Margaret Chisholm told the High Court in Glasgow that her brother Ronnie Coulter made the admission to her after a jury cleared him of the murder. She also said that when he was on remand awaiting trial, Mr Coulter neither admitted or denied the murder. Mr Coulter denies murdering Mr Chhokar and has blamed two other men. The 48-year-old, from Wishaw, denies stabbing the 32-year-old in Garrion Street, Overtown, North Lanarkshire, on 4 November 1998. Mr Coulter has lodged a special defence blaming his nephew Andrew Coulter - Mrs Chisholm's son - and another man, David Montgomery. Mrs Chisholm was giving evidence as the trial entered its fourth week. She told prosecutor Alex Prentice QC that hours after her brother was cleared of murdering Mr Chhokar in 1999, he visited her home in Overtown. Mr Prentice asked her: "Why was he there?" and Mrs Chisholm replied: "Because he'd just been found not guilty. He was sitting on the floor in the living room leaning against a radiator." The prosecutor then asked: "What did he say?" and she replied: " He said 'I've just got away with the perfect murder.'" Mrs Chisholm also told the court that her brother said: "He took one off me, so I took one off him." She said she believed this was a reference to God and the fact that Mr Coulter had a baby girl that was stillborn. Mr Prentice also asked her about a visit she made to her brother in Barlinnie Prison in 1998 or 1999, while he was on remand awaiting trial. The prosecutor asked if she had asked him anything and Mrs Chisholm replied: "If he done it. If it was him that done Chhokar." Mr Prentice said: "Did he answer?" and She replied: "He said 'Mmhmm.' He never said aye or nah." The witness said that was all she could remember about their conversation in the prison. Mr Prentice also showed Mrs Chisholm a transcript from another murder trial in 2000, where her son Andrew and Mr Montgomery were the accused. Both were later cleared of murder. In the transcript Mrs Chisholm had said her brother told her he had stabbed Mr Chhokar. The prosecutor then asked: "Did you tell the truth on oath when you gave evidence in that trial?" and she answered: "Yes." Mrs Chisholm told the jurors that Mr Coulter phoned her from prison while he was on remand and asked her to search for a tammy (hat), with a knife wrapped inside it, on the old railway line between Overtown and Gowkthrapple. She said: "I went with my daughter Rona and my son Andrew, but with no intentions of finding them. It was freezing. We took the dog for a walk." Mrs Chisholm claimed that in an earlier phone call her brother asked her to go to Wishaw market, along with his former girlfriend Alexandra Tierney, and purchase a box of knives. She was asked what she was to do with the box of knives and replied: "Take the smallest one out and put it in Ronnie's cutlery

Summary: The sister of a man accused of stabbing Surjit Singh Chhokar in 1998 has told a trial he claimed that he had "got away with the perfect murder".


Ukraine prosecution officials said there was no evidence of a crime but one politician called for the president to face impeachment proceedings. Eleven million documents from Mossack Fonseca show how some of its clients use it to avoid tax and launder money. The firm says it did nothing illegal. The Panamanian firm is alleged to have set up a company in the British Virgin Islands for Mr Poroshenko called Prime Assets Partners, which describes itself as a holding company of the Roshen confectionery group. Before becoming president, Mr Poroshenko had been known as the "chocolate king". During his presidential campaign in 2014, Mr Poroshenko vowed to sell most of his business assets. He won the election and was sworn in in June 2014. The assets were transferred to the newly created holding company. In October 2014 a Ukrainian bank, of which Mr Poroshenko owns a controlling stake, sent a letter of recommendation to Mossack Fonseca saying that his accounts had been "conducted properly up to our satisfaction", according to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. Journalists from the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) argued that President Poroshenko's action might be illegal on two counts: starting a new company while president and not reporting the company on his disclosure statements. The BBC cannot independently confirm this. Anti-corruption group Transparency International also believed that the "creation of businesses while serving as president is a direct violation of the constitution". But a spokesman for Mr Poroshenko said the company it set up for the president had no active assets and was part of a legitimate corporate restructure aimed at helping to sell the Roshen group. None of the three associated accounts held more than â‚¬2,000 (Â£1,600; $2,270), he said. The Ukrainian leader went on Facebook to insist that, on becoming president, he had delegated management of his assets to consulting and law firms. "I believe I might be the first top office official in Ukraine who treats declaring of assets, paying taxes and conflict of interest issues profoundly and seriously, in full compliance with the Ukrainian and international private law," he wrote. Legal firm Avellum, which was given the task of selling Roshen, said that using a company with foreign jurisdiction was the only way to move the company into a blind trust. "Any allegations of tax evasion are groundless," it told Reuters news agency. However, Oleh Lyashko, head of the populist Radical party which had earlier been part of the governing coalition, called for impeachment proceedings to be initiated, although that was unlikely to take place.

Summary: Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says he did nothing wrong, after leaked documents suggested he had set up an offshore company as a tax haven using Panamanian legal firm Mossack Fonseca.


They will meet on Monday afternoon to decide their response. The boss of the bank has described this plan as getting "several holes in one in a row". Golfers will know how hard that is and the wind of political risk has just picked up. If they do decide the plan is now too risky then the government may have no choice but to nationalise the bank. That would trigger a so-called "bail in" which means people who lent the bank money would have to write it off. Unfortunately, 65% of those creditors are ordinary retail investors so the damage would be widespread and politically toxic. There is another option. The Italian government could decide to simply break the rules and nationalise the bank without hitting small investors. That might be politically expedient but would be bitterly opposed in Germany and would set back immeasurably the project of banking union (separating the financial risk of banks from their governments - a move that came in response to the eurozone crisis of 2012). The money comes directly out of some small investors' pockets or it comes out of every citizen's taxes. The latter would be seen across Europe as a massive defeat in the battle to make sure taxpayers are not the first port of call when a bank fails. The fate of Europe's oldest and weakest bank has ramifications not just for Italy but for the entire European banking reform project.

Summary: Although the share price of Europe's oldest bank Monte dei Paschi is little changed this morning, that may not last if the consortium of investors planning a â‚¬5bn cash injection abandon their rescue attempt amid the political vacuum opened up by Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's departure.


The figure was released as Barclays reported a 26% drop in quarterly statutory profits to £1.34bn. However, excluding one-off items, including another £150m for mis-selling of payment protection insurance (PPI), adjusted profit rose 9% to £1.85bn. Barclays' chief executive said he was pleased with the start to the year. Barclays has now put aside £2.05bn to cover foreign exchange settlements. Last year, six leading banks reached a settlement with US and UK regulators over allegations they were trying to rig the foreign exchange market, but Barclays has yet to reach a deal for its alleged malpractice. The bank's finance director, Tushar Morzaria, said the new provision reflected "the further discussions that we've been having with a number of regulators and agencies around the world across multiple jurisdictions and it really reflects our best estimate of the full cost of these related matters". He said Barclays was trying to resolve the matter, but the timing was out of its hands: "We don't control the timetable, but we're working as hard as we can to resolve these matters." In November, HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland, Swiss bank UBS and US banks JP Morgan Chase, Citibank and Bank of America were all fined for colluding to interfere with the market-set price of various currencies. The fines were issued by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and two US regulators. PPI mis-selling has now cost Barclays £5.4bn. In total, UK banks have paid out more than £26bn for this type of mis-selling. Last year, Barclays began a thorough overhaul of its business under boss Antony Jenkins. Barclays has scaled back its once-mighty investment banking division and is placing a greater emphasis on retail banking. It is in the process of cutting 19,000 jobs, cutting costs and selling off unwanted assets. Barclays said so far it had cut costs by 7% and reduced investment risk. Mr Jenkins said: "While we still have much to do, I am pleased with how we've begun 2015." The bank's statement also said that resolving legacy conduct issues (such as mis-selling and market rigging) was an important part of its plan to transform Barclays. Richard Hunter, at Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers, said that resolving these issues was proving troublesome: "The clear fly in the ointment is the additional provisions undertaken for the forex investigation and litigation, as well as the seemingly perennial PPI situation. "The fact that these are being made are further proof if it were needed that the bank is still some way from distancing itself from the legacy conduct issues prevalent in the sector." Shares in Barclays closed down 1.7% to 256.95p. Separately, High Street rival TSB Banking Group reported first quarter profits of £34.2m. The bank, spun off from the Lloyds Banking Group last June, said its share of people switching bank accounts had risen to 7.9%, above its target of 6%. TSB is the UK's seventh biggest bank. Although it has been independent of Lloyds for less than a year, it has already agreed to be taken over by the Spanish bank Sabadell. Its chief executive, Paul Pester,

Summary: Barclays has put aside another £800m, largely to cover potential further legal action and penalties for alleged foreign exchange manipulation.


Daniel Pelka was murdered in Coventry in March 2012 by his mother and her partner. City council leader Ann Lucas said more children's social workers was "the answer" to the "huge pressures" her staff faced. The council said cases rose from 3,085 in March 2013 to 4,529 in March 2014. Ms Lucas said reports of suspected child abuse had increased dramatically since Daniel's death. The council currently has a team of 197 children's social workers. But, Ms Lucas said the authority had grown increasingly reliant on agency workers, who were more expensive and did not provide the same consistency on cases. "We have no choice - we have to take in agency workers," she said. "There aren't enough trained social workers. "Social workers also have a huge burn-out rate. These people are working at the coal-face. "I take my hat off to them. I think they are heroes - I don't know why they do it. They are castigated at every turn." One social worker Chris Horne, told the BBC: "The bottom line is if there's more work than there are social workers, we're always going to struggle." Senior social worker Sarb Bhambra added: "Staffing is always an issue. It's impossible to manage all the priorities because everything is a priority and there's only so many of us." A freedom of information request reveals the number of reports of suspected abuse in Coventry has soared by 40% since 2011. There were more than 21,000 in 2013. The results of an Ofsted inspection of children's services in Coventry are expected to be released in the coming weeks.

