According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the insect group is the most threatened of those assessed so far in Europe. Europe harbours more than 1,000 species of grasshopper and cricket. If we don't act now the sound of crickets could become a thing of the past, said the IUCN. Crickets, bush crickets and grasshoppers - a group known as Orthoptera - live on grassland. They are an important food source for birds and reptiles, and their decline could affect entire ecosystems. Their habitat is being lost due to wildfires, intensive agriculture and tourism development. Jean-Christophe ViÃ©, deputy director, IUCN Global Species Programme, said to bring these species back from the brink of extinction, more needs to be done to protect and restore their habitats. "This can be done through sustainable grassland management using traditional agricultural practices, for example," he said. "If we do not act now, the sound of crickets in European grasslands could soon become a thing of the past." The assessment took place over two years and involved more than 150 scientists. Axel Hochkirch is chair of the IUCN invertebrate conservation sub-committee and lead author of the report. "If we lose grasshoppers and other Orthoptera like crickets and bush crickets, we will lose diversity," he told BBC News. "They are very good indicators of biodiversity in open ecosystems." The experts are particularly concerned about species that occupy small ranges, such as the Crau plain grasshopper, which lives only on the Crau plain in the South of France. Some populations are also being lost through wildfires, particularly in Greece and on the Canary Islands. "The results from this IUCN Red List are deeply worrying," said Luc Bas, director of the IUCN European Regional Office. The report recommends the setting up of a monitoring programme across Europe to obtain information on population trends. Follow Helen on Twitter.

Summary: The first comprehensive assessment of Europe's crickets and grasshoppers has found that more than a quarter of species are being driven to extinction.


It comes as the Sun reported thousands of pounds of Foreign Office aid was spent on a TV gameshow and on finding female mates for an endangered fish. The Foreign Office said most of its aid promoted prosperity and stability, but the review would ensure every penny represented "value for money". The UK government's total overseas aid budget last year was £12bn. About 87% of the government's aid budget is managed by the Department for International Development, with the remaining money distributed by other departments - including the Foreign Office. The government says international aid is used to help an estimated 1.4 billion people around the world living in poverty. A list published by the Foreign Office showed almost £14,000 for its aid budget was spent producing a gameshow for Ethiopian television that aims to teach young people there about British values. A project to measure the carbon footprint of the Dakar rally cost more than £13,000. According to the Sun, almost £7,000 was used in an anti-litter drive in Jordan, while a project to promote "safe and responsible" use of Facebook in Laos, south east Asia, cost £970. A project to help find female mates for endangered Mangarahara cichlid fish in Madagascar cost £3,400, the paper said, while £5,000 was allegedly spent on workshops about Shakespeare's Hamlet, in Ecuador. BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said a source close to the Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond told him there had "clearly been a lack of scrutiny on some expenditure". A Foreign Office spokesman said: "The Foreign Secretary has ordered a review so that we can be sure that every last penny of the FCO's aid spending around the world is effective and represents value for money. "Building closer relationships with growing economies is important. "The vast majority of aid spending promotes UK prosperity and broader stability but there will be a crackdown on projects that cannot show taxpayers' cash is being spent wisely." In March, legislation was passed making it a legal requirement for 0.7% of UK's annual national income to be spent on international development. The private members bill was originally tabled by former Scottish Secretary Michael Moore in the Commons and received Royal Assent on 26 March.

Summary: The Foreign Office has launched a review into whether its overseas aid is being used "effectively".


UK universities also do well lower down the tables, with 18 in the top 100 and 10 from London alone in the top 400. John O'Leary, part of the board that compiled the latest ranking and editor of the Times Good University Guide, says a greater emphasis on research has helped make world-beaters of a handful of UK universities. Mr O'Leary told BBC News: "UK universities are improving the effectiveness of their research. All but three of the UK's top universities achieved higher citation rates than last year, though they still trail the big US institutions like Harvard, Stanford and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "There are now three sets of international rankings for universities - all of them use citations among their main measures. Leading universities are increasingly aware of their international position and academics always want to produce research that is cited by others. American academics tend to cite other Americans, which gives them an edge. "Increasing the number of academic citations is one of the ways that UK universities have improved this year, but they also do very well in most of the other measures including their reputations amongst other academics. "UK universities genuinely have a very high reputation all over the world." Cambridge University, now in second place, was top of the whole table in the two preceding years. University College London (UCL) rose from seventh to fourth place within the past year. Prof Malcolm Grant, provost of UCL, said the ranking would help confirm London's position as a global leader in something other than banking. "Higher education, science, research, technology and health are all remarkable strengths of London, every bit as strong as financial services," he said. "What is remarkable for London is to be the only city in the world to have two top 10 universities. Mr O'Leary said UCL in particular had done a lot better than in previous years in terms of the number of times its research had been cited in academic journals. He said UCL's increasing focus on research followed a massive increase in the number of postgraduates at the university in recent years. In 1995-6 there were 4,270 graduate students at UCL. By 2011-12 that number had grown to 11,000, a move Mr O'Leary said would have brought in more international students and boosted both the university's income and the effectiveness of its research. Mr O'Leary said teaching in English also gave UK universities a big advantage, particularly in attracting international students. He added: "Per dollar, the UK has for sometime had the most productive university system in the world." Dr Wendy Piatt, director general of the Russell Group of research universities, said: "It is important to nurture leading research universities within a genuinely diverse education system where a range of institutions with different missions and strengths are fostered. "The country does not need - and certainly cannot afford - all universities to be research-intensive. "In these difficult economic times, our institutions have made every pound work hard. Against the odds, with 1% of the world's population, 14% of the world's most

Summary: The United Kingdom punches above its weight in terms of the international reputation of its universities, with four in the top six of the latest rankings from QS.


No longer able to influence the policies and laws of their country, these former members of the House of Commons now have to find something else to occupy their time. But what's it like after losing your parliamentary seat? What are the personal and professional implications of being voted out of public office? Former Labour MP for Watford Claire Ward told BBC Radio 4's Today programme there was a sense of bereavement at losing her seat in 2010 after 13 years in Westminster. "Being an MP is very much a way of life," she says. "It's all-consuming, there's no escape from it, no matter what time of the day, where you are, any time of the year. "From that point of view, you recognise that it's going to be a huge change, not just to your working life but to every aspect of it. "Something that you feel very strongly about, and is part of you, to lose in that way is very much like a bereavement." Ms Ward is now chairman of Pharmacy Voice, the trade association for community pharmacies. She talks of those failed parliamentary candidates who can't help but wonder whether certain people they see on their constituency's streets, who pledged support, actually voted for them. She also talks of the "heartbreaking" act of having to give redundancy notices to staff members, whose fortunes are intertwined with that of their boss's. After finding out that all that knocking on doors, distributing leaflets and promising policies did not generate enough boxes being ticked next to their name, any newly-unemployed former public servant can find a sympathetic ear through the Association of Former Members of Parliament. Among several activities it organises is an outreach programme for former MPs to speak at universities, academies, schools and voluntary groups, helping to keep them busy - and, surely for some, keep their profile up in the local community should they fancy another go come the next by-election. Financially, there is help available for those ex-MPs going through this drastic change of fortune. According to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, the expenses watchdog, departing MPs are entitled to a resettlement allowance, equivalent to a month's salary for each year of service, capped at 6 months, or Â£33,500. They are also able to claim a winding up allowance of up to Â£57,000 for former London MPs, and up to Â£53,000 for those who represented a constituency outside of the capital. This is for such costs as terminating staff contracts, ending leases on offices, and furniture removals. This allowance is open to all MPs and is not related to length of service. Andy Reed was Labour MP for Loughborough from 1997 to 2010, and is now programme director of the international sports management MBA at Loughborough University. He says it was particularly "brutal" losing his seat because politics is "a way of life, not a job". "You literally walk home from the town hall at four or five o'clock in the morning unemployed, and virtually everything that you knew, your emails, is shut down, locked out. "You're

Summary: As the dust settles after the general election, many men and women who once trod the corridors of power as Members of Parliament are facing up to life after defeat.


Liu Xia has been under house arrest since her husband won the award in 2010. She has never been charged. Friends say she is depressed but fear that if she sees a doctor she might be sent to a psychiatric hospital. Mr Liu was convicted of subversion in 2009. The Chinese authorities have never explained why they have restricted his wife's movements. News of Liu Xia's condition came from fellow activist Hu Jia, a family friend and an outspoken dissident in his own right. "Liu Xia was a very happy and cheerful person before Liu Xiaobo's arrest," Mr Hu told BBC Chinese. "We all thought her sunny bright personality was the ideal complement for Xiaobo's more intense disposition." But three years of house arrest had thrown Mrs Liu into deep depression, he said. She is denied free movement or the right to receive visitors. Even her request of a daily walk in a local park had been turned down for fear supporters or journalists might approach her, Hu Jia said. He said Mrs Liu felt guilty that her brother, Liu Hui, had been jailed earlier this year for fraud - she believed he had been prosecuted because of his connections to Liu Xiaobo and herself. Hu Jia revealed that a sympathetic health professional had been prescribing anti-depressants for Liu Xia, but says he could not say for sure if she had taken any of the medication. Hu Jia's wife Zeng Jinyan, who now lives in Hong Kong, has appealed on Liu Xia's behalf for "an internationally renowned psychologist from Medecins sans Frontieres" to be allowed to meet Liu Xia. Hu Jia believes that this would be the only form of help that Liu Xia would feel safe accepting, but he doubts if the Chinese authorities would allow her such medical attention. She also wants more access to letters from her husband, and the right to earn money.

Summary: Concern is growing for the mental health of the wife of jailed Chinese Nobel Peace laureate Liu Xiaobo.


