But it's 13 years since he left the television series and since then he's carved a hugely successful career in the theatre. His new stage show is about the reggae legend Bob Marley. But he insists, it is "absolutely not" a jukebox musical, where the songs take precedence over the plot. Kwei-Armah, the writer and director of One Love, The Bob Marley Musical, says it is not "sing-a-long-a-Bob", but "a play with music". He admitted though that it was a "delicate" balancing act trying to keep in enough songs the audience will recognise. So hits including No Woman No Cry, Jamming, Three Little Birds and Redemption Song are among 30 tracks that feature in the show. But One Love is not your usual musical hero, womb to tomb story. Instead it focuses on just three years in Marley's life and career, which Kwei-Armah says are "very significant" in "understanding the hero's journey of the man." Following an assassination attempt in 1976, the singer left his home in Jamaica and went to live in London in self imposed exile. While in England he recorded two of his biggest albums: Exodus and Kaya. Kwei-Armah said he wanted to get inside the mind of the man at that time and "show a side of Bob that we don't often speak about." "Bob being a political songwriter, I wanted to look at what were the years when he was tested. What were the years when he might have doubted himself? And I found these years to be that." Marley died of cancer in 1981 at the age of 36. But interest in him shows no sign of diminishing. It is estimated he has sold more than 50 million albums around the world. Time declared Exodus the best album of the 20th Century in 1999. The same year the BBC named One Love the song of the millennium. His Facebook page has more than 70 million fans - and Marley is in the top 15 most popular pages on the social media site. For many, Bob Marley is an idol - a civil rights activist who spoke up for the poor and oppressed. But he was not a saint. And Kwai-Armah says he does not gloss over Marley's womanising and drug use. He says he portrays him "warts and all". He adds: "I don't need any hero to be an angel." The singer Mitchell Brunings is playing the title role. Born in Surinam, but raised in The Netherlands, he was a backing vocalist in a Marley tribute band, before entering the Dutch equivalent of the television talent show, The Voice. He sang Redemption Song and his performance went viral on YouTube. As a result, Kwai-Armah cast him in the lead role. It is his UK stage debut and he is feeling the pressure to do Marley justice. "He has a very big following, a lot of his followers are fanatical about their devotion to him, which I understand because I am one of his followers myself. I don't want to do anything to damage his image." Marley's

Summary: You may know Kwame Kwei-Armah best as the paramedic Finlay Newton in the BBC's Casualty.


Joe Anderson said the city council would launch a feasibility study before submitting a bid. Hosting the event "would reflect the city's growing confidence and expertise in organising large events", he said. Mr Anderson's announcement came three days before voting to select Labour's candidate for the Liverpool city region metro mayor election closes. MPs Luciana Berger and Steve Rotheram are the other hopefuls. The UK's nomination for a host city will be decided in 2018, with the successful host named by the Commonwealth Games General Assembly in 2019. Mayor Anderson said: "Liverpool is an ambitious city and I believe we have an enormous amount to offer when it comes to hosting an event of this scale, which would be an incredibly important catalyst for regeneration, investment and raising the profile of sport." Heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson, boxer Tony Bellew, and former footballer Jamie Carragher are among the ambassadors for the proposed bid. The last British city to host the games was Glasgow in 2014 although England last held it in Manchester in 2002. Manchester City Council leader, Sir Richard Leese, said that despite "a long tradition of sporting rivalry... Liverpool's bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games has Manchester's wholehearted support". In July, the Welsh government dropped plans to bid for the event, blaming the cost and uncertainty after the Brexit vote. Birmingham City Council leader, councillor John Clancy, said in April that he was "open to persuasion" after the city was encouraged to bid but he believed it "would detract from our immediate priorities". Last year, it was announced that South Africa would host the event in 2022 after the Canadian city Edmonton withdrew its bid due to cost. The awarding of the games to Durban followed concerns from the Commonwealth Games Federation about a lack of interest from member countries in hosting future competitions. Liverpool has recently held a number of large spectator events including when 1.2 million spectators watched ocean liners gather to celebrate Cunard's 175th anniversary last year. In 2014, a giant puppet show to mark the 100th anniversary of World War One attracted about a million visitors. There's nothing new in Mayor Anderson's desire to bid for Liverpool to host the Commonwealth Games in 2026. It was one of his pledges when he successfully ran for re-election as mayor of Liverpool in May. It's also no coincidence that he is a candidate in an election - which ends on Friday - for Labour's candidate to be metro mayor of the Liverpool city region. Evertonians will be desperate to hear that a new stadium for the club will be part of the plans, but anything concrete is a long way off. The Mayor's declaration of intent brings local athletes on board - but will also provoke those who think at a time of austerity, the city can ill afford to be spending money on an international sporting event. But then, people said that about Liverpool's bid to be European Capital of Culture - which went on to be a huge success.

Summary: Liverpool is planning a bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the city's mayor has said.


Teodoro Locsin Jr, or "Teddy", tweeted seemingly pro-Nazi comments, with references to Auschwitz and the "Final Solution". Mr Locsin later apologised for the tweets and removed several of them. The 67-year-old is a journalist and ex-congressman. His tweets echo recent comments made by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who prompted outrage by referring to the Holocaust and saying he would be "happy to slaughter" three million drug addicts. More than 3,000 people with alleged links to drug use or dealing have been killed since Mr Duterte came to power in June. Mr Locsin started gaining attention on the social platform after he posted several controversial tweets. "I believe that the Drug Menace is so big it needs a FINAL SOLUTION like the Nazis adopted. That I believe. NO REHAB," he tweeted on the 21 August. In another tweet he referenced Auschwitz, the concentration camp run by the Nazis in which almost a million Jews were killed. The petition, addressed to the UN, called for Mr Locsin's appointment to be denied, saying that "his blatant justification of anti Semitic lingo makes him a racist, clearly showing his prejudice against the Jewish people". Reaction to Mr Locsin was swift, with some on Twitter calling him a disgrace. "You're making this country look crazy," a user commented. "I thought ambassadors are supposed to be educated. I guess the UN just skipped that process when appointing Teddy Locsin." another said. "You're a disgraceful UN ambassador to the country," one added. However, Mr Locsin also had his share of supporters, with one saying that "lots of us want you at the UN just the way you are - sarcasm and all". Mr Locsin, who served as a local politician for almost 10 years, has accepted the post of Philippines permanent representative to the UN but is awaiting official governmental confirmation. Amid reaction to his comments, Mr Locsin said that his daughters had told him to "stay out of Twitter", adding that he was not allowed to tweet anything, "not even niceties". He also apologised for his tweets. "I am sorry for my strong language, but it is unavoidable given the mendacity of those I fight. I cannot be other than myself," Mr Locsin tweeted on Friday. " I ask God's and the Jewish community's forgiveness, but only theirs." Mr Locsin also told CNN that his tweets had been sent for "shock value", and was "partly a private joke" between him and a friend who worked in the Jewish government district. The office of the Philippine delegation to the UN declined to comment on the matter.

Summary: A petition to reject the controversial nominee for Philippine ambassador to the UN has reached more than 10,000 signatures, after he was seen using anti-Semitic language on Twitter.


For a man supposedly worth millions, you would not know it by his boots. When the BBC interviewed Col Gaddafi in March, I was expecting the meeting to take place at a secret desert pavilion. Instead it was a seaside restaurant in central Tripoli. His eyes were hidden behind gold Cartier sunglasses. His flowing brown robes gave off the light scent of sandalwood. "I don't like money," he said. "I have a tent". One look at his black cowboy boots and you would think he was telling the truth. The soles were cracked and pitted, the heels worn. Last week, when I walked around his Bab al-Aziziya compound on the day it fell, I saw where the money had gone. He had a tent like no other tent in the world. But by the end of the day it was just ashes. The next image shows the last big demonstration in the Tripoli area of Tajoura before the authorities cracked down with pre-dawn raids and mass arrests. It was just after prayers one Friday in March. I went back the following week when the BBC team broke away from their government minders at the Rixos Hotel. There was no demonstration. The anti-Gaddafi graffiti had been painted over and the local imam told us many young people had been taken away during the night. Soon after we turned up, government heavies arrived in minivans to take us away. This was the last time journalists were able to move easily around the capital before it fell five months later. The next audience with Col Gaddafi was on 2 March, the anniversary of the "establishment of the people's authority". This is when Col Gaddafi says he handed over all power to the people, so he could not technically stand down. The crowd was delighted, the rest of us bemused because he arrived in a brand new golf buggy, its front seat draped with a white sheepskin rug. He talked for three hours. Occasionally he allowed some chants and cheers, and then tapped his microphone, at which the crowd promptly shut up. The last time I saw Col Gaddafi, he was driving his buggy towards a lamp post. But his security team cleared a path and he drove off with two secret service types clinging to the back. This was one of the government soldiers who had taken back the town of Zawiya, near Tripoli, from the rebels. The fighting was brutal as was the treatment of those arrested by the authorities. Some BBC colleagues were detained for 24 hours and subjected to mock executions. When journalists did get in, it was by media bus under strict supervision of the authorities, but the green-and-white bunting could not hide the scale of the destruction. The makeshift cemetery in the town square, where the rebels had buried their fallen fighters, had been bulldozed. The rebels winning it back proved to be a turning point in the war. The man below was typical of the rebel fighters on the eastern front outside Ajdabiya in April. They were mostly disorganised

Summary: BBC's Middle East Bureau Editor Paul Danahar reflects on six months of covering the Libyan uprising from both sides of the conflict, using pictures of some of his more memorable moments.


The leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Kirsty Williams, says it was she - and that it was the Lib Dems' coalition partners who insisted on the explicit link. Her version of events is - to put it mildly - disputed at Westminster. As I reported last month, the initial offer from the UK government had strings attached. Those strings were later cut after the Welsh Lib Dems threw their toys out of the pram. But that was only after the referendum link had apparently been agreed by the deputy Prime Minister (and Lib Dem leader) Nick Clegg and (Lib Dem) Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander. There are even suggestions from Conservative sources that senior Lib Dem ministers wanted to go further - and require a Welsh government commitment to campaign for a "yes" vote in that referendum. But Kirsty Williams has presented the proposed link as a dastardly Conservative plot, telling us: "I do not think it is reasonable for the Tories to say you can only deal with Wales's under-funding if you have that income tax referendum. "That's why I blocked that announcement when that was being proposed from London to make sure that's not the case." She may have opposed the explicit link but so, I'm told, did Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb. It appears they were both on the same side of the argument arguing against senior figures in their own - and each other's - parties. Coalition 2.0 anyone?

Summary: Who blocked an attempt by the coalition to tie a new funding deal for the Welsh government with a commitment to hold a referendum on income tax powers?


The 30-year-old has not won Olympic gold, having fallen short at the 2008 and 2012 Games. He hopes to compete in the multi-event omnium in Rio. "If he can't make the top three, he would pursue his dreams of the Tour de France yellow jersey," said Sutton. "I believe he can do it, we wouldn't have selected him otherwise. That's not us being brutal, that's Cav being Cav, probably the greatest road sprinter of all time. He needs to know he can go to Rio and get the medal." Cavendish has had a successful road season to date, having won the Tour of Qatar. He is aiming to compete at the Tour de France, although men's endurance coach Heiko Salzwedel believes the Isle of Man rider will have to prioritise. "If you ask me realistically, riding for two or three weeks on the Tour de France, he might be fit for the [Olympic] road race but not for the Olympic omnium," he said. "Cav has to digest and make a decision about this Cavendish will also compete in the madison - a non-Olympic event - with Sir Bradley Wiggins at the World Championships, being held in London early next month. They combined to win the title eight years ago.

Summary: Mark Cavendish must finish in the omnium top three at the Track Cycling World Championships to have a chance of competing at the Olympics, says British Cycling technical chief Shane Sutton.


Boro are unbeaten in their last seven matches and are two points clear of second-placed Burnley, who drew 1-1 with Karanka's team on Tuesday. "We are top of the table because we have an amazing squad and we have an amazing club," Karanka told BBC Tees. "We are in a privileged position and we showed everyone we are a good team." He added: "If we are at the top of the table at this point, it is no coincidence. "We can say that we've lost two points, but I prefer to keep calm with the performance and with the players." Jordan Rhodes gave Boro the lead with 20 minutes left to play against Burnley, but Michael Keane's 92nd-minute equaliser rescued a point for the Clarets. "The way we were playing it was difficult to lose, but we played really well and everybody could feel at home and feel the difference between us and Burnley," Karanka said. "We have a lot of different ways to get the ball into the box and they have just one: long balls." Middlesbrough face Ipswich and Birmingham City before they meet promotion-chasing Brighton at the Riverside on the final day of the season. "At home we are a really confident team and we have won the last three games there," Karanka said. "We need the supporters' help because we're going to need everything at this point of the season, where every point is gold."

Summary: Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka says his side fully deserve to be top of the Championship table with three games left to play.


Voters will go to the polls again after Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu abandoned efforts to form a coalition government. Mr Davutoglu's AK Party lost its 12-year majority rule in Turkey in elections in June largely because of the success of the pro-Kurdish HDP. Coalition talks with the nationalist MHP and main opposition CHP failed. The political uncertainty comes amid rising violence in Turkey and neighbouring Iraq and Syria. President Erdogan will ask Prime Minister Davutoglu early next week to form a temporary power-sharing government, senior officials said. The Republican People's Party (CHP), which came second in June's vote, had asked for a mandate to try to form a new government. But the president instead opted for a "re-run" of the elections. Mr Erdogan, who founded the AK Party in 2001, previously denied allegations that he had undermined the coalition talks in order to force a new vote. June's result appeared to block his plans to boost the powers of the presidency in Turkey. The AKP secured 41% at the polls the last time around and had to seek support from a rival party to form a coalition government. But it failed to find agreement with both the CHP and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). An uneasy two-year ceasefire with the PKK fell apart last month, after a suicide bomb blamed on IS killed 32 young activists in the largely Kurdish city of Suruc, close to the Syrian border. In recent weeks Turkish forces have carried out attacks on militants from the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria and have bombed Kurdish PKK camps mainly in northern Iraq.

Summary: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced that Turkey will hold snap elections, expected on 1 November.


The artwork, by US sculptor Charles Ray, will be replaced by a lamp-post at the tip of the Punta della Dogana. The decision has angered some art lovers who argue that it shows a failure to embrace challenging, contemporary work. But city officials say the sculpture was always intended to be temporary. Boy with Frog, which is gleaming white and 8ft (2.5m) tall, has occupied the tip of a triangular piece of land that separates the Grand and the Giudecca canals for almost four years. It shows a boy holding up a frog by one leg and gazing at it. The sculptor had earlier expressed hope that his work would become a permanent "citizen of Venice". "I never saw it as temporary," Mr Ray told the New York Times. But some residents reportedly missed a 19th Century lamp-post, long a romantic meeting spot, which stood at the spot before. Workers began to remove the sculpture overnight on Tuesday ready to clear the space early on Wednesday, Corriere del Veneto newspaper reported. In its place will be a reproduction of the original lamp-post. The old-fashioned landmark was thought to be more in keeping with the surrounding architecture, BBC Rome correspondent Alan Johnston reports. Some animal-lovers also argued that the image of a boy holding the frog upside down was cruel, our correspondent adds. But a piece in La Stampa newspaper criticised Venice's council, saying "administrative cowardice" had won out over real culture. Defending its decision, the council said the sculpture had been considered temporary and Venice had a fine record of welcoming and exhibiting modern art.

Summary: Work has begun to take away a controversial statue depicting a naked boy with a frog in a part of ancient Venice, Italian media report.


The FTSE 100 index was down 73.57 at 6,112.02 points. Mining companies saw some of the biggest falls as the price of metals declined. The biggest faller on the FTSE 100 was mining giant Rangold, whose shares lost 11%. Fellow BHP Billiton, was down 6%, with its shares also being affected by news of a lawsuit in Brazil. Federal prosecutors in Brazil have filed a $43.5bn (£30bn) civil lawsuit against iron miner Samarco and its owners BHP and Vale, over the collapse of a dam last year that killed 19 people. Shares in Sainsbury's extended losses throughout the afternoon to lose 6% after the supermarket reported a fall in underlying full-year profits. Profits fell to £587m from £681m in the previous year as the supermarket price war continued to have an impact. Shares in rivals Tesco and Morrisons were also lower, with Tesco down 5% and Morrisons 1.7%, as research from Kantar Worldpanel indicated that all the big four supermarkets had lost market share in the 12 weeks to 24 April. Next shares rose 3.5% despite the retailer cutting its full-year sales and profit forecasts on fears of a slowdown in consumer spending. On the currency markets, the pound slipped 0.4% against the dollar to $1.4478, and was 0.3% lower against the euro at €1.2593.

Summary: (Close): London's top share index closed down 1.2% as mining and supermarket shares fell.


A future Labour government would ring-fence 4,000 new flats and homes for rough sleepers in cities such as Bristol, Liverpool and Birmingham. The properties would be let at "genuinely affordable" rents, building on an existing scheme in London. The government said £500m had been invested to help homeless people. But Labour's housing spokesman John Healey said rising rough sleeping levels were inexcusable. Labour has challenged the government to back its plan, which it said would be delivered if it wins power at the next election, scheduled for 2020. The party says a change in the law in 2011 means homeless people are increasingly housed in insecure private rented homes, making it more likely they will end up back on the streets. According to government figures published last autumn, based on counts and council estimates, there were 3,569 people estimated to be out on the streets in England on any given night in 2015, compared with 1,768 in 2010. Announcing the new initiative, Mr Healey - who is shadow cabinet minister with responsibility for housing - said the statistics were unacceptable in a country as "decent and well-off" as the UK. Labour wants to use the Clearing House scheme, run by St Mungo's charity on behalf of the Greater London Authority, as a model for the rest of the country. The scheme, established initially in 1991 under John Major's government, provides 3,750 flats in more than 40 housing associations in the capital for permanent use by rough sleepers. Under Labour's plan, it would be rolled out to the West Midlands and Greater Manchester, as well as Liverpool, Leeds, Bristol, Sheffield and Oxford - with places reserved for British nationals and others who are eligible for social housing. Ahead of an opposition day debate in the Commons designed to draw attention to the issue, Mr Healey said the previous Labour government had achieved "record low levels" of rough sleeping. "The tragedy of this is this is a problem that can be solved," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. Mr Healey said housing associations should make unoccupied homes available for use and be incentivised by government to build replacements. He added: "The rapidly rising number of people sleeping in doorways and on park benches shames us all. There can be no excuses - it must end. Full stop. "The spiralling rise in street homelessness results directly from decisions made by ministers since 2010 on housing, and on funding for charities and councils. "A Labour government would put a stop to this national shame and provide homeless people with a place to call home and rebuild their lives." St Mungo's said its scheme had found stable accommodation for 13,500 people over 25 years, including many vulnerable people with complex health needs. Ministers have said government funding for homelessless over the next four years had been increased to £139m. The Department for Communities and Local Government said the number of people recognised as homeless by their local authority was less than half the 2003 peak but acknowledged that "one person without a home is one too

Summary: Labour has pledged to end the "national shame" of rough sleeping by doubling the number of homes available for use by homeless people across England.


