The social messaging service's co-founder Jack Dorsey will take over as interim chief on 1 July and stay until a replacement can be found. Mr Costolo had been under pressure from investors unhappy with the firm's user growth. In a statement, he said he was "tremendously proud of the Twitter team". Twitter said that its board had formed a committee to undertake the task of finding a successor. Following the announcement, shares in the company jumped by more than 7% in trading after US markets had closed. Twitter debuted on the New York Stock Exchange in 2013 but has not been adding users as fast as investors had hoped. In April, the firm missed Wall Street's forecasts for revenue growth and posted a net loss of $162m (Â£104m). Its share price has declined nearly 30% since then, and is currently trading below the price it debuted at in 2013. Analysts remain pessimistic about the firm's ability to grow. The research consultancy eMarketer estimates that Twitter's monthly user base will grow just 14.1% this year, slowing from more than 30% two years ago. By 2019, eMarketer says Twitter's user growth rate will be just 6% worldwide. In announcing his resignation, Mr Costolo said in a statement: "I am tremendously proud of the Twitter team and all that the team has accomplished together during my six years with the company. On a conference call to discuss the move, he added that he had decided to go now because he felt the continued scrutiny if he remained would be a "distraction" and of "no help to the company". Questioned on what the board was looking for in its next chief executive, Mr Dorsey said the search team would take as long as necessary and the candidate could come from inside or outside the company. But he added that they knew one thing for sure: he or she should be a Twitter user. Mr Dorsey said the most important attribute was that they "really use and love the product in every single way". The problem Costolo couldn't solve was how to attract new users. Or, at least, enough new users to keep growth-hungry Wall Street investors happy. And of the people that did sign up, analysts say they weren't being given enough reasons to stick around for very long. Why did Twitter boss stand down? Nate Elliott, an analyst at Forrester research, said the news of his departure wasn't surprising. "Twitter has never been great at giving its users reasons to come back," said Mr Elliott. "While other social sites have introduced new features and functionality the past few years, Twitter has mostly stood still. The result has been excruciatingly slow user growth." However, some have cautioned that lofty investor expectations regarding Twitter's ability to turn in to the next Facebook might be overblown. Technology blogger John Gruber wrote on the site Daring Fireball: "I think what Wall Street wants is a pipe dream: for Twitter to turn into another Facebook. "No [chief executive] is going to make that happen." Mr Costolo will remain on the

Summary: Dick Costolo is stepping down as chief executive of Twitter, the company has announced.


Media playback is not supported on this device Marshall is the third player to refuse to stand for the anthem since Colin Kaepernick did so last month in protest at what he sees as racial injustice. "I feel like this was the right thing to do," said Marshall. Broncos beat Carolina 21-20 in a re-run of February's Super Bowl 50. At a pre-season game in August, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Kaepernick chose to remain seated while the national anthem was played. He said he would not "stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour". Kaepernick's team-mate Eric Reid joined him in not standing during the team's final pre-season game while Seattle Seahawks' cornerback Jeremy Lane stayed seated ahead of a game with Oakland. Marshall, a college team-mate of Kaepernick at Nevada, told NFL.com: "The message is I'm against social injustice. I'm not against the military or police or America at all. "I knew what territory it came with, and I decided to do it. I feel like this is the right platform. This is our only platform to really be heard." Media playback is not supported on this device The NFL has previously said players are "encouraged but not required" to stand during the anthem. The Panthers took a 17-7 lead into the fourth quarter of the first Super Bowl rematch to start a season since 1970, but running back CJ Anderson scored two touchdowns as the Broncos edged ahead. Graham Gano's field goal pulled the Panthers within a point, but he then missed his next attempt from 50 yards with four seconds left as Denver held on. How to follow the 2016 NFL season on BBC TV and RadioNFL 2016: Kaepernick, Brady & Beckham Jr - all you need to know for new season

Summary: Denver linebacker Brandon Marshall kneeled in protest during the American national anthem prior to the Broncos' victory over the Carolina Panthers in the opening game of the new NFL season.


Begonia elachista was discovered at the mouth of a limestone cave in a national park in central Peru. The park authorities want to build a tourist route to the cave - a move which could threaten the species. Staff at the botanic garden hope their work will inform conservation efforts for the new species which has been classed as critically endangered. The Peruvian cave is the only place botanists know that the begonia grows in the wild, but the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) said it was "not a safe haven" for the plant as more tourists begin to arrive RBGE staff are now working with partners in Peru and the US to try to save it. Peter Moonlight, a tropical biodiversity research scientist at the RBGE, said the begonia did not deserve its reputation as being "repulsively ugly" - as Monty Don once labelled them. "Many are still poorly understood although they play a critical role in tropical ecosystems and are of great importance as environmental indicator species," he said. "In many cases they also have a strong role to play in the horticultural sector and as a food source, medicine or other products of benefit. "The species discovery programme at RBGE gives previous hidden gems - including begonia elachista - a voice on the global conservation stage."

Summary: The newest and smallest species of begonia ever found has begun to flower at Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden.


Lady Gaga issued a subtle rebuke to Donald Trump at Sunday's Super Bowl, singing the protest anthem This Land Is Your Land and quoting from the pledge of allegiance. Pop trio Muna were more explicit. Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel's chat show this week, they added a new verse to their single I Know A Place. The final line? "He's not my leader even if he's my president." In the UK, Stormzy prompted an overhaul of the Brits after pointing out the ceremony's lack of diversity in his song One Take Freestyle. And now, up-and-coming soul star Jodie Abacus has released a powerful song about the refugee crisis. Called Keep Your Head Down, it tells the story of a family fleeing a war zone, only to be met with fear and suspicion in the country they had thought would provide safe harbour. Jodie performed it live for the first time on Jo Whiley's BBC Radio 2 show on Wednesday night. Ahead of the session, he sat down with BBC News to talk about the story behind the song (and Elton John's helicopter). Why did you decide to write about the refugee crisis? I was in LA for a session, and I saw something about refugees on the television in my hotel. That's what triggered it. I wanted to give a perspective of what it would be like to go from one country to another. I can only imagine it's a terrifying feeling. We need to be a little bit more empathetic. How did you write the lyrics? The beat of the song triggered the emotion in me. The first lyric was the chorus: "We're moving on, but the road is long / Don't get your hopes up, you'd better keep your head down." Don't get your hopes up is the father saying "we're running out of chances", and keep your head down was like, "pray that we get out of this". I'd assumed it was about having to keep a low profile in a new country. It's both. There's a lot of double meanings. It's also about keeping your head down to escape the bullets. The thing is, you do all this to save your life - then you're not accepted by the country where you thought you'd be safe. People hate you or they think you're going to steal their jobs or take their benefits. But there's a lot of people running away just to save their own souls. Your musical references are very eclectic. I hear Stevie Wonder, ELO, Steely Dan, even Hall & Oates in there. How did you get into music? I was born in south-east London in Lewisham Hospital. My dad used to be a DJ. He'd carry around these big speakers and play reggae, soul, funk. I was just surrounded by music. What was the first time you performed in public? I gave a foyer concert at college. What I'd done was reproduce the Jacksons' Show You the Way to Go on a little computer, and I'd written my own lyrics to it. No one really knew

Summary: Pop is getting a long overdue dose of politics.


Junction One and The Outlet are for sale with a combined guide price of between £58m and £62m, according to property consultants CBRE. The Outlet opened on the outskirts of Banbridge in County Down in 2007, but was effectively taken over by Ulster Bank in 2011. Junction One opened near Antrim in 2004. Ulster Bank also lent the money for that development. The Outlet is currently held by an Ulster Bank company called West Register (Northern Ireland) Property. It is a Northern Ireland branch of a group of companies set up by the bank's parent company RBS to hold "distressed properties". Earlier this year another West Register firm sold the Richmond Centre in Londonderry. The Outlet was opened in 2007 at a cost of £70m but struggled to fill all its units. There are plans to switch part of its use from retail to leisure with a cinema and restaurants. The last set of accounts for the company that holds Junction One valued the development at £7.85m, compared to a valuation of almost £80m in 2009. Junction One Ltd had Ulster Bank borrowings of about £48m and its liabilities outweigh its assets by £53m. Leona Barr, centre manager for Junction One, said: "We welcome that the Junction One complex is on the market as it brings great potential for future development and continued investment. "We believe that the time is right for new owners to build on the success already achieved and to input additional investment to enable the complex to reach its full potential."

Summary: Two major out-of-town retail centres that struggled in the economic downturn have been placed on the market.


Lee Devlin, 40, from Whitley Bay, died in hospital after being found with head injuries next to a walkway near the town's Metro station on 12 September. The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter at Newcastle Crown Court. He was bailed to appear before Newcastle Crown Court for trial on 2 March. A 16-year-old girl arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm remains on bail in connection with the death. Two men, an 18-year-old arrested on suspicion of murder, and another, 19, on suspicion of wounding, have been released with no further action, Northumbria Police said.

Summary: A 16-year-old boy has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of a North Tyneside man.


Jean Uwinkindi organised and participated in attacks on the minority Tutsi ethnic group, the court ruled. Some 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed by militias from the majority Hutu ethnic group. The 64-year-old Hutu pastor was the first genocide suspect to be sent back to Rwanda for trial by the Tanzanian-based UN tribunal. The tribunal shut down this month after sentencing 61 individuals and acquitting 14 others. Uwinkindi - the former head of a Pentecostal church on the outskirts of the capital, Kigali - had opposed his transfer. He said he would not get a fair trial in Rwanda, where there is now a Tutsi-led government. His lawyers said he would appeal against the High Court's ruling. "The court finds that there were killings of the Tutsi at Rwankeri and Kanzenze hills and that the attacks were led by Uwinkindi," said Judge Kanyegeri Timothee, Reuters news agency reports. The prosecution alleged that in investigations after the genocide, some 2,000 bodies were found near the church in Kanzenze, just outside Kigali, where Uwinkindi was pastor. He was indicted in 2011 after he was arrested in 2010 in neighbouring Uganda. Another key suspect, Ladislas Ntaganzwa, who has a $5m (Â£3.2m) US bounty on him, was arrested two weeks ago in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

Summary: Rwanda's High Court has sentenced a pastor to life in prison for his role in the 1994 genocide.


