Speaking after briefing the Security Council on the peace process, Staffan de Mistura said a partial truce agreed in February was "barely alive". Violence in Syria has intensified in recent days, despite the ceasefire. At least 20 civilians were reportedly killed on Wednesday in government strikes on a hospital and nearby residential building in eastern Aleppo. The dead included children, a dentist and the only paediatrician left in rebel-held areas of the city, civil defence volunteers told AFP news agency. The upsurge in fighting in Syria's largest city comes amid reports that government forces, backed by Russian air power, are gearing up for a major offensive there. Russia's continuing war Has opportunity for peace been lost? What is left of Syria? Assad's growing confidence The escalation has threatened to derail the UN-brokered peace talks, which resumed last month. The Western-backed opposition delegation, the High Negotiations Committee (HNC), last week suspended its role to protest against alleged ceasefire violations by the government and a fall in humanitarian aid deliveries to besieged areas. Speaking on Wednesday after a third round of talks in Geneva, Mr de Mistura said the fragile "cessation of hostilities" "could collapse any time". He said that over the past 48 hours an average of one Syrian had been killed every 25 minutes and one wounded every 13 minutes. For the peace talks to succeed, Mr de Mistura said, hostilities would need to be reduced to the levels seen immediately following the February agreement. Calling on the US and Russia to co-operate, Mr de Mistura said that the legacies of both President Barack Obama and President Vladimir Putin were linked to the success of the peace process in Syria. There will be one or two more rounds of talks before July, Mr de Mistura said. He added: "There are still major differences on the major issues, but there is movement on certain areas where there was not before." Mr de Mistura also said that equal rights and equal representation in major institutions for women was essential to the transition to a new Syria. The peace talks do not involve the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra front and the so-called Islamic State, which have been fighting government forces and other rebels across Syria. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group confirmed on Wednesday that the air strikes on a hospital and nearby buildings in Aleppo were carried out by "regime airplanes". Separately, 11 people were killed in western Aleppo earlier on Wednesday, the Syrian Observatory said. More than 270,000 people have been killed since Syria's bitter civil war conflict erupted in 2011 and millions have been forced to flee.

Summary: The UN envoy to Syria has urged the US and Russia to intervene "at the highest level" to save struggling peace talks.


It comes after a dispute over whether Wales had the power to set minimum wages, or if that right laid with the UK government. UK Attorney General Dominic Grieve originally blocked a law passed by AMs last year, saying it was not within the assembly's powers. UK ministers said they were grateful for clarity on the issue. The dispute arose after the assembly passed a law last year to set minimum wages, and the terms and conditions, of agricultural workers in Wales after the UK government abolished the Agricultural Wages Board, which had regulated the sector. On Wednesday, First Minister Carwyn Jones said the "significant" Supreme Court judgment "goes some way to clarifying the complexities of the current devolution settlement". The Welsh government said it could now create an Agricultural Advisory Panel to set minimum wage levels and "promote skills development and career progression" in farming. But the first minister warned "we cannot continue to have bill after bill" referred to the Supreme Court "with all the time, cost and uncertainty that involves". He called for Wales to move to a form of devolution where powers are assumed to rest with the assembly in cases like this, unless legislation specifically rules this out. Welsh Secretary David Jones said UK ministers were "grateful to the Supreme Court for providing clarity on this issue" and they would "study the judgment in detail and consider its implications". "In its judgment, the court has favoured a broader interpretation of the provisions in the Government of Wales Act that govern the assembly's competence," he said. David Jones said UK ministers would "continue to make every effort to ensure that the legislative arrangements for Welsh devolution work effectively." Assembly Shadow Rural Affairs Minister Russell George blamed "rushed" legislation for much of the confusion over the agricultural bill producing "sloppy law-making, doubts over competence, and months of uncertainty for Welsh farmers". Plaid Cymru agriculture spokesman Llyr Gruffydd said: "The case for moving to a reserved powers model has been made and has been accepted by all parties in the assembly, and adopting this model would avoid these unnecessary delays." Liberal Democrat Eluned Parrott agreed Wales should move to a form of devolution more like the Scottish system that had received "no legal challenges at all to Scottish legislation" since 1999.

Summary: Welsh ministers can protect the wages of 13,000 farm workers, in light of a ruling by the Supreme Court.


Diego Valeri put Portland ahead after just 27 seconds when he charged down a clearance from keeper Steve Clark. Rodney Wallace then headed in to make it 2-0 in the seventh minute. Kei Kamara pulled one back before half-time but the Timbers won their first major trophy since joining MLS in 2011. Portland captain Ridgewell, 31, who played in the Premier League for Aston Villa, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion, is in his second season with the club. The final, at the Crew's Mapre Stadium, got off to a dramatic start when Clark's error gifted Valeri the opening goal. The keeper's attempted clearance bounced off the Argentine and into the net, to set a new record for the fastest goal in the history of the MLS Cup - the name given to the final. Portland were then gifted another goal when they were allowed to play on after the ball had clearly gone out for what should have been a throw-in, and Lucas Melano crossed for Costa Rica international Wallace to head in. Columbus hit back as their top scorer, Sierra Leone forward Kamara, fired in his 26th goal of the season on the turn after goalkeeper Larsen Kwarasey had spilled a cross. But the hosts barely made another chance as Ridgewell's defence stood firm and Portland were unfortunate not to add to their lead in the second half as they created a number of chances. Melano saw a shot blocked, Kamara was spared an own-goal by Michael Parkhurst's goalline clearance, Fanendo Adi headed against a post and Clark saved superbly from Natt Borchers' close-range header.

Summary: Portland Timbers became Major League Soccer champions for the first time as they beat Columbus Crew in the final, with ex-Premier League defender Liam Ridgewell lifting the trophy.


The Tykes went ahead inside the opening 10 minutes when Roberts converted Conor Hourihane's corner. Fletcher doubled the lead following another Hourihane set-piece, smashing home after an error from Coventry goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook. Barnsley are now seventh in the table, level on points with Coventry in sixth. Having endured a run of nine successive league defeats earlier this season, the Tykes have lost just once in their last 12 matches. Coventry have now lost two on the spin going into this Saturday's home game with Rochdale, when Barnsley will be at fourth-placed Walsall. Sky Blues boss Tony Mowbray told BBC Coventry & Warwickshire: "We needed the players to turn up and not enough of them did. My standards are high and they did not do enough all night long. "Barnsley are a powerful side. Their two centre backs were colossus tonight. They played like men. "Everyone is down on confidence. The players have been great all season but we need them to get back to the high levels they have shown."

Summary: Marc Roberts and Ashley Fletcher scored either side of half-time to help Barnsley to victory over fellow League One play-off-chasers Coventry City.


Robson added a further 56 to his overnight score to reach 231, as Middlesex moved from 317-4 to 452 all out, backed by John Simpson's 52. Warwickshire captain Ian Bell was one of two early visiting wickets to fall. But Jonathan Trott and Varun Chopra saw the Bears to 146-4 by the early close. Chopra made 57, while former England batsman Trott, who batted in old-style helmet which no longer complies with England & Wales Cricket Board regulations, was still there on 62 when play was called off for the day following a break for bad light late in the final session. England's Steven Finn got two wickets on his first competitive appearance since England's third Test against South Africa in January after the calf injury which kept him out of the World T20. He struck with his first ball when he got one to rear and take the shoulder of opener Ian Westwood's bat before removing Sam Hain cheaply. Bell was one of two victims for Tim Murtagh, bowled after only getting half forward to a delivery that may have stayed a touch low. In the morning session, Robson's highest first-class score surpassed his previous best, an unbeaten 215, also against Warwickshire, at Edgbaston in 2013. It was also the highest-ever individual score by a Middlesex batsman against Warwickshire, overtaking a mark set by Bill Edrich, who scored 225 at Edgbaston in 1947. Middlesex bowler Steven Finn told BBC London 94.9: "I probably couldn't have found a better ball first up. I didn't feel I deserved to go at four an over. But that happens when you are on the attack. "I'm where I want to be. I felt in good rhythm. This is a nice starting block. There's no magic answer apart from bowling and getting rhythm that way. "I'm the sort of bowler who likes bowling a lot. If I was only bowling 15 overs in a day in the game, I'd be bowling my overs in the nets." Warwickshire batsman Varun Chopra told BBC WM 95.6: "At the start of the day we could have been looking at 500-550, and batting after tea. To bowl them out by lunch was a good effort. "I felt good. Jonathan Trott looked in fine order too, as he did last week. If he is in a good space, then we are a strong batting line-up. "The ball that got me stayed a little, and Belly too. Finn bowled well. That was a horrible delivery for Ian Westwood to get first up, pace and bounce. He had to play at it."

Summary: Sam Robson completed a career-best double century at Lord's to maintain Middlesex's superiority in their opening County Championship game of the season against Warwickshire.


The 27-year-old Commonwealth Games silver medallist was badly injured in a motorbike taxi accident in Vietnam. Earlier this week she was flown back to Scotland and is in hospital in Edinburgh. In a Facebook message posted by a friend, Stephanie also said "can't wait to get home and have a Nando's". On Thursday, her parents said she had opened and her eyes and said "Hi". In a further update, on the SaveSteph facebook page, a friend said the judo star had made "outstanding progress" and was eating and drinking small amounts by herself and fully able to communicate. "Hopefully next week she will be moved to a rehab centre and continue her progress," the statement said. In her message dictated to her friend, Stephanie said: "Tell everyone thank you for all their support and well wishes, I am going to be up and about before you know it and come and see everyone and can't wait to get home and have a Nando's. "Thanks everyone for the cards flowers and trinkets that you have sent." The 27-year-old, who grew up in the Highlands but has been living in Dunfermline, was flown back to Scotland from Thailand after being treated in a Bangkok hospital for a serious head injury and also infections, including pneumonia. Doctors in Vietnam had given her a 1% chance of surviving her injuries. Her parents, who live in Daviot, near Inverness, flew to south-east Asia to be with their daughter. Stephanie, who won her Commonwealth Games medal at Glasgow 2014, had been in Vietnam for about four months, teaching underprivileged children, when the motorcycle accident happened last month. Her skirt is believed to have become unravelled and caught in the wheel. Friends and family set up a crowdfunding campaign to pay for her medical costs after it emerged her travel insurance was not valid because she had been in the country more than 31 days.

