Alongside a picture of him waving goodbye, the 35-year-old Spain international wrote on Twitter: "Lived it. Loved it. Farewell beautiful game." He won club honours with Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern and the World Cup and two European Championships. Alonso told Bayern's TV channel: "It wasn't an easy decision to make, but I believe it's the right time. He added: "I always thought it would be better to quit sooner rather than later. I still feel good, but I believe this is the right moment." Alonso joined Liverpool from Real Sociedad in 2004 and was part of a famous Champions League victory in Istanbul in his first season as the Reds came back from 3-0 down at half-time to beat AC Milan on penalties. He also claimed an FA Cup, a Uefa Super Cup and a Community Shield during his time at Anfield. He moved to Real Madrid in 2009 and won a second Champions League as well as the Spanish title before a switch to Germany in 2014, where he has helped Bayern win two Bundesliga titles and reach the quarter-finals of this year's Champions League - courtesy of a 10-2 aggregate win over Arsenal on Tuesday. Alonso played 114 times for Spain and scored 16 goals as the national side won the 2008 and 2012 European Championships, either side of their maiden World Cup triumph in South Africa in 2010. His final appearance for his country came at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Media playback is not supported on this device

Summary: Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso has confirmed he will retire when his contract expires in the summer.


At close, the benchmark FTSE 100 index was down 27.47 points, or 0.4%, at 6,772. The price of Brent crude slid fell 3.57% to $46.52 a barrel on worries that oil producers would fail to agree limits on output. Shares in oil giants BP and Royal Dutch Shell were both down by about 2%. Shares in UK housebuilders were trading higher on the back of stronger-than-expected mortgage lending figures. Bank of England figures showed 67,518 mortgages were approved in October, a seven-month high. Barratt Developments shares rose 2.28% while Persimmon climbed 1.95%. Shares in BT Group saw big moves after telecoms regulator Ofcom ordered it to make its Openreach business legally separate. BT shares fell 1.4% in early trade, but then recovered to stand about 1.16% higher by close. Ofcom said BT had failed to voluntarily address competition concerns, adding it would notify the European Commission of its plans to force the legal separation of Openreach, which runs the UK's broadband infrastructure. The regulator wants Openreach to become a distinct company with its own board, with non-executives and a chairperson not affiliated with BT. However, it has resisted calls to split Openreach off entirely. "Ofcom isn't really saying anything radically different today in terms of the actual meat of the changes," said Neil Wilson, from ETX Capital. "What's concerning investors is the detail of the separation, such as the transfer of pension liabilities and budget autonomy - BT's pension black hole has ballooned to top ??10bn and this is a concern for investors." On the currency markets, the pound rose 0.64% against the dollar to $1.2497, and was 0.67% higher against the euro at ???1.1774.

Summary: Oil companies weighed on the London market as energy shares were hit by a fall in oil prices ahead of the meeting of Opec oil producers on Wednesday.


The company owners said the containers in Santos were full of acid and a disinfectant which came into contact with rainwater, causing a reaction. The area's mayor said at least 66 people were taken to hospital with breathing difficulties. Officials said the fire had been controlled but that there is still smoke in the area. The cargo terminal and nearby homes were evacuated and residents were asked to stay inside. The container terminal was operated by Localfrio, a logistics company, in Guaruja, an area on the eastern side of Santos, in Sao Paulo state. A spokeswoman for the company, which exports chemicals used for refrigeration and general cargo, said the containers were filled with chloric acid and sodium dichloroisocyanurate - a cleaning and disinfectant agent. Firefighters said rainwater had seeped into the containers causing a chemical reaction. Local Mayor Mario Antonieta de Brito asked people to stay out of the rain which could "contain chemical elements that can burn the skin". This is the latest in a series of recent incidents involving chemical companies in Brazil:

Summary: A chemical explosion at a cargo warehouse in Brazil has spread toxic gas over the country's biggest port.


Other highlights include a stage version of Hancock's Half Hour and the Berliner Ensemble's Waiting for Godot. The annual event in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, is now in its fourth year. It boasts performances in multiple locations, including the school where Beckett was a pupil in the early 1920s. The lights will be turned out for All That Fall, in a staging by former Royal Court artistic director Max Stafford-Clark. He said: "I was asked for my vision for the play and my response was that there is absolutely no vision at all - the whole play takes place in the dark." The drama, co-produced with the Out of Joint Theatre Company, will star Irish actress Rosaleen Linehan. "It will be as dark as we can make it, the audience won't be invited to see anything," Stafford-Clark told the BBC. "It will be a bit spooky I imagine but that's the effect that Beckett wanted." All That Fall was previously staged in London in 2012 with a cast including Dame Eileen Atkins and Michael Gambon. The radio play, first broadcast in 1957, tells of an elderly woman's journey to a railway station to meet her blind husband. The Hancock play is based on several "lost" radio scripts - by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson - which were revived on Radio 4 last year. "Hancock is the perfect Beckett character. He is the small man shaking his fist as a universe that doesn't care," said Drop The Dead Donkey star Neil Pearson, who will direct the show. "I think we are habitually rather too po-faced about Beckett. He's a funny writer. I don't know whether he knew of Hancock but I'm pretty sure he would have approved of the uncaring way the world treats him." Theatre director Sophie Hunter - who recently married Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch - is putting on Benjamin Britten's Phaedra - the composer's final work - inside the ruined Necarne Castle. She said her concept was to create "an intimate experience in an epic space". "At the heart of it is the story of a woman who has taken in poison and is dying over 15 minutes - the music mimics the effect of the poison that is coursing through her veins." The Enniskillen International Beckett Festival, Happy Days, will take place over two long weekends, between 23 July and 3 August 2015. The full line-up is on the Happy Days website.

Summary: A play performed in complete darkness is among this year's line up for a summer festival celebrating writer Samuel Beckett.


Cathay is one of the world's biggest cargo airlines, and its decision is expected to have a sizeable impact. Previously, the airline had said it would only transport shark fin that was sustainably sourced. Shark fin is considered a delicacy in Chinese cuisine and is often served as a soup at upmarket banquets. More than 70 million sharks are killed every year, according to WWF figures. Large numbers are exported to Hong Kong, where they are consumed or further exported to mainland China. "On the issue of shark's fin, with immediate effect we are happy to agree to ban the carriage," Cathay Pacific said in a statement on Wednesday. It said it had not approved any shark fin shipments over the last year, pointing out that it had turned down 15 shipment requests for shark-related products. Early reports said the ban extended to all shark products on cargo and passenger flights, but the airline told the BBC it currently applied to shark fin only, Cathay said it would continue to review its policy. Marine conservationists hailed Cathay's decision, with one proclaiming that it would make Hong Kong "proud". "More Hong Kong businesses need to follow the lead," Hong Kong-based conservationist Sharon Kwok told AFP. Government data cited by the South China Morning Post shows that shark fin imports to Hong Kong dropped by 42% between 2010 and 2015 to 5,717 tonnes. During this period there was also a significant decline in imports by air. Cathay now joins airlines including British Airways, American Airlines, Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Emirates in banning shark fin.

Summary: Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific has announced a ban on shipments of shark fin in a move that has been welcomed by conservationists.


However Rami Jarrah said in his post that his detention appeared to be related to his work in Syria. His arrest caused concern among media groups, who called for his release. Jarrah - who met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in January - was held in the city of Gaziantep. He was reported to be applying for a residence permit at the time. "The location I was transferred to late Wednesday evening contained prisoners that were all held under the same suspicion of being terrorist elements, all have not been charged and some have been there for up to nine months after having being declared innocent by a court of law," Mr Jarrah said in his Facebook post. "It disturbs me that I was placed in this situation given my background and obvious distance from such an accusation." The reporter said that while he understood "the pressure the Turkish government is under" and the responsibility it has to prevent terrorism, a little more research by the authorities would have prevented unnecessary hardship. The Committee to Protect Journalists said at the time of his arrest that Syrian journalists should be protected rather than detained. Jarrah founded the independent citizen journalist group Ana Press, providing reports to international media, after leaving Syria. He was initially held in a detention facility for foreign citizens, but was moved to a different facility on Thursday, the CPJ said. Supporters say Jarrah is well known for his independent reporting, often carried out at great personal risk. Jarrah, who was brought up in the UK, fled Syria with his wife and child in 2011, fearing that he was in danger, but continued to go back to report. Press freedom 'a major concern' Turkey urged to free Syrian journalist

Summary: A Syrian journalist who was arrested on Wednesday in Turkey has been released without charge and with no explanation as to why he was detained, he announced on Facebook.


The crackdown has targeted those who take on cases involving free speech, human rights and abuses of power, presenting many of them as motivated by greed and a reckless disregard for social order. A statement from the Ministry of Public Security said suspects included lawyers, social media celebrities and petitioners but that lawyers were the core. It accused a group led by the Beijing-based Fengrui Law Firm, of illegally hiring protesters and swaying court decisions in the name of "defending justice and public interests." It went on to accuse the group of organising more than 40 controversial incidents and severely disrupting public order. It gave an example in which it had allegedly presented a legitimate police shooting at a railway station as a murder conspiracy. Since last Thursday at least six lawyers have been detained and more than 50 taken in for questioning by police in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, according to Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. It is not clear how many are still in custody. Some of those questioned had signed a letter asking authorities to release Wang Yu, a human rights lawyer who vanished from her home last week and is now believed to be in detention. Ms Wang worked for the Fengrui law firm. Another Fengrui lawyer, Zhou Shifeng, disappeared the day after one of his clients was released last week. State media have confirmed that six people including Wang Yu and Zhou Shifeng are in criminal detention for "seriously violating the law". The People's Daily said Mr Zhou was suspected of serious crimes. It also attacked another employee of the firm, online activist Wu Gan, saying he had exploited his fame and exaggerated sensitive incidents for profit. Mr Wu has been in detention since May and earlier this month was charged with "inciting subversion". The People's Daily denounced what it called a "major criminal organisation" which "seriously disturbed social order". Last year saw reforms designed to make courts less corrupt and less embedded in local politics. There were promises to exclude tainted evidence, torture and coercion. But at the same time, President Xi said the rule of law would be "a knife whose handle was in the hands of the party and the people". Any campaign to promote the rule of law which thinks lawyers are part of the problem rather the solution is in trouble. But this is the direction of travel in China. Groups that cannot be co-opted become pariahs. And lawyers who assert a set of values outside the narrowing space allotted to them by the state are no exception. There would be no constitutionalism, judicial independence or separation of powers. And clearly no lawyers or law firms who put their client's interests ahead of those of the party. "Such an unprecedented nationwide crackdown can only have been sanctioned from within the central government," said William Nee, China Researcher at Amnesty International. "This coordinated attack on lawyers makes a mockery of President Xi Jinping's claims to promote the rule of law." Xi Jinping came to power nearly three years ago vowing to tackle

Summary: Dozens of Chinese lawyers have been detained or interrogated over recent days in what seems to be a co-ordinated roundup.