Scotland's Information Commissioner has described proposed reforms to freedom of information law as setting a "worrying precedent". Rosemary Agnew is due to give evidence to Holyrood's Finance Committee. It is looking at changes to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill. As part of the reforms, ministers want to give an "absolute" exemption to communications between the Scottish government and senior members of the royal family. At the moment, information about the Royal Family can be published in Scotland if it passes a public interest test. Ministers want to remove that test thereby banning any release and bringing the situation in Scotland into line with legislation in other parts of the UK. The amendment would exempt communications with the monarch, the heir to the throne or a member of the royal household acting on their behalf. But in her response to the proposed changes, Ms Agnew said: "The amendment will create a provision which requires absolute secrecy in relation to any aspect of communications with senior royals in all circumstances - regardless of how far removed the information is from the content of communications, or of the weight of the public interest in favour of release. "It is my considered view that it will... have the effect of unnecessarily restricting rights and create a worrying precedent with the introduction of a wide-ranging absolute exemption which sets aside the public interest. "The amendment is therefore in direct conflict with the public interest." Ms Agnew believes current protections for communications between ministers and the royals are sufficient. A spokesman for the Scottish government said: "The amendment on correspondence on (or behalf of) Her Majesty provides for consistency of approach across the UK and in doing so ensures an appropriate level of protection for Scotland's current and future heads of state by safeguarding the well established conventions of confidentiality. "Key elements of the Freedom of Information (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill include greater flexibility in reducing the lifespan of exemptions paving the way for more information to be made public earlier. "The bill also makes the legislation stronger by making more effective the ability to bring a prosecution where requested information has been deliberately altered, destroyed or concealed."

Summary: Plans by the Scottish government to keep any communication between ministers and the royal family secret are in direct conflict with the public interest, MSPs are to hear.


At the time Laachraoui was known as "Abou Idriss", a lawyer for two of the ex-hostages told French media. The hostages were freed in April 2014. Laachraoui and Ibrahim el-Bakraoui died when they attacked Brussels Zaventem airport a month ago. Their bombs and a third in the metro killed 32 people. The confirmation about Laachraoui's role as an IS prison guard in Syria came from lawyer Marie-Laure Ingouf. Laachraoui was a 24-year-old Belgian electrical engineer from the Brussels suburb of Schaerbeek. He had links to the jihadists who attacked Paris in 2015. The French daily Le Parisien reports that Laachraoui kept watch over the four Frenchmen with Mehdi Nemmouche, the jihadist accused of killing four people at the Brussels Jewish Museum in May 2014. Nemmouche is now in Belgian custody. The Frenchmen - Didier Francois, Pierre Torres, Edouard Elias and Nicolas Henin - spent 10 months in IS captivity. They had been captured in June 2013. Laachraoui and Nemmouche disappeared at the end of January 2014, according to the ex-hostages.

Summary: One of the Brussels airport bombers, Najim Laachraoui, guarded four French journalists who were held hostage by so-called Islamic State (IS) in Syria in 2013-2014, the ex-hostages say.


The drone - dubbed Aquila - flew for one hour and 46 minutes in Arizona. On Aquila's maiden voyage last summer, the autopilot system was confused by heavy wind and crash-landed. This time, the drone flew at an altitude of 3,000ft, a long way from Facebook's intended 60,000ft goal. The social network has ambitious plans for its drone fleet and eventually wants to have them communicating with each other via lasers and staying in the air for months at a time. The test - which took place in May but is only now being made public - went "perfectly", according to a blog post detailing the flight. Facebook had initially heralded its June 2016 test a success but later admitted the drone had crashed on landing. The crash was only revealed when it emerged that it had been investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board. This time, the engineering team added "spoilers" to the wings to increase drag and reduce lift during landing. They also modified the autopilot software and applied a smoother finish to the craft. The team filmed the landing and included the video in the blog post. Director of aeronautical platforms Martin Luis Gomez said the drone had suffered "a few minor, easily repairable dings". Aquila - which has a wingspan of a Boeing 737 - is part of Facebook's ambitious plans to connect the world to the internet. This week, it announced that it has two billion users, more than a quarter of the world's population.

Summary: Facebook has completed a second test of a solar-powered drone designed to bring internet access to remote parts of the world.


The Health Protection Agency (HPA) report said a hot tub on show at JTF Warehouse in Stoke-on-Trent was the probable source of an outbreak in 2012. Richard Griffin, 64, and 79-year old William Hammersley, both died and 19 other people caught the disease. The HPA said hot tubs posed a health risk if not regularly maintained. BBC News has not been able to contact JTF Warehouse for a comment following the HPA report. The report said: "This was a significant outbreak and has raised questions on the acceptability of operating spa pools (also known as whirl pools and hot tubs) in public places where the general population has access. "Spa Pools are known to pose a risk of Legionella if water systems are not rigorously maintained, properly managed and subject to regular chemical controls. "Operating spa pools on display in indoor spaces, even if not used for bathing, have been previously shown to be the cause of outbreaks in other countries," the report added. Lawyers Irwin Mitchell are taking legal action on behalf of the families of two men who died, as well as 16 other people who caught the disease. They are calling for a public inquiry into the outbreak. Clive Garner from the firm said: "We hope that now this report has been published those responsible for the store will admit liability for the illness suffered by our clients so that we can help them to access the exact level of care and support they now need. "We are currently working with medical experts to investigate their longer term condition and prognosis and we hope to conclude their cases as soon as possible so that they can begin to move on with their lives."

Summary: Rules on displaying hot tubs in shops and public places should be reviewed, according to a report into a fatal outbreak of Legionnaires' disease.


Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's conservative coalition holds a majority of one seat in the parliament. The opposition Labor Party came within a single vote of calling for a royal commission into Australian banks. Coming at the end of the first week of the new parliament, the result is an embarrassment for Mr Turnbull. It is seen as undermining the government's claim of having a "strong working majority". Three senior ministers - Peter Dutton, Christian Porter and Michael Keenan - were among the coalition MPs not in the Lower House when Labor decided to pull a surprise test of the government's power. Their absence meant the opposition won three consecutive motions: first surprising parliament against adjourning at the usual time of 16:30. Second and third votes effectively brought forward a fourth vote on a royal commission into Australian banks. The opposition have been pushing for this after a series of allegations of misconduct in the banking sector. In response, MPs were recalled from airports and turned back on return drives to Sydney. The government then regained control over parliament to quash the proposal. Mr Turnbull said the move exposed a degree of complacency among his colleagues, and that he had "read the riot act" to the ministers. "A number of our members should not have left the building," he told 3AW radio. "They did the wrong thing, they know they did the wrong thing. "They've been caught out. They've been embarrassed. They've been humiliated. They've been excoriated and it won't happen again." Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese told the Nine Network: "If you can't run the parliament, you can't run the country." "It was a farce yesterday, it shows as an example of just how out of touch this government is; it doesn't have an agenda, it doesn't have ideas and now it doesn't have control of the House of Representatives." Treasurer Scott Morrison dismissed the tactics as a "stunt" while Labor MP Michael Dandby said the move was a "legitimate political tactic". Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, now a backbench MP, said it would be a learning experience for many people. "All of us are learning lessons all the time, whether you're a journalist, a member of parliament, a whip or even a prime minister," he said.

Summary: Australia's prime minister has said he "read the riot act" to three ministers after they went home early, meaning his government lost a series of votes.


Wilson, Blues attack coach Matt Sherratt and Scarlets backs coach Stephen Jones will join tour head coach Robin McBryde in Tonga and Samoa. "It's a great opportunity and I think we [Sherratt and I] will both come back as better coaches," said Wilson. "[It] will hopefully benefit Cardiff Blues as well." Wilson continued: "It was an honour to be asked. I'm not thinking about anything at the moment other than doing my job here at Cardiff Blues and at the end of the season I'll start thinking about the tour and the opportunity that presents." Former Wales Under-20s head coach Wilson joined Cardiff Blues from Bristol in 2015 having previously worked with Scarlets and Newport Gwent Dragons. Wilson admits he had to think hard before accepting the role. "It was more a discussion with my wife than anything else because it falls during our time off when we're away from Cardiff Blues, but it's a great opportunity for me," he added. "We'll also be organising pre-season so it'll be a busy time. But for me personally, with where I am with my career, it was a great opportunity I wanted to take with both hands, and also I hope I'll come back to Cardiff Blues better for the experience." Formerly a scrum coach, Wilson is expecting to primarily to work with Wales' forwards in Tonga and Samoa. "Obviously my area is set-piece and forward play and that will be a heavy part of the role," he said. "It's all happened quite quickly and we've had the rough discussions around it, but they're ongoing."

Summary: Cardiff Blues head coach Danny Wilson says his experience with Wales on next summer's two-Test tour of the Pacific Islands will improve him as a coach.


Mr Bashir will travel to Saudi Arabia on Friday, Sudan's Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour said. The minister added that he hopes US sanctions against Sudan will be lifted in July, and said he believes the US wants to normalise relations. The US has not confirmed the claim. Economic sanctions were imposed against Sudan in 1997 after the state was labelled a "sponsor of terrorism". President Barack Obama signed an executive order easing some of the curbs in January, shortly before leaving office. The White House said the move was intended to acknowledge Sudan's efforts to reduce internal conflict, improve humanitarian access to people requiring aid, and curtail "terrorism". Mr Obama had delayed the reduction in sanctions by 25 weeks, to give the Sudanese government an incentive to continue its reforms. Relations between the US and Sudan have not been tension-free of late, however. The country was one of seven included in Mr Trump's proposed travel ban, along with Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen. It is not known whether Presidents Bashir and Trump will meet when the US leader arrives in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. The visit is Mr Trump's first overseas trip since taking office, and he is scheduled to address the summit on his "hopes for a peaceful vision of Islam". In 2009 and 2010, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against Mr Bashir for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity related to the conflict in Darfur, which has claimed at least 300,000 lives. He denies the charges, and has successfully evaded arrest for several years. The ICC is based in The Hague, and was established in 2002 to try the world's most grievous crimes, when national courts are unable or unwilling to act. A US official told NBC News that the Trump administration opposes invitations or travel by individuals facing ICC indictments. "The United States has made its position with respect to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir's travel clear," the official said. "While the United States is not a party to the Rome Statute, which is the treaty that established the International Criminal Court, we nevertheless strongly support efforts to hold accountable those responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, including such acts in Darfur," the official added.

