United are reported to have agreed an £18.9m fee for the keeper and Sir Alex Ferguson hopes to wrap up a deal soon. Former United forward Forlan told BBC Sport: "David will become a top player because he has a lot of ability. "But he's only just had his first full season as Atletico's number one and is a young guy with little experience." Last month, Ferguson said he regarded De Gea as the natural replacement for Edwin van der Sar, who retired after United's Champions League final defeat by Barcelona, and admitted he had been tracking the Spaniard for "quite a while". De Gea is currently playing for Spain at the European Under-21 Championships in Denmark, and says he wants to wait until the end of the tournament before signing a deal with United. Forlan, 32, who played for United from 2002 to 2004, has been hugely impressed with De Gea since the Spaniard forced his way into Atletico's team towards the end of the 2009/10 season. "There's no doubt that David will become a very, very good player, because he has the talent," Forlan said. "He is tall, strong on crosses, a good shot stopper and distributes the ball very well. "I suppose he is similar to Van der Sar in a lot of ways. Even though he is very young, he gives a lot of confidence to his defenders and has a lot of talent." Forlan joined United for £7.5m from Argentine side Independiente, but failed to cement a regular starting place at the club. He famously went 27 games before scoring for his new side and only hit the net 10 times in 63 games before moving to Villarreal. David is from a little town outside Madrid, has been at Atletico since he was very young and doesn't speak any languages other than Spanish He admitted he does have concerns that De Gea, who came through the youth ranks at Atletico, could become homesick in Manchester. "You never know for sure whether a player will adapt to a new country until he gets there," the Uruguayan said. "It's true that I was also young when I joined United, just 22, but you can't compare our situations. "I knew the language and had already left my country, having moved to Independiente when I was only 19. So it was not such a big step for me to go to United. "David is from a little town outside Madrid and has been at Atletico since he was very young. He doesn't speak any languages other than Spanish. He is going over with his girlfriend and family though, which will help." Forlan revealed that De Gea had been hungry for insights into life with the English champions. "I told him that Manchester United is a great place to experience as a player and that I had a great time there," he added. "The manager and staff are fantastic and the fans were always very supportive of me, even when I wasn't scoring. I made some good friends there and settled in

Summary: Diego Forlan expects his Atletico Madrid team-mate David de Gea to be a big hit at Manchester United - if he can adapt to life in England.


At the height of his career in the 1970s, Martin Lacey was known as the "man that fear forgot" - being the only one to put his head inside a lion's mouth. That was just part of his work to run the now-closed Great British Circus, which has also included breeding more than 120 tigers at his home in Keal Cotes. Now aged in his 70s, Mr Lacey plans to retire, with most of the tigers will now go to his sons' circus in Germany. His work has included starring in the children's TV show Magpie and training some of the tigers used in the Esso adverts. He said he had enjoyed a fantastic career and "had certainly done his bit" to help with tiger conservation. "This year we've had 12 cubs in Lincolnshire and 12 in Germany," he said. "Most will go to my sons' circus, but we are able to let any surplus go to zoological gardens, which reduces the need to bring in any animals from the wild. "We are definitely doing well in the conservation stakes - we also bred reindeer here this year, and that's not easy." However, changes in public attitudes to performing animals mean he has faced criticism in recent years. The UK government has announced that a ban prohibiting the use of wild animals in circuses in Britain would come into effect in 2015. Under the terms of the draft Wild Animals in Circuses Bill, the ban will cover any creature not normally domesticated in Britain. The RSPCA said public opinion has been against the practice for some time because "lions and tigers performing do not have a place in today's society." However, Mr Lacey says his tigers enjoy the highest standards of care and described the animal's time in the circus ring as "organised play". "They run and jump - just as they would in the wild," he said. "I believe there is a mass of support for animals in entertainment and people should have the freedom of choice - you can only watch so many jugglers before it gets a bit boring. "We are breeding them specifically for work and are looking for intelligent animals. "Just as some strains of Alsatian look fantastic but are a little bit thick - our animals have to be intelligent and look good as well." However, the closure of the Great British Circus in 2012 was welcomed by the Captive Animals Protection Society. Director Liz Tyson said: "The door is firmly closing on the inherently cruel and unethical practice of using animals in circuses in this country." But, Mr Lacey said: "We've wiped out 90% of the wild population of tigers, so the only place you are going to find these wonderful creatures is in a zoo or circus. "The only other alternative is stuffed in a museum and I know which I'd like my great, great grandchildren to see." The Lacey family currently has about 80 big cats in its care, including Indian tigers and white lions. He said: "As well as providing shade for

Summary: Following the birth of the first tiger at London Zoo in 17 years, a former circus owner talks about his life breeding tigers in rural Lincolnshire.


The Brimmon Oak in Newtown, Powys, won the title following a public vote. Judges picked it as the overall champion of the four UK winners. Beccy Speight, Woodland Trust chief executive, said: "Trees are inspirational in so many ways and our four winners clearly demonstrate how we cherish these natural landmarks." Each winning tree will get a care grant of Â£1,000 and will go forward into the European Tree of the Year competition in February. The Brimmon Oak, which has a girth of more than 6m (19.6ft), faced being destroyed by plans for the new Â£56m Newtown bypass as campaigners feared the close proximity would damage the roots. Thousands of people signed a petition and the Welsh Government agreed to adjust the route to accommodate the oak with "minimal work" within a 15m (49ft) protected zone around the roots. Ms Speight said trees "punctuate our lives and landscapes and tie us to our past, the equivalent of our best buildings but yet are far less protected". Videos of each of the trees can be seen here.

Summary: A 500-year-old oak that a planned bypass road will be built around to prevent it being destroyed has been named as the UK's Tree of the Year.


Theresa May has not secured the clear mandate that she sought for her version of a hard Brexit. When she called the election, she declared: "Every vote for the Conservatives will make me stronger when I negotiate for Britain with the prime ministers, presidents and chancellors of the European Union." Well, she is not stronger. She has fewer seats than she started with. As a result, it will now be hard for the government - formed with the help of Northern Ireland's DUP - to start talking to the EU in nine days time as planned without rethinking its strategy. The EU will be dismayed at the uncertainty the election has created. They had hoped Mrs May, with a healthy majority under her belt, would be a strong negotiator, liberated from the strictures of the Brexit ultras in her party. Instead, the 27 other EU member states are facing a divided British parliament in a divided Britain. The EU's budget commissioner, Gunther Oettinger, told German radio he was unsure the Brexit negotiations could begin on time. He said having Britain as a weak negotiating partner could result in what he described as "a poor outcome". With her government relying on the support of the DUP, Mrs May could start negotiations but she might have to compromise over her plans if she wants to get any Brexit-related legislation through the House of Commons. Depending on the wishes of the Democratic Unionist Party MPs would be a recipe for survival, not stability. If at any point Mrs May stands down as prime minister, any negotiations over Brexit would be delayed while the Conservative Party chooses a replacement for her and discusses if or how to change its approach to Brexit. This would not be straightforward because Tory divisions over Europe would remain and potential leadership contenders would have to decide whether to argue for a soft or hard Brexit. The key question would be this - can the Tories continue pushing for a hard Brexit, defined as a free trade deal with the EU outside the single market, the customs union and the free movement of workers? Or might they be forced to consider a softer Brexit that involved, say, some single market membership in order to secure the support of other parties? Might that put the so-called Norway option back on the table? Norway, it must be remembered, has access to the single market through its membership of the European Economic Area but is not a member of the EU. Speaking on ITV News, the former Chancellor George Osborne said: "Hard Brexit went into the rubbish bin tonight." There will now be a battle royal within the Conservatives between those who agree with Mr Osborne's analysis and those hardline Brexiteers who do not. And of course there is always the possibility that a second general election could be called at some point. This would yet more take time and yet more delay to any Brexit discussions. One big question is whether the UK could stop the clock on the Article 50 Brexit negotiations

Summary: Britain's exit from the European Union has been plunged into uncertainty.


Only time will tell whether he gets his wish. No-one should get too carried away, though. Britain has had only a handful of non-white cabinet ministers. Indeed, Mr Cameron's new cabinet, following his election victory in May, has just two minority-ethnic cabinet ministers. It is all a far cry from 1987, when four new black and minority-ethnic MPs - all Labour - entered the House, a symbolic and powerful moment for many observers. Paul Boateng had the most successful ministerial career, eventually making it into the cabinet as chief secretary to the Treasury. Much of the commentary focused on his being the first black cabinet minister and some speculated that he might rise to the very top. It was not to be. He now sits in the Lords. Keith Vaz rose to become the first Asian minister in the Commons in 1999. Mr Vaz's newsworthy quotes keep him in the public eye as the long-serving chairman of the home affairs select committee. Diane Abbott has a big political and media profile but has stayed on the back benches, as did Bernie Grant, before his premature death. The Tories at that time had no real equivalent representation in terms of black and minority-ethnic MPs. There was a lingering suspicion that the majority of voters from these communities didn't like the Conservatives. There was a damaging public row when a black candidate, John Taylor, was selected to fight Cheltenham in 1992. There was opposition from the local association and the campaign itself was marred by racist jibes. Taylor lost. It was the Blair-Brown years that changed the landscape at ministerial level. The Tottenham MP, David Lammy, was one early star. He rose quickly and, having been elected at just 27, he was immediately weighed down by the "Britain's next black prime minister" label. He didn't last but he has reinvented himself as a vocal backbencher and is in the mix to be Labour's choice for London mayor. Baroness Scotland, the first ethnic minority attorney general, was another prominent appointment. Then there was Shahid Malik, who became Britain's first Muslim minister in 2007. When David Cameron came to power in 2010, he brought in Baroness Sayeeda Warsi. She was the first Muslim woman cabinet minister. Her star burned brightly for a short time but she is no longer in government. Instead, she has carved a role as a critical voice, particularly on relations with the Muslim community. Another casualty was Shailesh Vara, who lost his post as a government whip. He is currently parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Ministry of Justice. and remains influential in Tory attempts to appeal to the British Asian community. The Liberal Democrats, now a crushed force in Westminster, did not have a single non-white MP in the 2010-15 Parliament. The twists and turns of political life make predictions difficult. The Business Secretary Sajid Javid is seen by some as a future leader. His ethnicity - the son of an immigrant from Pakistan - is of less interest than his political views, perhaps another sign of a gradual shift in

Summary: David Cameron said in a speech last November that he wanted to see an ethnic minority prime minister to prove "Britons of all backgrounds can achieve".


Aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has imposed new restrictions on airshows in the wake of the disaster - one of the worst of its kind in recent years. The Shoreham Airshow takes place annually at Shoreham Airport in West Sussex and is run by the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA). Some 50 aircraft, including many classic jets, were scheduled to take to the skies for display flights during the two-day event. Among them was a vintage Hawker Hunter jet, flown by pilot Andy Hill. Eyewitnesses say the plane had just begun its flight and was performing a loop when it failed to pull out of the manoeuvre and crashed into traffic on a busy main road, the A27, at about 13:20 BST. Footage captured by spectators at the airshow and nearby motorists showed a large fireball engulf the area. A major incident was declared, with one of the paramedics describing it as a scene of "utter devastation". 'Like a bomb exploding' - eyewitness accounts It is not yet clear what caused the crash, but eyewitnesses said the aircraft appeared to come out of the loop manoeuvre "too low". Shoreham resident Dave Penwarden, 51, saw the plane explode. "It just didn't seem to have enough speed to come out of the loop, instead of powering out it dropped too fast and hit the ground." Pilot Darren Sharp, who was a spectator at the event, told the BBC he believed the pilot had realised he was in trouble and made a "brave decision" to take the plane down away from the airfield where thousands of people were standing. Friend and fellow pilot Neil McCarthy said he believed Mr Hill had "the experience to roll out of the manoeuvre at the top and not complete it" if he lacked enough height. "The height looked high enough to me," he said. "But so many things can go wrong, there can be bird strikes, engine failure, an engine fire, there could be all sorts." The Hawker Hunter was a mainstay of the RAF through the 1950s and early 1960s. First flown in 1951, the single-seat plane was used as a fighter, fighter-bomber for reconnaissance and for aerobatics. There was also a two-seat trainer version, which served with many other air forces. Neil McCarthy said the precise type of aircraft was a 1950s Hawker Hunter T7, of which there were "probably only five flying at the minute", with Mr Hill one of only about six pilots who could fly it. The RAFA says all air display arrangements, including the pilots and aircraft, must meet rigorous Civil Aviation Authority safety requirements and are regularly reviewed to ensure they provide the highest possible levels of protection. Andy Hill, 51, from Sandon, near Buntingford in Hertfordshire, is a former RAF instructor and British Airways pilot. He is also an experienced aerobatic stunt flyer who has performed at shows up and down the country. Mr Hill was pulled from the burning wreckage, with multiple injuries. He was placed in a medically-induced coma and is now in a critical but stable

Summary: At least 11 people were killed when a Hawker Hunter jet crashed on to the A27 during a display at the Shoreham Airshow.


It is the first meeting between the sides in the competition in more than five years. "Over the next five or six weeks, I fully expect Rangers to have the league wrapped up, so they should be the confident team going into the game. "For me right now, I would sway towards Rangers," Boyd said. The last match between the sides was in last season's League Cup semi-final, with Celtic emerging as 2-0 victors. Rangers appear to be a stronger proposition on the pitch now under manager Mark Warburton. They are on course to seal promotion to Scotland's top flight at the end of the season, leading the Championship table by 12 points. Boyd thinks the togetherness of the Rangers squad could give them the decisive edge over Celtic, who have faltered in recent weeks under Ronny Deila despite continuing to lead the Premiership. "They've got that close-knit unit," said Boyd, who was impressed by the 4-0 win over Dundee. "If you look at the way they performed on Saturday, it was excellent right from the word go. "It's going to be close. I'm leaning towards Rangers in terms of the tight-knit group. They know exactly what they are doing. "With a steady team, there's no chopping and changing. You are going to training all week fully expecting to play, whereas you look at Celtic - with the amount of bodies they've got going into training on a Monday morning expecting to play on a Saturday, they could field three or four teams." Former Celtic striker Scott McDonald agrees that Rangers will provide Deila's men with a much sterner challenge than they did in the League Cup semi-final in February 2015. "Rangers now you feel are much more ready for the challenge than they were 13 months ago," McDonald explained. "Under Warburton, they've come on leaps and bounds and the football they've played at times has been very entertaining." The Motherwell frontman believes the return of Scottish football's most famous rivalry is great for the game. "Without being disrespectful to all the games in the leagues and the derbies, this is the one," said McDonald. "It's rated as one of the best derbies in the world. So to have it back on the map again is fantastic for Scottish football. "It really needs it within the game. We're hoping for a great spectacle. "It certainly puts it back on the map. It's a chance for both teams to sort of stamp their authority on next season, psychologically you could say, and see where Rangers are really and if they have narrowed the gap from 13 months ago or not."

Summary: Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd has backed his old side to come out on top against Celtic in next month's Scottish Cup semi-final.


Chris Clements' opener was cancelled out by Isaac Vassell before, with the game into five added minutes, referee Mark Haywood pointed to the spot after Danny Collins handled in the box. But after his dramatic return to the side following Dean Henderson's recall to Manchester United, Grimsby's long-serving keeper kept out Danny Hylton's spot-kick to preserve a share of the spoils. After a tight, goalless first half, Luton re-started brightly, with Brandon Comley having to hack clear a low cross from on the line. But just as the visitors were starting to step up a gear, Grimsby broke the deadlock when Ben Davies - after seeing an effort charged down - kept the move alive with a fine, hanging cross to the far post, where Clements powered his header home from close range. However, the Hatters hit back when Pelly Ruddock nipped in at the corner and crossed into the area, where Vassell headed home despite McKeown's best efforts. They looked to have sealed the victory when they were awarded their 95th-minute penalty, but McKeown was to prove Grimsby's saviour. Report supplied by the Press Association Match ends, Grimsby Town 1, Luton Town 1. Second Half ends, Grimsby Town 1, Luton Town 1. Brandon Comley (Grimsby Town) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. (Grimsby Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Danny Hylton (Luton Town). Penalty conceded by Brandon Comley (Grimsby Town) with a hand ball in the penalty area. Penalty saved! Danny Hylton (Luton Town) fails to capitalise on this great opportunity, right footed shot saved in the top centre of the goal. Foul by Ben Davies (Grimsby Town). Jack Senior (Luton Town) wins a free kick on the left wing. Sam Jones (Grimsby Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Jack Marriott (Luton Town). Shaun Pearson (Grimsby Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Danny Hylton (Luton Town). Corner, Luton Town. Conceded by Danny Andrew. Corner, Luton Town. Conceded by Danny Collins. Corner, Luton Town. Conceded by Ben Davies. Substitution, Luton Town. Jack Marriott replaces Isaac Vassell. Attempt saved. Jordan Cook (Luton Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Foul by Sam Jones (Grimsby Town). Alan Sheehan (Luton Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Substitution, Grimsby Town. Scott Vernon replaces Callum Dyson. Substitution, Grimsby Town. Akwasi Asante replaces Adi Yussuf. Substitution, Grimsby Town. Sam Jones replaces Chris Clements. Attempt missed. Jordan Cook (Luton Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Foul by Adi Yussuf (Grimsby Town). Scott Cuthbert (Luton Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Adi Yussuf (Grimsby Town). Alan Sheehan (Luton Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Adi Yussuf (Grimsby Town). Alan Sheehan (Luton Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Ben Davies (Grimsby Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Pelly Ruddock (Luton Town). Goal! Grimsby

Summary: James McKeown saved a stoppage-time penalty to earn Grimsby a point against Luton.


The letter, written at the end of the 1916 Easter Rising, had a guide price of 1-1.5m euros. It was the last official letter Pearse wrote, three days before his execution by firing squad on 3 May 1916. Pearse wrote it from his prison cell to rebels still fighting in the Four Courts in Dublin. It reads: "In order to prevent further slaughter of the civil population and in the hope of saving the lives of our followers, the members of the Provisional Government present at headquarters have decided on an unconditional surrender, and commandants or officers commanding districts will order their commands to lay down arms. PH Pearse, Dublin, 30th April 1916." The details of the item on the James Adam's auction house website quotes historian Diarmaid Ferriter: "Behind the single sentence of the communication lie many layers. "It was the last official letter Pearse wrote, three days before his execution by firing squad on the morning of May 3rd 1916 and is therefore a vital part of the archive of the newly declared republic in 1916. "It marked the end of the 1916 rebellion and underlined the role of both the rebel leaders and the British forces in bringing the fighting to a conclusion. "It is also a reminder of some of the difficulties associated with the rebels military strategy in 1916, especially communications, but also the success in securing certain positions in the midst of urban warfare." Although the identity of the seller has not been revealed, he has been described by the auctioneers as non-Irish and living outside the country. In a statement, Stuart Cole, a director at Adam's, said: "On this occasion, the reserve was not met. "The owner, based overseas, has requested that Adam's apply for an export licence tomorrow (Thursday) to formally notify the [Irish] government that the document will be leaving Ireland and for the process to be expedited. "The owner was saddened that the government refused to bid for the document but now feels relieved of his obligations to keep the document in Ireland."

Summary: A letter of surrender written by Irish rebel Patrick Pearse has been withdrawn from auction in Dublin after bidding stalled at 770,000 euros (Â£650,000).


