finally, the hospital sprang into action, and Kayden was taken into surgery. It took four hours of surgery to fix his hernia, and

Summary: Entering the flat where Shannon Bancroft brought up her son Kayden with the help of her mother, Julie, it's clear the trauma Kayden's death has wrought on the family.


Media playback is not supported on this device The visitors led briefly through Vasil Lobzhanidze's early try, but the Scots raced ahead through Tommy Seymour, a penalty try, Sean Maitland and Stuart Hogg before the break. Hamish Watson extended the lead, battling over soon after half-time. Lobzhanidze bagged a second from a huge Georgian scrum, before Hogg finished off a searing counter-attack. Before the Scottish points deluge, it was the Georgians who opened the scoring. It was a soft one, with Lobzhanidze, the visitors' scrum-half, darting down the blind-side of a scrum where Seymour should have halted him, but didn't. The wing made amends soon after when Hogg dinked a kick behind the Georgian defence for Seymour to run on to. In the foot-race, Seymour beat Lobzhanidze to the touch-down. It was questionable that Seymour got downward pressure on the ball, but the try was given and Scotland went ahead when Laidlaw swept over the conversion from the touchline. The floodgates began to open. Scotland owned possession and territory and got their reward when a rolling maul, destined for the try-line, was hauled to the floor by the Georgian lock, Kote Mikautadze. Scotland got a penalty try, converted by Laidlaw, and Mikautadze got the sin-bin. Merab Kvirikashvili landed a penalty but Scotland motored on regardless. Maitland scored after multiple Scotland phases and Laidlaw added the conversion and a penalty just after. There were 30 minutes gone and Scotland had 91% possession. Media playback is not supported on this device Georgia, living off scraps, put over another penalty to make it 24-11 but Hogg's try stretched the lead again. There was ambition and luck at its heart. There was nothing on for the full-back, so he chanced his arm, dinked a kick over the top and chased like hell. The breaking ball took a vicious bounce away from the covering Alexandre Todua and landed kindly in the onrushing Hogg's hands. Away he went for Scotland's fourth try, once again converted from out wide by Laidlaw. The fifth came early in the second half, Watson coming round the corner of a scrum and blasting his way over. The conversion made it 38-11. It was the belated catalyst for Georgia to get some ball of their own. They scored their second try when shoving Scotland to kingdom come in the scrum. They shunted their hosts over their own line and the dot down for Lobzhanidze was a formality. Georgia's scrum continued to cause a newly disjointed and error-prone Scotland problems. Moray Low was yellow-carded in the midst of this for another buckled scrum. The hosts had a rousing finish, though. Ali Price was only three minutes into his debut when he tapped a penalty and went from deep in his own half. Rory Hughes, another substitute, was on Price's shoulder and he in turn found Hogg who ran in his second and Scotland's sixth. Scotland head coach Vern Cotter: "It was a good first half. We scored three pretty quick tries, and we held the ball so they couldn't access the game as they would

Summary: Scotland ran in six tries to conclude their trio of autumn internationals with a 43-16 victory over Georgia.


But once the votes are counted, what can residents expect to pay in council tax? Below are the figures for a Band D property for every council area in Wales for the current financial year of 2017/18, how much that has gone up by for the current year, and what the average property in the area actually pays. They are grouped here by police force region - council tax includes the police precept which is added to the overall bill paid by homes. Local government is not fully funded by council tax. Much of the funding for councils comes in the form of grants from the Welsh Government, which in turn gets its funding from the UK government in London. In 2017/18 a total of £4.1bn is being divided among Wales' 22 councils. The lions share of council cash goes on schools - with social services following behind, as shown in the graph above. Residents pay council tax based on which band their property is in, based on its worth. Band D has historically been used as the standard for comparing council tax levels between and across local authorities. It is used to charge tax to a property that, in Wales, was worth between £91,001 to £123,000 on April 2003 values. Council tax gets lower the cheaper a property is, and higher the more expensive a property is. Council tax figures source: Welsh Government

Summary: Voters will go to the polls on Thursday to determine who will represent them on local councils.


Andrew Travers left the authority by "mutual agreement" after the error, officials said. Voters were initially turned away from all 155 polling stations in the borough because their names were missing from the poll list. An independent investigation has been launched, the council said. In a statement issued through the council, Mr Travers said: "I have enjoyed my time at Barnet and I believe the changes we have put in place and the continued programme of growth and transformation will enable the borough to continue to thrive." A council spokesperson said Mr Travers had "made a valuable contribution to the council during his three and half years as chief executive." Deputy chief executive John Hooton will take over temporarily while longer term arrangements are put in place, the council said. On election day, staff at one station said just three of the first 30 voters to show up were on the register. The rest were told to come back later. Barnet Council apologised for the problems and later offered emergency proxy votes to residents who had been affected. But voters in the area questioned how the result could be "fair" when not everyone was able to have their say at the ballot box. A statement released by Mr Travers on Thursday blamed electoral registration lists for the problems. The council's review will conclude by the end of May and the findings will be presented publicly to the General Functions Committee. It will look at the "appropriateness" of arrangements in place for the EU Referendum in June. A spokesman said it was currently in discussions to establish who would lead the investigation.

Summary: The chief executive of Barnet Council has left his role after a blunder led to some voters being turned away from polling stations on Thursday.


Wilder's side were confirmed champions after rivals Oxford lost to Luton Town. "He's a very down to earth guy, he's a motivator and certainly gets us going for games," said Richards. "That hour before the game after we've warmed up he's certainly getting in each other's ears. It's loud in the dressing room, put it that way." Richards continued to BBC Radio Northampton: "But you can go to him and speak to him, anything about football or outside football. He's been first class for all the players this season." In November, the club owed repayments on a £10.25m loan to the local borough council, while they faced a winding-up petition from HM Revenue & Customs and the club's bank account was frozen. However, after a takeover from Kelvin Thomas changed the fortunes of the club off the pitch and Wilder and his team continued their fine form to win 10 matches in a row, and they are currently on a 20-game unbeaten run. Richards himself, though, has missed the run-in because of an Achilles injury, which needed an operation. "I've had a tendon taken out of each Achilles, apparently you don't need them, and I've had a scrape on my Achilles to take away the scar tissue," said the 33-year-old. "It'll be another week on my crutches, I should be back jogging within five weeks and then a week before pre-season starts I should be back to full fitness. "The idea behind getting the operation done now was to make sure I was ready for next season. Maybe I could have battled on through the last few games, but I wouldn't have done myself or the club justice."

Summary: Northampton Town striker Marc Richards has praised "first-class" manager Chris Wilder after the Cobblers won the League Two title.


