Up to now it was only council tenants who had the right to buy the homes they had previously rented. But when the Housing Bill becomes law housing association tenants will acquire that same right. As a scheme already rejected by the Scottish and Welsh governments, who wish to preserve publicly-owned housing stock, it is also emblematic of the different directions being taken by different parts of the United Kingdom. Potential buyers must have been tenants for at least three years, the same as with council tenants. The government says that means up to 1.3m housing association tenants will be eligible in England. Around 500,000 housing association tenants are already eligible for some discounts. So the new scheme will extend rights to a further 800,000 tenants, and increase the discounts available. In Wales the government is planning to abolish Right to Buy entirely, and in Scotland it will be phased out by August 2016. A separate scheme exists in Northern Ireland. For those eligible, discounts start at 35% on a house and 50% on a flat. The maximum is 70%, but that is currently capped at £77,900 outside London, and £103,900 in the capital. For example, someone who has been a public sector tenant for ten years could buy a £100,000 flat for just £40,000 - using a 60% discount. Under the government's new Housing Bill, Local Authorities will be required to sell off their most valuable council houses, whenever they become vacant. The government estimates this would raise £4.5bn. The councils will then have to build replacement homes with the money raised, and the surplus will be used to fund Right to Buy. The government will make up any difference. The government hasn't yet said what this policy will cost the taxpayer, but it has promised to refund the discount to the housing association involved. The National Housing Federation (NHF) which represents all the UK's housing associations, has calculated that in total Right to Buy for housing association tenants might cost £11.2bn, if all those tenants who could afford to buy did so. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has said it would potentially cost "billions of pounds" over the next parliament, and it "would worsen the UK's underlying public finance position". The IFS said it would also represent a "substantial giveaway" to housing association tenants. The government argues that by selling off housing association homes, but by requiring a replacement to be built, the scheme will, in effect, double the number of homes available. It will also raise the proportion of home-owners in England, which has fallen over the last few years. But the NHF argues that since 2012, only 46% of homes sold off have been replaced by new ones, despite a requirement for local authorities to do so. One problem is that councils - particularly those in urban areas - cannot find enough land to build on. Around 2.5m council tenants across the UK have bought their homes since Right to Buy started under Mrs Thatcher's government in October 1980. The numbers buying peaked at 167,000 in England

Summary: The extension to Mrs Thatcher's Right to Buy scheme - controversial at the time - has had a rocky ride ever since the Conservative government announced it was to be extended in 2015.


City councillors granted outline planning permission for shops, restaurants, cafes, a leisure centre and a new bus station. There were 250 letters of objection, mainly about the effect on the traffic in the city centre. Twenty five councillors were for, 13 were against and there was one abstention. Developers TIAA Henderson Real Estate and The Crown Estate say the revamped site, due to open in 2019, will create 750 jobs. Read more on other Devon stories as they happen on our Local Live pages. Some people were turned away from the extraordinary planning meeting of the city council as there was not enough space for all those who turned up. Residents were worried about air pollution and traffic congestion, because of roads being closed as part of the plans, diverting traffic elsewhere. There have also been concerns that the bus station will not be big enough. Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, leader of the Conservative group on the council, said: "I'm disappointed because we believe that the development lacks ambition and is also very expensive. It's going to cost the city close to £30m which means that other things can't go ahead." Council leader Pete Edwards, from the Labour group, said: "I'm really excited, not just for ourselves but for the citizens of Exeter. "It's sad to see some of the opposition so vehemently against it when it's a great opportunity to go forward." John Grinnell, deputy head of development at The Crown Estate said he was "delighted". "This scheme would represent a substantial investment in Exeter that will support the city's position as the region's most popular destination for shopping, leisure and business, whilst boosting jobs, trade and the local economy," he said.

Summary: Plans for a £70m redevelopment of Exeter bus station have been given the go-ahead.


Oliver Scullion, son of the manager of Hilden Brewery, died in the incident at the premises on Grand Street. It is understood he was crushed under a large metal tank. The boy's father is also believed to have been injured. The Health and Safety Executive is investigating. In a statement, the boy's family said they were "deeply upset" and requested privacy. SDLP councillor Pat Catney, who is a close friend of the family, said the child was "a force of nature". "This little blond four-year-old wonder enchanted everyone who met him," he said. "He was part of the life here at the brewery and I know that the staff are also devastated at his death." The Health and Safety Executive said in a statement on Thursday it had been "notified of the death of a young child at a commercial premises in the Lisburn area and is investigating the circumstances". It added: "We are unable to comment further at this stage except to offer our deepest sympathy to the family." Established in 1981, Hilden Brewery is billed as the oldest independent brewery on the island of Ireland.

Summary: A four-year-old boy has been killed in an accident at a family-owned brewery near Lisburn, County Antrim.


The Markinch-based firm has seen European exports suffer from the value of sterling in relation to the euro. It has also been hit by rising raw material costs and by a major customer becoming insolvent. Only last month, a new biomass plant was officially opened at Tullis's Markinch site. The Â£200m facility was built by German energy firm RWE and was designed to meet all of the paper maker's electricity and steam requirements. RWE said in a statement that the power plant could run independently of Tullis Russell, and would continue to operate. Administrators KPMG said 325 Tullis employees were being made redundant with immediate effect, while the remaining 149 have been retained to complete some orders. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon later announced a task force had been set up to look at ways of supporting the Fife economy and jobs, in the wake of the company's collapse. The task force is being jointly chaired by Enterprise Secretary John Swinney and Fife Council leader David Ross. Employee-owned Tullis was founded in 1809 and produced high quality paper board for use in cards, covers and premium packaging. The paper maker has incurred cumulative losses of Â£18.5m over the last five years, largely as a result of weakening demand and pressure on its margins. Tullis directors had sought a buyer for the company last autumn, but failed to find one. Joint administrator Blair Nimmo said: "This is a sad day for the employees of Tullis Russell Papermakers, who have worked hard against the significant headwinds facing the global papermaking sector. "Whilst we will be exploring whether a sale of all or part of the business and asset of the company can be achieved, we have had to take steps to significantly reduce the company's overheads. "Unfortunately, with trading effectively ceasing, we have had no option but to reduce the size of the workforce. "We will be working with government agencies to minimise the impact on employees. "We would encourage any party with an interest in acquiring all, or parts, of the business to make contact with us as soon as possible." Tullis Russell Papermakers is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tullis Russell Group Ltd. The group's Cheshire-based coating division and its image transfer business based in Ansan, Korea, are not affected by the administration and continue to trade as normal. Tullis Russell Group said it was announcing the administration move "with great sadness". Group chief executive Chris Parr said: "It has become clear to the board that Papermakers is no longer a viable business. "Recognising this situation, the group and Papermaking boards concluded that the best chance of protecting jobs would be through a trade sale of the papermaking company to a buyer capable of, and committed to developing the Markinch site. "The group engaged KPMG to run a comprehensive sales process, and between October 2014 and March 2015 over 72 trade parties have considered and subsequently rejected the opportunity to acquire the business. This has unfortunately only confirmed that the business is no longer viable. "This difficult position finally became untenable with the papermaking

Summary: Fife-based paper maker Tullis Russell has gone into administration with the loss of 325 jobs, and putting a further 149 at risk.


The FA plans to introduce what it calls "temporary dismissals" in England's step seven - six tiers below the National League - and the leagues below. They will only apply to yellow cards shown for dissent, and will see players leave the field for 10 minutes. It will also be tested in Sunday League and male and female youth football. More than 1,000 clubs received emails over the weekend asking if they were willing to be part of the pilot process. "There has already been a positive response with over 60 leagues in support of it," an FA spokesperson said. Clubs are normally charged a £10 fine for each yellow card but the FA will not be charging this administration fee for those that participate. Step seven is the bottom level of English football's National League System, which feeds into the country's professional leagues. The highest league within that structure - step one - is the National League. The move has been backed by teenage Sunday League referee Ryan Hampson, who earlier this year organised a nationwide strike by officials in protest at the amount of abuse they face in the grassroots game. "There's obviously a lot more to be done but it's a step in the right direction and a great start," he told BBC Radio 5 live.

Summary: The Football Association will trial 'sin bins' in the lower leagues of English football from next season.


Saturday's flight was the first movement of material held at the Caithness plant to the US since an announcement in February. David Cameron, who was prime minister at the time, said the UK and US governments had agreed to an exchange of nuclear materials. He said the UK would receive a type of uranium used to diagnose cancer. But Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Maree Todd has criticised the weekend's flight and the level of secrecy surrounding the handling of nuclear material at Dounreay. She said there should not be a need for an exchange of nuclear material, and the UK should be able to purchase what it requires for medical diagnoses. Dounreay, near Thurso, is being decommissioned and the site cleaned up. Most of the radioactive materials held there, such as fuel, are being moved to other locations, including Sellafield in Cumbria where it will be reprocessed or stored. These shipments are being made by rail. Other material has been returned to nuclear sites overseas. During the 1990s, nuclear material was sent from abroad to Dounreay for reprocessing. The customers included power plants and research centres in Australia, Germany and Belgium. Under the UK-US deal signed earlier this year, highly-enriched uranium (HEU) stored at Dounreay is being sent to the US. Saturday's flight took place under tight security from Wick John O'Groats Airport, which is about 30 miles (48km) from the Dounreay nuclear site. It involved a US military Boeing C-17 transport aircraft. Radioactive material from the civil nuclear industry has been transported by plane from the UK to other countries in the past. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) provided Highlands and Islands Airports Limited with funding to upgrade Wick John O'Groats Airport in preparation for the US flights. A spokesman for Dounreay said: "All nuclear materials are being removed from the site. This programme started in 2001 and we expect it to continue for a number of years. "Our priority at all times is to comply with regulations governing the safe and secure transportation of nuclear material, both in storage and transit. "Compliance with these regulations includes protecting information about routes, dates, timings and locations of nuclear material in any current or future transport." MSP Ms Todd told BBC Radio Scotland: "I am disappointed we are hearing reports from people living up in Wick that this has happened, but got no official notification. "I understand that there has to be some secrecy surrounding this industry, but I feel there is more secrecy than is absolutely required." She added: "I understand that this material is weapons-grade in exchange for some medical radionuclides. "I fail to understand why we cannot pay money for these things than have to supply them with weapons-grade nuclear material from the UK."