However, the discourse has mostly centred around the "maharajas" or kings, many of whom are still wealthy and influential. Although there have been prominent maharanis (queens) like Gayatri Devi of Jaipur, who was instrumental in promoting girls' education in India, and featured on a Vogue list of "most beautiful women", many of India's royal women have been out of the spotlight and not much is known about them. A photography studio, Tasveer, is now trying to change that - as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations, it has collected portraits of Indian queens and princesses and is showing it in an exhibition, titled "Maharani: Women of Royal India". Tasveer said the pictures were sourced from the archives of the Museum of Art and Photography, royal collections from across the subcontinent and other institutional and private collections both in India and abroad such as the Victoria and Albert Museum, the National Portrait Gallery in London, and the Amar Mahal Museum and Library in Jammu.

Summary: India's royalty lost their official powers when the nation gained independence in 1947, but there is still a great sense of romance and fascination with the men and women who once ruled large tracts of the country.


The Kilkenny fighter floored Richards twice before another standing count for the Swede quickly ended the contest. O'Neill, 30, will now take on top seed Abdulkadir Abdullayev from Azerbaijan for a place in the semi-finals. The top three men will earn a place for their country in their division at the Rio Games this summer. David Oliver Joyce had a unanimous points victory over Otar Eranosyan from Georgia in the lightweight division. But world bronze medallist Michael O'Reilly, the number one seed in the middleweight class, lost to Ilari Kijala of Finland in a unanimous points decision.

Summary: Ireland's Darren O'Neill stopped Gabriel Richards in the first round at the European Olympic Qualifying event in Samsun, Turkey, on Tuesday.


Media playback is not supported on this device Donnelly popped up at the back post to net a downward header from Martin Donnelly's cross in the 33rd minute. The Reds stay eight points behind their north Belfast rivals at the summit thanks to their ninth consecutive victory over Ronnie McFall's side. The Ports have now lost their last six Premiership outings and remain eighth. Ronnie McFall's side have failed to score a goal in each of their nine defeats at the hands of the Reds. Early in the game, Philip Lowry had a clear sight of goal but his weak shot was easily gathered by home goalkeeper Conor Devlin. At the other end, David Miskelly made fine saves from Chris Curran and a Jay Donnelly header. Donnelly's strike proved to be the winner, although both sides had chances after the interval. Lowry's weak header was saved by Devlin, while Martin Donnelly shot tamely at Miskelly, who also denied Curran's curling effort. Cliftonville manager Gerard Lyttle: "The aims were to get a win and keep a clean sheet and we achieved both. We controlled most of the game and I'm happy with the three points. "You are always wary of a 1-0 lead and I was disappointed that we passed up a couple of second-half chances, but I'd take that result for the remainder of the season, no problem." Portadown assistant manager Kieran Harding: "I thought we were outstanding today and unfortunate not to get a draw. Defensively we had a good shape about us and created some clearcut chances on the break which we would have taken on another day."

Summary: Jay Donnelly scored the only goal as Cliftonville extended their unbeaten league run to six matches and kept up their pursuit of leaders Crusaders.


In March 2015 the Ulster Unionists proudly unveiled a pact with the DUP covering four constituencies. Mike Nesbitt said the aim was to "get the pro union vote out". The SDLP denounced the tactic as a "sectarian carve up". In February 2017, the Ulster Unionist leader told the BBC's Sunday Politics that he would be giving the SDLP candidate in East Belfast his second preference. The SDLP leader Colum Eastwood didn't return the favour quite so emphatically, but did tell Mark Carruthers he would be giving the Ulster Unionists a transfer vote at some unspecified point on his ballot paper in Foyle. So what's changed? First, Westminster elections, where the winner takes it all, are a different beast from Assembly polls. In a Stormont contest, voters get multiple chances to influence the outcome. Moreover, in the intervening two years we have seen both the Ulster Unionists and the SDLP moving into official opposition mode. The Ulster Unionist leader has loudly proclaimed his "Vote Mike, Get Colum" strategy. Then to cap it all the DUP Sinn FÃ©in led executive fell apart amidst mutual recriminations over the grossly mismanaged Renewable Heat Incentive scheme. If this election really is, as Mike Nesbitt would like to portray it, a referendum on the RHI scandal, then no-one should be surprised. Why shouldn't the opposition advise its voters to back their respective parties with the aim of pushing the old governing partners out, or at least weakening their hand in future negotiations? However Northern Ireland elections are never that simple. Traditional unionist and nationalist voting habits die hard. In some seats Mr Nesbitt's candidates will no doubt be living in hope that the generosity of other unionists will see them returned in the later stages of a count. In this context, it's easy to understand the decision by the veteran Newry and Armagh MLA Danny Kennedy to advise his voters to transfer to other unionists, even if it does jar with his leader's attitude. So the DUP and TUV have been quick to accuse the Ulster Unionist leader of being - as Arlene Foster puts it in the Belfast Telegraph - "personally supportive of voting in a way that helps to elect nationalists, who will take their election as an endorsement of support for their United Ireland position". Mike Nesbitt replies that the RHI scandal was not an "orange" or "green" issue and that it wouldn't make sense for him to back a DUP candidate in whom he has no confidence, like the outgoing Stormont Speaker Robin Newton. So is this election a referendum on the Renewable Heat Incentive, a chance to pick your negotiators for wider talks on issues like Brexit and the Troubles' legacy, or - like so many past elections - a mini border poll? Come 3 March we shall be able to judge the answer a little better by analysing not just the voters' first choices, but also by looking to see whose advice they take on where their later preferences should go.

Summary: If a week can be a long time in politics, then two years is an eternity.


In the latest mishap, US citizens Bob Weise and Steve Shapiro, both 71, had to seek help in Hayle Harbour, Cornwall, when their sailing boat tipped over, causing a fire on board. Veteran sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston is among those criticising the pair. The duo previously told BBC News they were experienced enough for the trip. The boat, named Nora, left Norway in July and is aiming for the US state of Maine. Sir Robin said: "This is no longer a joke. "It costs between Â£6,000 and Â£8,000 every time a lifeboat is launched. These guys are costing the RNLI a fortune. "They need to frankly pack it in or, I hate to say it, get the hell out of our waters." James Instance, from Falmouth Coastguard, said he was not aware of anyone being rescued so many times in a short space of time. Peter Haddock, Hayle harbourmaster, said he was worried about the sailors' safety and that of emergency services. Mr Haddock said he raised the alarm on Tuesday after seeing smoke coming from the vessel's forward hatch and described the pair as a "catastrophe waiting to happen". Fire crews extinguished a "small fire" on the 18-tonne yacht, which Mr Shapiro said was caused by a candle, and that "otherwise there was no real damage". Mr Shapiro, a screenwriter and author from California, said he had been sailing since he was nine and "people had a right to be angry". "But it's not justifiable, we have the right to the services as much as anybody else. "The volunteer organisations volunteered to come out, it was their decision." Mr Shapiro is accompanied by Mr Weise, who is an ex-US Army helicopter pilot and Vietnam veteran. The RNLI and Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) refused to comment on how much the rescues would have cost. A spokeswoman for the MCA said: "Search resources are always used in incidents where people report seeing someone in trouble. "We would always urge people to call 999 and ask for the coastguard if they're in danger or think someone else might be in distress. "We never put a price on human life. If we get a 999 call we respond and treat it as an emergency."

Summary: Two yachtsmen who have been rescued nine times in seven months have been described as a "catastrophe waiting to happen" and urged to "leave UK waters".


Stuart Hyde, ex-chief constable of Cumbria Police, was put into a medically-induced coma and treated for the viral infection. Mike Pannett, co-director of the 4 Policing consultancy with Mr Hyde, said he was now out of the coma and talking. He said his family thanked everyone for the messages of love and support which had helped them all "so much". Mr Hyde retired in 2013 after being suspended twice from the force, investigated and cleared.

Summary: A former top British police officer is out of a coma after contracting meningitis while working in Abu Dhabi.


Media playback is not supported on this device Darren McCurry and Peter Harte led the charge with a combined total of 10 points as the Red Hands recovered from a slow start to triumph at Clones. Mickey Harte's holders will play Derry at Pairc Esler on Saturday in a repeat of the 2016 final. Derry saw off Monaghan 2-12 to 1-13 in the other semi-final at Armagh. Fermanagh started the game with a flourish, driven by energy and desire, and they ran at the Tyrone defence at every opportunity, using support runners to stretch their opponents. They went ahead through Eddie Courtney and Tomas Corrigan, and the Tyrone defence was under sustained pressure. Midfielder Eoin Donnelly charged through with a goal on his mind, but he was denied by a superb Peter Harte block. Tyrone finally got their opening score in the 10th minute when McCurry split the posts, and Niall McKenna brought the holders level moments later. The Tyrone defence grew in stature as the game wore on, and restricted the Erne men to just one point in the second quarter, a third free for Corrigan. An injury to Colm Cavanagh saw older brother Sean enter the action on the half-hour for his first appearance of 2017 and the beginning of a 16th season in the Tyrone county colours. Harte's fourth free sent Tyrone in with a 0-7 to 0-4 interval lead, and they started moving more freely in the second period, with McCurry taking over the free-taking duties, as well as adding a magnificent effort from play. They went ahead by 0-10 to 0-5 and, after Paul McCusker had pulled back an Erne point, the Red Hands went 0-13 to 0-6 up, with McCurry, Cathal McShane and Lee Brennan hitting the target. Fermanagh introduced Sean Quigley, who landed a couple of long range frees, with Aidan Breen and Corrigan also on target, but the holders held out for a place in the final.

Summary: Tyrone overcame a stubborn Fermanagh side 0-14 to 0-11 to reach the Dr McKenna Cup final and stay on course for a sixth successive title.


Bryan Cooper sent the 6-1 shot straight to the lead with Nichols Canyon (2-5) his closest pursuer throughout. The pair were almost as one before Petit Mouchoir jumped the second-last better and found another gear. Petit Mouchoir sealed a seven-length success from Nichols Canyon with Ivanovich Gorbatov in third. Henry de Bromhead's charge was slashed to 10-1 from 25-1 for the Champion Hurdle by RaceBets following the victory. De Bromhead confirmed the two-mile hurdling crown at Cheltenham is high on his agenda. He said: "It was amazing. He gave him some ride. It was brilliant and he jumped deadly. "It's lovely when it works out. It's been a frustrating few days now but that's made up for it all. It's great. "I'll speak to Eddie and Michael (O'Leary), but I think we have every right to consider the Champion Hurdle. "He hasn't had a hard season thus far so the Irish Champion Hurdle might be a plan. I'll have to speak to the lads."

