She poked home the opening goal from a tight angle before Jill Scott doubled City's advantage with a header. Ross completed her brace before Georgia Stanway made it 4-0 at the break. Steph Houghton's foul on Rachel Williams in the box allowed Jess Clarke to pull one back from the spot, only for Isobel Christiansen to add a fifth. After Christiansen netted with a half-volley from 25 yards, the visitors went close to another when Tessel Middag saw her chip come back off the crossbar in the last of 11 minutes of injury time. Both sides lost players to injury, as City defender Abbie McManus was stretchered off with an ankle problem and County's Fern Whelan left the field in a neck brace after a collision with Nikita Parris. The Magpies defender was quickly cleared of serious injury. Victory ensured City maintained a one-point lead at the WSL 1 summit, with Chelsea - who have played a game more than the Sky Blues - temporarily going top earlier on Sunday following a 4-0 win over bottom side Doncaster. Defeat left Notts sixth in the table with eight points from nine games. Nott County Ladies manager Rick Passmoor: "We lost it in the first half, when you come to Meadow Lane you expect to face intensity, but we let Manchester City take the game by the scruff of the neck. "We're disappointed and it's frustrating that the intensity we showed at the start of the second half wasn't there from the start. "Today was not to our standard, we recognise other teams have stronger teams, but they usually have to come here and fight. Today, City didn't have to do that." Manchester City Women striker Jane Ross: "We're very happy, it's always difficult to come here, but getting that early goal really settled us and we were able to go on from there. "We performed really well in the first half, we were clinical with the chances we created and we worked on that. We went out with a game plan and executed it well." Notts County Ladies: Walsh; Buet, Bassett, F Whelan (Krantz 71), Turner; Moore, Potter, Crichton (Luik 78); White, Williams (A Whelan 78), Clarke. Substitutes not used: James, Hassall. Manchester City Women: Bardsley; Bronze, Houghton, McManus (Stokes 63), Campbell; Walsh, Scott, Christiansen (Middag 78); Parris, Ross, Stanway (Duggan 84). Substitutes not used: Hourihan, Corboz, Tynan, Toone. Attendance: 1,627 Referee: Rebecca Welch Match ends, Notts County Ladies 1, Manchester City Women 5. Second Half ends, Notts County Ladies 1, Manchester City Women 5. Tessel Middag (Manchester City Women) hits the bar with a right footed shot from the centre of the box. Offside, Manchester City Women. Megan Campbell tries a through ball, but Nikita Parris is caught offside. Attempt missed. Jill Scott (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Jane Ross. Foul by Tessel Middag (Manchester City Women). Jade Moore (Notts County Ladies) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Lucy Bronze (Manchester City Women) is shown the

Summary: Jane Ross scored two first-half goals as Manchester City inflicted Notts County's heaviest defeat to stay top of the Women's Super League One table.


Why? Because of compound interest. When you save money, it earns interest. The lump sum grows from interest being added every year or every month. Interest added on top of that interest is known as "compound interest" - and means that the longer you save, the better off you are. So people who leave it late - like Dave in the example above - have compounded their financial problems when it comes to cashing in their savings. But it is worth remembering that pensions usually depend on the success of investments which, unlike savings, do not guarantee a set level of interest.

Summary: Saving a small amount of money regularly from when you start work will leave you better off than saving a bigger amount in later life.


Thousands of fans headed for the exits after 74 minutes - the club was formed in 1874 - in protest at the team's plight and owner Randy Lerner. "I am concentrating on my job," said Frenchman Garde, whose side are bottom of the table, eight points from safety. "I don't have any comments about the fans. It's something very deep, very old. My job is difficult enough." Villa fans have directed a lot of anger towards American Lerner, who bought the West Midlands club in 2006. They are upset at the lack of investment and the decision-making at the club, but the players have also been criticised for a perceived lack of desire. Aston Villa fan Mark Bricknell, one of the organisers of the protest, told BBC Radio 5 live: "This has been coming for six years. "We can't say we're happy to be having to do this. "The club have failed to halt what supporters have seen coming and it's down to total incompetence from the owner." BBC Radio 5 live football reporter Pat Murphy, who has been covering Villa for more than four decades, added: "The mood is turning ugly. "I remember the demonstrations against Doug Ellis, but he must seem a great chairman in retrospect. "This is the worst team I've seen in 41 years of reporting on Villa." A crowd of 29,755 were at Villa Park on Tuesday to watch the loss to Everton, Villa's 18th league defeat of the season. In the top flight since 1988, Villa have won just three of their 28 league games so far this season and have only 16 points. They are not mathematically down yet but face fourth-placed Manchester City and Tottenham - who will go top of the table with a win at West Ham on Wednesday - in their next two games. Garde, appointed at the start of November, still believes Villa can retain their Premier League status but admits the situation is "getting more difficult". "We have to stick together," said the 49-year-old former Lyon boss. "If not, we have no chance." If Villa do go down, Joey Barton - who has been relegated from the Premier League with both Newcastle and QPR - thinks they could struggle in the second tier. "I feel sorry for manager Remi Garde as the ship had massive holes in it when he took over," the Burnley midfielder, whose are top of the Championship, told BBC Radio 5 live. "It is not a team equipped for Championship football. The Villa fans are showing discontent and you can't blame them. "Randy Lerner and the board - I've called them muppets before - and nothing has changed. "If you don't spend in January and say that you are going to prepare for life in the Championship, then why not start playing some kids from the academy? "At least they'll show some passion." Watch Match of the Day on Wednesday on BBC One and online - 22:45-00:15 in England, 23:45-01:15 in Scotland & NI; 23:20-00:50 in Wales.

Summary: Aston Villa manager Remi Garde refused to criticise supporters for walking out during the 3-1 home defeat by Everton.


Many commentators condemn the police action against the Zaman newspaper and Samanyolu TV channel as a clampdown on press freedom. Both are described as being close to Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, the spiritual leader of the Hizmet movement, whom Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accuses of running a "parallel state". Pro-government newspapers, however, defend the authorities' action. "Hitler also started like this," says opposition leftist daily Taraf. "A strike against democracy," exclaims pro-Gulen newspaper Bugun. "A raid meant to silence," declares Cumhuriyet. A commentary in the secular daily states that the administration led by President Erdogan "doesn't like anything that is associated with freedom of the press". "It is indisputable that this operation is aimed at strengthening RTE's [Recep Tayyip Erdogan's] authoritarianism and dictatorship," says the article. "Opposing the raid against Zaman and Samanyolu TV and the detentions does not mean defending their [the Gulen community's] opinions, beliefs and activities. What is at stake here is the freedom of press," argues centre-left daily Radikal. Zaman, the moderate, pro-Islamic and pro-Gulen daily whose editor in-chief Ekrem Dumanli was detained by the police, has replaced its blue and white masthead with black lettering. "Dark day for democracy," says the paper's headline. Zaman also runs an article by Mr Dumanli in which he condemns those "who want to turn the country into a spy state and a republic of fear, and want to govern it as if it was their own private fiefdom". "We have a duty to make sure this won't be the case," writes the arrested journalist. Turkish TV also aired criticism of the arrests. Privately-owned NTV and CNN-Turk showed footage of protesters in front of Zaman's headquarters in Istanbul, holding posters saying, ''We all need free press'' and ''Free media cannot be silenced." CNN Turk and NTV broadcast critical statements from Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). He condemned the police action as a "coup". Mr Kilicdaroglu was also seen on state TRT Haber TV saying that ''if this country's media are not free, then the people will not be free either''. Pro-government media have largely expressed strong support for the arrests. All the participants in a studio discussion on pro-Erdogan Kanal 24 TV backed the actions of the authorities, with one of the guests warning that "this is only the beginning", and that new measures were imminent against a "large gang'' made up of subversive elements in the police, the courts, the media and business circles. "Those who see this as an issue of media freedom know pretty well where the real problem lies," argues pro-government Yeni Safak. The paper states that no journalist should use his position "as a cover for other thingsâ€¦[to] turn journalism into a weapon and make it an extension of the struggle for power". Referring to last year's corruption allegations against Mr Erdogan, which he says were part of a plot to topple him, pro-government Sabah also points out that "it is time for those who made hundreds of people suffer with fake evidence to account for what they did".

Summary: The arrest of more than 20 people, many of them from Turkey's media, has ignited a war of words between pro-government and opposition press and TV outlets.


She said, if the party was re-elected in May's Scottish Parliament election, it would introduce a more "progressive" local tax from April 2017. The reforms could see councils given a share of income tax revenues in an effort to give them an "incentive" to boost economic growth. Last year, a commission on reform called for a "more progressive" tax. The Commission on Local Tax Reform did not recommend a single alternative but it suggested there could be merit in combining a property-based levy with an element of income tax. The current council tax charges householders on the value of the property they live in. The rate it is charged at has been frozen by the Scottish government since 2007. Speaking at the David Hume Institute in Edinburgh, Ms Sturgeon said: "The report from the cross-party Commission on Local Tax Reform made clear that now is the time to reform local taxation. "The commission argued for measures which will make council tax more progressive, and which will give greater assistance to people on lower incomes. "So next week we will set out details of how we intend to achieve this from April 2017 onwards. "These changes will be part of a longer term plan to increase the accountability of local councils to the populations they serve." Discussions with local authorities are expected to determine how the Scottish Parliament can gain more power over income tax and local authorities can secure a share of income tax revenues for their area. Asked if councils should be given power over sales and tourism taxes, as recommended by the commission, Ms Sturgeon said priority would be given to the assignation of income tax and other council tax powers would be considered. "Scotland is a small country and I think it is right that we take steps to incentivise local authorities to boost economic growth in their own areas, but equally I think we have got to be careful about creating a postcode lottery in terms of tax rates in different local authority areas."

Summary: The SNP will set out details of its plans on council tax reform next week, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said.