Eman Abd El Aty, said to have weighed around 500kg (1,102lb), left an Indian hospital last Thursday after doctors said she lost more than 250kg. But doctors in UAE say she is suffering from a "cardiac issue" and infected bed sores, apart from her obesity. Recent weeks saw a row erupt between her doctors in India and her family. It began when her sister, Shaimaa Selim, released a short video on social media alleging that her sister was still unable to speak or move, and had not lost as much weight as the hospital was claiming. The hospital strongly denied the allegations. A statement issued by Abu Dhabi's Burjeel Hospital said a multi-disciplinary team of 20 doctors is treating Ms Abd El Aty. "She is currently facing several health conditions, including a cardiac issue, which is still under intensive investigation; severe urosepsis [a bacterial infection complicating a urinary tract infection]; and third degree infected bed sores." The statement said the doctors are "currently focused on improving her health condition and ensuring that as part of the hospital's short term goal, Eman is able to sit with minimal to no assistance". She had arrived in India on a specially-modified Airbus plane in February and was put on a special liquid diet to reduce her weight so that doctors could perform bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery, is used as a last resort to treat people who are dangerously obese and carrying an excessive amount of body fat. The two most common types of weight loss surgery are: Gastric band, where a band is used to reduce the size of the stomach so a smaller amount of food is required to make someone feel full Gastric bypass, where the digestive system is re-routed past most of the stomach so less food is digested to make someone feel full

Summary: An Egyptian woman who was believed to have been the world's heaviest is now being treated for several health conditions at a hospital in Abu Dhabi.


Scientists agree that such attacks are extremely rare - and that sharks are not the man-eaters depicted in Hollywood blockbusters such as Jaws. But they will try to determine why the sharks were lured into shallow waters, and what prompted them to carry out a series of attacks that left one person dead and several more injured. So far, two sharks - an oceanic white tip and a mako shark - have been caught by local fishermen, but experts say there is no evidence so far that either of them are responsible for the attacks. There is an abundance of oceanic white tip sharks - Carcharhinus longimanus - in the Red Sea. Divers have spoken of diving with oceanic white tips without feeling threatened. Sources: International Union for Conservation of Nature and International Shark Attack Files But Ian Fergusson, a shark biologist and patron of the Shark Trust, a UK conservation organisation, said the presence of the short-fin mako shark was intriguing. Oceanic white tips frequent the region but it was unusual for swimmers to encounter them in shallow waters, he said, and it was very rare for shortfin makos to be found in the Red Sea - and exceptionally rare to find them close to shore. He said the last time a short-fin mako attacked in the area was in 1970s, when a tourist was wounded in an attack off Eilat's reefs. Mr Fergusson, a regular visitor to the area, said it would not be difficult for a shark to get close to the shore in Sharm el-Sheikh. "That particular part of the coastline is bordering on deep water. You don't have to go far offshore to find yourself in 500 metres of water. Sharks can get within half a mile of the shore easily. They don't, for example, have to cross reefs to get there." According to the University of Florida's International Shark Attack Files, there are an estimated 70-100 shark attacks on humans per year, resulting in about five to 15 deaths. Of those, the oceanic white tip is responsible for only a small number. But the large oceanic sharks were also the main culprits behind countless attacks on sailors and airmen who, after air and sea battles, found themselves adrift in the Pacific during World War II. So what could have prompted the latest attacks? There has been speculation that animal carcasses were recently dumped into the Red Sea, not far off the shore. Some reports have suggested the remains could have been thrown overboard by a ship carrying animal cargo. "If you start dumping carcasses, you couldn't ask for a better way of baiting for sharks," said Mr Fergusson. David Jacoby, who specialises in shark behavioural ecology at The Marine Biological Association of the UK, agreed that if this is the case, it was likely to be a significant factor in the sharks' behaviour. "Pelagic, or oceanic, species of shark often feed opportunistically because the open ocean can be a sparse environment for food," he said. While less is known about the movements and behaviour of the

Summary: International shark experts are arriving in Egypt to help investigate the attacks off the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh that have baffled local officials.


Vincent Ryan, 25, was shot dead in Finglas in Dublin on Monday after he had dropped off his partner and five-month-old baby. The gunmen escaped in a silver Volkswagen Golf that was taken during a burglary in County Kildare in October. Detectives are trying to establish where the car was kept until it was found burned on Monday night. Irish police do not believe the murder of Mr Ryan, a dissident republican, is connected to the murder of David Byrne at a boxing weigh-in at a Dublin hotel last month. Mr Ryan had been charged with possession of guns linked to the fatal shooting of Dublin criminal Michael Kelly but was later acquitted, although he remained a suspect in the murder. His killing is believed to be connected to a feud between dissidents and criminals in Dublin that led to the murder of his brother Alan Ryan three-and-a-half years ago.

Summary: The getaway car used in the murder of a man in the Republic of Ireland earlier this week was stolen last year.


A review for the Commission on Local Tax Reform said there was no "magic bullet" to cure defects in the system. It said the council tax had built-in problems "from day one" but a failure to modify it had stored up more difficulties for policy makers. The commission, set up by the Scottish government and council body Cosla, will report back later this year. Prof Kenneth Gibb, from the University of Glasgow, was asked to review different systems of local taxation across the world. He found that a tax on property was used by almost all OECD countries and was seen by academics as a "good tax" because it was stable, difficult to avoid and could have a desirable impact on housing markets. But it also generated confusion with taxpayers unclear whether it was a tax on wealth or a charge for services such as refuse collection. Some felt it was unfair because it was not linked to current income. Prof Gibb noted that a local income tax, used by many countries, was generally perceived as fairer. But he found such a system created difficulties for local authorities because it meant their income fluctuated. There was also little opportunity to vary tax rates to reflect local priorities. He said: "It is clear there is no magic bullet. "Past experience from the UK and across the world shows that reform is always going to be difficult and will inevitably be bound up with the previous experiences and traumas of past reform. "So whilst the current council tax has many deficiencies, change and reform is a major undertaking." The commission now intends to hold a public consultation across Scotland before publishing its report in the autumn. A Scottish government spokesman said ministers consider the current council tax system "as a whole to be unfair". He added: "That is why, along with our local government partners, we have established the cross-party Commission on Local Tax Reform to examine fairer alternatives. "The Scottish government awaits the commission's report, which is due in the Autumn."

Summary: Replacing or reforming the council tax in Scotland could prove challenging, according to a study.