Time Warner, which owns HBO and CNN, will also advertise on the service. The deal comes as television companies look to capture growing digital audiences and rival tech platforms, such as Facebook, add video content. It boosted shares of both companies, sending Snapchat's stock up almost 2%. Snapchat started in 2011 as a picture-messaging app and now has more than 150 million daily users. It became a publicly traded company earlier this year. The firm has worked with companies, including the BBC, as it broadens the content available. Its shows typically last for three to five minutes. Currently one show airs on Snapchat each day. That number is expected to increase to three by the end of the year, according to the company. Time Warner's contributions will include comedy and scripted drama. The firm has produced many hit films and TV shows including Wonder Woman and Game of Thrones. The two-year partnership is valued at about $100m, according to Reuters.

Summary: Media giant Time Warner will produce shows for audiences on the social media platform Snapchat as part of a new partnership that the two companies announced on Monday.


Sidwell made 34 league appearances last season as the Seagulls returned to the top flight after a 34-year absence. The 34-year-old joined Brighton on an initial loan deal from Stoke in January 2016, before joining the club on a free transfer ahead of last season. "Steve has been a key member of the squad over the past 18 months," manager Chris Hughton said. "Our fans know his qualities well, and his experience, particularly at Premier League level, will be important for us."

Summary: Brighton midfielder Steve Sidwell has signed a new one-year contract with the newly-promoted Premier League club.


Jordan Renwick, 24, covered his face with a scarf but his standout footwear was flagged up to police. He was caught on camera still wearing the trainers while spending cash at a shop later the same day. Renwick, of Galashiels, had previously admitted carrying out the robbery in February this year. He armed himself with a hammer to stage the raid on the Gala Park post office on Balmoral Place. During the robbery he repeatedly punched manager Farrukh Sair, who was also struck on the head with an object. Renwick, who lived directly opposite the premises, also robbed another man, John Hardie, who had come into the store. A judge told Renwick at the High Court in Edinburgh: "You have 31 convictions encompassing some 53 offences. "For a young man that is a formidable record and you are placed at high risk of future offending." Lord Burns ordered that Renwick serve 220 days of an unexpired part of a previous prison sentence, from which he had been freed early, before he starts the four-year term. Renwick will be monitored for a further three years following his release from prison. During the raid he stole between Â£2,000 and Â£2,500 in cash, along with stamps, cigarettes and mobile phones. He also robbed Mr Hardie of a phone and a wallet containing Â£40. Renwick had jumped over a counter armed with the hammer and told Mr Sair to get to the floor before taking cash. Mr Sair required six stitches to a head wound he sustained during the struggle with Renwick. Defence counsel Victoria Dow said that Renwick had a "fairly significant" drug debt at the time of the offence and owed the money to what he had described as "a heavy drug dealer". She said Renwick had been panicking, and that his offending took place when he was under the influence of drugs. Det Insp Keith Mackay welcomed the sentence and said Renwick was responsible for a "serious assault and two robberies". "This was a very distressing incident for the two victims, one of whom sustained a head injury during the robbery," he said. "I hope this jail sentence will give them some sense of closure. "I want to thank the local community for all their assistance with our investigation."

Summary: A masked robber who wore a distinctive pair of pink trainers during a violent raid on a post office has been jailed for four years.


The movie, which has six Academy Award nominations compared to The Revenant's 12, is all about upsetting the balance of power. The film focuses on a piece of groundbreaking journalism that rocked the foundations of the Catholic Church in 2002, when four reporters, the investigative Spotlight team of the Boston Globe newspaper, ran an expose on how the church had covered up sexual abuse by more than 70 priests in the Boston area. The story would lead, not only to the resignation of Boston's Cardinal, but to the uncovering of further abuse in 102 cities in the USA, and 105 dioceses worldwide. Stanley Tucci, who plays a lawyer representing victims of abuse, describes the script as "no fuss, no fat, no fluff - there's no love story or distraction from the purpose of the movie, which is to tell the story of the investigation". Spotlight is directed by actor and writer Tom McCarthy, best known for his part as Scott Templeton in The Wire. And Tucci is joined on the cast list by Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams and Mark Ruffalo, who play the Spotlight team. McCarthy, who is nominated for best director and best adapted screenplay, agrees that to focus on the journalists rather than the abuse itself was an unusual step, but points out the scale of their achievement. "It's extraordinary that this story was uncovered by a team of four local reporters, who put themselves against the might of one of the world's most powerful institutions," he says. "And the fact they uncovered the story was an achievement in itself. Even though these events took place 15 years ago, just before 9/11, we forget how much the world has changed. It was, effectively, a pre-digital world, and so much of their research was done meticulously in library basements, in courthouses, in poring over newspaper clippings. "This is an example of really strong local journalism that went on to have a national and then a global impact. It's important to remember when funding for this kind of investigative reporting has taken a huge hit." The investigation started in 2001 when a new editor of the Boston Globe, Marty Baron, ordered the Spotlight team to follow up on a small column in the paper about a local priest accused of sexually abusing children and teenagers over the course of 30 years. The Spotlight editor, Walter Robinson, along with reporters Michael Rezendes and Sacha Pfeiffer, began to research the case. Over the course of a year, they discovered a systematic establishment cover-up of the paedophile activities of scores of priests. Their reporting would lead the way for more exposes in more than 200 cities across the world. While many of the cast and crew, including Mark Ruffalo, have a Catholic background, Tucci believes seeing the film "as an attack, or a condemnation of Catholicism, would be wrong. "It's actually absolutely the opposite - it's a condemnation of corruption, especially the corruption of basic Christian tenets. It's a condemnation of the abuse of power, and people who abuse the real innocents in society. "The

Summary: Spotlight is the bookies' favourite to take best film at this year's Oscars, over Leonardo Di Caprio's western The Revenant.


Media playback is not supported on this device This was a dead rubber after England's losses to Italy and Uruguay - and there was nothing on show here to offer any belated cheer at the end of a miserable tournament. Costa Rica's status as the surprise package of Group D was cemented by a result that ensured they finished top - and will face Greece in Recife on Sunday. Meanwhile, England manager Roy Hodgson has presided over a dismal campaign. Daniel Sturridge came closest for the group's bottom side but wasted a succession of chances while goalkeeper Ben Foster - deputising for rested Joe Hart - did brilliantly to turn Celso Borges' free-kick on to the bar in the first half. "Apart from first the 10 to 12 minutes, we dominated totally. We didn't take our goal chances - if we did we would have comfortably won. "We created the chances and that's important. "I'm not concerned about Daniel Sturridge - he'll take goal chances in the future. I thought we were really unlucky not to win this game. "I thought the whole back four was absolutely excellent. We restricted the team to almost no chances. In midfield we dominated and outplayed them." Hodgson gave Frank Lampard the captain's armband and used Steven Gerrard as a late substitute as the veteran duo played out what may be their final England appearances. If so, it was an inglorious conclusion for the pair as this developed into the sort of low-key game many feared after England arrived in Belo Horizonte with their World Cup ambitions already shattered. Hodgson had hoped England might be inspired by the selection of fresh faces, but as he and England's squad applauded their travelling fans at the final whistle, there was an air of disappointment and anti-climax. England had found themselves on the back foot almost from the kick-off, when Joel Campbell's shot was deflected just wide off Gary Cahill - although both sides looked puzzled when a goal kick was awarded. Sturridge was presented with England's best chances, shooting just wide from 20 yards after good control then heading over from six yards after Phil Jones knocked back Ross Barkley's corner. He also had presentable claims for a penalty ignored when he fell in a tangle with Costa Rica's Oscar Duarte but referee Djamal Haimoudi was not interested. Foster was impressive, especially in dealing with a Borges free-kick bound for the top corner - but otherwise it was a first half that was as low key as expected in such a meaningless fixture. Sturridge also had England's first opportunity of the second half but the Liverpool striker's control let him down and keeper Keylor Navas was able to block, albeit sustaining a knock in the process that left him requiring treatment. All of England's best chances were falling to Sturridge and he was off target again when he tried to be too precise from Jack Wilshere's flick and curled a shot wide of the far post. Hodgson then made his substitutions in quick succession, sending on Raheem Sterling

Summary: England's World Cup ended without even the scant consolation of a victory as they played out a tame draw with Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte.


Cristiano is now just one award behind Barcelona's Lionel Messi, who took the Ballon for the fifth time last year. Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann finished third. Ronaldo helped Real Madrid to win the Champions League last season and scored three goals for Portugal who went on to win Euro 2016. The 31-year-old has won the Ballon d'Or in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2016. "I never thought in my mind that I would win the Golden Ball four times. I am pleased. I feel so proud and happy," said Ronaldo.

Summary: Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has won the world famous Ballon d'Or footballer award for a fourth time.


The story - which originally appeared in the Huffington Post - says the mayors will be left off the speakers list at the event in September. It says the Labour leader and four shadow cabinet members will be given prime speaking slots in Brighton. Mr Corbyn said the conference agenda had not been drawn up yet. Asked about the story on a campaigning visit to Morecambe, the Labour leader said he had "no idea" why The Sun was reporting it. He said: "The Sun seem to be trying to run the Labour Party. Well I have news for The Sun - they don't." On Wednesday, Labour's shadow equalities minister Sarah Champion quit her role over an article she wrote for the Sun about grooming gangs. The Rotherham MP told the newspaper a week ago that "Britain has a problem with British Pakistani men raping and exploiting white girls". She apologised for her "extremely poor choice of words," after earlier suggesting the Sun had altered what she had written, something denied by the newspaper. According to Huffington Post political editor Paul Waugh, Mr Corbyn and four shadow cabinet members - John McDonnell, Emily Thornberry, Diane Abbott and Keir Starmer - will be pushed as the face of the party and given prime speaking slots at the conference. This means there will be less time for other leading figures, suggests Waugh, adding that some in the party fear the leadership want "revenge" on Mr Burnham and Mr Khan for being critical of Mr Corbyn in the past.

