Applying a small current to specific parts of the brain can increase its activity, making learning easier. Researchers from the University of Oxford have studied the changing structure of the brain in stroke patients and in healthy adults. Prof Heidi Johansen-Berg presented their findings at the British Science Festival in Bradford. The team at Oxford has been conducting research into how the structure of the brain changes in adulthood, and in particular what changes occur after a stroke. They have used an approach called functional MRI to monitor activity in the brain as stroke patients re-learn motor skills that were lost as a result of their illness. One of the major findings is that the brain is very flexible and can restructure itself, growing new connections and reassigning tasks to different areas, when damage occurs or a specific task is practised. As part of this research, they investigated the possibility of using non-invasive electric brain stimulation to improve the recovery of these motor skills; the short-term improvement in stroke patients had already been noted. But an unexpected result was found when the same brain stimulation was applied to healthy adults: their speed of learning was also significantly increased. To observe this effect, the team devised an experiment whereby volunteers memorised a sequence of buttons to press "like playing a tune on a piano". While they were doing this, they were fitted with a "trans-cranial current stimulation" device, in which two electrodes are placed in a specific position on the head. A very small current was passed between the electrodes in an arc through the brain and, depending on the direction of that current, either increased or decreased the activity of that part of the brain. Prof Johansen-Berg explained that "an increase in activity of the brain cells makes them more susceptible to the kinds of changes that occur during learning". The results of the button-pressing experiments showed the positive effects of just 10 minutes of the brain stimulation on learning, compared to a similar "placebo" setup in which the electrical stimulation was not used. "While the stimulation didn't improve the participant's best performance, the speed at which they reached their best was significantly increased," said Prof Johansen-Berg. Targeting the area of the brain that controls motor skills allows movement tasks to be learned more quickly, and the researchers envisage the technique could be used to help in the training of athletes. The experiments have explicitly shown that stimulating the motor cortex of the brain can increase the speed of learning motor skills. It is the hope of the researchers that the same method may be applied to other parts of the brain to improve educational learning, simply by positioning the electrodes in different locations so the current is focussed on the correct area. The relative simplicity, low price (around Â£2,000 per unit), and portability of the technology may mean that, following further research, a device could be designed to be automated for use at home. Looking to the future, Prof Johansen-Berg and her team plan to investigate the potential for increasing the

Summary: Electrically stimulating the brain can help to speed up the process of learning, scientists have shown.


Baraclough, 46, takes over from Jim Magilton, who remains the Irish Football Association's elite performance director. The new under-21 manager moves into the post after leaving his role as assistant to Oldham boss John Sheridan. "I am looking forward to working with young players in Northern Ireland," said Baraclough. "I will be aiming to help the team be successful in qualifying and also to help develop future senior internationals." Baraclough had a 20-year playing career which saw him play for QPR, Notts County and Scunthorpe United. He became Scunthorpe manager in 2010 before moving to Sligo Rovers two years later, where he guided the Irish club to the League of Ireland title plus FAI Cup and Setanta Cup triumphs. After being appointed Motherwell manager, he kept the club in the Scottish Premier League and was then handed the Oldham assistant's role after departing from the SPL outfit. Northern Ireland senior manager Michael O'Neill said Baraclough would be a "great addition to our international coaching team". "We were looking for a candidate with good coaching and management experience and Ian certainly fits the bill given his previous roles as both a manager and assistant manager," said O'Neill. Northern Ireland's Under-21s have never progressed to a European Championship Finals and finished last in their previous qualifying group after picking up only two points from 10 matches. Baraclough's Under-21 side have have been drawn with Albania, Estonia, Iceland, Slovakia and Spain in their 2019 UEFA European Championship qualifying group. The Northern Irish begin their campaign against Estonia in Tallinn on 8 June.

Summary: Former Motherwell and Sligo Rovers boss Ian Baraclough has been appointed the new Northern Ireland Under-21 manager.