Summary: Radioactive material that was being kept at the Scottish nuclear power site Dounreay has been flown to the US.


A tumultuous year in senior management, continuing into the start of this year, required revisions to the accounts. Several directors left and the chief executive, who is scheduled to leave, is no longer receiving a bonus. The accounts do not give detail of what went wrong, though the boardroom rows were well publicised in the media. However, the report to Companies House indicates the company has lost out from the drop in energy prices, buying its fuel in advance of the sharp drop in oil market. In a statement with the accounts, the directors stated: "The group has faced significant operating and cost pressures. "We anticipate that these cost pressures will remain in 2015 and we will remain proactive in seeking to mitigate the impact of these cost pressures". Lothian Buses revenue in 2014 was up by 2.3% to Â£135m. Pre-tax profits fell from Â£11.7m to Â£10.1m. The company is owned mainly by City of Edinburgh Council, with small stakes held by neighbouring Lothian councils. It owns more than 650 buses, and carries more than two million passengers each week. The numbers transported were up in 2014 by 2.6% to a total of 118 million.

Summary: Lothian Buses, which dominates Edinburgh public transport, including trams and tourist tours, has reported a drop in profits during last year.


Jac Holmes, from Bournemouth, Joe Akerman, from Halifax, and Irish citizen Joshua Molloy were detained by the Kurdistan Regional Government. Mr Holmes posted on Facebook: "Got out of jail peeps, thanks for the support." His mother met with Kurdistan officials on Friday to help secure his release. The three men had been returning home at the time of their arrest, crossing from Syria into Iraq. They were held for more than a week in a prison in Erbil. Mr Ackerman updated his status on Facebook, simply posting: "Free". "We are helping two British men make arrangements to leave Kurdistan after they were released from custody," a Foreign Office spokeswoman told the BBC. Confirming the release of Mr Molloy, a former Royal Irish Regiment soldier, Ireland's Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said: "I welcome Joshua's release and I am pleased that he is now on his way home to join his family in Ireland." We understand the men had been waiting on the border between Syria and Iraq for several weeks trying to cross. However, the border was closed. They made their way to another point to cross and were arrested and told they were crossing into Iraq illegally. The border is a politically sensitive zone between Iraq and Syria. The two countries have numerous groups in conflict with one another. Jac Holmes's mother told me it had been an anxious time as the days passed, and that she had visited Kurdish officials in London to do what she could to get Jac and the other men released. She wrote "I was prepared to chain myself to the railings" to try to ensure the men's safe passage home. Kurdish supporters in the UK have rallied around in support Mr Holmes during his time fighting in Syria. He is one of a number of western volunteers fighting with the Kurds. They call him a "hero", while British officials continue to warn strongly against travelling to any conflict zones. The British Government maintains that anyone fighting abroad could find themselves breaching UK terrorism laws.

Summary: Three men arrested attempting to cross the Iraqi border after joining Kurdish forces to fight the so-called Islamic State group in Syria have been released, the BBC understands.


Brent and US crude futures fell below $45 and $40 a barrel respectively as global investors assessed the contagion risks of China's volatile stock market. Recent data has suggested that China's economic growth continues to slow down. As well as the volatility in Chinese shares, there are fears of a protracted effect on demand for commodities. China's slowdown is expected to pull down other regional economies, affecting energy and raw material consumption. The unstable Chinese market has also led to worries that the problems in the world's second largest economy may have far-reaching global consequences. China's benchmark Shanghai Composite index on Monday shed as much as 8%, while markets in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Sydney all dropped by more than 4%. On Friday, figures showed China's factory activity in August shrank at its fastest pace in more than six years. Official figures have indicated that China's economic growth is continuing to slow. For the three months to the end of July, the economy grew by 7% compared with a year earlier - its slowest pace since 2009. Bernard Aw, market strategist with trading firm IG, said given the tepid demand, it was hard to fathom why oil producers were pumping out more crude. Opec producers, notably Saudi Arabia, and Iraq were producing more oil than necessary, while US stockpiles were nearly 100 million barrels above the five-year seasonal average. "At this rate, the fundamentals of oil are going to get worse before it gets better as the supply glut widens. This means we are likely to see more weakness in oil futures in the coming sessions," Mr Aw said. Oil dealers are also anticipating revised US economic growth data for the second quarter, to be released on Thursday. The figures could be key to the Federal Reserve's thoughts on when to raise interest rates. An eventual interest rate rise is expected to strengthen the US dollar, which in turn would make dollar-priced oil more expensive for buyers using weaker currencies, once again affecting demand.

Summary: Oil prices have slumped to six-year lows as global stock markets continue to fall on concerns over a slowing Chinese economy.


The aim is to offer speeds of up to 1Gbps to households and businesses. Rather than relying on copper cables to connect them to roadside cabinets, fibre-optic cables will run directly to their properties. The plan, announced by the chancellor in November, has been called "a drop in the ocean" compared with what will be needed to make "full fibre" the norm. Although many households and organisations do not currently need 1Gbps speeds - consumers need only 3Mbps to watch the BBC iPlayer in high definition, for example - the idea is to provide a "future-proof" solution. The Digital Infrastructure Investment Fund's goal is to boost the number of properties with access to "ultra-fast" fibre-to-the-property broadband over the next four years. At present, "full fibre" is available to only about one million premises, representing about 2% penetration. That contrasts with Spain, where the figure is 80%. The government is tapping private investors to bring the total sum to £1bn, and the money will be managed and invested by two fund managers - Amber Infrastructure, and M&G Investments, which is part of Prudential. "Traditionally in Britain, full fibre has been difficult to finance because the industry is relatively young and a lack of certainty around future demand makes investment hard to secure," the Treasury said in a press release. "This has held back alternative providers from entering the market, and consumers have been left with limited choice, which, in turn, has restricted their ability to benefit from this latest technology." A spokeswoman for the Treasury told the BBC that while no company was excluded from seeking access to the cash, the fund was designed to be attractive to small network builders, which found it harder to attract capital than BT's Openreach division or Virgin Media would. But the Labour Party was dismissive of the news. "This is yet another re-announcement from a Government that just isn't keeping pace with developments in the industry," commented Tom Watson MP. "No matter how many times they announce this fund the reality remains that we are on track to have just 7% full fibre coverage by 2020. It's not good enough and it'll leave Britain in the slow lane for years to come." One industry watcher, however, said the initiative was "important" but needed to be tempered with realism. "Consumer broadband is cheap for us as consumers because we share it at some point in the network," said Andrew Ferguson, of the ThinkBroadband news site. "So, while you might have a dedicated fibre for yourself through to a place that may be 10 or 20 miles away, you will still at that point be contending for access with other people. "That may mean that at peak times, even with a theoretical 1Gbps connection, you won't be getting speeds that hit that target." Until now, the UK government's focus has been to deliver "super-fast" broadband speeds - meaning 24Mbps or more. It has pledged that 95% of UK properties will have this by the end of this year and 100% will have at least 10Mbps by the end

Summary: The government has formally launched a £400m fund to boost investment in "full-fibre" broadband.


He is referring to the prospect of a peace deal between the Colombian government and left-wing rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc). Most of Panama's security problems originate south of its border, in Colombia. Colombia is one of the world's top three producers of coca, the raw ingredient of cocaine, and huge amounts of it are smuggled from Colombia to the United States. Panama, Colombia's northern neighbour, is often the first stop for those smuggling the drug by land or speedboat. Colombia is also the scene of the continent's longest-running armed conflict. For more than 50 years, Farc rebels have been fighting the Colombian government. The jungle area between Colombia and Panama was for years a rebel stronghold. From a helicopter, Gen Abrego points out small hamlets in Darien province, on the Panamanian side of the border. "This is where the Farc would hold its football tournament," he says pointing to a clearing in the jungle. "And this is where they would rest after carrying out their attacks." In 2008, almost two-thirds of Darien province was under rebel control, he says. Combating the rebels has been no mean feat for Panama, which, along with Costa Rica, is one of only two countries in Latin America not to have a standing army. Panama's military was disbanded shortly after the 1989 US invasion which overthrew military ruler Gen Manuel Noriega. A constitutional amendment in 1994 later prohibited the creation of a standing army for good. It therefore comes as little surprise that for years Farc rebels could move almost freely from Colombia across the 225-km-long border into Darien to rest and regroup. It is only since the creation of the Panamanian Border Police, Senafront, in 2008 that the government has had a permanent presence in the area. That increased security presence is in Colombia's interest too. It has long been frustrated by the ease with which the rebels could escape arrest by slipping across the border. The two countries co-operate closely on security and run a joint control post called La Union. La Union is located on top of a mountain in dense jungle. It sits right across one of the main routes the Farc used to enter into the country. As we land, it is steeped in mist, giving it an eerie feel. La Union does not consist of much more than a few wooden bunkers covered with sandbags. The lookouts are manned by young policemen on the Panamanian side, and young soldiers on the Colombian side, all of whom look rather relaxed, almost bored. The Colombians, who are stationed here for four months at a time, keep themselves busy by building a new accommodation hut which they hope will prove more comfortable than the tents they are currently sleeping in. There does not seem to be much of a threat here, but Gen Abrego assures me this post and others like it are key in keeping the rebels at bay and keeping the local population safe. "For a long time, the only authority in these parts was the commander

Summary: "Peace is not a bad thing, but it's unlikely to solve our problems," says Director of Panama's Border Police, Frank Abrego.