The inaugural Nitro Athletics events take place in Melbourne next month, with six teams of 24 athletes taking part in non-traditional events such as middle-distance and hurdles relays. Nine-time Olympic champion Bolt, 30, will captain an 'all-stars' team. "We need brave, bold ideas that engage fans in events," said Coe. "Athletics is a global sport with a global following, but we need events that bring back the fun, the kids and the crowds and... add a different dimension to the record-setting events like the world championships. "Nitro Athletics is a great example of what can be done and what needs to be done to revolutionise how we present our sport and how our fans connect with the sport and the athletes." Bolt and his team-mates will compete against squads from Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand and England - the latter captained by 2008 Olympic 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu. The Nitro series will take place at Melbourne's Lakeside Stadium on 4, 9 and 11 February, and will build up to the World Championships in London in August, which is expected to be Bolt's final major competition.

Summary: A new athletics team event, headlined by Usain Bolt, could "revolutionise" the sport, according to World Athletics chief Lord Sebastian Coe.


Mr Adams was told there was a security issue when he attempted to attend the event in Washington DC on Tuesday night. He waited for about 80 minutes before deciding to leave. The US Secret Service said administrative errors were to blame. In a statement, it expressed its regret that the issue had not been resolved in a more "timely manner". "Unfortunately, an administrative input error received by the Secret Service was not able to be rectified promptly," the statement added. Mr Adams had been invited to the annual shamrock ceremony which was hosted by President Obama. He said he was subjected to "unacceptable and unprofessional" treatment. As he tried to check in to the event, he was told a security issue had arisen. His party colleagues, Martin McGuinness and Mary-Lou McDonald had already entered the celebrations. "He (Mr Adams) stood to one side and he waited around, he waited around and he waited for something like between 80 and 90 minutes," said BBC News NI economics editor, John Campbell, who is covering events in Washington. "By that stage I think people inside the room texted him to say President Obama had started speaking and at that point Gerry Adams decided that, well, he was going to leave. "He wasn't technically refused entry but he was left hanging around for the best part of an hour and a half and then decided it wasn't worth his while staying any more, so he left." Mr Adams said that he had been invited to the event and was "pleased to accept". "When I arrived the staff at the White House informed me there was an issue of 'security'," he said. "After two decades of travelling back and forth to the USA and countless meetings in the White House with successive US Presidents, this is an unacceptable development. "It is obvious that there remain some within the US administration who seek to treat Sinn Féin differently." Mr Adams added that Sinn Féin representatives had been denied entry or had to go through extra searches when travelling to the USA, while the State Department had also initially refused to meet him last year until "protest from US political leaders". "Sinn Féin will not sit at the back of the bus for anyone," he said. "I am hopeful that the controversy around my White House invitation will help lead to a resolution to all these matters." Mr Adams told the BBC that Sinn Féin representatives often face enhanced security checks but they normally do not "broadcast" it. He said what had happened was "bad manners and not a good way to treat guests". He said he had not been embarrassed by the incident, adding: "I just deal with this in a non-personal way." Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald said it was "ludicrous" for Mr Adams to be stopped at the White House for unspecified security reasons. The White House has not commented.

Summary: The American Secret Service has said it regrets delays which meant Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams did not attend a St Patrick's Day reception at the White House.


The Ocean's Eleven stars will premiere '50s-set crime comedy Suburbicon at the event, which Damon stars in and Clooney co-writes and directs. Damon will also be seen in festival opener Downsizing, directed by Alexander Payne. After premiering three major Academy Award winners in a row, Venice is seen as a good luck charm for the Oscars. Previous films to debut at the event include Birdman and Spotlight, which went on to win the Academy Award for best picture. Last year's opener La La Land was also named best picture - but only as the result of an envelope mix-up. In Suburbicon, Damon character tries to understand the dark mysteries of his seemingly peaceful town along with wife Margaret, played by Julianne Moore. In Downsizing, which also stars Kristen Wiig, Neil Patrick Harris and Jason Sudeikis, he plays a man who literally shrinks himself in search of a better life. Guillermo Del Toro will debut his other-worldly fairy-tale The Shape of Water. Set against the backdrop of America's Cold War era, it stars Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon and Octavia Spencer. Darren Aronofsky will also premiere his latest film Mother!, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem. The director said he was "excited" to be unveiling the horror film, which will also screen at Toronto. Chinese contemporary artist and activist Ai Weiwei will also be competing in the festival with his film Human Flow, a film about the global refugee crisis. Spanning 23 countries over the course of a year, the film focuses on both the scale of the crisis and its personal human impact. Weiwei said: "There is no refugee crisis, only a human crisis. The border is not at Lesbos, but really it is in our hearts and minds." Jane Fonda and Robert Redford will be celebrated with the Golden Lion lifetime achievement award at the festival. Netflix film Our Souls at Night, in which they both star, will be premiered out of competition. Alberto Barbera, the festival's artistic director, called Fonda "one of the great protagonists of contemporary international cinema" and Redford "a thoughtful, instinctive actor with a keen sense of detail." New to this year's festivities is Venice Virtual Reality, billed as the first competition for VR works at a major film festival. The 74th edition of the Venice Film Festival runs from 30 August to 5 September. Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.

Summary: George Clooney and Matt Damon are set to bring some Hollywood glitz to this year's Venice Film Festival.


The better-than-expected growth rate came after higher government spending helped to offset weakness in business investment and exports. Capital expenditure fell by 1.4% during the quarter, indicating that businesses remain reluctant to spend. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index fell slightly to 16,644.69. The broader Topix index ended up 0.2% at 1,338.38. Despite the better-than-expected GDP figure, analysts are concerned about the outlook for consumer spending, which accounts for about 60% of GDP. That could take a hit if Prime Minister Shinzo Abe moves to increase the country's sales tax to 10% from the current 8%. Japan's Nikkei newspaper reported this week that Mr Abe plans to postpone the move and will announce his decision after the G7 meeting later this month. Other stock markets in Asia were lower ahead of the release of the US central bank's meeting minutes later on Wednesday. Investors are looking for guidance on what and when the Federal Reserve's next move is going to be. Many investors are now predicting the Fed may raise interest rates at its June meeting following a recent run of positive economic data. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell 1.5% to close at 19,826.41 while the mainland Shanghai Composite dropped 1.3% to finish at 2,807.51. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index lost 0.7% to finish at 5,356.20, while South Korea's benchmark Kospi index fell 0.6% to close at 1,956.73.

Summary: Japanese stocks closed little changed after data showed the economy dodged a recession, growing at an annual pace of 1.7% in the first quarter of the year.


The service for the 74-year-old, who died earlier this month a few days after having a stroke, was held at St Peter's Church in Bournemouth. Stewart's broadcasting career spanned more than five decades. Fellow DJ Mike Read, actress and singer Anita Harris, and comedian Bobby Davro were among the congregation. Former snooker player John Virgo also attended. The service, which was led by the Reverend Dr Ian Terry, included the hymns Amazing Grace and Lord Of The Dance, as well as the song You'll Never Walk Alone. There was also a farewell address by the Grand Order of the Water Rats - an entertainment industry fraternity - of which Devon-born Stewart was a member. A private cremation followed the church service. Dr Terry said the service would "celebrate the life of somebody who just loved life". "It's a service of thanksgiving for Ed who, through the radio and through the television, gave enjoyment and fun," he added. Stewart started out as an announcer, film critic and rugby reporter with Radio Hong Kong. He was one of the first presenters on Radio 1 when it launched in 1967, and a Radio 2 presenter for 15 years - during which he broadcast from the summits of Ben Nevis and Snowdon, Mount Vesuvius volcano in Italy, and also from the Falkland Islands. On television, Stewart went on to become a regular Top of the Pops presenter in the 1970s and was best known for children's favourite Crackerjack, which he hosted from 1973 to 1979. He was also a longstanding presenter of children's show Junior Choice, which was last broadcast on BBC Radio 2 over Christmas. On it he coined his trademark catchphrase: '''Ello darling." Stewart is survived by his two children, Francesca and Marco, and four grandchildren.

Summary: Hundreds of people have attended the funeral of former BBC DJ and Crackerjack presenter Ed "Stewpot" Stewart in his hometown.


Mr Gordhan will be replaced by Malusi Gigaba, said a statement issued late on Thursday by the preisdent's office. Earlier this week, President Zuma recalled Mr Gordhan from planned events in the UK and US. Sfiso Buthelezi will become Deputy Finance Minister, replacing Mcebisi Jonas. "I have directed the new ministers and deputy ministers to work tirelessly with their colleagues to bring about radical socioeconomic transformation and to ensure that the promise of a better life for the poor and the working class becomes a reality," President Zuma's statement said. Last October, Mr Gordhan was charged with fraud - but the charges were later dropped. He has described the allegations as politically motivated. Mr Gordhan has been seen as standing up to President Zuma in cabinet and has warned against corruption becoming rampant. The South African Communist Party, an ally of the governing African National Congress, had earlier lodged a formal objection to plans to dismiss Mr Gordhan, who is widely respected internationally. Many senior ANC figures also opposed the finance minister's removal.