Summary: Petit Mouchoir ran out an impressive winner of the Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown on Thursday with odds-on favourite Nichols Canyon in second.


Media playback is not supported on this device Tests were scheduled in Samoa and Tonga in June, but they have confirmed games could yet be moved to New Zealand. The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) say it wants to play on the islands, but will pursue alternatives if guarantees over player welfare are not met. "There is no issue with Samoa as a venue," World Rugby told BBC Wales. Wales are scheduled to play against Samoa on 24 June 2017 at Apia Park, Apia. The sport's governing body helps tier two countries meet costs of hosting tier one nations. World Rugby helped with appropriate medical cover when New Zealand played Samoa in Apia in 2015. A delegation from World Rugby is scheduled to travel to Tonga and Samoa to assess whether facilities in each country are fit for purpose. "Several other international sides have played in Samoa successfully in recent years," World Rugby explained. "As regards Tonga, a new venue is due to be constructed there and we need to assess whether it will be completed in time for the fixture to take place as planned. "In addition, from a due diligence point of view, we will be conducting a site visit in Tonga within the coming weeks to ensure that other facilities in Tonga are of the appropriate level to host a match of this nature. "This would include accommodation, training facilities and medical provisions. As always, our number-one priority is player welfare. "No decision has yet been taken on this. By way of contingency, it is possible the match could take place in Auckland if we cannot proceed with Tonga." The original itinerary for Wales' tour was thought to include a third Test in Fiji, but BBC Wales understands this is no longer part of the schedule. Fans and travel companies are currently in a state of limbo, with hundreds having registered for the tour. Wales last toured the Pacific Islands in 1994. The WRU say it expects a final decision to be made by the end of October. A spokesman for the Samoan Rugby Union said: "At this stage we can't comment as the match has not yet been confirmed by World Rugby." The Tongan Rugby Union has also been asked to comment, but has not yet responded.

Summary: World Rugby have moved to allay fears that Wales's 2017 South Pacific tour is in doubt because of concerns over facilities and medical cover.


Cezary Sobiewski, 40, murdered Barbara Baraniecka weeks after she confided concerns about his drinking to friends. A judge said Sobiewski went to buy cider after the "sustained and brutal attack" at the couple's home in Tipton, West Midlands. Sobiewski admitted Ms Baraniecka's murder on Monday. He entered the plea on what would have been the start of his trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court. Updates on this and other stories in Birmingham and the Black Country The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said Ms Baraniecka had told Sobiewski she wanted to end their relationship last October, a month before her death. She had already confided in friends she had concerns about his increased alcohol consumption. Police said Sobiewski, who had moved to the UK from the US in 2010 to live with Ms Baraniecka, was arrested at the scene. Her 25-year-old daughter found her covered in blood on her bed as Sobiewski sat in the kitchen. Paramedics confirmed she had been dead for several hours. Sentencing him, Judge John Wait said: "Having killed Barbara Baraniecka in the course of a sustained and brutal attack, you went out to the supermarket, bought cider and sat at home drinking it, leaving Barbara's daughter to find her mother's body and call the emergency services. "You took the life of someone who had many friends and who was the mother of two daughters." Speaking after Sobiewski's guilty plea on Monday, Det Insp Jim Munro said: "I very much hope that now this case is over, it will in some small way allow Barbara's daughters to start rebuilding their lives after the terrible events of November last year." "Cezary Sobiewski could not control his drinking or his jealousy and his actions have resulted in the death of a completely innocent woman."

Summary: A "jealous" man who stabbed his partner 13 times because he could not accept their relationship was over will serve a minimum of 20 years in prison.


The centre in Deptford, south-east London, provides training for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. It was founded by Baroness Lawrence in memory of her son who was killed in a racist attack by white youths in 1993. The Cambridges also visited XLP urban Christian charity in Gypsy Hill. Baroness Lawrence showed the royal couple the Harris Academy law workshop that aims to raise pupils' career ambitions through lectures and mentoring. She also showed them a digital journalism project called The Write Way that encourages young people to develop their literacy and IT skills. "It was a quite amazing visit," she said. "The duke and duchess spent a really good time talking to our young people and showed genuine interest in what they were doing." Stephen Lawrence was stabbed to death at the age of 18 by a group of white youths near a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London. He aspired to become an architect and the charity was set up by his mother in his memory in 1998, originally to provide support and bursaries to budding architects. Staff and volunteers at the centre wished the couple good luck with their new baby, which William said was due "any day now". Catherine is believed to be around eight months pregnant and is expected to give birth at the end of April. Before leaving the centre Stephen Lawrence's 10-year-old niece Mia presented the duchess with flowers and revealed that she liked to cook shepherd's pie, to which William replied: "I quite like shepherd's pie, I will have to pop round and try it." William and Catherine then visited Christ Church in Gypsy Hill, south London, to find out about the work of XLP. XLP describes itself as a Christian urban youth charity operating in seven London boroughs that helps young people from deprived inner city estates to realise their potential. Many of the people it seeks to help are coping with family breakdown, unemployment, gang life and educational failure. "For these young people to know that the royal couple is interested in their lives and wants to hear what they have to say is hugely significant, as well as inspiring for them," the charity said.

Summary: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the Stephen Lawrence Centre and a youth charity in south London - on Catherine's last day of official events before the birth of her second child.


Police have worked with a housing association to run the project on the Beechfarm Estate in Swinton. The government plans to ban the sale of so-called legal highs, which would include nitrous oxide - also known as "hippy crack" - for human use. Health experts warn the gas can have dangerous side effects if inhaled. The art project, to run during the summer holidays, will use the containers to create decorative tiles in Margaret's Garden, Kingsley Road. PC Iain Fletcher said: "We hope this arts project will help us educate the young people in Salford that the abuse of nitrous oxide is not as safe as they may think it is." Last year, seized cannabis plant pots recovered during a drugs raid were decorated and reused "to brighten up the estate", Salix Homes said. Lee Sugden, from the housing association, said: "We hope this arts project will make young people aware of the dangers and help us turn a negative into a positive by putting the remnants of drug abuse to good use."

Summary: Hundreds of discarded laughing gas cylinders in Salford are being turned into public art to "highlight the dangers" of young people inhaling it.


It will consider the deployment of police officers in undercover roles by police forces in England and Wales. It comes after controversy surrounding the conduct of undercover officers. Meanwhile, a separate review into the relationship between the Home Office and the SDS says a key file is missing. The inquiry announced on Thursday will also make recommendations about how undercover policing is conducted and will scrutinise the use of undercover officers by the now-defunct SDS and National Public Order Intelligence Unit. Among the allegations are that undercover officers took fake identities from dead children, had relationships with campaigners and fathered children. Mrs May said that the work of barrister Mark Ellison and Operation Herne - an investigation into undercover policing at the Metropolitan Police - has unearthed "serious historical failings" in undercover policing practices. Mr Ellison - who in 2012 successfully prosecuted Gary Dobson and David Norris for the murder of teenager Stephen Lawrence - has been examining police corruption during the original investigation into the killing in 1993. She added: "As I said last year, I was profoundly shocked by Mark Ellison's findings and committed to establishing a public inquiry to thoroughly investigate undercover policing and the operation of the SDS. "While I initially said that Mark Ellison's further work and criminal investigations needed to conclude before the inquiry commences, it has become apparent that these pieces of work were much larger than initially envisaged. "In the interest of learning the lessons of past failures, I have decided to establish the inquiry now while ensuring existing work is not affected. "Undercover policing is an essential tactic in the fight against crime but to improve the public's confidence in undercover work we must ensure there is no repeat of these failings in the future." This latest inquiry will be led by judge Lord Justice Pitchford. Mrs May had announced her intention to set up a judge-led public inquiry following the report of the independent Ellison Inquiry in March last year. That had found Scotland Yard spied on Stephen Lawrence's family. And Operation Herne found that the SDS had carried out undercover operations to gather information on 18 justice campaigns over 35 years. This included the campaign regarding Jean Charles de Menezes, shot by police after being mistaken for a terrorist in the days following the London Underground bombings in 2005. The SDS was set up in 1968 to infiltrate pressure groups and remained operational until 2008. It has been the focus of controversy over claims that some undercover officers had sexual relationships and fathered children with campaigners, to help build trust in their false identities. Chief Constable Mick Creedon of the Association of Chief Police Officers said: "Undercover policing is a vital police tactic has saved lives, protected victims and brought dangerous criminals to justice." He also said that the public inquiry would help make sure that the "unacceptable behaviour of some officers in the past never happens again". "Changes have already been made to the authorisation and management of these operations. "New training and guidance for undercover officers guidance developed with

Summary: An inquiry into undercover policing and the operation of the Metropolitan Police's Special Demonstration Squad is being established by Home Secretary Theresa May.


The four-match contest should have begun in Brisbane on Thursday, but that Test will now start on 17 December. The traditional Melbourne Boxing Day Test is unchanged, but the Sydney Test is put back three days to 6 January. The changes have been made because of welfare concerns for Australia's players grieving for Hughes, 25, whose funeral will take place on Wednesday. The left-handed Australia opener died on Thursday after being struck on the neck by a ball during a domestic Sheffield Shield match. The funeral service will take place in the sports hall of Macksville High School, which Hughes attended, and will be broadcast live in Australia and on big screens at the Sydney Cricket Ground and Adelaide Oval. "Nobody should underestimate just what these players are going through right now," said Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland. "These are difficult days and we need to support them in dealing with their grief. It's very clear that playing a Test right now is just too soon and we are reacting accordingly. "While this wasn't done by design, it is somewhat fitting that the first Test will take place in Adelaide at Phillip's adopted home ground where we hope the match can be a seen as a celebration of his life." The India squad, currently in Adelaide, were supposed to fly to Brisbane on Monday but missed their flight. Their two-day warm-up match against a Cricket Australia XI in Adelaide, scheduled for Friday and Saturday last week, was cancelled. It has been reported that the Indians may now play a tour game in Adelaide on Thursday and Friday. After the Test series with India, Australia then face the tourists in a triangular one-day international series that also involves England. Two of those games have already been switched. Australia and England will now open the series in Sydney on 16 January, with the Aussies taking on India in Melbourne two days later.