Summary: Scots judo star Stephanie Inglis has thanked her supporters and said she hopes to be "up and about" soon.


What is regarded to be Europe's largest one-day sale of hill sheep has been held in Sutherland. Tens of thousands of animals, mostly lambs, were auctioned at Lairg. The sheep were transported to a livestock mart in the small Highlands village from all over the north of Scotland. Ahead of the sale, United Auctions' Donald Morrison said it "looked promising" for good prices for crofters and farmers selling sheep.

Summary: Images by BBC Naidheachdan.


Karen Munro regularly films and photographs the aurora near her home in Caithness but was unable to go out on Thursday because she was unwell. She set up a camera to capture footage for a time lapse of the Northern Lights through a window while she slept. Ms Munro said the footage was "burnt out" in places due to the aurora "being so strong". The display was filmed visible between 03:00 and 04:00 on Thursday. Ms Munro said: "Usually the light pollution of Scrabster Harbour drowns out the aurora, but this display was quite special." The aurora borealis is caused by the interaction of the solar wind - a stream of charged particles escaping the Sun - and Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere. The Northern and Western isles, the Highlands and north east Scotland offer some of the best places to observe the Northern Lights at night. In February this year, a Nasa astronaut photographed the aurora borealis over Scotland from the International Space Station. Baltimore-born Terry Virts, a member of Expedition 42 to the space station, captured the image of the Northern Lights. ISS orbits between 230-286 miles (370-460km) above the Earth's surface.

Summary: A stargazer has captured a powerful display of the aurora borealis from her living room.


Transport Minister John Hayes said he was satisfied the local council would be financially protected in a proposed Compulsory Purchase Order. And he has paved the way for a search and rescue helicopter service to return to the airport - which closed last year - "when" it opens. But the airport's new owners, Trevor Cartner and Chris Musgrave, claim his statements breached election rules. After 30 March, the general election pending period prevents the government from making announcements about new or controversial matters. Mr Cartner and Mr Musgrave said the timing of his statement was "a disgrace" and Mr Hayes as Transport Minister "should have exercised an element of impartiality and objectivity". "We are now taking legal advice with a view to making a formal complaint to the Electoral Commission," they added. Mr Hayes described his announcements as "huge steps towards securing Manston's future as a working airport". Dr Beau Webber, of the Save Manston Airport Campaign, said: "This means Manston has a chance... we have good people who want to put good jobs in place for Thanet." The airport closed in May 2014, seven months after being bought by Stagecoach Group co-founder Ann Gloag. A majority stake was sold to Mr Cartner and Mr Musgrave for redevelopment several months later but the nature of the sale and the true ownership of the airport was called into question by a recent Commons Transport Select Committee. Financial risk The government has supported a "five point plan" to reopen the airport, including compulsory purchase of the site. However, there has been concern about the financial indemnities offered by RiverOak - the US firm interested in buying and running the airport. But Mr Hayes said on Thursday that he was "satisfied by the indemnity offered by RiverOak to protect the council against the costs of the Compulsory Purchase Order". RiverOak's Stephen DeNardo welcomed the news and said it remained "absolutely committed to reviving Manston as an operational airport". Bristow, the company that provides search-and-rescue services for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, had originally planned to base two helicopters at Manston. The government has now announced that instead of agreeing a long-term contract for Bristow to base its helicopters elsewhere, it has agreed a one-year deal to temporarily base them at Lydd Airport, also in Kent. Labour, the Liberal Democrats and UKIP also support the reopening of Manston Airport but have criticised the way the Conservatives have handled the issue.

Summary: The fight to reopen Kent's Manston Airport has received a double boost.


Mark Mason, 48, of Rhyl, Denbighshire, was stabbed to death in the car park of the town's Home Bargains on 27 October. James Davies, 20, was convicted of murder, and Anthony Baines, 30, and Mark Ennis, 30 were convicted of manslaughter at Mold Crown Court. Jake Melia, 21, previously admitted the charges and the four will be sentenced in June. Davies, Baines and Ennis, all from Liverpool, denied murdering Mr Mason. They also denied maliciously wounding Justin Trickett and Sam Illidge - who were in the same vehicle as Mr Mason - with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm. Mr Trickett and Mr Illidge were also stabbed in the attack, but their wounds were less severe. Baines was found guilty of one count of wounding, but Davies and Ennis were cleared of those charges. Mrs Justice Nicola Davies remanded all three in custody until sentencing, which she said would take place over three days. The trial heard the attack was the result of a turf war which had erupted between two rival gangs over the control of the drugs trade in Rhyl. Paul Lewis QC, prosecuting, told the trial Mr Mason, a father of two, was "repeatedly and fatally stabbed" by the three defendants and Melia as he sat in the passenger seat of a van in the car park. He was stabbed 22 times in less than a minute. The four killers were members of the "Pensarn Crew", sometimes called "Ste's Crew", Mr Lewis said. Mr Mason, Mr Trickett and Mr Illidge were members of "Mark's Crew", or "Marco's Crew" - although it was not suggested Mr Mason was the leader. "The fatal attack appears to have been an act of retribution on the part of the defendants and Melia," said Mr Lewis. Jurors were shown CCTV footage of a white Renault van near The Cob area of Rhyl on the afternoon of 27 October which showed the white van being stopped by a black BMW 4X4. Shouts of "stab him" and "kill him" could be heard. The prosecution said the killing was retribution for an earlier incident when Melia and Davies were said to have been chased by masked armed men while drug dealing in the area.

Summary: Three men have been found guilty of killing a rival drug dealer in a gang-related revenge attack.


The move was announced by President Thein Sein, who earlier rejected UN calls for an independent inquiry. The clashes between Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims also displaced thousands of people. The UN welcomed the inquiry, saying it could make "important contributions" to restoring peace. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman said it could create a "conducive environment for a more inclusive way forward to tackle the underlying causes of the violence, including the condition of the Muslim communities in Rakhine". What sparked the violence in June? The rape and murder of a young Buddhist woman in Rakhine in May set off a chain of deadly religious clashes Why was a state of emergency declared? To allow the military to take over administrative control of the region Who are the Rohingyas? The UN describes them as a persecuted religious and linguistic minority from western Burma. The Burmese government says they are relatively recent migrants from the Indian sub-continent. Bangladesh already hosts several hundred thousand refugees from Burma and says it cannot take any more Q&A: Rakhine unrest Rohingyas recount terror Burma profile A statement on Thein Sein's website said on Friday the 27-member commission would include representatives from different political parties and also religious organisations. It said the commission would submit its findings next month. The violence in Rakhine state began in late May when a Buddhist woman was raped and murdered by three Muslims. A mob later killed 10 Muslims in retaliation, though they were unconnected with the earlier incident. Sectarian clashes spread across the state, with houses of both Buddhists and Muslims being burnt down. The UNHCR has said that about 80,000 people have been displaced in and around the Sittwe and Maungdaw by the violence. There is long-standing tension between Rakhine people, who are Buddhist and make up the majority of the state's population, and Muslims. Most of these Muslims identify themselves as Rohingya, a group that originated in part of Bengal, now called Bangladesh.

Summary: Burma has set up a commission to investigate recent violence between Buddhists and Muslims in the west of the country, in which dozens died.


The former five-weight world champion submitted a necessary waiver to the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) on Wednesday, hours before the deadline. The NAC, which sanctioned the bout, told BBC Sport it expected to receive a request from McGregor on Wednesday. NAC rules state fights at 154 lbs require 10oz gloves and the matter will now be debated on 16 August. Lighter gloves offer less cushioning for the hands but theoretically lead to punches being more punishing. Last week Mayweather posted an Instagram message stating: "I'll be wearing 8oz Grant gloves." But the undefeated fighter - who will come out of retirement for the bout - had not submitted a necessary waiver document at that stage. Instead, his team had asked the authorities what the process of using lighter gloves entailed. At the time, NAC executive director Bob Bennett told BBC Sport he had never seen a move to 8oz gloves at 154lbs before. Rules state that 10oz gloves are used from 135lbs upwards but bouts between 135lbs and 147lbs can use 8oz gloves if waivers are signed and the NAC feels the move is justified. "Even if they are both in agreement, our number one policy is the health and safety of the fighters," said Bennett. "To deviate from our regulations at a difference of 7lbs would be for the chairman and commissioners to determine." During his UFC career, McGregor has used 4oz gloves and he welcomed Mayweather's Instagram post last week, stating: "I am coming sprinting at you with bricks. Know that. Brittle hands." The NAC will debate the matter publicly before announcing its decision. McGregor, 29, will make his boxing debut in what could be the richest fight in history. The UFC lightweight champion's move from the octagon to the ring to face Mayweather, 40, has prompted criticism from major boxing personalities such as Oscar De La Hoya and Gennady Golovkin. But Bennett says he studied a "litany of information" on the Irishman before telling his chairman there were "several reasons to approve the fight". Bennett said that McGregor's UFC rival Nate Diaz played a role in him forming his opinion. "I spoke to Virgil Hunter, who trains many top fighters and has worked with the likes of Andre Ward," said Bennett. "He used Nate Diaz a dozen times for sparring and said he rated him as an outstanding boxer. "Then you put Nate in the ring with Conor and Conor knocks him down with several shots. Add in that Conor has a granite-like chin, add in that he's 12 years younger than Floyd, and add in that he's taller and longer. "Floyd is probably one of the smartest fighters, he has the art of getting in getting shots and getting out. But he hasn't knocked anyone out in 10 years. Ricky Hatton was probably the last one in 2007 because when he KO'd Victor Ortiz in 2010, he wasn't defending himself. "That in essence is it. There were several reasons to approve this fight." McGregor floored Diaz three times on his way to a points win in August 2016,

Summary: Floyd Mayweather has formally requested to use 8oz gloves when he fights Conor McGregor in Las Vegas on 26 August.