Summary: Saudi Arabia has invited Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted for alleged war crimes, to a summit with US President Donald Trump and Arab and Muslim leaders.


Alan Wood, 50, was bound and tortured in his home in Lound, near Bourne, in October 2009. Det Supt Stuart Morrison, who has led the investigation from the start, said he thinks about the case every day. He said the main focus of the inquiry was to find the person whose DNA profile was left at the scene. Det Supt Morrison said the profile was not in the UK database and officers were continuing to check international databases. He said he had taken guidance from Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys, the pioneer of DNA profiling, as to whether it would be worth trying to trace which country the person who left the DNA at the murder scene came from. "Whilst there are companies that will seek to tell you that information, it's not particularly reliable and it covers so many countries that it would be of no particular practical use for us," the detective told BBC Radio Lincolnshire. Mr Wood, who ran a small gardening business, had no known enemies, according to Lincolnshire Police. He was subjected to a "brutal and sustained" attack at his home in Lound, during which he had his throat cut a number of times and an attempt was made to decapitate him. "I have to be optimistic that this person or people will be found. It's an investigation that I turn over in my mind every single day. "It is something that you want to do [solve the case] for the victim and for the family, so we occupy quite a lot of our time thinking about it," Det Supt Morrison said. Manor Lodge, where Mr Wood lived, was kept as a crime scene for two years but has recently been demolished.

Summary: The detective leading an inquiry into the brutal murder of a Lincolnshire man has said he remains determined to bring those responsible to justice.


Voters go to the polls on 4 May to elect local councils, and the Greens are fielding a record 218 candidates. Party co-conveners Patrick Harvie and Maggie Chapman will set out their priorities for the elections at a launch event in Glasgow. These are expected to centre on the protection of public services such as schools and social care. In the last council elections in 2012, the Greens put forward 80 candidates, securing 14 council seats. They are aiming to build on this total and the six MSPs won in the 2016 Holyrood elections with their largest-ever local election campaign. Party groups in local authority areas will have their own local manifestos, but over-arching national priorities to be set out will include class sizes, better bus services, affordable housing and better wages for social care workers. The party is also crowdfunding to raise money for a television party election broadcast. The Green spring conference in March focused on "renewed local democracy in Scotland", where Mr Harvie said the "constitutional obsession" of other parties should not distract from local services. He said: "Our job is simple - to build on the fantastic start that our former and existing councillors have achieved, building strong local economies that are healthy to live in, making the opportunities from the new greener industries into something everyone can access a reality for everyone, and renewing real local democracy." Ms Chapman also told the conference that Green councillors could be "champions for change" in local government. And MSP Andy Wightman said "genuine political and fiscal power should be in the hands of local communities". He said: "Greens at council level are fighting hard to revitalise local democracy, pushing for every community to have a say in council budgets and for councils to have the powers other European towns and cities take for granted. While some other parties are shamefully treating the council elections as a proxy for constitutional issues, Greens are clear that local services matter, communities should be trusted to decide their future, and that local democracy is worth fighting for."

Summary: The Scottish Greens are to launch their national manifesto for May's local authority elections.


The judge, who chairs the inquiry, said in an article in the Observer it must strike a balance between the rights of accusers and the accused. But she also dismissed claims it would mainly focus on famous people. The inquiry is examining how public bodies handled their duty of care to protect children from abuse. In the article she said a number of commentators "have in past weeks spoken out, inaccurately, about the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, which I chair and the way in which the inquiry will conduct its work. I'd like to correct those inaccuracies." It comes after the former conservative MP Harvey Proctor, who was cleared of being part of a Westminster paedophile ring, criticised Justice Goddard for suggesting the inquiry would consider the actions of the police from the standpoint of victims and survivors. Mr Proctor, 69, had his home raided and was questioned as part of Operation Midland but it was found there was insufficient evidence even to justify a prosecution being considered. He claimed it "irreparably ruined my life" and said that to review investigations from just the victims' standpoint lacked judicial balance. But Justice Goddard promised the inquiry will hear evidence from those affected by false allegations of abuse, recognising the damage that can be caused. "Those who have claimed recently that the inquiry will consider only the perspectives of victims and survivors, and exclude those of others affected by allegations of child sexual abuse, are wrong," she said. "As I announced last November, the inquiry intends to explore the balance that must be struck between encouraging the reporting of child sexual abuse and protecting the rights of the accused." Justice Goddard added that the inquiry had already announced 13 investigations to date, most of which "do not relate to individuals of public prominence". The inquiry is examining allegations of past and ongoing failures to protect children in schools, children's homes, secure accommodation and local authority care. It will also look at the responses of institutions, including the police, health service, the Crown Prosecution Service and religious bodies to allegations of child sexual abuse as well as investigating broader issues, such as the role of the internet in facilitating abuse. In the past three weeks preliminary hearings into four investigations have taken place including those looking into Lambeth Council, Rochdale Council and the Anglican Church.

Summary: The public inquiry into child sexual abuse will not ignore the damage done to prominent people who were falsely accused, Justice Lowell Goddard says.


Media playback is not supported on this device Only 12.2 overs were possible in two spells, during which Sri Lanka progressed from 32-0 to 78-1 in pursuit of a notional 362 to win. Kaushal Silva was the sole wicket to fall, lbw to James Anderson, before play was called off at 17:10 BST. A five-match one-day series starts on 21 June, followed by a Twenty20. Dimuth Karunaratne finished unbeaten on 37, while Kusal Mendis made 17 not out, hitting Joe Root for six off the final ball of the match. With both sides taking two points from the draw - Sri Lanka's first in 17 Tests - England lead 10-2 in the inaugural 'Super Series'. There are 12 points available in the limited-overs series. Media playback is not supported on this device For all England's frustration at the weather on Monday, they can take credit for the efficient manner in which they completed a 2-0 series win over an inexperienced Sri Lanka side exposed by early summer conditions. Jonny Bairstow's return of 387 runs was 95 more than the next best batsman and cemented his place in the middle order, while Alex Hales took a sizeable step towards securing the opener's berth by averaging 58. But England's success was founded on the potency of their attack, led brilliantly by James Anderson with 21 wickets at less than 11 apiece. Stuart Broad's haul of 12 wickets was bettered only by Anderson, Chris Woakes produced his Test best with bat and ball after replacing the injured Ben Stokes, and Steven Finn hinted at a welcome return to form at Lord's. England may hold all but one of the nine trophies on offer against countries in bilateral series, but there remain grounds for concern for coach Trevor Bayliss. Their top-order collapses are still to be eradicated - they have lost their first four wickets before reaching 100 five times in the past seven innings. The search for a reliable number three goes on after Nick Compton managed only 51 runs in five innings, and it remains to be seen whether James Vince, who scored only 54 runs at 13.5, will be retained at number five for the Pakistan series later this summer. Despite taking 19 catches - a record for an England wicketkeeper in a three-Test series - Bairstow's glovework has been heavily criticised thanks to three drops and a missed stumping. England captain Alastair Cook: "It would have been a really good day's cricket. It would have been good to see our guys under some pressure." Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews: "It would have been an interesting chase but the weather interrupted. We wanted to go for it." Man of the match and man of the series Jonny Bairstow: "I felt like I had a few people to prove wrong. This series and in South Africa I think I've done that." Former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott and Test Match Special: "Number three, Compton, and Finn's bowling is up for debate. "If Stokes isn't fit, Finn will survive. If Stokes is fit, Woakes has out-bowled

Summary: England were denied the chance to press for a series whitewash over Sri Lanka as rain ruined the final day of the third Test at Lord's.


A tiara and more than 40 diamond, sapphire and emerald items were stolen during a break-in at Goodwood House, West Sussex, on 13 January. The jewellery belonging to Lord and Lady March is said to be irreplaceable. Police have not given a figure for the reward being offered in return for information about the missing items. 1820 diamond tiara worth £400,000 Det Insp Till Sanderson, of Sussex Police, said his team had been working closely with Lord and Lady March and the estate to trace and identify the people responsible for the theft of this "treasured property". "I hope the offer of a substantial reward by the insurers, for information leading to the recovery of important items of jewellery and personal effects of historical significance, will encourage anyone who knows anything to come forward," he added. A 26-year-old man from Hampshire who was arrested in connection with the raid has been bailed until February.

Summary: A "substantial reward" has been offered after heirlooms, including a ring given by Charles II to a mistress, were stolen from a stately home.


Phyllida Lloyd will direct revivals of Julius Caesar and Henry IV and a new production of The Tempest, which are all set in a women's prison. Harriet Walter will play Brutus in Julius Caesar, King Henry in Henry IV, and Prospero in The Tempest. The new in-the-round venue will be open for 13 weeks from 23 September. Julius Caesar and Henry IV were both staged by the company at the Donmar's Covent Garden base in 2012 and 2014 respectively. The theatre hopes to make 25% of all tickets will be free to 25s and under with a new scheme called Young and Free, funded mainly through sponsorship and philanthropy. Artistic Director Josie Rourke said: "I remember very clearly the furore created by the idea of an all-female Shakespeare, when Phyllida Lloyd first staged Julius Caesar with Harriet Walter in 2012. "Phyllida Lloyd's work with this diverse, all-female company has been genuinely ground-breaking and in the intervening four years, theatre has got into the fast lane of debate and change. "It's time, with these Young and Free tickets, to join together our question about who gets to play these roles with a renewed mission for who gets to experience them." After its month-long run at the new London venue, The Tempest will transfer to Broadway in October as part of the Donmar's New York season, which runs from July until February 2017. The James Graham play Privacy, starring Daniel Radcliffe, and Christopher Hampton's Les Liaisons Dangereuses, will also be staged in New York.

Summary: London's Donmar Warehouse is to open a temporary theatre in King's Cross to host the company's all-female Shakespeare trilogy.


