Queen Charlotte's gold and diamond ring, a bracelet with Queen Victoria's portrait and a pair of gold, diamond and pearl Tiffany opera glasses are among the exhibits. They go on display at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on Friday. It will be the first time the items have been on show in Scotland. The exhibition, called Gold, explores and celebrates the rare precious metal through more than 60 items from across the Royal Collection - one of the largest and most important art collections in the world. Over millennia and across different cultures, the material has often been used to represent and reflect royal wealth and power, and many of the sacred and ceremonial items associated with the coronations of British monarchs incorporate gold. One of the most elaborate accessories to go on display at The Queen's Gallery is a pair of opera glasses presented as a wedding gift to King George V and Queen Mary in 1893 when they were Duke and Duchess of York. Tiffany & Co was well-known for its production of luxury goods, but opera glasses made of gold were particularly rare. The glasses are also adorned with pearls and rose-cut diamonds. One of the earliest items of jewellery in the exhibition is a 16th century commesso, a cameo combined with gold to create a pendant. The piece is in the form of a female bust dressed in a tunic and turban, and is decorated with ruby, garnet, emerald and amethyst. It was recorded on a list of "curiosities" belonging to Queen Caroline, consort of George II. Exhibition-goers can also view an engraved gold bracelet, made by royal goldsmiths Rundell, Bridge & Rundell and dating from 1839, which incorporates a miniature portrait of Queen Victoria. Also on show is a gold and diamond-set "keeper ring", which served as a guard to a wedding ring, and was presented to Queen Charlotte by George III on their wedding day in 1761. It is displayed alongside a gold and diamond ring also belonging to Queen Charlotte. Kathryn Jones, exhibition curator of the Royal Collection Trust, said: "These works of art show the personal associations that royal consorts have had with jewelled gold across several generations. "We are delighted to display them for the first time in Scotland as part of this exhibition of items from the Royal Collection crafted from this rare and precious material." One of the centrepieces of the exhibition will be a gilded manuscript based on a best-selling book by Queen Victoria in which she reveals her thoughts on surviving a carriage accident and tasting haggis for the first time. Compiled from the monarch's diaries, the book - entitled More Leaves From The Journal Of A Life In The Highlands, From 1862 To 1882 - provides a glimpse into the royal author's life at Balmoral. It became an instant hit with readers after being published in 1884 and the following year a Persian translation covered in dazzling gold illumination was created for presentation to the queen.

Summary: Jewellery that sheds light on the tastes of six generations of queens is to go on show at an exhibition celebrating the qualities of gold.


The 62-year-old briefly took charge of the Swans prior to Francesco Guidolin's appointment in January. Swansea had been in the relegation zone when Guidolin came in, but he led the club to a 12th place finish in the Premier League after winning seven and drawing four of his 16 games in charge. "It's been a bit traumatic considering the success we've had," Curtis said. "I think we probably lost our way as much as anything, but certainly it is a shot across the bow. It's probably the first season we've struggled for any of length of time. "But 47 points, and certainly the run at the end there when we had some terrific victories and some really good, strong performances as well. "We showed that we are still a very, very good team. It's just a reminder how tough this league is." Swansea sacked Garry Monk in December following a run of win in 11 Premier League games, before Curtis was placed in interim charge. Guidolin was taken to hospital in March, hours before Swansea's 2-1 win at Arsenal. The Italian also missed their 1-0 win over Norwich after receiving treatment for a chest infection. But the former Udinese, Parma and Monaco coach recovered to help stabilise the club and will remain as manager next season after agreeing a two-year contract. Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins has admitted the club's proposed takeover by US investors may not be completed until next season, with the club previously hoping the deal would be done by the end of 2015-16. "I'm sure that's going to play a big part in what we do as a club in terms of bringing people in," added Curtis. "I think that probably needs to be resolved quite quickly. We're talking about maybe a little bit of uncertainty again. But it sounds as if it is going to be sorted out fairly quickly. "We've sorted the manager situation out, we know that we are going to be in the Premier League next season so hopefully there would be a better season to come, not only next season but hopefully the seasons ahead."

Summary: Swansea City coach Alan Curtis says the turbulent 2015-16 season was "a shot across the bow'' for the club.


Cpl Reginald Robbins's name was on the roll of honour read out at the original unveiling ceremony for Andover's war memorial in 1920. It it not known why it was never included on the actual memorial. A service of rededication was held after his name was inscribed on the Portland stone monument. Cpl Robbins was born in Sussex but moved to Andover with his father when he was in his teens, joining the Royal Engineers in 1917. He saw service in France and Egypt before his death from Spanish flu in 1920 at the age of 25. The disease claimed up to 50 million lives around the world during the pandemic which began in March 1918. Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Councillor Ian Carr, said the inscription, which followed research by local historian Craig Fisher, was a "poignant tribute". "We may never know exactly why Reginald's name was not included on the memorial, but it is important that he is honoured and correctly remembered alongside the other local servicemen who gave their lives," he added.

Summary: The name of a soldier who died in the years following World War One has been added to a Hampshire war memorial, 95 years after it was erected.


Under the proposed scheme, personnel would no longer be able to sue the MoD for negligence. Compensation would instead be awarded by an MoD-appointed assessor. The MoD said the proposals, which are being consulted on until next week, would lead to "better compensation". But Colin Redpath, whose son was killed in Iraq, told the BBC the proposal was "wrong". In 2007, Lance Corporal Kirk Redpath, a keen drummer in the Irish guards, died when a roadside bomb exploded next to his lightly-armoured Snatch Land Rover in Iraq. He was one of some 37 servicemen and women killed in Snatch Land Rovers in Afghanistan and Iraq. After a five-year struggle, his father Colin won a Supreme Court ruling allowing him the right to sue the MoD. That claim he brought is only now close to a conclusion. He said: "At the end of the day, they are an employer. "The fire brigade, the police, the ambulance service, they all have to go out with equipment that works. And the right equipment. That should be the same for a soldier. "If not, then what the MoD are saying is that we could send our boys and girls out with broomsticks. It wouldn't matter. There's no comeback." The MoD's proposals cover battle and the preparations for it, and include: There is already a concept of "combat immunity" which means decisions taken in "the heat of battle" cannot be second-guessed by the courts. Claims in negligence cannot be brought in relation to battlefield acts or omissions. The MoD is proposing to widen the concept of combat immunity to include all deaths and injuries in combat, including where the failings occurred far from the battlefield, for instance in failing to provide adequate equipment. Conservative MP and former army soldier Iain Duncan Smith said he supported the proposals after growing concerned about the use of courts to assess combat issues. He added: "It doesn't seem to me like the courts are the right place to be. "Issues surrounding combat are often very difficult to judge against a standard common law process. I think dragging things through the courts satisfies only lawyers." In July 2016, Sir John Chilcot's Iraq Inquiry Report identified numerous MoD failings in preparing for the Iraq War which were described as "wholly inadequate". They included being slow to respond to the threat from improvised explosive devices and delay in replacing the poorly-armoured Snatch Land Rovers. Chilcot identified a failing to have in place a system for identifying gaps in capability. Lawyers say that without the duty of care owed to service personnel there is a real danger that the lessons of Chilcot will not be learned. Some solicitors who have represented service personnel in actions against the MoD make the point that the duty of care owed to soldiers puts their safety at the centre of the defence agenda. The Law Society of England and Wales says that without it, MoD officials making decisions on equipment and procurement know that cases will not be heard by an independent judge. It argues that facts will not

Summary: The father of a soldier killed in Iraq has criticised proposals by the Ministry of Defence to scrap the legal duty of care it owes to service personnel in the course of combat.


The Brazil international, who had two years remaining on his current deal, scored 13 goals in 59 games for the Blues last season. Willian, 27, joined from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala for a reported £30m in 2013. "It's a dream to continue with this club and over the next four years I will try to help the team win more trophies," he said. Willian, who has scored 19 goals in 140 matches for Chelsea, was named player of the year last season as the club finished 10th in the Premier League. He has won 30 caps for Brazil since making his debut in 2011, scoring six goals. Last week, Chelsea signed Belgium striker Michy Batshuayi from Marseille for a fee believed to be worth £33m, their first capture under new manager Antonio Conte.

Summary: Chelsea midfielder Willian has signed a new four-year contract with the club.


The developments at 1 Undershaft and 22 Bishopsgate were approved by the City of London Corporation earlier this year. Mr Khan said both would include a free public observation platform. The 73-storey tower at 1 Undershaft, known as the Trelis, will be 305 metres (1,000ft) high - just five metres shorter than the tip of the Shard. The Bishopsgate development comes ten years after the ill-fated Pinnacle was granted planning position. That development was eventually abandoned, leaving a half-finished nine-storey shaft pointing towards the sky after funding dried up four years ago. City Hall said the new developments would deliver nearly Â£6m in contributions to affordable housing, which the Corporation of London will use to deliver affordable homes on its wider estates across the city. It will also provide more than Â£14m towards the construction of the Crossrail project. It said the plans include a significant expansion of public open space on the sites, as well as office accommodation for almost 20,000 workers. Mr Khan, said: "These two projects represent a significant investment in the heart of London's economy and are a clear sign that the capital is open for business. "They will be highly-visible signs of London's enduring appeal as a place to invest. "These new landmark buildings will offer world-class offices and it's great news that the development of the site at 22 Bishopsgate can now proceed, as this has lain unused for almost five years. "What's more, Londoners and visitors alike should have the opportunity to take in the views from the upper reaches of these new buildings, for free, and I'm really pleased we have been able to secure this as part of the plans."

Summary: London mayor Sadiq Khan has approved the building of two new skyscrapers for the capital.