The 16-year-old went to Michael Harrington's Grangetown home, in Cardiff, after suspecting him of sexually assaulting a schoolgirl, and fatally stabbed the 67-year-old. He was convicted of manslaughter after being cleared of murder at Cardiff Crown Court. Mrs Justice Nicola Davies said the case was a "tragedy". There was never a formal complaint made against Mr Harrington, the court heard. Sentencing the boy on Friday, the judge told him: "This was a tragedy for you and a tragedy for your family and is something you will live with for the rest of your life. "You are of positive good character and you genuinely believed that this man had sexually abused (the schoolgirl). "But you took the law into your own hands and no one has the authority to do that. "The offence is so serious that only a custodial sentence is justified." The teenager, who cannot be named, went to Mr Harrington's home on 3 August, stabbing him in his neck and ear with a steak knife. Mr Harrington died four days later. The boy claimed he never meant to kill the man, but stabbed him during a struggle with the knife. Despite his denials, he was found guilty of manslaughter by a majority verdict of 11-1 by the jury.

Summary: A schoolboy who killed a pensioner for allegedly abusing a girl has been given a three-year custodial sentence.


Traffic Scotland said the crash near the Gladsmuir junction took place in weather which was causing "dangerous driving conditions". They urged drivers to be aware of potential problems. Police confirmed they were at the scene but said that it was too early to give details of the accident.

Summary: The A1 road in East Lothian has been closed in both directions following a collision.


The Bank of Scotland facility has been secured against the company's inventory of whisky stocks. Thai-owned Inver House said the new facility would help the business improve its margins over the next five years. It will also provide "increased headroom" to support overseas expansion in India, Kazakhstan and Poland. Inver House's brand portfolio includes Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc and Speyburn single malts. A year ago, the Airdrie-based distiller announced it had completed a £10m investment programme which included boosting production capacity at its Speyburn distillery in Moray. Inver House financial director Roger Hall said: "The new facility is significantly better value for us. It gives us access to the most cost-effective borrowing, which is crucial to our business. "It also helps us to continue investment in our whisky stocks, which will see our brands grow over the next 12 years and beyond." Inver House, which is owned by ThaiBev, currently employs 210 people across its six sites in Scotland. In October, it reported a sharp fall in revenue and profits for 2015. The firm largely attributed the results to a reduction in sales of bulk whiskies and other "value-for-money" products. It also cited a major reorganisation of distribution arrangements in its key US market.

Summary: Scotch whisky producer Inver House Distillers has secured a £45m bank lending deal to support growth plans.


Cedric Anderson entered a primary school on Monday in San Bernardino, California, and gunned down estranged spouse Karen Elaine Smith, 53. On Facebook, he referred to the special needs teacher as "my wonderful little wife", "sexy" and a "pure spirit". But some online posts by Anderson, also 53, hinted at a darker side. The couple, who had reportedly been in a relationship for years, wed in January, but were separated within a few weeks. Anderson initially seemed to be a smitten husband, rhapsodising about his bride and proclaiming himself "blessed". "She has no guile or pretense," he wrote in one post of Ms Smith. "She has no ill will toward anyone. (It amazes me!). "I praise God for such a wonderful Lady!" But in February Anderson exposed a violent streak as he boasted on Facebook of having "almost personally attacked 3 Coaches to get my son Jared a scholarship". "A father is like a lion. He will kill you for his Blood!" he wrote. On 12 March, he shared a New York Post video of a man kicking an elderly woman in the face on a bus, entitled: "Can you hear me now?" Anderson wrote along with the video: "Deranged? Yea!" Ms Smith's mother, Irma Sykes, told ABC News: "We thought he was a fine person. Until they were married and then he showed the other side of him. "Which we had never seen before. We were shocked. He began to pick on my daughter and talk down to her. "And they had dated for four years. And after about three weeks, my husband and I decided, you need to get away from him. "He is not the kind of person you thought he was." In 2013 Anderson was charged with assault and battery, brandishing a weapon and disturbing the peace, but the charges were dismissed a year later. In 1993, he was charged with two misdemeanour counts of battery in Kern Superior Court, the Los Angeles Times reported. However, court records show both charges were dismissed six months later. Somehow, the man who posted a selfie on Facebook a month ago celebrating "date night!!!" with his new wife was able to walk into the classroom on Monday morning where she was teaching and gun her down in cold blood with a Smith and Wesson .357 revolver. Without saying a word, he discharged 10 shots and stopped to reload, police said. Two children in the North Park Elementary School special needs class of 15 students were injured in the crossfire, authorities said. Jonathan Martinez, eight, died and a nine-year-old was in hospital in a stable condition.

Summary: A newlywed who fatally shot his wife and a child before turning the gun on himself at a US school had projected a blissful marriage on social media.


Pending a successful medical, the 20-year-old Colombian would become the sixth signing of the summer at Ibrox. Morelos spent 16 months in Finland, after arriving from Independiente Medellin, and scored 47 goals in 62 appearances for HJK. The forward, who has six Under-20 caps, would require a work permit to play in the UK. Morelos would join Bruno Alves, Ryan Jack, Dalcio, Fabio Cardoso and Daniel Candeias as new arrivals at Ibrox, as manager Pedro Caixinha looks to overhaul his squad in time for the Europa League qualifiers, which begin on 29 June.

Summary: HJK Helsinki striker Alfredo Morelos arrived in Edinburgh this morning ahead of his expected move to Rangers.


The instinct to swim, panic and thrash about increases the chances of water getting in the lungs and puts a strain on the heart. The RNLI's Ross Macleod said practising floating was a "survival skill". Latest figures from the charity show 162 people lost their lives on the UK coast in 2016. The RNLI's advice is to float for about 60-to-90 seconds if you fall in water - the time it takes for the effects of the cold shock to pass and to regain control of breathing. Sudden immersion in water any temperature below 15C puts people at severe risk of cold water shock. The recommended floating position is to lean back in the water and keep your airway clear while keeping calm to maintain breathing levels. Only 3% of respondents in the Dorset-based charity's research said they would try and float as the first action they would take if they fell in to cold water unexpectedly, while 40% said their immediate reaction would be to swim. RNLI coastal safety manager Ross Macleod said it was important to "fight your instincts". "We're asking the public to remember this lifesaving advice, share with others and practice the survival skill of floating - it could be the difference between life and death.' Of the 162 people who lost their lives on UK coasts in 2016. Three quarters were men and 44% didn't intend to enter the water.

Summary: Floating after falling into the sea rather than trying to swim, is more likely to ensure your survival, a new RNLI campaign says.


The National Statistics Institute said the number of unemployed Spaniards fell by 12.4% to 4.78 million last year, thanks to a strengthening economy. In the fourth quarter the rate dropped to 20.9% of the workforce, compared with 21.2% three months earlier. The figures, which are better than predicted, are at their lowest level since mid-2011. The economic recovery pushed the number of unemployed people down by 678,200 for the whole year. But there is concern that much of the growth depends on short-term jobs The data showed almost twice as many temporary posts were created in 2015 than permanent ones. Vincenzo Scarpetta, a political analyst at Open Europe in London, said: "If the economic cycle starts going less well, those jobs could start to evaporate." Economists fear that the inconclusive election, which has yet to result in a government, could delay much needed reform of the labour market. Spain has suffered a double-dip recession that pushed unemployment to just under 27% at the end of 2013. Retail sales grew 3.6% in 2015 as a whole, which is the biggest rise in 15 years. A fall in the active workforce also helped the drop in the unemployment rate in the fourth quarter, reflecting the flow of workers going abroad and inactivity among the long-term unemployed.

Summary: Spanish unemployment figures have experienced their biggest annual fall but unemployment remains at over 20%.


LF15, nicknamed "Lassie", touched down on Thursday afternoon to join her mate LM12, who arrived on 17 March. The charity said Lassie began rearranging her nest before the birds made their first attempts at mating. The pair, who can be watched on the reserve's live webcam, fledged three chicks in both 2015 and 2016. Charlotte Fleming, Perthshire ranger for the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: "We knew it was LF15 as soon as she arrived. "She has unmistakable features including a prominent dark brown "Y" on the top of her head and quickly set to work rearranging her nest to her satisfaction." Ms Fleming said LM12, who has spent the last week fending off crows and creating a deep cup on the nest to hold this season's eggs, joined his mate within an hour. She said: "While it was a frosty reception with lots of shouting and mantling at first, it only took a matter of minutes for them to begin to mate."

Summary: A female osprey has reunited with her mate at the Scottish Wildlife Trust's Loch of the Lowes reserve in Perthshire.


Jobs Growth Wales helps firms employ 16-24 year olds for six months by covering the cost of the minimum wage. The Tories aim to replace it with a scheme called Journeys to Work, open to all ages, with jobs lasting for a year. Deputy Skills Minister Julie James claimed it was a "ringing endorsement" of Jobs Growth Wales, saying a new scheme was planned for all adults. Labour has hailed Jobs Growth Wales - which is part funded with EU money - a big success that has exceeded its targets on the number of jobs created. However, a review in 2014 found nearly three-quarters of participants would have found work anyway. In July, a committee of assembly members urged ministers to consider designing a similar scheme for the over-50s. Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies said: "Labour's age cap on job creation offers nothing to the many thousands of over-25s that want to get on and build a career for themselves. "Not only does this sell hardworking people short, it's contributing to the acute skills shortage which is holding the Welsh economy back." The party said it would work with employers to make sure the jobs created lasted longer. But with no extra funding, the money spent on each job would be cut from the current average of Â£4,211 to Â£3,000. The announcement is part of a set of policies the Tories call Stronger Futures Cymru. They say they would work with businesses, schools and colleges to promote apprenticeships to students, and encourage schools to forge closer links with businesses in their communities. Responding for the Welsh government, Ms James said: "They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and I welcome this ringing endorsement of our flagship skills policies. "It is particularly pleasing that they are so popular that the opposition seek not only to continue them, but to extend them too." Ms James also confirmed plans to introduce a new scheme - Skills for Employment Wales - in April 2016 which would be open to all adults looking for work. Plaid Cymru's education spokesman Simon Thomas said: "The Conservatives' cynical plans will make it more difficult for young people to gain access to employment. "Pitting older people against younger people is counter-productive and creates unnecessary divides."