The 19-year-old is the only uncapped player in the 25-man squad announced on Tuesday. Defender Aaron Hughes and striker Jamie Ward are included but are injury doubts for the 14 November game in Bucharest. McNair's Old Trafford team-mate Jonny Evans is out injured and has yet to feature in the qualifying campaign. He missed the first qualifying game in Hungary because of suspension and an ankle injury ruled him out of the victories over the Faroe Islands and Greece. Media playback is not supported on this device Northern Ireland have made a magnificent start to the qualifying series, winning their opening three games for the first time. They are two points ahead of the second-placed Romanians. McNair, who has featured three times for United this season including Saturday's derby defeat by Manchester City, has been brought in as cover for Hughes who picked up an ankle injury playing for Brighton. "I've been hugely impressed with Paddy - he's come into a difficult situation at Manchester United and there is a lot of media attention," said Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill. "The manager has come in and spent a lot of money so it is encouraging to see the likes of Paddy given a chance. "He's played in difficult circumstances, with the defence a bit makeshift at times and it's difficult for a young player to come into that. Media playback is not supported on this device "But he's acquitted himself very well, he's around the Manchester United first team and I'm looking forward to having him in the squad." West Brom midfielder Chris Brunt returns to the squad after missing the games against Greece and the Faroe Islands, but Hull defender Alex Bruce has a hamstring injury. Northern Ireland squad: Goalkeepers: R Carroll (Notts County), A Mannus (St Johnstone), M McGovern (Hamilton Academical). Defenders: A Hughes (Brighton), C Baird (West Bromwich Albion), G McAuley (West Bromwich Albion), R McGivern (Port Vale), C Cathcart (Watford), C McLaughlin (Fleetwood Town), L McCullough (Doncaster Rovers), R McLaughlin (Liverpool), P McNair (Manchester United). Midfielders: S Davis (Southampton), C Brunt (West Bromwich Albion), S Clingan (Kilmarnock), C Evans (Blackburn Rovers), O Norwood (Reading), B Reeves (MK Dons), P McCourt (Brighton), N McGinn (Aberdeen). Strikers: K Lafferty (Norwich City), J Ward (Derby County), J Magennis (Kilmarnock), B McKay (Inverness Caledonian Thistle), Will Grigg (MK Dons).

Summary: Manchester United defender Paddy McNair has been named in the Northern Ireland squad for the first time for the Euro 2016 qualifier away to Romania.


Costa, who holds Brazilian and Spanish passports, has written to the Brazilian Football Confederation stating he wants to represent the world champions. Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said recently he planned to select the 25-year-old for friendlies in November. Costa played for Brazil in March - but only in friendly matches, and so could switch allegiances. In a statement, the Spanish Football Federation said that the player has stated "his desire to be at the disposition of the Spanish national team manager Vicente del Bosque" in a signed letter addressed to Julio Cesar Avelleda, secretary general of the Brazilian Football Confederation. This season, Costa has been in superb form for Atletico - the club he has been with since 2007 - and is the top scorer in La Liga with 11 goals after 10 matches. "I hope people understand and respect my decision because it has been very difficult," he said. "It was very difficult to choose between the country where you were born and the country that has given you everything. "I looked at everything and saw that it was right and best to play for Spain because this is where I have done everything. All that I have in my life was given to me by this country." "I hope people understand because it is not something against Brazil," he added. "I have family in Brazil and it is the country where I was born. I hope that God allows me to live there again in the future." Should he be selected, he could make his Spain debut on 19 November in a friendly against South Africa.

Summary: Atletico Madrid's Brazil-born forward Diego Costa has confirmed his intention to play for Spain.


The work at Haymarket bus station will include 11 new bus stands at the Charles Street facility. The city council also is bidding for an additional £3.5m in funding from the Department of Transport. "The Charles Street station is a disgrace - it is not good enough because it's cramped and inconvenient," Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said. "It is just not good enough a modern city like Leicester. "We have to make sure that travelling by bus to and from Leicester is a realistic and attractive choice." A council spokesman said the project would "help ease bus congestion and queuing" at the station. Several commercial buildings will be demolished to increase the size of the revamped station and public access will be improved. The bus station is a base for 25 local bus services and is used by 20,000 people a day.

Summary: A £10.5m revamp is planned to expand facilities at Leicester's "cramped" bus station.


The 24-year-old, who has 26 caps for his country, has signed a deal, subject to a medical, until May 2018. Sarto said: "Glasgow Warriors are a massive club and play a great style of rugby. "I wanted to move to the UK as I know the standard of rugby is high and I want to improve my game. Joining a club like Glasgow will help me do that." Sarto knows Warriors well, having played against them for Zebre in the Pro12, and scored a try when making his international debut against Scotland in the South African Quadrangular Tournament in 2013. "I've always known Glasgow is a great club and I know Simone Favaro is enjoying it there," he said of the 27-year-old back-row forward. "I hear the fans love him and I hope I will have a similarly good relationship with them when I move over." Glasgow head coach Gregor Townsend said Sarto was a player Warriors "had been tracking for a while". "Leonardo has been one of the best wingers in the Guinness Pro12 over the past few seasons and has an ability to break tackles," he added. "He has also performed well at Test level and had an excellent all-round game against Scotland last month. "We believe that he will make further improvements in our environment and will add to the competition for places in our backline."

Summary: Italy wing Leonardo Sarto has agreed to join Glasgow Warriors on a two-year contract in the summer from Zebre.


He won the Lightweight and 350cc Junior Classic races, either side of Swallows' 16th win in the 850cc Classic. The event, featuring bikes made before 1972, is a TT curtain-raiser and takes place at Billown Circuit. Meanwhile, Vince Biggs and Vicky Cooke won both of the Billown event's sidecar races. Jamie Coward, Iain Robertson and Steve Ferguson also won races at the Pre-TT Classic which has been staged at Billown each year since 1988.

Summary: English rider Mike Hose claimed two wins at the Pre-TT Classic in the Isle of Man on Monday to move level with Bill Swallow's tally of 16 victories.


There are those who will argue to kingdom come that the Six Nations is fine as it is, that it has its own identity and doesn't need to go down the road of being tricked up. What next? Kiss-cams. Mexican waves. Pitch-side microphone-wielding fun police ordering everybody to 'MAKE SOME NOISE!' Too late, alas. Too late. Those who are against bonus points for extra scores see it is a gimmick that will do nothing to enhance a tournament that doesn't need a whole lot of enhancing in the first place. Apply a retrospective bonus-point system and would it have changed the finishing order in 2016? No. How about 2015, 2014? No, no. Are there not enough tries in the Six Nations already? Not as many as its southern hemisphere counterpart, the Rugby Championship, but enough to satisfy the vast crowds who always turn up to watch it? The average try count per match in the 2016 Six Nations was 4.73. In the Rugby Championship it was 5.83. The season before it was 4.13 in the north and 5.5 in the south. The season before that, 4.07 in the Six Nations and 4.17 in the Rugby Championship. It's not as big a gulf as people might think. In any event, Six Nations rugby is not Rugby Championship rugby. It has its own heartbeat. Oftentimes, it's rugby in the trenches. Full Metal Jacket stuff. It's not as easy on the eye as the New Zealands and the Australias, but it works. And fans adore it. In the southern hemisphere's four-nation tournament, yes, there are more tries, but does that necessarily make it better, more intoxicating? Across a difficult four-year period in economic terms, Six Nations crowds have gone from an average of 69,531 to 68,968, a drop of less than 1%. That's good going in the climate. The Rugby Championship's crowds are down close to 12%. The opposing, pro-change view is that the Six Nations has become a bit tired and is in need of modernising. The Rugby Championship, the Champions Cup, the Premiership in England, the Pro12, the Top 14 in France and Super Rugby in the southern hemisphere all have the bonus-point system. In the Six Nations there is a view that the premium is on defence over attack. That argument can be overblown, but there's truth in it, too. Those who are supportive of the new bonus-point system see a vision of the future that will have a nation busting a gut to turn three tries into four in the latter stages of a Test, just to secure that extra point. Cue more attacking intent and more entertainment. That's the wish. For example, in the 2015 Six Nations, had England scored four tries against Scotland - and got a bonus point - instead of three they might have won the championship. The winners, Ireland, could apply the same logic to one of their games, of course. So could Wales. In 2014, had England added to their two first-half tries in their victory against Wales with another two in the second half

Summary: When the Six Nations committee decided to introduce a bonus-point system for the 2017 championship you could almost hear the contrasting reactions in rugby heartlands in Britain and Ireland.