In 2014, Glenavon House Hotel, in Cookstown, was found to have committed an offence by allowing a teenage disco to be held in its nightclub. The Court of Appeal upheld the decision that laws restricting the presence of children on premises used to sell and consume alcohol had been breached. The appeal was brought by the hotel's director, Brian Morris. The court heard that the hotel had been running a monthly teenage disco in its Sense nightclub since 1994, during which no alcohol was being sold and no children were drinking alcohol. Complaints were laid in November 2013 alleging that the hotel allowed a person under the age of 18 to be in licensed premises during the permitted hours contrary to the Licensing (NI) Order 1996. Dismissing the appeal, the judge said that Sense nightclub is used mainly for the sale and consumption of alcohol. He said that had the legislation, "wanted to exempt alcohol-free events for children on licensed premises used exclusively or mainly during permitted hours, it could have said so. "Plainly it did not and it is not open to this court to build in such an exemption." The judge added that the hotel put a considerable effort into ensuring that no alcohol was consumed at the event, but that this does not provide an answer to the current law.

Summary: A judge has dismissed an an appeal by a County Tyrone hotel that it did not breach licensing laws.


People in the multi-ethnic area of Yili will have to provide the samples before being allowed to go abroad. The Chinese government is trying to crack down on periodic violence, which it blames on Islamist militants. Many Muslims in Xinjiang say they are discriminated against. They say the Chinese authorities often refuse to issue documents allowing them to travel. Most of the Uighur ethnic minority, which makes up about 45% of Xinjiang's population, practise the Muslim faith. Over the years China's authorities have attributed violent attacks to Uighur militants, who they say are inspired or aided by overseas terror groups. Uighur leaders have denied being behind the violence. Why is there tension between China and the Uighurs? Did China's crackdown on terrorism work? The new restrictions on travel were announced in the Communist Party's newspaper in Yili and in advertisements posted by local travel agents. The announcements said that people would have to supply a blood sample, fingerprints, a voice recording and what police call a three-dimensional image. The policy came into force on 1 June, just before Ramadan started. Civil servants and children are banned from fasting for the Muslim holy month. Why is there tension between China and the Uighurs?

Summary: Police in China's north-western region of Xinjiang are asking some residents to provide DNA samples and other biological data when applying for travel documents.


Most of the big posts have gone to men but everyone in the team had to meet the test of "overcoming the divisions between right and left and embracing a progressive project", a spokesman said. The new cabinet includes a campaigning environmentalist and an Olympic fencing champion. And half the list of candidates for next month's parliamentary elections are figures from France's civil society. Like the president, he graduated from the elite ENA college for France's top civil servants. In 2002 he was actively involved in setting up the centre-right party led by Bordeaux Mayor Alain Juppé. For years he was seen as Mr Juppé's right-hand man, but left politics to take up a post in the private sector. In 2010, he won the race to be mayor of the northern port city of Le Havre. He backed Mr Juppé's unsuccessful bid to secure the centre-right presidential nomination last November. Ten years before, he co-wrote a political novel with Gilles Boyer, who went on to run the Juppé campaign. What has he said? "Who is Macron? For some, impressed by his seductive power and reformist rhetoric, he would be the natural son of (JF) Kennedy and (ex-French PM) Mendès France. That seems unlikely. The former had more charisma, the latter more principles. For others, he would be Brutus, Caesar's adoptive son." President Macron fulfilled a promise to balance his cabinet with as many women as men. Here are some of the key appointments. Bruno Le Maire, economy minister: A right-winger, aged 48, he was part of Nicolas Sarkozy's government and is said to have coveted the economy role for several years. He ran for the Republican presidential nomination but fared badly in the public vote. Another right-wing figure, Gérard Darmanin, gets the role of public accounts minister. François Bayrou, justice minister: At 66, this centrist is no stranger to government, having served twice as education minister several years ago. He ran for the presidency three times but dropped out this year to throw his weight behind the Macron campaign. His intervention was seen as a turning point in the presidential race. Gérard Collomb, interior minister: An early adopter of the new president, aged 69, Mr Collomb was part of the Socialist party for decades. He was seen as instrumental in bringing François Bayrou into the campaign. He is the mayor of Lyon and has one of the toughest jobs in government, with France still under a state of emergency. Jean-Yves Le Drian, foreign and Europe minister: Aged 69, he served President François Hollande loyally as defence minister and is one of only two survivors of the outgoing government. The other is radical leftist Annick Girardin. Mr Le Drian is regarded as quiet but effective. Nicolas Hulot, ecology minister: An environmentalist opposed to nuclear energy, he was heavily involved in the COP21 climate change conference in Paris. In some ways his appointment was a surprise as he has in the past criticised Mr Macron for seeing green policies as an afterthought to free trade. Sylvie Goulard, defence minister: At 52, she is a

Summary: France's new President, Emmanuel Macron, has picked his new government with a centre-right prime minister and a cabinet made up of 11 women and 11 men.


The price of US crude was up 56 cents to $44.67 a barrel, helping to lift shares in oil giant Chevron by 1.9%. The Dow Jones rose 229.09 points to 16,600.05, while the S&P 500 added 25.06 points to 1,978.09. The Nasdaq was up by 54.76 points at 4,860.52. Investors are expected to remain cautious ahead of Thursday's Federal Reserve meeting. Analysts are still split over whether the Fed will decide to raise rates for the first time in nine years. The latest economic data showed that US retail sales rose 0.2% last month, which was slightly below forecasts. So-called core retail sales - which exclude cars, fuel, building materials and food services - were up 0.4% in August. Separate figures showed that US manufacturing output fell by 0.5% in August, the sharpest decline since January 2014. The drop was mostly caused by carmakers cutting back production, with car output down 6.4%, the biggest fall for three years.

Summary: (Close): US markets closed higher, with energy stocks leading the way following a rise in the price of oil.


It comes after the Commissioner for South Yorkshire Shaun Wright refused to step down despite calls to do so from Home Secretary Theresa May. Mr Clegg told BBC Radio Sheffield Mr Wright should go and the PCC role was a "discredited experiment". Labour accused Mr Clegg, whose party helped pass legislation to create PCCs, of "classic Lib Dem hypocrisy". Theresa May is facing calls from MPs for emergency legislation so that PCCs could be forced to leave their job. Earlier on Friday, Mr Wright again made it clear he will not resign in connection with the Rotherham child abuse scandal. Mr Wright, who used to head children's services at Rotherham Council before being elected in 2012, has quit the Labour Party but remains as an independent. Mr Clegg says his call to scrap PCCs is a "personal" view, although his Lib Dem party is already due to vote on an alternative system of police oversight at its conference in October. Asked about Mr Wright's refusal to quit, Mr Clegg said: "It's just a disgrace saying 'I'm not going to take any responsibility for it.' "I have to say I've come to my own personal view, I always had huge misgivings about the Conservatives' idea of Police and Crime Commissioners. "They put it into the coalition agreement - fair enough - that's what you do in a coalition. Parties put in different ideas into the coalition agreement. "I remember saying to the Tories at the time, 'look, be careful with this, because the last thing you want is just a bunch of recycled politicians, you know, overseeing our police. They said 'no, no, no, you'll get members of the public, you'll get independent-minded folk'. "And instead what have we got in Shaun Wright and frankly in Police and Crime Commissioners across the north of England is a bunch of recycled Labour politicians who now refuse to actually accept responsibility. "So I've come to the view that it is now time to scrap this experiment. And I think Shaun Wright has driven the death nail into this short experiment of Police and Crime Commissioners." The Conservatives distanced themselves from Mr Clegg's call for one of their flagship policies to be scrapped. A spokesman said: "Police and Crime Commissioners are the link between the people and the police, engaging with local communities to address long-term crime issues so police can get on with their job out on the beat." The Labour Party is considering whether to scrap PCCs if it wins next year's general election and is thought likely to make an announcement on its policy shortly. Labour's shadow policing minister Jack Dromey reacted to news Mr Clegg's party was to debate axing PCCs by accusing them of "classic Lib Dem hypocrisy". "They claim to be on the public's side in wanting to get rid of Police and Crime Commissioners but the truth is they are just as responsible for this policy as the Tories are - they voted for it and supported it all the way. You can't trust a word the Lib Dems

Summary: Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has called for Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) to be scrapped.


Blake Govers scored a hat-trick for the hosts, including a last-minute winner from a penalty corner. Two Ashley Jackson goals put Britain 2-0 ahead, but Govers scored twice and Matthew Dawson once to put Australia in front, before Sam Ward made it 3-3. Saturday's opening match ended 2-2, so the hosts hold a 1-0 series lead going into Tuesday's final Test in Perth. It was the second time in two days that GB had squandered a winning position against the world's number-one ranked team. "Our performance today was littered with inconsistency," said GB head coach Bobby Crutchley. "We had some decent spells, but suffered too many turnovers in possession. We will be looking for improvement in the third Test."

Summary: Great Britain surrendered a two-goal lead to lose 4-3 to Australia in a dramatic second Test in Narrogin.


Portuguese national Antonio Pedro De Olivera Alves, 44, was convicted in his absence at Stafford Crown Court of raping the 12-year-old girl. He was sentenced to an 11-year jail term in 2013, and a warrant for his arrest was issued. Alves, who was arrested in South America earlier this month, will face extradition proceedings, police said. More on this and other Staffordshire stories Prior to raping the girl, Alves befriended her by posing as a teenager. He was charged in January 2013 and convicted in June the same year. Staffordshire Police worked with the UK National Crime Agency and Brazilian authorities to catch Alves, who was arrested earlier this month. He will remain in custody until the Brazil High Court rules on his expected extradition to the UK, said police. At the time of arrest, Alves lived at Aneurin Bevan Place in Rugeley and worked in Stafford.

Summary: A child rapist who fled the UK has been arrested in Brazil after three years on the run.