Summary: South Africa's President Jacob Zuma has dismissed Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan after days of speculation that rocked the country's markets,


The two parties have reached a mutually satisfactory agreement and the legal case has been dropped, according to a statement given to Screen Daily. They producers had claimed her last-minute departure caused delays on the Natalie Portman-starring Western. The Scottish film-maker had previously denied reports she was being sued. Ramsay's last film, an adaptation of the novel We Need to Talk About Kevin, starring Tilda Swinton, premiered to critical acclaim in competition in Cannes in 2011. The film also earned her a Bafta nomination and the best director prize at the British Independent Film Awards. Jane Got a Gun will tell the story of a woman who asks an ex-lover for help in saving her husband from a gang who want him dead. Jude Law and Bradley Cooper also left the production shortly after Ramsay. The film will now be directed by Gavin O'Connor, with a cast including Ewan McGregor and Joel Edgerton. "Jane Got a Gun Production LLC and Lynne Ramsay announce the pending civil action and all other disputes between the parties associated with Jane Got a Gun Motion Picture have been resolved privately and to their mutual satisfaction," said the statement published by Screen Daily. It was not revealed whether the resolution involved a financial settlement. Ramsay herself has yet to comment. Several sources claimed the disagreements involved delays and control of the film's final cut, with the Hollywood Reporter claiming Ramsay had not been presented with an approved schedule, script or budget days before shooting was set to begin. In November, the Hollywood Reporter also published court papers, in which it was claimed Ramsay "was repeatedly under the influence of alcohol, was abusive to members of the cast and crew and was generally disruptive". Ramsay later issued a statement saying she had not been served with that particular lawsuit. "The allegations as recently reported are simply false," the statement added. "Lynne looks forward to presenting the truth about this situation in the proper forum."

Summary: Director Lynne Ramsay has settled a legal dispute with the producers of the film Jane Got a Gun, which she quit days before shooting began last year.


The Eton-educated actor told the event people who had complained were "missing the point" as the evening was "a celebration of our community... and the role the school has played here". Alumni from Acland Burghley School in north London had signed a petition against the Homeland star's appearance. The actor lives near the Camden school. More on this story and other news from London The petition said: "Damian Lewis was educated at Eton, a school that, more than any other, represents the reproduction of privilege and inequality in the UK." Lewis told the audience of about 450 "there is more creativity, independence and support in this neighbourhood than any other... I have lived in." He praised the school for teaching such "qualities", calling it "a beacon of curiosity, independence, creativity and diversity". The woman who began the petition, which garnered 100 signatures, said she had not meant it as a personal attack against Lewis. "It's really just about how do you celebrate the anniversary of a really good comprehensive school that has always taken a very radical and socially progressive attitude towards education," Rachel Cohen said. On the petition the City University sociology lecturer had written that the Wolf Hall actor was "a wholly inappropriate choice" for a celebration at a comprehensive school. Many of those who were there cheered his appearance, calling Lewis an "inspiration". Headteacher Nicholas John said it was "great" he was an actor who wanted to be "involved in the community". The event featured a laser show which Lewis began the countdown for. Other alumnus from the school include singer Ms Dynamite and Madness saxophonist Lee Thompson. Damian Lewis profile

Summary: Damian Lewis has hit back at critics who claimed he was too privileged to take part in his local comprehensive school's 50th anniversary celebrations.


In rational, post-Enlightenment Europe, religion has long since been relegated to a safe space, with Judaism and Christianity the safe targets of satire in secular western societies. Not so Islam. The battle within Islam itself between Sunni and Shia, so evident in the wars of the Middle East, and the fight between extremist interpretations of Islam such as those of Islamic State and Muslims who wish to practice their religion in peace, is now being played out on the streets of Europe with potentially devastating consequences for social cohesion. These latest shootings may be the work of "lone wolves" but their consequences will ripple across Europe and provoke much soul-searching about the failure of integration over the past decades. Immigrant communities are already being viewed with increasing suspicion in both France and Germany, with their significant Muslim populations, and even in the UK. France has the largest Muslim population in Europe, some five million or 7.5% of the population, compared with Germany's four million or 5% of the population, and the UK's three million, also 5% of the population. In all three, mainstream political parties are being forced to confront popular discontent over levels of immigration and the apparent desire of some younger, often disaffected children or grandchildren of immigrant families not to conform to western, liberal lifestyles - including traditions of religious tolerance and free speech. In the UK, that unease has largely played out on the public stage in a more peaceable manner, in the debate over "British values" and the recent Trojan horse schools affair. The fatwa against the writer Salman Rushdie over 20 years ago following the publication of The Satanic Verses, forcing him into hiding for several years, was perhaps the first time the issue impinged on British consciousness, though the attacks of 7/7 were a reminder that extremist violence could also hit the heart of the UK. However, France has already seen much more violence on its streets carried out in the name of religion over the past decades, although it has tried to write off most of its recent "lone wolf" attacks as the acts of mentally-unhinged individuals. But some in its Jewish community have responded to increasing anti-Semitism and the killing of Jews in France and Belgium by Islamist extremists by emigrating to Israel and elsewhere. Recent physical attacks on synagogues and Jews in the suburbs of Paris, where Jews and Muslims often live side by side in poorer areas such as Sarcelles, only exacerbated fears that the violence in the name of religion that grips parts of Africa and the Middle East, and which so many flee to Europe to escape, has followed them here. Germany, too, has seen a rising surge of anti-Islam sentiment in its cities, with worries about young radicalised Muslims moving from a concern confined to far right and neo-Nazi parties into the mainstream, as seen in the recent popularity of the Pegida movement, which campaigns against the "Islamisation" of Europe. Both political and religious leaders in Germany have spoken out against the movement, and counter-marches have been held,

Summary: In the heart of Europe in 2015, the killing of cartoonists and journalists for allegedly insulting God still comes as a shock, despite the rising number of such attacks in recent years.


The 25-year-old lock progressed through the Pro12 club's academy system. "It's my home region, where I've grown up, and it's an honour to be able to sign up for three more years," said the former Wales Under-20 international. Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy said: "He doesn't get the credit he deserves outside of our environment, but he's consistent, he's diligent."

Summary: Lloyd Ashley has committed himself to Ospreys until 2019 by signing a three-year contract extension.


Jordan Dawson, 19, from Guisborough, North Yorkshire, was killed in the crash, in February 2014, on the A174 Loftus bypass. Cleveland Police said a 20-year-old man, also from Guisborough, had been charged earlier on Monday. The man is due to appear at Teesside Magistrates' Court on 27 February.

Summary: A man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, almost a year after a teenager died in a car crash.


More than £100m is being spent on redeveloping Auckland Castle in Bishop Auckland and creating an open-air historical show called Kynren. The Ernst & Young report, commissioned by the Auckland Castle Trust, suggests the projects will attract 430,000 visitors a year by 2020. Kynren is due to open on 2 July. Report author David Smith, said: "The potential economic output for the town, County Durham, and the wider North East is considerable. "It is refreshing that this regeneration of a historically important market town will be based on predominantly private sector funding. "The figures in the report are prudent. But we took the view of what could be the optimum outcome, and we said up to £20m a year for the expected total economic impact of all the planned projects. "However, if they get the support from visitors, retailers and other businesses, then it could be far more." David Ronn, managing director of the Auckland Castle Trust, said: "This is the first time we've had hard economic data on what the advantages will be. "The vision since the trust took over Auckland Castle in 2012 has always been to create job and business opportunities for this area. "The purpose of the independent report is to be clear about what those benefits will be, and to encourage support from those who have an interest in the county and the town."

Summary: The redevelopment of a County Durham town could generate £20m a year for the region's economy and create more than 400 jobs, a report says.


Rowe, 27, had not planned to take part in the race, which will be held over eight days in September. But he says the opportunity to race on the streets of the Welsh capital would be "special". "It's yet to be decided but it's on the radar and something I would like to do," Rowe told BBC Radio Wales. "Potentially it's a once-in-a-career moment, racing a professional bike race on the home roads I grew up as a kid racing. "It would be so special to have the home Welsh support and have my mates and my family out there." The eight-stage event, won last year by Britain's Steve Cummings, will conclude with a 180km stage finishing in Cardiff on 10 September. Rowe said he has already held discussions with Team Sky about the possibility of taking part in the race. "It's all up in the air at the moment," Rowe said. "Originally the plan was definitely not to ride it as it wasn't in the race programme. "But once I heard it finishes in Cardiff suddenly a few phone calls were going back and forth and I'm quite interested in racing it now." Rowe is taking part in the three-day Tour de Yorkshire, which begins in Bridlington on Friday, as he starts his preparations for this year's Tour de France. The Welshman hopes to be selected for his third Tour de France having been part of the team that supported Team Sky colleague Chris Froome's wins in 2015 and 2016. "The race in Yorkshire is my first race back," Rowe added. "I'll have an altitude camp in Tenerife then I'll have the Criterium du Dauphine, which is a week-long stage race in France and after that will be the Tour de France. "It's not guaranteed I'll ride. I'll have to perform well in the next month, six weeks to gain selection. "But I'm quietly confident and hopefully I'll bank a place in the team and 'Froomey' can do the business again."

Summary: Team Sky's Luke Rowe is hoping to take part in this year's Tour of Britain, which will finish in his home city of Cardiff.


15 April 2016 Last updated at 10:49 BST About 1,000 people were killed and bombs hit half of the houses in the city, leaving 100,000 people homeless. Belfast was largely unprepared for an attack of such a scale as 200 German bombers shelled the city on 15 April 1941. Many in Northern Ireland thought that Belfast was outside the range of the Luftwaffe. The Germans, however, saw Belfast as a legitimate target due to the shipyards in the city that were contributing to Britain's war efforts. Poor visibility on the night meant that the accuracy of the bombers was hampered and the explosives were dropped on densely populated areas of Belfast. It was the worst wartime raid outside of London in the UK.

Summary: The Belfast blitz devastated a city that up until 1941 had remained unscathed during World War Two.