Summary: Jeremy Corbyn has hit back at a report in the Sun newspaper claiming Labour mayors Andy Burnham and Sadiq Khan will be "frozen out" of Labour's conference.


The 26-year-old centre-back makes the move from Portuguese top-flight club subject to international clearance. Igor Rossi told Hearts' website: "I am a leader, I play aggressively, with passion, and I like the ball at my feet to play from the back. "From what I have seen, this is the Hearts way." Igor Rossi spent four years in Portugal after moving from Brazilian club Internacional, where he was part of the side that won the 2010 Copa Libertadores. But he only made two starts and two substitute appearances for their first team last season, while he made 10 appearances for Maritimo's second string in the Portuguese second tier. Igor Rossi revealed that Hearts' director of football, Craig Levein, was pivotal in bringing him to Robbie Neilson's side. "I had seen Scottish sides in Europe, particularly Celtic and the Scottish national side, and, when I was aware of Hearts' interest, I read up quite a bit about them and saw that they won the league by a huge margin over Rangers, so I was very impressed," he said. "Robbie was very impressive and he explained to me his ambition for the club, where he expects us to be in the future and how he wants the team to play. "Craig also spoke very well to me and I was immediately convinced that I should come to Edinburgh and play for the Hearts. "I believe I will bring good experience from my five years playing in the Portuguese Division 1 and in the Europa League. "I want to help the club challenge in every tournament we play in and I want to help my new team-mates. "I'm also hoping to score some goals as I'm good in the air."

Summary: Hearts have added to their defensive options with the signing of Igor Rossi Branco on a one-year deal after the Brazilian's exit from Maritimo.


The lawyer defending one of the robbers said they sometimes only saw half an hour of sunlight a day. He was making submissions on the second day of a three-day sentencing hearing at Woolwich Crown Court. But the prosecutor told the court their actions were likely to have caused "harassment, alarm or distress". Since their arrests in May last year, they have been on remand in the high-security Belmarsh prison. The gang - including men who were involved in the Security Express and Brinks Mat robberies - breached the vault at Hatton Garden Safe Deposit in central London over the Easter weekend last year. Nick Corsellis, defending Carl Wood, 59, asked the judge to take into account the fact that Wood's inevitable jail term will mean that he will "not see" his ailing parents again. He said his remand in custody had been "particularly difficult" because he and the other men are in the double A security category. Mr Corsellis said it meant they are given one hour of exercise a day and "it is very rare that that is achieved - half an hour at best. Half an hour of daylight". He claimed this had psychologically affected his client, saying: "The remand in custody has been difficult to bear." The court also heard that Hugh Doyle, 49, had made an effort to turn away from crime, and that William Lincoln, 60, had a limited role in the conspiracy. His lawyer, Dante Leccacorvi, said Lincoln "had a very distinct role and that was to conceal the proceeds of this crime on a short-term basis". All the defence barristers argued that their clients should not be made the subject of Criminal Behaviour Orders. Arguing for these to be imposed, prosecutor Philip Evans QC described the heist as a "significant burglary". Adding that it was possible the men had also melted down the goods, or even taken them abroad, he continued: "These are sustained actions, and it is overwhelmingly likely that the victims of this offence would have been caused harassment, alarm or distress." The men who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary last September are: Wood, of Elderbeck Close, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, and Lincoln, of Winkley Street, Bethnal Green, east London, were convicted of conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to conceal, convert or transfer criminal property after a trial. Doyle, of Riverside Gardens, Enfield, was found guilty of concealing, converting or transferring criminal property between January 1 and May 19 last year. Reader has been absent from the sentencing hearing after falling and suffering a stroke in Belmarsh. All six men are due to be sentenced on Wednesday, when Judge Kinch will also decide when Reader will be sentenced.

Summary: The men convicted of the Hatton Garden heist are facing tough conditions in prison, a court has heard.


The building suffers from flooding, has outdated electrical and drainage infrastructure, is full of asbestos and has fire safety issues. One of the options being considered will involve both the Commons and the Lords sitting in another location while the Palace is refurbished. The work, unlikely to begin before 2018 at the earliest, may cost about £1.5bn. A recent report concluded the cost of maintenance is such that if the Palace was a commercial building of no historical significance it would be considered cost-effective to demolish it and rebuild using modern construction techniques. A contract to examine the feasibility, costs and benefits of three different renovation options was put out to tender on 15 May. The successful bidder will advise the parliamentary authorities whether to carry on repairing the building piecemeal as now, attempt a full renovation while Parliament is still sitting in the Palace, or find another venue for Parliament to sit in while the empty Palace is renovated. Once the contractor is appointed, it will be expected to report within a year. A report commissioned by the parliamentary authorities in 2012 highlighted the poor state of repair of Britain's seat of government. Amongst the issues raised were steam leaks which risked distributing asbestos around the Palace and leaking roofs, water pipes and toilets making flooding a "common occurrence". The building lacks a fire sprinkler system or the sort of fire doors which keep fire contained in a single area, which are common in other commercial buildings. Parliamentary authorities have received advice that some of the cast-iron roofs are in danger of partial collapse if nothing is done. The report also said that the basements and air-vents are full of electrical and mechanical infrastructure, which is in an uncertain condition. This is because the Palace has been added to on an ad-hoc basis throughout its existence. The majority of the historic building was built as a replacement for a previous amalgamation of buildings which burnt down in 1834. The Commons chamber was destroyed in the blitz in 1941 and after some debate it was decided that it should be rebuilt in exactly the same style after the war.

Summary: Parliament has begun a tender process for the renovation of the historic Palace of Westminster.


The laws establish special courts and offer additional protection from legal consequences for military and police officers who have used force. They also impose the death penalty for anyone found guilty of setting up or leading a terrorist group. Rights groups say the legislation will be used by Mr Sisi to crush dissent. Jihadist groups stepped up their attacks after the military overthrew President Mohammed Morsi two years ago and launched a deadly crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood. President Sisi vowed to bring in tough new counter-terrorism legislation in June, following the assassination by car bomb of Prosecutor General Hisham Barakat. Under the new laws introduced on Monday: Last week, Amnesty International warned that the legislation would vastly expand powers that would usually only be invoked during a state of emergency, and that it would effectively ban the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. Many Egyptians reacted negatively on social media to the new anti-terrorism law approved by President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. Many users said its measures were too harsh or excessive. Human rights activist Jamal Eid tweeted: "Midnight laws mark the republic of darkness. A law which has been passed, and considers all criticism or dissenting voice or acts that are not to the state's liking... terrorism." His sentiments were echoed by the editor-in-chief of pro-Islamist newspaper Al-Misriyun, Mahmoud Sultan, who wrote: "The anti-terrorism law signed by Sisi clearly tells journalists and anyone with an opinion: Very dark days lay ahead." But some pro-government figures lauded the new law. Mustafa Bakri, a nationalist journalist and former MP who is a staunch supporter of Mr Sisi, tweeted: "The law includes deterrent procedures to face terrorism." Muhammad Abu Hamid, another former MP, wrote that the legislation "will help dry out the sources of terrorism and extremism". Egypt law ushers in 'republic of darkness' "This new law will become yet another tool for the authorities to crush all forms of dissent and steamroll over basic human rights," said the group's acting Middle East and North Africa director, Said Boumedouha. Hundreds of members of Egypt's security forces have been killed by militant attacks in the restive Sinai peninsula. The insurgency has intensified since Mr Sisi, then commander-in-chief of the armed forces, ousted Mr Morsi after mass protests against his rule. The most active insurgent group - known now as Sinai Province and before that as Ansar Bait al-Maqdis - has pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State (IS). Mr Sisi has overseen a crackdown on Islamists in which hundreds have been killed, tens of thousands detained and scores sentenced to death, including Mr Morsi. The government claims that the Muslim Brotherhood is a terrorist group, while it says it is committed to peaceful activism. In February, Mr Sisi signed off on anti-terrorism laws that gave authorities sweeping powers to ban groups on charges ranging from harming national unity to disrupting public order.

Summary: Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has approved stringent new counter-terrorism laws to fight a growing jihadist insurgency.


Fighting that broke out in the capital, Juba, in July is responsible for the latest surge in those fleeing, it says. More than 1.6 million people are also displaced within South Sudan, meaning about 20% of the population have been made homeless since December 2013. A fragile peace deal signed last year is on the brink of collapse. "The violence in July came as a major setback to peace efforts in South Sudan," the UNHCR spokesman Leo Dobbs said in a statement. The UN says more than 185,000 people have fled South Sudan since July. "The fighting has shattered hopes for a real breakthrough and triggered new waves of displacement and suffering, while humanitarian organisations are finding it very difficult for logistical, security and funding reasons to provide urgent protection and assistance to the hundreds of thousands in need," Mr Dobbs said. South Sudan refugees: Many of the refugees arriving in Uganda, which hosts the most South Sudanese, are "exhausted after days walking in the bush and going without food or water. Many children have lost one or both of their parents", the UNHCR says. A fall-out between President Salva Kiir and former Vice-President Machar - the most powerful members of their respective Dinka and Nuer ethnic groups - led to the civil war which erupted in December 2013. They only agreed to settle their differences under intense international pressure, signing a peace deal in August 2015 - and Mr Machar returned to Juba as vice-president in a unity government in April. But battles then broke out between his bodyguards and presidential guards three months later, prompting him to flee. Another member of his party has been appointed as vice-president, a move Mr Machar does not recognise. Earlier this week, a report funded by George Clooney accused both Mr Kiir and Mr Machar, as well as their officials, of personally profiting from the war. Both men have denied the allegations. The UN wants to deploy a 4,000-strong regional protection force for Juba which would have a more robust mandate than the 12,000 UN soldiers already in the country, however the mandate and size of the force still have to be agreed. More on South Sudan's crisis:

Summary: The number of people who have fled South Sudan because of the country's civil war has passed the one million mark, the UN refugee agency says.