The 32-year-old has stepped up his rehabilitation after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in October. And he told Rangers TV: "It is going quite well and I am doing fitness work outside now on the pitch and I'm doing a lot of gym work. "Come May, hopefully I can join in with the lads and do a full session, but the goal is to be fit for next season." The Croatia international joined Rangers from New York Cosmos in the summer and was beginning to find form when injury struck. "It happened in training, my foot got stuck while I was doing a dribble and I went over on my knee and unfortunately ruptured the ACL," added Kranjcar, who scored three goals before being sidelined. "You have to be patient with these injuries and I think it is really important to have it 100% before I start doing any harder work." The former QPR, Dynamo Kiev, Tottenham and Portsmouth star revealed the injury lay-off has made for one of the most difficult periods of his career. "The recovery process has been a nightmare," Kranjcar said. "This is definitely the worst injury I have ever had, the longest I had been out before was probably two months and this is between six and nine months. "It is a long road and it is quite lonely. It has its ups and downs, the easiest thing to do is always to give up but once you do start doing your rehab I think there is always a voice in your head telling you to get through it. "Obviously there are days when you watch a game of football and you're not involved so it is hard and you just wish you could play. "I have great support at home from my missus and from my whole family and all my friends. I have been in football ages now and that helps. "I am happy that I got injured? Of course not, it is frustrating, it is hard but I do have a motivation to come back as good as I was before the injury so I guess that is something which keeps me going."

Summary: Rangers midfielder Niko Kranjcar hopes to fully recover from a knee injury in time for the start of next season.


The 23-year-old Wales forward has scored 11 goals during his season-long loan at Portman Road from Premier League side Leicester City. "I think Tom will have his heart set on the Premier League and I think he'll get that," said McCarthy. "If Leicester are going to sell him, there'd be a lot of takers." He continued to BBC Radio Suffolk: "Tom has been brilliant and we've all loved him, everybody's really appreciated what he's done, but I think he has his heart set on Premier League football and why wouldn't he?" The Tractor Boys were assured of Championship safety thanks to Easter Monday's 3-1 defeat of promotion hopefuls Newcastle United. And McCarthy hinted that there could be a large turnover of players this summer as the club go into their 16th consecutive season in England's second tier. McCarthy said: "It's been tentative before being completely safe. I'll sit down and talk to (owner) Marcus (Evans) now about what we want to do and hopefully we can come up with something. "But there's a real opportunity to freshen it up because there are a lot of players out of contract and we've quite a few players on loan. "Do they want to stay? Do we want them? Can we have them? Can we sign them? There's all those things. We'll be losing a few players."

Summary: Championship side Ipswich Town have "no chance" of signing on-loan top scorer Tom Lawrence on a more permanent deal, according to manager Mick McCarthy.


Shueb Salar is alleged to have posted abusive language about women and homosexuals on Twitter, in 2012. An investigation will be carried out into the "serious issues", said a spokesman for Labour candidate Mr Khan, an ex-shadow minister. Mr Salar, who has not commented, started working for Mr Khan in 2014. In light of the posts, cabinet minister Chris Grayling questioned Mr Khan's judgement in employing Mr Salar. "'These comments have absolutely no place in modern society," the leader of the House of Commons said. "The mayor of London makes a large number of decisions about who to hire and how to spend public funds: his record shows Sadiq Khan can't make those decisions in a way that stands up for Londoners." Mr Khan is tipped by the bookies to become London's next mayor on 5 May, beating his Tory rival Zac Goldsmith. A spokesman said: "Clearly these are serious issues. Shueb Salar has been suspended from Sadiq Khan's parliamentary office pending an investigation."

Summary: One of London mayoral hopeful Sadiq Khan's aides has been suspended after offensive social media messages were published.


Barclay suffered a shoulder injury in Scotland's 22-16 defeat by France on 12 February and came back to his Welsh region for a medical appraisal. Pivac said the signs were promising after a scan on the injury. "It was a good scan. He's getting treatment so fingers crossed he will be right for the Welsh Test," said Pivac. "He goes back to Scotland now and they will be in charge of his recovery from here. It will be their call. "But certainly it was nowhere near as serious as first thought." Scotland are already without captain Greig Laidlaw (ankle) and number eight Josh Strauss (kidney) who have both been ruled out of the tournament. There are also concerns over flanker John Hardie and hooker Fraser Brown who both suffered blows to the head in Paris. And wing Sean Maitland was injured on Friday evening in Saracens' defeat by Gloucester in the Aviva Premiership. A Welsh player who could be involved in Murrayfield - wing Steff Evans - scored the Scarlets' opening try in their 42-7 Pro12 win against Zebre. Evans has not featured for Wales so far in the Six Nations, and impressed Pivac with his commitment against the Italian side. "Steff was itching to get a run and he got his hands on the ball out there. He will be better for that," added Pivac. "Tonight's game was important for him, to get a blow-out. "He has been in camp and training well and really enjoying it by all accounts. "He will be happy with that 80 minutes under his belt."

Summary: Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac is hopeful John Barclay will be fit to play for Scotland against Wales in the Six Nations on 25 February.


The run-up was dominated by a row over a Vatican priest who on Saturday announced he was in a gay relationship. Poland-born Krzysztof Charamsa said he wanted to challenge the Church's "backward" attitude to homosexuality. He was later dismissed from his post at the Vatican's office in charge of guarding Roman Catholic doctrine. A Vatican spokesman said Monsignor Charamsa's decision to give interviews on the eve of the synod was "grave and irresponsible" and would put Pope Francis under "undue media pressure". In an interview with the Corriere Della Sera newspaper, the 43-year-old priest said: "It's time the Church opened its eyes and realised that offering gay believers total abstinence from a life of love is inhuman." The controversy has set the scene for what some fear could be a fractious three weeks, says BBC religious affairs correspondent Caroline Wyatt. The Synod - a defining moment for Pope Francis Almost 300 Church leaders - and some lay people - will be discussing such issues as the treatment of Catholics who are gay, and how to approach couples who live together without being married or wish to take communion after being divorced. Analysis: Caroline Wyatt, BBC News It is the most highly-anticipated meeting of the leaders of the Roman Catholic church since the Second Vatican council, some 50 years ago. In his homily today, the Pope spoke of the importance of the family - and perhaps rather pointedly, of the love between a man and a woman. He also said that the wealth of the developed world hadn't led to greater happiness, but to loneliness, and higher rates of abortion and divorce. Many campaigners and more liberal Catholics would like to see a change in Catholic doctrine on issues ranging from homosexuality to contraception. But while some bishops here do want reform, others remain fiercely opposed. In the end, though, the synod is not a democracy. It will be up to the Pope to decide what - if anything - changes, and how the Church applies its teaching to its sometimes errant flock. The Pope has called for a more understanding attitude on sexual issues. After his election in 2013, Pope Francis reaffirmed the Roman Catholic Church's position that homosexual acts were sinful, but said homosexual orientation was not. "If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?" he said. The issue of homosexuality was also highlighted during the Pope's visit to the US last week. He had a private meeting with a gay former student of his and his boyfriend at the Vatican mission in Washington. The Pope also met Kim Davis, a Kentucky local official who recently gained attention for refusing to issue marriage licences to same-sex couples.

Summary: Pope Francis has celebrated Mass at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, at the start of a synod of Roman Catholic bishops focusing on family issues.


The bird was spotted trying to take off by running along the northbound A1(M) in Hertfordshire. As vehicles swerved to avoid the determined swan, officers were called to rescue the bird, which was eventually persuaded to move to a petrol station forecourt. Police drove it to a nearby lake. More on this and other stories from Hertfordshire The intrepid bird chose junction 10 of the A1 near Baldock "adjacent to the BP petrol station", to attempt to launch itself into the air last week, a police spokeswoman said. "PC Paul Warner caught the swan, with assistance from PC Michael Macleod and PC Philip Watts. "It was put into the back of the police car and driven (apprehensively) by PC Justin Smyth to a lake at Astwick Bury Farm [near Hitchin] where it was released."

Summary: A jay-walking swan was taken into custody by four police officers after trying to use a busy motorway as a runway.


Lakshmi Mittal, owner of ArcelorMittal, who held the top slot in 2008 with £27.7bn now has a fortune of £7.12bn and is number 11 on this year's list. The number of London billionaires fell for the first time since the financial crash - from 80 in 2015 to 77. There are also a record 125 women on this year's top 1,000 list. At the top of the 2016 guide to Britain and Ireland's richest people are property tycoons the Reuben brothers, owners of London's Millbank Tower and the John Lewis headquarters, who have a fortune of £13.1bn. Mumbai-born David and Simon Reuben, who also own London Oxford Airport and London Heliport, have increased their fortune by £3.4bn in the past year. Others on the list include: Making it onto the Rich List at all requires at least £103m. Brothers Sri and Gopi Hinduja, who run the Hinduja Group, remain in second place a year on with an unchanged fortune of £13bn. Completing the top three is Warner Music owner Len Blavatnik, who has £11.59bn. He has dropped two places after a reduction in wealth by £1.58bn. The Mittals' previous vast wealth of £27.7bn was the biggest fortune achieved by anyone on the list before or since. Earlier this month it was reported that ArcelorMittal board member Wilbur Ross could be among investors expected to be contacted about buying some of Tata's business interests in the UK.

Summary: The family behind Europe's biggest steelmaker has lost more than £2bn in the past year, the annual Sunday Times Rich List has revealed.


The 33-year-old made 19 appearances for the Seagulls last term after joining on loan in January, helping them finish third, before a play-off semi-final defeat by Sheffield Wednesday. Sidwell played only four games for Premier League club Stoke last season. "He knows exactly what the Championship is all about and what it takes to get promoted," manager Chris Hughton said. "He was excellent for us in the run-in, and was a key figure on and off the pitch as one of the senior members of the squad." Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Summary: Championship side Brighton have signed midfielder Steve Sidwell on a one-year deal following his release by Stoke.