John Glen, Conservative MP for Salisbury, said any decision to make the A303 a dual carriageway must include protection for the World Heritage site. Mr Glen said a tunnel was the only "realistic solution". A government feasibility study is already under way to consider the various options for the road. Speaking in a Westminster debate, Mr Glen said the road, which runs from Hampshire to Devon, had become the "devil's highway" and "one of the most notorious traffic blackspots in the country". He joined other South West MPs calling for the government to consider the wider economic, environmental and safety benefits of improving the road. However, he cautioned that any plans to turn part, or all, of the 92 mile (148km) road into a dual carriageway must include protection for Stonehenge. Mr Glen said he had been told by English Heritage, the National Trust and the Council for British Archaeology that Stonehenge would be "formally placed on the at-risk register," if a dual carriageway was constructed close to the historic site without adequate protection. Plans for a tunnel were initially shelved in 2007 when the government said the estimated cost of Â£510m was too expensive. "A poorly designed and badly executed" dual carriageway which could "undermine a 5,000 year old world heritage site is not an improvement worth fighting for," Mr Glen said. Transport Minister Robert Goodwill said the government hoped an announcement on the future of the A303 would be made in the autumn.

Summary: A Wiltshire MP has reignited calls for a tunnel to be constructed alongside the Stonehenge monument.


However, there is an increased risk in certain groups, the University of Glasgow research found. Overall, veterans were at no greater risk than the general public, whilst both Falklands and Gulf War veterans had a lower risk of suicide. The team studied veterans in Scotland who served between 1960 and 2012. The study compared suicide risk among 56,205 veterans born between 1945 and 1985 with 172,741 matched non-veterans. While overall there was no significant difference in the figures for veterans and non-veterans, the risk increased for: Young veterans were not found to be at increased risk - a finding at odds with an earlier study by the Centre for Suicide Prevention which suggested that ex-servicemen under the age of 24 had a much higher rate of suicide. Asked to explain the differences, lead researcher Dr Beverly Bergman said the two studies used different data and methodologies. She said: "We have a smaller number of veterans but have studied them over a longer time period. "In our study we had only two veterans under the age of 25 who died by suicide. The two studies are not directly comparable." Dr Bergman said there was growing evidence that there is no overall difference in long-term risk of suicide between veterans and non-veterans in the UK. She added: "This is an important study which provides reassurance that military service in the last 50 years does not increase people's risk of suicide overall, but it draws our attention to those people whose increased risk may be overlooked, such as older veterans and women veterans. "It also confirms that early service leavers have a slightly increased risk but that may not manifest itself until middle age." The study, which used data from the Scottish Veterans Health Study to examine deaths classified as due to suicide or self-harm, is published in Occupational Medicine.

Summary: People who have served in the armed forces in the past 50 years are not at greater risk of suicide than those who have not, according to a new study.


Bristol's Lee Haskins defends his IBF world bantamweight title against Ivan Morales at Cardiff's new Ice Arena. Selby, 27, is brother of current World IBF Featherweight champion Lee Selby. Andrew Selby made a dazzling start to his professional career, beating Tanzanian Haji Juma in Newport on October, 2015. Leicestershire's Norman, 22, has been beaten once in 13 bouts.

Summary: The British Boxing Board of Control has sanctioned Andrew Selby to fight Louis Norman for the vacant British flyweight title on 14 May in Cardiff.


This quote - attributed to a Professor Aaron Levenstein - perfectly captures the dangers of making miscalculations, or generalisations, based on data sets. When it comes to data, nothing is ever clear cut. And 'The Thinning Blue Line' report released today by Reform Scotland, on how more Scottish police officers are solving fewer crimes, is a good case study. Here, I pose and attempt to answer some key questions......... On the face of things, the report's findings are correct. On a per officer basis, the clear-up rate has decreased from 12 to 8 between 2006/7 and 2013/14. The report argues this shouldn't be happening when crime rates are falling, and there are now more than 1,000 additional officers to work on fewer recorded offences. There are a couple of problems I found when I quickly dug a little deeper into how the report presented the data. One must also try and place these figures into context. Surely more officers won't necessarily equate to more crimes solved. Each crime should be taken on its own merit. What leads are there? What forensic evidence is left behind? What about crimes that maybe take more than one year to solve? What about the rise of internet crime and its online perpetrators who can be trickier to bring to justice? And, as one freedom of information request that I submitted earlier this year shows, what about the average 58 officers who were on stress-related leave between April 2013 and December 2014? On paper there are more officers, but in reality a number were on the bench unable to work on solving crimes. The report makes assumptions, which may well be true, that any increases in unsolved crimes are due to more officers being placed into positions previously held by civilian staff - essentially taking officers off the streets. However, the report doesn't seem to have the data or proof to categorically support this claim, but rather relies on "Underpants Gnomes" logic (go on - look it up). Indeed the report quotes Chief Constable Sir Stephen House in stating to Holyrood's Justice Committee that "under the terms on which staff go, jobs are in most instances closed down, so in the vast majority of cases there is no backfilling [by police officers] to be done". So if backfilling is happening, how many officers is it really impacting? To what extent is this a permanent occurrence, or to just fill in to cover an occasional civilian staff absence? If ever a freedom of information request could be used to strengthen an argument, this would be it. Although to be fair, backfilling civilian or administrative posts with police officers was a point the government failed to address in its official response.

Summary: "Statistics are like bikinis - what they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital."


The county has received £1bn of aid over the past 15 years with more than £400m in the pipeline until 2020 because of its relatively weak economy. Cornwall Council leader John Pollard said he wanted "investment equal to that provided by the EU programme". Cornwall voted Leave and the Isles of Scilly voted Remain. The breakdown of voting saw: Live reaction to the EU referendum result from the South West See all local results here Follow the latest news on the BBC's live EU referendum page £400m of EU funding between 2000 and 2006 £500m of EU funding between 2007 and 2013 £416m of further funding coming between 2014 and 2020 Tim Jones, from the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership said: "The French are major investors in our part of the world, EDF Energy, china clay, Brittany Ferries. "The European partnership is crucial to the South West. I can't make any judgement here that's going to be beneficial, short or long-term, in a business context. "The community may have spoken but the business community is still the wealth creating vehicle and we have got to find a way through this." Cornwall businesswoman Melanie Evans said she was "absolutely delighted" at the result. "The EU money has been spent unwisely in places on projects that have gone bankrupt and we now have the opportunity to take control of that funding," she said. "We are in a deprived status and we have remained in deprived status even though that funding was coming in so it shows it hasn't worked." The people of Cornwall have voted to leave the EU - proof perhaps that money can't buy love. While Britain as a whole has paid to be part of the EU, Cornwall is in the unusual position of being a net beneficiary. Despite the huge investment in projects like the Combined Universities in Penryn, the Eden Project and Cornwall Airport Newquay, along with Superfast broadband - many people simply do not think they have felt any benefit. And some say the fact that Cornwall still qualifies for this extra funding is an indication it hasn't sparked the growth intended. Remain campaigners have warned Cornwall has always fared badly from Westminster and are not confident of future support of the scale seen from the EU. But with five out of six Cornish MP's backing Leave during this campaign perhaps this vote here isn't surprising. Eric Nicholls, Chairman of Cornwall Manufacturers' Group, said: "Whether Cornwall will continue to receive its EU funding is far from certain, as are the pledges from the Remain side that this would be met from central government." Sarah Newton, Conservative MP for Truro and Falmouth, who voted Remain, said she wanted to "make sure the money gets into Cornwall so we can carry on making progress in getting well-paid jobs". Cllr Tim Dwelly, leader of the Labour Group at Cornwall Council, said: "This is a disaster for Cornwall. Years of special EU funding for Cornwall are going to end. "That funding has given us fibre broadband, a university, superb

Summary: The government must replace the millions of pounds of EU support Cornwall may lose from Brexit with investment, its council leader says.


Police officers are allowed to search people for items such as drugs, stolen goods and weapons. But there has been controversy over "consensual searches", where people are searched without any legal basis. If approved by parliament, the code will end consensual searches from May. Ministers asked an advisory group of experts to draft the code following a BBC Scotland investigation which revealed that hundreds of children under the age of 12 were being subjected to consensual stop searches. The new code states that stopping and searching members of the public is a "significant intrusion into their personal liberty and privacy". It must therefore be done for a good reason, and be both "necessary and proportionate", it says. This means that the officer must have a "reasonable suspicion" based on "facts, information and/or intelligence" that the person being searched is likely to be carrying an illegal item. But officers will not be allowed to search someone based purely on their appearance - for example age, race or gender - or because they have previous convictions. The codes states: "A stop and search will not be carried out in a manner which is abusive, discriminatory, or which amounts to harassment or intimidation." The person being searched must understand why it is being carried out, with the officer also required to carry it out "with respect for individual needs - including religious and cultural values and beliefs." And officers must be "fully accountable" for the searches they carry out, with all stop and searches accurately recorded, and open to scrutiny. The code also sets out specific guidelines for dealing with children and vulnerable adults, and acknowledges that that they may require additional support to help them comprehend and participate in the search process. It says: "In taking a decision to search a child or a young person, a constable must treat the need to safeguard and promote the well-being of that child or young person as a primary consideration. "Where a constable believes it to be more harmful to a child or young person to carry out a search than not, then the search should not proceed and other measures to safeguard them should be considered." It also says that officers should use "age-appropriate terms" when speaking with children and young people and avoid the use of technical or legal language, unless required to do so by law. The Scottish government announced on 4 November 2016 that there is not enough evidence to support creating a police power to search children for alcohol at this time. The situation will be re-assessed after the code has been in force for 12 months A code of practice underpinning the use of stop and search is required under The Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016. Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said stop and search was a valuable tool for combating crime, but that it was important to strike a balance between protecting the public and recognising people's human rights. He said: "This new code is about finding that balance and maintaining the trust between the police and the public. "With

Summary: Police officers will only be able to stop and search people when they have "reasonable grounds" to do so under new rules published by the Scottish government.