Summary: Age restrictions on a flagship job creation scheme will be lifted by the Welsh Conservatives if they win power.


The Shamrock Park derby ended 2-2 but the IFA ordered that Glenavon forfeit the match with the bottom placed Ports awarded a 3-0 victory. Glenavon believed Elebert had completed a suspension and was eligible to play. The Glenavon board "unanimously agreed that the club would proceed with an appeal against this decision." The Lurgan Blues were also hit with a £350 fine. Elebert had been suspended for one game from 19 December for five bookings, three of which were picked up during reserve team matches. Glenavon felt Elebert had completed the suspension when he sat out a reserve fixture - but IFA rules dictate that such suspensions apply to the "more senior team". The Mourneview Park club said they had checked Elebert's eligibility with the governing body before including him in their team.

Summary: Glenavon will make an appeal after they were punished by the Irish FA for fielding suspended player David Elebert against Portadown on Boxing Day.


Michal Konrad Herba, 36, appeared in court for an extradition hearing following his arrest in Tividale, West Midlands, on Wednesday. He is the brother of Lukasz Pawel Herba who is being held by Italian police over the alleged kidnap in Milan. Michal Herba denies involvement. The case was adjourned until 25 September. Prosecutor Florence Iveson told the court that he was suspected of kidnapping and unlawfully detaining Ms Ayling in a "joint enterprise" with his brother and other "unidentified persons". The 20-year-old model was allegedly drugged and a ransom of â‚¬300,000 (Â£270,000) was demanded, the court heard. Defence lawyer Katherine Newbey said "no evidence had been served in the case" and her client "denies involvement". Mr Herba did not consent to extradition, meaning that a full hearing will have to take place. Deputy Senior District Judge Tan Ikram remanded the suspect in custody, saying he was satisfied there were "substantial grounds" to believe he would fail to surrender if he was released. Mr Herba is due to appear in the same court by video link for a bail application on 23 August. A full extradition hearing has been scheduled for 25 September. Ms Ayling, from Coulsdon, south London, arrived in Milan on 10 July for a photo shoot. Italian police say she was attacked by two men, drugged with ketamine and abducted, apparently to be sold in an online auction. She is believed to have been transported in a bag to an isolated village near Turin, Italy, but was released on 17 July. Ms Ayling's lawyer Francesco Pesce has said she was told she would be sold in the Middle East "for sex". Speaking after the alleged abduction, Ms Ayling said she feared for her life throughout the "terrifying experience". "I'm incredibly grateful to the Italian and UK authorities for all they have done to secure my safe release," she said. Italian police documents claim that suspect Lukasz Herba said he had got involved in order to raise money for cancer treatment. The Polish national, who lives in Oldbury in the West Midlands, told investigators he drove her to the British consulate in Milan and released her before the sale went ahead.

Summary: The brother of the alleged captor of British model Chloe Ayling is to fight extradition to Italy, Westminster Magistrates' Court has heard.


Created by the Marylebone Cricket Club and the BBC in memory of commentator Martin-Jenkins, the awards recognise exceptional sportsmanship. Madsen was recognised for walking of his own accord in a County Championship match against Yorkshire this summer. Alton county cricket under-13 girls' team took the Youth Award. The joint MCC and BBC judging panel were impressed by their story of lending players to field for an opposition side in a league fixture this summer. Madsen's display of sportsmanship came when batting for Derbyshire against Yorkshire on 18 July. He feathered a ball from bowler Steve Patterson to the wicket-keeper and though umpire Jeff Evans gave the Derbyshire captain not out, Madsen opted to walk back to the pavilion, later stating that it was a matter of principle. Madsen went on to score 141 in the second innings, but Derbyshire still lost by an innings and 113 runs. MCC president and lifelong friend of Martin-Jenkins Mike Griffith said: "MCC is passionate about its role as Guardian of the Laws and Spirit of Cricket, and it is instances like Wayne Madsen walking when his Derbyshire side was in real trouble against Yorkshire, which set an example for everyone in the game to follow and must be encouraged." BBC cricket correspondent and Test Match Special commentator Jonathan Agnew added: "During a summer in which the spirit of the game was widely debated, Wayne Madsen gave a wonderful example of what many in the game still hold dear. "Too often we are treated to negative instances, so how nice it is to celebrate and reward such a genuine act of good sportsmanship." Meanwhile, City Academy in Bristol are the first beneficiary of the award's school's prize. They have awarded a £2,000 grant, which will be used by City Academy to support the enhancement of their cricket performance programme. Martin-Jenkins died of cancer at the start of January at the age of 67. He joined the BBC in 1970 and succeeded Brian Johnston as the BBC's cricket correspondent three years later, holding the post until 1991, with a break between 1981 and 1984. Read more about the Spirit of Cricket on the MCC website.

Summary: Derbyshire captain Wayne Madsen has been awarded the inaugural Christopher Martin-Jenkins Spirit of Cricket Elite Award.


It comes after Aberavon MP Stephen Kinnock said the poll result could cause "irreparable damage" to the industry. Newport-based steel group Liberty is determined to press ahead with its bid, BBC Wales understands. Tata said no interested parties had changed their positions. A spokesman added: "Like the rest of the business world we will be taking the time to consider the implications of the verdict of the British people. "We have received no notifications from any of the interested parties of any change in their position." Concerns had been raised in the run-up to Thursday's referendum that international buyers for Tata Steel's UK business would drop out if the result was a loss of access to European markets. Mr Kinnock told BBC Radio Wales he feared for the Port Talbot plant amid rumours bidders were pulling out after the vote to leave the EU. "I spent almost the entire referendum campaign saying 'if you want to save steel industry, you must vote to remain'," he said. "I find it absolutely extraordinary that that hasn't been understood because of the uncertainty it now unleashes. "The vote has taken place, the people have spoken, but I am deeply, deeply concerned about the future of our steelworks in the light of this vote." Asked about the future, he told the Sunday Supplement programme: "I'm already hearing rumours that the bidders are going to now pull out. "If you look at the government, it was actually the PM that was pushing this forward," he said. "The prime minister realised that it was a political priority - he's gone now, so where is the voice at the top level of the British government standing up for the steel industry? I don't see it. "The enemy of business is uncertainty and that is fundamentally why this referendum vote is going to potentially cause irreparable damage to the steel industry." First Minister Carwyn Jones told the programme he was "still fighting" to keep the Port Talbot plant open. "I'm not going to pretend to you that Thursday helped because it didn't," he said. "I think if we'd seen things different on Thursday we'd have been in a stronger position with regard to Tata. "But now things are once again up in the air." Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies, on the winning side of the referendum result, called the first minister's comments "scare-mongering of the highest order". "If we get this [withdrawal from the EU] right, there are enormous opportunities," he said. "The deals and the trade agreements are in place, business continues."

Summary: No bidders have pulled out of trying to buy Tata Steel's UK operations in the light of the Brexit result, the firm has said.


Forest goalkeeper Stephen Henderson saved Hogan's initial effort and Lewis Macleod's follow-up before Hogan tapped home his first goal of the season. Dean Smith's Bees have now won back-to-back games at home with clean sheets. Damien Perquis was sent off late on for Forest for a second yellow card and striker Britt Assombalonga wasted a one-on-one in injury time. Brentford goalkeeper Daniel Bentley produced a number of second-half saves to secure three points, including his parry from former Southend team-mate Assombalonga. Earlier, Macleod had hit the crossbar for the Bees while Hildeberto Pereira and Eric Lichaj went close for the visitors. Head coach Philippe Montanier, who joined Forest in the summer, has seen his team suffer back-to-back Championship losses after their opening day win over Burton. Brentford boss Dean Smith: "It was nice to get two clean sheets and two home wins on the spin. We worked very hard for that - you have to in this league because no one will roll over and give you the points. "We were masters of our own downfall at times because of our decision making and I felt we created most of their chances. People were giving the ball away in the last five or six minutes, but Daniel Bentley was very composed which was just as well. "We didn't look after the ball well enough in the second half but we defended very well and looked organised, which made it difficult for Forest to create too much themselves. We had to re-organise and I'm glad the players did it themselves rather than me having to do it with substitutions." Nottingham Forest boss Philippe Montanier: "We were in control of the game and had many opportunities to score, but the story is always the same. It was a frustrating evening but I was pleased with the character of my side. "We lacked efficiency to score goals and unfortunately that reflects the whole game. I thought Britt would score late on but we had too many opportunities to score and if you don't there's a danger you can always concede one goal. "We made mistakes and that is frustrating but the mentality is good and we are trying too hard to achieve victories in what is a difficult moment for us." Match ends, Brentford 1, Nottingham Forest 0. Second Half ends, Brentford 1, Nottingham Forest 0. Attempt saved. Britt Assombalonga (Nottingham Forest) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ben Osborn with a through ball. Apostolos Vellios (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Sam Saunders (Brentford). Foul by Hildeberto Pereira (Nottingham Forest). Ryan Woods (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Offside, Nottingham Forest. Ben Osborn tries a through ball, but Britt Assombalonga is caught offside. Attempt saved. Pajtim Kasami (Nottingham Forest) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Britt Assombalonga. Attempt missed. John Egan (Brentford) header from the centre of the box misses

Summary: Scott Hogan's goal for Brentford was the difference in their match against Nottingham Forest.