Sian Hollands, 25, suffered a pulmonary embolism after leaving Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford, in November 2015. Dr Kamran Khan previously claimed he had not seen Ms Hollands' notes and was unaware of the seriousness of her pain. However, during cross-examination he admitted having the notes but not reading them. The General Medical Council is now investigating him. Ms Hollands, a mother of three, went to Darent Valley Hospital complaining of breathing difficulties and chest and stomach pain. She had suffered an ectopic pregnancy three weeks earlier. Gravesend Coroner's Court heard the former drug user was taking methadone to treat her addiction, but had stopped for a few days. Ms Hollands was given an electrocardiogram (ECG) and methadone, and was given her discharge papers. Her former partner Carl Alleyne said she was in pain and not breathing properly, but was told the hospital "needed the bed space". He refused to take her home and she died a few hours later from a blockage in the artery carrying blood from the heart to the lungs. Dr Khan put her symptoms down to drug withdrawal, the inquest heard. He claimed not to have seen the medical notes labelling her as "at risk" and detailing her chest pain, which would have made him consider a pulmonary embolism. But the medical notes were found with Dr Khan's own writing on the back, proving he had seen, but not properly read, the vital information on the paper. Ms Hollands' family's barrister, Edward Ramsay, asked the doctor: "It means you could not have read what was staring you in the face?" "Yes," he replied. "Simply turning over the page and Sian may well be alive - do you accept that?" Mr Ramsey added. Dr Khan agreed. Mr Ramsay said Ms Hollands was "labelled a heroin addict and nobody considered any other diagnosis". Her mother, Nicole Smith, said that more than 500 days since her daughter's death, they were finally getting the truth. "She was recovering, trying to put her life right, and they condemned her and stopped her from ever moving forward." A spokesman for Darent Valley Hospital said: "We extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Sian Hollands. We await the outcome of the coroner's inquest." The inquest has been adjourned until 10 April.

Summary: A mother who died hours after being given her hospital discharge papers may have lived if a doctor had read her medical notes, an inquest heard.


It collided with a cargo boat crossing the Padma river, about 40km (25 miles) north-west of the capital Dhaka. Most of those who drowned were on the ferry's lower decks - 40 or 50 people were rescued or swam ashore. Witnesses said the ferry may have been overcrowded, with up to 150 people reportedly on board. Accidents are common on Bangladesh's river network, with overcrowding and poor boat quality often to blame. The ferry was raised to the surface and brought ashore on Monday. The exact number of people aboard the boat is not known, as Bangladeshi ferries do not usually have formal passenger lists. Police have arrested three people, including at least one person responsible for steering the cargo vessel. Hafizur Rahman Sheikh, who survived the crash, told Bangladesh's Prothom Alo newspaper that many passengers were trapped on the lower decks when the ferry sank. A similar accident earlier this month killed at least seven passengers in southern Bangladesh. In August 2014 more than 100 people died when a ferry with a capacity of 85 capsized with more than 200 people aboard.

Summary: At least 70 people are known to have died in a ferry accident in Bangladesh, after authorities managed to reach the vessel which capsized on Sunday.


A fight which started on Monday evening at a food distribution centre was initially broken up by police but later continued into the night. Hundreds of migrants live in informal camps in the Calais port, trying to cross into Britain illegally. French police have spent months trying to break up the camps, but the migrants say they have nowhere else to go. The latest fight between Sudanese and Eritrean migrants was broken up for the second time once riot police were deployed. A similar incident on Sunday left about 13 people injured. In May authorities attempted to evacuate the migrants from camps built near the port following court rulings, but many have simply moved to different areas in the city.

Summary: Clashes between African migrants in the French port city of Calais have left more than 50 people injured.


The car was stopped in Duncrue Street in Belfast on Wednesday evening at 20.15 GMT. Police seized suspected herbal cannabis and cocaine thought to be worth a substantial amount. The men, aged 28 and 31, have both been arrested for possession and supply-of-drug offences. Det Insp Tom McClure from the PSNI's Reactive and Organised Crime Branch said: "I believe that this intervention has struck a blow to the activities of an organised gang involved in serious drug criminality."

Summary: Police say the arrests of two men following the seizure of drugs from a car in Belfast have dealt a blow to organised crime.


"You look for the deep characteristics. There's no need to concentrate on the appearance." For someone who has worked in the tea industry for more than 50 years, Anglo-Indian businessman Nirmal Sethia has lost none of his passion for the drink. Now in his 70s, he also still takes tea very seriously. "Tea is life," he says. "Tea is religion, tea is music." The co-founder and boss of upmarket brand Newby Teas, Mr Sethia's relationship with tea started in London after the end of World War Two. However, Mr Sethia, the son of a successful third-generation Indian businessman, initially just wanted to have fun in life. Looking back on his teenage years, he says: "I was a rebel. "I used to see all the boys smoking in London and wanted some of that. Smoking, and drinking, and girls looked exciting to me, even at 13." It was then that he told his father that he didn't want to go to school any more. "I knew that route wasn't for me. I didn't want to do exams, and wanted something more exciting." A chance encounter one day with someone who worked in a tea supplier led to Mr Sethia becoming an apprentice tea taster for one of the biggest tea merchants in London, something he believes was the hand of God guiding him. "It was my first lucky break," he says. "Divine intervention I suppose. "Someone I knew saw me smoking outside the tea offices, and seemed to see something in me. He worked there and introduced me to the boss." That first encounter on a London street in the late 1950s started a lifelong love affair with tea for Mr Sethia. He was soon working for one of biggest tea importers in the Republic of Ireland as a buyer in India, tasked with buying tea at auctions in Kolkata (formerly called Calcutta). His father was impressed with how his son had taken to working in the tea industry, and encouraged him to do more. So with his dad's support, the young Nirmal Sethia started his own business - Sethia Tea Estates - from the family's home in Kolkata, buying and selling teas from all over the world, for tea merchants the length and breadth of the UK and Republic of Ireland. By then tea had really taken over his life, and Mr Sethia bought a tea plantation in the north eastern Indian state of Assam. "I didn't have any money [left over]... I used to sleep on the veranda of one of the buildings in the tea garden and drink tea," he says. "I taught myself about the different characteristics and subtleties in flavour. I seemed to have a gift for tasting tea. I was able to distinguish and discern teas from different parts of India and beyond, something that impressed the buyers I met." Having made a success of his tea business, Mr Sethia's destiny took a different path in 1965 when he started his own company dealing in jute, a vegetable fibre used to make rope and bags. He says:

Summary: "Tea is like a beautiful woman," says Nirmal Sethia.


About 130 military drivers will replace striking London Ambulance Service and North West Ambulance Service drivers, the Ministry of Defence said. In London, 74 police vehicles will also be used for low-priority calls, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said. Unison, whose members are striking over pay, called the move a "quick fix". It said it had arranged emergency plans for Monday with all the other ambulance trusts in England. NHS workers in England will strike for four hours from 07:00 BST on Monday, with a number of public sector unions planning further industrial action over pay during the rest of the month. One hundred military drivers will be drafted into London while 30 will assist ambulance services in the North West. London Ambulance Service (LAS) has said patients in a life-threatening situation will still receive an ambulance response, but people with injuries such as minor breaks, or women in routine labour may not. It has said there will be an impact on services for the whole day. North West Ambulance Service has also warned that with a "substantial reduction in its workforce" there will be delays for some patients. East Midlands, South Western, South Central and South East Coast Ambulance Services have all confirmed they have staff members who will also be on strike on Monday. LAS director of operations Jason Killens said: "We are expecting a significant number of our staff to take four hours of strike action. "The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is providing 100 military drivers during the strike action. They will support our clinical staff by driving our vehicles to an incident while our medics look after the patient." An MoD spokesman confirmed its involvement and said personnel from the Army, RAF and Navy would be involved. A spokesman for the Met Police said: "The LAS will attempt to deal with higher priority calls. "Lower priority calls will be passed to 'double-staffed' police vehicles and an assessment made as to whether the patient requires transport to hospital or can obtain treatment any other way. "If an ambulance is required, officers will wait with the patient until the ambulance arrives." Merseyside Police will assist the ambulance service by making five police vehicles available for use with first-aid trained staff, a spokesman said. Christina McAnea, Unison's head of health, said: "The fact the government did not even try to talk to trade unions to arrange emergency cover in the capital is outrageous. "Instead they've decided to deploy military troops as a quick fix. "We have agreed emergency plans with all the other ambulance trusts in England." Rehana Azam, national officer of the GMB said the union had written to the chief executive of LAS with concerns about using the Met and military drivers. He said: "GMB does not accept that this is last-minute contingency planning but a deliberate attempt by government to cause concerns among the public and to undermine the hard work of LAS staff taking strike action." The Royal College of Midwives is also joining the action on Monday, in what will be the first walkout in its 133-year

Summary: Military personnel and police vans are being drafted in to help ambulance services affected by a public service workers strike on Monday.


It happened on the Letterkenny to Ballybofey Road, near Convoy, at 07:00 BST on Friday. The car she was driving collided with a lorry. The driver of that vehicle was uninjured. The road is currently closed and diversions are in place.

Summary: A woman in her 20s has died in a collision between a car and a lorry in County Donegal.