The 20-year-old was granted a work permit by the Home Office after a hearing in London on Tuesday. "I'm feeling very happy, it's a very important step in my career," Coutinho told Liverpool's official website. "Liverpool is a great club with great players. We've always heard about Liverpool's history in Brazil. I know they believe in me and my football." Southampton were also interested in Coutinho, who becomes Liverpool's second signing of the transfer window following the capture of striker Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea at the beginning of the month. Playmaker Coutinho, who has one cap for Brazil, is a product of Vasco da Gama's youth system. He was bought by Inter in 2008, at the age of 16, for €4m, although the Serie A side immediately loaned him back to Vasco, because foreigners are prohibited from playing professional football in Italy until they are 18. However, he struggled to make an impact when he returned to Italy and spent half a season on loan at Spanish side Espanyol in January 2012 before attracting strong interest from Liverpool. "We're always delighted when we get the players we go after," said Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre. "It has been a successful transfer window for us, coming off the back of acquiring Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea and now Philippe from Inter Milan. "I think that bodes well for us for the rest of the season and the future."

Summary: Liverpool have completed the £8.5m signing of Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho from Inter Milan.


A Derry Journal article revealed that due to verbal abuse of staff, £1 will be charged for up to two-hours parking. Parking will no longer be free for less than ten minutes. It will mean a decrease from £4 for a two-hour period to £1. Clive Coleman, RCA contracts director at City of Derry Airport, has said the move was "not to increase revenues". He said the fee would reduce congestion and was in response to an increase in traffic incidents. "The level of abuse is of deep concern to the airport's management team and the board of directors and is at a level that can no longer be tolerated," Mr Coleman said. Members of the public will need to pay a £1 fee to enter the car park and would be permitted to stay for a two-hour period. The changes will be introduced on 1 December 2015. Former chairman of the airport users committee James Buchanan, welcomed the change. "There have been a number of complaints about taking away the 10 minutes free parking," Mr Buchanan said. "There are all sorts of people saying that this is the City of Derry trying to raise more money. "But in reality, 10 minutes was too short for a number of people. "I have talked to staff a number of times and I know they do get a lot of abuse from people when they have run over the 10 minutes and find that they can't get out in the 10-minute period." The Consumer Council has said they had not yet received any formal complaints about the plans. "Whilst this is disappointing coming into the Christmas period, we also recognise the airport's safety concerns," said the Consumer Council's head of transport policy Scott Kennerley. "We welcome the news that short stay prices are being reduced from £4 to £1 for a two-hour stay. "This should be beneficial if there are flight delays and allow people to meet passengers inside the airport terminal building."

Summary: A plan to introduce parking fees at City of Derry Airport has been met with mixed reaction from the public.


These are some of the scenarios being mooted by an increasingly excited blockchain community. The technology that underpins the cryptocurrency Bitcoin is nothing new - it's been around for decades. It's just an encrypted database that's distributed across a computer network. But what makes it different is it can only be updated when everyone on that network agrees, and once entered the information can't be overwritten, making it extremely secure and reliable. And trust, as we know, underpins most business transactions. "Blockchain, for perhaps the first time, presents a legitimate threat to the status quo," says Terry Roche, head of financial technology research at financial advisory firm, Tabb Group. The tech has spawned a new generation of start-ups looking to find new, related applications, from peer-to-peer lending to smart contracts. For example, OpenBazaar is a way people can sell anything to anyone, anywhere in the world using bitcoins. Unlike with eBay or Amazon, users don't visit a website but download a programme that directly connects them with other potential buyers and sellers. "Our goal is to unbundle the incumbent marketplaces around the world by offering a more private, secure and flexible option that isn't controlled by any one corporate interest, but rather, by the users themselves," developer Brian Hoffman tells the BBC. According to OpenBazaar, cutting out the middleman means there are no fees, no restrictions, no accounts to create, and you only reveal the personal information you feel comfortable sharing. The software is now in its testing phase and has been downloaded nearly 20,000 times in the last three weeks. Other decentralised marketplace concepts include Syscoin, which is also a digital currency. Another major development exciting the industry are smart contracts, programmes that can automatically verify that contract terms have been met, and, once that has been done, authorise payment - all in real time without any need for middlemen. The results are then indelibly recorded in the blockchain database. Some believe - perhaps fancifully - that such contracts could remove the need for lawyers one day. Companies like San Francisco-based SmartContract and Hedgy are already building businesses based on the concept, which could have applications in the financial, property and commerce markets. By incorporating smart contracts with the "internet of things" (IoT) - smart devices hooked up to the internet - blockchain tech could have uses far beyond the financial sector, says Emmanuel Viale, a managing director of Accenture's Technology Labs. "You could have a wearable fitness tracker that would send the number of calories or steps taken to the blockchain. The data is encrypted and my identity is anonymised. The same with home medical devices," he says. "The Blockchain would create a link with health professionals - whether coaches, doctors or healthcare institutions - and the smart contract could trigger needed services - whether it's a fitness regime or treatment for a chronic disease." In another example, start-up Hellosent thinks smart contracts and IoT devices could be used to monitor deliveries of fine wines. Sensors would continuously measure the temperature and humidity of the wine in transit, then if

Summary: Imagine a world where you can vote in an election with your phone, where you buy a house in a matter of hours, or where cash simply doesn't exist.


The application was approved on a majority vote at the organisation's congress in London, with no votes against and no abstentions. The British Overseas Territory off the south coast of Spain has a population of just under 30,000. Gibraltar will be allowed to enter qualifying for the 2016 European Championship. The territory tried to join Uefa in 2007 but the bid was controversially rejected. Spain opposed the move and threatened to boycott both club and international competitions if it succeeded. Only three of Uefa's 52 associations voted in favour of Gibraltar - the English, Welsh and Scottish Football Associations. Previously Gibraltar, which has six top-division teams and 600 registered senior players, had been told it could not join Uefa as it was not a country recognised by the United Nations. It was accepted as a provisional member of Uefa in October 2012 and that membership has now been ratified. Spain continues to claim sovereignty over the territory, which has been ruled by Britain since 1713 under the terms of the Treaty of Utrecht. The European Union has put pressure on Spain and Britain to resolve the issue of Gibraltar's status. Both sides, under the Brussels Process launched in 1984, have attempted to reach an agreement. But Spain's insistence on eventually acquiring full sovereignty, and Britain's determination to retain full control of Gibraltar's military base, have been among the stumbling blocks. Uefa president Michel Platini has confirmed that Gibraltar and Spain will be kept apart in qualifying groups. "Gibraltar will not play qualifying matches with Spain - we also have this situation with Armenia and Azerbaijan," Platini said. "This is a momentous occasion for football in Gibraltar. Uefa membership means that we can begin the next chapter of Gibraltarian football," the president of the Gibraltar Football Association, Gareth Latin, said. "At last we'll be able to show the whole of Europe that we can match the best with football of a high standard and entertaining style." Allen Bula, head coach of Gibraltar's national side, would relish the chance to play the country's neighbours. "I always said I would love to play Spain. I would play them any day, anywhere, any time," Bula told the BBC's World Football programme earlier this year. "When I took over the national team I had one purpose - to show Europe and the world that what Spain were saying about us, that we were only in it for political reasons and that we didn't have any quality, was a load of rubbish. "They have not let us progress, we've never given up and now we are ready to show Europe what we are made of." Gibraltar becomes the smallest Uefa member in terms of population, behind San Marino (just over 32,000), Liechtenstein (approximately 37,000) and the Faroe Islands (just under 50,000).

Summary: Gibraltar has been accepted as a full member of Uefa, European football's governing body.


Ambulance staff dealt with 2,184 calls between 19:00 on Hogmanay and 07:00 on New Year's Day. Additional crews, call handlers and dispatchers were on duty. The busiest time was from 01:00 to 04:00, with 739 calls. The new year total was 35 higher than the previous year. The Christmas period, from 23 to 27 December, saw a 10% increase on 2015. Scottish Ambulance Service chief executive Pauline Howie said: "The overall level of demand for our service over the festive period has exceeded previous years and Hogmanay was one of our busiest nights of the year."

Summary: The Scottish Ambulance Service had a busier Hogmanay than last year.


The city's Lord Provost Sadie Docherty lay a wreath at Dalbeth Cemetery in honour of five Glasgow Auxiliary Fire Service messenger boys. They died at the height of the German bombing on 13 and 14 March 1941. The boys were among 90 youngsters who cycled or ran with potentially lifesaving messages for front-line fire crews during the war. The lord provost laid the wreath in honour of all the messenger boys who died at a Celtic Cross which was erected at the grave of 15-year-old Neil Leitch. He died from bomb injuries sustained while trying to take a communication to Partick Fire Station. The teenager had been injured during an earlier mission when he was blown off his bicycle by a bomb. He defied orders to rest and continued with his duties until he was fatally injured. The lord provost said: "I am proud to join others to remember the remarkable, and little known, bravery of Neil Leitch and all the other Fire Service volunteer boy cyclists across the country, who put their lives on the line to save others during the Second World War. "Sadly Neil Leitch along with four others paid the ultimate price that terrible night as our city and its citizens were relentlessly bombed." Following his death, Neil Leitch was gazetted by King George VI for his bravery and devotion to duty. His nephew James Leitch, a former Clydebank fireman who now lives in Orkney, attended the service along with family from across the UK. James said: "I grew up hearing about my uncle Neil and this is something we have always wanted to do. "These boys were forgotten. To me they deserve recognition. It will be an emotional day." The lord provost was joined by George McGrandles, of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, the city's senior fire officer. He formed part of a Fire and Rescue Service Guard of Honour in tribute to the youngsters. "The role of the boy messengers isn't widely known but it was absolutely vital," he said. "They took on an incredibly dangerous role to ensure fire crews could get to where they were needed even when bombs destroyed communications channels. "It took incredible courage and, in trying to save others, these five youngsters ultimately lost their lives."

Summary: A service has been held in Glasgow to honour young messenger boys who died in air raids during Word War Two.