After 11 years in the role, Prof Christianne Glossop told BBC Wales: "There hasn't been a day gone by where I haven't been focusing on TB." She defended the Welsh Government's efforts to fight the disease, after accusations of "dithering" by unions. Farmers' leaders have renewed calls for a badger cull. They claimed at the Royal Welsh Show in Llanelwedd that post-Brexit trade deals could be at risk. Government statistics show 8,103 cattle were slaughtered in Wales as a result of bovine TB in 2015 - up more than a quarter on 2014, when 6,378 cattle were killed. Prof Glossop said it was important not to judge the eradication programme in Wales based on one indicator alone. "If we're winning the battle we have to understand everything about the disease. "We are digging deeper into the farms that have TB, we are testing harder, we're using more sensitive tests and we're also taking more animals that have an inconclusive reaction. "The aim is to get infection out of the farm as quickly as possible - and as a result of that we are taking more animals right now." Since the start of the Welsh Government's TB eradication programme in 2008 there has been a 37% reduction in incidents of TB. Prof Glossop said about 5% of farms in Wales were currently experiencing problems. But the issue is concentrated, with far higher incidence levels in west Wales and along the border with England. A five-year project to vaccinate badgers in north Pembrokeshire is currently on hold due to a global shortage of the BCG jab. Farming unions have urged the government to cut its losses and scrap what they say is "pointless and costly" trial. Prof Glossop said it was too early to tell whether it had worked or whether the government would restart the project in 2017. "Should we be in a position to access vaccine next year we'd have to look at computer modelling and ask is a fifth year of vaccine in one area going to deliver benefits that are worth the cost," she said. "It's an expensive business and very labour intensive". Gareth Richards, a dairy farmer from Abergwili in Carmarthen whose farm has been hit three times by bovine TB, described the government's efforts to eradicate the disease as "basically terrible". He added: "It's too much of a political hot potato and it's decimating the Welsh countryside as a result." FUW president Glyn Roberts said: "We know that the current rates of bovine TB may represent a significant threat in terms of meat and dairy exports once we are outside the EU, and there is a real risk that our current TB status could be used against us during trade negotiations. "This means that we have to proactively address the problem, otherwise we might jeopardise all UK trade negotiations with Europe." This autumn will see the return of badger culling in England, with pilot culls ongoing in Gloucestershire, Somerset and Dorset. Prof Glossop will address farmers at a seminar at the FUW pavilion at the Royal Welsh Showground

Summary: Bovine TB is the "single biggest problem" facing animal health and welfare in a generation, Wales's chief veterinary officer has said.


Cuadrilla, the firm behind the tests, said drilling had been suspended as a precaution after the 1.5 magnitude tremor - the second in two months. It will now examine the data collected by the British Geological Survey (BGS) before deciding whether to resume. A tremor centred on Poulton-le-Fylde on 1 April shared a "similar location and mechanism", the BSG said. Shale gas drilling, known as "fracking", involves shattering hard shale rocks underground to release gas using either hydraulic pressure or tiny explosions. Mark Miller, chief executive of Cuadrilla Resources, said: "We take our responsibilities very seriously and that is why we have stopped fracking operations to share information and consult with the relevant authorities and other experts. "We expect that this analysis and subsequent consultation will take a number of weeks to conclude and we will decide on appropriate actions after that." The process has proved controversial in the US with environmentalists alleging that shale gas leaking into their drinking supply could cause tap water to ignite. But earlier this month the Commons energy select committee called on ministers to support the process in the UK arguing that environmental problems associated with it in the US could be overcome by tight regulation and good industry practice. The BGS said it was also monitoring fracking as a precaution. There have been two small earthquakes in Lancashire since fracking began in the county in March, including the latest on Friday. In an analysis of the April quake published on its website the BGS said: "Any process that injects pressurised water into rocks at depth will cause the rock to fracture and possibly produce earthquakes. "It is well known that injection of water or other fluids during the oil extraction and geothermal engineering, such as Shale gas, processes can result in earthquake activity." The BGS said the April tremor took place 1.2 miles (2km) away from the drilling site but said its monitoring instruments were 50 miles (80km) away. Speaking about the latest quake, Dr Brian Baptie, head of seismology at the BGS, said: "The earthquake was felt by at least one person in Poulton-Le-Fylde. "Our analysis places the epicentre of the event to within 2km of the Preese Hall site. "Data from two temporary instruments close to the drill site, installed after the magnitude 2.3 earthquake on 1 April, indicate that the event occurred at a depth of approximately 2km (1.2 miles). "The recorded waveforms are very similar to those from the magnitude 2.3 event last month, which suggests that the two events share a similar location and mechanism."

Summary: Shale gas test drilling in Lancashire has been suspended following an earthquake on the Fylde coast.


The bodies of David Miller, 24, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, were discovered on a beach in Koh Tao on 15 September. Metropolitan Police officers flew out last month to work with Thai police, who are holding two Burmese suspects. The UK detectives will now compile a report and "update the families of Hannah and David," a spokesman said. "Detectives from the UK who are currently in Thailand reviewing the investigation into the murders of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller have completed their work, as far as possible," the Met Police said in a statement. "They will now be returning to the UK to compile their report and to update the families of Hannah and David on their findings. "The police team wish to thank the Thai authorities for facilitating the visit." Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, both migrant workers from Myanmar, also known as Burma, are alleged to have confessed to the killings. Thai police have denied subsequent reports that the pair, both aged 21, have since withdrawn their confessions. The two suspects are charged with conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to rape and robbery, and could face the death penalty if found guilty. However, the UK Foreign Office last month summoned the Thai charge d'affaires to express concerns about the police investigation. The concerns are understood to have been around the verification of DNA samples of the suspects and allegations of their mistreatment. The UK police visit came after Thai Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha met Mr Cameron at a summit in Italy and agreed that a delegation of British officers could travel to Thailand. He had previously rejected offers of assistance. Post-mortem examinations found Mr Miller, from Jersey, died from drowning and a blow to the head, while Miss Witheridge, from Great Yarmouth, died from head wounds. Thai police have said DNA found on Ms Witheridge matched samples taken from the suspects.

Summary: UK police are to return from Thailand after reviewing an investigation into the murders of two British tourists, Scotland Yard has said.