Lynton Crosby will start working part-time as a campaign consultant in January and step up his involvement before the general election. Mr Crosby first worked for the party on the unsuccessful 2005 election campaign when Michael Howard was leader. Mr Shapps said he was a "serious campaigner" who would bring "focus". BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said the Australian was set to become a "big figure" in the Conservatives' strategy for the next election. Mr Crosby is known for being skilled at pushing "subliminal messages" in areas such as immigration and violent crime, our correspondent said. But his appointment could prove controversial. Last month former deputy party chairman Lord Ashcroft said it would be a mistake to hire Mr Crosby, who could be a "recipe for... conflict and confusion". Some in the party feel he is too right-wing to appeal to more moderate British voters, while others think the prime minister has enough advisers and the appointment is unnecessary, our correspondent said. Mr Shapps told the BBC's Sunday Politics: "This is a serious campaigner. Lynton brings the kind of focus that's required to manage campaigns and we have a big job to do to explain what's going on. "This country is in a global race. We need to be able to get out there, show that we can secure a brilliant future for Britain." Mr Crosby previously worked on a string of successful campaigns with former Australian prime minister John Howard. He first worked for the Conservatives on Michael Howard's unsuccessful election campaign of 2005, which focused on crime and immigration. But he went on to work with Mr Johnson on his more successful London mayoral campaigns. His appointment has been welcomed by Mr Johnson, who described him as "the best campaign manager I've ever seen". Earlier this month he called for Mr Cameron to "break the piggy bank" to get Mr Crosby to work for him. He suggested then that the Australian would be portrayed as a right-wing "attack dog" by the media but insisted he was the "soul of sweetness". His appointment comes after the Conservatives lost the parliamentary seat in the Corby by-election, in a vote which saw a 12.7% swing to the Labour Party. It was the first time the Tories had lost a mid-term by-election seat to Labour since 1997. The elections for police and crime commissioners also suffered the lowest turnout in peacetime Britain, with just under 15% of people turning out to vote on Thursday. In addition, an opinion poll of more than 2,000 people by ComRes has given Labour a 12-point lead over the Tories - the widest margin of advantage in a ComRes survey for more than seven years. The poll was conducted for the Independent on Sunday and Sunday Mirror. Tim Montgomerie, editor of political website ConservativeHome, wrote that Mr Crosby had "a good record of success and is perhaps the alpha male that Team Cameron has been missing". Conservative commentator Iain Dale told BBC News the appointment was a "fantastic move" for the party and Mr Crosby had a "great track

Summary: The Australian strategist behind Boris Johnson's mayoral campaigns is to work for the Conservatives, Tory chairman Grant Shapps has said.


McDowell has dropped to 89th in the world rankings and as is stands, is not in the field for the Masters or the WGC Match Play in Mexico in early March. "The Masters is not something I'm going to beat myself up about," said the 2010 US Open champion, who is now 37. "If come Bay Hill (mid-March) I'm not in, I'm not going to add more events." However, McDowell believes with him playing in Qatar and Dubai on the European Tour and the Genesis Open and Honda Classic in America over the coming five weeks, he is capable of putting himself in contention to earn spots at the World Match Play and Augusta. "I'm more motivated than I have been for a while. I still have the belief that my good is good enough (to compete at the very top). I have just got to work hard and get out and be calm and believe in myself," added McDowell, who missed out on a fifth Ryder Cup appearance last year. McDowell says his watchword in the early weeks of the season will be "patience" as he focuses on the whole campaign rather an obsession with ensuring a ninth Masters appearance. "World ranking is very important but it's a step by step process. Getting back in the top 50 is goal number one and then back into the top 25 and competing in all the major championships. "How long is the road going to be? It could be a long road or a short road but I'm going to be patient with it. "The Masters is not going to be the be all and end all for me as my record around Augusta is not great. "Things like the World Match Play and getting ready for the British Open are also on my radar." McDowell did achieve five top-10 finishes in 2016 but he admits he "struggled for consistency" for much of the season. "I felt like when I played well, I did play well and posted some decent finishes but I was inconsistent and missed a lot of cuts." The Northern Irishman accepts that becoming a father for the second time during the year may have allowed his focus to drift away from his golf. "Getting married and having children are big steps in life. You never really understand what they are going to do to you from a priorities points of view, a mental point of view and a desire to play golf point of view. "I think they affected me more than I thought they were going to but I wouldn't change anything for the world. I've got two very healthy and beautiful young kids at home and I'm enjoying that stage of my life."

Summary: Graeme McDowell says he will not frantically chase a spot at this year's Masters as he prepares to begin his season at this week's Qatar Masters.


Mr Hichilema was due to stand trial, but instead walked free from Lusaka's high court after 100 days in custody. Sources say the charges against Mr Hichilema and five aides were dropped after a deal was negotiated by the Commonwealth. He narrowly lost the election to President Edgar Lungu last year. Mr Hichilema, the leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND), alleges the vote was fixed, and does not recognise Mr Lungu as president. Mr Lungu, meanwhile, faces accusations of growing authoritarianism. Mr Hichilema was arrested in April, accused of endangering the president's life after his motorcade allegedly refused to give way to the one transporting Mr Lungu. He and his aides "strongly" denied the charge, which carries a sentence of at least 15 years. Those found guilty can also be sentenced to death. But all charges have now been dropped, apparently after a visit by Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland, who was in Zambia last week and met Mr Lungu and Mr Hichilema. She later hinted Mr Hichilema could be released in the public interest. A source had earlier told the BBC he was "definitely being released today... unless there's a last minute development".

Summary: Zambia's opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema, who has been held in prison since April on treason charges, has been released.


So when I suggest that new Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns will make history on Sunday, I'm not comparing his task to walking on the moon or finding a cure for the common cold. Mr Cairns will become the first serving cabinet minister to run the London Marathon. Others have run it but either before or after their cabinet career. Indeed, his recent promotion to the cabinet has had a major impact on his training for the 26.2 mile event, where the Vale of Glamorgan MP, the fastest in MP in last year's race, initially hoped to break 3 hours and 30 minutes. "There's been a bit of a diversion over the last few weeks as well as an injury," he admitted. "So I'm not sure I'll become the champion again of the MPs. And there is serious competition from Dan Jarvis, an ex-para, so I'm getting my excuses in early." Mr Cairns is running his 5th marathon for two charities: Breast Cancer Now and The Brain Tumour Charity.

Summary: We are so fond of the word 'historic' in Welsh politics that it is increasingly used to describe something vaguely interesting that hasn't happened before.


Network Rail said the railway station would be shut between 30 September and 22 October so passenger capacity can be increased. It is part of the rail management company and Liverpool City Region's Â£340m project to upgrade 10 railways. A spokesman for Network Rail said disruption would be "kept to a minimum" and most services would run to and from Liverpool South Parkway instead. Annual passenger numbers at Lime Street station are forecast to double in peak periods by 2043, said Network Rail, and these improvements will enable it to cater for the increased capacity. The work will see two new platforms created, existing platforms remodelled, overhead line equipment to power electric trains installed and tracks upgraded. The six train companies which serve Liverpool have been working on a plan for more than a year to keep customers moving. Network Rail said bus replacement services would be offered when necessary and passengers would be guided to alternative city centre stations. The company's spokesman said the renovation was "the biggest upgrade of the station since the 19th Century". "It will provide passengers with faster, more frequent and reliable train services by 2019," he added. Liverpool Lime Street was closed for a week for emergency repair work after a wall collapsed on to the tracks on 28 February. The work is not related to the damage caused by 200 tonnes of debris which fell on tracks in the approach to the station, said Network Rail. Source Network Rail

Summary: Liverpool Lime Street is to close for three weeks for a major refurbishment.


Mr Asghar, who has paranoid schizophrenia, was shot by a prison guard in September. He has since been recovering in hospital. His relatives urged Mr Salmond to do all he could to secure his release. A petition calling on the prime minister to personally intervene has gained more than 68,000 signatures. Mr Asghar's family will present the petition to Downing Street on Friday. Following the meeting, Mr Asghar's solicitor Aamer Anwar said: "We welcome the unconditional support of the Scottish Government, the First Minister and their repeated attempts to assist Mr Asghar and his family. "We are disappointed that David Cameron has yet to respond to the request to meet with him on Friday when we hand in 70,000 signatures on a petition to Downing Street. All supporters of the petition will be asked tomorrow to email David Cameron seeking his urgent personal intervention. "It is no longer acceptable for the UK Government to hide behind a wall of silence whilst Mr Asghar's life hangs by a thread and call upon the Prime Minister to personally and publically hold the Pakistani government to account." He said direct requests to meet with Mr Cameron had so far been refused. Instead, Mr Anwar will meet with Foreign Office Minister Tobias Ellwood on Friday. Pakistani authorities have attempted to return Mr Asghar, who is from Edinburgh, from hospital to the same prison where he was attacked. On 3 October, local doctors said he was too unwell to return to jail. Charity Reprieve said that that the authorities in Punjab province, where Mr Asghar is being held, have refused requests by Mr Asghar's lawyers to access the results of an investigation into the shooting, as well as information relating to his medical assessments since the incident. The information that has been denied "could support arguments that Mr Asghar's sentence is illegal on the grounds of his mental illness", according to Reprieve. Kate Higham, an investigator at Reprieve said: "Mr Asghar is an ageing, seriously ill man who should never have been sentenced in the first place. The British government must redouble its efforts to ensure that Mr Asghar is returned home to his family in Edinburgh, before it's too late." Mr Asghar was sectioned under the Mental Health Act in Edinburgh's Royal Victoria Hospital shortly before his trip to Pakistan in 2010. He was arrested there for writing several letters claiming to be a prophet and was sentenced to death for blasphemy. Those accused of blasphemy in Pakistan are at high risk of attack from religious extremists.

Summary: First Minister Alex Salmond has met the family of Mohammad Asghar, the Scot imprisoned on death row in Pakistan over blasphemy allegations.