Former Det Con Evan John Hughes, from Pwllheli in Gwynedd, was one of the first officers to sit with Brady after he was arrested in October 1965. He recalled taking Edward Evans' mother to the mortuary to indentify her son. Brady, 79, died at Ashworth Hospital on Monday where he had been detained since 1985. Along with his lover Myra Hindley, he tortured and murdered five children in the 1960s in crimes that shocked the nation. He was jailed at Chester Assizes 51 years ago for the murders of Mr Evans, 17, John Kilbride, 12, and 10-year-old Lesley Ann Downey. In 1985, he also admitted to the murders of Pauline Reade, 16, and Keith Bennett, who was 12. Following his arrest, Mr Hughes, who was part of the Moors Murders investigation, was asked to sit with Brady in a room until he could be interviewed by senior officers. "Honestly, you would think that he hadn't committed anything, he hadn't done anything wrong. He was quite cool, reading a newspaper and having a smoke," Mr Hughes told BBC Radio Wales' Good Morning Wales programme. "He was a hard man and devilish obviously in what he had committed but on the other hand he didn't show this. He was a stern, angry-looking man who said nothing." Mr Hughes was asked to go and see Mr Evans' mother with a fellow police officer. "I brought her back to Hyde [Greater Manchester] where she had to go into the mortuary and indentify her son," he explained. "It wasn't an easy task, it was very difficult. Being the senior of two of us, I had to knock on the door and it was answered by a neighbour. "I had already lit a cigarette outside the door which showed how nervous I was despite the fact I was a policeman at the time." He recalled his wife being concerned for the safety of their eldest daughter, who was just 12 months old at the time, as children disappeared "without trace" in the area. "Everybody was worried stiff, children were afraid to go out," he said. Mr Hughes described himself as a "small cog in the big wheel" that brought Brady to justice. "It was an awful experience to go through what we did at that time, for everybody," he added. "I remember standing on the side of the grave of Lesley Ann Downey and by my side there was a chief inspector from Lancashire county and although it was dark at night, I could see the tears in his eyes. "He turned to me and said 'hanging has just been stopped and this would have been the only answer in this case'."

Summary: A detective constable sent to speak to the family of a Moors Murders victim has described Ian Brady as "devilish".


In an effort to help with that, a group of fourth-year vet students from Glasgow University has set up a clinic service to provide free vaccinations, micro-chipping, clothing, bedding and more. "My pal bought him for me," says Michael of his three-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Giro. The two are sitting in the doorway of a Glasgow bank, sheltering from the rain. He was named because Michael got him on what he calls a giro day - the day he receives his benefits money. "My pal asked me what I wanted for Christmas and I said a wee bit of company. "I know it sounds stupid," he adds with a laugh, "but I just wanted somebody to talk to and the puppy does it for me. "He just sits there with you and he's dead loyal. I just love him to bits." Michael has been on the streets on and off since 2005. Sometimes he is able to stay with friends but other times he and Giro end up outdoors. For nights like that they have a routine. "You just get plenty of cardboard on the ground and a couple of sheets of cardboard over the top of you - a door mat, anything like that, just to put a bit of weight on you and then the dog cuddles up next to me and the two of us are warm as toast." Michael and Giro have a regular spot where they sit. Passers-by who stop to put money in the cup, often take a moment to give the dog a pat too. Others bring or buy food for Giro. "He doesn't suffer," says Michael. "He's better than me, put it that way. He's guaranteed a meal. I'm not." Giro is also wearing a coat against the winter chill which he got from the Trusty Paws clinic. It was set up this year by Glasgow University vet students. "We provide basic preventative health care," says 22 year-old Ruby Shorrock, who came up with idea after seeing a similar scheme in England. They launched in March and over the summer collected supplies and public donations. In October they held their first clinic. They provide things such as vaccinations, flea and worming treatment, micro chips and general clinical exams, as well as other things including food and collars to dog owners who are homeless. "They really care for their dogs even more than they care for themselves," says Ms Shorrock. "Often the dogs get fed before their owners get fed. So just seeing that dedication and passion from someone who's in that predicament is inspiring." "The aim is to help these people off the streets, so if they're not worrying about feeding their dog or getting care for their dog, they can look after themselves." The clinics have been held at the advice and information hub of the Glasgow Simon Community. The organisation, which aims to combat the causes and effects of homelessness, is partnering in the Trusty Paws project. It has meant that, as well as the dogs being helped, the people too are

Summary: The relationship between a homeless person and their dog can be an exceptionally close one but if you are on the streets, looking after your pet can also be challenging.


Organisers campaigning to save Lewisham Hospital say the plans are "crazy and ill thought out". Under proposals, its A&E will close and the maternity unit be downgraded after neighbouring South London Healthcare NHS Trust ran up debts of Â£150m. The government said "doing nothing is not an option" and is to make a decision on 1 February. Campaigners are angry Lewisham Hospital, which is not part of the South London Healthcare NHS Trust, is being targeted in a re-organisation of services across the area following the trusts's financial problems. Under the plans, the trust's Queen Elizabeth Hospital site in Woolwich would come together with Lewisham Healthcare NHS Trust to create a new organisation. Lewisham's A&E unit would then be downgraded to an urgent care centre, meaning emergency cases would be seen at nearby hospitals. The maternity unit at Lewisham could also be slimmed down, meaning complex cases would be dealt with elsewhere. South London Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs three hospitals, was placed in administration last year when it started losing about Â£1.3m a week. The problems it faces are not unique. Last year it was reported 20 trusts had declared themselves financially unsustainable in their current form. Matthew Kershaw, a special administrator, said in a report to the government that the trust should be broken up, with other organisations taking over the management and delivery of services. If implemented fully, Mr Kershaw said his recommendations would result in a radical overhaul of services in south London, and help deliver "safe, high-quality, affordable and sustainable services." Mr Kershaw also recommended the Department of Health (DoH) write off any debts to ensure new organisations were not "saddled with the issues of the past". "I have said consistently that the status quo is not an option, and I believe these final, refined recommendations are the right ones, although I appreciate that some people will find them difficult to accept," his report said. In November thousands of people marched in protest at the plans and BBC London reporter Matt Morris said at least 15,000 attended Saturday's event. The Save Lewisham Hospital group said 25,000 took part. Dr Louise Irvine, a local GP and chairman of the Save Lewisham Hospital campaign, said: "This decision is crazy and ill thought out. "It is a big mistake and carries huge clinical risks of things going wrong for patients but also political risk. "If Jeremy Hunt can close a good local hospital here, he can do it anywhere in the country - nowhere is safe." A DoH spokesman said: "Where trusts face long-standing problems we have been clear that doing nothing is not an option." The march went past Lewisham Hospital and ended with a festival in nearby Mountsfield Park.

Summary: At least 15,000 people have marched in protest against proposals to close services at a hospital in south London.


The report indicates nearly a quarter of men and a sixth of women over the age of 55 who think they hear well actually have a hearing loss. And less than a third of all adults with a hearing loss use a hearing aid. The charity Action on Hearing Loss said it took most people a decade to seek help. It is the first time the annual health survey, conducted by NatCen Social Research, has compared people's perceptions about their hearing with the results of actual tests. Dr Jennifer Mindell, from UCL and one of the authors of the section on hearing, said the findings were worrying. She told the BBC: "Whether people are in denial or just unaware of what they can't hear we don't know." She said about half of the people who had said they had "great difficulty" hearing still did not use a hearing aid. Dr Mindell said: "People think it's a normal part of ageing, and some don't want a hearing aid as they feel there's a stigma attached in a way that people don't with glasses." Untreated hearing loss can lead to social exclusion due to the restrictive effect on conversation. Dr Mindell said it was a "cause for concern" and there was a link between untreated hearing loss and poor mental health. The report suggests: Gemma Twitchen, an audiologist with the charity Action on Hearing Loss, said: "Reluctance to acknowledge hearing difficulties is far more common than we might think - on average it takes people 10 years to seek help for hearing loss. "Early diagnosis is key, and hearing aids are vital in ensuring people can continue to communicate better with friends and family. "We would urge anyone that is concerned about their hearing to take our free hearing check." Follow James on Twitter.

Summary: Around two million people who need a hearing aid do not even realise they have problems, the annual health survey for England suggests.


The Right Reverend Graham Tomlin said residents should be at the heart of the investigation, which is believed to have killed at least 80 people. "If you keep... the people directly affected by it out of the inquiry process, it just takes an awful lot longer to get to the truth," he said. Dr Tomlin, whose diocese includes the tower, said local trust was important. His remarks were mirrored in his formal submission to the public consultation, which closed on Friday. It is believed more than 300 submissions were made before the deadline. Inquiry chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick, a retired Court of Appeal judge, has already faced calls to resign from some residents of the west London tower block. "It seems to me that the inquiry needs to get to the truth... but it also needs to win the confidence of the local people," Dr Tomlin told the BBC. If it does not, he said, "whatever recommendations it makes is unlikely to get support." He said the inquiry needs to not only look at the technical causes of the fire on the night in question, but also the issues faced by the community in the run-up to the tragedy. "I want to see local people at the heart of the inquiry, not just on the outside," he said. Residents' group Justice 4 Grenfell also made several submissions to the consultation process, including calling for investigation of the local council and a number of government departments. The fire in the 24-storey block started in a fridge freezer and destroyed 151 homes, both in the tower and surrounding areas. Get news from the BBC in your inbox, each weekday morning

Summary: The Bishop of Kensington has called for locals to be closely involved in the Grenfell Tower fire inquiry.