Summary: Children's social workers on a council that "missed chances" to save a four-year-old boy's life say they need more staff to cope with rising caseloads.


It puts new, lower limits on the size of each country's nuclear arsenal, and updates the verification mechanism. There are limits on warheads and on launchers, which must be implemented within seven years of the treaty's entry into force. Warheads: Under the New Start treaty each side is allowed a maximum of 1,550 warheads. This is about 30% lower than the figure of 2,200 that each side was meant to reach by 2012 under the Start treaty (as revised in the 2002 Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty). Launchers: Each country is allowed, in total, no more than 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and heavy bombers equipped for nuclear arms. Another 100 are allowed if they are not operationally deployed - for example, missiles removed from a sub undergoing a long-term overhaul. The new limit on delivery systems is less than half the ceiling of 1,600 specified in the original Start treaty. Not as dramatic as they might appear. The rules for counting warheads contain a big loophole. While each warhead on a ballistic missile is counted as one warhead, a heavy bomber is counted as carrying "one warhead" even though it may carry (in the case of a US B-52) up to 20 of them. According to the Arms Control Association, a pro-disarmament pressure group, the US could theoretically meet the new limits by cutting just 100 warheads, while Russia would only need to cut 190. In addition, the agreed ceilings refer to deployed warheads, not to warheads in storage. A warhead could, in theory, be put into storage, and then redeployed when needed. The cuts in launchers are also, in practice, not all that challenging. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists estimates that Russia currently has 566 - well under the permitted ceiling of 700. It estimates that the US has 798, necessitating a cut of about 12%. Supporters of the deal say that while it does not make big cuts, it is a useful confidence-building measure, which could pave the way for further nuclear deals with Russia. They say it also signals to the rest of the world that the US and Russia are not ignoring their commitment under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to progressively disarm. The important difference, according to the Arms Control Association, is that each side will now be able to carry out on-site inspections to verify how many warheads a missile is carrying. Together with satellite imagery, this should give an accurate picture of the other country's nuclear strength. Some other forms of verification will cease. Yes, it says that both sides can engage in "limited" missile defence. Russia has warned that it will withdraw from the treaty if a future US missile defence shield weakens its nuclear deterrent. The US Senate ratified it on 22 December, after much delay, so now all it needs is Russia's final approval. Russia's parliament, the Duma, is expected to ratify it - and the process may begin on 24 December. The US wants further cuts in strategic nuclear arms, but is also keen to negotiate a reduction

Summary: The New Start treaty, signed by the US and Russian presidents, replaces the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (Start), first proposed by US President Ronald Reagan in 1982 and signed in 1991, as the USSR sped towards collapse.


The first Grand Slam of the 2016 season runs from January 18-31 and the baby is due in mid-February. Asked if he would withdraw from the final in such a scenario, the 28-year-old Scot said: "I'm going to fly home. "I'd be way more disappointed winning the Australian Open and not being at the birth of the child." Murray, a double Grand Slam winner, said the current plan is to compete in the Australian Open and then take February off to spend time with Kim and the baby. He was speaking while competing in the Hopman Cup event in Perth, where he partnered Heather Watson to a 2-1 win for Great Britain against France on Monday. Murray put Great Britain ahead when he defeated Kenny de Schepper 6-2 6-2 in the men's singles. Watson lost to Caroline Garcia 6-3 5-7 6-3 in the women's singles to level the tie. Murray and Watson then beat De Schepper and Garcia 6-2 5-7 10-6 in a mixed doubles match decided on a champions tie-break.

Summary: British number one Andy Murray says he would leave the Australian Open early if his wife, Kim, goes into early labour with their first child.


FRHI Holdings owns three of the world's most famous hotel brands: Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel. It has 155 hotels in 34 countries, with 42 in North America, including The Plaza in New York. AccorHotels, which owns the Novotel and Ibis chains, said the purchase would give it a better-balanced profile. The owners of FRHI include the Qatari Investment Authority and the Kingdom Holding Company of Saudi Arabia. They will become major shareholders in Accor, with stakes of 10.5% and 5.8% respectively. Accor will pay for the acquisition by issuing 46.7 million new shares, worth about €1.8bn based on Wednesday's closing price, and a cash payment of €786m. The French company already owns luxury hotel brands including Sofitel and Pullman, as well as the mid-market Novotel and Mercure, as well as the budget Ibis and hotelF1 chains. It said the deal would increase profits from the second year after the deal was completed, with €65m in revenue and cost savings expected. Sebastien Bazin, chief executive of AccorHotels, said: "It offers us robust and global leadership in luxury hotels - a key segment in terms of geographic reach - growth potential and profitability, for long-term value creation." "We are positioning ourselves as a key player in the current industry consolidation process while maintaining substantial leeway to implement our transformation plan." The deal is the latest consolidation in the global hotel industry after Marriott International made a $12bn takeover of Starwood Hotels & Resorts to create the world's largest hotel operator. FRHI was put up for sale earlier this year by its owners. It was reported in September that London-listed InterContinental Hotels Group was considering making a bid, but none materialised. Sheikh Abdulla Bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al-Thani, chief executive of the Qatar Investment Authority, said it looked forward to becoming a significant shareholder in Accor. The QIA will get two seats on the Accor board, while Kingdom Holding will have one.

Summary: The owner of hotels including the Savoy in London and Raffles in Singapore has been bought by Accor for €2.6bn (£1.9bn).


The second-tier club, located just east of capital city Brussels, narrowly avoided relegation this season. The club's board set a time limit in its search for investment and said King Power "was the only bidder who made a clear and coherent proposal". Its directors said the deal "guarantees the future of the club, both financially and in sporting terms". OH Leuven were relegated from Belgium's top tier in 2015-16 but said new ownership would provide "sufficient financial resources to aspire to the earliest possible return". It added King Power - founded by Leicester chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in 1989 - will fund an expansion of the club's youth system. The acquisition will be formally completed when the company has concluded due diligence. Srivaddhanaprabha is worth an estimated £3.6bn according to Forbes. The 58-year-old bought Leicester in 2010, with the club winning promotion to the top flight four years later and claiming the Premier League title in 2015-16.

Summary: Leicester City owners King Power International have agreed to purchase OH Leuven, the Belgian club says.


The claim: Jeremy Corbyn had youth on his side. Reality Check verdict: If the YouGov poll is accurate there was a big swing of young people to Labour and a considerable increase in their turnout. It estimates that voters aged between 18 and 29 voted about 63% for Labour and 22% for the Conservatives, having polled more than 50,000 people online since election day. The figure it gave in its poll after the 2015 election was that 36% of 18 to 29 year olds had voted Labour with 32% voting Conservative - if correct that is a huge swing among young voters. Lord Ashcroft's much smaller exit poll puts support for Labour among young people even higher, with 67% of 18 to 24 year olds voting Labour and 18% voting Conservative. YouGov also gives figures for the turnout among younger voters, finding that about 58% of people between the age of 18 and 24 voted. If accurate it would be considerably higher than recent elections, but is in contrast to the widely-quoted but poorly sourced figure of 72%, which Reality Check wrote about last week. Remember that there is no definitive figure for turnout broken down by age groups because the election is a secret ballot, so we rely on polling organisations to give us an idea of who voted. We don't have YouGov polling figures from the 2015 election to compare these with, so we'll have to compare them with those from other companies. Ipsos Mori estimated that turnout for 18 to 24 year olds was 43% in 2015 and 44% in 2010, so a 58% turnout would be a considerable increase. Ipsos Mori is due to release its figures for this election later in the week. The overall turnout (and these are actual figures - not based on polling) was 69%, compared with 66% in 2015, so if YouGov is to be believed then the youth vote increased by considerably more than the overall turnout. Among the other findings of the YouGov poll was that 49% of graduates voted Labour compared with 32% voting Conservative. In 2015 that figure was 34% Labour and 35% Conservative. That compares with people with no academic qualifications above GCSE, who in 2017 split 33% for Labour and 55% for the Conservatives and in 2015 split 30% for Labour and 38% for the Conservatives. Read more from Reality Check Follow us on Twitter

Summary: YouGov has released the first big poll of how different groups voted at the general election - we will update this article as more figures are released.


Matt McClure stunned the hosts by flicking the Shots into a 1-0 lead after three minutes, but Tranmere hit back through Cole Stockton's sharp volley on the rebound nine minutes later. Connor Jennings then fired Tranmere in front after being put clean through by James Norwood after 23 minutes, but Aldershot dug in and levelled up via Bernard Mensah five minutes before the interval. Lois Maynard headed Liam Ridehalgh's free-kick wide as the hosts pushed late on, but they were unable to stop leaders Lincoln extending their advantage to five points. Match report supplied by the Press Association. Match ends, Tranmere Rovers 2, Aldershot Town 2. Second Half ends, Tranmere Rovers 2, Aldershot Town 2. Substitution, Aldershot Town. Manny Oyeleke replaces Jim Kellerman. Jim Kellerman (Aldershot Town) is shown the yellow card. Substitution, Tranmere Rovers. Andy Cook replaces Cole Stockton. Substitution, Aldershot Town. Shamir Fenelon replaces Idris Kanu. Connor Jennings (Tranmere Rovers) is shown the yellow card. Substitution, Tranmere Rovers. Erico Sousa replaces Adam Buxton. Kundai Benyu (Aldershot Town) is shown the yellow card. Michael Ihiekwe (Tranmere Rovers) is shown the yellow card. Second Half begins Tranmere Rovers 2, Aldershot Town 2. First Half ends, Tranmere Rovers 2, Aldershot Town 2. Goal! Tranmere Rovers 2, Aldershot Town 2. Bernard Mensah (Aldershot Town). Goal! Tranmere Rovers 2, Aldershot Town 1. Connor Jennings (Tranmere Rovers). Goal! Tranmere Rovers 1, Aldershot Town 1. Cole Stockton (Tranmere Rovers). Goal! Tranmere Rovers 0, Aldershot Town 1. Matt McClure (Aldershot Town). First Half begins. Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

Summary: Tranmere lost ground at the top of the National League after Aldershot held them to a 2-2 draw.