Chasing 261 to win, Durham began on 15-1 and nightwatchman Mark Wood (66) hit his highest first-class score as he put on 116 with Keaton Jennings (61). Notts took two quick wickets before Scott Borthwick's 51 took Durham close. Michael Richardson (51 not out) ensured Durham completed a three-day win, leaving Notts still without a victory. Nottinghamshire have now drawn three and lost one of their opening four matches in the Championship. Durham reduced their victory target to 154 runs when they reached lunch on 107-1. Notts gave themselves hope as Luke Wood had Jennings caught by Steven Mullaney at gully, while Harry Gurney got one to move sharply to dismiss Mark Wood six overs later. Media playback is not supported on this device Wood, who did not feature in England's recent tour of West Indies, spent 114 balls at the crease, hitting a six and nine fours, passing his previous best of 58 not out at Trent Bridge two years ago. Durham then eased to their victory target, thanks largely to a stand of 86 in 14.4 overs between Borthwick and Richardson. Borthwick hit eight fours in his 65-ball knock for a fourth half-century of the season, before being trapped lbw by Samit Patel. Durham suffered a dramatic collapse in their last match against Middlesex when, chasing 259, they were bowled out for only 71. Calum MacLeod (21 not out) made sure there would be no such problems and struck Patel for a six and a four in one over, before hitting the winning run off the same bowler. Durham batsman Keaton Jennings: "For Mark Wood to get a career-best on that pitch was phenomenal. "He's a tremendous competitor and he looked calm and controlled. He took the pressure off me. "We tried to play every ball on its merit, knowing we needed to get through the first hour. To get through the morning unscathed was a real bonus." Nottinghamshire director of cricket Mick Newell: "There wasn't much swing but there was still a bit of movement off the seam. "We beat the bat a bit but from a slightly shorter length than is needed here. It's not a difficult ground to bowl on. "If you have a first-innings lead of 83 here and then lose you have probably bowled pretty poorly." BBC Newcastle's Martin Emmerson: "I am not really sure why it is but Durham continue to hold a spell over Notts - this was their fifth win in six games. "Having been bowled out for just 163 on Monday in their second batting horror show of the last week, you wouldn't have given them much hope of chasing down 261, the highest total in the game. "Eighteen wickets fell on Monday but by lunchtime none had gone today. "Credit to Keaton Jennings and Mark Wood for their stand of 116 runs, while it was nice to see half-centuries for Scott Borthwick and Michael Richardson as they helped restore some timely confidence."

Summary: Durham beat Nottinghamshire by six wickets to secure their third Championship win of 2015 and continue their good start to the season.


Mr Arulampalam is already talking to colleagues on the phone as he arrives for work at 7.45am on Sunday. During a 20-minute handover, when he finds out about the most seriously ill patients under his care, he has to contend with the arrival of a "code red" patient who needs immediate treatment in the "resus" area of Emergency. He quickly delegates that job to a senior doctor, asking to be kept informed on the patient's progress, and starts his ward rounds. It's his first big decision of the day - many more will follow, because there's a lot to do. Mr Arulampalam is in charge of all patients admitted for general surgery at the hospital this weekend. His role also involves reviewing patients who have already been admitted during the last few days, who have had surgery and whose care is ongoing. He must also supervise operations, particularly those involving junior staff, and talk to the families of patients who are seriously ill, especially those who have a high risk of dying during surgery. Weekends start on a Friday morning at 8am and finish at the same time on a Monday. Although he is contracted to work just three hours on each of Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Mr Arulampalam usually only goes home at night to sleep. He also has to be on the end of a phone in case he is called back in for an emergency. "On a weekend, my family don't expect to see me," he says. Such is the workload over the period that he often swaps one day with a colleague because "doing a three-day weekend is not safe", he says. First on his ward round is patient Nancy Fuller, who was admitted on Thursday evening with a painful wound after surgery. She says she has no complaints about the weekend care she has received. "I wasn't feeling too good this morning and they immediately did something about it and got medication for me," she says. An hour into his shift, Mr Arulampalam has spoken to the consultant gastroenterologist about an emergency operation, chatted to the orthopaedic surgeon who's preparing to fix fractures and is under pressure to book a CT scan, which will mean liaising with the consultant radiologist. Among senior doctors, he says the staffing levels are "really very good" at the hospital outside of normal hours and that helps when difficult decisions on patients have to be made. Meanwhile, the "code red" patient brought in from a residential home with bleeding needs more tests in a hurry. This requires more conversations with specialists - asking for their advice and sharing knowledge. "Communication is really, really important," he says. At 10am Mr Arulampalam has seen about half of the patients on the emergency ward and he's stacking up work for the rest of the day with two patients already needing to go to theatre. Sometimes he can get away early, but not today. With a house officer, a core trainee, two junior doctors and a registrar working with him, it only takes two or three

Summary: Tan Arulampalam, consultant colorectal and general surgeon, let the BBC follow him on a weekend shift at Colchester General Hospital, where he's been a consultant for 12 years - and he gives his personal view on the plan to make the NHS a seven-day operation.


The father of the victim, 43-year-old Jared Tucker, told US media his son's wife of only one year had identified his body at the consulate. Father-of-three Mr Tucker and spouse Heidi Nunes had been enjoying drinks on the Las Ramblas promenade when a van drove into pedestrians. Thirteen people died, and more than 100 were injured. Earlier in the day, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson offered his condolences to the victim's loved ones, and said officials were "still confirming the death or injuries" of any other Americans. Ms Nunes told NBC that Mr Tucker had excused himself to go to the bathroom minutes before the attack. "Next thing I know there's screaming," Ms Nunes said. "I got pushed inside the souvenir kiosk and stayed there hiding while everybody kept running by screaming." The couple from Walnut Creek, California, were celebrating their first wedding anniversary and honeymoon by travelling through Europe, and had arrived in Spain after visiting Paris and Venice. Jared's father, Dan Tucker, told KGO-TV that his family had not heard until Friday morning that Ms Nunes had been called to the US consulate, and "was shown pictures of his body". "She confirmed it was him and now she's on the way over to the morgue to make a real confirmation," Mr Tucker said, adding: "He didn't make it." The victim's father added that he and his son had worked together in the construction industry since he was 16 years old. Jared Tucker leaves behind three teenage daughters. The attack was one of three incidents in Spain, which officials have said were part of a "jihadist" plot. People from 34 different countries were injured or killed, emergency services said.

Summary: An American honeymooner who died in Thursday's Barcelona terror attacks has been identified by his family.


It says homeowners borrowed Â£220.3bn last year, up 8% on 2014 and the highest since 2008's total of Â£247.8bn. However, the figure is still well below the Â£356bn lent at the peak of the property market in 2007. The CML said lending had recovered faster than expected. Growing wages, falling unemployment and cheap mortgage deals were among the reasons. Nevertheless, it said the outlook for 2016 was less certain. "The supply of existing and new properties on the market remains weak, and affordability pressures weigh on activity," said CML economist Mohammad Jamei. "There is an added element of uncertainty as we wait to see the impact of tax changes on the buy-to-let sector." Buy-to-let landlords face an increase in stamp duty from April, and a reduction in tax relief from 2017.

Summary: Mortgage lending in 2015 was the highest for seven years, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML).


James Stark, 37, Steven Sheldon, 35, and Martin Williams, 36, all from south Wales, died in Wiltshire in June 2014. Stephen Jenkins, 39, of Abercwmboi, was driving a van that crashed into a lorry, near Chippenham. He was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving at a previous hearing at Swindon Crown Court. Speaking after sentencing, Sgt Barrie Card, from Wiltshire Police, said: "Falling asleep at the wheel doesn't happen straight away, you will get telltale signs and that's when you must act before it's too late. "Every driver owes it to themselves, their passengers and other road users to make sure they are fit to get behind the wheel, and that includes not being too tired. "The road safety message 'tiredness kills' is true and sadly so true in this tragic case." Jenkins, of Park View Terrace, was also disqualified from driving for four years and three months and will have to take an extended retest to get his driving licence back.

Summary: A van driver who killed three passengers in a crash on the M4 after falling asleep at the wheel has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.


Fifty-one Syrian refugees arrived in Belfast last month under a government scheme, having been deemed as being at "real risk" in their home country. Employment and Learning Minister Stephen Farry said language classes would help people settling in Northern Ireland to "integrate into society". The lessons are expected to cost about Â£20,000 each year. A second group of refugees is expected to arrive in Northern Ireland before April, and they will be settled in Londonderry. The lessons will be provided at further education colleges, but would not apply to economic migrants. Mr Farry said it was in the "public interest" to help refugees settling in Northern Ireland. "The measures ensure that no one who comes to Northern Ireland seeking refuge from persecution or war is disadvantaged simply because of their immigration status," he added. He said the lessons would be offered to all people in Northern Ireland with refugee status. "Analysis indicates that demand for provision is relatively small so any additional costs will be affordable within the department's budget."

Summary: Refugees in Northern Ireland will be offered free English lessons, a Stormont minister has said.


A member of the public found the dead bird of prey in the Millcroft area of Strathaven last Friday. Specialist wildlife crime officers are attempting to establish how the bird died, and whether any crime has been committed. Buzzards are scavengers which feed mainly on the remains of dead animals, making them particularly vulnerable to the illegal use of poisonous bait. A post-mortem examination and toxicology tests will be carried out on the bird to determine its cause of death.

Summary: Police are investigating the discovery of a dead buzzard in South Lanarkshire.