Belper Town FC thought everyone would realise they were joking when they advertised their next match as being against the Spanish giants. But they received more than a dozen calls from people wanting tickets. Even the club's caterer was taken in and started panicking about what to cook the fictitious opponents. "I did have a bit of a panic myself because I thought 'blimey what can I feed these lads?" said Diane Collins. "They are all into carbs, protein and veg, not like pie and chips that our footballers get." After being told it was a joke, she said: "I was disappointed I wasn't going to see Ronaldo but never mind." Belper Town FC play in the North Premier League Division One South - the eighth tier of the English football pyramid. One of the club's directors, Mike Matthews, said: "Our view as directors is that Real Madrid would merely be the warm-up game for the true match tomorrow against Kidsgrove Athletic. "We are expecting a big crowd." The match was advertised last Tuesday and by the morning of 1 April the club had received 15 phone calls asking for tickets. Three people also asked Mr Matthews for tickets directly - and two of those were serious. "They were completely unaware of the date and the sheer unlikelihood of the world's most prestigious club visiting Christchurch Meadow," he said.

Summary: A non-league football club has been left red faced after an April Fools' Day joke about playing Real Madrid went wrong.


Since the pair crashed in Spain in May, Hamilton has won four out of five races to move to within one point of Rosberg. "Ever since the low of Barcelona I've been able to cultivate this really strong mental attitude," he said. "I'm feeling fresh, powerful and confident heading to Hungary." World champion Hamilton, 31, has won four times in Hungary, but his last victory at the circuit came in 2013 and he was sixth last year. "I have incredible support there, so I can't wait to get out on track," said the Briton. "The past couple of years I haven't had the smoothest of weekends in Budapest - but I know I've got the pace, so I'm gunning to turn that around this time." German Rosberg, 31, finished eighth in Hungary last year and has a highest-placed finish of fourth at the Hungaroring. He said: "The battle is on with Lewis and I'm feeling great in myself and great in the car - so bring it on." Mercedes chief Toto Wolff is expecting a tough challenge this weekend and said the track "plays to the strength of our rivals". He added: "The Red Bull, for example, is a car that functions well where high drag isn't penalised as much as at other types of circuit. "In wet conditions and at low-speed circuits such as the Hungaroring, they are a major threat. "We will need to be flawless to come out on top." Subscribe to the BBC Sport newsletter to get our pick of news, features and video sent to your inbox.

Summary: Lewis Hamilton says he is "feeling that fire inside me" as he tries to leapfrog Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg at the top of the drivers' championship in Hungary this weekend.


Wilson, 37, and from Sheffield, was struck by flying debris and suffered head injuries during the Pocono IndyCar 500 race in Pennsylvania on 23 August. About 500 people attended the seven-time IndyCar race winner's funeral at Paulerspury in Northamptonshire. The family, friends and colleagues joined Wilson's widow Julia at Silverstone afterwards. Ex-Formula 1 driver Mark Webber and retired IndyCar racer Dario Franchitti were among the pallbearers. Webber said: "It was an honour for me to do that for the family because we are a family in many ways when it comes to motorsport. "We know the dangers are always there. Motorsport has had good and bad patches when it comes to these tragic events and when it is really close to home then it hits you even harder. "You think of the family and everyone who is going to be affected by this. Motorsport is a tight-knit family and when we need to get together in really tough times we do our best." Jonathan Palmer, the former F1 driver who took Wilson on as a protÃ©gÃ©, and former F1 champion Sir Jackie Stewart also attended. Palmer, who read an 11-minute eulogy in his honour, said: "Justin was the innocent victim in a cruel twist of fate when he was hit by flying debris from an incident ahead. It still feels like a bad dream but tragically it is only too real." The father of two died a day after Sage Karam's car spun and crashed in front of him on lap 179 of 200. Wilson's major motorsport breakthrough came in F1. He won the Formula 3000 series in 2001, and two years later raised Â£1.2m to finance his F1 entry after setting up a company in his own name. Wilson scored his only point from 16 races with Minardi and Jaguar during 2003 at the United States Grand Prix. He moved to the US in 2004 and enjoyed greater success in Champ Car, finishing as series runner-up in 2006 and 2007 before switching to IndyCar racing in 2008, after Champ Car merged with the Indy Racing League. He finished second in the previous IndyCar race in Mid-Ohio on 2 August, his first podium finish since 2013, while his final victory came at the Firestone 550 at Texas Motor Speedway in June 2012. Mark Miles, chief executive of IndyCar parent company Hulman & Co, paid tribute to Wilson's "elite ability" and his "unwavering kindness, character and humility".

Summary: The funeral has taken place of British IndyCar driver Justin Wilson, who died during a race last month in America.


The 28-year-old played 138 times for the club and represented Scotland Sevens between 2006 and 2014, including last year's Commonwealth Games. "A difficult time has been made easier as it's not been a decision," said Grant. "You just have to get on with it, accept things and move on." Grant joined Edinburgh in 2009 after beginning his Scottish rugby career as an apprentice with Border Reivers. A recipient of the John Macphail Scholarship in 2008, he broadened his experience playing with Auckland University in New Zealand, having played through Scotland's age grades, and went on to be part of the Scotland A team that secured a 35-0 victory over England Saxons in 2012. "It's been a pretty emotional time, having to come to terms with the fact I have to stop playing due to injury but I have no regrets," added Grant. "I'm really proud of what I've done, what I've achieved and what I've contributed." Head coach Alan Solomons said: "Roddy's retirement is a sad day for both the club and Scottish rugby. "I've been fortunate, over the years, to coach some terrific young men; Roddy is right up there with the best of the best. His contribution to the club has been immense, both on and off the field. He is a leader of men and the ultimate pro. "He has the heart of a lion, an unbelievable work-rate and he knew our systems and his role within them to perfection. Roddy never had a bad game. He is certainly one of the most consistent players I have ever coached. "We will miss him - he is one of a kind."

Summary: Experienced Edinburgh flanker Roddy Grant has been forced to retire after failing to recover from a knee injury suffered at the end of last season.


1 July 2016 Last updated at 08:02 BST The Hitachi Super Express was due to start testing a year ago, but despite being delivered on time, was delayed as the electrification programme to power it is more than three years behind schedule. Fifty seven trains are now being fitted with diesel engines meaning they can go into service next year on the Paddington line. The train, built in Japan, made its first run from Reading to London on Thursday.

Summary: A new high speed train for the Great Western Railway's services through the Thames Valley has taken to the tracks.


Watson's deal expires at the end of the season, but he says he has a "sense of unfinished business" at the club. "I want to stay," the 25-year old told BBC Scotland ahead of Edinburgh's derby against Glasgow Warriors on Monday. "At this point in time, I'm doing well for Edinburgh, and the best place for me to keep getting capped is playing in Scotland." Edinburgh have finished no higher than eighth in the past five Pro12 seasons, and Watson, who played every minute of Scotland's three autumn internationals, wants to follow back-row colleague Magnus Bradbury in pledging his future to the capital side. "Even though this is my sixth season, it's quite frustrating, because we win really tough games, and once we put together a season, this squad can achieve big things, and I don't want to miss that," he said. "Definitely, there is a sense of unfinished business. I believe in the next two years we can achieve a lot if we hold on to all of our players."

Summary: Scotland flanker Hamish Watson says he "wants to stay" at Edinburgh beyond the end of his contract.


A US judge said the plaintiffs could pursue claims that the film unit of the Sony corporation had been negligent. The plaintiffs are seeking to hold Sony liable for not bolstering security after previous breaches. "We are pleased that the court has properly recognised the harm to Sony's employees," said lawyer Michael Sobol. Many Sony employees had their personal details made public in 2014 when a group calling itself Guardians of Peace leaked data from the studio's computers. The attack was described as an act of revenge motivated by Sony's release of The Interview, a comedy about an assassination attempt on North Korea's leader. The nine plaintiffs claim Sony Pictures Entertainment violated a California confidentiality law by spurning security measures to stop the theft of employees' salary and health data, Social Security numbers and other sensitive information. Without ruling on their action's merits, US District Judge Gary Klausner said Sony had created a "special relationship" with its employees by requiring them to provide personal information to be eligible for salaries and benefits. The former workers said Sony's negligence caused them economic harm and that the hack had been "an epic nightmare, much better suited to a cinematic thriller than to real life". The Interview, starring James Franco and Seth Rogen as journalists recruited by the CIA to assassinate Kim Jong-un, was initially withdrawn from cinemas but was later made available online.

Summary: Sony Pictures Entertainment has failed in an attempt to dismiss a legal action brought by nine ex-employees over the cyber hack that crippled the studio.


JP Morgan Chase and American Express were among the biggest risers on the Dow Jones index, up 2.01% and 1% respectively. Overall, the Dow was up 141.49 points or 0.66% at 21,452.15. The broader-based S&P 500 was 21.31 points or 0.88% higher at 2,440.69, while the tech-focused Nasdaq was up 87.79 points or 1.43% at 6,234.41.

Summary: Wall Street shares closed higher on Wednesday, with financial stocks leading the way.


He made the statement in a video for the Church of Scotland. Mr Salmond, who is now the SNP MP for Gordon, also said that he believed all denominations had a key role to play in society. The Scottish Secular Society said the politician's remark was "controversial and divisive". But a spokesman for Mr Salmond later clarified that the former first minister had been "talking about faith, not religion". Mr Salmond, who is the SNP's foreign affairs spokesman at Westminster, was featured in the video alongside the Rev Stuart MacQuarrie, the Church of Scotland's chaplain to the University of Glasgow. The clergyman had been at Holyrood to deliver the first "time for reflection" of the new parliamentary year. Mr Salmond recalled that he was a champion for the chamber event, which features religious and humanist speakers. Speaking during the three-minute video, he said: "I am biased, of course, because I am a Church of Scotland adherent and I prefer people of faith to people of no faith or people who have lost their faith. "All denominations have a key role to play in society and we are very fortunate in Scotland because we have a tremendous ability, among religions and denominations, to come together and support good causes." The chairman of the Scottish Secular Society, Spencer Fildes, said he was unhappy with Mr Salmond's comment. He said: "For Alex Salmond to say he prefers people of faith is a controversial comment to make. "With one sentence he has separated the religious and none religious, affording special place to the religious in his own world view; preferring one half of the country to the other. "It's an incredibly ill-thought and divisive comment to make." Gordon MacRae, chief executive of Humanist Society Scotland, also said he believed Mr Salmond's comments had been "deeply innapropriate". He added: Non-religious people in Scotland constitute a larger group than any single religious denomination, and non-religious humanist wedding ceremonies are now one of the most popular ways for couples in Scotland to celebrate their love."