Jean Say killed his son and daughter two years ago. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said Southwark Sapphire unit in south London "encouraged" victims to withdraw allegations to boost detection rates. The Metropolitan Police said substantial changes had been made. The rape allegation against Say was dismissed by a detective sergeant based at Southwark, who said the circumstances did not constitute rape because the woman "consented". The report by the IPCC said: "There is no doubt from the evidence that the woman made an allegation of rape at Walworth police station which should have been believed and thoroughly investigated." The IPCC said the Southwark Sapphire squad's approach of "failing to believe victims" was "wholly inappropriate". It also said it was "under-performing and over-stretched". Deputy chairwoman of the IPCC Deborah Glass said: "There's no doubt this was an incredibly serious, shocking incident. "We know with all the cases that we've dealt with that the consequences of not dealing with allegations of rape can be extremely serious. "This is yet another tragic illustration of that." Say, 62, a retired concierge, attacked his daughter Regina, eight, and son Rolls, 10, in their beds at his home in Southwark in 2011, while they were on a weekend access visit. The Old Bailey heard he killed them to spite his wife who had left him. He was given a 30-year minimum term. The case sparked a wider investigation into the work of the unit between July 2008 and September 2009, the results of which have now been published. The IPCC has carried out five previous inquiries into Southwark Sapphire command and it is the police watchdog's ninth investigation into the Met's response to victims of sexual violence. By Danny ShawHome affairs correspondent, BBC News No one will ever know if Jean Say's children would be alive today if he'd been arrested and investigated for rape three years before he stabbed them to death. But if police hadn't "no-crimed" the rape allegation, the chances are Say's threatening and violent behaviour would have been uncovered. The Say case is the most egregious example of the dysfunctional approach to rape investigations at the Southwark Sapphire unit; what we don't know is how many other sexual assault victims were wrongly disbelieved and the impact that's had on them and on others. Although Scotland Yard says the Sapphire units have changed for the better, the practice of no-crimeing is still a problem across other forces: in England and Wales reported rapes are three times as likely to be written off as other incidents are. Home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said three Metropolitan officers who had been facing possible dismissal over a previous bungled investigation into the serial sex offender Kirk Reid, were still with the force. Two of them, a superintendent and a detective inspector, have been promoted. A detective sergeant is facing disciplinary proceedings for alleged gross misconduct in connection with the allegations. In another case, Det Con Ryan Coleman-Farrow, who was based in Southwark, was jailed for 16 months in October last year for failing to investigate rape and

Summary: A police officer at a sex crime unit encouraged a woman to drop a rape claim against a man who went on to murder his two children, a report has said.


Hastings Pier is being rebuilt with £14m of money raised mainly through the Heritage Lottery Fund. It is now hoped a further £300,000 can be raised by selling 3,000 shares for £100 each. The charity behind the restoration said investors would have a say in the pier's future. The 140-year-old structure was almost completely destroyed by fire in October 2010. Simon Opie, CEO of the Hastings Pier Charity, said the shares were important to continue interest in the pier after its restoration. He said: "[The shares] are not just about the money, but it is about creating shareholder members, people who are invested in the pier, people who care about the town, the heritage of the pier, and people who will be here for the long term. "The money that we have raised will restore the pier but beyond that it needs to have an economically viable future and that's what we hope we will create." The Panamanian company Ravenclaw, which owned the pier, was issued with a compulsory purchase order after it failed to carry out repair work. The order was granted in 2012 and the council formally took ownership of the pier in August. It is hoped the restoration will be completed by spring 2015. Hastings Council leader, Jeremy Birch, said: "This is the people's pier so let them have a stake in it." The shares will go on sale on Saturday through a community shares website.

Summary: Shares in a derelict seaside pier that was almost destroyed by fire three years ago will be offered to the community to aid its restoration.


Ex-Manchester United trainee McGinty, 21, played 13 times for the Conference club after joining on loan in February. "It's a fantastic move for me at this stage in my career. I want to push on here," McGinty told the club website. Meanwhile, 35-year-old goalkeeper Phil Smith, who was the Shots' first-choice stopper for 2014-15, has agreed a new one-year contract with the club.

Summary: Aldershot have announced the signing of defender Sean McGinty from Rochdale on a one-year deal from 1 July.


The poll indicates satisfaction fell from 70% to 58% last year - the largest annual drop since it started in 1983. The King's Fund think tank sponsored the NHS questions put to more than 1,000 people and said their answers appeared to be a comment on reforms and spending squeezes and not care quality. The government said the survey contradicted its poll among patients. The survey formed part of the wider British Social Attitudes Survey, which covers a whole host of policy areas. When asked what they think of their care, most patients are grateful for their treatment and give the NHS a thumbs up. This is illustrated by the results of the latest annual patients survey, which reveals nine in 10 would rate their care as good, very good or excellent. Understandably, ministers have highlighted that research to suggest that all is rosy in the health service. But that does not mean that the findings of the British Social Attitudes Survey are not important. They are in effect an emotional stock-take of what the public thinks the present and future holds for the health service. The NHS - like the rest of the public sector - is facing a tough challenge. Rising demands and a squeeze on finances means the pressure is on - and this drop in satisfaction suggests the public are worried. The 1,096 respondents to the health questions were asked "how satisfied or dissatisfied" they were with the way in which the National Health Service was run. The King's Fund released the findings on the NHS as it has taken on responsibility for funding that element of the research after the government pulled out last year. Prof John Appleby, chief economist at the King's Fund, said the poll was important because it had tracked satisfaction over such a long period of time. "It is not surprising this has happened when the NHS is facing a well-publicised spending squeeze. "Nevertheless, it is something of a shock that it has fallen so significantly. "This will be a concern to the government given it appears to be closely linked with the debate on its NHS reforms." The King's Fund said it had reached that conclusion because performance measures, such as waiting times and hospital infection rates, remained low. When the figures are broken down in more detail they show similar patterns. Satisfaction fell among supporters of all three main political parties - although unsurprisingly if dropped most among Labour voters. The falls were similar when England was compared with Scotland and Wales combined. While the NHS reforms apply only to England, the King's Fund suggested there could be some "leakage" into the public consciousness elsewhere. Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said the survey results "clearly reflect David Cameron's disastrous decision to reorganise the NHS at a time of financial distress. Patients are beginning to see the signs of a service in distress." He said A&E waiting times over winter, reports of patients on trolleys in corridors, redundancies, and "reports of services being restricted" were "leading people to feel worried about the

Summary: Public satisfaction with the NHS has dropped by a record amount, the British Social Attitudes Survey suggests.


It began just before 14:00 GMT at the property in Grove Lane on the outskirts of Elmswell, near Bury St Edmunds. Progress at the scene has been "slow due to the weather conditions", Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said. Nine crews remained at the property into the evening, removing the thatch and damping down hot spots. At its peak 16 crews attended the blaze. The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Summary: A fire has ripped through the first floor of a thatched house in a Suffolk village.


The 29-year-old limped off after just seven minutes of the 2-0 win over Leicester City on Sunday. A Premier League winner while on loan at Leicester last season, Dyer will have surgery in due course. The former Southampton player has featured in five games since Paul Clement was appointed Swans manager last month. "The initial prognosis is it doesn't look good," Clement said. Swansea are also without fellow wingers Jefferson Montero (torn hamstring) and Mo Barrow, who is on loan at Leeds United.

Summary: Swansea City winger Nathan Dyer has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon.