Thousands of protesters took to the streets to call for Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi to resign. Mr Sisi has faced heavy criticism over his executive decision to give away the Red Sea islands, during a visit by Saudi Arabia's King Salman. The uninhabited islands have been under Egyptian control since 1950. The protesters in Cairo chanted "Sisi out" and "We own the land". Mohamed Hussein, an engineer, told Reuters: "I'm protesting because of the overall situation in the country, not just the islands." Some also chanted "The people want the downfall of the regime!" - a slogan from the 2011 Arab Spring uprising that toppled former leader Hosni Mubarak - as well as "Sisi - Mubarak". At least 80 people were arrested in Cairo and Alexandria, officials said. The White House said the US would watch the situation in Egypt, a key ally, carefully. Both secular and Islamist activists had called for people to demonstrate against the transfer of the uninhabited islands. Mr Sisi was forced to publicly defend his decision to give away the islands, Tiran and Sanafir, which are situated at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba. He said they had always belonged to the Saudis and Egypt had simply been asked to look after them. "We did not surrender our rights but we restored the rights of others," Mr Sisi said. "Egypt did not relinquish even a grain of sand. All the data and documents say nothing except that this particular right is theirs." Critics of the deal say Mr Sisi's decision to hand over the islands without parliamentary approval, and only announce the deal after it was done, was improper. Others have accused the president of giving the islands away in return for Saudi aid and investment. Mr Sisi has faced increasing criticism in recent months on a range of issues, including Egypt's lacklustre economy. The president, a former army general, previously enjoyed broad support after winning the election in 2014, but has faced a backlash in recent months.

Summary: Police have fired tear gas at crowds in the Egyptian capital Cairo at a protest against a controversial deal to hand two islands to Saudi Arabia.


Cardiff North MP Jonathan Evans said it was "a tragedy" there was no agreement on who should chair the inquiry, set up after claims of paedophiles operating in Westminster in the 1980s. The Conservative MP said cases should be investigated by the police first. Child abuse survivors have urged the government to scrap the inquiry. Instead, they want it replaced with a more powerful body. It comes after Home Secretary Theresa May told inquiry members their panel might be disbanded. The Met Police said earlier this month that detectives were investigating three alleged murders as part of their investigation into historical child abuse. Mr Evans, who is chairman of the Welsh Tory party and a former deputy chairman of the Welsh NSPCC council, said: "Now I hear that a number of the groups who are representing victims have suggested the whole of the process should be stopped and a different sort of inquiry created. "I don't know exactly what the terms of that inquiry should be and I'm not really sure what they mean by setting up a stronger inquiry because I think the inquiry that was being set up was a pretty strong one." He said ongoing police inquiries introduced a "new dimension", and that they appeared to be proceeding on the basis of new evidence "in which the police have already made it clear to the media that there are real issues that are being investigated". "It seems to me that those police inquiries have got to now take precedence. We ought not to have a situation in which we set up an inquiry and then we can only do half the job because police inquiries are ongoing." Mr Evans, who was a Wales Office minister in the 1990s when the UK government set up the Waterhouse inquiry into abuse allegations at children's homes in north Wales, added: "It seems to me that the police inquiries are now at the forefront." He said Mrs May should not be blamed for delays to the inquiry, which has been held up by the resignation of her first two choices of chairperson. Victims must have confidence in the process, Mr Evans said, "and so the reason we are in the situation we are in is that we are struggling to find a chairman that the victims' groups will have confidence in".

Summary: Police investigations into claims of historical child abuse should "take precedence" over a UK government-ordered inquiry, a Welsh MP says.


Ken Dickie, 64, died in hospital on 14 May, six days after the incident at the Rockley Park site in Poole. Jamie Mitchell, 35, of Apple Close, had admitted intervening in an argument between Mr Dickie and his mother. He shouted "yes" and was visibly shaking after the verdict was announced by a jury at Winchester Crown Court. The trial heard Mrs Mitchell and Mr Dickie had been in a relationship for several years and were going through a "down phase" when Mr Mitchell visited his mother at the park on 7 May. In the evening, Mr Mitchell accompanied his mother and Mr Dickie to the holiday park bar and got "tanked up" on alcohol. The two men had a confrontation outside and were separated by members of the public. Mr Mitchell had pleaded guilty to common assault in relation to the fight. He and his mother Samantha, 57, also of Apple Close, also admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice by lying about the course of events. The court heard the pair had initially told police that Mr Dickie had pushed Mrs Mitchell and she had pushed him back. But Mr Mitchell later told police that he had tried to push the couple apart, causing what he described as a "tragic accident". The pair will be sentenced on 6 February.

Summary: A man has been found not guilty of the manslaughter of his mother's partner who died after falling and hitting his head on the ground at a holiday park.


After their engine failed and their anchor was lost off the coast of India's Andhra Pradesh state in June last year, the men were left stranded in dangerous waters. They drifted helplessly for a week in the Bay of Bengal until an oil tanker under the command of Capt Menon came to their rescue. Her efforts have now been recognised with the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea, handed out in London on Monday. Not only is Capt Menon the first female captain in the Indian Merchant Navy, but she is the only woman to have won the award, which recognises those who risk their own lives to save others at sea. As waves rose to 9m and wind speed reached 60-70 knots, she commanded a rescue operation last June that required three attempts to get the fishermen onboard the massive tanker via a pilot ladder from their small boat. The Sampurna Swarajya tanker's second officer had earlier spotted the fishing boat 2.5km away off the coast of Gopalpur in Orissa. The men had been surviving off ice from their cold storage after food and drinking supplies were washed away. "The sea was very, very turbulent, there was a depression... which was stagnant for two or three days and it had intensified into a deep depression," Capt Menon told BBC World News TV. "It was a very difficult task but we had to do it because if I didn't do that I was knowing very well that these fishermen never stood a chance of rescue, no survival at all." As far as being a path-breaking female ship captain goes, Radhika Menon doesn't appear to make a big deal of it. She says gender means little on the kind of ships she works on. "[It is] gender neutral in the sense that even if you are female, you know how to do your job," she says. "People appreciate you, they respect you, you'll be able to carry out your orders and all that."

Summary: Seven fishermen owe Captain Radhika Menon their lives.


Gray opened the scoring in the 52nd minute with a fine solo goal before Slimani doubled the lead shortly after. The Algerian scored his second four minutes later as he bundled home Gray's cross from close range. Caolan Lavery's fortuitous late strike cut the deficit but Musa fired home in stoppage time. The first half was largely uneventful as both sides made eight changes from the weekend's league matches. Gray's goal was the first moment of quality in the match as he collected the ball 30-yards from goal on the left wing, drove in field and beat three defenders before slotting through Blades' goalkeeper Jake Eastwood's legs. Slimani then scored a four-minute brace which looked to have settled the tie as the striker - signed for £29m in 2016 - showed excellent movement and composure. But, Lavery pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute as his miscued cross beat Ben Hamer at the near post before the Blades pushed further with 19-year-old Foxes debutant Josh Knight making a fine block to deny Billy Sharp. The Leicester defence continued to hold strong and in the 93rd minute Musa powered through the United defence and drove home to confirm the result. Match ends, Sheffield United 1, Leicester City 4. Second Half ends, Sheffield United 1, Leicester City 4. Goal! Sheffield United 1, Leicester City 4. Ahmed Musa (Leicester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Attempt blocked. Ahmed Musa (Leicester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Islam Slimani (Leicester City) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by David Brooks (Sheffield United). Foul by Ahmed Musa (Leicester City). David Brooks (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the right wing. Attempt missed. David Brooks (Sheffield United) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by John Lundstram with a cross following a corner. Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Josh Knight. Attempt blocked. Billy Sharp (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Caolan Lavery. Corner, Leicester City. Conceded by Chris Basham. Attempt missed. Islam Slimani (Leicester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ahmed Musa. Goal! Sheffield United 1, Leicester City 3. Caolan Lavery (Sheffield United) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the right to the bottom right corner. Assisted by David Brooks. Foul by Nampalys Mendy (Leicester City). Caolan Lavery (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Substitution, Leicester City. Josh Knight replaces Harry Maguire. Corner, Leicester City. Conceded by Chris Basham. Attempt blocked. Demarai Gray (Leicester City) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ahmed Musa. Substitution, Leicester City. Nampalys Mendy replaces Wilfred Ndidi. Foul by Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City). Samir Carruthers (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Video Review:. Offside, Leicester City. Ahmed Musa tries a through ball, but Wilfred Ndidi is caught offside. Corner, Leicester

Summary: Goals from Demarai Gray, Islam Slimani (2) and Ahmed Musa took Leicester past Championship side Sheffield United and into the EFL Cup third round.


The 21-year-old moved to the Reds in 2014 after being let go by Watford, where he had progressed through the youth system. He made 82 appearances for Crawley during his three seasons at the club but failed to score a goal. "Bobson has attributes that suit the way we want to play," manager Anthony Limbrick told the club's website. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Summary: National League side Woking have signed winger Bobson Bawling after his release by League Two Crawley Town.