The motion signed by 24 MPs said fares in London are "the most expensive in the world" and since 2008 the cost of a single bus journey has jumped by 50%. It comes as passengers saw on average a 4.2% increase in fares this January, across the Tube, buses and trams. The mayor's office says "every penny" from fares is invested in improvements. The motion, which is led by Eltham MP Clive Efford, said: "London commuter fares have become the most expensive in the world and are an ever increasing pressure on Londoners' household budgets while real wages are falling and bills are rising." A zone one to six travel card is now Â£400 more expensive, the MPs note, in addition to a 56% rise in bus fares over the last five years. The MPs also urged "the Mayor of London to use his discretion to freeze fares at RPI for 2014, easing the pressure on ordinary Londoners during the current cost of living crisis". A spokesperson for mayor Boris Johnson, said: "Every penny from fares is invested in improving transport for Londoners, resulting in one of the biggest and most reliable transport systems in the world. "He (the mayor) will make a decision on fares for 2014 later this year but has publicly stated that he is determined to bear down on them as much as possible."

Summary: Labour MPs in London have signed a Commons motion calling for transport fares in the capital to be frozen at the rate of inflation for 2014.


Downie, 15, became the first British woman to win an international all-around medal in her first senior year. Purvis also finished third in the men's competition to claim his second career European all-around bronze. Media playback is not supported on this device Fellow Britons Sam Oldham and Claudia Fragapane finished sixth in their respective overall competitions. Downie, in her first senior year, scored 56.623, behind winner Giulia Steingruber of Switzerland and Russia's Maria Kharenkova. "I'm over the moon. I never thought coming here I'd be among the medals," Downie told BBC Sport in Montpellier. "I was hoping for a top six or eight finish - it's just absolutely amazing." Downie, younger sister of European uneven bars champion Becky, made a good start on bars then followed with solid routines on beam and floor - where she was marked down for stepping out of the field. She finished strongly with 14.8 on the vault - her strongest apparatus, and the one where she will aim for another medal in Saturday's final, as well as the uneven bars. Media playback is not supported on this device "I was really nervous going into the vault," she said. "I knew if I nailed it I could have a shot at a medal so I just tried to keep calm and do what I do in training." Britain's second medal of the day came thanks to 24-year-old Purvis who scored 87.423 over his six apparatus routines. Ukrainie's Oleg Verniaiev took the all-around gold ahead of David Belyavskiy of Russia.

Summary: Ellie Downie and Dan Purvis each delivered Great Britain a bronze medal at the European Gymnastics Championships in Montpellier.


City of Glasgow College student Majid Ali was recently held at Dungavel Detention Centre in Lanarkshire. Supporters believe he was deported on Tuesday night. The Home Office said it did not comment on individual cases. Mr Ali had accused the Pakistani authorities of killing his uncle and cousin and abducting his brother. He first claimed asylum in the UK in 2011 after stating that his brother was the victim of an enforced "disappearance" by Pakistani authorities. More recently, Mr Ali claimed that his family home in the Balochistan province was raided by government forces, and his uncle and cousin were shot and killed. The volatile province, in the south west of Pakistan, has seen conflict between government forces and groups from the region who want more political autonomy or independence and a greater share of revenue from natural resources. The National Union of Students (NUS) had been running a campaign to keep Mr Ali in the UK. Earlier this week, NUS Scotland president Gordon Maloney said: "We are deeply concerned for Majid's safety if he is forced home. "We all recognise that nobody deserves the kind of treatment he has received in this country, or the grave danger that might await him on his forced return home." The campaign had been supported by SNP MP for Glasgow South West, Chris Stephens, who wrote to the immigration minister and Scottish secretary and attempted to raise the case in the House of Commons. Mr Stephens had said it was "fairly obvious to anyone looking at this case that Majid should be allowed to stay as there would be a genuine fear for his life if he was deported".

Summary: A Scottish-based student is thought to have been deported to Pakistan despite claims he faces political persecution and possible death in his homeland.


The office in Cowbridge Road has been closed with a note placed on the window advising claimants and jobseekers where to go instead. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed the incident. A Public and Commercial Services union spokesman has claimed several workers had oxygen therapy after a suspected carbon monoxide leak.

Summary: Some members of staff at a Jobcentre in Cardiff have been sent to hospital following a gas leak.


The action alleges that Intermex, a firm which arranges money transfers, tracked employees even when off-duty. Myrna Arias alleges that she was "scolded" for removing the app and fired a few weeks later. The company has not responded to the allegations. According to court documents published by website Ars Technica, employees were instructed to download the app, called Xora, to their phones in April 2014. Xora is described on its website as a workplace management app which allows companies to "remotely manage" their workers by keeping track of their hours and other aspects of their job. Xora's website says that the app uses GPS to allow bosses "to see the location of every mobile worker on a Google Map". According to the lawsuit, Ms Arias's manager "admitted that employees would be monitored while off-duty and bragged that he knew how fast she was driving at specific moments ever since she had installed the app on her phone". "He confirmed that she was required to keep her phone's power on 24/7 to answer phone calls from clients," reads the court document. It goes on to detail that Ms Arias had "no objection" to being monitored at work but felt that monitoring her location during non-work hours was an invasion of her privacy. She likened the app to a prisoner's ankle bracelet. Her boss "scolded the plaintiff when she de-installed the app in late April in order to protect her privacy", reads the court document. She was fired on 5 May. Ms Arias is seeking damages for lost earnings in excess of $500,000. Mark Weston, a partner at law firm Matthew Arnold & Baldwin, told the BBC that an employer "would not be allowed to track an employee without the consent of that employee". Clauses that allow for tracking apps would have to be built into contracts, he said. As for the legality of firing an employee for refusing to use such an app, Mr Weston said: "In the US, things may be looser because many employees there are employees 'at will'. Accordingly, employers have far greater flexibility than in Europe to dismiss an employee who is not playing ball."

Summary: A US sales executive is suing her employer for invasion of privacy, alleging that she was fired after deleting an app which tracked her movements.


Women's rights activists had long demanded that Article 522 of the penal code be repealed. Their campaign was supported by the Minister for Women's Affairs, Jean Oghassabian, who said the law was like something "from the Stone Age". Similar legislation has recently been swept away in both Tunisia and Jordan. States retaining a comparable loophole include Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya and Syria. Members of the Lebanese parliamentary committee for administration and justice agreed last December to submit a proposal to repeal Article 522. Prime Minister Saad Hariri expressed his support for the measure at the time, but it took until Wednesday for a vote to be held. Article 522 allowed for halting the prosecution or suspending the conviction of a person who had committed rape, kidnapping, or statutory rape if he married the victim. One activist said the law allowed "for a second assault on a rape survivor's rights in the name of 'honour' by trapping her in a marriage with her rapist". The women's rights group Abaad called the repeal of Article 522 a "triumph for the dignity of women" and thanked MPs for "strengthening the protection of women from all forms of violence". End of Twitter post by @AbaadMENA End of Twitter post by @monaeltahawy But Kafa, another local rights group, said it was only a "partial victory". A Facebook post warned that the effect of Article 522 "continues under Article 505, which involves sex with a minor who is 15 years of age, as it does through Article 518, which concerns the seduction of a minor with the promise of marriage". Mr Oghassabian expressed similar concerns, writing on Twitter: "While we welcome the repeal of Article 552 of the penal code, we have reservations regarding keeping Articles 505 and 518. There are no exceptions for escaping punishment for rape." The repeal came after years of campaigning by women's rights groups, including viral videos, a billboard showing a woman in a bloodied and torn gown with the caption "A white dress doesn't cover up rape", and an online petition. End of Twitter post by @lulualkhattaf In April, an art installation organised by Abaad saw 30 wedding dress strung up from nooses between the palm trees on Beirut's famous seafront. Activists also want Lebanon's parliament to address the issue of marital rape. Article 503 of the penal code defines the crime of rape as "forced sexual intercourse [against someone] who is not his wife by violence or threat". The 2014 law on domestic violence meanwhile makes threats or violence by a spouse to claim a "marital right to intercourse" a crime, but does not criminalize the non-consensual violation of physical integrity itself, according to Human Rights Watch.

Summary: Lebanon's parliament has scrapped a law under which a rapist could be exempt from punishment if he married his victim, state media report.


The 2009 champions won once, against Bangladesh, and suffered defeats by India, New Zealand and Australia. The team were jeered on their return to Lahore airport, with huge crowds chanting "Shame! Shame!" Former fast bowler Waqar said: "If my leaving makes things better, then I would do it without delay." Waqar is in charge as head coach for a second time and his current contract ends in May. He added: "When there is no cricket at home [because of security concerns in Pakistan] then the foundation will for sure become weak. I place my hands together and beg forgiveness from the nation." Captain Shahid Afridi, 36, is expected to announce soon whether he will be retiring from internationals or not.

Summary: Pakistan head coach Waqar Younis has "begged forgiveness from the nation" after the side's group-stage exit from the World Twenty20.


The away side had taken the lead two minutes before half-time with a penalty courtesy of Kieran Agard. The Dons will feel hard done by after being the better team for much of the game, which saw them denied by post, bar and a fine display by Robins keeper Lawrence Vigouroux. The home side almost took the lead in the second minute, with a ball chipped into the box by Conor Thomas but George Williams was able to clear for the visitors. In the 29th minute the Robins had a penalty claim of their own, Nicky Ajose went to the floor following a challenge from Williams but the referee waved play on. Two minutes before the break Ben Reeves was brought down in the area by Charlie Colkett, Agard put the ball to the right, and although Vigouroux dived the right way was unable to get a hand to it. Obika rescued a draw with virtually the last kick of the game when he raced clear and slotted home. Report supplied by the Press Association. Match ends, Swindon Town 1, MK Dons 1. Second Half ends, Swindon Town 1, MK Dons 1. Corner, Swindon Town. Conceded by George Baldock. Attempt missed. Ed Upson (MK Dons) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Dean Lewington (MK Dons) is shown the yellow card. Bradley Barry (Swindon Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Dean Lewington (MK Dons). Charlie Colkett (Swindon Town) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Foul by Charlie Colkett (Swindon Town). George Baldock (MK Dons) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Goal! Swindon Town 1, MK Dons 1. Jonathan Obika (Swindon Town) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner. Attempt missed. Ed Upson (MK Dons) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Substitution, MK Dons. Callum Brittain replaces Harvey Barnes. Foul by Raphael Rossi Branco (Swindon Town). Harvey Barnes (MK Dons) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Corner, Swindon Town. Conceded by Joe Walsh. Attempt saved. Conor Thomas (Swindon Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Attempt missed. Nicky Ajose (Swindon Town) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Conor Thomas (Swindon Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Harvey Barnes (MK Dons). Nathan Thompson (Swindon Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Robbie Muirhead (MK Dons). Attempt missed. Jonathan Obika (Swindon Town) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Nathan Thompson (Swindon Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Darren Potter (MK Dons). Attempt missed. Jonathan Obika (Swindon Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Corner, Swindon Town. Conceded by George B Williams. Attempt blocked. Ben Gladwin (Swindon Town) right footed shot from

Summary: Jonathan Obika's last-minute equaliser kept Swindon's League One survival hopes alive by securing draw with MK Dons.