Since independence in 1962 it has been plagued by tension between the usually-dominant Tutsi minority and the Hutu majority. The ethnic violence sparked off in 1994 made Burundi the scene of one of Africa's most intractable conflicts. 10.4m population - similar to Belgium 27,816 sq km area - similar to Haiti 50 years life expectancy for men 50 years life expectancy for women $900 GDP per capita - similar to Liberia Pierre Nkurunziza, a former Hutu rebel leader, became the first president to be chosen in democratic elections since the start of Burundi's civil war in 1994. In 2015 Burundi was plunged into its worst crisis since the end of a civil war in 2005, when Mr Nkurunziza's ultimately successful bid for re-election to a third term sparked protests by opposition supporters who said the move was unconstitutional. Operating in a turbulent political climate, Burundi's media are subject to self-censorship and occasional government censorship. In June 2013 President Nkurunziza approved a new media law which critics condemned as an attack on press freedom. The law forbids reporting on matters that could "undermine national security, public order or the economy". Some key dates in Burundi's history: 1890 - The kingdoms of Urundi and neighbouring Ruanda (Rwanda) incorporated into German East Africa. 1916 - Belgian army occupies the area. 1962 - Urundi is separated from Ruanda-Urundi and becomes independent. 1993 - Ethnic conflict claims some 300,000 lives. 2015 - Unrest sparked by president's plans to stand for third term.

Summary: Burundi, one of the world's poorest nations, is struggling to emerge from a 12-year, ethnic-based civil war.


Two men were convicted for carrying out abuse during the 1970s, 80s and 90s at the now closed Skircoat Lodge. Victim Kaz Gray said inquiries did not go far enough and some individuals were allegedly still working with children. Calderdale Council said no one involved in the historical cases still worked for the authority. In 2001, Malcom Phillips, who ran Skircoat Lodge for nearly 20 years, was jailed for seven years for repeated abuse of children in his care. A social worker there, Andrew Shadders, who abused boys, was jailed for 15 years. Another man, Terence O'Hagan, was charged with abuse but died before conviction. Ms Gray, who is leading the protest at the council's social services offices, said the scale of the abuse in care homes in Calderdale over that period of time was "rampant". She said: "When I went into care one of the first things they did was put me on the pill. "I was 14, the youngest lass I knew of at the time on the pill in Skircoat was 11 years old." Ms Gray, who has waived her right to anonymity, was abused at Skircoat and said she was trafficked to a care home in North Wales where she was raped. She said she considered there were people still working with children in the area who had been "complicit in the abuse" of youngsters decades ago. "Nothing's changed, nothing will change until everything comes out," she added. The council said it fully supported the investigation at the time. It added: This was an appalling case and we regret that children suffered when they were in the care of the local authority. "I would like to reassure people that nobody involved in the historic cases works for the council, and in the intervening years our safeguarding practices have changed beyond recognition." Chief Supt Dickie Whitehead, Calderdale District Commander, said a thorough investigation was carried out by police and the council between 1997 and 2002 following allegations against a number of employees at Skircoat Lodge Assessment Centre and Dobroyd Castle. He said: "This led to a number of arrests and prosecutions, resulting in a number of substantial prison sentences." Mr Whitehead urged victims of abuse to come forward, adding: "We can promise that reports will be investigated and victims will be treated with the utmost sensitivity."

Summary: Victims of child sex abuse in Halifax are staging a protest calling for an inquiry into historical abuse at care homes in Calderdale to be reopened.


Members of the Clwyd North Division are against the changes at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan. These could see clinical staff transferred to Ysbyty Gwynedd and Wrexham Maelor hospitals from 6 April. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said it was "disappointed" by the vote. Doctors, who held the vote after discussing the plans at a meeting on Monday, said the recent decision to withdraw consultant-led obstetric and gynaecology services at the hospital for 18 months has left them feeling demeaned. Dr Richard Lewis, secretary of the Welsh British Medical Association, said that following a number of high-profile resignations at the board two years ago after a damning report on management failings, communications between the board and the wards remained poor. "The situation in terms of the board's ability to communicate with its frontline staff are as bad if not worse than ever," he told BBC Wales. "That gap seems not be closing; in fact on this particular issue it seems to be widening, which is a real worry." Health board executive medical director Prof Matthew Makin said: "We fully acknowledge the strength of feeling regarding the board's decision from our clinicians but maintain that our primary motivation for making this pre-emptive urgent interim change is to protect the safety of mothers and babies." Meanwhile, AMs in the Welsh assembly agreed a motion on Wednesday calling on the health board to "ensure the continuity of consultant-led maternity and other women's clinical services at each of the three district general hospitals in north Wales". Conservative health spokesman Darren Millar, AM for Clwyd West, said: "I welcome the fact that not a single Assembly Member voted against our motion to protect maternity services from the threat of downgrading."

Summary: Doctors unhappy at proposals to close consultant-led obstetrics and gynaecology services at a north Wales hospital have passed a vote of no confidence in the health board.


The commission is investigating tax deals granted to US companies for setting up headquarters in Europe. Next month the EU is expected to deliver its decision on Apple. The company could be hit with a multi-billion pound bill for unpaid taxes. The commission said there was "no bias against US companies" in the probes. In a report published on Wednesday, the US regulator said action by Brussels would make it into a "supra-national tax authority" overriding the tax codes of its member states. It also said Brussels was using a different set of criteria to judge cases involving US companies, adding that potential penalties were "deeply troubling". Apple has been accused of sheltering billions of pounds in profit in the Republic of Ireland tax-free, under a deal it reached with Irish authorities. JP Morgan, an investment banker for Apple, has said the company could face a bill for $19bn (Â£14.3bn) in a worst-case scenario. Several companies including Apple, Amazon and Starbucks are under investigation by the European Commission over allegations of tax avoidance. Last year, the commission ruled that Starbucks and Fiat were given sweetheart tax deals in the Netherlands. The EU's executive body said it was investigating whether Apple was given special tax benefits for setting up in Ireland that were not granted to other companies, potentially violating EU state aid rules. Earlier this year the US government publicly challenged the investigation by Brussels, accusing it of targeting US corporations. In its latest move, the Treasury Department asked Brussels to reconsider its actions against several US companies including Apple, Starbucks, and Amazon. It argued penalties for these firms could have broader repercussions for cross-border taxation. "The investigations have global implications as well for the international tax system and the G20's agenda to combat [tax avoidance] while improving tax certainty to fuel growth and investment," Robert Stack, a Treasury Department deputy wrote in a blog on the agency's website. He argued that a charge from the European Commission could be considered a foreign tax credit in the US - a classification that could reduce the businesses' tax bills in the US. The Treasury Department said it was continuing to "consider potential responses should the commission continue its present course". In response the commission said it was trying to ensure EU law was applied equally to all companies operating in Europe. Apple has previously said that it had not had "any special tax deal with the Irish government". "We have received no selective treatment from Irish officials," the company has said. "Apple is subject to the same tax laws as scores of other international companies doing business in Ireland." The Irish finance ministry has also insisted Apple "did not receive selective treatment and there was no 'special tax rate deal'". "Ireland is confident that there is no state aid rule breach in this case and we will defend all aspects vigorously," the Department of Finance said two years ago when the European Commission announced its formal investigation.