Amar Hussain, 29, was involved in a hoax 999 call claiming an officer would be kidnapped by a radical Muslim with links to so-called Islamic State. The call led to West Midlands Police putting in "unprecedented" measures to check officers' safety, jurors heard. At Stafford Crown Court, two other men were convicted of the same charges. Live updates on this story Hussain, along with civilians Adil Bashir, 26, and Muhammad Ali Sheikh, 31, were all found guilty of two counts of perverting the course of justice. Judge Michael Chambers QC said Hussain, of Yardley, Birmingham, was guilty of a "vast breach of trust". All three defendants were remanded in custody and are due to be sentenced on 27 May. During the trial, the prosecution told the court how all police on the West Midlands force had to call to report getting home safely due to the threat made on 8 December 2014. Jurors heard Hussain hoped his fake tip-off would discredit an official within the Islamic community group Dawat-e-Islami. Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale, from West Midlands Police, said Hussain's actions "let down" the force and risked losing the public's trust. "The impact of the threat had a huge effect on officers and staff and in turn on their loved ones," he said. "Never before have we had to instruct officers and staff to call in after their tour of duty to let us know they had returned home safely."

Summary: A PC who falsely claimed a fellow officer was going to be kidnapped by terrorists has been convicted of perverting the course of justice.


French authorities say the migrants must move to cleaner and safer shipping containers on another part of the site. But many fear this will mean they will have to stay in France, and give up their hopes of travelling to Britain. Overnight, riot police fired tear gas at migrants who were throwing stones at the demolition squads. Here's some advice if anything in the news upsets you. The authorities believe some 1,000 migrants will be affected by the removal plan while aid agencies say the number of people living there is much higher. A lot of migrants and refugees have been leaving their homes in places like Syria, Afghanistan and Africa, where there is fighting, over the last year. Many travel great distances in search of a better life in Europe and some have ended up living in the makeshift camp in Calais hoping to make their way to the UK. Workers in high-visibility jackets could be seen tearing down structures and dumping material in a skip as police stood by on Monday. About 100 huts were taken down. Earlier, Good Chance, a theatre group which works in the camp, said police were preventing protestors from entering the camp. French officials say public areas in the camp, such as places of worship and schools, will not be affected and describe the clearance as a "humanitarian operation". Conditions in the southern sector are filthy but many residents have told the BBC that they do not want to leave.

Summary: Demolition teams have moved in to the port of Calais in France on Tuesday to break down more shelters in the migrant camp known as the "Jungle".


Some of the victims reported the abuse to police after reading press reports about Peter Farrands being jailed for seven years in May 2015. As well as working at Folville Rise Junior School in Leicester, Farrands was a scoutmaster and lay preacher. The four victims were aged between six and 12 when Farrands abused them. Sentencing Farrands, Judge Nicholas Dean QC said: "This was a breach of trust as a school teacher and a scoutmaster and the effect continues to haunt the victims. "The sentence must seem lenient to the victims but they should look at the total sentence." He pleaded guilty to seven additional charges of indecent assault against boys between 1976 and 1981. Leicestershire Police said Farrands committed most of his crimes at Folville Rise Junior School. Det Sgt Hazel Sandall hopes the case will encourage other victims of historical abuse to come forward. She said: "No matter how old the offender and no matter how many years ago crimes took place, we will conduct a thorough examination of the evidence and will not hesitate to seek charges being brought against perpetrators of crime where evidence is available to us." Two of the victims came to Leicester Crown Court, where Farrands appeared via video link, to see him sentenced. The court heard one victim contacted the NSPCC in 2014 and said he had been abused by Farrands and two other people, who he believed have since died. Some of the boys were assaulted multiple times. In a statement read out in court, one of the victims said he is still receiving counselling because of what happened. "There is still a lot of pain," he said. "I'm still unable to enjoy the simple things like Christmas and birthdays."

Summary: A 90-year-old former teacher who is already in jail for child sex offences has had two years added to his sentence after four more victims came forward.


The masked gang broke into Michael Spiers shop in Taunton on 2 March, leaving two staff members traumatised. The men, from London, were jailed for a total of 23 years at Taunton Crown Court after admitting robbery. The raid culminated in an 80-mile police pursuit that ended with the robbers jumping into a river. Reece Francis, 24, Louis Kelly, 35, Steven Shields, 32, all from London, and Charles Johnstone, 27, of no fixed address, were sentenced on Friday. Three of the men received six-year sentences and the other five years. Recorder Peter Towler said it had been "sophisticated" and "well organised", but there was no physical violence. The court heard how the robbers threatened two men from an adjoining shop who tried to intervene, before driving off up the M5 and M4. The police pursuit ended near Swindon, when the men crashed their vehicle before running across fields into a river.

Summary: Four men who smashed their way into a jewellery shop and stole watches worth £13,500 have been jailed for a total of 23 years.


Sunday's blaze in Milton, Stoke-on-Trent, centred on a building containing recycled plastics. The Environment Agency had previously said Hanbury Plastics ,the site operator, had never held an environmental permit. The operation to tackle the fire has been scaled back but it is still burning in places. See more stories from across Stoke and Staffordshire here The blaze at the site, in Leek New Road, Milton, started around 08:00 GMT on 5 February. The EA said the site's owners had been issued with legal notices to clear waste plastics. Staffordshire Fire Service said it is helping police with its investigation. Investigation Officer Ian Broadhead said: "We have worked closely with Staffordshire Police during the investigation and concluded that the fire was started deliberately."

Summary: A fire at a recycling plant which was storing illegal waste was started deliberately, the fire service said.


David Wagner's Terriers dominated possession, but were unable to break down a determined Burton defence. Marvin Sordell forced a good save from home keeper Danny Ward after the break. And Town defender Dean Whitehead was sent off for a second yellow card before Australia international Irvine converted Sordell's cross to win it. The defeat means Huddersfield are now nine points adrift of Brighton in second, after the south-coast club defeated Blackburn, while Burton moved up to 19th, four points clear of the relegation places. Wagner made five changes after a 4-0 defeat by Bristol City and the home side had 73% of possession in the opening 45 minutes, but although Burton goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin had to push away an angled shot by Jack Payne, they carved out few clear-cut chances. Ward had to be alert at the other end to deny Sordell after the forward cut inside, prompting Huddersfield to send on Nahki Wells and Elias Kachunga to boost their attack. It was Michael Hefele, however, who came closest to a goal when his header was cleared off the line before Whitehead was dismissed after a clash with Tom Flanagan. Irvine then compounded their frustration as he followed his first goal for Australia against the United Arab Emirates in midweek with a crucial winner for Burton. Huddersfield manager David Wagner: "It's disappointing, not just because of the result but because of our performance, especially with the ball and in the final third. "We showed a lack of quality and we have made too many wrong decisions. "Against a difficult opponent an early goal would have helped. In the end wegave them a few counter-attacks and they have scored. The players tried everything." Burton manager Nigel Clough: "There's a lot of euphoria in the dressing room. I don't think anyone gave us a chance. "It's a big win but by no means a defining win which means we will stay up. "It's a great start to the week when we said anything we got from these next three games would be a bonus." Match ends, Huddersfield Town 0, Burton Albion 1. Second Half ends, Huddersfield Town 0, Burton Albion 1. Goal! Huddersfield Town 0, Burton Albion 1. Jackson Irvine (Burton Albion) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Marvin Sordell following a fast break. John Mousinho (Burton Albion) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Rajiv van La Parra (Huddersfield Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by John Mousinho (Burton Albion). Foul by Nahki Wells (Huddersfield Town). John Mousinho (Burton Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Attempt missed. Luke Murphy (Burton Albion) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Lucas Akins following a corner. Corner, Burton Albion. Conceded by Christopher Schindler. Attempt blocked. Marvin Sordell (Burton Albion) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Luke Varney. Chris Löwe (Huddersfield Town) is shown the yellow card. Elias Kachunga (Huddersfield Town) wins a free kick

Summary: Substitute Jackson Irvine scored an injury-time goal as Burton boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation with victory at third-placed Huddersfield.


Halai has scored 14 tries in 41 games for Wasps since arriving from Auckland Blues in January 2015. The 29-year-old has started only seven times this season for the Premiership leaders, scoring two tries. "Frank still has a big part to play for the club as we enter the business end of the season," director of rugby Dai Young told the club website. "His game-time has been limited this season due to the form of Christian Wade and the development of Josh Bassett, as well as Willie Le Roux coming on board, so it's a really competitive area."

Summary: Wasps winger Frank Halai will join French Top 14 side Pau at the end of the Premiership season.


Knowsley Safari Park confirmed 18-year-old Kenya was attacked by females in the pride. Despite the efforts of keepers to separate them, he sustained multiple injuries and was put down. The park said it was "the most necessary and humane course of action" to avoid any further stress and suffering to Kenya. In a statement, the park said the attack indicated his place as pride male was "no longer secure". The statement said it was "natural behaviour" for a pride when the male is "no longer able to maintain the grace of the females". Although there was no prior indication of an attack, staff were all prepared for when the "unpleasant event should arrive". They added that no members of the public were in their vehicles at the time of the attack. In the wild, male lions are in their prime between five and 10. Kenya, at 18, was "an old man". He arrived at Knowsley from Longleat in 2003.

Summary: An elderly lion who was attacked by lionesses at a Merseyside safari park has died as a result of his injuries.