Summary: Australia's Test series with India will now begin in Adelaide on 9 December following the death of Phillip Hughes.


Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said the deaths of Abdul Rahman Mustafa al-Qaduli and other members of the group's "cabinet" would hamper its operations. He gave no details about how Qaduli, an Iraqi also known as Hajji Iman, died. However, NBC News earlier reported he was killed during a raid by US special forces in Syria on Thursday morning. Defence officials said the troops landed in helicopters and lay in wait as Qaduli drove past them in a car. There was an attempt to capture Qaduli alive, but the situation escalated and the militant and three other people in the vehicle were killed, the officials added. The US authorities had offered a reward of $7m (Â£5m) for Qaduli. Using an acronym for IS based on its former name, Mr Carter told a news conference in Washington on Friday: "We are systematically eliminating Isil's cabinet." He described Qaduli as a "senior leader", who served as a finance minister and who was also responsible for "external affairs and plots". The ethnic Turkmen was born in 1957 or 1959 in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, which has been controlled by IS since 2014, according to the US. He joined al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) - a precursor of IS - in 2004 under the leadership of the late Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, serving as his deputy and the leader in Mosul. After his release from an Iraqi prison in early 2012, he joined IS forces in Syria. Last year, some sources identified Qaduli as the second-in-command of IS, known as "Abu Alaa al-Afari", who was said to have taken temporary charge of IS after its overall leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was allegedly injured in an air strike. "The removal of this Isil leader will hamper the organisation's ability to conduct operations both inside and outside of Iraq and Syria," Mr Carter said. "This is the second senior Isil leader we have targeted this month, after confirming the death of Isil's so-called 'minister of war' a short time ago." Tarkhan Batirashvili, a Georgian known as Omar Shishani, died of the injuries he sustained in a US air strike in north-eastern Syria on 4 March, US officials said last week. However, the IS-linked Amaq news agency subsequently cited an unidentified source as denying Shishani was dead. Mr Carter said the US military had killed other senior IS figures in recent days. They included a man known as Abu Sara, who was tasked with paying fighters in northern Iraq, and "a number of Isil associates who were directly involved in external plotting and training", the defence secretary added. But he cautioned: "As you know, leaders can be replaced. These leaders have been around for a long time - they are senior and experienced, and eliminating them is an important objective and result. They will be replaced and we will continue to go after their leadership."

Summary: The US has announced that it has killed a number of leading Islamic State (IS) militants in the past week, including the purported second-in-command.


David Cameron told the Conservative leader of Oxfordshire County Council, Ian Hudspeth, that potential reductions in services were unwelcome. He suggested cuts in back office functions instead and offered to set up a meeting with the No 10 policy unit. Labour has asked the Cabinet Secretary if that broke the ministerial code. The PM wrote to Oxfordshire council leader Ian Hudspeth last month saying he was "disappointed" at proposed "cuts to frontline services, from elderly day centres, to libraries, to museums". The council should "move cautiously in setting out its budget plans", he says. In a letter of response Mr Hudspeth reminds Mr Cameron he "worked hard to assist you in achieving a Conservative majority". Mr Cameron is the MP for Witney in Oxfordshire, an area covered by Oxfordshire County Council. Labour has written to Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood suggesting the prime minister's letter may have breached the ministerial code, because Mr Hudspeth was invited to meet the No 10 policy unit regarding budget cuts. Shadow minister without portfolio Jon Ashworth said the code requires ministers to "keep separate their roles" in government and as constituency members. He said the leader of Mr Cameron's constituency county council "should not be given preferential treatment", and asked whether similar offers have been made to all the leaders of other councils. Mr Ashworth told BBC Radio 4's Today: "I doubt he is inviting the leader of Leicester City Council, where I am an MP, or the leader of Manchester City Council into the No 10 policy unit to discuss ways to deal with the cuts. "It feels like a breach and I hope the Cabinet Secretary will look into it." In his letter, the prime minister attempts to reassure his local colleague, pointing out that the money councils get from central government will not be confirmed until after the Spending Review later this month. In his lengthy letter of response, Mr Hudspeth disagrees with a series of claims made in the prime minister's letter - including a suggestion that Oxfordshire County Council was failing to make back office savings and had actually seen an increase in its budget. The county council leader points out that the authority employs almost 3,000 fewer people than it did in 2010. He adds that the council's grants from government have fallen from £194m a year in 2009/10 to £122m this year. "I cannot accept your description of a drop in funding of £72m... as a 'slight fall'" he writes. Mr Hudspeth points out that in addition to the spending cuts the council has had to deal with, the demands upon it have been growing, given the "heightened awareness and concern around vulnerable children" since the Baby P case in Haringey in north London, and "the growth in the elderly population - who generate the largest demand for expensive social care placements and support". Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet agreed earlier this week to cut £3.7m in subsidies to bus companies in the county. The subsidies currently help ensure "low use routes" remain viable. Such routes are often in rural

Summary: Labour has accused David Cameron of being hypocritical by writing to his local council in Oxfordshire to complain about proposed cuts.


Maureen Bannister, from Leuchars, had not been seen since about 14:00 on Sunday. It is thought she had been walking her dog in the area of Tentsmuir Forest in north-east Fife. On Monday evening, a body was found on Tentsmuir Beach by a member of the public. Police have said Ms Bannister's death is being treated as "unexplained". Sgt Gary Combe said: "Our sincere condolences go to Maureen's family and friends at this very sad time. "We're working to establish the full circumstances surrounding Maureen's death and are asking anyone who may have seen her since Sunday afternoon to get in touch." Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.

Summary: Police have confirmed that a body found on a Fife beach was that of a missing 43-year-old woman.


The 22-year-old will have an operation in two weeks, which is expected to sideline him for nine months. Brentford have not disclosed the full details of the injury, which was sustained during their victory against QPR on Friday. Macleod was stretchered off in the 87th minute of Brentford's 2-0 win at Loftus Road, having come on as a substitute. The former Scotland Under-21 international was previously ruled out for a year because of various injuries after he joined the Championship club from Rangers in January 2015.

Summary: Brentford midfielder Lewis Macleod will require reconstructive knee surgery and has been ruled out for the season.


McGuigan was previously owner but sold his shares to Lemos in September. Since then, there have been financial issues including wages being paid late and the club are also operating under a transfer embargo. Co-chairman Ali Abdulrahman Al Hashemi and director Nigel Adams have left because of the current situation. In an interview with BBC Radio Lancashire, McGuigan also revealed that: "The board are aware of it all now and are absolutely staggered about what has happened," said McGuigan. "That is a private matter we can't go public on - what we can go public on is he hasn't put a penny into the club. "There is no hope, in my opinion, of any money coming in and we've got to manage it ourselves." Asked if he looked in the mirror about what he has done, McGuigan responded: "Yes, probably about 30 times a day. When it comes out as to what happened, nobody could've done it any differently - let me reassure you of that." BBC Radio Lancashire have made numerous attempts to contact Lemos since early November, but have not received a response.

Summary: Morecambe are "staggered" by the actions of Brazilian businessman Diego Lemos since he took over the League Two club, says chairman Peter McGuigan.


Last week, it emerged almost one million drink-driving tests recorded by police did not actually take place. An Garda Síochána (Irish police) also admitted an error that caused almost 15,000 wrongful traffic convictions. Ms O'Sullivan was appearing before an Irish parliamentary justice committee. She said gardaí have still not established the reasons why almost one million false breath tests were recorded. Ms O'Sullivan said she apologised "for the grave mistakes and wrongdoing during the last decade that have led to the two controversies we are here today to discuss". "Those mistakes and wrongdoings are unacceptable in policing terms, unacceptable in ethical terms, unacceptable in terms of public trust, and, most critically, unacceptable to the advocacy and support groups involved in road safety and to those who were wrongly brought to court," she added. "They have raised serious issues about how we managed the service, how certain gardaí operated on the ground and their supervision. "Given the scale of these issues, they can't simply be blamed on one individual or one area. It is a collective failure. From top down to bottom up." Some deputies at the committee wanted to know if bonuses and performance targets were a factor in the exaggeration of the figures. Ms O'Sullivan said some divisional officers' performance targets which led to bonuses were connected to reductions in road deaths. She said that a hypothesis may be that the recording of data on the mandatory alcohol checkpoints, which she said were preventative measures, was not seen as important in the detection of offences. Ms O'Sullivan said all senior managers have committed to delivering on a reform programme. Meanwhile, the officer in charge of roads policing, Assistant Commissioner Michael Finn, emphasised that there was no competition between garda regions to see who had the highest figures. He said he was satisfied with the accuracy of the data on checkpoints. He also said it was an error on his part that the Irish Minister for Justice was not informed. On Thursday evening, gardaí clarified that the last claim for a bonus payment for senior officers was made for activities in the year 2007. They said the scheme was ended by the Department of Finance in 2009. Gardaí say they do not believe senior officers were paid for breath tests and are clarifying the situation regarding checkpoints. Gardaí said that no bonus payment was made to current members of the garda executive. At the weekend, Ms O'Sullivan said revelations over penalty points and breath test discrepancies are "unacceptable". She said on Saturday that the police service was on a journey of radical reform and "it is inevitable that we will identify more examples of bad practice". On Tuesday, the government announced it was planning two separate investigations. Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Enda Kenny announced an independent review of the overall operation of the force. A second investigation will probe the wrongful convictions of almost 15,000 motorists, and apparent false data on breath tests. Mr Kenny also said on Tuesday that the government continues to have confidence in Commissioner O'Sullivan. She was already

Summary: Irish police commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan has acknowledged gardaí (police) may have acted dishonestly by inputting false breath test figures into the force's computer system


The 22-year-old Angola international has agreed a five-year deal with the Championship club. Vetokele, who represented Belgium at youth level, moved to Denmark in 2012 after spells with Belgian sides Gent and Cercle Brugge. He scored 13 goals in 29 appearances in the Danish Superliga last season and featured twice in the Champions League. Vetokele, who has won two caps for Angola, becomes Charlton's second signing of the summer. Recently appointed Addicks head coach Bob Peeters brought in midfielder Yoni Buyens on loan from Standard Liege at the weekend.