Summary: The US Treasury Department has warned the European Commission about taking action against US companies over tax avoidance allegations.


The Scottish distance runner already had a certain inner steel and now likens herself to Arnold Schwarzenegger's iconic cyborg creation after acquiring a bit more in the aftermath of a broken ankle in January 2015. "I already had five screws in my left foot and now I have another two and a metal plate in my ankle," the 25-year-old from Dundee explained. "It is almost like a robot foot - I am slowly turning into The Terminator. "I don't set off airport scanners yet, but it is certainly getting that way. It is just really unfortunate that it has always been my left foot." A top-two finish in Sunday's 5,000m at the British Championships, doubling as Olympic trials, would secure a place in the Great Britain team heading to Rio - a fitting reward for persistence in the face of adversity. As McColgan relates the "long process" of recovery from the initial ankle break, to further surgery last July, to jogging again, to issues with "compensatory injuries" and additional nerve problems, it is not hard to understand her surprise at the form she takes to Birmingham. The Scottish 3,000m steeplechase record holder has ditched the hurdles and water jumps to protect her vulnerable ankle and run personal bests in the 3,000m and 5,000m - the latter in her first track outing for 22 months - to achieve the Olympic qualifying standard. "It has been an absolute blessing to come back as quickly as I have," she told BBC 5 live's Sports Panel recently. "I honestly thought this year would be just about slowly building things up and just being happy to be running again. "But my form has come back quite quickly. I put a lot of work in on the cross-trainer and in the gym and pool. I did everything I could apart from running. "It is nice to be back running PBs over all distances and I am ready to race the trials now." Steve Cram, BBC Sport's athletics commentator, saw first hand what McColgan went through at a winter training camp for some of Britain's distance athletes in early February. "I have got a lot of time for Eilish," Cram told BBC Scotland. "I was with her in Kenya and she was still struggling then. "But she never gives up on it. Everyone else was going out and doing their miles on the trails and Eilish was not able to run much at that point, but she was going into the gym and running on the machines. "She threw herself into that rehab with an incredible amount of energy. Her motivation stayed high and that is why she has come out the other end of it. "We have got three or four girls who are doing well at the 5K this year, but if Eilish can re-produce her form at the trials, hopefully she will be in Rio." Fellow Scottish 5,000m runners Steph Twell (14:59.00) and Laura Whittle (15:08.58) have both run faster this year than the 15:09.94 McColgan posted in California in early May. But, given her rapid

Summary: 'I'll be back' could have been Eilish McColgan's personal mantra over the past 18 months - even when the doubts and demoralising setbacks continued to afflict her.


Dorothy Leyden's body was found hours after she had been to a Jimmy Ruffin concert at the Golden Garter nightclub in Wythenshawe in April 1971. The 17-year-old's body was found on waste ground in Collyhurst. Her sister Pat Atkinson has made an emotional appeal for more information on her death. The teenager spent the evening of 24 April 1971 at the concert before heading into central Manchester. At about 02:30, she got out of a taxi she had shared with friends at Piccadilly Gardens bus station and it is thought she decided to walk home. Her body was found the following day behind the now demolished Spread Eagle pub. A reconstruction will show some of Dorothy's last known movements before she was attacked. Previously, it had been thought she may have been murdered by serial killer Trevor Hardy but, this was dismissed in 2008. Det Supt Martin Bottomley, from Greater Manchester Police, said forensic evidence proved he did not kill Dorothy. "The suspicion that Hardy was responsible may have allowed the real killer to hide for all of this time." Dorothy's sister recalled the moment officers broke the news of her sister's murder. She told Crimewatch: "I remember the police coming to the front door and I just went out playing and when I came home my mum called me into the living room. "I think she told us all one at a time and she just told me that Dorothy had been beaten and she'd died." The appeal will be shown on Crimewatch later on BBC One at 21:00 BST.

Summary: A fresh appeal to find the killer of a teenage girl who was raped and murdered in Manchester 45 years ago is to feature on BBC One's Crimewatch.


The economic research institute questioned 320 businesses following the vote on leaving the EU. The survey found more than 60% of Scottish firms believe Brexit would have a "negative impact" on them. However, the institute said there was little evidence of companies cancelling investment or recruitment outright. The Fraser of Allander Institute, an independent research body based at the University of Strathclyde, carried out the survey between 5 July and 12 July, in the aftermath of the EU referendum. Just over 60% of Scottish firms surveyed said they believed Brexit will have a negative impact on their business, while only 19% said it would have a positive impact. One third said the impact would be "very negative". About 40% believe that leaving the EU could lead to a decrease in their investment and expansion plans, and 34% said that they could cut back on recruitment. More than 70% of firms surveyed as part of the research had done no preparation for the UK exiting the EU. Two-thirds of businesses said resolution of the uncertainty in the economy was a key issue in the negotiation of the UK's exit from the European Union, while 49% of firms cited access to the single market as a key issue. However, the survey found little evidence of companies actually cancelling investment or recruitment plans. A quarter of firms said they had made a decision to change their investment and recruitment plans, though the vast majority - 95% - said that decisions had been postponed rather than cancelled entirely. Prof Graeme Roy, director of the institute, said: "This is the first hard survey evidence post-referendum of what businesses in Scotland are thinking and how they are responding to the unexpected EU referendum result. "A clear majority believe that the impact - certainly in the short to medium term - will be negative. The survey offers some evidence that investment and recruitment plans may be being put on hold. "Resolving the current political and economic uncertainty must now be the key priority. The longer the period of uncertainty continues, the more damaging the impact will be on the economy."

Summary: Most Scottish firms believe Brexit is bad for their prospects and the economy, according to a survey by the Fraser of Allander Institute.


The current 56 day waiting time target for treatment is to be halved to 28 days, Health Minister Mark Drakeford said. Health boards have until next March to hit the new target and Mr Drakeford said there has already been "significant progress" in services. Charities have warned of the growing mental health problem in Wales. Under the old arrangements, patients had to be seen for an initial assessment within four weeks - and then there was another wait of up to eight weeks for treatment. Now that wait for treatment time after being first evaluated has been cut to four weeks too. The Welsh government said its waiting times for mental health assessment and treatment were are already more stringent than those in England. £587m spending, 2015-16 11.4% of NHS budget Women treated for mental illness 14% Adults being treated for depression 9% Rise in child and adolescent referrals since 2011 100% NHS England has a target that 75% of adults should expect treatment within six weeks and 95% within 18 weeks. Mr Drakeford said: "This announcement will help ensure timely access to treatment, ensuring people who need expert care and support receive the right services in the right place at the right time." Sara Moseley, director of Mind Cymru, the mental health charity, said the new target was "welcome" but more needed to be done, including improving the type of treatment offered to people. "I think the minister is making it very clear that mental health is a priority and we welcome that but we think this is a journey," she added. Under the old measure, 85.5% of patients in Wales were treated within the eight weeks of being assessed in June 2015. Cwm Taf health board had the best record with 97.7% meeting the target compared to only 67.4% in the Aneurin Bevan area. But Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams said hundreds of young people would be"left behind" as they will still be subject to a longer 16 week target - one that is met only 50% of the time.