Steven Hirschorn said his son Ollie was upset when he lost his lion, Liley, at Hughenden Manor in Buckinghamshire. However, the toy was returned last week along with a photo diary showing Liley driving a buggy and exploring the National Trust property. Mr Hirschorn said it was "a lovely gesture". Ollie has had Liley since he was about 11 months old and is so treasured that a back-up had already been bought, in case he ever got lost. Mr Hirschorn said although the two lions look identical, Ollie could tell the difference and was sad when "good Liley" went missing on Easter Monday. "He was on the verge of tears when it was pointed out that he wasn't holding Liley," Mr Hirschorn said. Staff at the former home of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli were told of the missing lion, but he remained unfound until two days later. Charlotte Russell, conservation assistant, said: "He was found in one of the boxes we have on the top floor, it wasn't an obvious place. "Our office thought it would be a nice idea to take photos of him in different places around the manor - so the boy could see he had had an adventure." Mr Hirschorn, who lives in west London, said he was impressed by the effort, having thought Liley would be sent back "stuffed in an envelope". "Straight away Ollie was playing with the stickers they sent and we've told him the story shown in the photos. "He was very happy to see Liley again."

Summary: A three-year-old boy has been reunited with his favourite toy lion, which was photographed having an "adventure" at a stately home after being lost.


Media playback is unsupported on your device 21 August 2015 Last updated at 16:07 BST Jackson made headlines across Canada and the U.S. after the Toronto Public Library shared the note he had tucked into the pages of a comic book he had damaged. The note said: "I am sorry that a page ripped when it fell out of my bunk when I fell asleep reading. It won't happen again. I'm sorry, from Jackson." A library worker found the note and shared it on social media. With thanks to CBC News, Toronto

Summary: An eight-year-old boy who wrote an apology note to a library, for accidentally ripping a comic book, has been rewarded for his honesty.


The woman, named in floral tributes as Kelly, was arrested on suspicion of assault in Darwen on Saturday and taken to Greenbank police station. After she was found "unresponsive" in her cell at about 01:30 GMT on Sunday, she was taken to hospital where she later died, Lancashire Police added. The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) for investigation. Flowers were left outside the police station to the woman who is yet to be formally named by police. A note on one of the bunches read: "To my beautiful daughter Kelly. "Love you, will always love you. "Will miss you greatly. Mum." An IPCC Spokesperson said it had begun an independent investigation following the death of a woman detained by Lancashire Constabulary. Investigators have begun to gather evidence, they added.

Summary: A 35-year-old woman has died in police custody in Blackburn.


Thanks for sharing your pictures of #DogsAtPollStations. Welsh Springer Spaniel Dyddgu went with owner Rhiannon Williams to Grangetown Pavillion, a former bowls club, in Cardiff. Macey the dog lives on a farm in Wincanton in Somerset where a temporary polling station has been sited. Don't worry Brody it happens to us all! Brody the golden retriever caught blinking in Heaton Norris in Stockport, Greater Manchester. "What do you mean I can't vote?" asks Fausto in Richmond, London. Orinoco looks happy to be at St Christopher's Church in Hinchley Wood, Surrey. Albus joined owner Tony outside Aldermaston polling station in Berkshire. Not wanting to be left out in the cold, or the rain, this cat decided to create an alternative trend by using #CatsAtPollingStations at Wilnecote Junior School in Tamworth, Staffordshire. And he wasn't the only one... ...with Atticus the polecat becoming a poll-cat for the day. Owner Alison Catterall from Low Wood in the Lake District said: "He's also capable of giving a sound bite. A very sound bite."

Summary: As voters head to the polling stations for the EU referendum so have some dogs - although cats and even a political polecat have been keen to get in on the act.


Notts' 39-run win against Essex at Trent Bridge on Monday sees them return to the showpiece event at Edgbaston for the first time since 2010. Read, who has won a Lord's one-day final and two County Championship titles with Notts, has been part their two previous Finals Day campaigns. "Maybe this is our year," he said. "We go to Finals Day full of confidence and hopefully pick up some silverware." The only time Nottinghamshire have reached the final of the competition was in 2006 at Trent Bridge, with the Outlaws missing out on a maiden title when beaten by East Midlands rivals Leicestershire in the decider. Samit Patel ensured Notts progressed on Monday with a superb spell of 4-20 as the visitors collapsed to 123 all out chasing what seemed a modest target of 163. All-rounder Patel said victory brought a sense of "relief from everyone" as Notts had previously fallen at the quarter-final stage in four of the past five years. Talking to BBC Radio Nottingham, the 31-year-old said: "We knew this was a big game for us. "We will watch all the other quarter-finals and do as much homework as we can. "It's good get Finals Day, but we'd like to go on and win it now."

Summary: Nottinghamshire go to Finals Day confident of winning their first T20 Blast title, says long-serving wicketkeeper Chris Read.


David Nisbet, 28, from Edinburgh, pleaded guilty at the city's sheriff court to committing a breach of the peace and was fined Â£600. Fiscal Depute Bruce Macrosson said police received calls about a man on the United Free Church of Scotland roof in Bangor Road at about 22:30. It took firefighters 30 minutes to get him down. Despite repeated requests to him to come down, the fire service and police were called in. "It took the fire service half an hour to get him down" said Mr Macrosson: "and he was arrested." Defence solicitor Chris Fehilly told Sheriff Derrick McIntyre that Nisbet had been in court on a domestic matter that day. "Why was he on the roof?" the sheriff asked. Mr Fehilly said: "There is no reason. He was very, very drunk. It was a hot day and there is simply no reason why he was up there". Mr Fehilly said his client had apologised for his "stupid, idiotic act". He added: "He was lucky to enough to get himself up there and get himself down". Sheriff McIntyre told Nisbet: "This is going to cost you a lot of money", before fining him.

Summary: A man who had spent Friday drinking had to be rescued from a church roof by the fire service.


After a drab game with few chances for either side, Mohamed Salah teed up El Said, who struck firmly past Uganda keeper Denis Onyango on 89 minutes. Uganda's Joseph Ochaya earlier had a goal correctly disallowed for offside. The win means Egypt play Ghana on Wednesday with top spot of Group D still at stake, while Uganda are out of their first tournament since 1978. Ghana secured their place in the quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Mali earlier on Saturday. On a deteriorating pitch in Port-Gentil, seven-times champions Egypt failed to break down a resolute Cranes defence for long periods. Onyango made an impressive clearing header to deny the onrushing Salah at the end of an otherwise lifeless first half. Uganda began the second half brightly, forcing veteran Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary to punch several set-pieces clear but ultimately failed to register a shot on target as Ochaya turned in Faruku Miya's through ball from a clearly offside position on 52 minutes. El Said blasted a shot well over when unmarked and Marwan Mohsen went close for the Pharaohs with a header, but Egypt appeared to be heading for their second consecutive goalless draw. However, an otherwise quiet Salah showed great composure late on to check his shot and play in El Said with a reverse pass, the substitute's close-range shot evading Onyango. Uganda now face Mali in the final round of group games on Wednesday, with Mali needing a win and for Ghana to beat Egypt by two goals or more if they are to qualify. Match ends, Egypt 1, Uganda 0. Second Half ends, Egypt 1, Uganda 0. Offside, Uganda. Murshid Jjuko tries a through ball, but Muhammad Shaban is caught offside. Hand ball by Moses Oloya (Uganda). Kahraba (Egypt) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Hassan Wasswa (Uganda). Offside, Egypt. Kahraba tries a through ball, but Marwan Mohsen is caught offside. Substitution, Uganda. Moses Oloya replaces Denis Iguma. Mohamed Shafy (Egypt) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Khalid Aucho (Uganda). Goal! Egypt 1, Uganda 0. Abdallah El Said (Egypt) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Mohamed Salah. Attempt missed. Amr Warda (Egypt) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Mohamed Shafy. Corner, Uganda. Conceded by Ahmed Fathy. Attempt blocked. Joseph Ochaya (Uganda) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Nicholas Wadada. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Substitution, Uganda. Nicholas Wadada replaces Faruku Miya. Substitution, Egypt. Kahraba replaces Trezeguet. Delay in match Khalid Aucho (Uganda) because of an injury. Attempt saved. Marwan Mohsen (Egypt) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Amr Warda. Tonny Mawejje (Uganda) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Mohamed Elneny (Egypt). Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match Mohamed Shafy (Egypt) because of an injury. Foul by Muhammad Shaban (Uganda). Ali Gabr (Egypt) wins a free kick

Summary: Substitute Abdallah El Said scored a late winner for Egypt to knock Uganda out of the Africa Cup of Nations.