Jermaine Easter nodded Rovers ahead from Lee Brown's cross before Ollie Clarke doubled the lead with a low right-footed shot. Jon Meades' header gave Wimbledon hope but Matt Taylor's 12-yard finish, his 19th of the season, sealed victory. Wimbledon, who are seventh, had substitute Adebayo Akinfenwa sent off for dissent. Fifth-placed Rovers are six points off an automatic promotion spot with 11 games to go. AFC Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley told BBC Radio London: Media playback is not supported on this device "When you assess it afterwards it's not just the points you haven't gained, it's injuries and now suspensions." "As far as the actual game goes, I thought we were really good. They were ruthless with their chances, we made some silly defensive errors at certain times and they punished us." "I can't ask for any more. I thought in the second half particularly we ran all over them."

Summary: Bristol Rovers strengthened their promotion hopes with victory over AFC Wimbledon, their third in a row.


The 25-year-old scored three times in 21 appearances while on loan at Molineux last season and the two clubs had discussed a transfer. But Wolves will now not take the deal further after Nuno Espirito Santo replaced Paul Lambert as head coach. Weimann thanked his Wolves team-mates and the club's fans on his Twitter account on Tuesday. The Austria international was largely restricted to substitute appearances for Derby in the first five months of the 2016-17 season, starting just once in the Championship. In January, he opted to be reunited with Lambert, who had managed him at Aston Villa, and his crowning moment was scoring in the FA Cup fourth-round win at Liverpool in January. But the Scot's departure from Molineux has ended talks over a permanent switch.

Summary: Wolves have ended their interest in signing Derby forward Andreas Weimann on a permanent deal, BBC WM reports.


Mostly they're sweeping up some legislative fag-ends, but the Tuesday debates on the process of Brexit could provide some significant action, as the Labour Lords ("the effective wing of the party," one peer murmured to me) seek to keep up pressure on the government on two long term issues where they are seen as being vulnerable. And watch out for the publication of the Commons Brexit Committee's latest report, which has, even before publication, produced a damaging squabble between Leave and Remain Committee members. (Incidentally someone asked in comments on my earlier post on this, how the committee members are chosen - they are elected from within each party group.) MPs are back in the Commons on Tuesday 18 April, and peers will return on Monday 24 April. Here's my rundown of the week ahead: The Lords meet at 2.30pm - when questions to ministers will include Labour's Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe raising the display and promotion of alcohol in supermarkets and the danger to the health and well-being of children. The day's main debates are on internal issues. First up, there will be a motion to approve plans for the next Parliamentary year's crop of special select committees to conduct one-off inquiries. The chosen subjects are: the economic, ethical and social implications of advances in artificial intelligence; citizenship and civic engagement; the effects of political polling and digital media on politics, and finally, a post-legislative scrutiny committee on the impact of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. This last one will look at how effective the Act has been in its purposes of conserving biodiversity, promoting open spaces and open-air recreation, and meeting rural needs. Normally this kind of inquiry has been aimed at examining how highly technical measures are playing out, but this one will focus more on how public policy is unfolding. All four committees will be instructed to report by the end of March 2018. After that, peers will vote on a report from their Privileges and Conduct Select Committee recommending some changes to the rules for declarations of interests for peers with "significant control of a company". This proposes a number of tweaks to the wording - so financial and non-financial interests would have to be declared if a reasonable member of the public might think a peer would (rather than "might") be be influenced by them. Finally peers will have their second committee stage debate on the detail of the Criminal Finances Bill, which deals with terrorist property, creates corporate offences on tax evasion and money laundering. At this stage of debate, peers rarely force issues to a vote, but they will probe the government on issues like creating registers of beneficial ownership of companies in the UK's Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, a wider definition of "economic crime" and there's an interesting looking Labour amendment which would create a "corporate probation order" under which companies convicted of offences under the Act would be placed under supervision. And another amendment would allow the courts to disqualify directors of companies convicted of offences. Finally, there

Summary: MPs have already begun their Easter break - but the Lords legislate on.


Rafael Pizarro was found in a lock on the Rochdale to Manchester canal in Middleton, Rochdale while playing with friends on 6 June. He was resuscitated on the towpath before being taken to hospital. His family said: "Rafael had a big impact on his family and friends and was much loved and we will truly miss him." Det Insp Kate Atton from Greater Manchester Police said: "Rafael's death is believed to be a tragic accident. "I would urge people, especially children, to take care around the water and try not to swim anywhere other than supervised swimming pools."

Summary: A 13-year-old boy who fell into a Greater Manchester canal in a "tragic accident" has died, police said.


Warburton wants to use the spur of helping Blues qualify for Europe to secure his spot on the three-Test tour in June. Four successive wins have put the Blues just a point outside the Pro12 top six. "That is how I approach it, making it show that I am worthy of a place in the Welsh team," Warburton told BBC Wales. The eighth-placed Blues have two games remaining, starting with the Judgement Day showdown with Ospreys on 30 April at the Principality Stadium. They then visit direct rivals Edinburgh, currently sixth and a place ahead of Muster, on the final day of the campaign on 7 May. "I have felt like the last two games for the Blues have been a trial for Wales if I am honest, there are some pretty big personal battles all across the field," Warburton said. "You get a lot of respect for performing well in Welsh derbies, individually and as a team and for me personally, I have felt the need to prove myself all over again in a Blues shirt after the Six Nations. "I still feel I have a point to prove when it comes to Welsh selection because I want to make sure you can go into the New Zealand tour, hopefully having your hand held up as one of the form players." Dual contract star Warburton says a return to his beloved Blues has been the perfect way to get over Wales failing to win the Six Nations. "I still felt I was chasing a little bit of match fitness. I was disappointed with the way the Six Nations went," he said, "I did okay, but didn't do as well as I would have wanted and I really felt like I owed the Blues some big performances. "Because I'd had two-and-a-half games after the World Cup and before the Six Nations, which isn't enough really and I just wanted to play a lot more rugby than that for the Blues. "I am a Blues boy, it runs in the family. We are fans more than anything." Warburton is relishing the prospect of returning to perform in front of a bumper crowd on Judgement Day, saying the experience is likely to be unforgettable for his teammates who do not play international rugby. "So few people make it to play professional rugby and then get to play in a massive occasion such as Judgement Day," he said. "Only the international boys get to play in front of crowds like that and even then, it's a handful of times a year. "So for the boys who don't play international rugby, to go to the Principality Stadium makes it a massive occasion. "It's great for all the boys, but especially them."

Summary: Sam Warburton says he is considering the remainder of the Pro12 season to be a 'trial' for selection on Wales' summer tour to New Zealand.


Doctors in Atlanta have told the 91-year-old the tumours in his brain are being treated successfully and there are no signs of further cancer growth. However, the spokeswoman said that doctors will continue tests. Mr Carter, who served as president of the US from 1977 to 1981 and won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, announced his illness in August. He said then he would receive radiation and chemotherapy for four tumours that had formed in his brain. Media reports have suggested that Mr Carter was not experiencing any pain or discomfort during the treatments, and that his work with The Carter Center had not been scaled back. The former president had been planning to travel to Nepal this month for volunteer work, but the trip was cancelled due to "civil unrest" in the country.

Summary: Former US President Jimmy Carter is responding well to cancer treatment, according to his spokeswoman.


The 16-year-old girl was arrested in November and later sectioned. But, with no bed available, she spent two days in a cell at Torquay police station. Her case sparked an outcry and debates in Parliament, with the home secretary vowing to ban the practice. NHS England has since apologised and described her care as "unacceptable". The girl's mother, who is not being named to protect the girl's privacy, told BBC Inside Out South West she was "absolutely destroyed" to find her daughter sleeping in a cell. "When I walked in and saw her lying there, on that floor... heartbreaking," she said. "She was on a blue thing on the floor - it's not even what you class as a police bed. "She needed the right help. The police, I can't fault them, they did an amazing job looking after my child." More than 24 hours after the girl was put in the cell, Paul Netherton, Assistant Chief Constable at Devon and Cornwall Police, took to Twitter to express his frustration and voice concerns for her welfare. His comments provoked a national debate and questions in Parliament. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said it was "totally unacceptable for someone with severe mental health problems to be placed in a police cell". The girl was arrested on Thursday evening at Torbay Hospital for an alleged breach of peace. She was then taken to Torquay police station where she was detained under the Mental Health Act on Friday morning. She was never charged with any offence. Once someone is detained under the act, it is the responsibility of the NHS to find a place in a specialist hospital where appropriate care can be provided. As no bed was made available, the girl had to remain in a police cell until Saturday evening. However, Exeter Labour MP Ben Bradshaw has claimed a bed was available, but the private provider declined the referral. NHS England would not comment on the specific case, but said providers "sometimes decline to accept referrals if they feel they cannot meet the individual's needs". Source: Devon and Cornwall Police The girl's mother praised the intervention of Mr Netherton and said that evening - two days after the teenager was first placed in the cell - a bed on an adult psychiatric ward was found. "My daughter shouldn't have been held in a police cell for that long," she added. In a joint statement, the South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group, NHS England and Torbay and Southern Devon Health and Care NHS Trust, said the care was "unacceptable and we apologise". "Following a review of this case, we have agreed a system to ensure that, in any case where a child cannot be found an appropriate placement rapidly, a clear escalation process will be followed," the statement added. However, the mother said she was yet to receive an apology from the NHS. The girl has now been moved to a specialist hospital more than 200 miles (320km) from her family home. "My daughter needs her family. We need her, she needs us. We

Summary: A mentally ill teenager who was held in a cell for two days due to a lack of hospital beds suffered "heartbreaking" failings in her care, her mother says.


The 22-year-old joined the Shakers in August 2014, following a brief loan spell at the club, and went on to make 81 appearances in all competitions. Rose said: "[Moving to Mansfield] means playing games regularly, scoring a few goals, contributing to the team and hopefully a push towards promotion. "It's a good club and I'm delighted to be here. Hopefully it will be a successful time here." Rose scored five goals for the League One side last season, with his last league goals coming in the 4-3 victory over Blackpool in October. The fee may be enhanced dependent on goals scored, promotion and a future sell-on clause provision.