Cheng says a lot of people who aren't funny are afraid to be "weird" or "deviate from what's normal". This is a mistake, he says, arguing that comedians shouldn't be worried about having controversial views. "I think a lot of funniness comes from ideas which may be different, and that's why a lot of comedians come from a different background and have a different point of view," he says. "Embrace that." Cheng himself dropped out of his maths degree at Cambridge University in 2008 to become a professional poker player before later getting into comedy. He brings an analytical approach to his comedy, using graphs and a PowerPoint presentation in his Edinburgh performance. Read about the joke that won him the award, here. With the growth of online streaming sites like Netflix, there is a lot of comedy available. Cheng says those wanting to be funnier should be watching plenty of it - particularly the things they find most funny. Doing this helps develop a sense of humour and potentially a distinct comedic voice, Cheng says. "Start off imitating it and you will find your own voice, because a lot of comedy comes by imitating enough things, which can create a different voice." Making friends laugh doesn't only make you and them feel good - it can be a stepping stone to making others laugh, Cheng argues. "If you make your friends laugh I think it's one of the greatest ways to connect with people. It's a stepping stone to making others laugh." While Cheng didn't do it himself, he knows other comedians and friends who have taken stand-up and improvisational comedy courses. These courses can give people an understanding of joke writing and experience of performing in a supportive environment. Cheng developed his own comedy skills in the familiar environment of students gigs in Cambridge, where he continued to live after dropping out of his degree in 2008. Cheng says social media can be a good place to try out jokes without the pressure of getting on stage. "It's a good way, because you don't have to go in front of people and you can realise 'I know how to do this.'" But above all else, Cheng has some words of encouragement for people who hope to be funny. "If you have a sense of humour then you probably have the potential to be funny," he adds. "Being a Chinese comedian is much easier than being a female comedian because no one ever comes up to you after a gig and says 'you were pretty funny... for a Chinese comedian'." "I walked in on my flatmate looking at an optical illusion with his pants down. He jumped up and screamed 'it's not what it looks like!'" Ken Cheng is performing at The Cellar, Pleasance Courtyard, at the Fringe Festival, each day at 16:45 BST until 27 August.

Summary: The winner of the best joke award at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Ken Cheng, shares five tips on how to be funnier, be it on stage or just in front of a group of friends.


The 23-year-old from Banbridge clocked 15 minutes, 50.55 seconds to take almost three seconds off Duffy's 1996 mark of 15:53.47. Mitchell was third in the British Milers Club event won by Louise Small of England in 15:42.47. Irish Olympian Kerry O'Flaherty finished seventh in 16:32.56. O'Flaherty said after the race that she sustained a grade two calf tear at the 1800m mark which required hospital treatment. The injury could keep the Newcastle women out for a number of weeks. Mitchell's time was over a minute inside her previous personal best for the distance. The QUB athlete will now attempt to achieve Athletics Northern Ireland's Commonwealth Games consideration time of 15:39.00 before the 30 September deadline. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games sprinter Leon Reid showed impressive early-season form as he clocked wind-assisted 100m times of 10.26 and 10.27 in Waterford on Saturday. The 22-year-old, whose mother was born in Belfast, is hoping to switch international eligibility from Great Britain to Ireland and has joined Wexford club Menapians. Reid won a European junior 200m silver medal for Britain in 2013 and also finished second in the same event at the European under-23s two years ago.

Summary: Queen's athlete Emma Mitchell broke Teresa Duffy's 21-year-old Northern Ireland 5,000m record at a meeting in Solihull on Saturday night.


Labour MP Julie Cooper's bill to exempt carers from parking charges was stymied by Tory MPs and is unlikely to become law. Ms Cooper said the charges were "one extra penalty" carers did not need. Social Care Minister Alistair Burt said local hospitals should make their own decisions but should try to reduce the "cost burden" on carers. Mr Burt and backbench Conservative MPs made lengthy speeches in an attempt to kill Ms Cooper's bill by using up the Commons time allotted to it, a tactic known as filibustering. Philip Davies, who spoke for 90 minutes, said Labour MP Julie Cooper's bill was "unnecessary" and his colleague, David Nuttall, warned it could divert money away from frontline NHS services. Conservative MP Christopher Chope extended the Tory filibuster by more than 30 minutes with his speech saying the Labour MP's plan would be difficult to police. The level of charges varies between hospital NHS trusts, but the average cost in England is Â£39 per week and in London it can be about Â£130 per week. Introducing her bill, Ms Cooper told MPs hospital parking charges placed an "unfair financial burden" on carers, and represented "one extra penalty". She said she had cared for her own mother when she was in hospital. "Each night when I left tired and distressed I queued up to pay for my parking," she said. "At that time it was costing me Â£40 a week. On one of those days driving out of the car park, it occurred to me that I was lucky because I could afford to pay this charge and I went on to reflect on the matter and I thought what about those people who can't afford to pay." Her bill would place a duty on health authorities to exempt carers who are in receipt of, or have an underlying entitlement for, Carer's Allowance and those who have been certified by a clinician as providing, or intending to provide, substantial care on a regular basis. Hospital parking policies are set by individual NHS trusts in England. Mr Burt said carers were "unsung heroes" but that it was up to individual NHS trusts to decide how they structure their parking charges. "A one-size-fits-all central policy is not appropriate for car parking," he said. "However we understand the cost burden on carers that might have to make frequent visits so we encourage hospitals to look at the discounts they can offer." MPs have the chance to continue debate on Ms Cooper's bill on another day, but the measure is now unlikely to become law. Department of Health guidelines on hospital car parking charges suggest concessions should be available for carers with relatives who are gravely ill or who have an extended stay in hospital. They also say concessions should be offered to people with disabilities and NHS staff whose shift patterns meant they could not use public transport. A Downing Street spokeswoman said the government had already produced guidance to hospitals on who should be exempted from parking charges but said it was for trusts to decide

Summary: The government has encouraged hospitals to offer discounted parking for carers as it rejected a bid to change the law.


Overall staffing in NHS Scotland is at a record high, but auditors said the government must plan ahead better to "urgently address workforce issues". It said there were signs NHS services were "under increasing stress". The Scottish government said it was committed to having the right mix of skills and staff in the right places. But opposition parties said the "damning" report was confirmation of a "deepening workforce crisis" in the health service. The new report, the first part of a two-stage audit of workforce planning in Scotland's NHS, examined clinical staffing in hospitals and other secondary care settings. It found that health boards "consistently underestimate" the number of staff they need, while the Scottish government had "not yet adequately estimated what impact increasing and changing demand for NHS services could have on the workforce or skills required to meet this need". The report comes after medical leaders urged decision-makers to be "courageous" over NHS reform in future budgets, amid warnings from unions that "the NHS in Scotland isn't getting the resources it needs". The report, by Auditor General Caroline Gardner, said it was vital that the government and NHS bosses plan more effectively for the future. It highlighted that spending on NHS staff had increased by 11% between 2011-12 and 2016-17, with the overall staff hitting a record high of 139,341 whole-time equivalent workers. However, in reaching these staffing levels almost all NHS boards overspent against their pay budgets, and agency staffing costs have more than doubled over six years to more than Â£171m. And the report warned that the government and NHS boards "have not planned their NHS workforce effectively for the long term". It said the health service faces "urgent" staffing challenges, including: The Scottish government is setting up a National Workforce Planning group to improve joint working. However, Ms Gardner's report said responsibility for workforce planning was "confused" - it is currently split between the government, health boards and regional workforce groups - and was at risk of fragmenting further with the integration of health and social care services. Ms Gardner said: "Thousands of people work hard in Scotland's NHS to deliver vital public services every day, but there are signs that the health service is under stress and that staff face increasing workload pressures. "The Scottish government and NHS boards recognise the challenges, but urgently need to improve their understanding of future demand, staff projections and associated costs, and set out in detail how they plan to create a workforce that can meet the long-term health needs of the population." The report was welcomed by staff groups and unions. Theresa Fyffe, director of the Royal College of Nursing Scotland, said the report should highlight "the urgency with which workforce planning now needs to be addressed". She said: "Audit Scotland has hit the nail on the head. For too long plans have been restricted by what is affordable and achievable with the staff available, rather than focusing on strategic, long-term planning to meet demand. The result is that Scotland has too few nursing staff in post and too

Summary: Scotland's government and health boards have failed to plan effectively for long-term staffing challenges, Audit Scotland has said.


The advert from the Northamptonshire Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) called for someone who was "resolutely client-centred and victim-focused". The campaign group said PCCs were "serial offenders" in using "jargon". Adam Simmonds, PCC, said: "The best communicators talk to people using the type of language they understand." The existing chief constable, Adrian Lee, will be leaving the force in July. The candidate information pack said the force was looking for an "agent of change" who can get "client-side" and "is a pioneer in blue-light collaboration". Steve Jenner, spokesman for the Plain English Campaign, said: "The sentence that 'our chief constable must be able to see beyond the horizons of convention to make the paradigm shift' is a prime example of 'ploddledegook'. "Police and crime commissioners seem to be repeat offenders in this regard for their mangling of the English language and this advert is borderline criminal. "Senior police officers are probably used to this kind of jargon so they will understand it but the danger is they use it when they talk to the public." The information pack also said the chief constable should not just issue "management speak from above" because "inevitably such statements of corporate aspiration can feel like yet another list of jargon and management-speak". In response to the criticism, Mr Simmonds said: "Anyone who knows me knows I am a straight talker, but it is a fact, highlighted by the Plain English Society, that senior police officers have to understand the type of language used in the advert. "What I want from our next chief constable [is] someone who can talk to politicians and judges as easily as they can their own staff and members of the public." The deadline for applications is 1 June and the job's salary will be up to Â£150,000.