The prime minister stressed her belief he was committed to advancing the "special relationship" with the UK. But Mrs May told the Financial Times she expects "very frank" talks on areas where their opinions seem to differ such as the EU and Nato. The PM said she hoped for early progress on a US-UK trade agreement. Mrs May said she believed Mr Trump "recognises the importance and significance of Nato", despite him being quoted earlier in the week as describing the military alliance as "obsolete". "I'm also confident the USA will recognise the importance of the co-operation we have in Europe to ensure our collective defence and collective security," she told the FT. Mr Trump also said recently he did not really care if the EU separated. Mrs May, who this week outlined for the first time her plan for Brexit, said: "The decision taken by the UK was not a decision about breaking up the EU. "I want the EU to continue to be strong and I want to continue to have a close and strategic partnership with the EU. It is important for security issues. With the threats we face it's not the time for less co-operation." Mr Trump was sworn-in as the 45th US president on Friday. In a statement issued after the inauguration, Mrs May said: "From our conversations to date, I know we are both committed to advancing the special relationship between our two countries and working together for the prosperity and security of people on both sides of the Atlantic. "I look forward to discussing these issues and more when we meet in Washington." In her FT interview, Mrs May said she was "confident we can look at areas even in advance of being able to sign a formal trade deal". But despite Mr Trump's indication he backed a quick post-Brexit trade deal, there was a heavily protectionist tone in the inauguration speech. Some Labour MPs questioned how the prime minister's aim of a free trade deal with the US would be possible given the "America first" strategy outlined by Mr Trump. David Lammy tweeted: "Every decision on trade will be made to benefit Americans. Hmm - looking forward to this trade deal, then." Chris Bryant said: "I'm not sure a UK trade deal with Trump will be very mutually beneficial." However, speaking to the BBC in Myanmar, also known as Burma, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said there was every reason to "be positive and optimistic" about a trade deal. "I think the new president has made it very clear that he wants to put Britain at the front of the line... and obviously that's extremely exciting and important". Earlier Mr Johnson offered his own "warmest congratulations" to Mr Trump. He said the UK would "work hand in glove for the stability, the prosperity and the security of the world". Meanwhile, Thousands of women are expected to join a march in London later as part of an international protest campaign on the first full day of Mr Trump's presidency. Mr Trump has appeared to make good

Summary: Theresa May has congratulated Donald Trump on taking office as US president - and says she looks forward to meeting him in Washington.


The original drawings, showing bears, panthers, rhinos and other creatures, are roughly 32,000 years old. President Francois Hollande toured the site on Friday - a copy of the closely-guarded Grotte Chauvet in the Ardeche region of southern France. The original is closed to the public. The copy, at nearby Vallon-Pont d'Arc, is expected to attract many tourists. The Chauvet drawings are believed to be the oldest cave art in the world. The limestone cave, with hundreds of vivid charcoal images, was discovered by potholers in 1994 and is now a Unesco World Heritage site. The cave was closed off by a rock fall about 20,000 years ago, which meant the art was undisturbed by humans. Unesco says the drawings are remarkable for the skilful use of shading, combinations of paint and engraving, anatomical precision and dynamism. Specialists spent four years reproducing the cave with the help of hi-tech tools such as 3D imaging, AFP news agency reports. The painstaking project cost â‚¬55m (Â£40m; $58m). The replica cave - the biggest in the world - will open to the public on 25 April.

Summary: France has inaugurated a giant replica cave containing reproductions of prehistoric drawings of animals.


They have been taken to UN centres in Dohuk in Kurdish northern Iraq. It is unclear whether they escaped in Iraq or were freed, as the UN declined to give more information to avoid jeopardising future releases. IS killed and enslaved thousands of Yazidis after seizing the northern town of Sinjar in 2014. Kurdish Peshmerga forces regained control in 2015 but many Yazidis were held captive by IS elsewhere as the group took over large swathes of northern Iraq. The 36 survivors include men, women and children who were enslaved, the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs said. They reached Dohuk two nights ago where they are being housed in centres established by the UN Population Fund. There, they are being reunited with family members and offered care including clothing and medical and psychological aid, the UN said. The women and children are being cared for at dedicated service points and will be referred for more specialised treatment. The UN's humanitarian co-ordinator for Iraq, Lise Grande, said the UN was going to do "everything possible" for the rescued Yazidi. "What these women and girls have endured is unimaginable," she said. Who, What, Why: Who are the Yazidis? The UN - which has accused IS of committing genocide against the Yazidi - estimates that 1,500 women and girls are still being held and could be suffering protracted sexual abuse. A UN report released last year said the extremists had subjected captured Yazidis to the "most horrific of atrocities", killing or enslaving thousands, warning IS aimed to completely erase their way of life. In March. lawyer Amal Clooney urged the UN to back a UK-led investigation into the crimes committed by IS. IS has been under increasing pressure in Iraq, losing much of the territory it seized in 2014. Iraqi forces have recaptured most the city of Mosul from IS, but they are still trying to push the group out of the Old City district in the west.

Summary: Thirty-six members of the Yazidi religious minority are free after nearly three years in the hands of so-called Islamic State (IS), the UN says.


Sir Bernard announced the move to reassure the public and deter attackers following terrorist attacks in Europe. The Met has already said the number of armed officers will go up in London by 600 to 2,800. And a further 900 armed officers are planned to be in operation for the rest of England and Wales. But Steve White, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said it may take two years to fully train the 1,500 recruits planned nationally. "When you're recruiting 1,500 it's going to take a lot of time. You've got to find the resources, the facilities and the people," he told the BBC. However, Deputy Chief Constable Simon Chesterman, the national lead for firearms, said last month that the majority of new armed officers will be in place by April 2017. The latest announcement comes after 84 people were killed when a lorry ploughed into a large crowd watching a fireworks display in Nice in the south of France last month. Londoners and tourists out enjoying the August sunshine in central London report mixed feelings about more armed police patrolling the city's streets. Teacher Julie Banks, who was visiting from Liverpool, says she finds the news reassuring, "especially at this time of year when there are more tourists and crowds. We shouldn't be complacent". Retired friends John Lee and John Coles, both from London, agree. "It's a good thing. It's not going to stop a terror attack, but it makes people feel more secure," Mr Coles says. "I never thought I would see the day British police carried weapons in the street like this, but I think that needs to happen now - whether we like it or not," Mr Lee adds. Bricklayer Gary Johns, 34, approved, but says: "The real question is what their response time is." Others, however, say the sight of police carrying heavy weapons makes them uneasy. "It makes me more nervous than secure to be honest," says Bryony Wood, a make-up artist, 26, from west London. "It's a reminder of what might happen." "I have mixed feelings about it," says Ebuka Orunta, 20, from south London. "On one hand I feel safer knowing the Met has a strategy in place to mitigate the risk. "On the other hand, we've seen the problems with police brutality in the US. It's important the people in charge of this weaponry are the right people who are going to protect us." Sir Bernard said: "We have no intelligence that there will be an attack shortly but what we do know is what we have seen in western Europe. "We have seen attacks in Germany, in Belgium, in France and we would be foolish to ignore that, so it's important that we get officers out there with firearms to respond." The commissioner said the increased firearms teams would be patrolling randomly around the clock. It comes after he told a newspaper that a terror attack on the UK is highly likely and a case of "when, not if". Writing in the Mail on Sunday, the Met chief

Summary: More armed police are to be seen on patrol in London, Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan have said.


Cardiff's Techniquest was already told it could lose the government cash by 2019 but it has now been given more time to make new plans. The centre, which around Â£850,000 annually from ministers, said it needs to find new "revenue streams". Funding worth about Â£450,000 for its sister but separate charity in Wrexham is also ending over the same period. The 30-year-old Cardiff organisation has relied on Welsh Government funding for 40% of its income. Since 1986, it has had more than five million visitors, including at least 1.5m school pupils on organised trips. It moved from Cardiff city centre to Cardiff Bay in 1995. A separate group runs a site at Wrexham's Glyndwr University campus, which opened in 2003. Lesley Kirkpatrick, chief executive officer at Techniquest, said: "Last year, we were made aware that the core funding to Techniquest would reduce and eventually come to an end. "Consequently we were expecting a funding cut next year and in subsequent years. "Our core grant from the government will continue until 2021, allowing us time to explore other options, and we are extremely grateful for this. "There are a number of plans being developed which will help us identify alternative revenue streams and secure the long-term sustainability of Techniquest." Iwan Thomas, chairman of the board of the Wrexham Techniquest Glyndwr site, said: "We've already been proactive at looking at alternative funding streams. "We are looking at extending our remit so it ties in with regional and cross-border economic opportunities and the needs of the STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics] agenda." He said he did not think the site would close as a result of the funding cut, adding: "We are mature enough in Wrexham to look outside of the box". The decision by Cabinet Secretary for Education Kirsty Williams comes after former education minister Huw Lewis said in January that Techniquest was "overly dependent on public funds". "It's not a sustainable position," he had told AMs at the time. It is understood that the grant will be reduced each year. A Welsh Government spokesman said: "We are working closely with Techniquest and Techniquest GlyndÅµr to support their move to a more sustainable financial position, without reliance on Welsh Government core grant funding. "Both organisations have agreed to a five-year programme of support (from 2016-17) to help better manage the reduction in core funding and we will continue to work closely with them to explore any other funding opportunities in future."

Summary: Funding for two Techniquest science museums in Wales will end from April 2021, the Welsh Government has said.


Walker, who has 27 caps and spent eight seasons at Spurs has signed a five-year deal with City. The deal, which comes to £50m including £5m of add-ons, could make him the most expensive English player ever. "I am thrilled to be signing for City and can't wait to get started," said Walker. "Pep Guardiola is one of the most respected managers in the world." Walker, who joined Spurs from Sheffield United in 2009 and made 183 Premier League appearances, added: "I feel he can help me take my game to a new level." The 27-year-old, who will wear the number two shirt, is expected to travel with City on Monday for their tour of the USA. City boss Guardiola released three full-backs at the end of last season, including both right-sided players - Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna. He missed out on the signing of free agent Dani Alves, with the Brazilian joining Paris St-Germain on Wednesday. Walker, selected in the 2016-17 Premier League team of the year, is City's third signing of the summer, after the arrivals of midfielder Bernardo Silva and goalkeeper Ederson Moraes. Walker made 31 league starts under Mauricio Pochettino last season as Tottenham recorded their highest top-flight finish since the 1962-63 season. The right-back recorded five assists for the Premier League runners-up, the joint-most for a defender in the division alongside Bournemouth's Adam Smith and Spurs team-mate Kieran Trippier, who made six of his 12 appearances from the bench. Walker also ranked highly among chances created by defenders and his 75 dribbles attempted was only less than Cherries full-back Smith (87) and Watford's Jose Holebas (88). Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker on Twitter: Kyle Walker becomes the world's most expensive defender at £50m plus. Imagine how much he would cost if he could cross the ball. Former Spurs midfielder and Match of the Day pundit Jermaine Jenas on Twitter: I think it's great business for City. I am surprised Spurs are selling to a direct competitor. He's been a huge part of why Spurs have had one of, or the best defence in the league for two years. This content will not work on your device, please check Javascript and cookies are enabled or update your browser This content will not work on your device, please check Javascript and cookies are enabled or update your browser Premier League clubs' spending has already surpassed £500m since the end of last season, with Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez calling this summer's transfer window "a little bit crazy". "Every Premier League club now has more money and are willing to spend that on players," said Chris Stenson, a senior consultant from Deloitte's sports business group. "It is the wealthiest league in the world and increasing its value makes it more attractive to sponsors and commercial partners. "So far we estimate Premier League clubs have spent about £500m in the transfer window, compared with £340m at the equivalent stage last year." Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Summary: Manchester City have completed the signing of Tottenham and England right-back Kyle Walker for an initial £45m.