Officers spoke to him on Saturday, but he was found not to be breaking any law and was not arrested. The Met's chief, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said: "It may not have been the flag. But I would like to get to the bottom of it and we will investigate it." He said on average one person a day was arrested for terror-related activity. Pictures of the alleged incident emerged over the weekend. Sir Bernard told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme: "The law says clearly that if you're a member of a proscribed organisation which IS is, or appear to be, then of course the police can take action. "Just having a flag itself, you've got to make a few more inquiries." He said it was vital it was established whether the flag did represent IS or not. It was also put to Scotland Yard's chief that a child had been seen waving a miniature version of the flag, which he conceded "would be a worrying thing" if accurate. He said: "I don't want to over-react because it may not have been the flag. But I would like to get to the bottom of it." The force has faced a backlash on social media about its decision not to arrest or question the man further. Umair J Malik tweeted it was "utter nonsense" that the man had not been arrested, while Malen Zell also called it a "joke". He tweeted: "Utterly disgusted and sickened that a man was allowed to walk the streets of London draped in an #Isis flag." Sir Bernard said the country was currently on the "severe" terror alert with only one level above it. He said: "It can't get much higher in terms of threat, and we know that it's been aggravated by the fact that so many people have gone to Syria. "What it does mean is there are quite a few people out there who we need to keep an eye on and make sure they don't get away with their plans." A full interview with Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe can be watched on the Victoria Derbyshire programme.

Summary: Scotland Yard is investigating whether a man stopped by police outside the Houses of Parliament was draped in an Islamic State (IS) flag.


Nsiala, 24, was dismissed for his foul on Swindon's Luke Norris in Saturday's 1-1 draw - just six days after joining the League One club from Hartlepool. But Town are confident of winning the appeal, boss Paul Hurst claiming: "It's never a two-footed challenge. "He clearly wins the ball. We've looked at the footage," he told BBC Sport. Nsiala had already been sent off twice for Pools this season, which automatically increases the punishment, potentially sidelining him until 11 February. Unless Shrewsbury win their appeal to the Football Association, Nsiala will miss the visits of Bradford City, Oldham Athletic and Bury, as well as the trip to Gillingham. His home debut may not now come until 18 February against AFC Wimbledon. The red card was the eighth Shrewsbury have received this season - the highest number in English football's top four divisions. Meanwhile, Shrewsbury have allowed former Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake to return to Chesterfield at the end of his loan spell, during which he failed to score in seven appearances. They have also allowed on-loan winger George Waring to return to Premier League side Stoke City, having opted not to extend his deal. Hurst has also dismissed speculation linking the Shropshire club with striker James Alabi, National League side Chester's 10-goal top scorer, saying: "There's no truth in it."

Summary: Shrewsbury defender Aristote Nsiala will be banned for four games after being sent off on his debut - unless the Town are successful with an appeal.


I'm scared because there is also a clock counting down in the bottom right-hand corner so something important must be about to happen like the arrival of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse but it turns out Shaun Batt has joined Leyton Orient from Millwall instead. On loan. Welcome to Transfer Deadline Day, which I've deliberately written in capitals because there are those who think we should make it a public holiday. Chaotic and stressful and full of panic buying, Transfer Deadline Day and the window that precedes it make up football's equivalent of the Yuletide season, with Sky Sports' Jim White playing its equivalent of Santa. "Sorry, no joy with Fabregas, I brought you Fellaini instead." A magnificent irony of transfer windows is that they were introduced in 2002-03 in part to stabilise the game. It's about ducking and diving, maybe finding a player whose mother-in-law lives in Taunton, 10 miles down the road from Yeovil. Which isn't on most sat-navs Transfer windows were part of a compromise deal between football authorities and the European Commission, with the sport insisting on contractual stability for players, and clubs investing in those players, in exchange for freedom of movement at prescribed times of the year. Yet there is nothing stable about transfer windows and the media coverage that attends them. Indeed, Transfer Deadline Days in Britain, which generate mind-boggling numbers for a wide range of media outlets, have come to resemble the NFL draft in the United States. But here is another irony. The NFL draft is by some measures the second biggest sports story in the United States in any given year because it is the principal means of player acquisition and a genuine game-changer. With the weakest team getting first pick, it democratises the league, theoretically giving every team an equal chance on any given Sunday. In contrast, Transfer Deadline Days involve an awful lot of acquisitions across an unlevel playing field that often change nothing, but still generate enough hot air to make it seem as if they might. "It's a period of time that is false and everything during that period of time is forced," says Gary Johnson, manager of Championship side Yeovil. "Everybody has a little panic for the simple reason that the supporters demand a big name, or at least hope for one, and some of this is driven by the media. But for smaller clubs it's very difficult to get someone in that people can gasp at." It is difficult to find a manager who is a fan of transfer windows, whether they manage in the Premier League or the lower reaches of the Football League. Ian Holloway, who managed Blackpool and, briefly, Crystal Palace in the Premier League, reckons transfer windows are "utter madness" and lead to "the headlong hurtling into deals to rescue dreams". "They encourage knee-jerk reactions, inflated transfer fees and wages and minimal planning and background checks," adds Holloway, who parted company with Palace in October and is now at Millwall. Johnson, whose side sit second from bottom in the Championship table,

Summary: There is a man on my telly standing outside The Den in a suit speaking fast and portentously without full stops or commas and with lots of superlatives.


Darren McDonald, 40, travelled from Ballymena, County Antrim, to support his team. At Glasgow Sheriff Court he admitting running on to the pitch after the final whistle and kicking the other man on the head or body. McDonald was also given a three-and-a-half year football banning order. He is currently serving a sentence in Northern Ireland and the latest jail term will begin after that ends. McDonald was named and pictured in the media after the game that saw Hibs beat Rangers 3-2 on 21 May. Footage from the match was played to the court and newspaper reports from the time were brought to the sheriff's attention. McDonald was seen clearly wearing a pink T-shirt and had distinctive tattoos. The unknown Hibs fan was on the pitch after the match and was on the ground, having been assaulted by someone else. McDonald ran over to him and pulled his right leg back to kick him but slipped and fell backwards. The court heard that the momentum meant his leg made accidental contact with the Hibs fan's head or body. He then got up and ran off after the attack, leaving the Hibs fan on the ground.

Summary: A Rangers supporter who kicked a Hibs fan during a pitch invasion at last year's Scottish Cup Final has been jailed for nine months.


In September, the average homeowner - excluding first-time buyers - spent 17.7% of his or her monthly income on mortgage repayments, the CML said. Eight years ago, when interest rates were much higher, they spent 23.7% of their income on repayments. The CML said the figures represented a historic low, and should help more people to buy their own home. First-time buyers are spending 17.8% of their income servicing their mortgages, compared with 24.7% in November 2007, a recent high. The proportion of household income being spent on repayments would have been even higher in the 1970s and 80s, when interest rates were as high as 17% a year, the CML said. The improvement in affordability follows the Bank of England's decision to cut base rates to 0.25% in August, which resulted in many lenders cutting mortgage rates further. Two-year fixed rates are now available for as little as 0.99%. "Mortgage affordability reached an historic low in September, for both first-time buyers and home movers, which partly reflects the re-pricing of mortgages following August's base rate cut," said Paul Smee, the director general of the CML. "This should help turn strong appetite for home-ownership into a reality as we approach the closing months of the year." The days of the ultra-cheap mortgage could be numbered. Banks and building societies are keen for us to celebrate the fact that loans for homes have never been more affordable. But Donald Trump's victory may mark a turning point for the lowest fixed rate offers. The price of fixed rates depends on the deals which lenders can negotiate in the City, called swap rates. And swap rates - which were already creeping up - have leapt since Trump's triumph. It's part of a dramatic shift in expectations about interest rates, if the President-elect delivers on his promise to double the growth rate of the US economy. People are predicting much higher US rates in the long run, with a knock-on effect across the world. Mortgage experts here are talking about increases of around 0.25% in five- and 10-year fixed rates over the next few days, with more rises to follow. However, rising house prices mean the total value of loans has risen dramatically over the last few years. Separate figures from the Office for National Statistics, released on Tuesday, said the average UK house price rose by 7.7% in the year to September, unchanged from the previous month. Where can I afford to live?

Summary: Mortgages are now more affordable than they have ever been, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML).


About 12 students stormed the offices of LSE director, Sir Howard Davies Students and 150 held a rally outside. The LSE says it is reconsidering links with Libya "as a matter of urgency". But the students demanded the university paid back the £300,000 it had accepted of a £1.5m grant from a charity wing of the regime. The grant was pledged in 2009 by the Gaddafi International Charity and Development Foundation. The funds have so far been used to develop a research programme on North Africa, focused on politics, economics and society. The student demonstrators called on the LSE management to "repay" the £300,000 already spent by creating a scholarship fund for underprivileged Libyan students. The students also urged the university to revoke the LSE alumni status of Libyan leader Col Gaddafi's second son Saif al-Islam, who studied at the university from 2003 to 2008, gaining both a Master of Science degree and a doctorate. They called for a public commitment that no grants from officials "of such oppressive regimes" would be accepted in the future, as well as a public statement denouncing the recent "gross violations of human rights" by the Gaddafi regime. One of the protesters, Ashok Kumar, who is also education officer for the LSE students' union, said: "I think it's reprehensible that the university continues to benefit from money that was stolen from the Libyan people and it's only right to return it to the people who are now being murdered in the streets fighting for their freedom." The money should be returned either as scholarships to underprivileged students, or "to the families of those who have been murdered and who continue to be murdered", he said. In a statement, the university said the LSE Director "noted the message" from the students. "He shares the students' revulsion at the recent violence and gross violations of human rights in Libya, and much regrets the association of the School's name with Saif Gaddafi and the actions of the Libyan regime. "The School's statement of 21 February made clear that School engagement with the present Libyan authorities, covering a number of programmes, has already finished or has been stopped following the events of the weekend of 19-20 February." The university said no more of the £1.5m donation from the Gaddafi International Charity and Development Foundation would be accepted. It said about half of the £300,000 already accepted had been spent and its council would now consider what to do with the remaining funds, taking into account the views of LSE students. The LSE's review of its links with Libya follows a speech made by Saif al-Islam Gaddafi on Sunday, in which he said the regime in Libya would stand firm. He warned of civil war, talked of "rivers of blood" and rejected foreign intervention. Saif al-Islam Gaddafi wrote his doctoral dissertation on the role of civil society in the democratisation of global governance institutions.