Summary: Mansfield have signed striker Danny Rose from Bury for an undisclosed fee.


A Nepalese friend of Ryan Sean Davy said that the climber was being questioned by tourism officials. He is due to appear in court on Wednesday where he is expected to receive a heavy fine. Friends say Mr Davy has no cash, which is why he mostly travelled on foot. "He is in good heart although worried about his finances and the scale of the punishment he will receive," Mr Davy's Nepalese friend Mohan Gyawali told the BBC. US-based South African Mr Davy, 43, says he climbed alone to a height of 7,300m (24,000ft) before being found hiding in a cave by officials who confiscated his passport because he did not have a permit to climb Everest. He has apologised but complained of being treated harshly by officials. It is extremely rare for someone to attempt climbing Everest by themselves. The overwhelming majority of climbers only tackle the highest mountain in the world with the help of at least one guide and a well-equipped support team at base camp. "I have no idea of the outcome regarding my Everest no-permit climb," Mr Davy posted on Facebook on Tuesday Mr Gyawali said that the climber made his way back to Kathmandu using the same route from the base camp that Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay followed in 1953 when they became the first people to climb the mountain. The route goes through the small mid-hill town of Jiri. Nepal relies heavily on income generated from Everest expeditions and some believe the authorities will want to make an example out of Mr Davy to deter other climbers from dodging the permit fee. Mr Davy said on Facebook: "Expedition companies have no time for wannabe Everesters with no money so someone turned me in." The climber said he could expect to spend time in jail in addition to a fine of $22,000.

Summary: A man who tried to climb Everest in Nepal without paying the $11,000 permit fee has been arrested in Kathmandu after walking most of the 154km journey from the mountain's base camp.


Officials say Scott Stockert - who is from the state of North Dakota - was planning to snatch one of the dogs, either Bo or Sunny. Police in Washington DC found weapons in Mr Stockert's vehicle, including a shotgun, a rifle and a machete. Agents say he made several outlandish claims during his arrest, including that he intended to run for president. He also said he was the son of former President John F Kennedy and actress Marilyn Monroe, according to court documents. Mr Stockert has been charged with violating the District of Columbia's gun laws. The First Family acquired Bo in 2009, with Sunny, referred to by the family as Bo's "little sister", following in 2013.

Summary: US police have arrested a man who allegedly plotted to kidnap one of President Obama's two pet dogs.


Thomas Condliff, who weighs 22 stone (140kg) and has type 2 diabetes, is challenging a decision to refuse him a gastric bypass operation. NHS North Staffordshire says he does not meet its criteria for weight loss surgery. Decisions about exceptional funding are based on medical factors alone. Mr Condliff, 62, was initially refused funding for a gastric bypass operation because his weight/height ratio (Body Mass Index) fell below the threshold set by his local primary care trust. At 22 stone his Body Mass Index (BMI) is about 43, but in North Staffordshire only patients with a BMI over 50 are routinely treated with weight loss surgery. A decision to refuse him funding as an exceptional case was upheld in an earlier court hearing. Now Mr Condliff is taking his legal battle to the Court of Appeal in a case that has implications for many other areas. NHS North Staffordshire makes its decisions for exceptional funding on the medical condition of the patient, and rules out considering their personal circumstances. As a result of his diabetes Tom Condliff has lost the sight in one eye, and he also has kidney problems. He can no longer stand or walk for more than a short time and relies on his wife, Lana, to help him wash and dress. He says that during his legal battle his quality of life has worsened, and even an extremely calorie-restricted diet has failed to help him lose weight. "I've been given about a year to live by one of the specialists. I feel more and more poorly each day, my diabetes is way out of control." Having failed to overturn the initial decision to refuse a gastric bypass, he is now resting his hopes on asking the courts to compel the NHS to take into account the impact on his life and that of his family. "My wife barely goes out, because she doesn't want to leave me. It's awful just being locked indoors. It doesn't matter where you live, how nice it is, it's still a cage. " In the two-day hearing, the Court of Appeal will hear evidence from both sides on whether Article 8 of the Human Rights Act should be applied to how the NHS makes decisions on funding. It sets out the broad right to a family life. In common with many other primary care trusts, North Staffordshire has a policy of only considering medical evidence when it makes decisions about exceptional funding. The trust says it is part of a commitment to deal with all patients in a fair and even handed manner. In order to be granted exceptional funding a patient has to show he would have a greater than average medical benefit from any treatment. If Mr Condliff was successful, the PCT would have to look again at his case, but could still reach the same decision. It might also open the door to further legal challenges. Although this will not be considered by the court the case also highlights the variation in funding for weight loss surgery. The guidelines for

Summary: The Court of Appeal will consider if a patient's personal circumstances should influence the NHS when it decides whether to fund treatment.


Authorities say the man orchestrated clashes with police during a large protest in Seoul on 14 November. Han Sang-gyun, head of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions has been in the temple ever since the protest. Monks earlier warned police not to force their way inside, saying it would be a breach of their religious rights. In the early evening, shortly after a deadline passed to give himself up, police sealed off the Jogye Temple in central Seoul and began the operation to arrest Mr Han. Those at the protest in November had a diverse range of grievances, from President Park Geun-hye's business-friendly economic policies, to a decision to force the nation's schools to only use state-approved history textbooks. The rally saw clashes between police using pepper spray and water cannon, and protesters, some of whom were armed with metal pipes and sharpened bamboo sticks. The unforgiving police response prompted a smaller demonstration on Saturday - 14,000 people, rather than the 60,000 estimated at November's rally - to demand an apology from the president. Ms Park had drawn the ire of labour unions and farmers for planning to make it easier to dismiss workers and to cap the salaries of senior employees. However, many of her labour market policies are more popular with the general public, according to polls. The BBC's Stephen Evans in Seoul says there is an increasingly bitter division between South Korea's right of centre government and its left-wing critics, who accuse it of diminishing democracy.

Summary: Hundreds of police officers have begun an operation to arrest a trade union leader who has taken refuge in a Buddhist temple in Seoul.


Almost 90 staff from Coventry's Whitley Depot were involved in the unofficial strike on Tuesday that affected tens of thousands of residents, the city council said. The workers said they were protesting over the suspension of a colleague. The council said the ongoing issue was still being resolved, but staff had returned to work for now. More on this and other stores from Coventry and Warwickshire Unite union says it is considering its position to hold a ballot for industrial action, pending the outcome of a decision on its members' suspended colleague. Its union convenor was suspended by the council for organising an unofficial protest on Monday, union representatives said. However, the council disputes the claim. Councillor Rachel Lancaster said the worker in question had not been suspended for organising a protest. She said his suspension was being investigated, but the authority would not comment further.

Summary: Bin crews who went on strike leaving 30,000 homes with full rubbish bins have returned to work.


Net profit was up by 1% to €1.69bn (£1.51bn). In the UK, its biggest market, Santander said the Brexit vote had resulted in "economic uncertainty and financial market volatility". It said it had put aside £30m extra for Payment Protection Insurance claims. The bank's net profit for the quarter dropped to £477m in the UK, down from £496m for the same period last year. It was also down in its third-biggest market, Spain. However, its second-biggest market, Brazil, saw a "strong performance", with an increase in both profit and net interest income. The group's net interest income - the money it made on lending, measured by the difference between the interest it gets from borrowers and what it pays savers - fell by 2.3% to €7.79bn. "While the low-interest-rate environment within developed economies remains a challenge for parts of our business, the resilience of our business model has allowed us to continue to deliver, with our Latin American and consumer finance franchises growing particularly well throughout the year.," said the group's executive chairman, Ana Botin. However, she added: "We expect to end 2016 exceeding last year's profit, enabling us to increase our dividend per share and earnings per share." In its UK management statement, the bank said it expected the country's decision to leave the EU to result in the near term in "lower consumer confidence and, over time, lower economic growth". "In addition, the lower value of sterling, when combined with an ongoing increase in oil prices, is likely to lead to higher inflation," it added. Nathan Bostock, UK chief executive, added: "Although we have not seen a material impact on our business in the short period since the EU referendum, we do expect a more challenging macroeconomic environment ahead." The additional £30m provision for PPI mis-selling in the third quarter means that in the first nine months of this year, Santander has set aside £397m for compensation and related costs. It said the provision "represents our best estimate of future PPI-related claims costs, including the impact of the delayed two-year time bar". Lloyds Banking Group announced on Thursday it had set aside an extra £1bn in the third quarter to handle PPI costs. Challenger bank Metro Bank also reported quarterly profits on Wednesday. The bank, which listed on the London Stock Exchange in March, saw underlying pre-tax profits jump by 118% to £600,000 compared with the second quarter, when it made a loss of £3.4m. It did not report an equivalent figure for the third quarter of 2015. Its net interest margin was 1.95% - up from 1.93%, compared with the second quarter, where, again, it did not report an equivalent figure. Metro, which offers retail, business and private banking, said customer accounts had risen from 780,000 in the three months to 30 September to 848,000. Lending increased by 73% to £5.19bn. while total deposits were up 66% to £7.3bn. "I am delighted to announce another strong quarter, with substantial growth across lending, deposits and customer accounts, as well as the bank reporting its first quarterly underlying profit," said chief

Summary: Spanish bank Santander has reported a rise in net profit in the third quarter compared with a year ago, helped by its performance in emerging markets in Latin America.