But the movie, directed by Australian Justin Kurzel and which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival this weekend, has a new interpretation of Shakespeare's tragic hero and why he sets out on his doomed path to power. "He's suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder," claims Michael Fassbender. "I'm aware that it's a completely modern interpretation of his actions and it's only now we know what the condition is, we were just as puzzled by soldiers returning from World War One with PTSD, society didn't know what to do with them. "I had never thought of Macbeth in that way, but Justin nudged me and said, 'it's obvious, isn't it' and it fell into place. It's actually in the text, in the banquet scene, where he sees the ghost of Banquo, Lady Macbeth has to step in and say, 'he's known to have these bouts and fits.' "To me it all makes sense - you can't be away at war, all the time, killing people, you don't see your wife, it's in the text that they've lost at least one child, and it was the key to Macbeth for me - I understood his hallucinations, the erratic behaviour, the fits of madness. Strange how Shakespeare understood post-traumatic stress too. "And to counter-balance it, I see Lady Macbeth not as the ambitious and power-hungry villainess of history, but someone who is desperately trying to reconnect with her husband and thinks that perhaps if they carry out this enormous act of murder together, it will reconnect them. I find it a more interesting theory than the power-crazy woman. It's less about power and more about filling a void." Macbeth has been adapted several times for TV and film, including by Orson Welles in 1948, when Welles starred in the title role, and most famously, by Roman Polanski in 1971, months after the murder of his wife, Sharon Tate, at the hands of Charles Manson's gang. This may have set the seal on the traditional superstition among actors that mentioning the name Macbeth is unlucky; Fassbender refers to it by "that name" and says that "strange things" happened among the crew during shooting. "It very quickly became 'the Scottish play' for us, " he says. "But the worst luck we had was the weather. That was terrible." Justin Kurzel, who made his directing debut in 2011 with independent hit The Snowtown murders, adds that there was "a supernatural element to filming in Skye in January, it seemed to be a place where spirits walk". "We just wanted a very traditional Macbeth - one that would fit in 11th Century Scotland, not a modern re-imagining of it, set in New York or London, so that's where we went - and it poured down nearly every day of the shoot. I'm amazed the crew didn't desert us, having to carry equipment up and down the mountains every day, and these poor extras just standing in the rain in their wool costumes. "However unlucky it might be though, we're all reuniting - myself, Marion and Michael - for the film

Summary: "The Scottish play" - as William Shakespeare's Macbeth is known among actors - has become "the Scottish film" starring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard as the infamous couple who murder their way to the throne of Scotland.


Mazembe - who won the home leg of their play-off 2-0 last weekend - held off Kabylie's challenge to continue the defence of their crown. There was a big shock in Abidjan as former African Champions League winners, Asec Mimosas, were knocked out by CF Mounana of Gabon. Mimosas went into their home leg needing to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg, but despite fielding a side including the likes of Burkina Faso star Aristide Bancé, the match ended 0-0 with Mounana going through 2-1 on aggregate. Also on Sunday, Platinum Stars of South Africa squeezed past another Ivorian side AS Tanda to progress 5-4 on penalties after their tie had ended 2-2 on aggregate. The South Africans went into their home leg in Rustenburg trailing 2-0 overall, but fought back to take the tie to spot-kicks and book their place in the group phase. It was much more straightforward for another South African side, SuperSport United, who overwhelmed Liberia's Barrack Young Controllers 5-0 in Pretoria. A hat-trick from Jeremy Brockie helped SuperSport United take the tie 6-1 on aggregate. Sudan's Al Hilal Obeid defeated Ports Authority of the Gambia 3-0 at home to progress 4-1 on aggregate. Confederation Cup fixtures: First leg: Sunday: Second legs: Friday: Saturday: Sunday: Also on Sunday, Nigerian side Rivers United secured a 2-0 home win over Rwanda's Rayon Sports in the only remaining first leg of the play-offs. The match had been delayed due to the commemoration of the Rwanda genocide. On Saturday, nine teams booked their place in the newly expanded group phase of the Confederation Cup, including Mbabane Swallows, whose 4-3 aggregate win over Congolese side AC Leopards made them the first club from Swaziland to reach the group stage. CS Sfaxien of Tunisia became the first side to reach this year's Confederation Cup group phase with a victory over Rail Kadiogo on Friday. The draw for the group phase will be held on will be on 26 April 2017 in Cairo.

Summary: The African Confederation Cup holders, TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo, booked their place in the group phase of this year's tournament with a 0-0 draw away to JS Kabylie in Algeria on Sunday.


Media playback is unsupported on your device 15 March 2015 Last updated at 10:37 GMT Georgina Harwood took to the sky above Cape Town, watched by her family and friends. She did the skydive to raised money for charity. "It was definitely a very special, exhilarating experience", she said. It's not the first time Georgina has jumped out of a plane. She did her first skydive in 2007 when she was aged 92. Now she's planning on going diving with sharks as her next adventure.

Summary: A daredevil gran has celebrated her 100th birthday by going skydiving in South Africa.


The Federal Anti-Monopoly Service (Fas) said that Apple's local subsidiary told 16 retailers to maintain the recommended prices of phones in the iPhone 5 and iPhone 6 families. Non-compliance with the pricing guidelines may have led to the termination of contracts, it found. Apple has not yet responded to a request for comment. At the time of the investigation, Apple denied that it controlled its products' pricing, telling Reuters that resellers "set their own prices for the Apple products they sell in Russia and around the world". The regulator said Apple had now ended its price-fixing practices but has not said whether the company faces a fine. The FAS claimed that Apple Rus monitored the retail prices for the iPhone 5c, 5s, 6, 6 Plus, 6s and 6s Plus. "In the case of the establishment of 'inappropriate' prices, the Russian subsidiary of Apple sent emails to resellers asking them to change," the watchdog said. The deputy head of the FAS, Andrey Tsarikovsky, added that "Apple actively co-operated" with the investigation and that the company had "adopted the necessary measures to eliminate violations of the law". That included training employees in the "anti-monopoly legislation norms" in Russia. In May, the FAS found that Google used its dominant position to force its own apps and services on users and fined it Â£5m ($6m). And, in November, the regulator opened an investigation into whether Microsoft abused its position in the security market with Windows 10, following a complaint from Moscow-based anti-virus firm Kaspersky.

Summary: Russia's competition watchdog has found that Apple fixed the prices of certain iPhone models sold in the country.


Members of the armed services accompanied the hearse as it arrived at the library in the Simi Valley city. The funeral takes place on Friday. Nancy Reagan died at the age of 94 last Sunday. Her 52-year marriage to Ronald Reagan was once described as the US presidency's greatest love affair. Mrs Reagan, who died of congestive heart failure in Los Angeles, was praised by President Barack Obama's family and other senior US politicians and foreign leaders. From 1981-89 she was one of the most influential first ladies in US history, initially criticised for an expensive renovation of the White House, but later becoming a much-loved figure. Nancy Reagan: Her husband's greatest supporter Praise for 'devoted' First Lady Mrs Reagan will be buried next to her husband at the presidential library. Like her husband, Mrs Reagan was a former Hollywood performer who made it all the way to the White House. As Nancy Davis, she was an actress during the 1940s and 1950s and married Mr Reagan, a prominent film actor, in 1952. She served as first lady of California during her husband's stint as California governor from 1967 to 1975 before moving into the White House after his decisive victory over Democrat President Jimmy Carter in 1980. As first lady, she sought to emulate the style of one of her predecessors, Jackie Kennedy. To this end, she extensively redecorated the White House, and accepted designer dresses worth $1m (Â£703,000) and a 4,732-piece set of china worth $209,000. But this spending spree provoked an outcry from some outraged by what they saw as profligacy and waste while millions of Americans were losing their jobs. Public opinion was also swayed by accusations that Mrs Reagan had a frosty personality, often consulted astrologers, and ordered the dismissal of White House chief of staff Donald Regan in 1987. "I see the first lady as another means to keep a president from becoming isolated," she once said. Mrs Reagan's best-known project as first lady was the anti-drugs "Just Say No" campaign. After her husband died of Alzheimer's disease in 2004, she became a champion for Alzheimer's patients, raising millions of dollars for research and breaking with fellow conservative Republicans to argue for stem cell research.

Summary: The coffin of former US First Lady Nancy Reagan has been placed in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California for public viewing.


Supermarket worker David Sinclair, 34, shook his five-month-old son Joshua in a fit of anger, causing him to die at Hairmyres Hospital hours later. At the High Court in Glasgow, Sinclair pleaded guilty to culpable homicide in regard to the infant's death on 6 December, 2012. He is due to return to the court for sentencing next month. Sinclair was originally charged with murder, but admitted the reduced charge of culpable homicide, just days before he was due to go on trial. Prosecutor Ashley Edwards said that on the day the child died, Sinclair and his now wife Kirsty and Joshua went swimming and then shopping in East Kilbride. At 17:30 Kirsty Sinclair went out to meet her mother and sister. Just 11 minutes later she received a phone call from Sinclair, who sounded "shocked". He told her: "Joshua isn't breathing properly, come home right away." He then hung up and dialled 999. The court heard that Kirsty Sinclair, who is pregnant, married Sinclair on the anniversary of their son's first birthday on 9 July 2013, and had said she was standing by him. Initially the cause of Joshua's death was unascertained, but the case was reviewed by a team of medical experts who discovered evidence of trauma in the eyes and brain which could only have been caused non-accidentally close to the time of death. One of the experts, Dr Peter Richards, consultant paediatric neuro-surgeon at John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, said: "This would be compatible with him having suffered a shaking injury involving handling at greater force than encountered in everyday life. "It would be compatible with a shaking event where a carer, who has not planned to injure a child, has a momentary loss of control with tragic consequences." Defending QC, Ian Duguid, told the court that Sinclair had found it "unimaginable" that the handling of his child would have resulted in such catastrophic injuries. The barrister added: "He is extremely remorseful for the events which have ensued. Witnesses in double figures would have come forward to talk of his caring abilities as a parent." Det Ch Insp Laura McLuckie, who was the senior investigating officer in the case, said: "David Sinclair admitted to being responsible for the death of his baby son, Joshua, who died needlessly at a young and vulnerable age. "My sincere condolences go out to Joshua's extended family, who have endured this harrowing incident and continue to live with the pain of Joshua's untimely death. "A defenceless baby died at the hands of his father, the one person whose role was to protect and care for him."