Summary: Students at the London School of Economics have staged a protest against the university's association with the regime in Libya.


Flynn, who was appointed after Newport sacked boss Graham Westley, has won both his games in charge. And the morning after Tuesday's victory at Morecambe, the Welshman received a congratulatory text message from former Arsenal striker Henry, with whom he has been qualifying as a coach. "It was surreal," said Flynn. "He's one of my heroes in the game. He's just pure class and he's like that off the pitch as well. "I asked him to put his boots back on but he wasn't so forthcoming! "For a football fan, which I am, it was unbelievable, and something which made me smile on Wednesday morning when I had my little boy waking me up at 6.30 in the morning, after getting back from the game at 4am." Newport moved off the foot of the League Two table and are now seven points from safety after beating Morecambe. County were bottom and 11 points adrift when they sacked Westley but have won their two games under Flynn. The 36-year-old former Newport midfielder has been studying for his coaching badges with the Football Association of Wales, under the tutelage of Wales assistant manager Osian Roberts. Former Barcelona and France forward Henry has been on the same course, and watched Wales' rugby team train earlier this month. Now a television pundit as well as Belgium's assistant manager, Henry has told Flynn he can call him for advice whenever he needs it. "It's just nice to see that support," added Flynn, whose Newport side host Blackpool on Saturday. "Learning from people like that - Patrick Vieira, David Ginola, Sol Campbell - it's a great mix of people. "It's all put together by Osian and Lennie Lawrence, and it's attracting the right calibre of manager. Picking their brains and seeing how they work is invaluable."

Summary: Newport County caretaker manager Mike Flynn has revealed how Thierry Henry has lent his support to the Exiles' bid for League Two survival.


General Ali Fadavi accused those detained of "unprofessional" acts. But he suggested the group, who are being held by the guards, could be released soon. The incident comes at a sensitive time, as the US and Iran try to implement the deal on Iran's nuclear activities. US Secretary of State John Kerry has contacted Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif over the incident. Giving his assessment of the talks, Gen Fadavi said "Mr Zarif had a firm stance, saying that they were in our territorial waters and should not have been, and saying that they [the US] should apologise". "This has been done and it will not take long, and the naval force, according to its hierarchy, will act immediately upon the orders it receives," he added. This naval incident comes at a delicate moment for both Washington and Tehran. The process to begin lifting the sanctions imposed on Iran due to its nuclear activities is expected to get under way at the end of this week. There are many conservatives and hardliners in both countries who would dearly love to sabotage the deal and consequently both governments may be eager - whatever the attendant rhetoric - to get this episode resolved as quickly as possible. How it plays out will be an important signal as to the balance of power in Tehran itself. The Revolutionary Guard Corps, whose naval branch detained the US vessels and their crews, is amongst the more hardline elements ranked up against the nuclear deal. But the potential economic benefits of lifting the sanctions may be too great an inducement for the agreement to be derailed now. US officials have said the sailors - nine men and a woman - are likely to be released on Wednesday. There has been no confirmation from Washington that Mr Kerry apologised. One of the two US riverine patrol boats developed mechanical problems while on a training mission between Bahrain and Kuwait, the US officials added. The crew and vessels have been taken to Farsi Island, the site of an Iranian naval base. Iran's influential Revolutionary Guard - tasked with protecting the country's 1979 Islamic revolution - has strongly defended Iranian sea borders in the past. Fifteen British sailors and marines were held for 13 days in 2007 after they were captured in a disputed area between Iran and Iraq. Despite last year's breakthrough nuclear deal tensions remain between the US and Iran. In December, Iran's navy conducted rocket tests near US warships in the Strait of Hormuz, something the US called "highly provocative".

Summary: The US has apologised to Iran after 10 American sailors were arrested for entering Iranian waters, the commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards naval forces has said.


The board of Walgreens will now seek shareholder approval for the Â£9bn deal to go through. Walgreens bought a 45% stake in the company in 2012 and now wants to buy the remaining 55% stake. The firm said it would not use the deal to alter its current tax structure, and expects the merged company to be based in Chicago. Boots will remain at its UK headquarters in Nottingham. The pharmacy chain has long been a mainstay of the UK retail scene, with 2,487 stores across the country. It employs more than 60,000 people in the UK, including more than 6,500 pharmacists. The impact of the buy-out on jobs is not yet clear. Walgreens has said it will look to make cost reductions of $1bn over three years at "corporate, field and store-level" across all of its businesses. However, it will also invest "across core businesses at suitable returns to drive organic growth". Walgreens shares slumped 14% on the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday. Investors had expected the firm to move its headquarters abroad in order to cut its tax bill. "We are excited to move forward with the next important step in becoming a new kind of global health care leader," said Walgreens chief executive Greg Wasson. The new combined company will be called "Walgreens Boots Alliance", and its headquarters will be in the Chicago area, Walgreens said. Mr Wasson will become chief executive of the new company, and Stefano Pessina, who is currently executive chairman of Alliance Boots, will report to Mr Wasson. Walgreens, which started out in Chicago in 1901, had 248,000 employees in 2013. It has 8,231 shops across all 50 US states and the federal District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the US Virgin Islands. Walgreens said it had thoroughly evaluated moving its headquarters abroad for tax purposes, but that the move would not have been feasible under current US tax rules. A move would have put it at too much risk from scrutiny by the US tax authority, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the company said. "We took into account all factors, including that we could not arrive at a structure that provided the company and our board with the requisite level of confidence that a transaction of this significance would need to withstand extensive IRS review and scrutiny," Mr Wasson said. In addition, public opinion may have been against a move for tax purposes, the company added. In May, pharmaceutical company Pfizer dropped a bid for UK company AstraZeneca following an outcry that it was partly motivated by a wish to buy the firm for tax reasons. Being domiciled abroad is attractive for US companies because of the relatively high rate of US corporation tax compared with other countries. Analysis Kim Gittleson, BBC business reporter, New York The first time I walked into a Boots in London, I was in search of something to soothe a scratchy throat - British dampness having taken its toll. I scouted the shelves, only to be perplexed when there seemed to be just a handful of lozenges

Summary: High Street chemist Alliance Boots is to be bought up by US pharmacy giant Walgreens.


Media playback is not supported on this device Carl Meyer, Sam Hobbs and Angus O'Brien crossed in a ten-minute first-half purple patch, with O'Brien's boot making it 24-12 at the break. Edinburgh's Nasi Manu and Chris Dean got first-half tries and Viliame Mata's late score made it close. O'Brien's 78th-minute penalty sealed the win to ensure the visitors are only above Zebre and Treviso in the table. Edinburgh's snappy early handling paid off in the 10th minute as number eight Manu took advantage of a huge overlap following a break by wing Mike Allen, Jason Tovey converting against his former team. But O'Brien quickly pulled back a penalty, and converted after Carl Meyer tore through from 30 metres following a comedy steal by hooker Thomas Rhys Thomas from the back of an Edinburgh maul. Prop Hobbs crashed over from close range with O'Brien again converting, but moments later Dean finished off another fluid move from the visitors' back-line. Then O'Brien made it four tries in 10 minutes, setting up the score, finishing it off from Sam Beard's kick through and adding the extras after 27 minutes. It took a further 37 minutes for the next score to arrive, with both head coaches making a string of replacements to try to break the deadlock. Phil Burleigh came close after a Blair Kinghorn break, but giant replacement Mata, an Olympic Gold medallist with Fiji sevens, rumbled over with Duncan Weir's conversion setting up a tense finale. Tyler Morgan's break almost allowed the Dragons to hit back only for Damian Hoyland to pull off a vital interception, before the roles were reversed at the other end as Morgan intercepted from Hoyland. O'Brien sent over the late penalty to earn the Dragons' fourth successive home win in all competitions, leaving an enterprising Edinburgh side to travel home pointless despite sharing the six tries. Dragons flanker Ollie Griffiths was named man of the match. Newport Gwent Dragons: Carl Meyer; Pat Howard, Sam Beard, Jack Dixon, Ashton Hewitt; Angus O'Brien, Tavis Knoyle; Sam Hobbs, Thomas Rhys Thomas, Brok Harris, Nick Crosswell, Matthew Screech, Lewis Evans (capt), Ollie Griffiths, Ed Jackson. Replacements: Rhys Buckley, Phil Price, Lloyd Fairbrother, James Thomas, Nic Cudd, Sarel Pretorius, Geraint Rhys Jones, Tyler Morgan. Edinburgh: Blair Kinghorn; Damien Hoyland, Chris Dean, Phil Burleigh, Michael Allen; Jason Tovey, Sean Kennedy; Jack Cosgrove, Neil Cochrane (capt), Murray McCallum, Fraser McKenzie, Ben Toolis, Magnus Bradbury, Jamie Ritchie, Nasi Manu. Replacements: Stuart McInally, Kyle Whyte, Felipe Arregui, Lewis Carmichael, Viliame Mata, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Duncan Weir, Glenn Bryce. Referee: Frank Murphy (IRFU) Assistant referees: Leo Colgan (IRFU), Rhys Thomas (WRU) Citing commissioner: Paul Thomas (WRU) TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)

Summary: Newport Gwent Dragons held on against Edinburgh to move up to ninth in the table.