The militants attacked from four sides of the city in the middle of the night. Mahmood Danish, spokesman for the provincial governor, said Afghan forces had repelled the attack. Kunduz was briefly captured by the Taliban last September - the first time the insurgents had taken a major city - but government forces, backed by Nato, recaptured it within days. In southern Helmand province, militants have also taken a strategically important district to the south of Lashkar Gah, killing the local police chief, officials say. A number of other police casualties were also reported. Residents in Kunduz told the BBC they heard heavy fighting and helicopters flying over the strategically important city. Mohammadullah Bahej, head of the police co-ordination office in Kunduz, said the militants had been pushed back but fighting was continuing on the outskirts of the city. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the Taliban had captured several checkpoints in the city. "A massive operation started on Kunduz capital from four directions early this morning," Mr Mujahid said via his official Twitter account. The capture of Kunduz by the Taliban last September was a huge blow to the country's Western-backed government. The militants abandoned the city after four days but they had proved their growing capability. The group raided Tarin Kot, the provincial capital of Uruzgan, earlier this month. Afghan government forces are estimated to have control over no more than two-thirds of Afghanistan. The attacks come ahead of a major international donor conference in Brussels on Tuesday, where Afghanistan's international partners will discuss ongoing funding for the country.

Summary: Taliban militants have launched a co-ordinated attack on the northern Afghan city of Kunduz, officials say.


Heavy rain in Glasgow has resulted in a waterlogged pitch at Thistle's Firhill Stadium. Not date has yet been set for the rearranged fixture. Thistle, who have won their last four games, also had a top-flight match against Motherwell called off due to rain on 5 December.

Summary: The Scottish Premiership game between Partick Thistle and St Johnstone has been postponed following a morning pitch inspection.


The prediction came as the High Street chain unveiled its annual results for the year to 30 January, showing a modest rise in profits. Pre-tax profit was £836.1m, up from £782.2m a year earlier. Next said the year ahead "may well be the toughest we have faced since 2008". The firm's shares suffered their biggest one-day fall since December 2008, shedding £10.05 to £56.55. Next, which has more than 500 stores, also downgraded its sales forecast for the 2016-17 financial year. Previously it had expected growth of between 1% and 6%, but it said it now expected it to fall within a range of minus 1% to plus 4%. Next said it believed there might be a "cyclical move away from spending on clothing, back into areas that suffered the most during the credit crunch". It added that according to the latest figures available for consumer spending, "it can clearly be seen that growth in experience-related expenditure, such as eating out, travel and recreation, was much stronger" than in the clothing sector. The retailer said its Next Directory online division had seen slowing growth. "Partly this is as a result of competitors catching up with our delivery and warehousing capabilities; partly as a result of changes in the ways customers are shopping online," the firm's statement added. It said its priorities included upgrading the online business while developing and expanding its UK retail store network. "In many ways, we have more to do than ever before with complex challenges to our working practices across product, marketing and systems," Next said. "It may well feel like walking up the down escalator, with a great deal of effort required to stand still. "It will not be the first time we have felt this way, and our experience is that the effort put into improving the business in tough times can pay handsome rewards when conditions improve." Next said it expected international online sales to grow by 25% in the coming year, to about £205m. It said this rate of growth was "significantly lower" than last year, because it had now opened in all its target territories, including China. "In addition, two of our largest markets, Russia and Ukraine, have both suffered significant currency devaluations," the firm said.

Summary: Retailer Next has seen its shares fall 15% after it forecast that 2016 would be a "challenging year" for its business, "with much uncertainty in the global economy".


Whitechapel Bell Foundry, which opened in 1570, is in the Guinness Book of World Records as Britain's oldest manufacturing company. The company's owner Alan Hughes said he hoped to have found a buyer by the time he retires in May. The Grade II-listed building in Whitechapel, where it has been based since 1738, has already been sold. The foundry has made numerous famous bells including the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia which summoned the city's residents to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and became a symbol for campaigners wanting to abolish slavery. The foundry also cast the bells for Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral and numerous other cathedrals across the country. Mr Hughes' grandfather bought the business in 1904. "We have made this decision with a heavy heart, but in response to the changing realities of running a business of this kind," he told local community website Spitalfields Life. "The Bell Foundry in Whitechapel has changed hands many times, but it has always been a family business. "My own family has owned the foundry since 1904, but other families have run the firm throughout its history. "The business has been at its present site for more than 250 years so it is probably about time it moved once again. "We hope that this move will provide an opportunity for the business to move forward in a new direction." Mr Hughes said the firm could no longer afford the upkeep of its Whitechapel building and recently had to spend Â£20,000 to repair a leak in the roof.

Summary: A foundry which opened in Queen Elizabeth I's era and made Big Ben is up for sale.


Jose Beltrame stood down a day after a high profile clash between police and suspected drug dealers in some of the city's best known neighbourhoods. The shootout caused panic and forced shops to closed their doors on Monday. Police say three men were killed and several arrested in the raid on the Pavao-Pavaozinho shantytown. Dramatic footage posted online shows one of the suspected criminals falling off a mountain after being shot by police. Pavao-Pavaozinho is built on the hills and granite mountains that divide the Copacabana, Ipanema and Lagoa neighbourhoods. Mr Beltrame led a controversial programme that saw the occupation of dozens of Rio's favelas by police. Residents initially welcomed the "pacification plan," and celebrated the arrest or escape of drug lords who controlled life in their communities. But many eventually turned against the programme after accusing police of abusing their powers. More than 260 favelas have been occupied since the programme was launched in 2010. Rio's pacification programme was aimed at improving security and the rule of law in the run-up to Brazil's hosting of the football World Cup in 2014 and Rio's staging of the Olympics and Paralympics , which took place in August and September. Rio residents say security has declined sharply since the end of the Games. Mr Beltrame said the first phase of his "pacification programme" was to restore law and order in the city's poorest communities. But he complained that there was no money for the second phase of the programme, which consisted of social improvements for residents, with the construction of schools and leisure facilities. Brazil is facing a serious economic and political crisis and the state of Rio de Janeiro has been particularly hit by the downturn.

Summary: The head of security for the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro has resigned after nearly ten years in post following a recent rise in violence.


It follows a decision by Education Minister Peter Weir to reverse a long-standing departmental policy. A circular sent to school principals on Wednesday removes any prohibition on using academic selection to decide what post-primary school pupils transfer to. As a result primary schools can prepare pupils for the AQE and GL Assessment tests during normal class time. Teachers allowed off the 'naughty step' However, the education minister has decided against re-introducing a common, department-run 11-plus test, admitting there was not enough political support to bring back an official exam. "I have been resolutely supportive of academic selection and, indeed, the right of people to have academic selection," Mr Weir told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme. "This is actually about providing freedom to schools. They now have the freedom to choose whether to prepare their pupils, what level of help and assistance they can give in terms of preparation tests." He said his decision to allow primary schools to formally prepare pupils for unofficial tests was "reflecting the reality of what is happening out on the ground, rather than trying to pretend that essentially, testing does not exist". However, Mr Weir said no school would be "compelled" to carry out the preparation. The 11-plus exam, which used to determine entry into grammar schools, was abolished in 2008. Unofficial exams have been used by many grammar schools to decide which pupils to admit since then, but primary schools were not allowed to help pupils to prepare for those. Previous departmental guidance said that primary schools "should not facilitate unregulated entrance test arrangements in any way". They were therefore prohibited from "supplying support materials, carrying out any preparation for unregulated tests during core teaching hours, offering afternoon coaching in exam technique, or providing familiarisation with a test environment". Mr Weir has now changed that, meaning primary schools can help pupils prepare for the AQE and GL Assessment tests if they wish. Mr Weir is the first DUP education minister since the establishment of the Assembly in 1998. Only Sinn Féin had held the education post until this year, and all of their ministers had expressed opposition to academic selection.

Summary: Primary schools in Northern Ireland are now free to prepare pupils for unregulated transfer tests.


In his closing speech, Mr Farron will say the NHS needs to be put on a sustainable footing to save it "lurching from crisis to crisis". He will also call for a merger of NHS and care services to ensure people "don't slip through the net". And on education, he is expected to pledge to abolish primary SATs. Mr Farron will also seek to put pressure on the government to spell out "what Brexit really means" and demand a new referendum on the terms of the final deal. Addressing party delegates in Brighton, on the final day of Lib Dem conference, Mr Farron will say more money is needed to put the health service on a sustainable footing and ensure that patients, now and in the future, can get the treatment and care "that they deserve". "We need to face the hard truth that the NHS needs more money - a lot more money - not just to stop it lurching from crisis to crisis but so that it can meet the needs and the challenges it will face in the years ahead," Mr Farron will say. The party has put together a panel of senior doctors and experts to examine the case for a "dedicated NHS and care tax". Mr Farron will tell conference: "If the only way to fund a health service that meets the needs of everyone is to raise taxes, Liberal Democrats will raise taxes." Tim Farron will seek to use his keynote conference speech to position the Lib Dems as the only alternative to the Conservatives. The Lib Dems are celebrating a surge in people joining the party. But that increase hides the huge task they face to rebuild their parliamentary representation at Westminster where they currently have eight MPs. The Lib Dem leader is expected to recall his own experiences battling for a better home for his grandfather, who had Alzheimer's, and call for a merger of NHS and care services. "We all deserve to know that, no matter what happens, we will be cared for properly and treated with dignity and respect," he will say. "It's not civilised to let people slip through the net." He will add: "If the great Liberal William Beveridge had written his blueprint today, when people are living to the ages they are now, there is no doubt that he would have proposed a National Health and Care Service. "So let's today decide to do what Beveridge would do. Let's create that National Health and Care Service." On education, the Lib Dem leader will say the current system is not focused on developing young people for later life but rather "on getting them through the wrong kinds of tests". He will say he wants schools to be places "where children are inspired to learn, not stressed out by tests". "So I want to end the current system of SATs in primary schools that are a distraction from the real education that professional teachers want to give their children; that weigh heavy on children as young as six and add nothing

Summary: The Lib Dems are prepared to raise taxes to fund an NHS "that meets the needs of everyone", Tim Farron is to tell his party's annual conference.