Summary: A 26-page job advert for a chief constable has been described as "ploddledegook" by the Plain English Campaign.


Neil Gordon, 61, started the independent pharmacy chain in Donaghadee, County Down, 34 years ago, along with his brother, Robert. By 1996 the pharmacy chain had grown to 11 pharmacies and in 2006 the business expanded into Scotland where there are now nine stores. Today, the chain has 62 stores and employs approximately 800 people. Neil Gordon was born on 17 October 1952 in Newry, County Down. The son of a farmer, and one of five brothers, his interest in pharmacy was sparked at a young age. He was educated at Newry Model Primary school and Newry Grammar school before studying pharmacy at Bradford University. After a period of employment that included working in England, Neil established the first Gordons Chemists in Donaghadee in 1980. He was also a co-founder of the Donaghadee Comunity Workforce, assisting the long-term unemployed back into employment, while engaging in work of community benefit. He served as an elder at Shore Street Presbyterian Church, Donaghadee and was a trustee of the Lighthouse Trust, a charity serving children with cerebral palsy. Neil was elected to the executive committee of Belfast city centre management in 2004 and served until his death. He was elected to the board of the PCC (Pharmaceutical Contractors Committee), the committee responsible for negotiating community pharmacy services with the Department of Health, and served for seven years. He also served on the board of SOS Bus NI, a charity helping vulnerable people on the streets of Belfast. In 2013, Neil was awarded a Fellowship of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland. Neil passed away on 20 June. He is survived by his mum, Jean, wife, Carol, sons, Ryan and Gareth, and daughter Fiona.

Summary: A co-founder of Gordons Chemists in Northern Ireland has died.


Appeals against the cuts for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic cycle were rejected by the parent body. And Badminton Scotland chief executive Anne Smillie said it could devastate the career of European silver medallist Kirsty Gilmour, among others. "It is is a major set-back to the sport and the government should intervene to overturn it," said Smillie. Powerlifting was successful in its appeal, but archery, goalball, fencing, table tennis, weightlifting and wheelchair rugby will also receive no funding. "The situation of Kirsty Gilmour shows the impact from a Scottish perspective," said Smillie. "She is a Commonwealth Games and European Championships silver medallist who reached a world ranking of 15 to qualify for the Rio Olympics. "Her goal was to continue her development and mount a serious challenge for a medal in Tokyo. "To do this she had a personal award from UK Sport to allow her to train full time and a competition budget to allow her to compete all over the world to gain the necessary points. "All of this has now been taken away yet Kirsty's costs associated with training every day and competing around 20 times a year all over the world must still be met." Badminton Scotland will continue to financially support Gilmour, but Smillie questioned the UK Sport decision. "I see no justification for leaving an Olympic medal winning sport with no funding whatsoever, especially when sports that didn't win medals or reach their targets have retained their funding," she said. "UK Sport's reasoning that badminton is unlikely to win a medal in Tokyo and that our GB players need to be more consistent against the very best in the world is a poor excuse. "Badminton won a men's doubles medal in Rio: a shock result because it wasn't the medal chance that had been predicted but less of a shock to those who know the quality of the badminton programme. "Badminton exceeded its targets, has a strong pathway and has a strategic plan which was approved by UK Sport. "Where there is a robust system in place, 'shock results' are always possible." Former GB wheelchair rugby captain Mike Kerr, who is transitioning to athletics, was also fearful of the impact on his former team-mates. "I am absolutely gutted for the players," he told BBC Scotland. "They will be absolutely devastated by the news. "It is going to have a massive impact on the guys. A lot of the guys rely on this funding for training. "It's a very expensive sport to play - equipment costs, training costs and travelling to and from training." GB wheelchair rugby chief executive David Pond was also "incredibly disappointed". "I think we put up a very strong case, which was listened to by the board, and so we're slightly surprised that the decision has actually stayed as it was," he said. "In terms of what it means for the sport, unless we can find another source of funding, and it has to be a significant source of funding, then it's very difficult to see how we can have a competitive

Summary: Badminton Scotland has called for government intervention after UK Sport confirmed funding cuts to seven sports.


The band enjoyed several hit songs through the decade, the biggest of which was their cover version of Chip Taylor's Wild Thing which topped the US Billboard chart and made Rolling Stone magazine's greatest songs list. Presley's song Love Is All Around peaked at number five in the UK charts in 1967 but was a huge hit in 1994 when Wet Wet Wet covered it for the soundtrack to the Richard Curtis film Four Weddings And a Funeral, starring Hugh Grant. Born in Andover, Hampshire, on 12 June 1941, Presley, went to Andover Secondary Modern School. When he first learned the guitar, Presley was inspired by skiffle, a type of popular music with jazz, blues, folk, and roots influences - popularised in the UK by artists like Lonnie Donegan In his 20s Presley began listening to blues bands from America, including Louisiana Red and Lightnin' Hopkins. Presley had been working as a brick-layer and said in a previous interview it took three months for him to be persuaded to start playing music with a colleague, Howard Ginger Mansfield. His cohort was a lead guitarist and Presley in turn borrowed a bass, before being forced to drive down to London to buy his own equipment, when he was asked to return the instrument. Their first manager owned a building company and helped them by borrowing a van to carry their equipment around. The Troggs formed in 1964 and, in 1965, Presley, Chris Britton, Pete Staples and Ronnie Bond were signed by Larry Page, a budding record producer who got lucky with a new band called the Ravens, who he re-named The Kinks. After the success of The Kinks You Really Got Me, Page listened to a tape of the Troggs singing their own cover of the song and told them to come back a year later, which they dutifully did - to the day. Lost Girl backed by The Yella In Me was released on CBS, and was regarded as a flop. According to Presley, it got a single play on Radio Luxembourg. After that, Page came across a demo of Chip Taylor's Wild Thing, which had already been unsuccessfully recorded by a band called the Wild Ones. Around the same time, Presley had begun writing his own songs. Speaking to Stuart Maconie on BBC Radio 2 in 2010, he said: "I started writing on the building site when I was a brick-layer. We needed songs and when I was brick-laying." He added: "I'd finished With A Girl Like You and... in 45 minutes we had to get our gear in the studio, do the two songs and get out, because it was the end of his orchestra session and he left us only 45 minutes." "I mean our first album only took two and a quarter hours, how do you do that?", Presley laughed. "It almost takes that to play it." Wild Thing made number one in the US and the follow-up single With A Girl Like You reached number one in the UK Singles Chart on 4 August 1966, where it

Summary: Reg Presley, the lead singer of the 1960's band The Troggs, has died aged 71.


A picture of a Chinese university student in the city of Wuhan apparently studying hard at his desk surrounded by murky flood water has surfaced on Chinese micro-blogging site Weibo. The city of Wuhan has been placed on red alert for heavy rainfall, after torrential downpours left parts of the city submerged and some state media estimates suggest flooding has killed more than 180 across China. This young man is reported to be a student at Wuhan University and was said to be studying for exams when water started coming into his room. He then simply moved to squat on top of his chair as it continued to rise. Reports say he later left the room in search of higher ground when water levels reached the height of his desk, returning only when the water had receded. Local media pounced on the image lauding the young man's apparent dedication to his studies, a paragon of studious virtue. "His roommate commented that the exam he is taking is very difficult," reported the Chutian Metropolis Daily. "But he has had a history of good results." Many reported that he was looking to head overseas after graduation, and so had much invested in these exams. But netizens on Weibo were not all so kind. Some took jabs at the picture and suggested it might have been staged. "Alright, you can turn around now that the picture's taken," said one netizen. "Who took the photo? He's just as skilled," asks another. "Is he actually watching Harry Potter?" another Weibo user posted. Another user simply pointed out that the student could surely have just "brought the books and gone upstairs". Perhaps the final word should be saved for this poster: "Oh man, I should really go study too." Reporting by Yvette Tan.

Summary: If you thought you were hardworking, you might want to think again.


The Dons turned down an undisclosed bid for the 29-year-old, who has made 22 appearances this season, on Friday. "It's one of those things. You put a value on a player and that's what happens," Warnock told BBC Radio Wales Sport. "We are just weighing up two or three other players at the moment to see what we're going to do." He continued: "We try to keep away from the last-minute deadline but I'm afraid it's always there. There's a possibility that we might make another offer." Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes says he has told Cardiff to "be serious" with regard to the fee if they wish to pursue their interest in Hayes. Meanwhile, Warnock revealed he was in talks to bring a Premier League goalkeeper to the Cardiff City Stadium, and said he would not have sanctioned former keeper David Marshall's move to Hull City last summer. "If I had been here all season I would have desperately gone out of my way to make sure he didn't leave," he added. "We lost two goalkeepers on the last day [of the transfer window] and didn't recruit anybody, which has really snookered me really. "I've been looking to get a permanent goalkeeper in now, I've made two offers for players which have both been turned town and now I'm trying to get somebody on loan from the Premier League."

Summary: Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock says the club may make another offer for Aberdeen winger Jonny Hayes.


Melvyn Marcel was appealing against the decision, made by a judge earlier this year, that burials should be organised for his mum Hilda and his dad Eugenios. However, appeal judges at the Court of Session rejected his argument. Eugenios and Hilda Marcel's bodies were found in a former fishmonger shop in 2002. In February, councillors gained permission from Lord Mullholand to arrange a burial for the couple. Mr Marcel wanted to build a fridge at his Edinburgh home then plans to build a private mausoleum in the grounds of his property. He eventually planed to take his parents' bodies to be buried in the West Bank in the Middle East. The council argued they had a statutory duty to dispose of the bodies. On Friday, Mr Marcel told the court Lord Mulholland's decision was wrong. He told judges Lord Carloway, Lord Brodie and Lady Clark of Calton: "I'm fighting for justice but nobody's helping me." Mrs Marcel died in 1987 from lung cancer whilst her husband passed away from prostate cancer aged 91 in 1994. Their bodies were embalmed and a relative regularly visited them at the shop in Polwarth. Police discovered Mr and Mrs Marcel's bodies during an investigation into alleged fraud at a funeral home in West Lothian. It was claimed that staff at the Broxburn undertakers had been paid to preserve the remains and four employees were sacked. However, none of those who were allegedly involved in the fraud were charged or prosecuted for any offence. Since then the Marcels' bodies have been stored at Edinburgh City Council's mortuary with officials unable to find them a more suitable resting place without the consent of the family. Giving the appeal court's decision, Lord Carloway said that Lord Mulholland's decision was legally correct. He added: "No valid defence has been established in this action. "It is the court's decision to adhere to the Lord Ordinary's interlocutor."