Some 90,450 children were living in temporary accommodation in the last quarter of 2014, a rise of almost 10,000 in a year, the statistics show. The National Housing Federation called the rise "shameful". The government said its changes were helping councils move families out of temporary accommodation more quickly. The statistics, from the Department for Communities and Local Government, also show there were 2,040 households with children in bed-and-breakfast hotels at the end of last year. Of these, 780 were in bed-an-breakfast accommodation for more than six weeks. David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation said the dramatic rise in the numbers of children "stuck in temporary accommodation like hostels and bed and breakfasts" revealed "the true cost" of not building enough homes in England. "Often living in cramped and poor conditions, it's no way of life for a child and no way to help homeless families to get back on their feet and rebuild their lives. "It is totally unacceptable that these figures are at a six-year high. "Children are paying the price for the failure to build the affordable homes we need and will continue to do so until politicians take bolder action and commit to end the housing crisis within a generation," said Mr Orr. Communities Minister Kris Hopkins said the government was working to ensure support was in place to help homeless families move on with their lives. "Households now spend on average seven months less in temporary accommodation than at the start of 2010," said Mr Hopkins in a written ministerial statement. Local authorities now had more flexibility to find "good quality, suitable and settled accommodation in the private rented sector", he added. The government had also made it clear that the long-term use of bed-and-breakfast accommodation for families with children "is both unacceptable and unlawful", said Mr Hopkins.

Summary: The number of children living in temporary accommodation in England is at a six-year high, according to official figures.


A total of 19 SNP councillors were elected, up from 16 in 2012, as the Conservatives surged to 11 from three and Labour's total halved to nine. Labour's finance convener Willie Young was among the casualties, but party group leader Jenny Laing kept her seat on the council. In Aberdeenshire, the Conservatives overtook the SNP. In Moray, the SNP was the biggest party. Mr Young said after the Aberdeen result: "The Conservatives have done very well. You've got to accept you can lose. That's politics for you." By BBC Scotland political editor Brian Taylor Let's talk numbers - there have been boundary changes which mean that some comparisons are made with "notional" outcomes in 2012, the last time these councils were contested. On that count, the SNP are notionally down by a fractional seven seats. However, in terms of absolute numbers, the Nationalists have ended up with more councillors than in 2012. Plus the SNP are the largest party in Scotland's four largest cities - including Glasgow, where jubilant supporters attended their ousting of Labour. They have waited decades for that. Read more from Brian In Aberdeenshire, the Conservatives had 23 seats, up from 14, while the SNP fell eight to 21. The Lib Dems gained two to 14, independents fell from 12 to 10, and labour dropped from two to one. In Moray, nine SNP councillors were elected (down one) - along with eight Conservatives (up five), eight independent (down two) and one Labour (down two). Orkney elected its first ever Scottish Greens councillor, while the SNP gained its first representative in Shetland. Steve Sankey was elected in the East Mainland, South Ronaldsay and Burray ward of Orkney Islands Council. Robbie McGregor won the uncontested Shetland South seat for the SNP. Shetland's political leader Gary Robinson lost his Shetland West seat.

Summary: The SNP has become the biggest party on Aberdeen City Council.


UK Steel says rising competition and falling prices are damaging firms. The call for action comes days after Thai steel firm SSI halted production at its Teesside plant due to falling demand, putting 2,000 jobs at risk. Among other measures, UK Steel wants the government to lower business rates and relax emissions targets. In a statement it said: "The UK steel sector is vital to the success of manufacturing, employing 30,000 well-paid and highly skilled people, often in areas with higher-than-average unemployment. "In 2013 it made a Â£9.5bn contribution to the UK economy and had a Â£4.9bn export value." John Park from the Community trade union told the BBC that it was having trouble getting through to the company's management in Thailand. "A lot of the things that are happening at SSI are decisions that are being taken thousands of miles away," he said. "I'm not sure they know themselves exactly what the solution looks like. We would hope that we can find a positive solution to this situation that secures steelmaking on Teesside and supports the community." During its conference in London on Thursday, UK Steel is expected to outline a number of steps which the government can take in the short-term to "demonstrate its commitment to the UK steel industry". UK Steel, which is part of the manufacturing trade body EEF, is urging the government to encourage the use of British-produced steel in major infrastructure projects. It also asked the government to consider relaxing rules on emissions targets for manufacturers - which UK Steel said would cost the steel industry Â£500m by 2019. A spokesperson for UK Steel told the BBC that the government's business rates are much higher than competitors' in France and Germany - sometimes up to 10 times higher. UK Steel also said that bills for industries heavily reliant on energy usage were too high and that a review of these rates - announced in the Budget - should be brought forward. The call comes days after business minister Anna Soubry said that, because of strict EU rules, the government is "limited" in what it can do to help the ailing Teesside steel plant owned by SSI . About 2,000 jobs are under threat and unions say they have not been told what the current pause in production means. Contractors who supply workers and equipment to the site have been seen withdrawing their property. On Wednesday, Stockton South MP James Wharton told the BBC: "At this stage things are still ongoing. Things are very very difficult, I don't want to give false hope about the challenges that are before us for this company. "

Summary: UK steel manufacturers will urge the government to take steps to protect the industry in the face of what they describe as a "perfect storm".


And in Australia, the wearing of so-called activewear - whether or not you are doing sport - has become something of a phenomenon. A music video gently poking fun at the use of the clothing for such high-octane activity as drinking coffee or going shopping became a viral online hit in 2015. And now activewear trends are the focus of academic research, which suggests sports brands have been slow to recognise the needs of female customers. A study by Victoria University in Australia says a desire to exercise "anywhere and anytime" is driving growth, as more and more women try to fit informal exercise into a busy schedule. According to Prof Clare Hanlon, the industry took a long time to realise it needed to evolve. Now it is successfully cashing in. "Finally companies are understanding the effects physical activity trends have on their industry and are listening to female customers on what they need," she says. That includes rethinking how exercise clothes are sold, and improving things like store changing rooms. "Companies have realised sport isn't just for guys," says Shannon Walker from the Australian Sporting Goods Association (ASGA), which commissioned the research. He says brands have had to offer a better shopping experience to women. "They don't want to go to the old-fashioned sports store set up to cater for men. They want a retail experience set up for their needs." In Australia, activewear sales are expected to grow by more than 20% between 2015-20, with a large proportion of goods sold online. Julie Stevanja started internet retailer Stylerunner in 2012, after becoming frustrated at the lack of choice available in the shops. It soon became one of the fastest growing companies in Australia, and her sights are now set on expanding the business in Asia. "There's been a huge shift to wellness," Ms Stevanja said during a visit to her Sydney warehouse. "Everyone wants to be healthier and look better. They go hand in hand." She also believes "enclothed cognition" - the idea that clothes help determine a person's behaviour - may have had a role in the popularity of activewear. "I think if you are in your activewear at the weekend, you're probably more likely to buy a green juice or a smoothie than you are to have a milkshake," she says. "People want to make healthier lifestyle choices. Sometimes the first step is actually associating with it, wearing something that makes you feel healthier." Prof Hanlon from Victoria University agrees that the simple act of wearing activewear may help people feel they can become healthier. "The research we've conducted... shows females believe activewear facilitates physical activity and good health," she says. The next step for the research team will be a national survey to understand what determines how customers choose their garments, and what language brands can use to entice them.

Summary: Bright tights and Lycra tops are a hallmark of an industry worth $270bn (Â£220bn) worldwide.


Yassar Yaqub, 28, from Huddersfield, was shot by an officer in an operation near junction 24 on 2 January. Moshin Amin, 30, Broomer Street, Dewsbury, denied possessing a handgun, a silencer and ammunition with intent to endanger life at Leeds Crown Court. A provisional trial date was set for 4 December and Mr Amin was bailed until 27 June.

Summary: A man driving a car in which his passenger was shot dead by police on the M62 has appeared in court.


Losing access to EU databases like the Schengen Information System would be an "abrupt shock" to policing, they say. Their report says if there is "tension" between maintaining security and bringing control of laws to Westminster and say security should take priority. The government says co-operation on security is a priority and it will do what is needed "to keep people safe". The report from the Lords EU Home Affairs sub-committee concedes that security co-operation is one policy area where a "positive outcome" is in everyone's interests. But it warns that, as a post-Brexit UK would no longer be part of the European Parliament and the European Court of Justice - which EU states see as providing oversight and checks and balances - things might be more difficult than imagined. "Even with the utmost goodwill on both sides, and a recognition of the mutual interest at stake, there may be practical constraints on how closely the UK and the EU 27 can work together in future if they are no longer bound by the same rules, enforced by the same supranational institutions." It warns that there is "some doubt" as to whether the remaining 27 EU states will be happy to sign up to "bespoke adjudication arrangements envisaged by the government". The government could well encounter "tension" between two of its aims - bringing back control of laws to Westminster and maintaining strong security co-operation, it says. "In our view, the safety of the people of the UK should be the overriding consideration in attempting to resolve that tension." The report covers various areas of security co-operation that will be subject to re-negotiation. On Europol, the policing co-operation agency, the committee warned that agreement already in place with other non-EU countries would "not be sufficient to meet the UK's needs" and the UK must push for a deal which "goes further". On SIS II - a European-wide database that alerts agencies to missing people and criminals on-the-run - the committee warned its loss would be "an abrupt shock to UK policing" and would pose a risk to public safety and the government should push for a "bespoke solution" which would see it get access to "the full suite of data-sharing tools on which the UK currently relies". The European Arrest Warrant - which replaced piecemeal extradition arrangements between member states in 2004 - has been controversial with some arguing it is a threat to UK sovereignty and can mean UK suspects are extradited on spurious grounds. But the committee argued it remained a "critical component of the UK's law enforcement capabilities". It argued that, after Brexit, the best option might be to seek a bilateral extradition agreement that is as similar as possible to the EAW - as Norway and Iceland have done. "An operational gap between the EAW ceasing to apply and a suitable replacement coming into force would pose an unacceptable risk." In response, Policing Minister Brandon Lewis said: "Co-operation on law enforcement and security with our European and global allies remains a priority for the government. "We will do

Summary: Brexit could leave the UK "less safe" unless security co-operation with the EU is maintained, peers have warned.