Media playback is not supported on this device Wednesday's match in Lyon will be Wales' first in the last four of a major tournament. Coleman hopes Wales, appearing at a first competition since the 1958 World Cup, will become regular qualifiers. "People think the end of this tournament is the end of this journey, but it's not," he said. "It's part of the journey. The experience this group of boys will get from this, they'll be here long after I'm here. This success is part of the learning process. "When I looked at the group we were in the tournament, I thought we were capable of getting out of the group. "You never know who you'll get in the last 16, and then the quarter-final. I thought that was a possibility. I told the players that, that I genuinely believed we arrive at that stage. "I didn't know what would happen after that, if I'm honest. But we've got a good team." By guiding Wales to a brilliant 3-1 win over Belgium in last Friday's quarter-final, Coleman has already overseen his country's greatest footballing achievement. They venture into the unknown on Wednesday with their first semi-final, whereas Portugal will be appearing in the last four of a major tournament for the seventh time. Fernando Santos' side are the bookmakers' favourites in Lyon, though they have yet to win a game in 90 minutes in France. They will inevitably look to captain and record goal-scorer Cristiano Ronaldo for inspiration, and his duel with Real Madrid team-mate Gareth Bale has been the subject of much attention in the build-up to the game. Another Real player, centre-back Pepe, could have an important role to play as Portugal aim to subdue the threat of Bale, who is second in the Euro 2016 scoring charts with three goals. Pepe returned to training on Tuesday having struggled with a thigh injury and, with the defender's confrontational style in mind, Coleman was asked about potential gamesmanship from Portugal. "Our boys will know about the opposition. We do our homework on every team. We know their players individually and collectively, we know what to expect," he said. "You call it gamesmanship, but sometimes it's being streetwise at this level. We've got better at that. "We used to be far too honest. I'd look at what players used to do to us, and us in the same situations, and we'd be miles behind. "Sometimes it's not pretty, or even ugly, and you can see it as negative. But anything you need to do to stay in the game, do it. It's streetwise, football smart. We've got a lot better at that in the last few years."

Summary: Chris Coleman believes there is more to come from his Wales side regardless of the result of their historic Euro 2016 semi-final against Portugal.


Christopher Michael Williams, 51, of Acrefair, died after being struck by a half-tonne power press on 3 December 2012 at Vauxhall Industrial Estate. Mold Crown Court heard the lifting operation was unsafe and Mr Williams was not properly trained in lifting non-standard loads. Morgan Technical Ceramics Ltd had admitted failing to ensure his safety. The court heard a maintenance supervisor was moving the power press on a pallet truck when it toppled over, striking Mr Williams. He died from his injuries at the scene. As well as the fine, the firm must also pay £23,000 in costs.

Summary: A Wrexham company has been fined £180,000 after a man was crushed by heavy machinery at a Ruabon factory.


Taylor, 26, made her debut keeping wicket for Northern Districts in the West End Premier Cricket Competition against Port Adelaide Magpies. The two-day event is the highest level of cricket played in South Australia outside first-class cricket. "I am completely proud of what I have achieved today," Taylor told the BBC World Service's Sportsworld programme. "I would like to think I am not going to be the last woman to play in men's A grade. "To be the first was never a plan of mine, it has just happened that way. I have to thank the Jets for letting me have that chance. "It was a long day, it was tough, but overall I was pretty happy with my performance." Former Australia Test cricketers Darren Lehmann, who is the current coach of the men's national team, and Ryan Harris have previously represented Northern Districts in the West End Premier Cricket Competition. The second day of the two-day match will be next Saturday, when Taylor will bat. "It has been a rollercoaster for me and them these past few days, but the guys were brilliant about it," she added. "There was pressure internally, rather than worrying about external factors, but I am happy with what I have done." Taylor, who has played in men's league cricket in England, is also playing 50-over state cricket for South Australia in the Women's National Cricket League, and will feature for Adelaide Strikers in the inaugural Women's Big Bash League, a Twenty20 competition. "One day there might be a girl who comes through and doesn't want to play women's cricket, and wants to see how far she can go in the men's game," said Taylor. "For me personally, it was just to make a me a better women's player." Earlier this year, England seam bowler Kate Cross became the first woman to play in the 123-year-old Central Lancashire League.

Summary: England's Sarah Taylor made history on Saturday by becoming the first woman to play Australian first-grade cricket.


Johnstone opened the scoring with a close-range tap-in on eight minutes. The 21-year-old slotted Bobby Barr's cross into the bottom corner for his 14th goal of the season to make it 2-0, before Paul McMullan added a third. Dale Hilson and Gary Oliver hit back for the visitors but Morton held on for the win.

Summary: Denny Johnstone netted a first-half brace as Morton returned to winning ways with victory over Queen of the South.


The Children and Social Work Bill would let local councils apply to set aside children's rights and checks on care to try out innovative ways of working. The government argues it is a bold approach to removing red tape. But campaigners say allowing councils to opt out of these long-standing duties is risky and unnecessary. The legal duties affected by the Bill relate to nearly all the social care services children receive from local authorities laid down in numerous acts of Parliament. These include statutory rights on child protection, family support, children's homes and fostering, support to care leavers and services for disabled children. About 50 organisations publicly oppose the proposed exemptions - including the British Association of Social Workers, The Care Leavers' Association, Women's Aid, Liberty and the National Association of People Abused in Childhood. They have banded together to form a group called Together for Children to oppose the Bill, which was debated by a House of Lords committee on Tuesday. The organisation said: "Children's social care laws have evolved over many decades, often in response to failures in care and protection but also because of new knowledge and understanding." Carolyne Willow, director of independent children's rights organisation Article 39, said: "More than 107,000 members of the public have signed a petition opposing the plan. "With such a radical and unprecedented change to children's law, it's not unreasonable to demand a Green and White Paper consultation. "We have been unable to find any example of any other country which allows councils to opt out of their duties to very vulnerable children and young people, including those the state is directly responsible for by law." If the Bill becomes law, local authorities would be able to apply to the Secretary of State to be exempted from one or more legal duties for a period of three years, initially, so it can try out new ways of working. This could then be extended for a further three years. The government argues this would allow children's services departments to pilot new ways of working and potentially achieve better outcomes. It also insists no-one would be put at risk. A Department for Education spokesperson said: "Local authorities should have the freedom to work with social workers so they can develop new and effective ways of supporting the vulnerable children in their care. "We know that over-regulation can get in the way of good social work practice and the power to innovate will allow us to test new approaches in a carefully controlled and monitored way. To suggest it would place children at risk is simply wrong." It comes after a government-commissioned review of social work suggested departments were tied up in procedural knots and tick-box regulations. But children's groups, as well as peers who debated the bill, argue there is no need to scrap key planks of primary legislation which guarantee children's rights, to allow innovation. They argue that it is more the rules, regulations and guidance attached to that legislation that could be set aside. The Bill has seen significant sections defeated by

Summary: A Bill described as "a bonfire of child protection rights", which would let councils opt out of key legal duties to children, was debated on Tuesday.


Ruth Davidson delivered that message during a speech at the Tory conference in Manchester. She addressed delegates ahead of Prime Minister David Cameron's speech. Her focus was on the 2016 Holyrood election in which she said every vote for the Conservatives would "promote Scotland's place" as part of the UK. The Conservatives have only one Scottish MP but 15 MSPs at Holyrood. Speaking at a fringe event at the conference on Sunday, Ms Davidson told activists her party was on track for its "best ever result" in next year's Holyrood elections. There is a new Jerusalem we want to build and we will work towards it every day." In last year's independence referendum people in Scotland voted to remain in the UK by 55% to 45%. In her speech to conference, Ms Davidson said the Scottish Conservatives were the party who represented the two million Scots who chose to back the Union. She insisted the Tories would target the regional vote in next year's Scottish Parliament elections and she urged people, whatever their party allegiance, to consider giving their second vote to the Conservatives. Ms Davidson told those gathered: "I don't want us to be just the party of the technocrat. The grudging vote of competence. "I want us to be the party of the thinkers, the dreamers, the reformers and the visionaries too. "The zeal of the missionary, the courage of the pioneer, the ambition to lift our eyes to the horizon and say there's a new Jerusalem we want to build and we will work towards it every day. "And, more than that. We'll take people with us." She added: "So long as the SNP refuses to rule out another referendum, our message for voters looking to cast that second vote is clear. Whichever party you support, use that vote intelligently. "And if you're one of the two million people who voted 'No' in last year's referendum, use it as your intelligent vote for the Union." Ms Davidson went on to tell conference "Every cross in the Scottish Conservative box is a vote to promote Scotland's place as part of the United Kingdom we built. And every vote for the Scottish Conservatives will help return a Conservative MSP." Ahead of Ms Davidson's address, Scottish Secretary David Mundell spoke to party members. Mr Mundell said: "We are stronger and safer together as partners in our UK. That is what just over two million voted just over a year ago, to keep our nations together. It was a 'no thanks' to independence." He added that the Conservative Party was in "the vanguard" of the No to Scottish independence campaign. However, Mr Mundell said there could not be room for complacency and "championing the UK must be a full time job".

Summary: Only the Conservatives represent those in Scotland who want to remain part of the UK, according to the party's Scottish leader.