The designation of 23 new Marine Conservation Zones mean that 8,000 square miles of UK waters now have environmental protection. The announcement has been welcomed by conservation and wildlife organisations. However they, along with fishermen's groups, are concerned that there is no management plan. They say it will be difficult to balance competing interests in the reserves. Originally 127 sites were proposed as MCZs. The government has so far committed to designating 50, covering an area the size of Wales. The designation of 23 new Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) means that 20% of English waters are now considered protected. The sites range from the Cromer Shoal Chalk Beds in the North Sea, down to Land's End in the South West. The aim is to conserve habitats like coral colonies, geological features such as chalk reefs, and species such as the stalked jellyfish and spiny lobsters. North Sea Fulmar Farnes East Coquet to St Mary's Runswick Bay Holderness Inshore Cromer Shoal Chalk Beds South East The Swale Estuary Dover to Deal Dover to Folkestone Offshore Brighton Offshore Overfalls (SE of the Isle of Wight) Utopia (SW of Selsey Bill) The Needles South West Western Channel Mounts Bay Land's End Newquay and The Gannel Hartland Point to Tintagel Bideford to Foreland Point North-West of Jones Bank Greater Haig Fras Irish Sea West of Walney co-location zone Allonby Bay The Marine Environment Minister, George Eustice, said: "It's vital that we protect our marine environment to ensure our seas remain healthy, our fishing industry remains prosperous, and future generations can enjoy our beautiful beaches." The Wildlife Trusts welcomed the designation of the reserves. Joan Edwards, head of Living Seas at the Trusts, said: "UK seas have the potential to be full of incredible life and colour but continued destruction has reduced them to a shadow of their former selves. "We are pleased by this government's commitment to addressing the decimation of our seabed over the past century, and to delivering an ecologically coherent network of marine protected areas. This second step towards the completion of a 'blue belt' in UK seas is crucial in turning the tide on the state of our seas but there's still work to be done." However, designation and management are treated as separate processes. So until bylaws or legislation has been put in place, then activities in the reserves will remain largely unchanged. Paul Trebilcock, from the Cornish Fish Producers Association, commented: "It's madness. A line has been drawn on a map but there is no management plan in place. No-one knows what will and will not be able to continue. "The majority of fishermen rely on the marine environment being healthy to make a living - they have more interest in keeping it healthy than anybody. To hear the government drawing a line and saying it's all fine doesn't inspire much confidence." Sam Davies is chief officer for the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority. Her organisation will work with the Marine Management Organisation to find a way of managing the reserves. She said that the new boundaries didn't mean that

Summary: The UK government has extended the coastal "blue belt" of protected marine areas.


Mabey Bridge has begun a consultation on the planned closure of its business in Station Road where 150 people work. It is also looking for a buyer for its renewables section in Mathern, Chepstow, which employs 180 people. A company spokesman said it anticipated a buyer would be found to support that area of the business. "We have not made these decisions lightly and we understand that this is a very difficult time for our people." the spokesman added. BBC Wales understands the firm is now looking for employees to apply for voluntary redundancy. One employee said: "Everyone's absolutely stunned, some people guessed what was going to happen but the majority had no idea at all. "The announcement today is that the infrastructure side is gone, that it will finish. It was just shock, complete and utter shock; very few could believe that they have taken such as drastic decision." The company's infrastructure section makes highway bridges, railway bridges, footbridges and sign gantries while its renewables division builds wind turbine towers and carries out work in offshore renewable energy. Analysis, Brian Meechan BBC Wales business correspondent Mabey Bridge is a big name in construction. As specialists in bridges, it is one firm that would have been expected to weather the difficult economic times the sector has been through. In recent years, it has branched out into renewable energy including the towers for wind turbines. The construction industry is expected to grow by three percent a year until 2018 so the future might have been considered promising. But the Mabey Bridge site in central Chepstow has been up for sale for months and may prove appealing for redevelopment for housing rather than further industrial uses.

Summary: An engineering firm has announced the proposed closure of one site in Chepstow and the sale of another, putting 330 jobs at risk.


Media playback is not supported on this device Ahead of Monday's fifth-round tie at the Greenhous Meadow, the League One side's boss Micky Mellon has already gathered a battle plan that cannot fail to strike a chord with the competition's romantics. No-one loves roughing up the elite more than Sam Allardyce (just ask Arsene Wenger) so it is fortunate that Mellon is big pals with Big Sam. Friends from having played under Allardyce at Blackpool, Mellon has the perfect inside track on how to upset the odds. The current Sunderland boss is the last man to beat United domestically, thanks to their 2-1 win last Saturday in the Premier League, and Mellon admits he will use all his old manager's know-how. "I'm seeing Big Sam and see what his plan was and if there's any help we can get from that then we will," he told BBC Radio Shropshire. "I'm a big schoolboy when it comes to football and to be able to prepare my team to face Manchester United is a fantastic moment in my career." Perhaps the magic and miracle of cinema can also provide a source of hope. If Shrewsbury had Pele up front, Ossie Ardiles in midfield and Bobby Moore at the heart of the defence, they could well afford Michael Caine at left-back and still beat Manchester United, or anyone else for that matter. But, unlike the Germans in the iconic 1981 film Escape to Victory, they did defeat a side that contained more than a hint of that heroic Allied XI. Russell Osman, John Wark, Kevin O'Callaghan and Paul Cooper (body double for goalkeeper Sylvester Stallone in the film) were all in Bobby Robson's stylish Uefa Cup-winning Ipswich side that lost 2-1 to Shrewsbury in the fifth round in February 1982. But if it is all going pear-shaped at half-time on Monday for Town, in keeping with the film, they can always dig an escape tunnel under the bath. In addition to the Tractor Boys of '82, Shrewsbury saw off another top-flight side Manchester City on their way to the sixth round in 1979 - still their best run in the competition to date. More recently, it was Kevin Ratcliffe's side that wrote the third-round headlines as two goals from Nigel Jemson, including a last-minute winner, dumped Ratcliffe's old club and five-time winners Everton out in 2003. It gave a 17-year-old Wayne Rooney an early introduction to the FA Cup's capricious nature. If you only looked at the visitors' FA Cup record, you would tell the Shrewsbury squad to stay in, watch their favourite box-sets on Monday, and give the tie a wide berth. Only Arsenal can boast a better record than United's 11 Cup wins, but Town fans will point to the fact that they have not won the famous old trophy since beating Millwall in Cardiff in 2004. And like a lot of the big boys, they have not been immune to the odd upset over the years. Bournemouth's famous win over holders United in the third round in 1984 still ranks as one

Summary: Shrewsbury Town will not be short of inspiration when they try to knock Manchester United out of the FA Cup.


Media playback is not supported on this device Scrum-half Luke McGrath snapped up two first-half tries but the visitors were just 12-9 down at the break thanks to three penalties by Dan Jones. Leinster broke clear in the second half at the RDS with Rhys Ruddock crashing over and Joey Carbery scoring twice. Replacement Ed Byrne also got over and Jamison Gibson-Park came on to score a try with the last move of the match. The five-point return takes Leo Cullen's men two points clear of the Ospreys who had gone top on Friday with victory in Edinburgh. Scarlets were unchanged from their first win over Munster at Thomond Park for 14 years, but their hopes of an Irish double were blown away in the second half as Leinster coasted to their fourth successive bonus-point victory of the Six Nations period. After Jones had kicked the visitors ahead early on, Leinster turned down a kickable penalty and from a close-in scrum, McGrath scrambled over for the opening try. A second successful penalty followed from Jones, but the Scarlets fly-half then blundered when a was charged down by McGrath, who finished smartly for his second try. The Welsh club were just three points in arrears at half-time but conceded 33 without reply after the interval. Leinster ran in four tries during the third quarter - Ruddock charging through and full-back Carbery snapping up two and replacement Ed Byrne also scoring. Just to rub it in at the death, another replacement, Gibson-Park, completed the rout for Leinster, profiting from Dan Leavy's barnstorming run towards the right corner. Leinster: Carbery, A. Byrne, Kirchner, Reid, McFadden, R. Byrne, L. McGrath, Dooley, Strauss, Bent, Molony, Triggs, Ruddock, Leavy, Conan. Replacements: B. Daly for Reid (56), Gibson-Park for L. McGrath (60), B. Byrne for Dooley (57), E. Byrne for Strauss (57), Ross for Bent (49), M. McCarthy for Triggs (60), Deegan for Ruddock (68). Scarlets: McNicholl, T. Williams, S. Hughes, Parkes, van der Merwe, D. Jones, J. Evans, W. Jones, Elias, Kruger, Price, Beirne, Shingler, J. Davies, Boyde. Replacements: Nicholas for S. Hughes (45), A. Thomas for D. Jones (56), D. Smith for J. Evans (79), Garrett for W. Jones (68), D. Hughes for Elias (69), N. Thomas for Kruger (49), Bernardo for Price (60), Allen for J. Davies (49). Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

Summary: Leinster returned to the top of the Pro12 table and bagged a bonus point with an emphatic win over the Scarlets.


The former Friends star talked about the primary school incident on a Wednesday-night television appearance. Mr Perry was born in the US state of Massachusetts but raised in Ottawa, Canada and attended the same school as Mr Trudeau. He said a friend recently reminded him of the long-ago altercation. The actor and comedian said he was a couple of years ahead of Mr Trudeau in school. "I have a story about him that I'm not proud of," he recounted on the Jimmy Kimmel Live talk show. "I think he was excelling in a sport that we weren't. So it was pure jealousy." The current prime minister lived in Ottawa and attended school there as a youth while his father, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, served as prime minister. Perry, who came to fame playing the awkward, sarcastic and funny character Chandler Bing on Friends, also lived in the Canadian capital with his mother, who was a journalist and served as a former press secretary to the elder Trudeau. "I'm not bragging about this, it was terrible, I was a stupid kid," he told Mr Kimmel. But he jokingly said the incident might have helped spur Mr Trudeau's future ambition. "I think it was rather instrumental in him becoming, you know, going to such great heights and becoming the prime minister. I think he said 'I'm going to rise above this.'" He said he still feels bad about the incident. "I feel shame, I don't want to think about it," he told Mr Kimmel.

Summary: Actor Matthew Perry is claiming that he once "beat up" Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.