Summary: The son of a couple whose bodies have spent almost 15 years in an Edinburgh mortuary has lost a legal bid to stop the council arranging their funerals.


NASUWT NI president Susan Parlour made the comments during a speech to members at the union's annual conference. She also said the Education and Training Inspectorate, which carries out school inspections, was "not fit for purpose". The NASUWT is one of the largest teaching unions in Northern Ireland. Its members are currently engaged in rolling strike action over pay and workload, along with members of the INTO union. National officer Justin McCamphill also spoke at the union's annual conference in Belfast, warning of further strike action if devolution was not restored. Teachers were prepared to fight for adequate budgets for schools and against the erosion of teachers pay, he said. In October 2016, all teaching unions in Northern Ireland rejected an offer that saw pay frozen in 2015-16 and a rise of 1% for 2016-17. Ms Parlour was heavily critical of what she called "political myopia and a penny-pinching approach to education". "The so-called fresh start agreement, rather than living up to the positive promise of its name, has brought stagnation and rot to classrooms," she said. She also claimed that front-line services, including those for children with special educational needs, had suffered due to budget reductions. "This clearly suggests that we have politicians here in NI who know the cost of everything and the value of nothing," she said. "While these cuts were being imposed mercilessly on our schools, let's not forget that our government saw fit to send millions of pounds up in smoke in the flawed RHI scheme." In January, former Education Minister Peter Weir said that schools needed an extra Â£240m over the next three years just to maintain current spending levels. He also warned that schools faced making "redundancies and savings". "Efficiencies in and of themselves will not be enough to avoid the sort of pain that will be there if there is no new money at all," he warned. Subsequently, 15 primary school principals from County Down wrote a joint letter to parents warning their schools were facing "financial disaster".

Summary: Further cuts to the education budget will make Northern Ireland's education system "unsustainable," a teachers' union leader has said.


Media playback is not supported on this device Ashton Hewitt went over to put the hosts in the lead while Angus O'Brien kicked the Dragons further ahead. Two Jack Carty penalties put Connacht back into the game at the break before Hewitt touched down once more. O'Brien's two drop-goals extended their lead but Niyi Adeolokun's try set up a tense finale for the Dragons. The hosts had led Connacht by 15 points in the second half but a late resurgence by the Pro12 champions - Adeolokun showing tremendous pace to go over with just over 10 minutes left to play - ran them close. The Dragons' win, their first in the Pro12 since beating Zebre in September, ended a run of seven consecutive defeats against Connacht, while the Irish province slipped to a second successive defeat after their loss to Leinster. Kingsley Jones' side were without four players who are part of Wales' autumn international squad with Hallam Amos and the uncapped Cory Hill for the Test against Australia on Saturday. Meanwhile, Tyler Morgan remains with Wales although he is not in the matchday squad, while Leon Brown is training with Rob Howley's squad while not being a full member. Dragons head coach Kingsley Jones told BBC Radio Wales: "It was critical. We've had a difficult start but some good performances at home. If we get the right results our way, we're only a few points behind those eighth and seventh places. "To get that tonight going into the Anglo-Welsh games was really critical for it. For an hour I was pretty composed and I'm a pretty composed coach but the last 10 minutes my legs were trembling. "We finished well in a few games at home lately. It was a tight affair and Connacht are a very good side - they'll play to the death and from anywhere and can hurt you from nothing." Newport Gwent Dragons: Tom Prydie; Pat Howard, Sam Beard, Jack Dixon, Ashton Hewitt; Angus O'Brien, Sarel Pretorius; Phil Price, Thomas Rhys Thomas, Brok Harris, Nick Crosswell, Rynard Landman, Lewis Evans (capt), Ollie Griffiths, Ed Jackson. Replacements: Rhys Buckley, Sam Hobbs, Lloyd Fairbrother, Matthew Screech, Nic Cudd, Tavis Knoyle, Geriant Rhys Jones, Adam Warren. Connacht: Tiernan O'Halloran; Niyi Adeolokun, Bundee Aki, Peter Robb, Stacey Ili; Jack Carty, Caolin Blade, JP Cooney, Shane Delahunt, Conor Carey; Quinn Roux, Andrew Browne; Eoin McKeon, Jake Heenan, John Muldoon (capt). Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Saba Meunargia, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, James Cannon, James Connolly, Conor McKeon, Shane O'Leary, Cian Kelleher, Referee: George Clancy (IRFU) Assistant referees: David Wilkinson (IRFU), Jason Bessant (WRU) Citing commissioner: Jeff Mark (WRU)

Summary: Newport Gwent Dragons won just their second game in the Pro12 this season as they overcame a late Connacht comeback at Rodney Parade.


A British judge was being stopped from awarding what were expected to be substantial damages against someone for a serious libel because of an 11th-hour claim that the rules of the European Parliament did not allow him to do so. Except in this case, being heard on 17 May, the EU trump card was being played by Jane Collins who is a UKIP MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber. She is claiming that as an elected Member of the European Parliament she enjoys a blanket immunity from any legal action taken against her. It must have been the one of the most unlikely defences ever put to London's Royal Courts of Justice in the 124 years since the building was opened by Queen Victoria. Here was an outspoken opponent of Britain's membership of the European Union trying to escape potentially ruinous damages by appealing for help from one of the Brussels institutions she absolutely detests. The irony was not lost on the three South Yorkshire Labour MPs she had libelled who were sitting a few metres away from her. "The judge today was set to decide on the damages she must pay for her deeply damaging and totally baseless allegations," they said in a joint statement issued later. "But instead the court was confronted by the absurd irony of a UKIP MEP claiming EU sovereignty and immunity as an MEP from action in the British courts." The three MPs, Sarah Champion, John Healey and Sir Kevin Barron, whose neighbouring constituencies cover Rotherham, had been accused by Jane Collins of "knowing all about" the scandal of 1,400 cases of grooming and rape of young girls in the town and doing nothing to intervene. The allegations were made in a speech Jane Collins made at the UKIP conference held at Doncaster Racecourse in September 2014 and broadcast live on the BBC Parliament Channel. At the time Ms Collins had been selected as the candidate to stand against Sarah Champion in her Rotherham seat at the upcoming General Election. At a previous hearing in 2015 the High Court threw out the UKIP legal team's defence that the speech should be treated as routine political comment and ruled her intention had clearly been libellous. It had taken a year to get Jane Collins back in court for the Judge, Mr Justice Welby, to assess the level of costs and damages. The judge said he thought it "improbable" immunity from paying up would be granted but he suspended proceedings until the European Parliament had had an opportunity to investigate her application. Legal immunity for MEPs has existed under European law since 1965 but in very limited circumstances. It is similar to the "parliamentary privilege" enjoyed by UK MPs who are free to make any comments they want in speeches made in the House of Commons with no fear of legal action being taken against them. What UK MPs say outside the chamber has no legal protection at all. A committee of MEPs in Brussels are now expected to take several months to decide whether the European version

Summary: The event unfolding in front of me should have been enough to send steam shooting out of the ears of any self-respecting UK Independence Party supporter.


A drilled shot by experienced Slovenia international Milivoje Novakovic threatened to leave Aberdeen with an uphill task in next week's return leg. But Republic of Ireland international Hayes finally converted one of the many chances the Dons created at Pittodrie. However, Aberdeen will need to score in Slovenia to stay in the tie. All seven of the Dons' goals in the previous two rounds had come in the last 22 minutes of matches, with three in stoppage time. And though there was a constant threat from Derek McInnes' side, full of pace, movement and intensity, they could not find a way past goalkeeper Jasmin Handanovic until the closing stages. The aim from McInnes was to disrupt a team who like to slot into a steady defensive pattern in an effort to get an early goal. Top scorer Adam Rooney fastened on to a mistake by Dare Vrsic, but the striker's shot was indecisive and Handanovic saved at the second attempt. The visitors then squandered the best early chance after a great run and cross on the counter-attack by right-back Denis Sme, Marwan Kabha sending his shot from 12 yards hopelessly over the bar when he should have scored. Handanovic made a brave block at Rooney's feet and then saw the same player miss an excellent Andrew Considine delivery by inches as crosses kept flashing across his penalty box. The keeper again excelled by blocking Jayden Stockley's header at point-blank range just before the break. Vrsic caused a few moments of anxiety for Aberdeen when stopper Joe Lewis was forced to make a sharp dive to his left to prevent the former Austria Vienna player netting. Rooney did have the ball in the net after some great build-up play by Niall McGinn but the striker had strayed offside. Then, with time running out, Novakovic struck. It was a wonderful finish from the 37-year-old as he brushed off the challenge of Ash Taylor before arrowing a shot beyond the despairing dive of Lewis. But Taylor redeemed himself with a determined contribution to set up Hayes' sidefoot finish minutes later. That gives Aberdeen greater hope of reaching the play-off round, but Maribor know they will progress if they avoid losing a goal next week.

Summary: Aberdeen struck late in Europe again as Jonny Hayes equalised against Maribor in the Europa League third qualifying round first leg.