Mid and West Wales fire service and the RNLI have issued advice as they predict a busy bank holiday weekend. It includes supervising children, not using inflatables in strong seas and swimming only at beaches patrolled by lifeguards. RNLI lifeguard manager Phil Davies urged people to heed their advice. "We want people to enjoy our beautiful coastline, but make sure they do it safely," Mr Davies said. "Conditions can change quickly at the beach, so it is really important to respect the water and take extra care when visiting the coast." Steve Davies, of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, added: "We cannot stress enough just how dangerous the sea can be, and how your life could change in a second. "We want you to enjoy the wonderful beaches that the Welsh coastline has to offer safely and incident free this weekend." Safety advice includes: Lifeguards will patrol beaches at Camber Sands, in Sussex this weekend after five friends died during a day trip to the coast. Their deaths on Wednesday come after six others died around the UK coast last weekend.

Summary: Beachgoers have been urged to stay safe on the coast this weekend following 12 sea deaths around the UK in the past week.


13 May 2016 Last updated at 07:08 BST A lot of time and money is spent trying to keep animals safe. Rangers at Kariega Game Reserve have lots of high-tech gear to keep track of their animals and keep poachers away. Patrols are carried out by the rangers, especially at night. Armed with special cameras and night vision goggles, Ayshah joins the rangers as they head out in the night to keep a watch on the wildlife.

Summary: South Africa is home to some amazing wild animals, but poaching from wildlife reserves in Africa is a big problem.


Tymal Mills went for £1.4m to Royal Challengers Bangalore, while fellow England bowler Chris Woakes was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for £504,140. England one-day captain Eoin Morgan has gone to Kings XI Punjab for £240,066. International team-mates Jason Roy and Chris Jordan were sold to Gujarat Lions and Sunrisers Hyderabad respectively. Batsman Roy, 26, fetched £120,000, while 28-year-old fast bowler Jordan cost £60,000. Stokes, 25, had a base price of £240,000 (20 million rupees) but was the subject of bids from Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Daredevils and Sunrisers Hyderabad before Pune emerged successful. His fee overtakes that of former England duo Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff, who were sold for $1.55m (£1.1m) each in 2009. Stokes, Roy, 24-year-old Mills and Woakes, 27, will be playing in the eight-team Twenty20 competition - which takes place between 5 April and 21 May - for the first time. "It's a life-changing amount of money," said Stokes. "Seven times my base amount - that's mental but pretty cool to think about. "It was hard to follow on Twitter. I wasn't sure how much a Crore [Indian unit of measurement] was - people were retweeting stuff, and it was complete carnage. "I'm just seriously excited about getting going." Jos Buttler was retained by Mumbai Indians and Sam Billings was kept on by Delhi Daredevils during the first round of 2017 IPL auction held in Bangalore, but batsmen Alex Hales and Jonny Bairstow went unsold. "Great day for English cricket and a few lads in particular. Congrats boys," said Buttler. Left-arm pace bowler Mills will be available for the whole tournament as he is limited to playing T20 cricket because of back pain. "When it finished I did not know how much it was worth," he said. "When I worked it out I could not believe it - it did not seem real. "It's an amount of money that can change your life. It will for me." England's other players may not be available for the 10th edition of the competition because of international commitments as England host Ireland in one-day matches on 5 and 7 May. They then host South Africa in a three-match ODI series, with the games scheduled to take place on 24, 27 and 29 May, before the ICC Champions Trophy starts in England on 1 June. Pune owner Sanjiv Goenka said Stokes was a "complete player". We've been lacking this one genre of player," he said. "We have many heroes but this is the one hero that we were lacking. "We knew he was going to be expensive. We do believe he is going to be there for the first 14 games." Stokes helped England reach the final of the World Twenty20 in 2016, but they were beaten by the West Indies after the all-rounder was hit for four consecutive sixes in the final over by Carlos Brathwaite. The Durham player was also part of England's winter tour of India and were beaten 4-0 in the Tests series, 2-1 in the ODIs and 2-1 in the T20 series. He has

Summary: England all-rounder Ben Stokes became the Indian Premier League's most expensive foreign player when Rising Pune Supergiants bought him for £1.7m.


Emergency services were called to Small Heath Highway at 23:25 BST on Friday after a Porsche Cayenne crashed into a lamppost and rolled over. West Midlands Police said two men in their 20s had died - one after being taken to hospital. A further two men who were in the car are being treated in hospital for minor injuries. The ambulance service said the two men had been ejected from their car when it rolled on to the opposite side of the carriageway. It said one man was confirmed dead at the scene, while a second was taken to hospital with "extremely serious" injuries. West Midlands Police said he had later died. The ambulance service said: "The men had been ejected when the car they were travelling in rolled and came to rest the right way up, on the opposite side of the carriageway. "The car had collided with the central reservation and a lamppost in the incident. "Bystanders were already carrying out CPR on one of the men prior to our arrival. It quickly became apparent nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed dead at the scene." They said the second man was in cardiac arrest and had a "significant head injury" before he was transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. The service said two other men, in their 20s, had suffered minor injuries and were taken to Heartlands Hospital. The road was closed in both directions for several hours while an investigation at the scene was held. Sgt Paul Hughes, from West Midlands Police, said: "Although this tragic collision happened late in the evening, we know there would have been other vehicles on the road at the time." He called on any witnesses to contact him.

Summary: Two men have died after being thrown from their car when it rolled over on a dual carriageway in Birmingham.


They have seen that a receptor for stress hormones appears to undergo a biological change in the unborn child if the mother is highly stressed, for example, because of a violent partner. And this change may leave the child less able to handle stress themselves. It has already been linked to mental illness and behavioural problems. The findings, published in the journal Translational Psychiatry, are based on a small study of 25 women and their children, now aged between 10 and 19. And the researchers point out that the women involved in the study had exceptional home circumstances and that most pregnant women would not be exposed to such levels of stress day in and day out. Furthermore, the researchers say the findings are not conclusive - many other factors, including the child's social environment while growing up, might be involved. But they suspect it is the child's earliest environment, the womb, that is key. For their study, they looked at the genes of the mums and the adolescents to find any unusual patterns. Some of the teens had changes to one particular gene - the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) - that helps regulate the body's hormonal response to stress. Such genetic alterations typically happen while the baby is still developing in the womb. And the scientists believe they are triggered by the mum-to-be's poor state of emotional wellbeing at the time of the pregnancy. In the study, these mums had been living with the constant threat of violence from their husband or partner. And it would appear this continued stress took its toll on the pregnancy. When the babies were followed up one to two decades later as adolescents, they had changes in the genetics of their GR that other teenagers did not. This "methylation" of GR appears to make the individual more tuned in or sensitised to stress, meaning that they will react to it quicker both mentally and hormonally. As people, they tend to be more impulsive and may struggle with their emotions, explain the researchers, who carried out detailed interviews with the adolescents. Professor Thomas Elbert, one of the lead researchers at the University of Konstanz, said: "It would appear that babies who get signals from their mum that they are being born into a dangerous world are faster responders. They have a lower threshold for stress and seem to be more sensitive to it." The investigators now plan to carry out more detailed investigations following larger numbers of mothers and children to see if they can confirm their suspicions. Dr Carmine Pariante, an expert in the psychology of stress at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, said: "This paper confirms that the early foundation years start at minus nine months." He added: "Pregnancy is uniquely sensitive to a challenging maternal psychosocial environment - much more than, for example, after the baby is born. As we and others have been advocating, addressing maternal stress and depression in pregnancy is a clinically and socially, important strategy."

Summary: A mother's stress can spread to her baby in the womb and may cause a lasting effect, German researchers propose.


2012 Olympic bronze medallist Conlan has signed professional terms with the American-based promoter Top Rank. Colorado native Ibarra, 26, has lost four of his nine pro bouts - including three defeats in his last five fights. Katie Taylor boxes in New York the next day on the undercard of Gennady Golovkin's contest with Daniel Jacobs. Meanwhile, Carl Frampton has been named as Ring magazine's 2016 fighter of the year. The Belfast boxer, 29, wins the award after a year that saw him defeat the previously unbeaten Leo Santa Cruz to win the WBA featherweight title. That meant Frampton became the first Northern Ireland fighter to win world titles at two weights. Frampton's contest with Santa Cruz was rated as a classic and the duo have a rematch in Las Vegas on 28 January. Prior to his New York victory over Santa Cruz, Frampton defeated England's Scott Quigg on points in their world super-bantamweight title unification bout. The Belfast fighter edged out Terence Crawford, Roman Gonzalez, Vasyl Lomachenko and Manny Pacquiao for the Ring award.

Summary: Michael Conlan will fight little-known American Tim Ibarra in his first professional bout at New York's Madison Square Garden Theater on 17 March.


The former England paceman has been suffering from a "lower back issue", but is expected to feature in the five-match ODI series beginning next week. Ireland play the Afghans in three T20s in India, staring on Wednesday. "We're happy with the progress Boyd is making and feel confident that he will still make an impact on this tour," said Irish head coach John Bracewell. "We are lucky that we have cover at present." Bracewell added that bowler Tim Murtagh would be available for the ODI series following the birth of his second child. The matches in Greater Noida conclude with an Intercontinental Cup encounter on 28-31 March.