Summary: Scotland's former first minister Alex Salmond has revealed that he prefers "people of faith to people of no faith or people who have lost their faith".


The value of semis rose by 5.6% over the year, the Land Registry figures show, ahead of flats (up 5.4%) and detached homes (up 5.1%). Overall, property prices increased by 5.1% over the year and by 0.9% from March to April. The average home was valued at Â£179,817, the Land Registry said. Prices rose the fastest in London over the year, up 10.9%, and in the South East of England, up 8.8%. The slowest annual property price growth was in Wales, up 0.3%. Prices in Wales fell by 1.1% in April compared with March. The pace of property price rises generally has slowed, although the picture features significant regional differences. "The property market in Wales and the North East [of England] is a million miles away from the south-east corner of England," said Jonathan Samuels, chief executive of Dragonfly Property Finance. "The broader fall in the number of property transactions over the last year suggests a natural slowdown in the property market after a period of exuberance." The figures come as insurer Legal and General said there was a need for purpose-built homes for the older generation. Nigel Wilson, chief executive of L&G, said that there were more than five million under-occupied homes owned by the over 55s. Two-thirds of them were looking to downsize but there were no appropriate homes for them, he said.

Summary: The price of semi-detached homes rose at the fastest rate of any property type in England and Wales in the year to the end of April, data shows.


Their evidence, obtained from the cockpit voice recorder and other information outlines in more detail how co-pilot Andreas Lubitz, 28, brought down the Airbus. So how did this final half hour unfold? Germanwings flight 4U 9525 took off from Barcelona Airport in Spain heading for Duesseldorf, Germany, with 150 people on board, at 09:00 GMT on 24 March. The Airbus 320 began travelling over the sea towards France, taking about half an hour to climb to 38,000ft (11,600m). It should have been a two-hour flight and, in the first 20 minutes, the pilots could be heard discussing the stop-over at Barcelona with a flight attendant. At 09:30 the plane made its final contact with air traffic control - a routine message about permission to continue on its route. Everything seemed to be going as planned. Shortly afterwards, the captain told the co-pilot he was leaving the cockpit and asked him to take over radio communications. The cockpit door is heard opening and closing on the recording. Seconds later, shortly before 09:31, the selected altitude was changed from 38,000 ft to 100 ft and the plane began its descent. At 09:33, the plane's speed increased. Air traffic control contacted the co-pilot - and continued to do so over the coming minutes - but received no answer. A buzzer requesting access to the cockpit sounded at 09:34. Knocking and muffled voices asking for the door to be opened can be heard until the end of the recording. At 09:39, "noises similar to violent blows on the cockpit door were recorded on five occasions" over the course of a minute. The flight crew of another plane also tried to make contact with the cockpit by radio around this time. In the next minute - 93 seconds before impact - "low amplitude inputs" on the co-pilot's flight controls were recorded. But the level of movement was too low to disengage the autopilot, so the input made no change to the flight path. The "Terrain, Terrain, Pull Up, Pull up" warning was triggered at 09:40: 41 and it continues until the end of the recording at 09:41:06. French prosecutor Brice Robin gave details of events on board the Airbus when he briefed journalists after the cockpit voice recorder was analysed in the days after the crash. During the first 20 minutes of the flight, he said, the co-pilot's responses were courteous but he became "curt" when the captain began the mid-flight briefing on the planned landing. It was shortly after this that the captain left the cockpit, probably to go to the toilet, and within seconds Lubitz had altered the flight monitoring system to send the aircraft into descent. "This action on the altitude controls can only be deliberate," said Mr Robin. In the 10 minutes it took for the plane to plummet through the sky, Lubitz did not say a word and his breathing remained normal - despite repeated attempts by crew members and air traffic control to get him to respond. The Airbus descended at a rate of about 3-4,000ft per minute. The last radar

Summary: French accident investigators released their final report into Germanwings Flight 4U 9525, which crashed in the Alps in March 2015, about a year later.


The company said PCs and tablets running the software would go on sale on 29 July, at which point the OS would also be offered as a free download to existing users. The roll-out of the product for smartphones, Xbox games consoles and other kit will follow later. One expert said the release could prove critical to the Microsoft's fortunes. Windows 8 - the current iteration - has had a troubled life, with many deciding not to update to its touch-centric user interface. The company has acknowledged the fact by returning some features dropped from the more popular Windows 7. "We designed Windows 10 to create a new generation of Windows for the 1.5 billion people using Windows today in 190 countries around the world," wrote Terry Myerson, Microsoft's vice-president of operating systems, on its blog. "Familiar, yet better than ever, Windows 10 brings back the Start menu you know and love." He also highlighted new additions, including: Many company watchers had not expected the launch of the product to happen until later in the year. One analyst said the release was important as it might be "Microsoft's last chance" to crack the tablet market before Android and iOS became too entrenched, but added that it was unlikely to drive demand for new equipment in the same way earlier Windows updates had done. "Microsoft and Intel are certainly pushing the two-in-one device strategy [in which laptops transform into tablets], which could result in some sales," said Michael Silver from the tech consultancy Gartner. "But it's not only the fact that the upgrade is free, but Windows 10 for PCs is designed to run on computers that ran Windows 7 and even do better on less powerful hardware, so it will not spur on sales to the same extent as we've seen in the past."

Summary: Microsoft's next generation of its operating system, Windows 10, is due to be released next month.


Claire Jenkins, 36, of Gowerton, was given the fine after leaving bread crumbs on a bench in Oxford Street, during a Christmas shopping trip. She said: "I found it degrading. I didn't know it was classed as an offence." Swansea council said a new campaign was responding to complaints people were being "plagued by seagulls". "Posters have been put up on bins in the city centre advising shoppers of the penalties for littering and our message is that if you don't drop litter you won't face the fine," a spokesman said.

Summary: A woman has been fined £50 for feeding pigeons in Swansea city centre after a council crackdown.


In her new book Unfiltered, the Golden Globe-nominated actress writes: "Many of my deepest insecurities stem from these issues with my dad." She also penned an open letter to the Genesis drummer, saying she forgives him for "not always being there" and "not being the dad I expected". Collins left Lily's mother Jill Tavelman when the actress was five. In her book of essays, Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me, the 27-year-old star explains her father then moved from England to Switzerland, where he stayed for more than two decades. "He may have still been alive, but most of the time it felt as if he were completely gone," writes Lily. "I knew he loved me, yet he wasn't physically around to tell me." She says a "terrible disconnect" developed between her and Collins - who has four other children - as she got older. "He assumed everything was always fine because I never said otherwise. It established a detrimental pattern. "And I've realized that many of my deepest insecurities stem from these issues with my dad. It's taken me more than a decade to resolve some of them (others I'm still resolving) and to finally build up the courage to speak my mind to him." The Mirror Mirror and Love, Rosie actress - nominated for a Golden Globe this year for Rules Don't Apply - encourages her readers to share an open letter she wrote with their fathers, or to write their own. In it, she assures her father she will always need him and "always be your little girl", but also tells him: "We all make choices and, although I don't excuse some of yours, at the end of the day we can't rewrite the past. I'm learning how to accept your actions and vocalise how they made me feel. "I accept and honour the sadness and anger I felt toward the things you did or didn't do, did or didn't give me." She continues: "I forgive you for not always being there when I needed and for not being the dad I expected. I forgive the mistakes you made. "And although it may seem like it's too late, it's not. There's still so much time to move forward." Lily, whose book is published by Ebury Press on Tuesday, ends by saying: "I love you with all of my heart, more than you'll ever know." Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion, email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.

Summary: Lily Collins says it was "painful" that her musician father Phil was absent from much of her childhood.


The apprenticeship levy, pensions auto-enrolment and a new higher minimum wage have increased business costs. The BCC's annual workforce survey interviewed some 1,400 businesses. The trade body wants the government to ensure no new upfront costs or taxes are imposed on businesses for the remainder of this Parliament. The changes to employment legislation were designed to help improve wages and prospects for workers, but the BCC is concerned that high employment costs will have a negative impact on employees. The Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts that the National Living Wage will increase to Â£8.75 per hour by 2020. "Higher employment costs impact on the bottom line and reduce the resources available to invest in the business and its people," said Jane Gratton, the BCC's head of business environment and skills. "Our survey shows that two-thirds of businesses will need to take action in response to proposed increases in the National Living Wage over the next three years. Firms are most likely to respond by raising prices or adjusting employee pay growth and wider benefits. "There comes a point at which rising employment costs can no longer be absorbed through reduced profits." The survey found that: To deal with minimum wage increases: "Employment is just one element of the high upfront cost of doing business in the UK," said Ms Gratton. "It is the cumulative impact of all of these changes, and the pace at which they are being introduced, that causes the greatest concern and poses the biggest risk. "There is little scope for firms to absorb any further costs without there being damaging effects on competitiveness, growth and opportunities for people in the workforce. "The government must ensure that there are no upfront further costs or taxes on businesses and entrepreneurs for the remainder of this parliament."

Summary: Four out of five UK businesses have seen costs rise because of changes in employment legislation, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) reports.