Mr Khan won on second preference votes after failing to gain more than 50% in the first round. He said: "I'm so proud that Londoners have today chosen hope over fear and unity over division." The Greens' Sian Berry took third and the Lib Dems' Caroline Pidgeon was fourth. Peter Whittle's fifth place was UKIP's best ever result in London. The Sadiq Khan story How Sadiq Khan won Who would join Sadiq Khan in City Hall? Mr Khan's success comes after a patchy election night for Labour, who were overtaken by the Conservatives as the second largest party in the Scottish Parliament, fell short of a majority in the Welsh Assembly, but retained control of 57 councils. Mr Khan gained 44.3% of first preference votes, to Zac Goldsmith's 38.6%. After second preferences came into play, Mr Khan gained a total of 1,310,143 votes, or 56.8%, to the Conservative candidate's 43.2% - making it a more clear-cut contest than in 2012. It sees Mr Khan become the first Muslim mayor of any capital city in the EU. Outgoing mayor Boris Johnson said: "Many congratulations to Sadiq on securing a huge mandate to do the best job in British politics. I wish him every possible success." In a short speech Mr Goldsmith said: "I wish him well as he sets out to build on the success seen under Boris Johnson." He admitted he was "disappointed, of course, by the result that I won't be able to deliver a manifesto that I'm really proud of". Mr Khan was congratulated by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who said he would work with the new mayor "to create a London which is fair for all". Praise also came in from New York mayor Bill de Blasio and Business Secretary Sajid Javid, who tweeted: "From one son of a Pakistani bus driver to another, congratulations". Labour also saw a boost in their vote across London in the Assembly elections, while several prominent Conservatives criticising their own mayoral candidate's campaign. Former minister Baroness Warsi called it an "appalling dog whistle campaign" and Ken Clarke said it had been "a mistake" which "probably had a counter-productive effect". Zac Goldsmith's own sister, Jemima, tweeted: "Zac's campaign did not reflect who I know him to be - an eco-friendly, independent-minded politician with integrity." Steve Hilton, David Cameron's former director of strategy, told BBC Newsnight that the Conservatives' approach to the mayoral race had "brought back the 'nasty party' label to the Conservative Party". He added none of Mr Goldsmith's best qualities were "conveyed in his campaign, which to be honest I found really weird". But Conservative Assembly Member Gareth Bacon told BBC Radio London that the claims of a negative strategy were "a media-generated fixation". The election saw the highest-ever turnout at 45.6% - narrowly improving on 2008, when it was 45.3%. Read more about the London Assembly results.

Summary: Sadiq Khan has won the London mayoral election, beating Conservative rival Zac Goldsmith.


The Division One leaders started day four on 48-3, chasing 235 for victory. Steve Eskinazi (30) nicked Jake Ball (4-54) behind and Nick Compton was run out for 63 to leave the visitors 146-5. But 58 not out from John Simpson and captain James Franklin's unbeaten 54 saw them to a victory which left them one point clear of Yorkshire. Defeat for bottom side Notts, who have won only once in the championship this season, means they will be playing Division Two cricket in 2017 for the first time in a decade. Victory for Middlesex maintained their unbeaten record in four-day cricket in 2016, although second-placed Yorkshire's 23-point win over Durham reduced Middlesex's lead at the top by three points. Somerset, winners inside three days over Warwickshire this week, are 22 points behind Middlesex in third. Middlesex play Lancashire at Old Trafford next week, while Yorkshire entertain Somerset at Headingley. Middlesex meet Yorkshire at Lord's in a potential title decider starting on Tuesday, 20 September. Despite Middlesex's modest target in Nottingham, Ball's breakthrough and Compton's run-out after a mix-up on the stroke of lunch left the game in the balance. But the composed Simpson, who brought up his sixth half-century of the summer, and 35-year-old Franklin sealed victory with an unbroken stand of 89. Compton, who took a two-month break from cricket this summer, told BBC Radio London: "I was proud of the way I managed to hold things together. "As someone who prides myself on tough situations, I wanted to make sure I was on it. "The intent was to make sure we found a way to do it, because this is the time. "You don't get too many opportunities to be a county player playing for the title as this stage of the season. It is a fantastic place to be." Notts director of cricket Mick Newell, who will hand first-team coaching duties to former England coach Peter Moores at the end of the season, said: "It's about the embarrassment of getting relegated. "Financially it doesn't make a huge difference. It is more about the impact it has on the ego of the players and the impact on the supporters who are used to seeing Division One cricket. "We are proud club; we have been in Division One for a long time and it's 10 years since I stood here and had to explain away a relegation."

Summary: Middlesex maintained their bid for a first County Championship title since 1993 and relegated Nottinghamshire with a five-wicket win at Trent Bridge.


Irfan Rabbani will join the SNP opposition group on the council, which Labour controls with a majority of 15. The 49-year-old said he would not be standing in the local elections in May although he would be campaigning for other SNP candidates. Mr Rabbani has represented Glasgow's Pollokshields ward since 2007. He had been a Labour member for 20 years.

Summary: A Labour councillor in Glasgow who had been de-selected by the party has defected to the SNP.


Orient owed money to four creditors on the petition, having resolved unpaid taxes with HM Revenue & Customs. Owner Francesco Becchetti was given until Monday to pay off debts or sell the relegated League Two club following a previous High Court hearing in March. Those creditors on the petition have been paid, although it is understood other creditors remain. There is no indication as to how many other creditors there are, but they did not support the winding-up petition. Outside the High Court on Monday, Orient fans could be heard protesting against Becchetti, who took over the club from Barry Hearn shortly after they lost the League One play-off final to Rotherham United at Wembley in 2014. Following the dismissal of the petition, Matt Roper from the Leyton Orient Fans' Trust (LOFT) urged Italian Becchetti to sell the club "urgently to any new responsible owner". He told BBC Sport: "We're using a word survive [after the petition was dismissed] but it's almost a word you can't use. Our survival is almost week-to-week at the moment. "Our future is being played out in the High Court, we have a very thin squad, there's no guarantees we can actually put a team out next year. So survival, yes, but in the very thinnest sense of the word." Omer Riza, the club's 11th manager under Becchetti, is only contracted until 30 June and the club have lost most of last season's squad, leaving uncertainty surrounding the club on the pitch as well. Adam Michaelson, legal advisor to LOFT, said: "We're not in a position to say what is going on. The communication we've had is absolutely zero. "All we know is what we can see, which is nine junior professionals, no seniors, no access to a training ground, no shirts, no training tops, and they're due back in pre-season in the first week of July." Orient were relegated to non-league this season, their second relegation in the three years under Becchetti, ending their 112-year stay in the Football League. After the club's staff were not paid in March, Hearn resigned from his position as honorary president and the English Football League said it was "exceptionally concerned" by the club's situation. At the previous court hearing that month, chief executive Alessandro Angelieri gave the court a statement saying Becchetti, who in January said he would be willing to consider selling the club, would invest £1m to pay off remaining debts in eight to 10 weeks. Orient announced in April that they had paid all salaries and cleared their debts with HRMC.

Summary: A winding-up petition against Leyton Orient has been dismissed at a High Court hearing in London.


The Lib Dem leader dismissed a Comres poll as "bogus science" and said his party would win "many more seats" than predicted. He also warned of a "hard-line right-wing" government - if Lib Dem seats are lost to the Conservatives, who would then be reliant on UKIP and DUP votes. The Conservatives and Labour have both insisted they can win on their own. But Mr Clegg said "everyone knows" that they will not and "that means that someone else will hold the balance of power on May 8" - be it a "left-wing alliance between Labour and the SNP" or a "right wing alliance" between the Conservatives, UKIP and the DUP. The Lib Dem leader is campaigning in north-west England on Thursday. He and David Cameron are not taking part in tonight's BBC TV debate involving the leaders of other parties. Asked how he stayed positive after a poll suggested his party could be wiped out in south-west England, losing all of its 14 seats in the region to the Conservatives, Mr Clegg said the poll itself was flawed. The Comres poll of 1,005 adults across the 14 seats suggested a 13-point swing from the Lib Dems to the Conservatives, with Labour, UKIP and the Greens also making gains at the expense of Mr Clegg's party. But the Lib Dem leader told LBC radio the poll had questioned the equivalent of 72 people per seat "without even mentioning the candidates' names". "Polls like that are just absolute baloney," he said. "The bogus science from some of this stuff is just extraordinary." He added: "We will win so many more seats than this endless cottage industry of pessimistic punditry allows for." His party says there are 20 marginal seats where a Conservative win, at the expense of the Liberal Democrats, would result in a minority Conservative government reliant on UKIP and DUP votes to stay in power "an alliance that will drag Britain further and further to the right". The Lib Dems have dubbed the alliance "Blukip". The seats are; St Ives, St Austell and Newquay, North Cornwall, North Devon, Torbay, Cheadle, Hazel Grove, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Solihull, Brecon and Radnorshire, Bath, Montgomeryshire, Maidstone, Chippenham, Berwickshire, Watford, Mid Dorset and North Poole, Taunton, Somerton and Frome and Oxford West and Abingdon. At a news conference in Cheadle, Mr Clegg said that would mean an alliance involving people who did not believe in climate change, wanted to bring back the death penalty and who were against gay rights: "There's a real prospect that David Cameron may have to rely on those people to stay in Number 10." Mr Clegg said he wanted to "lift the lid" on a "genuine threat to our country" - because he said moderate Conservative voters in marginal seats were being told if they did not vote Conservative, they would end up with a Labour administration propped up by the SNP. He said "moderate, centre-ground" voters did not want David Cameron being "held hostage" by the "swivel-eyed brigade" on the Conservative backbenches who had been "waiting for its moment to reclaim the

Summary: Nick Clegg says reports that his party could lose 14 south-west England seats to the Conservatives are "baloney".


The 22-year-old joined Nathan Jones' side in the summer after being spotted by chief recruitment officer Mick Harford playing for Truro City. Vassell has scored twice in 23 appearances and the Hatters have taken up the option in his previous deal. "Over the five months since he's been here he's done really well to impress us and grasp his chance," said Jones.

Summary: Luton Town striker Isaac Vassell has signed a new contract with the League Two side until the summer of 2018.