Local MP Ian Lucas said people were concerned about the impact it could have if the prison on Wrexham Industrial Estate assumes a local name. In a letter, prisons minister Jeremy Wright says local names are "generally avoided as most local people object". He said it was likely people would be invited to propose names for the Â£212m prison which is due to open in 2017. Work is expected to start in August, creating up to 1,000 jobs, to build the prison which will house 2,100 inmates, making it the largest prison in the UK. The overall project spend is lower than the original Â£250m estimate and the construction will involve local business and enterprises, with 100 apprenticeships created.

Summary: Wrexham's new super-prison is unlikely to be named after the county borough, says the prison minister.


Details of the amount paid by the consortium and the total stake acquired have not been disclosed. The takeover ends Italian businessman Francesco Becchetti's troubled three-year stay as O's owner. The club recently staved off a winding-up petition at the High Court, having paid off debts to four creditors. Following the dismissal of the winding-up petition, representatives of the Leyton Orient Fans' Trust (LOFT) had urged Becchetti to sell the club "urgently to any new responsible owner". In a statement on the Orient website, Becchetti said the club had been sold without any "debts to the bank" and "without arrears for taxes". "Over the last two years, I have, unfortunately, not been able to dedicate myself to following the club as closely as I would have wanted," he continued. "This is clearly the moment to leave the club to others and I know that in doing so I am leaving it in good hands with Nigel Travis." Travis, who describes himself as a "lifelong" O's fan, has been appointed as chairman of the club. A second investor, Kent Teague, has been named as a director, while a fan representative will also be appointed to the board. Local businessman Marshall Taylor has been appointed interim chief executive, while former Orient owner Barry Hearn will retain ownership of the club's stadium at Brisbane Road. "Barry and I actually went to school together," Travis told BBC Radio London. "Barry did a great job previously [as owner]. We're going to take some lessons from what he did and bring in some new stuff, but he remains the owner of the stadium and that's the way it's going to stay." Travis has taken over the club in a personal capacity, with Dunkin' Brands, the parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin Robbins, not involved in the deal. Leyton Orient had been beaten in the League One play-off final less than two months before Becchetti purchased the club in July 2015, but last season their 112-year stay in the English Football League came to an end with relegation from League Two. The club had 11 managers or head coaches under Becchetti's ownership, including five different bosses last season alone. They have been reported to have only 15 senior players under contract for next season, with the oldest of those players being 20-year-old Charlie Grainger. Manager Omer Riza is only under contract until 30 June, with the club's first pre-season game scheduled for 12 July. "We're going to make an announcement on the football side tomorrow [Friday]," said Travis. "They will be the two key appointments. The idea is the board doesn't get involved in the day-to-day things."

Summary: A consortium led by Baskin Robbins and Dunkin' Donuts chief executive Nigel Travis has completed its takeover of Leyton Orient.


The pages from a 13th Century text of the holy book of Islam were purchased by the council in 1951. Conservator Richard Hawkes said: "This is the earliest example of paper that I have worked on." Leeds City Council said the paper's age and origin were confirmed by the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2014. The pages mainly show surahs (or chapters) 29 and 30, said the council. Councillor Brian Selby said: "The painstaking work of the museum team has ensured the pages can be displayed in a way which fully captures their significance as well as how ornate and beautiful they are." Leeds City Museum's display starts on Saturday and is to run for a year.

Summary: Two pages from an 800-year-old copy of the Koran decorated with gold leaf are to go on show in a Leeds museum display looking at Islam.


The Lions, who won the semi-final first leg 3-1, looked to have put the tie to bed when Lee Gregory slotted home. But Jamie Proctor's strike just before half-time, after Jordan Archer blocked his first effort, gave City hope. Proctor then wasted a further chance moments later, and it proved costly as Millwall held on to set up a showdown with Barnsley on 29 May. Neil Harris' side were rarely troubled after Proctor twice turned down the opportunity to shoot when excellently placed - and, if anything, they looked the more likely to score again after the break. Centre-half Byron Webster came closest, sending a header narrowly wide of Ben Williams' post, as the second leg petered out in front of a raucous crowd at The Den. Millwall's success against Bradford means that, across this season's Football League play-offs, all five teams who won the first leg of their semi-final went on to reach Wembley. The majority of the damage was done even before half-time at Valley Parade, where goals from Gregory, Steve Morison and Joe Martin had put the Lions in full command against Bradford. The Bantams have twice previously come back from a first-leg deficit to progress to the final and win promotion, but Gregory's calm, side-footed finish ensured there would be no repeat in south-east London. Millwall must now beat Barnsley, who thumped Walsall 6-1 over two legs in the other semi-final, if they are to secure an instant return to the Championship. Millwall manager Neil Harris: "I'm delighted for the players, They deserved it over the two legs. "We really had to battle, both tonight and last Sunday. It was tough but we've earned our place at Wembley. "Barnsley will be really tough opponents. They've done brilliantly all season and especially against Walsall." Match ends, Millwall 1, Bradford City 1. Second Half ends, Millwall 1, Bradford City 1. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match (Bradford City). Foul by Rory McArdle (Bradford City). Steve Morison (Millwall) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Substitution, Millwall. Tony Craig replaces Byron Webster because of an injury. Corner, Bradford City. Conceded by Steve Morison. Corner, Bradford City. Conceded by Shaun Williams. Substitution, Millwall. Shaun Williams replaces Lee Gregory. Kyel Reid (Bradford City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Foul by Kyel Reid (Bradford City). Ben Thompson (Millwall) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Shane Ferguson (Millwall) is shown the yellow card. Lee Evans (Bradford City) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Shane Ferguson (Millwall). Attempt blocked. Lee Evans (Bradford City) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is blocked. Chris Taylor (Millwall) is shown the yellow card. Billy Clarke (Bradford City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Ben Thompson (Millwall). Rory McArdle (Bradford City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Foul by Rory McArdle (Bradford City). Steve Morison (Millwall) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Lee Evans (Bradford City) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul

Summary: Millwall drew at home to Bradford to seal a 4-2 aggregate win and reach the League One play-off final at Wembley.


Mr Newman was detained in Melbourne on Thursday after entering Australia without a visa. Australia had cancelled his visa while he was still in the US on the grounds that his presence in the country could incite violence. Mr Newman has previously called for the execution of abortion doctors and said women who have abortions are murderers. On Friday, Justice Geoffrey Nettle in Melbourne ruled that the cancellation of Mr Newman's visa was justified, reported the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. While Mr Newman may have had a case to challenge the cancellation, he should not have boarded a plane to Australia without a visa, said the judge. "Acting as he did means he does not come to this court with clean hands," he said. Mr Newman, also known as Troy Newman-Mariotti, had been due to speak at events run by the group Right to Life Australia. But he was prevented from boarding a connecting flight in the US city of Denver on Tuesday after Immigration Minister Peter Dutton cancelled his visa. It came after it emerged he had called in a 2000 book for doctors who perform abortions to face execution . His wife Mellissa had presented his appeal to the high court in Melbourne. "I don't know what they're afraid of. I don't know what they think he's going to do here," she was quoted as saying earlier by ABC News. In a posting on Facebook ahead of his arrival in Melbourne, he said the decision to revoke his visa "was based on a pile of lies, including the idea that I promote violence". "My 25-year history of peaceful, prayerful action speaks for itself," he said. Earlier this week, Australian Labor MP Terri Butler wrote to Australia's Mr Dutton to ask that Mr Newman's visa be denied, calling him an "anti-choice extremist". But the website for Mr Newman's organisation, Operation Rescue, insisted that he "has never advocated violence and in fact, urges pro-life activists to work within the governmental and legal system to accomplish change".

Summary: US anti-abortion campaigner Troy Newman is to be deported from Australia after losing a high court appeal.