Over the last four years, a total of 165 individuals on North Uist, South Uist and Benbecula have been diagnosed with the disease. In that same period, Lewis and Harris have recorded just one case and Barra three. NHS Western Isles is developing an awareness campaign for Uist. Lyme disease can cause arthritis and neurological problems if untreated. The infection can be transmitted to humans through a bite from a tick. The figures for incidence of Lyme disease on the Western Isles were provided by medical practices across the islands. The reason of the higher numbers on Uist has still to be fully understood. NHS Western Isles and other groups are investigating. Lyme disease and ticks Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is spread to humans by infected ticks. Flu-like symptoms and fatigue are often the first noticeable signs of infection. An untreated bite often shows as a distinctive red circle-like mark on a person's skin. Diagnosed cases of Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics, but, if left untreated, neurological problems and joint pain can develop months or years later. Ticks are small arthropods related to spiders, mites and scorpions and Britain has a number of different species. People are most likely to come across sheep ticks, which feed on mammals and birds, in open spaces with long grass or bracken. Hillwalkers and climbers organisation, Mountaineering Scotland, regularly issues advice on how to avoid and deal with ticks. It suggests people can protect themselves better by tucking trousers into socks or wearing gaiters, and also by making thorough checks of their bodies once back home. It recommends that these checks should be repeated over several days. If a tick is found attached to a person's skin, it can be removed with a tick hook. If in doubt, seek advice from a doctor, Mountaineering Scotland says. NHS Western Isles said: "We are aware of the difference in prevalence across the islands and, as geographically separate islands, we are not surprised that the patterns are different. "There is different land use in North and South Uist as opposed to Benbecula and this may be related. "We know that some people have expressed their concerns and views about the changing patterns of deer roaming, and the overlap in certain areas of deer and croft animals." The health board already supports efforts to raise awareness of ticks, their presence and how to remove and treat them. But a spokeswoman added: "However, we are developing a targeted campaign for the Uists that will focus on prevention of bites, tick removal and identification and treatment of tick-related disease in people. "As tick bites tend to reduce in frequency in the winter, this will be in place prior to the spring rise in tick prevalence." Scottish Natural Heritage, a public body with a responsibility for managing wild deer numbers, said it was also aware of islanders' concerns about the link between ticks and red deer. A spokesman said: "We recognise that the deer population in Uist has increased and has been gradually using agricultural land more and

Summary: The incidence of Lyme disease on Uist is far greater than that on neighbouring islands, according to figures gathered by BBC Gaelic News.


Author Philip Pullman remembered her as "a warm and generous human being", while Tracy Chevalier said she was "a graceful, elegant writer and person." Dunmore won the first Orange Prize for women's fiction in 1996 for her novel A Spell of Winter. Publisher Penguin Random House said it was "devastated by the loss of one of our best-loved authors". Bloodaxe Books, which published Dunmore's first poetry collection, The Apple Fall in 1983, said it was "immensely saddened" by her passing. Born in the Yorkshire town of Beverley in 1952, Dunmore also wrote books for children, short stories and translations. Her most recent novel, Birdcage Walk, was published in March. Dunmore was diagnosed with cancer while writing her final novel and wrote movingly about her illness earlier this year. "The ground beneath my feet has never been more uncertain," she wrote in The Guardian. "But what is sure is... there is no vagueness about my mortality. "I may be ill but I'm also warm and sheltered, surrounded by family and friends." Dunmore also spoke about her illness on Radio 4's Open Book, saying she hoped her work would be read by her loved ones after her death. "One of the things that does please me is that my grandchildren will be able to get to know me... through reading my books," she told Mariella Frostrup. Penguin Random House, who announced Dunmore's death, said she was "an inspirational and generous author" known for "championing emerging voices and other established authors." Her editor, Selina Walker, remembered her as "an exceptional person and an exceptional novelist [with] a legacy of exceptional novels". Dunmore leaves behind her husband, Francis Charnley, three children/stepchildren and three grandchildren. Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.

Summary: Tributes have been paid to the Orange Prize-winning writer Helen Dunmore, who has died of cancer at the age of 64.


St Mary's Catholic Church in Dandenong is the latest to suffer from what police are calling a suspicious fire. The blaze started in the early hours of Tuesday, causing extensive damage. On Monday fire almost destroyed the 123-year-old St James Church in Brighton, while a separate fire damaged St Mary's Church in St Kilda East. The Dandenong church was one of eight Catholic churches linked to priest Kevin O'Donnell, who sexually abused children throughout his 50-year career in Melbourne parishes. Local media have reported that in 1995 O'Donnell, aged 78, pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting 10 boys and two girls, aged between eight and 15, and spent 15 months in jail. He was freed in 1996 and died in 1997. The other two churches were linked to paedophile priest Ronald Dennis Pickering, who served at various parishes in Melbourne between 1958 and 1993, before returning to his native Britain where he died in 2009. In 2013, both men were on a list released by the Australian Catholic Church of 29 Melbourne priests who it acknowledged were guilty of sexually abusing children. Police would not comment on the fires or any suspects other than to say they were all suspicious and were being investigated separately. But Regional Bishop for the Catholic Church in Victoria Peter Elliott told Fairfax Radio he did not believe the fires were linked to anger over child sexual abuse, but were instead the work of a "very disturbed person". The fires come as a Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse travels around Australia taking evidence about alleged child sex abuse linked to churches, charities and government agencies. Local media have cited research by a Melbourne university that found at least five people had killed themselves after being sexually abused by Pickering between 1960 and 1980. Hollywood actress and former St James' parishioner Rachel Griffiths said the church's destruction came as a relief because of its history. "I was quite elated, like many of my generation, when I heard the news," she told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "It's always been a difficult building for us to drive past because there's been so much tragedy and complicated feelings, I guess," she said.

Summary: Police in Victoria are investigating suspicious fires at three Melbourne churches where paedophile priests have served in the past.


The 34-year-old, who captained the team for six years, has struggled with a knee injury. McKeever won four Ulster titles and played in three International Rules series for Ireland. "It's has been a great honour to play for Armagh and this is not a decision I have arrived at lightly," he said. McKeever captained Armagh to All-Ireland U21 glory and won Division One and Division Three titles with the county. "It was always my dream to represent Armagh growing up so it's with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from inter-county football," added the St Patrick's Cullyhanna clubman. "Having met with Kieran McGeeney at the end of 2016 after undergoing two operations, I was unsure of my inter-county future but we decided to try and get the body right for one more year. I believe the time is now right to call it a day. "My journey as a county player has been truly wonderful - it has been a privilege to have been involved with such an incredible group of footballers. "I am very fortunate to have tasted the ultimate success at international, provincial and county level and captaining Armagh's U21s to All-Ireland success in 2004 was a special highlight. "I'd like to pay special thanks to Kieran McGeeney, who I always looked up to as a youngster from my days travelling to watch Armagh play. "When I joined the squad in 2003, he took me under his wing and helped me develop as a player, he taught me what commitment and values were required to play for Armagh and I'm glad my journey has ended under his watch."

Summary: Armagh defender Ciaran McKeever has announced his retirement from inter-county football after 14 years with the Orchard county.


Poppy is one of more than 45,000 children in the UK for whom being deaf is a part of everyday life. The 14-year-old, who is profoundly deaf, says the yellow Labrador has increased her confidence and helps her sleep at night. She is one of 27 children in the UK to have been given a hearing dog by the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. It was not until Poppy was nine years old that civil engineer Richard and housewife Rebecca noticed small changes in their daughter's behaviour which concerned them. "She was turning the volume up on the TV," said Rebecca. "When she was in the car she wouldn't hear me when I was talking to her, even though her brothers and sister could hear in the back." Concerned, they had Poppy, from Cwmbran, Torfaen, referred to an audiologist who was shocked to discover the schoolgirl was profoundly deaf and could barely hear a thing, but had been covering this up by lip-reading. Despite her acute deafness there was no affect on her schoolwork so the early signs had not been noticed. Rebecca said: "What we realised when she was diagnosed was that she had become quite proficient in lip reading, which was how she had managed to wing her way through school. No-one had noticed as there was no change in her schoolwork." She was diagnosed with the rare disease Autoimmune Polyendocrine Syndrome type 1. Although she was given hearing aids to wear in each ear, she became withdrawn and lacked confidence both socialising and doing little things like going to the shops. She had trouble getting to sleep at night as she could not wear hearing aids, which meant should could not hear anything at all and was constantly on edge about someone coming into her room. Poppy struggled by for three years feeling more and more isolated until her mother found out about hearing dogs, who help deaf people in a similar way to guide dogs. There are 850 deaf people, mostly adults, partnered with dogs in the UK. Because of her profound deafness, Poppy was the first child to be partnered with a hearing dog in Wales. The dog was named Tanni after Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson and one of just 12 given out that year. Source: Hearing Dogs for Deaf People A year on and Poppy says Tanni has changed her life. "Having her has built my confidence," said Poppy. "She gives me more independence. Before when my mum went out I would be left at home, now I can go with her and go into shops. Before I was very reluctant to go into a shop and pay by myself. I was worried as they wouldn't know I was deaf, but now they can see from Tanni that they need to speak clearly as she wears a special harness when we're out. "Another good thing is that people ask questions about Tanni and I feel happy talking about her. It has made me more confident answering questions in general. "I have got a best friend."

Summary: A schoolgirl has become the first child in Wales to be given an official hearing dog.