Summary: Ireland bowler Boyd Rankin has been ruled out of the T20 series against Afghanistan because of a back problem.


Their flight from Slovenia to the UK was diverted to Cologne after the pilot was alerted to a "suspicious conversation" with "terrorist content". "The criminal investigation against them has been halted. No evidence was found," police said. "We now believe that there was never any real danger." All 151 passengers were evacuated from the Airbus 319 aircraft using emergency slides, and nine received medical treatment. The men, aged 31, 38 and 48, were returning to Stansted, in Essex, from Ljubljana on 10 June when the disruption arose. They are said to have been on a business trip. According to prosecutors, the flight was diverted when fellow passengers reported the men were discussing "terrorist matters" and carrying a book entitled "Kill" with a sniper rifle on the cover. They said the contents of the alleged conversation could not be verified. No explosives were found in the passengers' luggage or on the plane. A backpack belonging to the men was nonetheless blown up by police. The German tabloid newspaper Bild said passengers told airline staff they had heard the men using the words "bomb" and "explosive", and said one was carrying a suspicious rucksack. A spokesman for Cologne-Bonn airport said: "The pilot had been informed about a suspicious conversation on board, after which he decided to make an unscheduled landing in Cologne-Bonn. "After the safe landing... the 151 passengers left the [aircraft] via emergency slides and were taken to a transit gate." The diverted plane landed in Stansted airport on Sunday. Passenger Daniel Noonan told the BBC that armed police entered the aircraft and escorted two men off. The third was led away on the tarmac after the passengers had exited via the slides. Passenger Richard Peters said he saw the two Asian men being handcuffed on the tarmac at Cologne-Bonn airport. He added that people on the flight were quarantined for about nine hours while police interviewed passengers about the men. He said: "To be fair spirits were quite high considering what had happened. "In the current climate you have to take everything seriously. My suspicion is it was, hopefully, nothing sinister. But you have to take everything seriously. "The right thing was done." Another passenger, Dave Hargreaves, said: "In the flight I didn't see the suspects at all. But I noticed quite a bit of activity, with aircrew popping into the cockpit repeatedly. And a slower than normal serving of the food and drink service. "Then at our cruising altitude I was surprised to see the air brakes go up on the wings and us start a rather speedy descent. It wasn't until perhaps 10 minutes later that we were told 'due to operational reasons' we would be diverting to Cologne airport." Easyjet said the captain had taken the decision to land as a precaution to allow additional security checks to take place. All the other passengers were given a hotel for the night, a spokeswoman said, adding: "We thank passengers for their understanding. The safety of Easyjet's passengers and crew is our highest priority." Get news from the BBC in your

Summary: Three British men who were detained in Germany after their conversations on board an Easyjet flight sparked alarm have been released without charge.


Confederate forces acquired hundreds of Clyde-built boats because they were fast, making them ideal for evading Union ships blockading Southern ports. Archaeologists believe the shipwreck off Oak Island, North Carolina, is a blockade runner called Agnes E Fry. It was launched on the Clyde under a different name, Fox. A sonar scan was made of the wreck earlier this year and the shape, size and location suggests that it is of the Agnes E Fry. Deputy state archaeologist, Billy Ray Morris, told the BBC News Scotland website that a further investigation was imminent. He said: "We will be conducting 3D sonar imaging operations on Fry next week and will have a detailed computer model of the site shortly thereafter." The North Carolina archaeologist added: "Agnes E Fry was built by Caird & Co in Greenock. She was launched 26 March 1864. "She was an iron-hulled paddle steamer with two oscillating engines. She was lost 27 December 1864 commanded by Joseph Fry. "Originally named Fox, Fry renamed her after his wife when he took command." Coincidently, work is also under way to try and give a wrecked blockade runner in Scottish waters better protection. The Iona I operated on a Glasgow to the Highlands passenger route before it was purchased by Confederate agents for use in delivering supplies to blockaded American ports. But it never reached the war as it sank in the Clyde near Gourock following a collision with another ship in 1862. Earlier this year, the Scottish government proposed designating the site as a Historic Marine Protected Area (HMPA) to preserve it as a historic asset of national importance. Historic Environment Scotland has begun a public consultation on the designation. The wreck of Iona I has been described as being in a good condition. Glasgow Museums has a scale model of the paddle streamer in its collections.

Summary: Archaeologists are preparing to make a detailed examination of a wreck believed to be that of a Scottish ship used in the American Civil War.


He has been recalled by Cricket Australia for treatment on a foot injury suffered while bowling during the County Championship loss to Sussex. The county hope New Zealand's Mitchell Santner, who is playing in the T20 Blast, can be his overseas replacement. Hastings, 31, has taken 16 wickets at 34.38 and scored 139 runs at 23.16 in his six Championship games this summer. On Friday, he hit the second fastest Twenty20 half-century in Worcestershire's history off 19 balls against Birmingham Bears. Director of cricket Steve Rhodes told BBC Hereford & Worcester: "Cricket Australia have asked for him to go back home. "We thoroughly understand that - they want John Hastings back fit and want to monitor his rehab, so we'll take it on the chin. "We'll certainly look at alternatives. In the past we've brought in Miguel Cummins, Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel but the West Indies are here this year. "So we've just got the find the right one because we're desperate to go up." Worcestershire are currently second in Division Two of the County Championship, 17 points clear of both Sussex and Kent, who have a game in hand.

Summary: Worcestershire will be without Australia all-rounder John Hastings for the remainder of the 2017 season.


The Tigers, who sit third in the Premiership behind Saracens and Exeter, suffered a shock loss to struggling Newcastle on Friday. "The team that played at the weekend was good enough [to win]," Cockerill told BBC Radio Leicester. "We know that the players we put on Friday can perform better." Their next opponents Harlequins are only a point behind them despite having won two fewer games. Cockerill says Leicester have gone back to basics in training as they look to pick up their first league win in the three weeks. "We revisited some of those fundamentals this week in training," he said. "We have to work hard, get our mindset and attitude right. "In sport sometimes you don't play as well as you would like to and in a scientific world, sport is not an exact science."

Summary: Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill has said his side are "far from a crisis point" but need to get their "mindset and attitude right".


Ward, 27, won 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 7-6 (8-6) 6-1 in the third and final round of qualifying in Roehampton. He was given a wildcard to play in qualifying and had lost his previous seven matches before this week. Fellow Britons Marcus Willis and Jay Clarke went out in the final round. Ward will be one of 12 British players, led by defending champion Andy Murray and world number seven Johanna Konta, in the main singles draws at Wimbledon. Ward, from Northampton, will take his place in the main draw at Wimbledon for only the second time, having received a wildcard 12 months ago. Willis, 26, became the early story of last year's Wimbledon by coming through six matches in pre-qualifying and qualifying, and then the first-round proper, before losing to Roger Federer on Centre Court. "What a story that was, let's see what happens this year," said Ward. "We're the same age, we used to train here together and he's always been a great player and a fantastic character, always fun to be around." Find out how to get into tennis in our special guide. Ward has taken an even more unlikely route than Willis having lost in the final round of pre-qualifying, only to be handed a wildcard into the Wimbledon qualifying event. He had lost all four previous matches in Wimbledon qualifying. "It just feels amazing, I'm still struggling to get my head around it," said Ward, who slipped down the rankings from 242 last year after having six months off with a wrist injury. "It will mean everything [to return to Wimbledon], especially having qualified. I feel like I really deserve my place there." Ward said he had played the best tennis of his life this week in beating Belarusian Egor Gerasimov, ranked 166th, Japan's Go Soeda, ranked 111th, and Gabashvili, ranked 176th. Reaching the first-round proper guarantees him at least £35,000 in prize money. "That's a big sum of money," said Ward. "I haven't got a coach at the moment, so I can invest in a coach and have better preparation for matches." He now hopes to go one better than last year, when he lost to Belgian David Goffin in the first round at Wimbledon. "We'll see what happens in the draw on Friday," he said.

Summary: World number 855 Alex Ward became the only British player to come through Wimbledon singles qualifying by securing a stunning win over Russia's Teymuraz Gabashvili.


Ms Philbin has been honoured for her work in sparking young peoples' interest in working in science, technology and engineering. She co-founded the TeenTech organisation, which holds events that introduce school children to technical and creative careers. Ms Philbin has also had a long media career connected to science and tech. Her broadcasting career began in the late 1970s when Ms Philbin presented the pioneering BBC saturday morning children's show Multi-Coloured Swap Shop. From there, she went on to work on the iconic BBC science show Tomorrow's World. During the eight years she worked on that programme, Ms Philbin was first to demonstrate many innovations including car navigation systems, fax machines and mobile phones. More recently, Ms Philbin was a reporter on the BBC's Bang Goes The Theory science show, and has regularly appeared on other radio and TV programmes as an science expert. In 2008, she helped to start the non-profit TeenTech organisation that aimed to give young people a realistic view of what it is like to work in jobs that have a high science, technology, engineering and mathematics component. It regularly runs events that let school children talk to people that work in different technical sectors and lets them get a feel for the techniques, equipment and approaches used in those professions. Ms Philbin said giving children an insight into the ways that innovation and advances occur was important because an increasing proportion of jobs revolved around competence in science, technology and maths. It's hard to think of anyone in the last 30 years who has had quite such an impact on enthusing people - and in particular young people - about technology as Maggie Philbin. People of my generation will remember her as the woman who introduced us to everything from sat-nav to digital cameras on Tomorrow's World. But today she is doing amazing work to get teenagers thinking about learning technology skills through her TeenTech organisation. Having once acted as a judge at the TeenTech Awards, I can testify to Maggie's inspirational qualities, both in showing young people that technology is about creativity as well as consumption, and in persuading companies to back her vision. Other technology figures recognised in the New Years Honours list include:

Summary: TV presenter Maggie Philbin has been appointed OBE in the New Year Honours list.