Summary: A man has admitted killing his baby son in a "harrowing incident" at his home in East Kilbride.


Dr David Nott recalled how he was unable to reply when she asked him about his experience in Aleppo at a lunch at Buckingham Palace. Sensing he was "seriously traumatised", the Queen asked if she could help before calling for her corgis. He told Desert Island Discs the dogs had a therapeutic effect. The surgeon, who volunteers with Medecins Sans Frontieres and the International Committee of the Red Cross, said the Queen's humanity was "unbelievable" and described her as "warm and wonderful". Dr Nott told the BBC Radio 4 programme that he had been operating on "badly damaged" children from a makeshift theatre in the Syrian city and key battleground of Aleppo, and he did not know what to say to the Queen when it was his turn to speak. For more than two decades, Dr Nott - a consultant surgeon at Royal Marsden, St Mary's and Chelsea and Westminster Hospitals in London - has given up several months every year to volunteer in war zones and amid major humanitarian crises. He has performed life-saving surgery in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan and Syria. During Desert Island Discs he recalled meeting the Queen at a private lunch at Buckingham Palace in October 2014. Dr Nott - who admitted that he suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of his work in war zones - said: "I [had been] coping [in Syria] with children that were really badly damaged and she must have detected something significant. "I didn't know what to say. It wasn't that I didn't want to speak to her - I just couldn't. I just could not say anything. "She picked all this up and said, 'Well, shall I help you?' I thought, 'How on earth can the Queen help me?' "All of a sudden the courtiers brought the corgis and the corgis went underneath the table." Dr Nott said the Queen then opened a tin of biscuits and invited him to feed and stroke the dogs. He added: "And so for 20 minutes during this lunch the Queen and I fed the dogs. She did it because she knew that I was so seriously traumatised. You know the humanity of what she was doing was unbelievable." During the programme, Dr Nott also recalled the moment when he was operating on a man and six armed militants from so-called Islamic State (IS) burst into the room. Dr Nott said he was too scared to speak for fear that the militants would recognise he was British. "I remember so vividly my legs shaking like jelly, and they stayed in for about 20 minutes with their guns all pointing towards us, then all of a sudden something happened outside... and they left," he said. Earlier this year, Dr Nott was named winner of the Robert Burns Humanitarian Award 2016. He also set up the David Nott Foundation which offers other surgeons and medical professionals training and advice on how to help in conflict and natural disaster zones around the world.

Summary: A war surgeon has told how the Queen helped him overcome trauma by allowing him to pet her corgis, days after he returned from Syria.


Seam bowler Fazakerley, 19, made his first-class debut earlier this month and has been named in Guernsey's squad. "We probably won't know for another couple weeks yet," Butler told BBC Radio Guernsey. "Being a contracted player for a professional side he's controlled by them, so it's a tough one." Butler continued: "He's a key player for us, so we're hoping he's available." Guernsey will come up against Italy, Cayman Islands and Qatar in the group stages of the tournament in September, which will take place in South Africa. Their 14-man squad, led by director of cricket Ashley Wright, includes skipper Jamie Nussbaumer and Matt Stokes, as well as World Cricket League debutants Matt Breban, Dec Martel, and Ben Fitchet. "A lot of our players are very experienced, but they're all still very young as well," added Butler. "The main aim has to be promotion for us."

Summary: Guernsey vice-captain Josh Butler says they are awaiting permission from Leicestershire to allow Will Fazakerley to play in World Cricket League Five.


Built in the 1970s, the 21 and 23-storey Aston University blocks had been accommodation for generations of students living on campus. Billy Young, from Demolition Ltd, said it was a complex operation because of the site and need to divert services. The demolition is part of a ??300m regeneration of the campus. Students were able to watch the event. He said: "The logistics of working on a live campus, live services - there were a lot of services that had to be diverted in and around the site before the implosion could take place. "We also had complications of a Victorian water main and gas mains and adjacent footpath that had to monitored on the day in case of any vibration damage." The Aston Student Village and new research centres will be completed by 2014. The first phase of the ??215m village project was finished last year which provided more than 1,300 bedrooms for students. The next stage of the scheme will provide another 1,050 rooms by next yea and will start now Dalton and Lawrence Towers have been brought down.

Summary: Two university tower blocks have been demolished in a controlled explosion in central Birmingham.


The authority will hold public meetings between 16 November and 7 December to discuss services which could be cut. It believes it has found two-thirds of the £21m savings needed in the next financial year, but it still needs to find a way of slashing £7m more. Councillors and officers hope residents can help persuade the Welsh government to reduce the impact of the cuts. Council leader Aaron Shotton said: "We are trying to put up an argument and stand up for local services and not simply passport through austerity cuts. "There's a window of opportunity to save services in Flintshire." The council has previously warned it cannot find ways of saving the money and that, if the government cannot be persuaded to limit the loss to Flintshire's grant, then services may be at risk. It has suggested the grant to Clwyd Theatr in Mold could be withdrawn, bins may be emptied less frequently, leisure centres could be closed and winter road gritting could be cut to a minimum.

Summary: Flintshire residents have been invited to help save services threatened by £21m of council spending cuts.


The 19-year-old follows Wayne Rooney, Raheem Sterling, Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero in winning the award for Europe's best player aged under 21. Rashford and Sanches' club team-mate Kingsley Coman also made the podium. Portugal international Sanches will receive the award at a ceremony in Monte Carlo on Monday. The prize, voted for by journalists across Europe, was established by Italian newspaper Tuttosport in 2003, who revealed this year's winner on their front page. Sanches has played eight games for the German champions this season, having joined in the summer for £27.5m, and has 11 caps for Portugal. At Euro 2016 - then aged 18 - he became the youngest player to feature in a European Championship-winning side and won the Young Player of the Tournament award.

Summary: Bayern Munich midfielder Renato Sanches has won the European Golden Boy award, beating Manchester United and England striker Marcus Rashford.


The 16ft (5m) beard statue - a "symbol of wisdom and learning" - will stand on the University of Salford's campus. Arts company Engine, who are behind the piece, said the idea came from a 1980s plan to relocate an Eastern Bloc statue of the thinker to Manchester. Engels, who wrote The Communist Manifesto with Karl Marx, lived in the area from the 1840s onwards. The sculpture will depict the nose and whiskers of the father of Marxist theory and be situated on the university's Peel Park campus in 2016, It features a climbing wall at the front, stairs to the rear and a viewing platform at the top, from which climbers can admire the view across Salford. Engine's Jai Redman said the work used Engels' "signature magnificent beard as a symbol of wisdom and learning", while the climbing aspect came from a desire to make it an "interactive piece". "We're aren't interested in making 'a hero on horseback', [which is] something Engels would have been horrified by. "Engels' Beard is a metaphor for how it is an effort and a struggle to pull ourselves out of ignorance [and] a direct representation of how all philosophers 'stand on the shoulders of giants'." Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica He said Engels had been chosen as "a great socialist, thinker and a philosopher, a local historical figure and a champion of the working classes", who dealt with issues still "alive and real" today. "There is a huge issue in Salford and Manchester, where wage inequality and mass poverty is being seen on levels not experienced here since Engels' time." The idea had come from an "audacious" plan to relocate a statue of the thinker to nearby Castlefield Basin in the mid-1980s, which "attracted broad support, but failed to materialise when no suitable sculpture could be found", he said. The plan was documented in former Hacienda DJ Dave Haslam's book, Manchester, England, where Redman first saw it. He said that ever since, he had been waiting for "a good opportunity" to create the statue. Haslam said the climbing wall was "bizarre and hilarious" but appropriate as "we should not be precious about Engels". "Engels had a sense of fun. He used to go drinking in Manchester," he said. "Landlords knew him and his friends, and he'd play jokes and get into scrapes." The University of Salford's art curator Lindsay Taylor said she was "delighted that even before work has begun on Engels' Beard, it has engaged public imagination". "All great art should provoke and encourage debate. It is entirely appropriate for the university as a place of learning to be involved with commissioning new art on educational subjects." Engine said there were no plans to create an accompanying Karl Marx beard sculpture, but added they were "approaching authorities in Germany to perhaps site the other side of his face in Munich".

Summary: The "magnificent" beard of socialist thinker Friedrich Engels has inspired a climbing wall sculpture in Salford.