Summary: People with mental health problems are being promised faster access to treatment by the Welsh government.


The cygnets and their mother had recently become a familiar sight around Lisnarick, outside Irvinestown. Pat Masterson, who lives in Lisnarick, photographed the swans shortly before they were killed on Tuesday evening. "When I saw their mother walking them along the road, all in line, I stopped to take a picture," said Ms Masterson. "They've visited our farm every day over the last few weeks so I've photographed them before, but I thought that the way the wee cygnets were following their mother was just so lovely I had to stop and watch. "I still can't believe that they were run over so soon after." Enniskillen-based vet Kevin Leonard, who happened to be passing moments after the birds were killed, said he was shocked by what he saw. "The five of them were just lying in a row behind the mother, who was injured as well. "Four of them were dead and the fifth was so badly mangled I had to put it down with an injection. "The sixth one only had minor injuries, so I gave it an anti-biotic cream and guided it into a nearby field alongside its mother. "It was actually quite an upsetting sight. I can't believe whoever killed them just drove on." Paul Hoy, who had also stopped when he saw the dead swans, assisted the vet in moving them to safety. He said he was "disgusted" by what he saw. "A girl who was there said she saw the car running them down and driving on. "We're all wondering how this could have been an accident - it's a 30mph speed limit there and it wasn't dark so the swans were very visible. "If you can't see six swans on the road, what are the chances you'll see a child? As native wild birds, swans enjoy statutory protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and it is an offence to intentionally injure, take or kill a wild swan. The act similarly protects the eggs and nests of swans. It is an offence to take or possess the egg of a wild mute swan, or to damage or destroy the nest of a mute swan whilst in use or being built. The RSPB said anyone who witnesses an offence against swans or other wildlife should contact their police Wildlife Liaison Officer through their local police station.

Summary: Residents in a County Fermanagh village have expressed anger at the "heartless act" of a driver who killed five cygnets.


Prince Charles did not mention the Islamic State group but his comments at Sandhurst are being interpreted as a reference to the organisation. He told the cadets the international order was "under challenge as never before in my lifetime". It was the first passing out involving mixed platoons of men and women. The Sovereign's Parade at the military academy in Surrey formally marks the senior cadets' completion of their commissioning course, and the Prince of Wales was representing the Queen at the event for a fourth time. He told the officer cadets they would face trials "as great as any faced by our forebears", but said he was confident they would rise to the challenge. "You are receiving your commissions as officers at a moment when the profession of arms is moving into uncharted waters," he said. "In the face of such challenges, Britain's traditional qualities - fair play, civility, a sense of humour in adversity - remains as precious as they've always been. "The harder it becomes to stop people determined to maim and kill, the more urgent becomes our need to understand and defuse their perverse determination." Among those watching the parade was tennis player Andy Murray's wife Kim, whose brother Scott Sears was passing out. Prince Charles is colonel in chief of the Royal Gurkha Rifles and wore his Army field marshal uniform at the parade. His speech came as the Ministry of Defence issued an update on RAF operations against IS targets in Iraq and Syria. Officials said that on Thursday two Typhoon FGR4s struck an IS-held building and a bunker in northern Iraq with a Paveway IV guided bomb; a Tornado patrol destroyed a building and a mortar position with Paveways, and a Reaper drone struck a vehicle and supported Kurdish forces when they came under fire from a sniper. On Wednesday, two Tornado GR4s provided air support to Kurdish soldiers fighting IS in northern Iraq, and used a Paveway IV guided bomb to destroy a position.

Summary: A "cult of death and destruction" is seducing "lost young people", the Prince of Wales has told Army officer cadets at a passing-out parade.


Media playback is not supported on this device "Cannonball" Ken is also known as the "Sheriff" among his Scarlets team-mates, and has no objection to either. But "super sub" was one the Wales hooker, who wins his 50th-cap against France in the Six Nations on Saturday, did not relish. Owens, 30, has made 31 of his previous 49 Wales appearances from the bench. During Wales' 2015 World Cup campaign, coach Warren Gatland repeatedly praised Owens' contribution in the latter part of matches while acknowledging the player was frustrated by his long run among the replacements. That, however, has changed this season with Owens having started all of Wales' Six Nations matches and earned praise from pundits for the quality of his performances. "You do get frustrated, but you can't let it drag you down," Owens says. "You have got to keep plugging away, just keep trying to improve yourself. "At the end of the day, it's much better to be involved in the 23 than not being involved at all, whether that be with your region or with Wales. "I will always push myself to want to start, and thankfully I have had my opportunity now. I have got to keep playing well because there are plenty of hookers in Wales playing well." Media playback is not supported on this device Some experts, including former England number two Brian Moore, have been so impressed they have pencilled-in Owens as a British and Irish Lions tourist for this summer's trip to New Zealand. Like the rest of the players, Owens sidesteps the Lions question but concedes he is more than happy with his form. "I am pretty happy. The set-piece has gone well, and it is just nice to have a consistent run of games starting. I think that has helped me," he added. "I work hard and try to take my chances when they come, and thankfully, I am playing okay at the moment. "I am not doing a lot different to what I was doing before. Perhaps I am a lot more consistent at the moment." Another factor in Owens' happiness is that he has had to come back from serious neck injuries which have seen him undergo two operations and miss a good deal of rugby. He says his latest lay-off, which sidelined him for four months in 2014, was particularly frustrating. "Initially, I thought I would be out for six to eight weeks," he said. "The neck wasn't really the problem, it was nerve damage because it was my second big impact on that part of the nerves. "It just took forever for it to regenerate, and it is only really now that my strength is anywhere near where it should be. "It was my third neck injury but thankfully, touch wood, there were no issues and I managed to get through it. "I always thought I would get back, it was just a case of how long it would take for the nerves to regenerate." Owens has shown nerves of steel at the line-outs this season, with Wales'

Summary: Ken Owens is not short of a nickname or two.