The Welsh Corner - Y Gornel Gymraeg - offers a one-stop shop for anyone searching for Welsh content on Parliament.co.uk. The section, under the Get Involved heading, includes details of the Welsh Affairs select committee's work, which is now available in Welsh. Services and publications can also be accessed there. David Clark, head of outreach and engagement for UK Parliament, said: ""Having all our Welsh services in one place is a fantastic opportunity for the UK Parliament to further engage with and reach out to the growing Welsh language community. "Investing in services, such as our Welsh language enquiry service, is a priority for us and demonstrates our commitment to outreach across the UK."

Summary: All the UK Parliament's online Welsh-language services have been brought together in one place on its website.


The 24-year-old was scheduled to play seven group games, but will now undergo elbow surgery without making an appearance in the competition. The club will instead give their young players a chance to feature. "We are looking forward to seeing how the young players go when given an opportunity," head coach Chris Silverwood said. "As a club we are renowned for investing in youth and we will continue to do so to improve their experiences over the remaining matches of the campaign. Giving them opportunities now will only help them in the future." Meanwhile, bowling coach Donovan Miller has left the club for Caribbean Premier League side Jamaica Tallawahs. Miller played club cricket in the Middlesex, Essex and Hertfordshire leagues from 2000-2012, while completing his coaching qualifications. "I am delighted to be joining the Tallawahs. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to ensure I keep getting better as a coach," he said. Former England one-day wicketkeeper Paul Nixon is Tallawahs head coach.

Summary: Essex will not replace injured New Zealand international fast bowler Adam Milne in their T20 Blast squad.


Americans Steve Kaplan and Jason Levien are in talks about taking a "controlling interest" in the club. Guidolin, 60, has led Swansea to Premier League safety since joining in January, but his contract expires at the end of the season. "We spoke about the future. Nothing is decided," said Italian Guidolin. "We spoke about the team, the players, many things, but not about the takeover. I don't know what [impact] it will have. "I confirmed to him I would prefer to stay here if possible. Now I'm waiting for his decision, but I'm happy." Swansea reached the 40-point mark synonymous with Premier League survival by beating Chelsea 1-0 on Saturday, although the prospect of American investment has since dominated the agenda at the Liberty Stadium. Jenkins and vice-chairman Leigh Dineen will stay on at Swansea in an executive capacity if the takeover goes through. Jenkins has said a deal would not affect Swansea's managerial plans. Garry Monk was sacked as head coach in December and, after Alan Curtis' temporary spell in charge, Guidolin was appointed. The former Udinese manager said: "This is not my job. It is difficult for me to say something about this situation. "This is an important club for me. I like the kindness of the people, the Premier League; my wife and family is happy. "But I don't know if my future is here or another part of the world. I don't know anything about the agreements."

Summary: Swansea boss Francesco Guidolin has discussed his future with chairman Huw Jenkins, but does not know if the potential takeover will affect his job.


The 30-year-old Australian-born forward represented Scotland at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup. He holds the record for the most consecutive appearances in the NRL with 215 between 2006 and 2014. "The club has a great profile and stature in the game and I hope to be able to contribute to developing that wonderful culture," he said. Douglas will join St Helens ahead of the 2017 season. "I am told Saints have the best fans in the game and I can't wait to engage with them. I'm really looking forward to this next chapter in my life," he added.

Summary: Super League side St Helens have signed prop Luke Douglas from NRL's Gold Coast Titans on a three-year deal.


The couple wore yellow scarves and garlands at the 200-year-old Hindu temple in Bahrain's capital Manama. Prince Charles earlier held talks with the country's long-time Prime Minister, Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa. The royal couple have also visited the United Arab Emirates and Oman during the seven-day trip. The Bahrain visit marks 200 years of formal relations between the two countries, dating from a treaty of friendship signed in 1816. The UK maintains strong military ties to Bahrain, where it has run its permanent naval base HMS Juffair for more than a year. Prince Charles paid the base a visit to open a welfare block and inspect HMS Middleton. But the trip comes amid concerns of continued human rights abuses in Bahrain. Prince Charles has faced calls to raise concerns over how Bahrain's security forces have dealt with a string of mass protests in the country. He began the day visiting Sheikh Khalifa, who has been in office since 1971, on the Bahraini ruler's custom-built private island. The Middle East tour, which was organised by the UK government, aims to boost partnerships in the region in a range of areas, including wildlife conservation and women in leadership. During the day, Camilla visited St Christopher's School, a British-style school with 2,200 pupils, speaking to the students about their literacy and music lessons. She later met a group of young businesswomen known as the Supreme Council for Women, which is chaired by Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the first wife of Bahrain's King Hamad. The council, which was set up in 2001 to advise the government on women's issues, consists of a group of 16 women from a "wide range of backgrounds and experiences". The royal couple later unveiled two new stamps, to commemorate two centuries of diplomatic ties between the UK and Bahrain, at the Post Office Museum. Prince Charles also visited the Al-Fateh Grand Mosque, the largest in the country, where he signed the visitors' book and was given a tour.

Summary: The Prince of Wales has met Bahrain's prime minister before visiting a temple with the Duchess of Cornwall on their final day of touring the Middle East.


Media playback is unsupported on your device 5 August 2015 Last updated at 07:44 BST New York's fire department said no injuries had been reported after a large section of tarmac disappeared into the massisve hole in the road. Guide: What is a sinkhole?

Summary: A giant sinkhole has opened up a street in the New York neighbourhood of Brooklyn, in the United States.


Robinson was left upset by a number of refereeing decisions as his side conceded twice in the final three minutes to draw 3-3 at home to Bristol Rovers in League One on Tuesday. "Maybe we need to cheat a little bit more, go down, scream, maybe we need to do that," he told BBC Three Counties. "Honesty in the way we're doing things doesn't seem to be getting the right rewards." After relegation from the Championship, MK Dons have won just four times in League One this season and have not recorded a home victory in 12 league games - a record that stretches back to March. "Stay on your feet, be disciplined, but you've seen tonight that's clearly not the case," added Robinson, who has been in charge of the club since May 2010. "If you stay on your feet you don't get the foul. Ultimately you lose the football and you get countered on or you get kicked in your own area by a centre forward who finds himself two yards out tapping it in."

Summary: Manager Karl Robinson says MK Dons may have to "cheat more" to win matches.


Of the 2,007 people polled 27% had seen a hate crime, with 20% witnessing abuse based on religion and 25% on race or ethnicity. The questionnaire was carried out by Censuswide to coincide with Holocaust Memorial Day on Wednesday. More than 3,000 events are taking place across the UK to mark the event, which has taken place each year since 2001. Ceremonies are also being held around the world, including at former death camp Auschwitz, which was liberated 71 years ago. In separate figures, the Everyday Antisemitism Project - a scheme where Jewish people share experiences of discrimination - reported a surge in submissions, with 303 received in the last three months of 2015, compared to a monthly average of 32 in the preceding 14 months. Olivia Marks-Woldman, chief executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, which commissioned the questionnaire, said: "The theme for the thousands of Holocaust Memorial Day events taking place across the country today is 'Don't stand by', and these figures show just how important that message is. "Today is about remembering the atrocities of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides, but it's also about finding ways to make sure they can never happen again. "We know that silence and indifference in the face of discrimination and hatred allows persecution to take root, so we want to encourage people to stand up and speak out, in the way many brave souls have in the past." The most common form of hate crime reported was verbal abuse. Of the incidents witnessed 28% were online on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. More than three quarters of those asked [77%] said there was no difference between bullying or "trolling" someone online and shouting abuse at them in the street. Some 300 people polled said they had been victim of a hate crime, with 61% saying no-one intervened while the incident was happening. Censuswide surveyed the over-16s in Britain between 2 and 7 December last year. Holocaust Memorial Day also remembers atrocities in countries such as Cambodia, Bosnia and Rwanda. The main UK memorial ceremony will take place at the Guildhall in London and will be broadcast on BBC Two at 19:00 GMT.

Summary: More than a quarter of people in the UK have witnessed a hate crime in the last year, a new poll suggests.


The country hopes the measures will see its international athletics ban lifted. All Russian track and field athletes intending to compete in August's Rio Games will undergo a minimum of three independent anti-doping controls. These will be carried out by the sport's governing body, the IAAF, in addition to existing anti-doping steps. BBC Sport has learned two independent international experts will also be granted full access to the Russian anti-doping agency (Rusada) in Moscow from the end of April. The experts - nominated by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) - will be tasked with ensuring the Russian anti-doping system is free of any interference and is fully independent. "Russia is implementing all necessary reforms," said Russia's Minister of Sport Vitaly Mutko. "We are 100% supportive of Wada's efforts, alongside the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and IAAF, to stamp out cheating." Russia's athletics federation was suspended by the IAAF in November last year after being accused of "state-sponsored" doping. According to a Wada commission report, the London 2012 Games were "sabotaged" by Russian dopers and the country's security services were involved in the large-scale doping programme. Moscow lab officials were also found to have been responsible for the "malicious destruction" of 1417 samples, while a follow-up report by the commission found evidence that the cheating was linked to corruption at the highest levels of the IAAF. Rusada - and its Moscow laboratory - were subsequently found non-compliant with international anti-doping standards and lost their accreditation. Media playback is not supported on this device Last month, the IAAF said Russia had made "considerable progress" but there was "significant work to be done". A German documentary by ARD claimed a suspended Russian coach was still working with elite athletes. Concerns about Russian cheating also extend beyond track and field. At the weightlifting World Championships in December, four Russians were among 17 lifters suspended after drug tests. They included three gold medalists. Wada is also investigating allegations of systemic doping in Russian swimming. As for its athletes, Russia will find out by early June whether it can send a team to the Olympic Games. Senior Rusada management were replaced in December as the agency tried to convince the world it could be revamped. Now an independent supervisory board, which met for the first time last week, has agreed the new measures. "The first meeting of the board and the presence of these independent experts are a key part of this road map," Mutko said. "Clean athletes' dreams must not be allowed to be destroyed because of other people's mistakes. This is an important step." In recent months, UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) has taken control of drug-testing in Russia while Rusada remains non-compliant with Wada's code. "We are urgently working to ensure sport in Russia is clean and fair," Natalia Zhelanova, the Russian government's anti-doping adviser, told the BBC. "We very much hope that this effort will be recognised by the IAAF and by the international sports community as a whole, so that Russian athletes can compete at the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. "We understand that

Summary: Russia is to announce a range of reforms designed to restore trust in its scandal-ridden anti-doping agency, BBC Sport has learned.