The think tank's pre-election report, based on parties' spending pledges, says schools face up to 12% in real-terms cuts over the next parliament. It says increasing pupil numbers and staff wages are adding to the pressure. The Association of School and College Leaders said it presented a "bleak picture for education funding". The IFS says day-to-day spending on schools has been relatively well-protected by the coalition government compared with other public service areas, but after the election that will change whoever is in government. Analysing the spending pledges of the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats, the IFS said they all suggest a real-terms reduction of 7% per child by 2020. When the extra costs of teachers' pensions, national insurance contributions and wage increases are included, the real-terms reduction in spending could be closer to 12%, the report said. The Conservatives have said they will protect school spending per pupil, while Labour and the Liberal Democrats have committed to protecting the education budget for three to 19-year-olds - covering early years, schools and 16-19 education - in real terms. But the IFS said: "Pupil numbers are expected to grow by 7% between January 2016 and January 2020, whilst economy-wide inflation between 2015-16 and 2019-20 is currently forecast to be 7.7%. "As a result, the overall level of school spending could grow by similar amounts under the different proposals. However, if only just met, all these proposals imply real-terms cuts in spending per pupil." In response to the report, the Conservatives said they were committed to delivering a good deal for schools, and would spend at least half a billion pounds more than Labour. Shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt said his party had a better plan than what he called the Tories' "big cuts", while the Liberal Democrats insisted they would protect education budgets in real terms. ASCL deputy general secretary Malcolm Trobe said: "It is imperative that the government elected in May addresses this issue quickly and ensures that education funding is sufficient, sustainable and equitable. "We recognise that there is considerable pressure on the national budget but the country must invest in education both for its long-term prosperity and, most importantly, the future of our children." Russell Hobby, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said that the golden age of education funding was coming to an end right at the time when the demands and expectations of schools were accelerating. "These budget cuts come at a time when cost pressures on schools from pensions and national insurance are also increasing. "Salary increases are not funded by the government and you can't keep reducing salaries in real terms and still attract talented people into the profession."

Summary: Schools in England will have less to spend per pupil over the next five years, no matter who wins the election, the Institute for Fiscal Studies says.


Beatrice Lovane, 22, from Rochdale, fell ill before 21:30 BST on 26 August. Returning a narrative verdict Heywood coroner Lisa Hashmi said she died of liver disease and damage caused by painkillers. North West Ambulance Service admitted errors and is staging another inquiry. Miss Lovane who was born in Harare, Zimbabwe, died in Fairfield General Hospital, Bury almost five hours after emergency services were called. At Rochdale Coroner's Court, Ms Hashmi said "timely steps were not taken to instigate emergency treatment and basic life support" and there were "delays in indentifying the cause of her sudden collapse". However, Ms Hashmi added it was "not possible to link the gross failure in care to the cause of death". The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) NHS Trust told the inquest, which concluded on Friday, it had identified a number of significant errors and omissions by the crew who attended. After the verdict a NWAS spokesperson said in a statement it had received a complaint from Miss Lovane's family in March and a "full and thorough" investigation was undertaken. The spokesperson added: "New evidence has recently been disclosed and as a result of this two paramedics and an emergency medical technician have been suspended from duty pending further investigation. "We fully accept that the level of care Miss Lovane received was below the standard we would expect."

Summary: Three ambulance crew members have been suspended after an inquest heard there were delays and "gross failure" to provide care to a woman who died from an adverse reaction to paracetamol.


The low-frequency active sonar, approved in 2012, is used to detect enemy submarines. But it can also harm whales, dolphins and walruses that rely on underwater sound for navigating, catching prey and communicating, according to environmental groups. The case will now be sent back to a lower court for further consideration. In 2012, the National Marine Fisheries Service permitted navy sonar use but required it to shut down or delay use when a marine mammal was detected near the ships. Loud sonar pulses were also banned near coastlines and in certain protected waters. Environmental groups, led by the Natural Resources Defense Council, filed a lawsuit in response, claiming the approval violated the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The San Francisco federal appeals court ruled that the approval rules granted to the US Navy failed to meet a section of the protection act that required the programme to have "the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammals". While it said it believed the navy had attempted to follow guidelines, it concluded that the fisheries service "did not give adequate protection to areas of the world's oceans flagged by its own experts as biologically important". According to experts, the sonar systems used by the navy generate sound waves that can reach 235 decibels - a loud rock band reaches around 130. These sound waves can travel for hundreds of miles under water and can retain an intensity of 140 decibels as far as 300 miles from their source. Although direct correlations are hard to find, some scientists believe that the use of sonar has changed the behaviour of whales which have been observed swimming away, sometimes hundreds of miles, rapidly changing their depth and beaching themselves.

Summary: Sonar approved for use by the US Navy broke marine laws, a US appeals court has ruled.


Sailor Victor Magnus captured the scene when a ship carrying explosives caught fire in Halifax, Canada, resulting in the deaths of 2,000 people. The explosion, on Thursday 6 December 1917, almost wiped out the town. Mr Magnus's daughter, Anne Foreman from Cornwall, is to take the pictures to the Imperial War Museum in London. It was 09:04 (GMT) when Halifax suffered the world's greatest man-made explosion at the time, when the two ships involved in the war effort collided. Standing on the shoreline was Royal Navy Lt Victor Magnus. The French ship SS Mont Blanc, which was loaded with wartime explosives, collided with the Norwegian vessel SS Imo. The cataclysmic explosion occurred after a fire broke out on SS Mont Blanc, all of which was caught on camera by Mr Magnus. SS Mont Blanc was described as a huge 'floating bomb' because of her formidable cargo. There were more than 2,000 tonnes of picric acid, 200 tonnes of TNT, 56 tonnes of gun cotton and 223 tonnes of motor fuel on board. Records show the ship exploded and disintegrated in seconds. Altogether 3.8 sq km (1.5 sq miles) of Halifax was flattened and more than 1,900 people perished. Avid photographer Mr Magnus managed to capture plumes of smoke and a town littered with ash in his photographs. After the war Mr Magnus had three children. His daughter, Anne Foreman from Hayle, Cornwall, decided to share her father's photographs during the anniversary of the outbreak of World War One. She said: "This has brought him to life again. It's amazing, it brings tears to my eyes. Ms Foreman, aged 89, said her father was on watch during the morning of the explosion when he took the pictures. "The blast absolutely blew Halifax town into oblivion, the whole of the harbour and the town was devastated. "The thing that struck me most was a cannon that was blown three miles in land. Ms Foreman said her father was "a kind and lovely man with a great sense of humour". "There are so many things I've found out about him and his experiences from these photographs. I'm so happy he's been brought back to the forefront of our minds," she said.

Summary: Unseen pictures from World War One have been released showing what was then the world's largest explosion.


Clinton's book is a memoir, but it reads like a draft "of a potential 2016 convention speech", according to a Wall Street Journal reporter. Regardless of the politics behind it, the memoir, which will appear on 10 June, is likely to do well. The publisher, Simon and Schuster, has printed a million copies. Here are some facts about the book. One possibility was The Scrunchie Chronicles: 112 Countries and It Is Still All About My Hair, Clinton says, according to the New York Daily News' Lisa Marsh. Clinton's struggle to come up with the right title shows that she is a conscientious writer - and has a sense of humour. Perhaps even more important Clinton is thinking about her image, says Marsh, adding that on the book cover she looks like Tina Brown - "tanned, rested, ready and with perfect highlights". In Clinton's case, Marsh argues, this means that she looks presidential. In a video released on Facebook, she explains what she means by hard choices, saying that everyone faces difficult choices - and challenges - in their life, such as how to find a good job and then how to keep it. In addition, she says, they face choices about education and "whether to get married, whether to stay married". True - but the title she rejected sounds more fun. The book is not for Washington insiders It is written for the common man - or woman, she says. "While my views and experiences will surely be scrutinised by followers of Washington's long-running soap opera - who took what side, who opposed whom, who was up and who was down - I didn't write this book for them," she says, according to Politico. "I wrote it for Americans and people everywhere who are trying to make sense of this rapidly changing world of ours," she writes. She says she is hoping to reach out to those "who want to understand how leaders and nations can work together and why they sometimes collide, and how their decisions affect all our lives". But maybe not at first. Rather than disdaining Washington insiders, as she claims, she has catered to them, at least in the early stages. An advance copy of her book was sent to a consummate insider, journalist Mike Allen, according to NPR News. On 9 June, the day before the book is available, she will do an interview with ABC News' Diane Sawyer. It is the first of many interviews and appearances that are designed to promote the book and Clinton's views. That weekend she will sign books at Costco, a warehouse store and one of the nation's most important tastemakers. Part of the book is personal. In an excerpt that appears in Vogue magazine, she writes about her mother, Dorothy Rodham, who grew up poor and started working as a housekeeper at age 14. Much of the memoir, however, focuses on her work at the state department. It seems designed to appeal to potential voters, describing the work she has done in the government. She has not declared her candidacy

Summary: In Hard Choices, Hillary Clinton is coy about her marriage and other personal matters - but forthright about the role she played in Benghazi.


Or so the common narrative goes. But try telling that to Monika Schulz-Hopfner. She and her husband, along with 250 other residents of Atterwasch, a quiet village near the Polish border, face eviction from their home of 30 years to make way for the Janschwalde-Nord coal mine. And not just any old coal, but lignite, the dirtiest form of this ancient fossil fuel that is mined in vast opencast pits. If the plans go ahead, the village, parts of which date back more than 700 years, will be demolished. "Since the plans for the mine were unveiled in 2007, we have lived with this constant threat, which has taken over the lives of every individual and the community as a whole," says Mrs Schulz-Hopfner. How American energy independence could change the world Shale industry faces reality check "Every single decision we make is affected by it." And the residents of Atterwasch are not alone. In the eastern German region of Lausitz, nine villages are under threat, where up to 3,000 people could lose their homes to make way for five new lignite mines that are fuelling the country's renewed thirst for coal. Two further mines are under consideration. The mines are needed to power a new generation of coal power plants. Two new lignite plants were opened in 2012, with a further two in the pipeline. Another two hard coal plants also opened last year, with a further five opening this year or next, with two more awaiting licences. The effects are already being felt. Lignite production in 2012 hit its highest level for almost 20 years, while initial estimates suggest this brown coal was used to generate 162bn kWh of electricity last year, more than in any year since 1990. The use of hard coal also increased, meaning the two energy sources accounted for 46% of Germany's overall energy production. The impact on CO2 emissions has been immediate. "There has been an increase of between 5%-7% in CO2 in the past two years," says Prof Claudia Kemfert, head of energy at the German Institute for Economic Research. And this in a country that aims to reduce emissions by 40% from 1990 levels by 2020. As Prof Christian Hey, secretary general of the German Advisory Council for the Environment, says: "Germany has a coal problem." There are many reasons why. One is the low cost of carbon. "Due to the failure of the emissions trading system, the price of CO2 permits is very low," says Prof Hey. "The EU has failed to address this issue." Oversupply and a fall in demand for energy - and therefore permits - during the economic downturn means the price now stands at around three euros per tonne of CO2. If everything had gone to plan, the price would be more than 10 times that by now. Overcapacity has also pushed the price of coal lower, while the lignite industry has benefited to the tune of 60 million euros from being exempt from supporting the renewables industry, says Prof Hey. This means the fossil fuel has moved

Summary: Germany is an enlightened leader in the global battle to reduce CO2 emissions, a pioneer in renewable energy and community power projects and a champion of energy efficiency.