The students began "feeling unwell" at Llanwern High School, in Newport, at about 11.40 BST on Thursday. One 14-year-old girl, five girls aged 13, two girls aged 12 and an 11-year-old boy were taken to Royal Gwent Hospital. Laboratory tests are under way to determine what the substance was. Police said not all the pupils required hospital treatment but were taken as a precaution. Eight of the nine have now been discharged. Gwent Police said inquiries were ongoing to find out the exact circumstances of what happened and where the substance was obtained. The Welsh Ambulance Service sent three rapid response cars, three emergency ambulances and an urgent care service vehicle to the school. A council spokesman said on Thursday: "Our immediate priority is the well-being of the pupils affected. "The school will be carrying out an investigation and will be working with the police into how this incident happened."

Summary: A 14-year-old girl remains in hospital after nine pupils were taken ill at school after reportedly taking an unknown substance.


Thomas Orchard, 32, who had schizophrenia, died in October 2012. An Emergency Response Belt was held around his mouth when he threatened to bite, police said. Custody sergeant Jan Kingshott, 44, and civilian detention officers Simon Tansley, 38, and Michael Marsden, 55, all deny manslaughter. The defence said the belt was "unfortunately" what officers had been equipped with. Mr Tansley's barrister, Michael Mather-Lees, told the court: "It looks appalling but unfortunately this was the item they had been given. It was approved, tested, trained upon and given to use as a spit or bite mask." Prosecutors previously told the court there was no evidence Mr Orchard tried to bite Mr Tansley, who held the belt around Mr Orchard's mouth. However, Mr Mather-Lees said the CCTV footage showing police treatment of Mr Orchard in his cell "doesn't show everything - it doesn't show every angle". Mr Orchard, who had been arrested in Exeter on suspicion of a public order offence, was left lying face down on a mattress in his cell at Heavitree Road police station after he was freed from restraints. Officers discovered he was not breathing when they re-entered the cell 12 minutes later, Bristol Crown Court had heard. Mr Mather-Lees told the court Mr Tansley would have acted had he been aware that Mr Orchard was having problems breathing. Mr Orchard, who had not been taking his medication for schizophrenia, died in hospital following a cardiac arrest. The trial continues.

Summary: An "appalling" looking belt used to restrain a man who died after having a cardiac arrest in a police cell was "not ideal", a court has heard.


It is understood proposals for a £12m project at Fairy Glen would mean half an acre of wood is destroyed, Coed Cadw has claimed. It has asked Snowdonia National Park Authority to reject RWE Innogy's plans. The scheme would be capable of generating up to 13,000 megawatt hours of electricity each year, enough to supply around 2,700 households. RWE Innogy revealed the plans three years ago and the authority has been carrying out a consultation. It would involve getting water from the river above Penmachno bridge and diverting it through more than half a mile (1km) of pipeline around Fairy Glen, before returning it to the river near the River Lledr junction. Rory Francis from Coed Cadw said: "When woodlands such as this, which are centuries old, are lost they cannot be replaced. "We urge the Snowdonia National Park planning committee to say no to the proposal and for the company involved to think again." RWE Innogy said a consultation had taken place, and that the project had been designed to to minimise any environmental impact. A spokesman said: "Let's not forget that one of the biggest threats to the environment and wildlife is climate change itself, and so it is important that we are able to deliver projects like this which make an important contribution towards tackling climate change."

Summary: Woodland in Conwy is "under threat" if a hydro-electric scheme goes ahead, a charity has said.


The black-headed gull was unable to fly off after getting trapped about 20ft (6m) from the bank of the lake in Leicestershire. Firefighters chipped him free from the icy water at Grove Park, Enderby, after being called by the RSPCA at about 16:50 GMT on Tuesday. He was taken to a vet to warm up. The gull was then taken to a nearby wildlife centre for further care before he will be released into the wild. Firefighters used a rescue sled, which is like an inflatable raft, to reach the gull. The RSPCA said in a statement: "He was about 20ft out on the lake and was stuck fast. "Thankfully the the fire service came out to assist our officers and using an inflatable raft managed to reach the gull and chip him free from the ice."

Summary: A bird that became stuck in a lake when the water froze around its feet is recovering after being rescued by firefighters.


It is the eighth edition of the event on the shores of Loch Ryan which raises funds for the inshore lifeboat unit. Toploader follow in the footsteps of Dodgy, S-Club and Ben Haenow in performing at the Dumfries and Galloway festival. A host of local acts will also take to the stage at Agnew Park this year on Saturday 19 August.

Summary: Toploader have been announced as the headline act at this year's RNLI Parkfest in Stranraer.


Its survey of manufacturers, retailers and the services sector showed a balance of 6% reporting increased business, the lowest since May 2013. The economy has had a "tough start to the year", said Rain Newton-Smith, the CBI's director of economics. Official figures last week put UK growth at 0.5% in the last quarter of 2015, the slowest for three years. Ms Newton-Smith said: "Manufacturing and business and professional services have struggled to make a mark, but a healthier picture can be seen in the household-focused consumer services and retail sectors." Output from professional services firms - including telecoms, computing and legal services - slowed down the most, according to the CBI Growth Indicator. The CBI figures signalled only "modest" growth in the next three months. Reports have suggested the Bank of England will this week cut its UK economic growth forecasts to around 2.3% for 2016, compared with 2.5% in November. The central bank will release its latest inflation report on Thursday, when it will also keep interest rates unchanged amid concerns about global economic volatility. A Treasury spokesperson said: "Despite turbulence in the global economy, Britain is pushing ahead and continues to grow steadily."

Summary: The UK economy grew at its slowest rate since mid-2013 in the three months to January, according to the CBI.


The 71-year-old will join John Lally and her beloved old pony Super Sam in a picturesque woodland spot in Cornwall, south west England. Also already buried in the family plot are Blot the cat, Muppet the Alsatian dog, and Brian the canary. Elsewhere in the six acres (2.4 hectares) of woods and fields, some 40 other people are also laid to rest with their pets. The land is owned by Ms Lally's business, Penwith Pet Crematorium, which is one of 50 or so pet crematoriums and cemeteries across the UK. And businesses is booming, as an ever-growing number of pet owners wish to give their animals a more formal send-off. At Penwith they now individually cremate an average of 200 animals per week, double the number a decade ago. Prices range from £42 for a hamster or guinea pig, up to £187 for a large dog. Meanwhile, it costs £900 to bury a horse (they are too big to be cremated at Penwith), or £1,500 for a human being. Ms Lally says: "It was my silly idea to set up the business back in 1988." She adds that she came up with the idea when she realised that there were many people like her and her husband who would like give their pets a formal cremation or burial. And that others would, like them, also consider being ultimately buried beside their pets, or where their beloved animals' ashes were scattered or interred. "My husband and I were running a farm, and we were lucky enough to have the land to set up the business," says Ms Lally. "So we set aside six acres. The business then gradually grew from there thanks to positive word of mouth and repeat business. "Everyone who comes here goes away and happily recommends us to other people, and we get people who come back with their second and third pets." Far from being just a British phenomenon, the industry of pet cremation and burial, or "pet loss" as it is known, is now a very big business globally. According to US-based trade body Pet Loss Professionals Alliance (PLPA), the average annual turnover of its members around the world in 2013 was $860,464 (£556,000). And that year its members in the US alone cremated 1.46 million pets. Coleen Ellis, co-chair of the PLPA, opened the first stand-alone pet funeral home in the US. Today, she owns and runs an organisation called Two Hearts Pet Loss, which educates veterinary professionals and pet loss businesses about how best to meet the needs of people whose pets nearing the end of their lives. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Ms Ellis, who is also the author of a book on the subject, says it is important to remember that there are two types people who have pets - "pet owners" and "pet parents". She adds: "My services are geared towards the pet parent, the person who saw their little furry animal as a member of the family. "I wanted to give people 'permission' to do what they wanted to do to honour their

Summary: When Penny Lally passes away she is is going to be buried between her late husband... and her favourite horse.


The Craigneuk-based mixed martial arts fighter will take on Brazilian Luis Henrique Da Silva at the 18,000 capacity Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, just the fourth Scot to make the step up to the UFC. The 29-year-old has signed a four-fight deal with what he calls the "Champions League of MMA", a far cry from his days at Tynecastle. It is a stage he didn't even aspire to until he found he was reducing opponents to tears. "The truth was I wasn't good enough," Craig said of his attempts to forge a career in football. "I knew that myself so I went into the role of coaching football. "I was OK, it was enjoyable, but I really missed the competitive side, I missed having some sort of competition. I started messing about with martial arts and found that I was really good at it. "It was never a case of 'I'm going to be in the UFC one day'. I was driving up and down the length and breadth of Britain fighting in various competitions in regards to jiu-jitsu. My coach said to me 'there's an opportunity, do you fancy it?' and it was down on a show in Sunderland. "I always remember the guy I fought was Gary Sivills, and he was the top guy down that way. He had a really good record, he then wanted to fight for a British title, and he was using me as some cannon fodder, a stepping stone. He was expected just to walk through me. I had no pressure at all, I was going in as underdog. "I took four or five friends down with me, and I beat him in like a minute and 37 seconds. I went to speak to him afterwards and he was sobbing his eyes out and I couldn't work out why. "It wasn't until I then beat a guy called Karl Moore as a pro in my first fight in BAMMA (British Association of Mixed Martial Arts). He was touted as being the next big thing, and it went two rounds. I remember the same thing, him crying. "I thought about all the guys I've fought and they'd all been trying to get to this one point. All these guys are trying to make it to the UFC, and I've stopped them. I understand the pressure they were under." By day Craig teaches with Skillforce, an educational charity that helps pupils engage with school and make the most of their lives. Now, after eight wins from eight fights, all within the distance, he has been noticed by the UFC and is set to fight on the same stage that has has turned Irishman Conor McGregor into a global superstar. Craig will not get an easy introduction to life in the UFC against the kickboxing skills of Da Silva, but after sparring with Scottish boxers Stephen Simmons and Jay McFarlane, Craig is confident he can end the Brazilian's 12-fight unbeaten run. "The UFC is the pinnacle, everyone wants to fight there," Craig told BBC Scotland. "It's going to

Summary: On Saturday, Scotland's Paul Craig will complete a remarkable journey from the Hearts youth team to the Ultimate Fighting Championship.