South Korea's new President Moon Jae-in backed proposals for a collaboration after it was suggested by sports minister Do Jong-hwan. But North Korean International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Chang Un has dismissed the idea - saying there was not time to negotiate a deal. The Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, will take place from 9-25 February. The two sides have played in the same team before - at the 1991 World Table Tennis Championships. However, Mr Chang told local media: "It took us 22 rounds of talks to set up that joint [table tennis] team... it took us five months. "That's the reality we face." South Korea's sports minister had suggested a joint ice hockey team - even going as far as to suggest they might allow the north to host skiing events - to help make the 2018 games a "peace Olympics". President Moon, who advocates greater dialogue with South Korea's neighbours, then put forward the idea of a wider unified Olympic squad. But Mr Chang said the games should not be used for political purposes, adding: "As an expert of the Olympics, it is a little late to be talking about co-hosting. It's easy to talk about co-hosting, but it is never easy to solve practical problems for that. It's the same for forming a joint team for ice hockey." South Korean officials have said they continue to be open to the idea. The two sides remain technically at war as the fighting at the end of the Korean War in 1953 did not end with a peace treaty. Tensions have risen recently following repeated missiles tests carried out by Pyongyang.

Summary: North Korea has rejected an offer from the South to form a unified team for next year's Winter Olympics.


The firm, one of the world's biggest fashion retailers, reported net profits of 3.6bn Swedish kronor ($423m; Â£284m), up 36% from a year earlier. The company said its collections had been "well-received" in the December-to-February period. H&M plans to open about 400 new stores in the 2014-15 financial year. "We have made a very good start to 2015 - in terms of both sales and profits," said H&M chief executive Karl-Johan Persson. "Our attractive customer offering and strong expansion both through stores and online, as well as our work on continuous improvement, are among the reasons for increased market share gains and good profits," he added. However, the company warned that it could be hit by currency movements, noting that "the strong US dollar will affect our sourcing costs going forward". H&M makes most purchases in US dollars, and has a large share of sales in euros, so some analysts are concerned that margins will be affected by the dollar's appreciation against the euro. In the first quarter, sales increased by 15% in local currencies, and by 25% in Swedish kronor, to 40.2bn kronor. The company said it planned to open new stores in Taiwan, Peru and Macau in the first half of 2015, and in South Africa and India in the second half. H&M also said it planned to open online markets in Portugal, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Belgium in the spring, and Switzerland in the autumn.

Summary: Swedish fashion retailer Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) has said "strong" store and online expansion led to improved sales and profits in the first quarter.


The man escaped with a three-figure sum of cash after raiding the shop in East Muiryhall Street, Coatbridge, at about 21:20 on Tuesday. The staff member, whose daughter was in the shop at the time, was uninjured but both were left "extremely distressed". Police have asked anyone with information to contact them. The suspect is described as white, about 5ft 7in tall, with a medium build. At the time of the robbery, he was wearing a dark hooded jacket and dark trousers. He was also wearing a balaclava to disguise his face and he had a local accent. Officers will be carrying out door-to-door inquiries and gathering CCTV images from the local area. Det Con Emma McLaughlin, of Police Scotland, said: "There are other stores, such as a takeaway and a local shop nearby and it's possible someone may have seen the man before the incident, perhaps he was loitering outside, maybe you saw him acting a little suspiciously. "If you have any information or knowledge of the incident or the suspect, then please do contact us."

Summary: Police are attempting to trace a man who robbed a William Hill bookmakers in North Lanarkshire after threatening a member of staff with a weapon.


Media playback is not supported on this device At 63-63, Robertson took the first frame with a respotted black but Carter took the second with a 94 break. Carter won the third frame to go 2-1 up but Robertson fought back with a break of 43 and 57 to take a 3-2 lead. However, Carter came from behind to seize victory, as he won three straight frames including an 84 break. He will face off against Trump, who beat Ronnie O'Sullivan on Wednesday, in Friday's semi-final. Semi-finals Judd Trump v Ali Carter Mark Selby/Marco Fu v Ding Junhui/Anthony Hamilton Quarter-finals Mark Selby v Marco Fu Ding Junhui v Anthony Hamilton Neil Robertson 3-5 Ali Carter Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-5 Judd Trump Round one Stuart Bingham 1-5 Anthony Hamilton Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-1 Liang Wenbo Mark Selby 5-4 Ryan Day Marco Fu 5-1 Anthony McGill Barry Hawkins 0-5 Neil Robertson Judd Trump 5-2 Mark King Ding Junhui 5-4 John Higgins Ali Carter 5-4 Shaun Murphy

Summary: Ali Carter beat Neil Robertson 5-3 in the Players Championship quarter-final in Llandudno, to set up a semi-final tie against Judd Trump on Friday.


Anna Signeul's side are missing injured trio Kim Little, Jen Beattie and Lizzie Arnot for Euro 2017, which begins on 17 July in the Netherlands. "I think it's huge - any team at the Euros would miss players like Kim, Jenny and Lizzie," said Crichton. "The good thing is we have got a bit of strength in depth in the squad now." Manchester City defender Beattie is nursing an ankle injury, while midfielder Little, of Arsenal, and Hibernian striker Arnot have both ruptured anterior cruciate knee ligaments. "There are certainly quality players that have been brought in because of their absences, and I think those players along with myself will show it's about the squad and what we can do collectively," Glasgow City's Crichton told BBC Scotland. "I'm disappointed for them and for us, but it's part of football. We just need to go on and do what we can now without them." Boss Signeul shares Crichton's disappointment for the missing trio, especially given how close Little and Beattie have come to qualifying for major tournaments in the past, only to fall at the play-off stage. "It's very, very sad for them and I feel for the players," the Swede told BBC Scotland. "Kim and Jennifer have been part of these play-offs that were so close so many times and now when we finally made it, they are not here. "They are young and although this is the first time we've qualified, there will be many more times after this, so just focus on getting back to full fitness and helping the team get to the next World Cup." Little, voted BBC Women's Footballer of the Year for 2016, is on the way to recovery following successful surgery, and is positive about Scotland's chances in the Netherlands. "It's obviously a blow to miss it, especially when I was initially told," she said. "It was easy to accept because I knew I had no chance [of recovering from the injury in time]. It's devastating but it gives someone else an opportunity and I look forward to watching my team-mates." Scotland, drawn in Group D, begin their maiden European Championship campaign on 19 July against England, before taking on Portugal a week later, then Spain on 27 July. Crichton insists the Scots are "not going to make up the numbers" and hopes their presence and performances in the Netherlands can motivate girls and young women back home. "We'll definitely grasp the opportunity, and who knows where the tournament will take us?" she added. "In Scotland, it's really important for young kids now to have positive role models and I think that's all that any of the girls in the team look to do. We want to inspire the next generation of footballers - maybe something we didn't have a lot of as kids. "Anything we can change going forward for the next generation will be massive. Seeing the effect that major tournaments have had on other countries, I think it can definitely take Scotland to the next level. "I think letting people see us

Summary: Scotland women midfielder Leanne Crichton says competing in a first major tournament finals without three key players is a severe blow.


Dons manager Derek McInnes and assistant Tony Docherty opted to stay with Aberdeen despite talks this week with Championship club Sunderland. "I was fairly confident he would stay," Milne told BBC Scotland on Friday. "He phoned yesterday morning and said he was absolutely committed to the club. It would have been a massive wrench for him to walk away." McInnes, 45, took over from Craig Brown in 2013 and the following year led the club to League Cup success, beating Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the final for the Dons' first trophy in 19 years. Last season, McInnes and Docherty guided the Dons to second place in the Premiership behind Celtic, and were runners-up to Celtic in the Scottish Cup and League Cup. "He sees Aberdeen Football Club as his," said Milne of McInnes who, along with Docherty, is contracted to the Pittodrie club until 2019. "I've built up a very close relationship with Derek over the last three or four years and we have been in constant dialogue over the past four or five days. I believed it was 50-50 (whether he would leave). "He has always said how happy he is at Aberdeen. He feels he gets the backing of the board, he has been very successful here, any move entails risk and he knows what he's got here. "Last year was probably the best season in the last three decades and he believes that he can better last year. "I'm absolutely delighted. I've always said we had one of the best management teams in the whole of the UK here." Milne revealed that the club had "reshaped" McInnes's contract in the "past week or so" and that fans can expect to see a few new players coming to Aberdeen when McInnes returns to work on Tuesday. Milne also says he would be surprised if the club don't make a few signings before the end of next week.

Summary: Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne thinks the club have retained "one of the best management teams in the UK".