Patricia Alejandra Lorenzo Harris travelled from Rawson to Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd. a year after the towns were twinned to mark 150 years since the migration. She said it was a "dream" to visit her great-grandfather's home country. Next year a grant will allow someone from the town to visit Rawson. The first Welsh settlers to reach Patagonia founded Rawson, which is the capital of the Province of Chubut. Among the nearly 200 settlers who sailed south on the Mimosa in 1865, at least five were from Blaenau Ffestiniog, and the towns were twinned last year to help re-establish the link. Historian Ms Harris, president of the twinning commission, travelled with her friend Marisa Conde to learn more about where her ancestors came from. They visited the Welsh Highland Railway, Llechwedd Slate Caverns, took part in a Spanish lesson at Aberystwyth University and visited Ysgol Maenofferen where they presented gifts from children of 178 Suyay Hue School in Rawson. Ms Harris said: "It's been my dream to come to Wales and see the country. When I was young, I spent a lot of time speaking to my grandfather and he told me about how his father had travelled from Wales with his family. "I also feel a great responsibility to bring greetings from the whole of the community in Rawson and to re-establish the link between between Rawson and Ffestiniog."

Summary: A descendant of two of the first people from Wales to resettle in Argentina's Patagonia has visited the north Wales town where her relatives came from.


Theresa Villiers and Charlie Flanagan both attended a meeting to review the implementation of the Fresh Start deal negotiated in November last year. Both the British and Irish governments said the momentum created by the agreement must be maintained. Mrs Foster became Northern Ireland's first female first minister on Monday. The Democratic Unionist Party leader took over from Peter Robinson, who confirmed his resignation in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Mrs Foster is the youngest person to hold the most senior post in Northern Ireland politics. Speaking after Thursday's meeting, Mrs Foster said she was "absolutely delighted" by how the Fresh Start agreement had been implemented. "Good progress has been made and we'll continue to make that progress," she added. She said the legacy of Northern Ireland's Troubles had been discussed and that there was a need to talk to victims' groups. Earlier, Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers said "significant progress" had been made since the Fresh Start agreement was made, but "substantial challenges" remained. She added: "Work continues with victims' representatives and others on finding a way forward to address the legacy of Northern Ireland's past."

Summary: Arlene Foster has had her first meetings since becoming first minister with the Northern Ireland secretary and the Irish foreign minister.


The warning by Age UK and Carers UK came as the charities released figures showing there were 1.2m carers over 65 - a 25% rise in the past decade. The biggest increase though has been seen in the over 85s, with the numbers more than doubling to 87,000. The charities said these older carers needed better support. This issue includes NHS funding, GP access and social care, particularly of older people. Policy guide: Where the parties stand The majority of carers over 65 are looking after a partner, although some are looking after elderly parents, or grandchildren, or relations with disabilities, according to the charities. The research by the charities - based on Census data from 2001 and 2011 and their own analysis - estimated the care provided by older carers was worth Â£15bn a year. It warned that despite the growth in numbers, few of the older carers were being offered support by the state. Last year just over 175,000 were given assessments by their local councils. One in three carers aged 65 to 74 provide over 50 hours of care a week, but for the over 85s group that rises to more than half. More than half of the younger age group said they were not in good health, compared to 40% of those who do not have caring responsibilities. Feelings of depression and anxiety were cited by one in three carers aged 65 to 74 and nearly half of the older age group. The BBC has launched an online guide to the care system for the over-65s. The "care calculator" covers residential care and the support provided in people's own homes, for tasks such as washing and dressing. Users can submit their postcode and find out how much each service costs where they live in the UK. There is also a dedicated BBC Cost of Care website, with news stories, analysis and video. Dave, 90, is typical of the generation of older people who find themselves caring for loved ones. The former tram driver has been looking after his wife Ethel, who has poor eyesight and limited mobility, for the last 20 years. He does not get any help. "We like to be independent and between us we manage to get by. We just accept this as the way it is. You just get on with it don't you?" Carers UK chief executive Helena Herklots said: "Caring is something that touches all of us at some point in our lives but this research shows that the number of older people are caring for others at a time when they are more likely to need care themselves. "Action is needed to ensure that older carers have the support they need so they don't have to care alone." Councillor Izzi Seccombe, of the Local Government Association, said: "Councils recognise that informal carers do a challenging job in very difficult circumstances." She said local authorities were doing their best to support them and she urged carers to come forward for help, saying that they did not always realise they were entitled to

Summary: The number of older carers in England is rising, with signs the pressures of looking after loved ones is damaging their health, research suggests.


Ukraine's interior minister said earlier that three tanks had entered rebel areas of the east, and fighting was under way. Arsen Avakov said that the tanks entered Ukraine along with other armour through a border checkpoint controlled by rebels in the Luhansk region. Russia denied the report. The foreign ministry said it was "another fake piece of information". Meanwhile, a vehicle belonging to a separatist leader was blown up in the eastern city of Donetsk late on Thursday. The BBC's Steve Rosenberg says the van belonged to Denis Pushilin, the self-declared leader of the Donetsk People's Republic. Mr Pushilin was not inside but pro-Russian separatists, who control the city, said four people were injured. It is not clear what caused the explosion. Earlier, Moscow accused President Poroshenko of not delivering on his pledge to stop fighting in the east. It wants an investigation into allegations that Ukrainian forces used banned incendiary bombs against civilians. "The lack of any progress whatsoever in efforts to stop the violence and halt military operations... is causing increasing concern," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. He said that reports in the Russian media that incendiary bombs were being used was another "cause for special concern". The bombs are designed to trigger major firestorms and were often used during the Vietnam War before they were banned by the United Nations. Ukraine has denied using the weapons. It has accused Russia of allowing the rebels to deploy three Soviet-era T-72 tanks across the border into the east of the country. Ukraine's presidency said in a statement that Mr Poroshenko, who was elected last month, had a "substantial" conversation by telephone with Mr Putin on Kiev's plan of bringing peace to the east. Mr Avakov said the tanks had crossed the border from Russia along with armoured personnel carriers and artillery pieces in the Dyakove area of Luhansk region, before moving into the neighbouring Donetsk region. Two headed towards the town of Horlivka and were attacked by government forces, he added. Unverified video has been posted on YouTube of a battle tank rolling down a street said to be in Snizhne. The footage was shot from a flat overlooking the street. A second clip, also said to have been recorded in Snizhne, shows a similar tank passing a roundabout. There was no confirmation about the tanks from the insurgents. Pro-Russian separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions declared independence after holding referendums last month which were deemed illegal by the government in Kiev. Ukraine and the West accuse Russia of supporting and arming the rebels - a claim denied by Moscow. The rebellion began amid the turmoil which followed February's ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych, whose last-minute decision not to sign a landmark treaty with the European Union in November sparked mass street protests in Kiev.

Summary: Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has told President Vladimir Putin that reports of Russian tanks moving into Ukrainian territory are unacceptable.


His side are second in Group F, two points behind leaders England, and the visiting boss says they are only focused on a victory. "We expect an aggressive opponent and we have to be the same," Katanec said ahead of Sunday's World Cup qualifier. "We must concentrate on the second ball." Slovenia are unbeaten in the last seven internationals since a 1-0 loss to Turkey in a friendly last May, while the Scots lie second bottom of Group F after gathering only four points from four games. But Katanec insists he will not be fooled into thinking the contrasting fortunes will automatically give his side the edge in Sunday's game in Glasgow. "Scotland are at home, so they will be the favourites, but we want the win because, in this group, one point is not enough," he said. It is a match described by his opposite number, Gordon Strachan, as a must-win for Scotland, but Katanec thinks Sunday's hosts have been unlucky so far. "They are not as bad as their results suggest and some of the goals they have conceded so far have been unlucky," he insisted. Slovenia captain Bostjan Cesar echoed his coach's thoughts on the Scottish style. "They are aggressive all over the pitch, but they have good players," said the 34-year-old Chievo defender. "They tend to play long balls, so the second ball is going to be very important for us. "We expect a tough match." The expected attendance at Hampden is only 25,000 - less than half capacity. Cesar experienced the Hampden roar with Slovenia in 2004 and thinks it will be a boost for his side if the home fans stay away in numbers. "If the stadium is not full then that could be a plus for us, but we still have to do our thing on the pitch," he said. Cesar is hopeful of exploiting a defence that have shipped an average of two goals per game. "They are aggressive all over the pitch and have good players, but maybe their weakness is at the set-pieces because they leave too much room for the opponents to score at that time," he said.

Summary: Slovenia must match Scotland's aggression if they are to take three points from Hampden, according to head coach, Srecko Katanec.