Media playback is not supported on this device The Latics have lost all three of their games this season but could have picked up a point against Walsall were it not for Erhun Oztumer's 90th-minute winner. Sheridan's side have conceded seven goals in their opening three fixtures. "I'm watching players who I'm telling at half-time are excellent, and in the second half they're not at the races," he told BBC Radio Manchester. "I pick the team, I need five or six players. I need changes to the system and some players, unfortunately, are not good enough at this moment to get in the team. "A couple of them are playing as well and I don't like saying that, but we're not going to go where I want us to go." Saturday's defeat by Walsall means Oldham are now without a win in their past six games in all competitions. "Luckily for me only two games have gone in the season, and I want to sort it out as quickly as I can," Sheridan continued. "There's lots of positives to take from [the defeat by Walsall] but we've only had a drink and sat down for 10 minutes, so why am I watching a different team in the second half?"

Summary: Oldham boss John Sheridan says he needs at least five or six new signings before the transfer window shuts.


Cornell, 52, was found dead after performing in a concert with his band, Soundgarden, in Detroit on Wednesday evening. The Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed in a statement the frontman took his own life. In an earlier statement, Cornell's representative Brian Bumbery had said his death was "sudden and unexpected". It also said the family would be working closely with the medical examiner and asked for privacy. A spokesperson for Detroit Police confirmed to the BBC they received a call just after midnight (05:00 BST) on Wednesday. "He was found on the bathroom floor, our medical unit were called and he was pronounced dead on scene," a spokesperson said. "A family friend went to go check on him and observed him on the bathroom floor. The body was transferred to the medical examiner's office." The medical examiner's office said on Thursday that the cause of death had been determined as suicide by hanging, adding: "A full autopsy report has not yet been completed." The Soundgarden show was part of a wider tour and the group had a number of live dates scheduled for later this month. Sir Elton John led the tributes, tweeting: "Shocked and saddened by the sudden death of @chriscornell. A great singer, songwriter and the loveliest man." Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page added: "RIP Chris Cornell. Incredibly talented, incredibly young, incredibly missed." BBC 6 Music's Matt Everitt said he was taken aback by Cornell's death. "This is a hell of a shock, he'd been gigging frequently despite having a life that was quite extreme, and he was certainly in extremely good health, performing concerts and seemingly pretty much at the top of his game," he said. Cornell was born on 20 July 1964. As a solo artist, he released four studio albums - most recently 2015's Higher Truth. His biggest single in the UK was 2006's You Know My Name, which was the theme song to Casino Royale, which starred Daniel Craig. The track made him the first male American artist to write and perform the theme song for a James Bond movie. But he was perhaps most famous as the lead singer of Seattle band Soundgarden, which formed in 1984 and went on to release six studio albums. Last year, the band confirmed they were returning to the studio to record new material and a tour was announced for this year. On Wednesday evening, the Fox Theatre in Detroit tweeted pictures of the band while they were live on stage. Cornell himself tweeted about the show on Wednesday evening, writing: "Finally back to Rock City!" Soundgarden's most successful album in the UK was 1994's Superunknown, which reached number four in the chart. In 2001, he joined rock supergroup Audioslave, which consisted of Cornell on lead vocals, together with Rage Against The Machine members Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk (drums). The group released three albums - all of which reached the top 20 in the UK - but disbanded in 2007. If you are affected by the topics in this article, the Samaritans can be contacted

Summary: Singer Chris Cornell died as a result of hanging himself, US officials have confirmed.


Sixteen candidates stood for 16 vacancies on the island's government the Chief Pleas last December, so there was no vote. Howard Knight, who was commissioned by the Chief Pleas to oversee the election, said it was not a good result for democracy. The Chief Pleas said his report would be discussed next month. The Chief Pleas has a total of 28 members or conseillers which govern Sark, one of the smallest of the Channel Islands, with a population of about 600. Instead of the election, there was a ballot on which candidates would serve for four years and which would serve two. However, Mr Knight said he found that there was no "conspiracy" and that the unusual situation was a coincidence.

Summary: Sark needs to improve the health of its democracy, says an election observer after the last election was scrapped.


Media playback is not supported on this device The Portugal captain, 28, was named world player of the year for the first time since 2008 by national coaches, captains and journalists. It is a tremendously emotional moment Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer was named best women's player, while former Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes picked up the coach of the year accolade and Germany manager Silvia Neid claimed the women's award. Ronaldo claimed the award with a total of 1,365 points, ahead of Messi (1,205) and Ribery (1,127), with the votes cast by 184 coaches, 184 national captains and 173 members of the global media. Neither Ronaldo or Messi voted for the other in their top three. Cristiano Ronaldo didn't vote for Lionel Messi, and Messi didn't vote for Ronaldo. Find out who voted for whom in a breakdown of the results Ronaldo selected Radamel Falcao for first place, followed by Gareth Bale and Mesut Ozil, while Messi opted for Barcelona team-mates Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Neymar. England manager Roy Hodgson chose Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robin van Persie as his top three, while captain Steven Gerrard picked Ronaldo, Messi and Liverpool team-mate Luis Suarez. Messi, 26, had won the award for the last four years, but Ronaldo had been viewed as the front-runner this time after scoring 66 goals in 56 games in 2013 for club and country. They included a sensational hat-trick for Portugal against Sweden in their World Cup qualifying play-off second leg, which sealed a place in the finals in Brazil. "First of all, I have to say a great thanks to all of my team-mates with the club and the national team," Ronaldo said as he cried during his speech. "Without all of their efforts, this would not have been possible. I am very happy; it is very difficult to win this award. "Everybody that has been involved with me on a personal level, I have to thank - my wife, my friends, my son. It is a tremendously emotional moment. All I can say is thank you to everybody that has been involved." Angerer, 35, saved two penalties in Germany's 1-0 win over Norway in the 2013 European Championship final and was named player of the match. "I have to say that I'm a little surprised, but very thankful," the Brisbane Roar goalkeeper said. "You never get a success like this on your own. I have to thank my team-mates and my goalkeeping coach who raised me to a level that I never thought I'd get to." Media playback is not supported on this device Heynckes, who retired at the end of the last season after guiding Bayern Munich to a historic treble, said he was "humbled and happy" to have won his award. The Ballon d'Or Prix d'Honneur was awarded to Brazil legend and three-time World Cup winner Pele. "I promised to my family that I would not cry but I am emotional," he said. "I got so many trophies and prizes but I was jealous of all of those guys who got the Ballon d'Or,

Summary: Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo beat Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery of Bayern Munich to win the 2013 Fifa Ballon d'Or.


Championship rugby awaits for one of the Premiership's founding members when the game turned professional in 1996, with an uncertain future ahead for players, coaches and staff. Worcester and Newcastle have bounced back from the second tier with immediate effect in recent seasons, while others such as Harlequins and Northampton have returned to win titles. But clubs such as Bristol and London Welsh have found life below the Premiership harder to adapt to than expected. What path will London Irish's future take? BBC Sport speaks to players, supporters, coaches and rugby writers to find the formula behind bouncing back from relegation. Media playback is not supported on this device As recently as 2009, Irish were contesting a Premiership final at Twickenham and reached the last four of the European Cup a year earlier. But the last three seasons have produced finishes in the bottom three, a change of ownership and changes in playing and coaching personnel. "Although former director of rugby Brian Smith didn't enjoy the same success at the club in his second spell as he did in his first, the Australian had extensive experience of the English game," said BBC 5 live rugby reporter Chris Jones. "He was able to comfortably avoid relegation before his abrupt departure at the start of 2015. "Tom Coventry arrived last summer as head coach with a justifiably big reputation considering his achievements at Waikato Chiefs. "But my understanding is that transferring coaching techniques from a Super Rugby side to a Premiership outfit wasn't a smooth process, especially given the fact Irish pretty quickly found themselves in a relegation battle. "Coventry and his coaching team needed time to adapt to the unique nature of English rugby. The other directors of rugby involved in the basement battle - Dean Richards and Dean Ryan - are steeped in experience on this front." Steve Jones, treasurer of the London Irish supporters' club, believes other clubs have shown Irish the way to cope with life in the Championship. "The key is that the core of the team is kept together and our investment in the academy remains to produce young talent," he said. "There are a lot of good players in the system that could really benefit from a year in the Championship playing regular rugby. The under-18 team that won the Academy League this season is testament to that. "But the Championship is a hard league and Irish will find it very tough. A mixture of seasoned pros and academy graduates will be needed." Aside from what happens on the pitch for Irish is the debate over where it happens. Their 16-year association with Reading's Madejski Stadium could be in its final throes despite a contract that allows them to ground-share in Berkshire until the 2025-26 season. Chief executive Bob Casey has guaranteed the Exiles will play their home games at the venue next season despite several years of dwindling attendances, but beyond is an uncertain scenario. There are rumours that Brentford's Griffin Park and their planned new stadium at nearby Lionel Road have become favourable alternatives for

Summary: After just four Premiership wins all season, London Irish have been relegated from English rugby's top flight for the first time since 1994.


In 2013 the Environment Department was considering ending the contract because Jersey Met wanted more money. But now a five-year contract has been signed with the cost rising by 12.5%. The cost is about Â£350,000, which includes a separate contract for specialist aviation forecast services. The contract between Guernsey's government and Jersey Met had previously not gone up since 2004. When the Met Office said the fee was no longer sufficient, the Environment Department held talks with the rest of Guernsey's States as to whether the contract should continue given the higher cost. Jersey Met provides weather forecasts for all of the Channel Islands. The new fixed price contract for five years between Guernsey and Jersey Met is subject to an inflation increase of 2.5% per year. Principal Meteorological Officer in Jersey, John Searson, said: "If inflation or cost of living is low, our island is better off. If it is higher Guernsey does much better." He said that Jersey Met was now providing a better service to Guernsey.

Summary: The States of Guernsey is now paying more for getting its weather services from Jersey despite talks about the contract being cancelled.