Seema Malhotra formally complained to Commons Speaker John Bercow, saying the "privacy, security and confidentiality" of her MP's office had been violated. She also said her staff had felt "harassed, intimidated and insecure". A spokesman for Mr Corbyn said an aide had been checking when the office would be vacated, and denied intimidation. Ms Malhotra resigned as shadow chief secretary to the Treasury last month in protest at Mr Corbyn's leadership and is now backing leadership challenger Owen Smith. In a statement, Ms Malhotra said staff working for Mr Corbyn and shadow chancellor John McDonnell had gained "unauthorised entry into my office in parliament". The MP for Feltham and Heston described several incidents when people from the leader's office used digital keys to open the office door. "The implications of this are extremely serious," she said. "This is a breach of parliamentary privilege and is a violation of the privacy, security and confidentiality of a member of parliament's office. "Furthermore, my staff, including an intern, who have always been courteous and open, have felt harassed, intimidated and insecure and decided themselves it would be best to not leave anyone alone in the office." She has complained to Mr Bercow and to Mr Corbyn and called for a formal investigation. A spokesman for Mr Corbyn said accusations Karie Murphy - the Labour leader's office manager - had intimidated anyone were "untrue". He said Ms Murphy had been checking to see if the office had been vacated by Ms Malhotra following her resignation. "As an office manager on the leader of the opposition's floor, Karie has a key to open all offices. She accessed the office in question to confirm when it would be vacated. "It is a month since Seema Malhotra resigned as shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, and the office is intended for the person holding that position." BBC political correspondent Carol Walker said the incident was "another extraordinary twist in Labour's increasingly bitter internal battle". The complaint comes after more than 40 female Labour MPs wrote to Mr Corbyn saying he had failed to do enough to prevent "disgusting" threats against members. The group of female MPs - including former shadow ministers Heidi Alexander, Paula Sherriff and Kerry McCarthy - say intimidation has been carried out in Mr Corbyn's name. Speaking on Saturday, Mr Corbyn condemned abuse among members, saying "it has no place in our party". He said: "I don't do personal abuse, I don't respond to personal abuse, I condemn any abuse from others." Meanwhile, leadership rival Mr Smith said his wife, Liz, had been a victim of online abuse and claimed there was now a level of abuse, anti-Semitism and misogyny in Labour that was not there before Mr Corbyn became leader. "My wife stood recently for a community councillor position in the village where we live in South Wales and was subject to a torrent of online abuse. It's a community council position." He added: "I think it's just absolutely unacceptable." Mr Corbyn is facing a challenge from the former shadow work and pensions secretary, after

Summary: A former Labour shadow cabinet minister has accused an aide to leader Jeremy Corbyn of entering her parliamentary office without permission.


Last year Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service attended 37 incidents, compared with 16 in 2014 /2015. The service is now carrying out special training sessions using a 28 stone (179kg) dummy. Figures obtained by the BBC show a rise in "bariatric rescues" from four assistance requests in 2011/12. More on this and other Lincolnshire stories. The type of rescues logged by the fire service included removing bedroom doors and banisters, to using lifting equipment to help patients from their homes into ambulances. Spencer Creek, technical response manger for the service said that more than 60 firefighters had taken the specialist training course. "What we are looking at now is how the guys practically deal with the weight of the casualty," he said. "And how do we deal with it in a number of different scenarios." As well as the training, the service has invested in specialist equipment including, inflatable chairs and strengthened stretchers at the cost of Â£3,000 per fire engine. East Midlands Ambulance Service has equipped all its ambulances with stretchers capable of holding patients weighing up to 30 stones (190kg).

Summary: Firefighters in Lincolnshire have seen a doubling in the number of calls to assist the ambulance service treat obese people in one year.


Media playback is not supported on this device After Wales had brought Ireland's 10-Test winning streak to an end in a brutal meeting in Cardiff, an enterprising England team finally got the job done against Scotland at Twickenham. France's win over Italy in Rome was far less entertaining, but it leaves four teams with at least a mathematical chance of lifting the trophy. Moment of the weekend: Just before we went to air on BBC One in Rome this weekend, the weather was so wet that presenter John Inverdale had to ask for a hairdryer to restore his locks to their television best. I think the rest of us enjoyed that. Media playback is not supported on this device Try of the weekend: France have not scored many tries this year, but Yoann Maestri's score was superb. Scott Spedding's break from deep was brilliant, the support from the French forwards came thick and fast and it was a great line and pass from Yoann Huget to put the second row in at the corner. Player of the weekend: Lock Luke Charteris, whose 31 tackles in an outstanding defensive display by Wales set a Six Nations record. Wales as a team made a Six Nations record 250 tackles (beating the 208 mark set by Italy last year). With England, Ireland and Wales level coming into the final weekend, points difference is going to prove crucial. If Stuart Lancaster's side had finished just some of the raft of clear opportunities they created against Scotland, they would be comfortably ahead on that score. As it is, they squandered most of those chances and are only four points better off than Ireland. It was disappointing that Jack Nowell, Luther Burrell and Tom Youngs all made clean breaks and then failed to give a scoring pass. You have to be smart in that situation. Unless you are much faster than the opposition - like Gloucester's Johnny May or South Africa wing Bryan Habana - or have got the size of All Black wing Julian Savea, then you have to think about buying time to find support, like Spedding did for Maestri's try against Italy. The England boys didn't look like rugby players in those situations. But I am not going to be too critical - I remember doing exactly the same against France at the Parc des Princes in the early 1990s. I made a break and got tackled, and afterwards wing Rory Underwood told me he was right on my shoulder waiting for a pass. I just didn't believe him, but when I watched the match back afterwards, I saw him there, perfectly placed just as he said. Media playback is not supported on this device I don't think I did it again! It is difficult to weigh up all the options in a couple of seconds, but it is partly experience. If you are a good player you may mess it up once, but you won't do it twice. One player who is looking completely at home in international rugby is George Ford. He has

Summary: A largely superb weekend of rugby sets up a cliff-hanger of a conclusion to this season's Six Nations.


But after an amazing Northern Ireland Assembly election result in the constituency in March, Sinn Féin can see the summit. The party began 155 votes behind the SDLP on the previous assembly poll result of May 2016. They emerged 6,650 votes ahead. That is why many believe Chris Hazzard, one of Sinn Féin's two candidates in that election, is set to become the party's first MP for South Down. But there is a caveat - or two. Firstly, the SDLP's Margaret Ritchie easily beat Mr Hazzard in the 2015 general election - the margin was 5,891 votes. And, of course, there is the old claim that in Westminster elections many unionists lend their votes to the SDLP to ensure Sinn Féin is defeated. Right? Well, maybe not this time. According to Paul Smyington, the editor of the Down Recorder newspaper, unionists who were spooked by the surge for Sinn Féin in March are telling voters on the doorsteps to "vote for the union". He claims that could have an "important impact on this election". Not that Ms Ritchie appeared bothered about the unionist factor two years ago. In her victory speech, she told her supporters: "Let us be very clear that the SDLP vote increased and that we have a solid majority now in South Down without any votes being lent to us. "So, let's lose that myth now." That claim is about to be put to the test. Asked about the forthcoming election, the outgoing SDLP MP chose her words carefully. "I, as an MP who has served for the last seven years, have been an MP for all of the constituents in South Down, representing them on a wide range of issues," she said. "Every vote is valued for me and I look forward to many, many people right across the constituency - irrespective of political affiliations - voting for Margaret Ritchie on 8 June. "They will get an MP who will represent them both here in the constituency and at Westminster 24-7, 365 days per year." Sinn Féin has been putting a massive effort into the constituency. About 400 people, including the party president Gerry Adams, attended Mr Hazzard's campaign launch in Newcastle. "When the results were coming in in March more people joined Sinn Féin in the six hours during the count than had previously joined in the previous six months in South Down," said Mr Hazzard. "There's an appetite now for Sinn Féin that is growing year-on-year. "We have canvas teams out in nearly every village and town every night and certainly the message coming back is positive. "People see the work that we are doing, the leadership that we are giving and they're coming on board." The largest unionist party, the Democratic Unionist Party, is not represented this time by the well-known Jim Wells but by a first-timer, 32-year-old accountant Diane Forsythe. She said the election in March was a wake-up call for unionists. "There's definitely that strong feeling that I'm getting on the doors that people are wanting to come out and put their pro-union

Summary: For three decades the chances of toppling the SDLP in South Down have been about as strong as the prospect of anyone scaling the Mourne mountains barefoot.


Laurent Blanc's side failed to win for only the second time in 22 games. Paris were without top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic and rested a number of other players ahead of their midweek Champions League tie with Chelsea. They lacked a cutting edge as Lille became the second team to avoid a league defeat in Paris this season.

Summary: Paris St-Germain saw their 16-match winning run end in a 0-0 draw with struggling Lille but still remain unbeaten in Ligue 1 this season.


The 29-year-old led Sarries to the Premiership and European Champions Cup titles last season while Hargreaves was sidelined through injury. Barritt has made 171 appearances since joining Saracens in 2008 and has won 26 international caps for England. Director of rugby Mark McCall said Barritt had shown "exceptional leadership qualities". The Ulsterman continued: "He is ideally qualified to be our captain. "Brad is someone who leads through example - through his actions, attitude and application. He is one of the most competitive players I have ever come across. "He stepped in to the captaincy role last season in Alistair's absence with real aplomb." Saracens begin their defence of the Premiership title against Worcester on Saturday, 3 September while the north London side have been drawn to face Toulon, Sale and Scarlets in the pool stage of the Champions Cup.

Summary: Double winners Saracens have appointed centre Brad Barritt as captain, replacing Alistair Hargreaves.