Terry Taylor, 59, of Oldham, Greater Manchester, was found at the Globe Hotel in Main Street, Cockermouth, early on 31 May. He was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital. Michael Sanderson, 31, of Arkleby Hall Cottages, Arkleby, Aspatria, previously denied murder at Carlisle Crown Court. He was jailed at Manchester Crown Court and must serve at least 14 years. Cumbria Det Ch Insp Roy Ledingham, said: "Terry died as a result of severe trauma to the head caused by a serious and sustained assault, and today Sanderson has been brought before the courts to answer for this terrible crime. "Nothing will ever bring Terry back to life, however I hope today's result will provide his family with some closure. Our thoughts remain with them during this difficult time."

Summary: A man has been jailed for life for the murder of a retired paramedic at a Cumbria hotel.


Mr Hammond's arrival makes him the first UK foreign secretary to visit since the years before the Caribbean country's communist revolution of 1959. He said the UK was set to reach new "co-operation agreements" on energy, education and culture with Cuba. Mr Hammond's visit follows one by US President Barack Obama last month. The foreign secretary is due to take part in a series of meetings to discuss social and economic changes, human rights and the fight against global health threats such as the Zika virus. He will also sign a bilateral agreement restructuring Cuba's debt to the UK. "Britain and Cuba have outlooks on the world and systems of government that are very different," Mr Hammond said as he arrived in the capital Havana. "But as Cuba enters a period of significant social and economic change, I am looking forward to demonstrating to the Cuban government and people that the UK is keen to forge new links across the Atlantic. "That is why Cuba and the UK are set to reach new cooperation agreements on energy, financial services, education and culture, to the benefit of both our nations. "As the first British foreign secretary to visit Cuba since before the Cuban Revolution in 1959, this is an opportunity to hear for myself what Cuba thinks about its present challenges and where it sees its future." Last year, British exports to Cuba soared by 25%. According to the Department of Trade and Industry, the top items exported to the country are: In March Barack Obama became the first US president since 1928 to visit Cuba. For years, the US and Cuba were engaged in a bitter stand-off, triggered by the overthrow of US-backed Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista by Communist leader Fidel Castro in 1959. The US broke off diplomatic relations and imposed a trade embargo.

Summary: Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said he was keen to "forge new links across the Atlantic" as he arrived in Cuba for a historic visit.


The Finn said his own performance as coach has not been good enough as the Tannadice outfit slipped to a 3-1 home defeat to fellow relegation candidates Hamilton Accies. "It's simply not good enough." Paatelainnan told BBC Scotland. "I always question myself, my fellow coaches and what mistakes I have made." Goals from Grant Gillespie and a double from Carlton Morris ensured an easy win for Hamilton, despite a late consolation from Simon Murray. The defeat means United's drop to the Championship could be confirmed next week when they take on their city rivals Dundee at Dens Park. "I have been here a long time and work my socks off with the players," explained Paatelainen. "Of course I have made mistakes and look at myself very closely. But like I said, I am in the same boat as the players and it is simply not good enough." Paatelainen said he could not understand why his team began so poorly after hearing they had the chance to reduce the gap on second bottom Kilmarnock to five points after the Rugby Park side lost to Inverness Caledonian Thistle. The United boss questioned: "How can it mean more to Hamilton than our boys? "We said this was our chance. This was a great opportunity to claw back the difference to a level we could really put pressure on Kilmarnock. "And then we are nowhere near the intensity or the desire to be on the ball. We should be really disappointed with that." A group of around 200 United fans demonstrated outside the ground at full time, and the United boss said he sympathised with the fans and their frustrations. "We deserve exactly whatever is given to us," he said. "It's not good enough. It's poor, we take the second prize out there individually when we go into battles. "It's very difficult to make a winning team consistently if you lose your individual battles and are too soft consistently." Meanwhile Hamilton player-boss Martin Canning was full of praise for his team as they eased five points clear of second-bottom Kilmarnock in the race to avoid the play-off spot. "That's almost back to near our best," he said. "It was a big game, for what was at stake in the game and results are the most important thing at this stage of the season. "

Summary: Dundee United manager Mixu Paatelainnan says he is in the same boat as the players when it comes to criticism of the team this season.


You've tried on a pair of jeans, quite liked them, but won't commit until you've visited three or four other shops. You then return to the first place and buy those jeans, having wasted the best part of an hour. Palermo owner Maurizio Zamparini is that shopper and Beppe Iachini is that pair of jeans, having been re-hired on Monday, just three months after getting the boot. Between 10 November and 15 February, the struggling Sicilian Serie A side brought in four other bosses before realising Iachini was their man all along. "I return to Palermo with great enthusiasm for the good of the club, the team and the fans," said the returning coach. Zamparini asked Palermo fans for forgiveness for "this month of chaos", adding that this had been because of his "wrong evaluation and misunderstanding" of Iachini. Nowhere did the owner promise to give that trigger finger a rest though. Palermo have failed to win any of their last four league matches and are 15th in Serie A, with 26 points from 25 games, four points clear of the drop zone. Sacking and re-hiring managers in a single season is not unusual in Italy. During the 2013-14 Serie A campaign, Catania ditched Rolando Maran who then returned, only to be sacked again. Meanwhile, in the same season, Livorno dismissed Davide Nicola - the coach who led them to promotion the previous season. Replacements Domenico Di Carlo and Attilio Perotti failed to make an impression, so Nicola was asked back again.

Summary: We've all been there.


Media playback is not supported on this device The Magpies were booed off following the 3-1 loss to Bournemouth on Saturday - a third successive league defeat that leaves them 19th in the table. It also increased speculation over head coach Steve McClaren's future. "If that's a performance from the players to say they are backing the manager, they are in trouble," Shearer told BBC's Match of the Day. "McClaren is in massive trouble, he has to take his fair share of the blame." Media playback is not supported on this device Shearer, the Magpies' all-time leading goalscorer, was in temporary charge of the club the last time they were relegated in 2009. "There is no statement of intent on the pitch from the players, and there are no academy players coming through," he added. "Chief scout Graham Carr holds most of the power when it comes to players coming in and out. There was a £15m striker [Aleksandar Mitrovic] who sat on the bench today." Newcastle are currently a point behind 17th-place Sunderland with a game in hand, but they are nine points behind Swansea in 16th, with 10 league games remaining. McClaren admitted after the game that his side were now in a "four-team league" battling against relegation along with Sunderland, Norwich and bottom club Aston Villa. He also said their defeat on Saturday was "going down material". It is now only one win in their last five games, in which they have conceded 12 goals in losses to Everton, Chelsea, Stoke and Bournemouth. Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown played under McClaren when he was a coach in the England set-up in the early 2000s and questioned his ability to lead a team. "I think McClaren is an excellent coach but not a manager. He looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights," he told BBC's Match of the Day. "With managers like David Moyes, Brendan Rodgers and Rafael Benitez around, he's in trouble."

Summary: Newcastle are "a mess from top to bottom", according to former captain Alan Shearer.


The facility has already helped groom 100 national and one world champion as well as Commonwealth Games medallists. Ms Jones, 18, from Bangor, Gwynedd, recently brought back a gold medal from the Youth Commonwealth Games in Apia, Samoa. The grant-funded extension has new physiotherapy and activity areas.

Summary: Gold medal weightlifter Catrin Jones has opened a £125,000 extension at the Holyhead and Anglesey weightlifting and fitness centre.


It is the social networking giant's biggest acquisition to date. WhatsApp has more than 450 million monthly users and is popular with people looking to avoid text messaging charges. In a statement announcing the deal, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg described WhatsApp's services as "incredibly valuable". WhatsApp allows users to send messages over internet connections, avoiding text messaging fees. The company claims it is currently registering one million new users a day. It makes money by charging users a subscription fee of $1 per year, although it offers a free model as well. The deal to buy it includes $4bn in cash and approximately $12bn-worth of Facebook shares, plus an additional $3bn in stock to WhatsApp's founders and employees at a later date. On a conference call to discuss the deal, WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum said he planned to operate the firm "independently and autonomously". He will also become a member of Facebook's board of directors. "We're excited and honoured to partner with Mark and Facebook as we continue to bring our product to more people around the world," Mr Koum said in a statement. Mr Zuckerberg said the prospect of a deal was first floated just 11 days ago. By Richard TaylorNorth America Technology Correspondent That Facebook bought WhatsApp is less of a surprise than the sheer amount it has been willing to pay for it. Some are seeing the $19bn price tag as further evidence of swollen valuations of companies as the sector experiences what may yet prove to be another dotcom bubble. WhatsApp does give Mark Zuckerberg inroads into international markets and, as importantly, to a younger demographic. But what is less clear is whether the finances will add up in the long term. WhatsApp has reiterated its commitment to an ad-free service, opting to charge users a mere $1 per year. Under this scenario, it will need to continue its growth trajectory to ensure any financial return to Facebook. But Adverts are pivotal to Facebook's own business model - and the pressure for it to monetise its new WhatsApp user base in the same way may prove too tempting to resist. The Facebook founder said he believed WhatsApp was on track to have a billion users, but insisted he had no plans to place advertising on WhatsApp's interface, saying he did not think ads were the best way to make money from messaging systems. Once the deal is finalised, Mr Koum and co-founder Brian Acton are set to become Silicon Valley's newest billionaires. WhatsApp has about 50 employees in total. Cathy Boyle, a senior analyst at research firm eMarketer, said WhatsApp was valuable to Facebook for several reasons beyond advertising, including its younger user base and its popularity overseas. "WhatsApp actually has greater penetration in a lot of international markets than Facebook," Ms Boyle told the BBC. She added that it was notable that Facebook's chief financial officer David Ebersman referred to the telecommunications industry when discussing the firm's purchase. "WhatsApp is trying to siphon the billions that the telecom industry would make from [traditional SMS text messaging]" she

Summary: Facebook has bought messaging app WhatsApp in a deal worth a total of $19bn (£11.4bn) in cash and shares.