Teams are set to be composed of big-name players and sevens specialists. New Zealand's Sonny Bill Williams is already playing full-time sevens but British clubs seem unlikely to release players until shortly before the Games. "It is a very condensed programme and that puts us up against it," said Amor. "The door is open for players from the 15-a-side game to put their hand up but the guys playing on the Sevens World Series, tournament in and tournament out, are in the driving seat." In addition to 2015 Rugby World Cup-winner Williams, global names such as South Africa's Bryan Habana and Australia's Quade Cooper are keen on Olympic spots, while Wales wing George North and England back Danny Cipriani are among the home nations stars to have expressed an interest. However, many of the players on show in Rio are likely to be sevens specialists who only play the abbreviated form of the game and have competed in the Sevens World Series for some time already, England, Wales and Scotland compete separately on the Sevens World Series, but will come together to form a team for the Olympics. And Amor hopes to hear before the end of the year if an application to field a Great Britain team at the second-tier Grand Prix Sevens series in summer 2016 will be approved. The Grand Prix series consisted of three events last year and the 2016 finale will take place at Exeter's Sandy Park on 9-10 July - a month before the Olympic sevens tournament takes place. While World Rugby's regulations state that players must be free to play in the Olympics themselves, clubs are under no such obligations to release their stars for the Sevens World Series, which begins on Friday in Dubai. English side Wasps said in August that they would only allow players such as winger Christian Wade to join up with Great Britain two weeks before the start of the Olympics, in line with Premiership Rugby policy. "We are working to see if there is a way of accessing players at the right time that works for both them and Team GB, while not compromising player performances for their clubs," Amor said. "Ideally we get these players playing at some point on the Sevens World Series, if not then we put them into the Rugby Europe's Grand Prix Series in the summer and see if we can fast track their fitness and game understanding. "It is a nice problem to have - how do we blend those players and teams together, the playing styles, the strengths of the individual players in what will be a short space of time. "There is no nationality quota put in place. The challenges we have are unique and it is about working through them to send the best team we can."

Summary: Coach Simon Amor says getting hold of 15-a-side players and integrating them in time for Rio has already put Great Britain's sevens team at a disadvantage ahead of the 2016 Olympics.


Huw Lewis has set out new guidelines for universities who want to train new teachers in future as part of sweeping reform to the system. In a speech in Cardiff, he announced a new two-year postgraduate course and greater subject specialism for primary school teachers. Mr Lewis has already unveiled plans to extend education degrees to four years. He eventually wants all teachers to be educated to masters level. At the moment some universities work together in three teacher training centres in Wales. But Mr Lewis said he had an open mind and universities outside Wales could end up training students. New guidelines to "transform" the system follow an independent review in 2015 which found quality had "deteriorated". Mr Lewis said it was his last major speaking event as minister "but the agenda does not stop" and was "vital". "We will have a new teaching training system which is of such high quality and unquestioned rigour that it gives individuals a reason, in and of itself, for the very best people to get into teaching in the first place," he added. Mr Lewis said teachers also wanted more professional support and challenge. He said: "I have been clear that we must do more to accelerate improvement in initial teacher education provision across Wales. "This is particularly important as we continue with our programme of radical education reform, focused on driving up standards across the board." The 2015 review of teacher training coincided with a wide-ranging report into education in Wales. Work to alter the curriculum is now under way after the government accepted the recommendations made by the Donaldson review, which will see computer programming and IT become as central to classroom teaching as literacy and numeracy. The review recommended having six areas of learning and replacing the key stage system with a more seamless progression through school. It is expected to be rolled out from 2021. Geraint Davies of the NAS/UWT union gave a cautious welcome to the proposals and said he "fully appreciated the education system of the future will need student teachers of the highest possible calibre". But he said future Welsh governments must ensure that the profession was an "attractive proposition for those students". Conservative Shadow Education Minister Angela Burns said the proposals did not go far enough. She wants a centre for education that will focus solely on initial teacher training and educational research.

Summary: Wales will have the "toughest" and the "best" teacher training system in the UK, the education minister has pledged.


A Derry board statement said Barton had been appointed in September 2015 "for an agreed period of two years". "We would like to sincerely thank Damian, his management and all players who have represented their county during this period," it read. The statement added that nominations for the job would be sought from clubs. Barton had a creditable first year in charge of Derry as his side reached the Dr McKenna Cup Final and also narrowly missed out on qualifying for the All-Ireland quarter-finals after losing by a point to eventual semi-finalists Tipperary in the last qualifying round. However despite that promising opening season, Barton's squad was badly depleted this year by the withdrawal of several experienced campaigners. The under-strength Oak Leafers suffered relegation to Division Three of the Football League on points difference and then were well beaten by Tyrone in their opening Ulster SFC game for the second successive season. While they regrouped to beat Waterford in the qualifiers, Saturday's extra-time defeat by Mayo saw Derry exiting from the championship. Barton side were leading the Castlebar game up until a minute from the end of normal time but despite a brave effort, Derry had nothing left in extra time as Mayo eventually won 2-21 to 1-13.

Summary: Damian Barton's reign as Derry football manager appears to be over after the county's GAA board asked for nominations for the post.


The singer-songwriter, 74, will play her seminal album Tapestry in full, followed by a selection of other hits. It will be the first chance to see the King play the UK since her City Streets tour reached the Albert Hall in 1989. "I can't wait to perform Tapestry from beginning to end for the first time... in the heart of one of my favourite cities," said the star. ] The concert takes place on 3 July, with headliners on other nights including Take That, Florence + The Machine and Kendrick Lamar. Speaking to BBC 6 Music, the singer said it "actually wasn't my idea" to play the album in full, but "no-one has ever thought to ask [before] and I loved the the idea." "I'll be adding other songs because it would be a very short set if I only did Tapestry," she continued. "I might actually even have it on my social networks where people can offer up their favourites and see if we can get a consensus and help me figure out which songs to add." "The whole thing is very exciting to me," she added. "I'm really looking forward to it." Recorded in the hippie utopia of Laurel Canyon in 1971, Tapestry featured a dozen classic songs, including It's Too Late, I Feel The Earth Move and You've Got A Friend. Intimate and emotional, the record made King a star - but avid fans knew she had already been an enormously successful songwriter for more than a decade, writing hits like The Loco-Motion, Pleasant Valley Sunday and I'm Into Something Good with her lyricist husband Gerry Goffin. She put her own stamp on some of those earlier songs - including (You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman and Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow - on Tapestry, which spent 15 consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard 200 and was, until Thriller, the world's biggest-selling record by a solo artist. Side one Side two Tapestry also became the cornerstone of King's career as a performer and, more recently, of her jukebox musical Beautiful, which opened in London last year. Reflecting on the album's impact, King told the BBC: "I think the songs speak to people's humanity - to their deepest feelings of love and longing. "And with all the tumult in the world at any given moment, it's nice to touch that humanity." Support for the UK gig will come from Don Henley, formerly of The Eagles, and King's own daughter, Louise Goffin. Tickets go on general sale from Friday, 11 March, priced between £60 and £249.

Summary: Carole King is to play her first UK concert in more than 25 years at the BST festival in London's Hyde Park.


David Harris, 68, denies three counts of soliciting to murder Hazel Allinson, a former TV scriptwriter for The Bill. He told jurors at the Old Bailey he had become "besotted" with a younger woman in a brothel and spent £50,000 on her. When the money ran out he was "inspired to write a thriller", to recoup his expenses, the court heard. The prosecution alleged Mr Harris wanted Ms Allinson's money and full ownership of the £800,000 home they shared in Amberley, West Sussex. Mr Harris told the jury earlier he had offered a man posing as a hitman £150,000 to kill his wealthy partner as research for his book. Unbeknown to Mr Harris the contact was an undercover policeman. The defendant told the jury: "I said I wanted my wife killed - which is not true. "The figure of £150,000 was mentioned by me, bearing in mind I have no money and I wanted to get this person on side to help me with my story." Mr Harris told the jury: "He said: 'Yeah, for that kind of money, I will go down there now and shoot her.' "I said: 'Of course not, you cannot do something like that. It has to be planned'." The contact said for £175,000 he would "do it now", the court heard. They allegedly discussed scenarios including a potential mugging or carjacking, before Mr Harris returned home to enjoy a fish supper, watching Strictly Come Dancing, with Ms Allinson. Mr Harris said: "What I needed for my book was a fatal murder." He had apparently ruled out any sort of car accident because there was no guarantee that would ensure death. The couple first met in 1989 when they were both working on The Bill. Ms Allinson had saved him from alcohol addiction and he retired through "ill health" in 2006, Mr Harris said. Ms Allinson gave him a monthly allowance of between £300-£400. He told jurors on Wednesday he still had an "active libido" and visited brothels to fulfil his sexual needs. He met his mistress Ugne Cekaviciute in Worthing and said: "I had become besotted with her. I thought that she was too young and too nice to be in a brothel." He took her to expensive restaurants and hotels and spent all the money Ms Allison gave him. Jurors heard he wanted to be with Ms Cekaviciute but was "very stressed" about his finances. The trial continues.

Summary: A man who offered to pay a "hitman" £150,000 to kill his wife, says he had no intention of going through with it and was only researching for his novel.


Robert White tried to make his pet cat Salem inhale drugs on 16 May, before he stubbed it out on the animal. Birmingham Magistrates' Court heard the kitten suffered third-degree burns to 80% of its face, and after being taken to the vets he was put to sleep to prevent further suffering. White, 38, of Rogerfield Road in Birmingham, was handed a four-month sentence suspended for 18 months. He was also banned from owning pets for life, ordered to pay Â£350 costs and a Â£150 victim surcharge and will be made to attend a drug and alcohol rehabilitation course. More on this and other stories from Birmingham and Black Country RSPCA inspector Beth Boyd said the case was "one of the worst" she had investigated. "I can't even think about what Salem must have gone through that night - he would have been in severe pain, as well as being very frightened," she said. "At least now some justice has been done for him."

Summary: A kitten died after a man stubbed a joint out in its face, a court heard.