Marian Fields had an aggressive and very rare form of skin cancer, which left her with large, open wounds around her backbone following multiple operations and radiation treatments. She was beginning to lose all hope of recovery after plastic surgeons in the US refused to take on her case because of the size of the wound. But her identical twin sister Mary Jane provided the solution. "There was never a moment of hesitation when the option to donate skin and tissue was a possibility," Mary Jane said. "I had what she needed. We are two bodies with one soul. She is my other self." Dr Jesse Selber, a plastic surgeon from the MD Anderson Cancer Centre at the University of Texas, who had previously performed the first skull-scalp transplant, said the surgery was "incredibly challenging and complex". His team of five plastic surgeons removed skin, tissue and blood vessels from Mary Jane's abdomen and transplanted it to Marian's back, connecting eight different arteries and veins under a microscope during surgery. The hole in Marian's back was 21.5in by 8.5in (55cm x 22 cm), making it one of the largest tissue transplantations on record. By donating skin to her sister, Mary Jane - in effect - got a giant tummy tuck. Having an identical twin made the transplantation process more likely to succeed for Marian because no suppression of her immune system was required - but there were still huge risks. Surgeons said they were concerned about the donated skin being rejected and the possibility of the cancer recurring. Although the tumour in Marian's back was very aggressive, it was not a type that spreads to other parts of the body so receiving her sister's skin and tissue was a perfect fix. Dr Selber said: "Marian's wound was impossibly large - without her genetically identical sister, we would not have had enough tissue to reconstruct it." The surgery took 14 hours and involved "extensive resection through skin, muscle and bone", followed by "hours of meticulous microvascular work". This involved re-connecting countless veins and arteries. The surgery was meticulously planned beforehand - and it paid off, according to Dr Selber. "It went quite beautifully," he said. Before the transplant surgery, Marian was in horrible pain. She couldn't lie on her back or sit up in a chair properly. One month on from the surgery, the twins have been discharged, the stitches have been removed and they have returned home. Marian says: "I'm looking forward to getting back to work, driving, running and sitting comfortably. "I've never been sick before 2012 and am ready to get back to life."

Summary: The 66-year-old Fields twins, from Missouri, have lived together all their lives - now they are even closer after sharing their skin.


Reading played the last 10 minutes with 10 men after Paul McShane saw red for a dangerous tackle on Kevin McDonald. After a goalless first half, Reading took the lead when Jordan Obita drilled in off the inside of the post. Tom Cairney headed Fulham's leveller from close in after Ali Al-Habsi failed to hold on to Scott Malone's drive. Ryan Fredericks went close to a stoppage-time winner for Fulham but his shot across goal went just wide after a run down the right. The two sides will meet again in the return leg at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday. With the first leg drawn, both sides stretched their impressive unbeaten runs which secured their respective places in the play-offs. Reading will hope a home record of just two league defeats all season will prove a good omen in Berkshire in the return leg, while Fulham will hope to avenge a 1-0 defeat back in January. In a tempestuous and rowdy affair in west London, referee Stuart Attwell had a task on his hands to keep a lid on emotions both on and off the pitch. Reading's goal was perhaps a touch fortunate when an apparent foul by McShane on Stefan Johansen went unpunished and Obita was on hand to finish as the space opened up for the visitors. As well as McShane's red card, four yellow cards were produced as the sides, who finished sixth and third respectively in the regular season, looked to gain the ascendancy. Despite the at times overly physical challenges, Attwell showed his composure to ensure McShane's reckless challenge was the only significant punishment for either side. Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic: "We cannot be completely satisfied with what happens in the game. But I was expecting a tough game and I believed in ourselves to win the game, but the result is what it is. "Everything is set up for the return on Tuesday and it's open. "The red card is very clear and I believe it's very clear. It looked a clear free-kick for their goal as there was a touch with the hand too but it's a physical and very complicated game and sometimes referees can make mistakes. "But we must be ready, we must be better for what's going to come on Tuesday. "We showed we weren't scared after their goal, they didn't give us a lot of space but we found more in the second half. We had many chances but we weren't clinical enough. We must be strong and believe in ourselves for the return leg." Reading manager Jaap Stam: "We can still win a game without Paul McShane, he's been very important to us throughout the season but we have options and we're very confident that we can still do well. "I'm not going to say who does or doesn't have the advantage for the second leg. We know what we can do and what we can bring as a side and you've seen that today. "Home advantage doesn't guarantee you a win, you still have to work very hard and

Summary: Fulham and Reading could not be separated as their Championship play-off semi-final first leg finished all square in a fiery encounter.


Josh Meekings, 23, denies causing offences aggravated by sexual orientation prejudice in an Inverness street on 20 December last year. He was arrested by police officers who heard the Inverness Caledonian Thistle defender's remark to an unidentified man, Inverness Sheriff Court heard. Sentence was deferred on Meekings for six months for good behaviour. The incident in Inverness city centre came after Inverness drew 2-2 with Dundee United. Defence lawyer John MacColl told the court that his client had offered a guilty plea admitting to a confrontation with police. The court heard that officers saw Meekings "gesticulating aggressively" towards a man and tried to move the player away. The officers then heard footballer's offensive remark. Mr McColl said of his client's behaviour: "It was conduct in the face of deliberate baiting and vile racist abuse directed at him. His was a spontaneous remark said in the heat of the moment." Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood told Meekings: "If there is no repeat of this nonsense, then it is open to the court to grant you an absolute discharge which will mean you will not have a criminal record." If Meekings has not committed any further offences, he was told he did not have to re-appear in court personally on 4 May next year.

Summary: A footballer shouted homophobic abuse at a man who had made a racist comment to him, a court has heard.


The state's Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) said it wanted to better protect consumers, and prevent money-laundering. It comes as a top Bitcoin exchange, Mt Gox, filed for bankruptcy last month. Bitcoins have been gaining in popularity recently, but they are not governed by any financial regulator. "The fact is that virtual currencies are unlikely to disappear entirely," said Benjamin Lawsky, New York's superintendent of financial services. "As such, turning a blind eye and failing to put in place guardrails for virtual currency firms while consumers use that product is simply not a tenable strategy for regulators." The lack of any regulatory control or oversight of Bitcoins has triggered concerns on various fronts. It is difficult to trace transactions carried out using Bitcoins - one of the factors behind their popularity - and the currency has been linked to illegal activity online. Bitcoins are also seen by some as a route for tax evasion and money laundering. Russia has declared transactions using the digital currency illegal, China has banned its banks from handling Bitcoin trades, and there have been calls for the US to do the same. Singapore has imposed a tax on Bitcoin trading and using it to pay for services, after classifying it as goods, rather than a currency. Earlier this month, the Japanese government also said Bitcoin is not a currency and that some transactions using the virtual unit should be taxed. The collapse of Mt Gox has only added to the concerns. The firm filed for bankruptcy in Japan in February after losing about $473m (Â£284m) worth of customers' bitcoins to what it says was a hacking attack. "The recent problems at Mt Gox and other firms further demonstrate the urgent need for stronger oversight of virtual currency exchanges," said Mr Lawsky. "Consumers should understand and receive appropriate disclosures about the potential risks associated with using virtual currencies or any other financial product."

Summary: New York's financial regulator has called on firms to submit proposals to set up "regulated" exchanges for digital currencies like Bitcoin.


Mr Justice Mostyn said the game could be said to be a legitimate sport under English law. He has granted the Aylesbury-based English Bridge Union permission for a full judicial review of its status. Sport England has refused to recognise the game and said it was no more a sporting activity than "sitting at home, reading a book". Mr Justice Mostyn, who said he played Bridge on social occasions, heard a claim the game ought to be recognised as a "mind sport" that exercises the "brain muscle". Kate Gallofent QC, for Sport England, said the definition of a qualifying sport was an "activity aimed at improving physical fitness and well being, forming social relations and gaining results in competition". That definition is based on a European Sports Charter promoting "a common European definition of sport". However, the judge was told other EU countries, including the Netherlands, Ireland and Poland, "recognise Bridge as a sport". Miss Gallofent insisted: "The starting point of the definition of sport is physical activity. Bridge cannot ever satisfy this definition." Mr Justice Mostyn told her: "If the brain is a muscle, it does. "You are doing more physical activity playing Bridge, with all that dealing and playing, than in rifle shooting. "In 1999, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognised that Bridge and Chess should be recognised as mind sports." The judge granted the union permission to mount a full judicial review challenge to Sport England. Contract Bridge is a complex game played by millions of people across the world in competitions and at social events. All the cards are dealt from a normal 52 card deck for each game. Two players from each of two teams sit opposite each other across a table and through a bidding process (auction) agree to win a number of tricks. Suits are ranked upwards - clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades and no trumps. If they achieve the number of tricks agreed at auction they win the game but if not they lose. The team with the highest number of games takes the rubber. These are the simple basic rules. At higher levels, the game includes bonus points, complex dealing and other laws.

Summary: The card game Bridge is "arguably" a sport and could qualify for lottery funding, a High Court judge has found.