A point against the Dutch side could keep Celtic in the hunt if Group A rivals Fenerbahce fail to beat Molde in Norway, but Deila feels his team must keep their fate in their own hands. "I still see an opportunity to go through, and that's what we are going to fight for," Deila said. "We have to go for winning the game." Group winners Molde registered home and away victories over Celtic to leave the Scottish champions bottom of Group A with two points from their four matches. Ajax are only a point better off, and Deila does not expect Frank de Boer's side to travel to Glasgow with great confidence. "They have also struggled lately in Europe," the Norwegian commented. "They haven't won away for a long time, so we have a very good opportunity. It's always very hard to come here to Celtic Park. "We are going to do everything we can to make it even harder for them and get three points." "I think that's the same for Ajax as well, they want to win. So it's going to be an interesting game and a big opportunity for us to get a good result and go down to Turkey and do everything for ourselves. "I think we've been a little bit unlucky in some of the games. Last year I can say we were maybe a little bit lucky, but this year I think we have been a little bit unlucky. "You can talk about being unlucky, but it's also about being good in the right moments. We have made some stupid mistakes and have lost some important points." Celtic will be forced to field a makeshift midfield against Ajax, with injury ensuring Scott Brown will join the suspended pair of Nir Bitton and Stefan Johansen on the sidelines. Kris Commons is also a major doubt for the match. "It is of course more tricky because a lot of the experience is out, but we have good players, players who can fill those roles," Deila continued. "We have to put together a team that can bring a good performance." "I really want to succeed in Europe. That's what everybody wants. "It's nothing to fear. It's a football match that we have a big opportunity in."

Summary: Celtic manager Ronny Deila says his side must beat Ajax on Thursday to keep their hopes of advancing to the Europa League knockout stage alive.


It was far from a comfortable afternoon for high-flying Rovers against a side that had failed to win in their previous five matches. But Rowe scored in the last seconds of the first half to give Doncaster something to work with after the break. The midfielder latched onto the ball after a fine dummy from John Marquis and clipped a shot over Colchester goalkeeper Sam Walker. The visitors had done a superb job to stifle Doncaster's passing game with high-intensity pressing in midfield. And Colchester arguably had the more dangerous chances. Chris Porter rose unmarked but headed straight at Marko Marosi a matter of seconds before Doncaster took the lead. Marquis really should have doubled the advantage in the second half. Inexplicably left unmarked standing just inside his own half, the striker latched onto a long clearance and attempted to round Walker but saw his shot cleared off the line by Richard Brindley. Colchester piled on the pressure in the latter stages but Doncaster held firm. Report supplied by the Press Association. Match ends, Doncaster Rovers 1, Colchester United 0. Second Half ends, Doncaster Rovers 1, Colchester United 0. Attempt missed. Sammie Szmodics (Colchester United) left footed shot from the left side of the box is just a bit too high. Foul by Mathieu Baudry (Doncaster Rovers). Luke Prosser (Colchester United) wins a free kick on the left wing. Mathieu Baudry (Doncaster Rovers) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Luke Prosser (Colchester United). Attempt missed. Denny Johnstone (Colchester United) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Attempt missed. Macauley Bonne (Colchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Attempt saved. John Marquis (Doncaster Rovers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Attempt missed. John Marquis (Doncaster Rovers) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Attempt saved. Macauley Bonne (Colchester United) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Attempt blocked. John Marquis (Doncaster Rovers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Foul by Riccardo Calder (Doncaster Rovers). Drey Wright (Colchester United) wins a free kick on the right wing. Substitution, Doncaster Rovers. Harry Middleton replaces Liam Mandeville. Substitution, Doncaster Rovers. Mathieu Baudry replaces Joe Wright. Attempt missed. Richard Brindley (Colchester United) header from the centre of the box is too high. Hand ball by Riccardo Calder (Doncaster Rovers). Foul by Macauley Bonne (Colchester United). Joe Wright (Doncaster Rovers) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Substitution, Colchester United. Macauley Bonne replaces Kurtis Guthrie. Attempt missed. Richard Brindley (Colchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high. Substitution, Colchester United. Denny Johnstone replaces Chris Porter. Jordan Houghton (Doncaster Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Drey Wright (Colchester United). Foul by Drey Wright (Colchester United). Jordan Houghton (Doncaster Rovers) wins a free kick in the

Summary: Tommy Rowe struck in first-half injury-time as promotion-chasing Doncaster edged past Colchester 1-0 to secure a third consecutive League Two win.


Yet while such a prospect would make most of us run a mile, this is in fact a traditional massage method in Russia. Called a "venik" massage, the oak bunches are first softened in warm water. And rather than being whacked on your back in anger, they are gently and rhythmically applied. It is a popular treatment in the thousands of steam bathhouses, or "banyas", across Russia. The massage, which takes place in a sauna room set at a temperature of 70C, is said to boost circulation and prevent premature ageing of the skin. And after the treatment has finished you are supposed to immediately jump into a plunge pool of cold water. You might think that such an unusual massage would struggle to be successfully exported from Russia, but the co-founder of the first banya in London says that two years after opening, almost half of its customers are non-Russians. Launching the banya, called Banya No.1, was the dream of entrepreneurial Russian ex-pat Ksenia Bobkova. The 37-year-old has lived in the UK for more than 20 years after moving from St Petersburg to study law at Edinburgh University in 1994. After graduating from Edinburgh she has had a successful career in finance in London, first working at a large commercial law firm, and then co-founding a new investment company. Yet as much as Ms Bobkova says she has always enjoyed living in the UK, the one thing she really missed was regular trips to a banya. After dreaming of opening London's first banya for more than a decade, Ms Bobkova says that in 2012 "the circumstances came together" to enable her to finally start work on it. Firstly, she realised that more and more Russians were now living in London, which she hoped would make a banya commercially viable, and she had built up enough savings to launch the business. Then she found the right building, and two other UK-based Russian investors came on board. After a year of construction work, including importing a traditional banya stove from Russia, the bathhouse opened its doors in 2013. "When we wrote the business plan, we certainly focused on the fact that the Russian-speaking community in London had grown substantially over the past 15 years," she says. "But after we opened we soon discovered that London is so international, and that people who live here are so open to new experiences, that almost half our customers are non-Russian." Customers - both male and female - who don't want to strip naked can instead wear their swimming costume, or a strategically placed towel. And for people who wish to avoid the oak leaves, Scandinavian-style, hands-based back massages are also available. After the massages, people are encouraged to stay and relax in a lounge or rest area, where they can order traditional Russian food. While Ms Bobkova is reluctant to discuss how financially successful the banya is, it is often full, and typical visits cost Â£100 per person. And she now plans to open more branches. Running the banya is a world apart from Ms Bobkova's

Summary: As leisure activities go, you would imagine that lying naked on a wooden table while two topless Russian men hit your back with bunches of oak leaves would only appeal to a very specialist group of enthusiasts.