Entries for all candidates in England, Northern Ireland and Wales are down 0.7% on last year to 5,240,796, according to official figures. By contrast, in England the overall entry for GCSEs in England increased slightly from 4,916,000 in 2015 to 4,929,000 this year. Early entries (for students in Year 10 or below) fell for the second year running in England to 300,000 - a 13% drop on 2015. This follows a 32% fall from 504,000 in 2014 to 344,000 in 2015 and reflects government moves to discourage schools from entering pupils early. But more older students were entered this year, reflecting the raising of the participation age in education to 17 in 2013 and then to 18 last year. The government is also encouraging older pupils to resit English and maths if they do not achieve good grades (A* to C) in Year 11 This year there were 355,000 GCSE entries for post-Year 11 students, up 26% on last year's figure of 282,000. By subject, Ofqual noted 2016 increases for Year 11 students in English literature, biology, chemistry, physics, geography, history, science, additional science Spanish and computing. But entries fell in English and English language, German and French. In England this year's GCSEs will be the last to be marked under the existing system, graded A* to G. Last September new "more demanding" courses were introduced in English and maths for the current Year 10 - but this change will not have any affect on this year's results as the new courses are linear and will be examined next summer at the end of two years. In England students who started GCSE courses last September in maths, English and English literature will be graded 1-9 in these subjects when they get their results in summer 2017. The new grades will come in for most other GCSEs the following year. These include biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, languages, religious education, geography, music and history, which will be taught from September 2016, with exams in 2018. A third wave of 1-9 graded GCSEs will be taught from September 2017 with exams in 2019. These include psychology, ancient history, business, information and communications technology (ICT) and media studies. Ofqual has also said that it expects broadly the same proportion of students who currently received a grade C and above under the current system to achieve a grade 4 and above under the new system. The new courses will include far less coursework, with grades in almost all subjects depending on exams. These courses are designed to be more rigorous with exams taken after two years of study rather than in modules with exams along the way. Foundation and higher-tier papers for students in different ability ranges will be phased out. A GCSE reform programme is also under way in Wales with new courses from the WJEC board taught in Welsh schools from last September in six key subjects. These are English language, Welsh language, English literature, Welsh literature, mathematics and numeracy and mathematics. The November 2017 and summer 2017 exams will reflect these new qualifications

Summary: Pupils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are receiving their GCSE results - just over two weeks after teenagers in Scotland received the results of their equivalent National 4s and 5s.


He was unseated as Royal Ascot winner Permian was fatally injured after coming last in the Secretariat Stakes at Arlington on 12 August. Buick, 29, suffered a compression of his T12 vertebrae and he will be assessed again in six weeks. "I have plenty of respect for the injury and I realise how lucky I have been," he said. Buick is one of the leading jockeys in Britain, and a retained rider for Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin team. Permian, trained by Mark Johnston, suffered a broken leg and was put down.

Summary: Jockey William Buick will be sidelined for at least six weeks after being injured in a fall in the United States.


Media playback is not supported on this device City were leading 2-1 when Sterling went through on goal, but an apparent push by Spurs defender Kyle Walker was not spotted by referee Andre Marriner. After the match, Walker admitted: "I wasn't going to get the ball." And midfielder Toure said: "If you have a bit of experience like me, you'd maybe dive." Media playback is not supported on this device Shortly after the collision between Walker and Sterling, Tottenham equalised through Son Heung-min and the draw meant City - who had led 2-0 - remained fifth in the Premier League table. "It is two points going away," Ivory Coast international Toure added. "Tottenham are fantastic. They play well, they are strong, they fight for every ball - but we deserved three points." Asked about the Sterling incident, Toure said: "He's too honest, he wants to be proper in these sort of games. If the lad's like that, you can't tell him he's wrong. "When you see it, he couldn't miss the goal - but Walker pushes him in the back. "If the ref looks at the highlights as well he is going to feel something is unfair. We all do wrongs in life but this is difficult to take." Media playback is not supported on this device

Summary: Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling should have gone to ground to win a penalty during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Tottenham, says team-mate Yaya Toure.


Unions at BAE Systems have warned of possible delays to funding for the Royal Navy's new frigates. But Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson insisted there was no change to the timetable. Labour said it was vital that promises were kept while the Lib Dems called for an end to uncertainty. The UK government confirmed in its Strategic Defence and Security Review last November that eight Type 26 frigates would be built on the Clyde, although the total number was scaled back from 13. In the meantime, the yards are being sustained by Ministry of Defence orders for new offshore patrol vessels. But after briefings with management, the GMB union said last week that work on the new frigates would not begin until 2017 and raised concerns that up to 800 jobs could be lost if there was any backsliding on commitments. SNP leader and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was "gravely concerned" by the developments. She said: "The future of both Govan and Scotstoun depend on these orders. Solemn promises were made in the run-up to the referendum and if those promises are broken, it will be seriously damaging for the shipyards but I think people across Scotland will feel very let down by the parties that made those promises." She added: "I think the government has the responsibility to make cast iron assurances here." Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said she had held discussions with shipyard workers and BAE management about the need to protect jobs. She said: "It's my deep regret that Labour didn't win the general election - so the Tories have to fulfil their promise to the workers in the yards, and I'll be making that case every step of the way." Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie also expressed frustration about the uncertainty. "There are serious concerns about the future of orders at the yards and it's important that the Conservative government gives an absolute commitment. We've got to end this feast and famine of orders at the yards," he said. The Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, however, said she had been given assurances by Defence Secretary Michael Fallon that nothing had changed. She said: "He confirmed there had been no change to the orders that were set out in the Strategic Defence and Security Review last year. "That means all eight Type 26 anti-submarine frigates that are coming, plus the light frigate order on top of that, and the two offshore patrol vessels. They are coming to the Clyde, as discussed last year, to the same timetable and the same number." A spokesperson for BAE Systems said: "Following the Strategic Defence and Security Review, we are working with the Ministry of Defence to agree a revised baseline for the Type 26 ships and a production schedule for the two additional offshore patrol vessels in Glasgow. "We are engaging our trades unions as we work through this process. Our focus is to deliver the capability the Royal Navy needs, while ensuring the best value for UK taxpayers."

Summary: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has called for "cast iron assurances" jobs will not be lost at Clyde shipyards because of contract delays.


Hassan Nasrallah said Syria's opposition was too weak to bring down Bashar al-Assad's regime militarily. He was speaking in an address broadcast on Hezbollah's TV station al-Manar. BBC Arab affairs analyst Sebastian Usher says the speech tacitly confirmed the group has been involved in fighting in neighbouring Syria. The Syrian opposition has long claimed the Iranian-backed Shia movement has been supplying fighters to help Mr Assad, a key Hezbollah backer. "A large number [of rebels] were preparing to capture villages inhabited by Lebanese... so it was normal to offer every possible and necessary aid to help the Syrian army," Mr Nasrallah was quoted as saying by AFP news agency. The Hezbollah leader said it had never hidden its martyrs, but that reports that large numbers of its fighters had been killed were lies. He also warned that if a key Shia shrine south of Damascus - that named after Sayida Zeinab, a granddaughter of Prophet Muhammad - were to be destroyed, it would spark revenge that could get out of control. "If the shrine is destroyed things will get out of control," he said. Mr Nasrallah tried to reassure his domestic audience that - above all - Hezbollah wanted to avoid the Syrian war coming to Lebanon, adds our correspondent, but many there may find little to comfort them in this latest show of defiance. The announcement came hours after 14 people were killed by a powerful explosion in Damascus, and a day after Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi survived a car bomb attack in the Syrian capital. Government forces and rebels have been fighting in and around Damascus for months, but neither have gained the upper hand. More than 70,000 people have been killed since fighting between Syrian forces and rebels erupted in March 2011.

Summary: The head of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has declared that Syria has real friends who will not let it fall to the US, Israel or Islamic radicals.


The Scottish Medicines Consortium is due to take evidence on Kadcyla on Tuesday. Lesley Graham is one of four women who, along with charity Breast Cancer Now, have launched a petition for it to be approved. She told BBC Scotland it offered women like her "a little glimmer of hope". Kadcyla is used to treat a specific type of tumour - HER2-positive - when breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body. Currently, it is not approved for use on the NHS in Scotland. The SMC is due to reconsider that this week, with its decision to be announced next month. Last year Ms Graham, a 39-year-old mother of two from Barrhead, wrote to health secretary Shona Robison after being denied the treatment. She was later granted it after a second appeal. Along with three other woman - Lesley Stephen, Alison Tait and Anne MacLean-Chang - she has been calling for it to be made available automatically on the NHS. Their petition, backed by the Daily Record newspaper, now has more than 13,000 signatures. Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Kaye Adams programme, she said: "If there's something out there that can help people, then it needs to be made available. "The repercussions of someone losing their mum or their daughter are widespread. It has a rippling affect. Everyone deserves a chance at life and every child deserves a mum." She added: "To be told that you have cancer and your life is therefore limited because of that is devastating enough. "But to then be told there is something that can potentially buy you some time or keep you well for longer, but you can't have it, seems to me barbaric." She described living with an incurable cancer as like "swallowing a hand-grenade and not knowing when it is going to go off". "This treatment offers a little glimmer of hope that it will buy us time and offers hope that in the meantime maybe someone can come up with something that will keep us here in addition to that," Ms Graham said. Breast Cancer Now said there were about 118 women in Scotland who "could benefit from this drug if it was approved tomorrow". The charity's director Mary Allison said: "The treatment options for this type of breast cancer are relatively limited. Kadcyla is an incredibly effective drug because of the impact it has on the cancer, but also because of the quality of life people are able to have. The side effects of this compared to other chemotherapies are far less. "This drug is available in 18 other countries in the world. It is a commonly-administered drug and one that many oncologists throughout the UK, and in Scotland, would wish to give their patients. "It is a proven, front-line treatment for HER2 positive breast cancer." In September last year, NHS Grampian agreed to give Kadcyla to Anne MacLean-Chang, a nurse from Elgin, after she wrote to the first minister asking for reform of drug funding. She fought breast cancer but it later spread to her liver. Speaking to presenter Kaye

Summary: A mother campaigning for a life-extending breast cancer drug to be made available on the NHS has said it seems "barbaric" to deny women the treatment.


The 20-year-old has played seven games for the Swans since making his £1.75m move to the Liberty Stadium from League Two Exeter City in January 2015. Grimes made his only Premier League start to date in September, having scored his first Swansea goal in the League Cup a month earlier. His last appearance came in their 3-2 FA Cup exit against League Two Oxford. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Summary: Blackburn Rovers have signed midfielder Matt Grimes from Premier League side Swansea on a three-month loan deal.