The baton contains the Queen's hand-written message to the Commonwealth and will visit all 70 competing nations and territories over the next 288 days. It will travel to Scotland on Thursday before heading to India for its first international stopover on 11 October. The baton's journey will end at the opening ceremony on 23 July 2014, when the Queen will read the message inside. The empty baton was escorted to Buckingham Palace by pipers and cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, a six-time Olympic Gold and double Commonwealth Gold medallist. During the launch ceremony, the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, Prince Imran of Malaysia, said the relay had power and meaning. "The relay unites two billion citizens of the Commonwealth in a celebration of sport, diversity and peace," he said. "It will also bring the 70 nations and territories of the Commonwealth together. "Every time the baton is passed it will cement the Commonwealth friendship and reinforce the ways in which we are connected." The ceremony also heard from Lord Smith of Kelvin, chairman of games organiser Glasgow 2014. Q&A: What is the Queen's baton relay? He said: "The spirit of friendship that will be displayed as the baton is passed from hand to hand reflects the warm welcome that nations and territories of the Commonwealth can expect when they come to Glasgow and to Scotland next summer. "This is a historic moment for Glasgow 2014. We will treasure it and we look forward to following closely the Queen's baton relay on its momentous journey." Following the speeches, the Queen placed the hand-written scroll, which contains her message to the Commonwealth, inside the baton. It was then sealed for its journey of more than 190,000km through Commonwealth territories in Asia, Oceania, Africa, North and South America and the Caribbean. The first baton bearer was Alan Wells, the Scottish sprinter who won gold in the men's 100m at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. He said: "As the final runner of the Queen's Baton Relay (QBR) at the last Commonwealth Games on Scottish soil in Edinburgh in 1986, the baton and what it symbolises is incredibly special for me. "It is a real honour for me to now be named as the first baton-bearer for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games." Wells handed the baton on to Scottish swimmer Caitlin McLatchey, who won two gold medals at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. A short relay then took place up and down The Mall involving Scottish athletes Cara Kennedy (artistic gymnast), Morgan McKinnon (triple jump) and Ruairi Kirkwood (swimming). Other participants included Izzy Conway, a volunteer or Clydesider at the games, Aamir Meymood, the 13-year-old Shawlands Academy pupil who designed the Glasgow 2014 tartan, games ambassador Julie McIlroy and 12-year-old Beth Gilmour, who will be accompanied by games mascot Clyde, whom she designed. Glasgow 2014: Queen's Baton Relay route Those attending the ceremony included Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond. He said: "The start of the Queen's Baton Relay, with two of Scotland's greatest-ever athletes, is another step towards what will be a momentous year for Scotland. "2014

Summary: The Queen's Baton Relay - heralding the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow - has been launched at Buckingham Palace.


So what exactly is the problem, and how serious is it? By UK standards, air pollution levels are high. The Department of the Environment measures outdoor air pollution on a one-to-10 scale. Parts of north-west Norfolk hit level 10 on Tuesday. On Wednesday, levels were recorded at seven - meaning high - in towns and cities in East Anglia and rural parts of south-east England. Pollution levels of five were reached in London, the Midlands and Yorkshire and Humberside. The tipping point seems to have been dust from storms in the Sahara. Normally it settles in the countries of southern Europe - Spain, Malta and Greece, for example. However, winds from the south and east have brought the dust to the UK, along with industrial pollution from Europe. And because those weather conditions are stable and not changing, those particles are not being dispersed. But that is only part of the problem. Most air pollution in the UK comes from road transport and residential emissions. Leaving aside the Sahara dust, the pollution is made up of various substances, including nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and ammonia. These form particles in the atmosphere. The two most common measurements are particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometres or less, known as PM2.5; and larger particles measuring 10 micrometres, known as PM10. The World Health Organization (WHO) uses PM10 levels to measure pollution, expressed in micrograms per cubic metre. It recommends mean exposure over 24 hours to PM2.5 of no more than 10 micrograms/m3, and to PM10 of no more than 25. PM2.5 particles are thought to be particularly damaging because they are so small, they can penetrate into the deepest parts of the lungs. WHO air quality guidelines Why is the UK doing so badly? Last month, the EU announced it was taking legal action against the UK because it was persistently over the safe limit for air pollution - in particular, levels of nitrogen dioxide. But the UK is not alone - most EU countries struggle to meet the targets, says Martin Adams of the European Environment Agency. In fact, the EU is currently taking action against 17 out of 28 member states with serious air quality problems. EU standards make allowances for natural sources of air pollution, including Saharan dust for Spain and ozone for coastal countries such as the UK. Frank Kelly, professor of Environmental Health at King's College London, puts the blame for the UK's pollution woes squarely on the shift to diesel vehicles over the past 10 years. Six out of 10 cars sold today in the UK are diesels, and these produce a lot of nitrogen dioxide, he says. King's College London air quality monitoring project (London only) In all, the WHO says air pollution is responsible for seven million premature deaths a year around the world. That includes indoor as well as outdoor pollution - typically, smoke from cooking stoves in developing countries. About 80% of deaths related to outdoor pollution are linked to heart disease and strokes, while 14% are due to lung or respiratory diseases, and 6% to

Summary: Health warnings have been issued for parts of England, as air pollution reaches high levels.


A species of midge was able to release large volumes of nutrients into the soil, changing the way native species had lived and evolved, a UK team found. They added the species was well-suited to thrive in the extreme conditions. Details of the research were presented at the British Ecological Society's annual meeting in Birmingham. A team from the British Antarctic Survey said the invasive species, the non-biting midge Eretmoptera murphyi, effectively removed one of the brakes on the way that the native community had developed. "In terms of function, their job is litter turnover - they help things decay in the soil - and the population density of this thing in the area where it has been introduced is responsible for more litter turnover than the community that was already there," explained co-presenter of the research Peter Convey, of the British Antarctic Survey. "So basically it is bringing a function into an ecosystem that is not very active already. In principle, it can be a fundamental change in the way that ecosystem works." Speaking to BBC News before the presentation, Prof Convey warned: "If you widen [this issue] beyond this particular species then probably the biggest risk is that we could drive locally or generally extinct some of the unique species that already exist in part of the Antarctic." He said that in a different project, the team had been looking at the tiny flies' evolution. "Its native home is sub-Antarctica in South Georgia, and it has been on [the island] for several tens of millions of years. "South Georgia is its own tectonic plate that has been moving away from South America for 30 or 40 million years. "The Antarctic peninsula is another tectonic plate of a similar sort, and there are things on there that have got a similar multi-million, if not multi-tens of million-year histories." But Prof Convey explained that just because the two areas were located in a similar region, it did not mean the transfer of species between them did not have lasting consequences. "You are looking at almost distinct bio-geographic regions, which have got their own distinct biodiversity. "So if you transfer things between them - you have things like this fly that is pre-adapted - you also bring potentially new functions into the ecosystem." The threat of introducing a growing number of invasive species into the Antarctic's long-isolated ecosystems is increasing; the team highlighted that about 5,000 scientific staff and 30,000 tourists were visiting the continent each year. Prof Convey said: "When people visit the Antarctic - whether that be tourists or people like me - we stop in the sub-Antarctic first, then we go on. So the biggest perceived risk at the moment is that people get a lot of mud on their boots, and then two days later you are in the South Orkney Islands, mud drops off boots - so the things are able to colonise the area. "And then another day later, the ship reaches Elephant Island, which is at the tip of Antarctic peninsula, and then another day later

Summary: An invasive species has the potential to drastically alter Antarctic ecosystems that have been isolated for millions of years, research suggests.


Tuilagi missed the 19-18 Premiership win at Gloucester with a "hamstring tweak" just a fortnight after returning from a long-term groin injury. He is unlikely to return until Tigers' trip to Newcastle on 12 February. "Results normally polarise decision making," Cockerill said. "It depends on how England go up at Murrayfield against Scotland next weekend really. They might not need him. "If they don't get the result up there, then they might want him back sooner, rather than later." Tuilagi was just three games into his comeback after 15 months out of the game - but new England head coach Eddie Jones is keen to bring back the 24-year-old, who has not played Test rugby since June 2014. "He probably won't play next week [the Tigers' Premiership game against Sale] and will probably come into it for Newcastle the week after," Cockerill told BBC Radio Leicester. "If he is playing and back fit, then it is up to Eddie. Manu's groin is great. Now it is a case of keeping the rest of his body intact as well. "Fifteen months out of the game is a long time. We are trying to manage that and integrate him back in as sensibly as possible. "His hamstring was a bit tight after the Stade Francais game last weekend. He had it scanned on Monday and there was the tiniest of strains there. It is nothing serious."

Summary: Leicester Tigers boss Richard Cockerill says that England centre Manu Tuilagi's latest injury is "nothing serious" - and that he could still figure in this year's Six Nations.


The body of Ananda Gopal Ganguly, 70, was found in a field near his temple in western Jhenaidah district. His head had been nearly severed from his neck. Separately, police have killed three suspected Islamists in a crackdown on extremists blamed for the murders. Critics say the government is in denial about the killings, most of which have been blamed on or claimed by Islamists. Two alleged members of the banned Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) were shot dead in Dhaka when police raided a home in the city - police said unidentified gunmen opened fire on them. A third - said to have been linked to a recent bombing of an Ahmadiya mosque - was killed in western Rashahi district. Who is behind the Bangladesh killings? Is extremism on the rise in Bangladesh? Lurching from secularism to sectarian terror? Ananda Gopal Ganguly is the third person to be killed in such an attack in the past two days. "He left home this morning saying that he was going to a Hindu house to offer prayers," deputy police chief Gopinath Kanjilal told AFP news agency. "Later, farmers found his near-decapitated body in a rice field." The Middle East-based Islamic State militant group says it carried out the killing, but a government spokesman told the BBC that all the recent attacks were the work of domestic extremists. On Sunday the wife of a senior police officer investigating the attacks and a Christian businessman were killed. Police say more than 40 people have been killed since January last year in the wave of attacks on those seen by extremists as offensive to Islam. The government insists that Islamic State does not have a presence in Bangladesh and has tended to blame the opposition and local militant groups. Critics have accused the government of failing to properly address the violence in Bangladesh. The grim list of those who have fallen victim to attacks by Islamist militants in Bangladesh is growing ever more diverse. Secular bloggers, academics, gay rights activists, and members of religious minorities including Shia, Sufi and Ahmadi Muslims, Christians and Hindus have all been killed, many of them hacked to death. A university professor whose family said he was not an atheist was murdered in April, suggesting the list of those at risk had widened further. Who exactly is behind the attacks remains murky. Bangladesh has myriad extremist groups and there have been few convictions over the attacks. Bangladesh has disputed claims by so-called Islamic State (IS) or al-Qaeda-linked groups for the attacks, instead often blaming opposition parties or local Islamist groups. But until the killings stop the government itself will face accusations of not doing enough to protect minorities in the Sunni-dominated nation.

Summary: A Hindu priest has been killed in Bangladesh, in the latest attack by Islamist militants.