Summary: Charlton Athletic have completed the signing of FC Copenhagen striker Igor Vetokele for an undisclosed fee.


The contract - reportedly worth $10bn (Â£6bn) - was agreed on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in the Swiss ski resort of Davos. Ukraine is believed to have some of the largest shale gas reserves in Europe. New technology means they are more easily recoverable, but opponents warn of a high risk of pollution. The deal between Ukraine's state company Nadra Yuzivska and Shell was signed by the energy giant's CEO Peter Voser and Ukrainian Energy Minister Eduard Stavytsky on Thursday. "We have witnessed a great event today. I believe we have become almost relatives," said Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, who was present at the ceremony. The 50-year production sharing deal is believed to be the biggest contract in Europe to extract natural gas trapped underground in shale rock. However, experts say that production in Ukraine is several years away and much will depend on results from test wells. Kiev is hoping that the deal would help it escape dependence on Russian natural gas. Ukraine "might even go into surplus," Mr Stavytsky said. Kiev's gas imports from Russia have long been a thorny issue. In 2006 and 2009, rows over the gas price led to Russia halting gas supplies to Ukraine during a bitter winter, causing temporary gas shortages in a number of EU countries.

Summary: Ukraine has signed a major shale gas deal with Royal Dutch Shell - a move seen as an attempt by Kiev to reduce its dependency on Russian gas imports.


Christopher O'Neill, 25, was first charged with causing grievous bodily harm to Cárágh Walsh in February 2014. However, within hours of Mr O'Neill appearing in court, Cárágh died. Mr O'Neill, from Whiterock Road, was then charged with manslaughter, but in July, a senior prosecutor ordered a new post mortem report. A preliminary enquiry committing Mr O'Neill to the Crown Court to stand trial for his daughter's murder, has been adjourned because of a defence application. A defence solicitor said he had only received "voluminous papers" in the last few days, including what he described as "quite complex" medical evidence and asked the deputy district judge to adjourn the case for two weeks. A prosecuting lawyer said she had no objection and releasing Mr O'Neill on continuing bail, the judge told him to come back on 11 September.

Summary: A Belfast man has been charged with murdering his three-month-old daughter on 7 February 2014.


The 25-year-old England international has played just twice since he picked up the injury in the 2-1 loss to Manchester United on 22 March. "Just want to let the world know I've had a successful operation on my hip and I want to thank God for allowing that to be possible," Sturridge said. "Onwards and upwards from here. Thanks for the support." Sturridge scored 24 goals from 33 appearances last season but has been blighted by injuries this term, appearing in only 18 matches. It is the second time this season he has travelled to the States in an attempt to rectify his fitness problems. Towards the end of a five-month absence with a thigh problem sustained on international duty in early September - which was then followed by a calf strain - he spent 10 days in Los Angeles as part of his rehabilitation. The striker has not featured since playing 85 minutes of the FA Cup quarter-final replay at Blackburn on 8 April. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers last week said the club's medical team believed they had made a breakthrough in the diagnosis of Sturridge's injuries, which the player has previously suggested may be hereditary. "I think we have found some underlying issues that maybe relate to Daniel's problems this season and the ongoing ones he's had," Rodgers said.

Summary: Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has had "successful" surgery on a hip injury in the United States.


The 22-year-old made two senior appearances while at Craven Cottage and had loan spells at Shrewsbury and Portsmouth. After leaving Fulham, he spent the 2015-16 season at Dagenham & Redbridge, playing 38 times in League Two. Last season, Passley made 13 appearances in National League South for Whitehawk. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Summary: National League side Dover Athletic have signed former Fulham defender Josh Passley on a one-year deal.


Retired Ch Supt Donald Denton told the new inquests he could see "no reason" why some accounts were changed. However he denied there was a deliberate attempt to withhold officers' accounts from the original public inquiry in 1989-90. Ninety-six Liverpool fans died due to a crush at the match on 15 April 1989. More than 600 police statements were internally reviewed by South Yorkshire Police (SYP), of which about 60 were amended between May 1989 and May 1990, the court heard. The jury was shown how statements which contained comment on police leadership, lack of manpower and poor communications were altered. Mr Denton, who had overall responsibility for the vetting of statements, told the inquests that removing criticism of senior officers was justified because it was "very largely opinion", whereas criticism of fans was seen as "fact". In one statement, a sergeant at Hillsborough recalled that, in previous years, a group of police officers was stationed at a tunnel into the central pens at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium. This part of his statement was crossed out and did not appear in later versions. Mr Denton, who has now retired from SYP, said: "I can't see any reason why this should have been taken out at all. That should have been left in." He agreed it was "not satisfactory" that a reference to police radio problems, a year before the disaster, was also removed from another officer's statement. "Because of the difficulties that were being experienced with the communications system there on the day [in 1989], I would have thought that should remain in," he added. Mr Denton told the jury that SYP's legal advisors suggested the removal of comment, opinion and hearsay from officers' statements, even though it was allowed in the original Taylor public inquiry between 1989 and 1990. But he admitted he was wrong to tell a previous inquiry all statement changes were suggested by lawyers and none by police. Pete Weatherby QC, a barrister for 22 bereaved families, put it to him that key evidence about a police tactic to close the tunnel to the Leppings Lane terrace, once the central pens were full, was removed from officers' statements. He said there was a "train of evidence for this critical matter that is not provided to the Taylor inquiry by South Yorkshire Police". Mr Denton replied: "I don't accept the construction you're putting on it, sir. It may obviously have been an error somewhere along the line but there was definitely nothing deliberate in withholding statements." The inquests in Warrington, Cheshire, continue. BBC News: Profiles of all those who died

Summary: A former police chief who oversaw the vetting of officers' statements after the Hillsborough disaster has admitted some facts were removed.


The undefeated Manchester fighter, 26, was awarded a 117-110, 115-112, 117-110 verdict over his Liverpool opponent. Flanagan was docked a point in the eighth round by referee Phil Edwards for using his forearm, after receiving repeated warnings for pushing. But it made no difference at the Liverpool Echo Arena as 32-year-old Mathews slipped to a 10th defeat. Flanagan has now won all 30 of his professional fights. His promoter, Frank Warren, says "the obvious next fight" for him is against fellow Mancunian and holder of the WBA lightweight world title Anthony Crolla. "We've made him a big offer," said Warren on Box Nation. "Let the two of them fight. There's no problem from our end. It's a fight that could be made. "Other than that I like the Linares fight," he added, referring to Venezuelan three-weight champion Jorge Linares, who currently holds the WBC version of the world lightweight title. Crolla is scheduled to defend his WBA lightweight title against Ismael Barroso at the Manchester Arena on 7 May.

Summary: Terry Flanagan retained his WBO world lightweight title with a unanimous points decision over Derry Mathews.


This comes after the country's highest court ruled earlier this year that Mr Zuma repay some of the $23m of public funds spent on his house in 2009. The upgrades included an amphitheatre, pool, chicken run and cattle enclosure. Mr Zuma must now repay the money - about 3% of the total spent - within 45 days. An anti-corruption body, known as the public protector, ruled in 2014 that Mr Zuma had "unduly benefited" from the non-security renovations to his rural home in Nkandla in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province. In March, the Constitutional Court then ruled that he had violated the constitution when he failed to repay some of the money. It gave the treasury two months to come up with a figure for Mr Zuma to repay. The treasury says it hired two independent quantity surveyors to conduct separate investigations to come up with the figure. The main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), one of the parties which brought the case, welcomed the treasury's report but said it had hoped the figure would be higher. "This sends out a clear message to those involved in corruption, especially those in the ANC, that you will be held accountable for your actions, even if you are the president," the AFP news agency quotes DA spokesman Mabine Seabe as saying. What has been a long and drawn out fight between President Zuma and opposition parties seems to be coming to an end, reports the BBC's Pumza Fihlani in Johannesburg. The Nkandla scandal has been a hotly debated subject in parliament for almost three years and has damaged the president's reputation, she says. In April, President Zuma apologised for the controversy and said he would abide by the Constitutional Court's ruling. A few days later he survived an impeachment vote in parliament, showing his opponents that he is a true political survivor, our correspondent says. What Mr Zuma's money will go towards How Zuma's Nkandla home has grown Profile: Jacob Zuma

Summary: South Africa's treasury has recommended President Jacob Zuma pay back $509,000 (Â£385,000) to the government for upgrades made to his private home.