After the best part of a century of service, the traditional steel "lattice" pylon has been updated. The "T-pylon" is shorter, standing at about 120ft (36m); the old steel giants are typically 165ft (50m). The National Grid says it will respond to the need to harvest energy from an increasing number of lower-carbon energy sources. The new tower can be shorter yet still capable of operating at 400,000 volts because of the way the cables are held in place. Instead of being attached to three arms, a diamond arrangement is used to carry the cables off in one arm in a much smaller space. Each arm has to carry 60 tonnes. With only eight main structural components plus bolts, it is easier to erect and install - taking a day rather than a week. According to the National Grid, new pylons are needed to respond to the move away from coal and towards other forms of generation such as wind, solar and nuclear. These new low-carbon energy sources come from different geographical locations to the "traditional ring" of coal-fired generation in the centre of England. This test line won't be connected to the rest of the grid, it will be used to train staff and contractors. In particular, it will be used for people to practise "stringing" the conductors (wires) on to the pylons, as a very different technique is needed. The T-Pylon design was adopted after an international competition held by the National Grid in 2011, won by Danish company Bystrup. The claim is that these pylons will be less obtrusive not just because of their shorter stature, but because the design allows them to "follow the contours of the land". According to project manager Alan Large, maintenance will be easier because operators will not have to climb up the tower, they will work from elevated platforms positioned alongside it. Their smooth, impenetrable surface will also make them more difficult to vandalise. It won't replace the 88,000 lattice pylons that currently bestride the UK countryside. It will principally be used in the construction of new power lines in England and Wales. The National Grid is applying to use them to connect the new Hinkley Point C nuclear power station to the UK's electricity transmission network. The start of the UK's electricity transmission network began with the building of the first pylon in 1928 near Edinburgh. Follow Claire on Twitter. To some they are a blot on the landscape; to others they have a kind of skeletal beauty. But for a small number of pylon enthusiasts, these giant structures hold a lifelong fascination. Read more: Pylon passion

Summary: The first new design of an electricity pylon in almost 90 years has been erected at a site in Nottinghamshire.


Now, 30 years on, the writer of that film says she's ready to bring Baby and Johnny back to the big screen. "I am now thinking I might be ready to do a sequel," Eleanor Bergstein told the BBC. She added her characters were "very particular people who find a very particular reality with each other, and I do want to explore that now". Set in 1963, Dirty Dancing told of a teenager, Frances "Baby" Houseman, who has an affair with dance instructor Johnny Castle while staying at a Catskill Mountains resort. The film starred Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze and won an Oscar for the song (I've Had) The Time of My Life. Audiences fell in love with the movie's characters, music and its iconic dance routines, including the famous "lift". In an interview to be aired on BBC Radio 4's Front Row, Bergstein pointed out that her film also included an illegal abortion that has become all too topical in the wake of US President Trump's election. "All these things have come around again," she told Samira Ahmed. "All these battles we thought in some way had been won... it's come back now." Bergstein also said that were Baby around today, she would be out marching for women's rights and Black Lives Matter. "The thing that is so moving to me is that in cities all across America... everyone instinctively dropped their lives and went out on the streets. "That's what Baby would be doing now." Swayze, who died in 2009, made a cameo appearance as a dance teacher in 2004 prequel Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. A TV movie remake of the original film, starring Abigail Breslin and Nicole Scherzinger, is set to air later this year. Listen to the full interview on Monday's Front Row at 19:15 GMT. 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: We last saw them having the time of their lives in Dirty Dancing, 1987's sleeper hit about finding love, coming of age and learning to mambo.


Rosie Batty, 52, from Tyabb, a small town in Victoria, began her work after her son Luke, 11, was stabbed to death. She received the award from Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott at a ceremony at Parliament House, Canberra. The award winners are selected from public nominations and announced ahead of Australia Day, on 26 January. The 2015 Young Australian of the Year is 21-year-old West Australian Drisana Levitzke-Gray, a young deaf woman who advocates for other deaf people. Senior Australian of the Year is 61-year-old Jackie French from New South Wales, a children's author and advocate for children with learning difficulties, and the Australian Local Hero is 41-year-old Juliette Wright from Queensland, who established an online platform to get goods and services to vulnerable and marginalised people. This year was the first time in the 55-year history of the awards that women have secured the top honour in all four categories. The recipients were great Australians and great role models, said chairman of the National Australia Day Council, Ben Roberts-Smith. "It is a great moment in the 55-year history of these awards to honour four women. "Rosie, Jackie, Drisana and Juliette remind us of the many ways in which women contribute to our nation; that women are a force for change, a voice for rights, influencers, educators and the heart of our communities," he said. After her son's death, UK-born Ms Batty emerged as an articulate and powerful advocate for the rights of women and children living in violent relationships, giving new force to efforts to prevent family violence across Australia. Family violence activists say Ms Batty's ability to explain to the public why so many women struggle to protect their children from violent partners helped make the issue of family violence a key campaign issue for all political parties in last November's Victoria state election. Greg Anderson, 54, killed Luke Batty in front of shocked onlookers at a cricket oval in Tyabb. The father and son had been playing together during an access visit in February 2014 when Anderson suddenly struck his son with a cricket bat and stabbed him. Anderson was shot by police after threatening them with a knife when they tried to detain him. He died later in hospital. Ms Batty was at the cricket ground when the attack happened. The public killing shocked Australians in a way that many other acts of family violence committed every week in the country have not.

Summary: A woman who became a campaigner against domestic violence after her son was killed by his father last February has been named Australian of the Year.


The RMT union is balloting more than 1,000 members who work at stations. GTR, which includes Southern and Great Northern, plans to close 34 station ticket offices and staff 49 others only at peak times. The two sides are in a long-running dispute over the role of conductors. Stations listed for reduced ticket office hours include Chichester, Crawley, Dorking, Huntingdon, Hove, Lewes, Reigate, Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City and Worthing. Ticket window closures include Alexandra Palace, Caterham, Cricklewood, Lancing, Purley and Sutton. GTR said new "station hosts" would work on the concourse instead to assist passengers and help sell tickets. The RMT claimed 130 station jobs were at risk and said the cuts would also have a "devastating" impact on safety and services offered to passengers. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "These plans fly in the face of the response from the thousands of passengers who objected to the closure of ticket offices and the de-staffing of stations as Govia drives on with plans for a "faceless railway" where the public are left to fend for themselves on rammed-out, dangerous and unreliable services." But GTR director Keith Jipps said: "The RMT's threat of further industrial action is entirely unwarranted and clearly another bid by the union to disrupt passengers and GTR across as many parts of our franchise as possible." "Our new station hosts will be paid more, be able to work in safety and provide passengers with better customer service, but the RMT is not concerned with improving the experience for passengers and are dismissing significant improvements to the terms and conditions for staff," he added. The union is to ballot staff in the first two weeks of August on "strike action and action short of a strike." GTR's franchise covers four railways: Southern, Gatwick Express, Thameslink and Great Northern.

Summary: Britain's largest rail franchise, Govia Thameslink (GTR) is facing the threat of more industrial action, in a fresh dispute over planned cuts to ticket offices.


Gateshead-born Harrison has been linked with Hartlepool United, who parted company with Dave Jones after dropping into the League Two relegation zone. Harrison says he is flattered but insists his focus is on Sunday's Welsh Cup final against Bala Town. "I've said from day one that I'm a very ambitious person," Harrison said. "I want to manage at the very best level I can. "It's nice to be linked to these jobs. But at this point in time the Welsh Cup Final is the be all and end all for me. "Once that's finished we'll be preparing for the Champions League and then whatever will be will be." Saints have already secured the Welsh Premier League title and the Nathaniel MG League Cup, Saints and earlier this season broke Ajax's 44-year world record for the most consecutive wins with 27 straight victories. Harrison's side will achieve a third successive Welsh treble if they beat Bala in Sunday's Welsh Cup final in Bangor.

Summary: New Saints boss Craig Harrison has said he has ambitions to manage at "the highest level."


Of the 245 families interviewed, 76% said that their child's illness had had a major impact on finances with two in three parents experiencing a loss of earnings. The survey was carried out by children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent. It wants the government to ensure families get more financial support. For their report, entitled Counting the Costs of Cancer, the charity also sought the views of 90 young people with cancer through an online survey, focus groups and telephone interviews. Parents and young people told the charity that they spent on average £367 and £277 respectively on cancer-related expenses every month, and with treatment lasting up to three years, the bills soon mounted up. This added up to a spending of £4,400 for parents and £3,325 for young people each year, the report said. These costs included travel and car parking to get to hospitals and treatment centres, additional clothing for the child as a result of weight loss, food to supplement that available in hospital, and other costs such as telephone calls and accommodation. The report found that of those parents who acquired debt, 41% borrowed £1,000 or more and 27% borrowed more than £2,000. Six per cent of parents surveyed said they had turned to high interest, short-term loans to cope with the additional costs. Ross was 11 months old when he was diagnosed with Bilateral Wilms Tumour, a cancer of the kidney. His mum, Eileen, and dad, Shaun, both gave up work to look after him and their daughter, who was three. "We took out a loan for £20,000 to make sure we could cover the extra costs of his care," says Eileen. "I stayed with Ross in Yorkhill Hospital for five months. I had to buy food there and buy clothes for him. Meanwhile, Shaun was doing 70-mile round trips to visit us. "It was a very tough time. We are still paying off the loan and will be until Ross starts secondary school." They got no financial help for the first three months, before receiving the Disability Living Allowance and some small grants from charities. Ross is eight years old now. He only has half a kidney and may need a transplant when he is older. Both Eileen and Shaun are back at work but both have changed jobs to suit their circumstances. "The five months after his diagnosis were very hard. The government should be doing more to help." Family finances were also put under pressure by time needed to care for the child with cancer, with three in five respondents saying they had to reduce the number of hours they worked. Some parents were forced to give up work completely to care for their child. CLIC Sargent said it was concerned that government reforms would restrict families' options to financial support through the benefits system. Lorraine Clifton, chief executive of CLIC Sargent said the cost of caring for children with cancer was often unexpected. "Everyone is suffering in this economic climate but parents of children with cancer are amongst the hardest hit. The extra costs

Summary: Two-thirds of parents of children with cancer surveyed by a cancer charity say they have been forced to borrow money to make ends meet.