22 March 2016 Last updated at 00:22 GMT The project was the idea of a BBC Learning employee and was carried out by Kitronik - an electronics kit-maker - which is another partner in the computer education project. The animations were coded using Touch Develop software and involved passing data from one Micro Bit to another in order to produce a maximum frame rate of 12 frames per second. Read more

Summary: One thousand and nine Micro Bit mini-computers have been linked together to create a large screen that can display messages and graphics.


Chevron said the Alder project has already created hundreds of jobs across the UK, including in Aberdeen and Invergordon. Gas produced from the field will be sent via a 17-mile (28km) pipeline to the ConocoPhillips-operated Britannia platform. The Alder field was discovered in 1975. Chevron said development was originally considered impossible due to the challenges of the field's reservoir, lying 14,700ft (4,480m) beneath the seabed. The company said it was now viable due to the "right combination of technology, infrastructure for processing and export, and commercial conditions". Chevron Upstream Europe managing director Greta Lydecker said: "First gas at Alder represents a significant milestone for Chevron and highlights our commitment to investing and developing resources in the UK. "Alder supports our goal of helping maximize the economic recovery of the UK, adds significant production to our portfolio, and helps extend the field life of Britannia, an important asset to Chevron in the North Sea." Deirdre Michie, chief executive of industry body Oil and Gas UK, said: "It shows the opportunities that are still out there." She called for a "stable fiscal regime" to help boost investor confidence in North Sea exploration and production.

Summary: Gas production has started from a North Sea field first discovered more than 40 years ago when its development was considered "impossible".


Scottish Children's Services Coalition made the call after "disappointing" waiting times for appointments were revealed in the region. Figures show in the Lothians 15% of children had to wait more than a year. Less than half of the 665 children referred were seen within the target of 18-weeks. Two years ago the Scottish government set a target for Mental Health services that 90% young people should be seen within 18 weeks. The figures for treatment from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) relate to the period between October and December 2016. A spokesperson for the Scottish Children's Services Coalition, a network of support groups, said: "The figures from NHS Lothian indicating that more than half of those who started their treatment between October and December had been waiting more than the Scottish government target of 18 weeks is clearly disappointing. "In addition, of the 101 children and young people in Scotland who had been waiting for more than a year before they started treatment, these almost all relate to NHS Lothian. "We know that half of all diagnosable mental health problems start before the age of 14 and 75% by the age of 21. "As such it is vitally important that an action plan is put in place for NHS Lothian, radically improving mental health services and increasing investment in these, with an overall aim of ensuring that children and young people get the help they need, when they need it. "A target of 18-weeks is in itself still far too long. "Families usually experience months of waiting even before a referral to CAMHS. "The consequent delay in diagnosis and appropriate support can lead to a crisis situation for the child or young person concerned, as well as for their family, and the need for costly extra resources to address this. "We hope that NHS Lothian takes account of these figures and takes urgent action to address this matter." Alex McMahon, NHS Lothian's executive director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals, said: "More young people than ever before are accessing mental health services and we have seen a steady rise in the number of children and young people being referred to our services. "Unfortunately patients are having to wait longer than we would like and we are working hard to reduce this number. "We have invested significantly in CAMHS over the years to support the delivery of expert services for children. We are confident they will be strengthened through integration of education, social and health services. "Our CAMHS team is working on an agreed action plan to reduce the length of time children and young people are waiting and we have approximately 200 less children and young people waiting more than 18 weeks as a result and are confident we will see further significant reductions in waiting times over the coming months."

Summary: Support groups are calling for an action plan to "radically" improve mental health services for children and young people in the NHS Lothian area.


From the birth of package holidays to Walkers crisps and even the discovery of a celebrated king - there's more to the city of Leicester than just a Champions League football team. Here are nine colourful facts about the East Midlands city: In 2013 the skeleton of English king Richard III was found beneath a Leicester car park. King Richard was killed in battle at Bosworth in 1485 after only two years on the throne. Experts from the University of Leicester said DNA from the bones matched that of descendants of the monarch's family. In March 2015 a service to mark the king's reburial took place at Leicester Cathedral. Henry Walker first started making his potato-based snacks in Leicester in 1948. To mark Leicester City winning the Premier League, Walkers now plans to produce limited bags of salt and vinegar crisps called "salt and victory". Celebrated former Leicester and England footballer Gary Lineker has long been associated with the brand, appearing in adverts for the crisps. Walkers also started a "Countdown to Kit Off" digital striptease, following Lineker's promise to present Match of the Day wearing only his underpants if Leicester City were crowned champions. The countdown saw images of Lineker on Twitter covered in crisp packets, which were gradually removed as the Foxes moved closer to the title. Leicester is home to the Attenborough Arts Centre. The Â£1.5m gallery extension was opened in January by Sir David Attenborough, after it was championed by his late brother, the actor Richard Attenborough. The brothers grew up in Leicester after their father, Fredrick, was appointed Principal of the city's University College. The family lived in College House, which is now part of the Department of Mathematics at the University of Leicester. Sir David told the BBC that growing up in Leicester provided him with a "rich cultural upbringing". He said he "owes a lot to Leicester and the people of Leicester". In 1984, Sir Alec Jeffreys discovered the technique of genetic fingerprinting in a laboratory in the University of Leicester's department of genetics. He told of his "eureka moment" in an interview for the university's website. "My life changed on Monday morning at 9.05am, 10 September 1984," he said. "What emerged was the world's first genetic fingerprint." On 9 June 1841 a 32-year old cabinet maker named Thomas Cook walked from his home in Market Harborough to the nearby town of Leicester where he began his international travel company in 1841. It all began with a one-day rail excursion priced at at a shilling a head from Leicester to Loughborough. Thomas Cook grew from these humble beginnings to become the high street travel agent we know today, arranging journeys around the globe. Leicester is home to one of the largest and oldest outdoor, covered markets of its kind anywhere in Europe. Stalls offer fresh fruit and vegetables, seafood, meat, cheese and hardware. More than 270 stalls are available every day, between 07:00 and and 18:00 BST. Gary Lineker's father, Barry, also worked as a fruit and vegetable trader at Leicester Market. Leicester hosts what

Summary: Leicester City may have won the Premier League title in one of the greatest sporting achievements of all time, but how well do you know the home of the Foxes?


During a tour of a lamb and beef farm in North Wales, the prime minister said farmers could lose as much as £330m on lamb and beef exports alone if Britain were to withdraw from the EU. Benefits of the single market outweigh frustrations with red tape, he said. But farming minister and Leave supporter George Eustice said the UK could back farmers better than the EU. 'If we vote to leave the EU and take control, we will be able to design an agricultural policy that delivers for British farmers," said Mr Eustice, a former key political ally of Mr Cameron. "We would replace our membership with a new UK-EU partnership, which would include a free trade agreement. 'We would be free to reduce the burden of regulations on British farmers. We would spend as much, or more, than we do now on supporting farmers and the environment." Mayor of London Boris Johnson also weighed in, branding the Common Agricultural Policy "demented" and in places "corrupt". Big players on both sides of the argument have been making their case as to why people should vote to Leave or Remain in the 23 June referendum on the UK's EU membership. On a visit to Denbighshire, during which he briefly cradled a new-born lamb, Mr Cameron said continued, unfettered access to the EU's internal market was vital to the region's farmers and food producers. The Remain in EU campaign has claimed that more than 90% of UK lamb and beef exports - worth around £605 million - currently go to the EU - figures disputed by those backing EU exit. Mr Cameron said the EU was not perfect but if farmers had to rely on World Trade Organization rules rather than EU membership, they could be faced with annual tariffs of up to 40% and additional costs of £240m for beef and £90m for lamb, "Farmers are faced with bureaucracy, inspections, the payment system and it's very important we deal with those issues but there's a bigger issue which is a market of 500 million people who we can sell some of the best meat in the world to," he said. Asked if there was a Plan B if the UK were to leave, he replied: "Of course we have to be ready, we have just produced a document on the alternatives." Mr Cameron later told the Welsh Conservatives' Spring conference that any alternative trading arrangement with the EU, including one based on Canada's free trade agreement, which is being advocated by Mr Johnson, would result in "new impediments, restrictions and costs for Welsh businesses". Dismissing Mr Johnson's case that the UK could retain the benefits of the single market without the downsides of EU membership, the PM said "if something sounds too good to be true, that's normally because it is". Former environment secretary Owen Paterson, who is backing EU exit, has argued that Britain would be free to set its own subsidies and its own environment policies outside the EU. He has said the "dotty idiocy" of EU directives had made

Summary: David Cameron has warned that British agriculture would suffer if the UK votes to leave the EU.


The Merthyr and Rhymney AM will stand down before this year's election after 17 years in Cardiff Bay. Speaking to BBC Radio Wales' Sunday Supplement programme, he said many politicians, including some in his own party, were nervous and sceptical about devolution in 1999. But that view is now "long gone". While he was "a very early convert", he said the closeness of the referendum result - 50.3% voted for and 49.7% voted against setting up the assembly - created "a great deal of nervousness". He said: "My opinion was always the proof of the pudding is in the eating, it's about what the institution does - in terms of social change - that really matters." Mr Lewis felt strongly that devolution could be used to tackle areas in which Wales was at a particular disadvantage to England, including health, education and combating poverty. The former chemistry teacher described taking on the education portfolio as "a dream come true" and said reforms to the curriculum and teacher training were two of his proudest achievements. He said: "The old England and Wales schools-based education agenda no longer exists. "Wales now has its own distinctive path and own distinctive future in terms of what our schools are going to look like." He said the reforms happening here were based on "real evidence" and not "ideologically driven", which is what he fears is happening in England with the "marketisation of education". By implementing a Scandinavian-style model - that includes children learning through play - he hopes teachers will be better skilled and standards will rise. "We're not emulating England, we're emulating the best," Mr Lewis said. This is despite an assumption he believes is made by many that Wales should see England as a "gold standard" and if something different is tried here, it is somehow suspect and second rate. "I hope, that as devolution has matured over the years, we are finally beginning to break away from that kind of mentality," he added. "We are quite capable of setting out our own agenda and following it and basing it, in global terms, on what the best looks like. "That's the real dividend from devolution. That should always be where we're thinking.''