The Tory manifesto says elderly people requiring care in their own homes would have to meet the cost - but would be allowed to keep £100,000. Mrs May says the changes will secure the social care system and ensure fairness "across the generations". But a Tory think tank says it could be the "biggest stealth tax in history". John Stanley, of the Bow Group, told BBC News: "The impact on the core vote will be awful - what I call the 'Tory Shire'. "Those shire Tories who work hard, play the game, live life by the rules. They're going to wake up Monday around the family copy of the Daily Mail asking themselves what on earth has just happened." Under the Conservative plans, set out in its general election manifesto, nobody who has assets of less than £100,000 will have to pay for care, which can include everything from help with daily tasks, such as washing and dressing, through to round-the-clock support. Currently anyone with assets of over £23,250 is expected to pay the full cost of their care. If you are in a care home or nursing home, the value of your house can be taken into account. But that is not the case if you receive care in your own home. Under the Tory plans the value of your home may be factored in, although the money will not be taken from your estate until after death. This means some people could face losing their home after they die and will not be able to pass it down to their children. Mrs May has said the policy is fair because it protects elderly people from the fear that they will lose everything to pay for care. But some Conservative activists say the policy has not been properly thought through and is causing anxiety among elderly voters. A Conservative candidate, who did not want to be named, told the BBC they had asked party bosses to explain how homes will be valued, when savings are taken into account, and what happens to people who live in shared accommodation. There are also concerns that it will have an unfair impact on people living in the North and Midlands, where property prices are lower - and that some people may find they can't go afford to return home after hospital treatment. Conservative candidate Sarah Wollaston told BBC News: "If you are somebody who has quite a large asset in your home but you might be living on a very fixed low income - that might make it very difficult for you to go home if you couldn't afford special care. "I think it's very important that there is a period of grace to help them safely get home from hospital." Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has accused the Conservatives of "forcing those who need social care to pay for it with their homes," labelling the policy a "dementia tax". Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb said "elderly people the length of Britain will shudder at these care cost proposals". Get news from the BBC

Summary: Tory plans to shake-up the funding of social care in England are likely to go down badly with the party's core voters, Theresa May has been warned.


The low-budget Ouija, starring Bates Motel actress Olivia Cooke, made $20m (Â£12.4m) between Friday and Sunday, according to studio estimates. That put it ahead of John Wick, Keanu Reeves' latest thriller, which made $14.2m (Â£8.8m) over the same period. Last week's top film, Brad Pitt's World War II tank drama Fury, fell to three. Made for just $5m (Â£3.1m), Ouija's success is testament to US moviegoers' appetite for modestly-budgeted supernatural fare without big-name stars. Blumhouse Productions, the company behind the film, has enjoyed similar success with the Insidious, Purge and Paranormal Activity series. Meanwhile, John Wick, in which Reeves plays a retired assassin out for revenge, exceeded industry expectations with its second place opening. This week's top five was rounded out by David Fincher's Gone Girl and animated title The Book of Life. Next week's chart is likely to be dominated by Interstellar, the latest sci-fi epic from British director Christopher Nolan. Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway star in this tale of deep space exploration, which has its UK premiere in London on Wednesday.

Summary: A horror film about young people who use a Ouija board to contact the spirit world has topped the North American box office in the run-up to Halloween.


The two areas, which are currently car parks on Lord Street and Parade Street, occupy more than three acres. Subject to planning, it is hoped the development will include leisure facilities, a hotel, shops and offices. Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne said potential designs need to "set the standard for future development". He added: "This is an opportunity to develop a prime area in Douglas fronting the inner harbour and marina and close to the main shopping streets."

Summary: The Manx government has invited developers to come forward with ideas to transform prominent quayside sites in Douglas.


Alesha Racine wrote to Lord Carey in 1992 after discovering her abuser had returned to the church where she had been sexually assaulted. On Monday Lord Carey announced his resignation as an honorary bishop. A review by Dame Moira Gibb found he had failed to pass on information about abuse carried out by Bishop Peter Ball. Ms Racine's abuser, Michael Walsh, was convicted of five indecent assault charges and confessed to sexual relationships with a further eight children. He was sent to prison in 1990. He had been a teacher, a lay vicar at Chichester Cathedral and also ran a choir at a church in Chichester. After his release in 1992, Walsh returned to the same church to be part of the choir. Concerned for the safety of other girls, in July of that year Ms Racine wrote to the then Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, requesting his help. Speaking after Lord Carey's resignation, Ms Racine, 54, said: "I was very concerned that my abuser had just come out of prison and it appeared that he'd just gone straight back into the parish church where he'd originally worked, and was again in a position of authority in the choir there where young children - specifically girls - sang. "I was really worried that these girls were at a huge risk. I felt it was inevitable that children would be abused." Three months after writing her letter she was told Lord Carey had been unable to consider her concerns because he was "committed to a series of visits overseas, together with his summer break". She was informed one month later that the "Archbishop had been assured that there was no question of Michael Walsh being reinstated in the choir," but nine months after raising her concerns she received a letter from the Archbishop's chief of staff confirming her abuser was back in the choir. Lambeth Palace wrote to Ms Racine saying the parish authorities had taken "great care" in coming to their decision to allow Walsh's return to his position "weighing carefully the risk of re-offending against... the Christian duty of forgiveness". The letters revealed Lord Carey regretted the decision which allowed Alesha's abuser back into churches and offered her his sympathies. Ms Racine said: "I thought his response was deeply hurtful, in that it had taken me a lot of courage to write to him at all. "Most of what he said was in defence of the Church and the people in it, rather than try to reach out to me as a victim. "I do feel it was a complete failure on his part." A spokesman for the former Archbishop of Canterbury said the correspondence with Ms Racine had been conducted on Lord Carey's behalf by his chief of staff. He said: "Lord Carey has absolutely no memory of this chain of correspondence or these events. He cannot therefore comment."

Summary: A woman who was sexually abused by a lay vicar in Sussex says she was "completely failed" by the former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey.


James Brindley, 26, died on Aldridge High Street in the West Midlands on 23 June after an evening out with friends. Aaron Kahrod, 20, from Walsall Road, Aldridge, and a 17-year-old boy appeared at Birmingham Magistrates' Court. The pair were remanded in custody to appear at the city's crown court on Monday. Read more news from Birmingham and the Black Country

Summary: A man and a teenager have appeared in court charged with murder after a man was stabbed to death.


More than an hour after the official announcement, details of her death still came as a surprise to passers by. Opinions of the 'Iron Lady', however, were more quickly made obvious among those present. "I think Thatcher was like Marmite, you either loved her or hated her," William Henly, 44, ventured. "Personally, I think she was the right person at the right time." His blunt observation offered an accurate reflection of South Yorkshire's view of Baroness Thatcher. During her 11 years in power Sheffield and South Yorkshire were at the centre of some of the biggest news stories, from the Miners' Strike of 1984 to the Hillsborough disaster five years later. Over the course of 60 minutes people in Sheaf Square praised her as both an "excellent" Prime Minister and branded her as "bad news" for the area and for Britain. Pensioner John Bache, 70, said: "For me, I think she did a great job. "I think she did a lot of things that needed putting right after the unions became too powerful. "She changed very quickly from being the Iron Lady to being a very fragile, old lady. "I've got great respect for her. She was a leader for feminism and I'm very sorry to see her go." By James VincentBBC Sheffield political reporter In a statement from David Blunkett are the words "a ground-breaking politician" and "I cannot forgive her". An unemotional assessment of her abilities combined with an extremely emotive feeling about her effect on South Yorkshire. Ironic that it was just last weekend that Maltby pit closed and left Hatfield to be the final deep coal mine in Yorkshire. Once a huge industry, like steelworking, changed forever by government policy. Places too changed forever. Many of the pit villages in South Yorkshire are exactly that; only built to house workers for the local mine. I have been to Rossington and Orgreave in the last 24 hours, two key scenes during the year-long miners' strike. While one man told me it was "fantastic news" that Baroness Thatcher had died, one woman said "she did a good job" in allowing her to buy her own council house. While the tributes come in, there are people in places like South Yorkshire who will never forget what happened here during Margaret Thatcher's period in power. Those same people will also tell you most communities have never recovered. Marion Field, 51, added: "I thought she was an excellent Prime Minister, one of the best, a very brave lady, the decisions she made were very brave. "I think she put the country back on its feet. She had a lot of tough times but she was a courageous woman." At the opposite end of the spectrum, Maureen Barry, 59, said: "I think she was very bad news. "Bad news for Sheffield and bad news for the country in general - in particular her inhumane behaviour during the miners' strike. "She made terrible cuts to the arts and privatisation, policies which have failed us all in my view." A 52-year-old former colliery under-manager, who asked

Summary: Outside Sheffield railway station the news that former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher had died was slow to spread.


Court, 74, has said she would not fly on Qantas "where possible" in protest at its support of same-sex marriage. She then told a Christian radio station "tennis is full of lesbians". In an open letter, Navratilova said: "We should not be celebrating this kind of behaviour." The 60-year-old addressed her letter to the Margaret Court Arena, one of the main show courts at the Australian Open. She said: "It is now clear exactly who Court is: an amazing tennis player, and a racist and a homophobe. "Her vitriol is not just an opinion. She is actively trying to keep LGBT people from getting equal rights (note to Court: we are human beings, too)." In 1990, Court said Navratilova was a poor role model for young tennis players because of her homosexuality. Navratilova said she had forgiven Court for those comments, but had only just been made aware of remarks the Australian made about South Africa's apartheid regime. In 1970, Court said: "South Africa has the racial situation rather better organised than anyone else, certainly much better than the United States." Court won 24 Grand Slam singles titles, 11 of them in the Open era, which began in 1968 and allowed professionals to compete alongside amateurs. Navratilova described Court's actions as "bullying" and said sporting venues are named after athletes for "who they are as human beings" and "not just for what this person did on the field". "The platform people like Margaret Court use needs to be made smaller, not bigger," she said. Navratilova believes the Margaret Court Arena should be renamed after Evonne Goolagong, a 14-time Grand Slam winner of Australian Aboriginal descent. "I think the Evonne Goolagong Arena has a great ring to it," she added. "Now there is a person we can all celebrate. On every level." BBC Sport tennis correspondent Russell Fuller: Freedom of speech is one thing, but Margaret Court has caused widespread offence within tennis with these most recent remarks. Tennis Australia has so far tried to separate Court's views from her achievements as a player to argue the name of the arena does not need to change. But they will find it very hard to withstand such pressure from figures like Martina Navratilova. And the current generation of players have much influence, too. Andy Murray, who is a member of the ATP Player Council, says it would be difficult for players to boycott a particular court during a Grand Slam. But he points out they could collectively agree a position before the tournament, which would make life very difficult indeed for Tennis Australia.