The 32-year-old Pole, who has limited movement in his right arm, drove 115 laps in a 2012 car for the Renault team at a test in Valencia on Tuesday. "I'm proud with what I achieved but also it shows what I've lost," he said. "I don't know what the future will bring but I ran with good pace and consistently in difficult conditions." Kubica's F1 career was cut short following a crash in a rally car in February 2011 as he was preparing for his second season with Renault. He was severely injured when a crash barrier pierced the car, causing multiple arm and leg fractures and partially severing his right arm. Kubica, who won the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix for BMW Sauber and was considered one of the fastest and most talented drivers in the sport, competed in rallying from 2013-16 and has begun to explore a comeback to circuit racing. His comments, made in a statement by the Renault team, did not address whether he thought he was capable of returning to F1. So far, this has not been possible because the limited movement in his right arm had meant he was not able to turn a steering wheel sufficiently in the tight confines of an F1 cockpit to be able to drive on all the tracks on the calendar.

Summary: Robert Kubica said he had "mixed feelings" about his performance after his first test in a Formula 1 car since injury curtailed his career in 2011.


The horse got stuck in the mud near the River Windrush, close to Willow Farm in Witney, Oxfordshire, at about 08:47 BST on Saturday. Up to 10 firefighters helped with the rescue operation using specialist animal rescue equipment. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue said the horse was freed without injury with the assistance of a vet and the owner. For more stories of pets and animals being rescued follow us on Pinterest

Summary: A horse which was trapped in mud on a riverbank had to be rescued by firefighters.


It will be the 20-year-old's second spell at the club, having joined on loan from Rochdale in 2016. Bell made nine appearances in 2016-17 for Gateshead, scoring twice. Earlier on Thursday, Chester - who finished 19th in the National League - announced new deals for midfielder Wade Joyce and utility player Evan Horwood on one-year and six-month contracts respectively.

Summary: Chester have signed Gateshead striker Nyal Bell on loan until 7 January.


Former Manchester City trainee Coulson, 22, joined Eastleigh from Oxford City in January 2016 and has scored six goals this season. Muggleton, 21, moved to Barnet in 2014 and helped them win promotion back to the Football League two years ago. Both players' moves are for undisclosed fees. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page or visit our Premier League tracker here.

Summary: Barnet have signed winger Luke Coulson from National League side Eastleigh, with left-back Sam Muggleton moving in the opposite direction.


It is currently against the constitution but parliament has not yet passed a bill outlawing the practice. Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke has joined more than a million others by signing an online petition calling for a comprehensive ban. The UN children's agency, Unicef, estimates that more than 90% of Somali girls undergo FGM. It says that it is mainly performed on four to 11-year-olds and can have a long-lasting impact on the girls' physical and mental health. Somali anti-FGM campaigner Ifrah Ahmed told the BBC that she had persuaded Mr Sharmarke to sign the petition organised by online campaign group Avaaz. She said that it was a significant move as many people in Somalia do not openly speak about the issue. •Clitoridectomy - partial or total removal of the clitoris •Excision - removal of the clitoris and inner labia (lips), with or without the outer labia •Infibulation - cutting, removing and sewing up the genitalia •Any other type of intentional damage to the female genitalia (burning, scraping et cetera) Ms Ahmed, who has experienced FGM herself, thought it would help put pressure on the lawmakers to pass the bill. She has worked with Somalia's Women's Affairs Minister Sahra Samatar in drawing up the draft legislation. Ms Samatar told the BBC's Newsday programme that the prime minister's action was a "huge boost" to the efforts to get the law passed. But campaigners acknowledge that it will take more than a law to end the practice. Ms Ahmed said that an education campaign, as well as a willingness to enforce the legislation, will be necessary. She said that it is widely practised in Somalia as people believe it is a religious requirement and girls who have not undergone it are taunted for not being cut.

Summary: Somalia's prime minister has publicly backed a campaign to ban female genital mutilation (FGM) in his country.


Wing Fu Cheung, also known as Nelson Cheung, was stabbed to death after his car was forced off the road outside Randalstown in January 2015. The 65-year-old Ballymena man ran the Double Value Chinese takeaway restaurant in Randalstown. Gary Thompson, 34, pleaded guilty to three charges lat Belfast Crown Court. He was previously accused of Mr Cheung's murder, but that charge was left on the books. Gary and Lisa Thompson had been due to stand trial and a jury was sworn in yesterday, but they were re-arraigned today. Both were released on continuing bail, to be sentenced at a later date. Gary Thompson, formerly of Cunningham Way in Antrim, admitted robbing Mr Cheung's wife, Kam-Fung Cheung, also known as Winnie. He also pleaded guilty to assisting offenders by allowing two men who have admitted the murder - Virgilio Augusto Fernando Correia and Christopher David Menaul - to take refuge in his home, as well as letting them remove clothing and clean themselves after the killing. Thompson also admitted perverting the course of justice by threatening Correia in an attempt to stop him talking to the police. Lisa Thompson, 34, from Erskine Park in Ballyclare, admitted assisting offenders, handling stolen goods and perverting the course of justice. The offences happened between 6 and 9 January 2015. Last month, 35-year-old Correia admitted killing Mr Cheung, wounding his wife with intent to do her grievous bodily harm, and robbing her. In November, 25-year-old Menaul pleaded guilty to the same three charges. Both men are in custody, on remand, awaiting sentence.

Summary: A county Antrim husband and wife have admitted helping the murderers of a Chinese restaurant owner try to cover up their crime.


Julie Wadsworth, 60, told officers "a fumble" had led to masturbation but she had "no reason to believe he was under-age", Warwick Crown Court heard. In a transcript read in court, she said she had "sex in the woods" with husband Tony to "spice up" their sex life. The couple deny assaulting seven boys in the 1990s. The Wadsworths, from Broughton Astley, Leicestershire, who have worked for BBC Radio Leicester and BBC WM, are accused of encouraging boys to take part in sexual activity in wooded areas of Warwickshire between 1992 and 1996. They deny five counts of outraging public decency. Mrs Wadsworth has pleaded not guilty to 12 charges of indecent assault and Mr Wadsworth, 69, denies 10 counts of the same offence. After her arrest, Mrs Wadsworth described sexual contact with one of the accusers, now in his 30s, as "just a bit of fun", the jury heard. She said it ended when her husband became suspicious and both parties "decided it ought to stop". Mrs Wadsworth told officers she would never sunbathe topless, as was alleged, as she was "not confident in my body" but did sometimes have sex in woodland with her husband. "We'd nip into the woods and if we heard anybody coming we'd stop - we wouldn't openly display ourselves," she said. "We just went down and had sex in the woods from time to time, it's so embarrassing. "We like to spice up the sex life, but those boys? I don't recognise any of their names." Earlier, the man Mrs Wadsworth accepted masturbating told the court he sent messages to her years after the alleged abuse. He said in cross-examination by her barrister he had become "obsessed" with her and sent her messages when he was "drunk, depressed, or down". The trial was adjourned until Wednesday.

Summary: An ex-BBC radio presenter accused of child sex offences told police she had sexual contact with one of her accusers when "he was 17", a court heard.


The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) had been facing cuts of £42m, around a third of its budget. But Jane Hutt told AMs £31m of them will be cancelled. HEFCW will now have to find £11m worth of savings. She also set out plans to use £2.5m from reserves to help soften the blow of cuts to three rural councils. Ms Hutt said she would allow HEFCW - which funds Welsh universities - to keep £21.1m which was due to be diverted to tuition fee subsidies, and would give it an extra £10m to support part-time courses and research. In statement, HEFCW responded: "A cut of 32% to HEFCW's budget would have had a real impact on universities' ability to meet Welsh government priorities. "We are delighted that the contribution of Welsh universities to the economy and society of Wales has been acknowledged." Universities Wales chair Prof Colin Riordan praised ministers for the "understanding" he said they had shown for universities' concerns after the draft budget was published in December. "Whilst the funding outlook for 2016/17 remains unprecedentedly tough, we are now more confident that Welsh universities will be able to manage in the short term until future challenges can be faced," he said. The assembly voted on Tuesday to approve the 2016/17 budget, which includes an extra £278m for the NHS. With Labour in favour and the Tories and Plaid Cymru voting against, the Liberal Democrats abstained, allowing the budget to pass. There was an outcry from opposition parties when plans to cut council budgets by an average of 2% were announced in December, with rural authorities facing the biggest cuts. The Liberal Democrats claimed credit for securing some recompense for the three biggest losers. Ms Hutt told AMs: "Where we've considered that evidence is compelling we have made some adjustments to our spending plans to support our priorities. "We are confident that our plans are the right plans to invest in the future of Wales - a clear way forward supporting jobs growth and the services that mean the most to the people of Wales." The budget is the result of a two-year deal between Labour and the Liberal Democrats after extra money was allocated to pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. Conservative Shadow Finance Minister Nick Ramsay accused ministers of announcing "piecemeal rises" to health and education spending. "This budget is more an attempt to make up for past underfunding than a genuine investment in our vital services," he said. Plaid Cymru criticised ministers for being "committed to spending their entire borrowing capacity" on a planned M4 relief road around Newport. Finance spokesman Alun Ffred Jones said: "We will not support a budget, or a government, which we see as failing to meet the needs of all the regions of our country." Liberal Democrat Peter Black claimed the budget had been "significantly improved" by his party. Examples included "extra money for poorer pupils, the money which we've brought into cheaper transport for 16-18-year-olds, the extra apprenticeships and the additional capital funding we've had delivered around Wales", he said.

Summary: Most of the cuts that were planned for higher education have been reversed, the finance minister has announced, as the Welsh budget was passed.