Summary: Wales has "broken away" from England and is now capable of setting its own agenda thanks to devolution, outgoing education minister Huw Lewis has said.


The body of 39-year-old Anayat Bibi was discovered with multiple stab wounds at a house in Vickers Road, in Firth Park, at the weekend. A 42-year-old man from Sheffield is expected to appear before magistrates on Friday. Police said two other men, aged 83 and 20, arrested in connection with the killing remained on police bail. Ms Bibi's body was found by police at about 11:35 BST on Sunday.

Summary: A man has been charged with the murder of a woman who was found stabbed in Sheffield.


In 1787, the 28-year-old Robert Burns was suddenly a "celebrity", according to Prof Nigel Leask, regius chair of English Language and Literature at the University of Glasgow. The 2nd Edinburgh edition of his poems had given him a quite a handsome pot of money and it had also made him famous, with the cream of Scottish society taking an interest in him. Prof Leask says: "He was the lion of Scottish literature, everyone wants to meet him." And Burns also wants to meet them, especially if they have the power to promote his work further and the cash to buy his books. "Poets in the 18th Century depended on patronage so he tours around the gentry and nobles, really doing a bit of salesmanship," says Prof Leask. Throughout 1787 Burns embarked on a series of tours, firstly around the Scottish Borders and northern England and then further afield to the west Highlands taking in Inveraray, Arrochar and dinner with Glasgow tobacco merchant George Buchanan at Arden House at Bannachra near Loch Lomond. Later in the year he toured the Highlands during which time he stayed with the Duke and Duchess of Atholl at Blair Castle, dined with the Duke and Duchess of Gordon at Castle Gordon and visited historical sites such as the Culloden battlefield and Cawdor Castle, which featured in Shakespeare's Macbeth. Prof Leask says that Burns seems to have had letters of introduction from Edinburgh patrons that gained him access to the upper-echelons of Scottish nobility. "He's not overawed by his posh surroundings," says Prof Leask. "It shows his amazing social versatility. He's got an ability to move in all the circles of society. "There is a sense of how thoroughly he was in the society and culture of the late 18th Century." Prof Leask says: "It slightly qualifies the image of the 'heaven-taught ploughman' who does not have formal qualifications, who is just a genius endowed by nature. "This shows how learned he was, how much he knew." Prof Leask says the tours of the Highlands are also important because it was a Lowlander's encounter with Gaelic culture, the Highland culture of Scotland. During his travels he composes songs like the Birks of Aberfeldy and discovers his east coast heritage, visiting relatives in Stonehaven and Laurencekirk. His father's family had a strong connection to the Jacobites in the north east. As well as mixing with the Scottish nobility there was plenty of time for the rock star antics for which Burns has become well known. Prof Leask recounts how Burns stopped for the night at Arden House near Loch Lomond. "He has a very convivial night of dancing and drinking and seeing the sun rise over Ben Lomond," says Prof Leask. "He sets off the next day and has a horse race on the road down to Dumbarton with a Highland man he calls Donald, who is riding an unharnessed horse and Burns is riding Jenny Geddes, his old mare. "He is determined not to be overtaken so he races and has an accident. "It's a bit like two

Summary: At the height of his new-found fame Robert Burns embarked on a series of tours around Scotland, keeping company with some of the wealthiest and most powerful people in the land.


The picture of Men Drinking in a Pub appears to have another work on the reverse, partly covered by wall paint. The piece was found during renovation of the artist's previous home in Whitworth Terrace, Spennymoor, by new owners Joe and Deborah Smith. Auctioneer and art expert John Anderson said it was "a piece of salvage that may yield a masterpiece". "Most artists, if suddenly touched by the muse will grab whatever is available to work out the inspiration," he said. The artist, who died last year, started working in the mines when he was 14 and became famous for his paintings of everyday life in the industrial North East after attending the Pitman's Academy. "In this case, presumably, he looked at it and thought 'there's a painting I'm not satisfied with'," said Mr Anderson. "Rather than going to the shop when he was panelling the bathroom cupboard, this was a cheap and convenient expedient." Mrs Smith, whose father was Cornish's cousin, said the panel was not signed but "it is definitely a Cornish because his son-in-law Michael has authenticated it and has written a letter of authentication". The painting is to be auctioned by Anderson and Garland in September. An early self-portrait of the artist with a hidden portrait of his wife on the other side was sold by the auctioneers for Â£13,500 in January.

Summary: A painting by "Pitman painter" Norman Cornish has been discovered being used as a bath panel in his former home.


In the programme, a man who said he too was a former IRA and Sinn Féin member turned British agent, alleged that the Sinn Féin leader approved the killing of Denis Donaldson in 2006. The former spy cannot be identified because of fears about his safety. Mr Donaldson was shot dead months after admitting that he had been an MI5 agent for more than 20 years. Three years later, the Real IRA said it was responsible. On Wednesday, Mr Adams said he "specifically and categorically" denied the allegations, describing them as "part of the British security agencies ongoing attempts to smear republicans and cover up their own actions". He said he would consider taking legal action against the BBC. "I've taken a number of cases against various periodicals, I got a number of corrections and apologies from a number of outlets," said Mr Adams. "If my legal advisers give me the type of guidance that I require, I will sue them. I'm not reluctant to sue. "That the BBC would broadcast unsubstantiated allegations from an anonymous person, a self-confessed agent, about me, I think it's very, very low journalism indeed." Mr Adams said there was a need for all agencies to "fully co-operate with the ombudsman's investigation into the role of the police in the events that led to the killing of Denis Donaldson and for the Gardaí to expedite their investigation to bring those responsible to justice." The Sinn Féin leader said he would "continue to support the family of Mr Donaldson to achieve truth and justice". Mr Donaldson had worked for Sinn Féin as a senior administrator at Stormont. He was killed at a remote Donegal cottage in 2006. What Spotlight was told Agent: I know from my experience in the IRA that murders have to be approved by the leadership. They have to be given approval by the leadership of the IRA and the military leadership of the IRA. Presenter: Who are you specifically referring to? Agent: Gerry Adams, he gives the final say. The informer told Spotlight that murders had to be approved by the political and military leadership of the IRA. Days after Mr Donaldson's killing, the IRA said it was not involved in Mr Donaldson's death. But security sources have told Spotlight that intelligence received following the killing contradicted the IRA's denial. You can watch BBC Spotlight: Spy in the IRA now on BBC iPlayer.

Summary: Gerry Adams has denied claims in a BBC Spotlight programme that he sanctioned the murder of an IRA informer.


Three houses were searched in Lisburn, Belfast and Antrim in connection with the seizure. A man interviewed by police was later released, pending further enquiries. Detectives worked alongside officers from the National Crime Agency in the operation.

Summary: Police say they have seized herbal cannabis worth £100,000 that was destined for Northern Ireland.


He was back at the ground for the first time in nearly four years; it was 1,406 days since he was last here for a Champions League game when he wore the famous red, white and black of Manchester United. This time he was in the unfamiliar green kit of Real Madrid for a last-16 tie against United with the score delicately poised at 1-1 after the first leg in Spain. This was to become a bittersweet homecoming for the 28-year-old Portuguese. Ronaldo stayed on the field warming up with his pristine red boots for 16 minutes. His task: to keep his emotions under control and focus on the job of firing nine-time winners Madrid into the Champions League quarter finals. It was all about concentration. Ronaldo never once looked up at the vast Sir Alex Ferguson stand over his left shoulder as he practised shooting from 20 yards just to the left of centre - and finding the net every time. Warm-ups done and it was time for team embraces. High-fives all round. Madrid's players were as one and after a few stretching routines to finish, it was time to head back for the Special One's final instructions - the final team talk from Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho. Ronaldo emerged again at 19:41 GMT. This time the atmosphere was hot, red hot. And at 19:44 there was a special moment as the PA announcer ran through the team line-ups. "And it's a special welcome back to number seven Cristiano Ronaldo," he boomed. Ronaldo waved, thumped his chest, waved again. His head bowed for a respectful moment before putting his hand back on to his chest. Just for a moment, those emotions must have threatened to run away from him. And the Manchester United support welcomed him back with a standing ovation which lasted until after referee Cuneyt Cakir started the match. United had the better of the first half and largely managed to shackle Ronaldo. When Sergio Ramos steered the ball into his own net to give the home side a 1-0 lead on the night, Old Trafford erupted and Ronaldo's head went down. He looked momentarily forlorn. And then the match changed irreversibly. Nani was shown a contentious red card for a high challenge on Real defender Alvaro Arbeloa. Furious United manager Sir Alex Ferguson turned cheerleader from the touchline while Ronaldo - knowing the Red Devils were vulnerable - immediately switched to a more central role. It was emotional, it was unbelievable. I don't have words to explain what I feel With attack-minded midfielder Luka Modric on for right-back Arbeloa, there was much more room for Ronaldo and Real Madrid set about exposing the 10 men of United. When Modric struck with a dipping, 25-yard equaliser, Ronaldo did not celebrate. He was far away to the left and not involved in the move. Three minutes later, he would be. Almost inevitably, it was Ronaldo who secured Madrid's victory when he squeezed Gonzalo Higuain's cross in at the far post to silence the United fans. He held his arms

Summary: It was precisely 19:13 GMT on Tuesday when Cristiano Ronaldo stepped on to the Old Trafford turf.