Summary: Eighteen-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova has renewed her call for the Margaret Court Arena to be renamed - describing the Australian as a "racist and a homophobe".


Richard Brady, 33, accused Alistair Balfour, 68, of tampering with his car in a row in the Montgomerie Arms pub, in East Kilbride, on 8 June last year. He hit Mr Balfour with a single punch, causing him to fall backwards and hit his head on the floor. Mr Balfour died after suffering two skull fractures. Brady admitted a charge of culpable homicide. Sentence was deferred. The High Court in Glasgow heard that Mr Balfour was married for 47 years and had an extra-marital affair with Brady's mother which ended in bad terms on Christmas Day 2012. As a result of this, Brady and Mr Balfour fell out. They reported each other to the police for vandalism and breach of the peace, but no action was taken because of insufficient evidence. The court heard that Brady, who is from East Kilbride, entered the pub and accused Mr Balfour of putting sugar in the tank of his car. He became aggressive and asked if they would take the matter outside. As Mr Balfour put his hands in his pockets, Brady hit him with a single punch. He fell backwards and lay motionless on the floor. The court heard that Mr Balfour suffered two fractures to his skull, bruising to his mouth and two black eyes. The cause of death was a head injury. Judge Lord Turnbull deferred sentence on Brady until next month.

Summary: A man has admitted killing a pensioner who had been involved in a three-year affair with his mother.


While global warming seems to have set the polar north on a path to floe-free summers, the latest data from Europe's Cryosat mission suggests it may take a while yet to reach those conditions. The spacecraft observed 7,500 cu km of ice cover in October when the Arctic traditionally starts its post-summer freeze-up. This was only slightly down on 2013 when 8,800 cu km were recorded. Two cool summers in a row have now allowed the pack to increase and then hold on to a good deal of its volume. And while the ice is still much reduced compared with the 20,000 cu km that used to stick around in the Octobers of the early 1980s, there is no evidence to indicate a collapse is imminent. "What we see is the volume going down and down, but then, because of a relatively cool summer, coming back up to form a new high stand," said Rachel Tilling from the UK's Nerc Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling (CPOM) at University College London (UCL). "So, what may be occurring here is a decline that looks a bit like a sawtooth, where we can lose volume but then recover some of it if there happens to be a shorter melt season one year," she told BBC News. The British researcher is presenting her work this week at the American Geophysical Union's Fall Meeting in San Francisco. Cryosat is the European Space Agency's (Esa) dedicated polar monitoring platform. It was sent up with a sophisticated radar system that enables scientists to work out the thickness of the sea ice covering the Arctic Ocean. In the three years following its launch in 2010, the satellite saw a steady decline in autumn volume at the end of the summer melt. The deep lows in this short series were 5,300 and 5,400 cubic km in 2011 and 2012, respectively. But then came the bounce back, with colder weather over the following two years resetting the minimum. Indeed, Cryosat's five-year October average now shows pretty stable volume - even modest growth (2014 is 12% above the five year-average). Cryosat's view of sea-ice thickness What Tilling and colleagues see in the data is a very strong link between autumn thickness and the degree of melting in a year. "You might think, for example, that wind conditions would be important because they can pile the ice up and make it less susceptible to melting, while at the same time exposing more water to freeze," the University College London researcher explained. "But we've looked at this and other factors, and by far the highest correlation is with temperature-driven melting." Long term that looks bad for the Arctic because average temperatures are climbing. However, the Cryosat team cautions against extrapolating limited observations to predict future trends in Arctic sea ice. Far more data is required, over a much longer period of time. Cryosat: Delivering operational services Scientists would like this information to be acquired by Cryosat. But the Esa mission is currently categorised as a one-off scientific venture with no planned successor. And although

Summary: Arctic sea ice may be more resilient than many observers recognise.


The 56-year-old Spaniard was appointed in March following Steve McClaren's sacking but failed to keep the Magpies in the top flight. He had a break clause in his contract if Newcastle were relegated and was widely expected to leave the club. "The love I could feel from the fans was a big influence for me," he said. Former Liverpool, Chelsea, and Real Madrid boss Benitez will have control over "all football-related matters" at the club, Newcastle said. Benitez's decision also hinged on the amount of funds he has to strengthen the squad following their demotion to the Championship. "This is a huge club and I wanted to be part of the great future I can see for Newcastle United," added Benitez. "The main thing for me is that I have assurances that we will have a strong team - a winning team." Benitez, who was sacked by Real in January and has also managed Valencia, Inter Milan and Napoli, took over with Newcastle one point adrift of safety. Despite losing only three of his 10 matches in charge, the Magpies were relegated with one game of the season remaining. Home supporters used their final match - a 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham - to try to convince Benitez to stay at St James' Park, singing and chanting his name throughout the home game. Newcastle managing director Lee Charnley described Benitez as "phenomenal" and "world-class", saying he had "captured the hearts and minds" of fans and the club as a whole. "I believe with Rafa as manager it gives us the best possible chance of returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking and delivering success for this football club beyond that," added Charnley. "It is clear that Rafa has connected deeply with the club's supporters and we do not underestimate the role they have played in his decision to stay." Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer said he was "delighted", but a "little bit surprised", telling BBC Radio 5 live: "For Newcastle to attract of a manager of his calibre is a coup." BBC Sport pundit Mark Lawrenson, a former Newcastle coach, said: "He's a control freak in the nicest possible way. I would imagine he's probably got millions to buy players plus what he generates in sales. He is ruthless. "He managed at a lower level in Spain, that's where he learned the art of management. He'll get them organised defensively straight away, which you have to do in the Championship. "Newcastle, Liverpool, Valencia - all teams with a massive base of support and very loyal to their managers if they think they are any good. I can really understand why he's staying."

Summary: Rafael Benitez is staying as Newcastle United manager after signing a new three-year contract following their relegation from the Premier League.


Scientists at University College London discovered people tend to think that their hands are wider and their fingers are shorter than they truly are. They say the confusion may lie in the way the brain receives information from different parts of the body. Distorted perception may dominate in some people, leading to body image problems, a US journal reports. Lead researcher Dr Matthew Longo said: "These findings may well be relevant to psychiatric conditions involving body image such as anorexia nervosa, as there may be a general bias towards perceiving the body to be wider than it is. "Our results show dramatic distortions of hand shape, which were highly consistent across participants." In the study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Dr Longo's team asked 18 volunteers to take part in an experiment. The volunteers were asked to put their left hands palm down under a board and judge the location of the covered hand's knuckles and fingertips with a pointer. This revealed striking distortions - the volunteers tended to misjudge their hands as wider and their fingers as shorter than they actually were. The researchers say the distortions are subconscious and involve the ability known as position sense that the brain uses to know where all parts of the body are in space even when the eyes are closed. Dr Longo said: "Of course we know what our hand really looks like, and our participants were very accurate picking out a photo of their own hand from a set of photos with various distortions of hand shape. "So there is clearly a conscious visual image of the body as well. But that visual image seems not to be used for position sense." Susan Ringwood, chief executive of the eating disorders charity Beat, said: "We know that one of the features of anorexia nervosa can be distorted body image. "People affected can truly believe that they are grossly fat, even when they are dangerously underweight. "They are able to judge other people's bodies quite accurately and would describe someone else the same size as themselves correctly, but still not be able to do that about their own weight and shape. "This brain study may give some insight into how this could be possible, and could be very motivating for people with eating disorders to know that there was a biological explanation for their experiences, rather than feeling it was their fault."

Summary: The brain naturally distorts body image - a finding which could explain eating disorders like anorexia, say experts.


The S&P 500 index, which ended Friday at a new high, fell 8.8 points or 0.41% to 2,108.92. The tech-heavy Nasdaq, which also set a new record last week, lost ground as well. It decreased 31.84 points or 0.63% to hit 5,060.25. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones dropped 42.17 points or 0.23%, closing at 18,080.14. Shares in drugs firms slid after Mylan rejected Teva Pharmaceutical's $40.1bn hostile takeover bid, saying the Israeli firm undervalued the company. Mylan sank 5.1% and Teva dropped 4.3%. Meanwhile, one of the top gainers was technology giant Apple, whose shares rose 1.8% ahead of its second quarter results announcement. Shares in Tesla Motors also rose 6%, boosted by reports that the electric-car maker's planned announcement on Thursday could be more significant than anticipated.

Summary: (Close): US stocks closed lower on Monday, bringing a three-day winning streak to an end.


Grace Mugabe, 51, was addressing a rally of the governing Zanu-PF party. Mr Mugabe has governed Zimbabwe since the end of white-majority rule in 1980 following a bitterly fought war. His wife, who has often professed her undying loyalty to her husband, has assumed an increasingly high profile. "One day when God decides that Mugabe dies, we will have his corpse appear as a candidate on the ballot paper," Mrs Mugabe told the rally in Buhera, south-east of the capital Harare. "You will see people voting for Mugabe as a corpse. I am seriously telling you - just to show people how people love their president." President Mugabe has been backed by his party to stand again in next year's election, but recently cut back on his public engagements. Grace Mugabe has warned contemporaries of Mr Mugabe from the guerrilla war era that they are not in a position to replace him because they likewise would be too old. "Anyone who was with Mugabe in 1980 has no right to tell him he is old. If you want Mugabe to go, then you leave together. You also have to leave. Then we take over because we were not there in 1980," she said, gesticulating towards herself. Last September, the president was rumoured to have died after he reportedly cut short his attendance of an AU summit to fly to Dubai for a health check. Mr Mugabe later joked about the rumours, saying he indeed died but was only resurrected.

Summary: The wife of Zimbabwe's 92-year-old President, Robert Mugabe, has said that he is so popular that if he died, he could run as a corpse in next year's election and still win votes.