Paul Hemming was jailed for beating partner Natalie Hemming, 31, to death in the lounge of their Milton Keynes home as their children slept, last May. But their son woke up and after seeing his mother's body wrapped in a rug, showed police where it happened. The family has been speaking ahead of a documentary about the murder case. The body of Ms Hemming - who shared a surname with her partner but they were not married - was found in Hertfordshire woodland three weeks after she disappeared. More news from Buckinghamshire She was reported missing two days after she vanished by her mother, who voiced concerns to police about Hemming. Hemming, 43, who had murdered her after hearing she was having an affair, was jailed for at least 20 years in November. Ms Hemming's sisters Kerry Hammond and Joanne Beverley have told the BBC Hemming was a "very charming, smiley, happy guy that could quite frankly sell ice to Eskimos". However, he was a manipulative and controlling man with a violent temper who could "go off the handle". She once needed hospital treatment after he threw a phone at her head. The violence culminated in the killing of Ms Hemming at the hands of her partner, some of which was witnessed by the couple's son. "He's sitting on that chair swinging his legs and he just blurts out this whole little story about unfortunately seeing mummy wrapped in a rug," his aunt Ms Beverley said. "He drew this map of the living room and he showed them where he'd seen Paul cleaning the floor and actually that is exactly where they found the evidence that they needed to be able to charge him." A year after the murder, the child was finally coming to terms with what his father had done, Ms Hammond said. The story of how Hemming became the subject of a murder inquiry before his victim's body was found, is told in a Channel 4 documentary Catching a Killer, to be shown at 21:00 BST.

Summary: A six-year-old boy whose evidence helped convict his father of his mother's murder "finally believes Daddy did do it," his family has said.


Drivers with off-street parking who want to install the facility will be expected to cover the remaining 25%. Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said ministers were committed to ensuring that the UK was a "world leader in the electric car industry". Ministers also want councils to install more on-street charging points. The Department for Transport estimates that it costs about £10,000 to install a power point capable of charging two vehicles at once in a residential street. Local authorities will therefore be expected to provide about £2,500 towards the cost of installing each new charging point. A report by the Commons Transport Select Committee in September last year questioned whether government subsidies to encourage people to drive electric cars were a good use of public money. They had benefited only a "handful of motorists", MPs said, and were being used to help more affluent households with the cost of a second car. However, during a visit to Sunderland, Mr McLoughlin said: "Plug-in vehicles can help the consumer by offering a good driving experience and low running costs. They can help the environment by cutting pollution. "And most importantly of all, they can help the British economy by creating skilled manufacturing jobs in a market that is bound to get bigger." The government estimates that it will cost between about £1,000 and £1,500 for drivers with off-street parking to install charging points in their garages or driveways; it will fund 75% of this cost, up to a maximum contribution of £1,000. Ministers also want to encourage train operators to install new charging points at railway stations, and have offered the same 75% incentive. And local authorities wanting to invest in rapid charging points, which cost about £45,000 to install and make it easier for drivers of electric vehicles to undertake longer journeys, will also be able to apply to central government for the same proportion of funding. "We believe that 75% is the appropriate level to offer to incentivise vehicle owners and local authorities to invest," a Department for Transport spokesman said. Business Minister Michael Fallon added: "There are huge business opportunities so we're committed to ensuring the UK leads the way globally for low-carbon vehicles." Grants to residents for domestic charging points will be available throughout the UK, but the grants for local authorities and train companies apply to England only, since power over these policies is devolved in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For Labour Maria Eagle, shadow transport secretary, said the government was on track to miss their target of 8,500 charging points for electric vehicles by 2013 and "local councils across the country are already struggling after the Government slashed local transport funding". Mark Rowney, from the left-leaning IPPR think-tank, said: "Doubts over the continued funding of charging point infrastructure had been causing uncertainty in the UK automotive industry. "Today's government announcement marks a change in strategy from piloting infrastructure installation, which has led to a postcode lottery of support, to the beginnings of a strategically planned national charging infrastructure. "We still need a cross party consensus for the low

Summary: The government has announced that it will cover up to 75% of the cost of installing charging points for electric vehicles in garages and driveways.


Dr Kate Parkins said, in the last 18 months, another five children in Greater Manchester have also suffered life-changing injuries as a result. She said the button-shaped batteries "look like sweets" to children but can cause severe internal bleeding which medics struggle to treat. Lithium batteries are found in items such as toys, keys and smartphones. Dr Parkins, a lead consultant for the region's Paediatric Intensive Care Transport Service, is calling for a national campaign to highlight the dangers. "They look innocent enough and therefore nobody thinks to put them out of reach from children," she said. One child died in May last year after a battery got lodged in the upper part of the feeding tube, she said. "It had been removed and then, about a week later, caused catastrophic bleeding which we couldn't control." The most serious cases are associated with Lithium button batteries larger than 20mm (the size of a 10 pence piece) which can cause severe injury within two hours. And they do not have to be damaged, crushed or chewed to cause serious harm. "It's not what's inside the battery," she explained. "The battery sets up an electrical current which causes a build-up of sodium hydroxide which is caustic soda. "That causes a burn through the oesophagus, the feeding tube, and that can then burn through into major blood vessels and that's why the bleeding is then pretty much impossible to control and stop." The consultant at Central Manchester University Hospital Trust also wants to raise medical awareness "because a lot of doctors are unaware that this can cause harm either". Dr Parkins said in the second fatal case, medics did not know if the three-year-old had swallowed a button battery. "She suffered catastrophic bleeding which again with all medical intervention we couldn't control. "She died because of severe haemorrhaging, severe blood loss." Children who have survived have been left with "severe life-changing injuries", she said. "Two deaths is too many as far as we're concerned. Two or three patients having severe injuries is too many when it's something potentially preventable." Central Manchester University Hospitals said the children treated after swallowing the batteries were aged between 12 months to six years old.

Summary: A leading paediatrician has warned of the dangers of lithium batteries after two children swallowed them and died.


A conference next month at the city's National Waterfront Museum will hear from delegates who have turned around the fortunes of Sydney, Australia, and Antwerp, Belgium. It is being organised by the Design Commission for Wales in partnership with Swansea council. One council leader said Swansea must rethink what makes a city successful. It follows a series of shop closures across the city centre in recent years, followed by the loss of a Â£1bn project to transform the shopping district, when developers plumped to invest in the out-of-town Parc Tawe instead. Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea council's cabinet member for enterprise, development and regeneration, said they needed to examine what makes a winning city. "Shopping is a major part of the city centre offer here, but a lot more needs to be available to generate the footfall our traders need," he said. "The city centre has to become a place that people want to go - a destination that's both easy to get to and offers a range of events that will create a buzz and attract people." Initiatives have already begun to try and lure people back into town. This week retailers have been invited to take to the streets on temporary market stalls in order to drum up passing trade with a variety of themed events. Last weekend saw the re-launch of the Big Heart of Swansea loyalty card which offers discounts at participating stores within the city centre's Business Improvement District (BID). According to Russell Greenslade, chief executive of Swansea BID, around 500 shoppers snapped up the offer on its first day. "The beauty of the loyalty card is that discounts can only be redeemed in-store," he said. "This helps attract more visitors into the city centre and boosts our traders. It's one of many schemes on which we work closely with Swansea council to benefit our city centre businesses." But Julie Williamson, who chairs Swansea Bay's Federation of Small Businesses, said the success of the city lay with all businesses - not just the shops. "Of course we need a healthy retail sector, but what keeps those shops going is the workers from other offices and businesses coming into town every day, and shopping in their lunch breaks and after work. And it's those other businesses which are leaving in increasing numbers."

Summary: Swansea is calling in international experts to help regenerate its city centre.


Maria Pridmore, 36, was jailed for three years in August after she admitted a string of frauds. They included obtaining more than £16,000 in housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support. Pridmore, who was described in court as a "Walter Mitty" fraudster, also stole over £30,000 from four women. She appeared by video-link at Lincoln Crown Court from Drake Hall prison in Staffordshire where she is serving her sentence. The court heard Pridmore, a former drug addict, benefitted by £56,679 from her crimes but had no available assets which could be confiscated to pay back her victims. Judge Simon Hirst ruled that in the circumstances a nominal sum of £1 should be paid. Pridmore made news in 2012 when she gave birth to a daughter after previously suffering 14 miscarriages, a stillbirth and the death of an infant son. At her sentence hearing, the court heard the former nurse had been claiming to be a lone-parent with dependent children in order to get benefits, but at various times failed to declare she had moved or was living with her then partner as man and wife. Pridmore also pocketed more than £30,000 from friends and two elderly women, and used the bank details of one of her victims to pay for a £60 taxi fare to attend a court hearing. She stole almost £8,000 from one victim, an 84-year-old vulnerable woman. Pridmore, of Angel Lane, Holbeach, Lincolnshire, previously admitted seven charges of benefit fraud between August 2010 and March 2013, 19 charges of fraud and theft between January 2013 and May 2016 and stealing her father's flat-packed kitchen in April 2015.

Summary: A woman who pocketed over £50,000 by claiming false benefits and targeting vulnerable people has been ordered to pay back a token amount of £1.


Olding made his debut in December 2011 but has only made 39 appearances because of two lengthy spells out with serious knee injuries. He returned to action against Treviso in January, scoring a bonus point try. Ulster boss Les Kiss described Olding as one of the most talented players he had worked with. "This is a huge boost to us. Stuart has worked incredibly hard to come back from injury and is starting to recapture some of his best form," added the club's Director of Rugby. "The determination he has shown in returning from his most recent injury speaks volumes about him and he is exactly the type of person we need in the squad." Kiss was interim Ireland coach when Olding made his international debut during the North American tour in 2013. Olding earned a second cap the following year, against Georgia, and marked the occasion with his first international try.

Summary: Ulster centre Stuart Olding has signed a contract extension which will keep him at the Kingspan Stadium until the end of the 2018/19 season.