It also cleared the party of wrongdoing in paying office rent to three cultural societies. Police examined allegations made in two BBC Spotlight programmes aired in 2014. Sinn Féin denied doing anything wrong. Spotlight could not establish what the societies were or who was behind them. A BBC spokesperson said: "We stand by our journalism. We believe the investigation was of significant public interest." The TUV leader Jim Allister, who tabled a series of questions arising out of the programmes, has said confirmation that the commission found the payments were for "admissible expenditure" is "remarkable". The assembly said it had no comment to make on Mr Allister's press statement. One of the BBC programmes reported that 36 Sinn Féin MLAs claimed about £700,000 in total through Stormont expenses to pay Research Services Ireland (RSI) over a 10 year period. However, the programme-makers were not able to find any evidence of research that had been carried out by RSI and one Sinn Féin MLA was reported to have said they had never heard of the company until they saw it on their annual expenses. Mr Allister asked the Assembly Commission how much of the money had been recovered. The Assembly Commission, which runs Stormont, is chaired by the speaker and includes MLAs representing the five main parties. In its reply, the commission said its review "confirmed that payments for research services, as reported in the programme, were made for admissible expenditure up to and including the 2012/13 financial year". "As such, no recovery has been sought," it added. "No payments to Research Services Ireland for work undertaken after 31 December 2012 have been made as a result of changes to the system of financial support for members that were introduced by the Independent Financial Review Panel from 1 January 2013." Asked about the payment of rent to cultural societies, the commission said its review confirmed the money was for "admissible expenditure" adding that "as such, no recovery has been sought". Mr Allister also asked about the disclosure that former DUP assembly speaker William Hay's Office claimed more than £4,000 for heating oil in one year. The Assembly Commission said "the judicial process is on-going". A former Sinn Féin MLA, Davy Hyland, also told Spotlight that a party expenses claim form for mileage, amounting to almost £5,000, was signed without his knowledge. Mr Hyland does not drive and said he knew nothing about most of the mileage claimed on his behalf. The commission found the claim had not been processed "and as such no recovery was required". It added that the PSNI had concluded the matter should not be referred to the Public Prosecution Service. Mr Allister called the Assembly Commission's findings "bizarre". He said: "The Assembly Commission has now confirmed that none of the £700,000 claimed by Sinn Féin MLAs and paid to Research Services Ireland has been recovered by the assembly, in spite of the BBC finding that no evidence of research carried out by the company could be produced. "More bizarre still is confirmation that the assembly did not seek to

Summary: Sinn Féin MLAs who claimed almost £700,000 in expenses for research from a company run by the party's finance managers did nothing wrong, the Assembly Commission has found.


The 17-year-old was fired at from point blank range on her school bus in 2012. It was her punishment for keeping a written diary about her life under Taliban rule, which was broadcast by the BBC. After recovering from her injuries, she took her campaign global. She believed girls had the right to stay in school to be educated, which the Taliban was against. "My message for children all around the world is that they should stand up for their rights," Malala Yousafzai told a press conference in Birmingham. She also revealed that she was in a chemistry class when a teacher told her she had won the award. The prestigious Nobel Prize is the highest accolade in the academic world, created in 1901 by Swedish inventor and manufacturer Alfred Nobel. This year Malala shares the prize with Indian child rights campaigner, Kailash Satyarthi. The Nobel Prize is decided by a committee of five people in Norway. Thousands of people are nominated each year and the list is long and often secretive. The award has been won by US presidents, world campaigners and even the European Union's won it. Before Malala the youngest person to receive a Nobel Prize was Sir William Lawrence Bragg at the age of 25 for physics in 1915. Bragg and his father, Sir William Henry Bragg, won the award jointly for their work with X-ray spectra, X-ray diffraction and crystal structure. Malala, who now lives in Birmingham, has become well known for her education campaign work. She spent her 16th birthday giving a speech to the UN and Angelina Jolie set up a Malala Fund as a charity to help girls in education. Dedicated to her work, the teenager has said in the past that she doesn't use social media so she can focus on her studies. School friends of Malala, Shazia Ramzan and Kainat Riaz, who were also injured in gun cross-fire on the school bus in Pakistan, told Newsbeat: "We are very proud about the award." The young women, who now study in the UK, talked about the freedom they now enjoy and how Malala "likes to play tennis, read books and listens to slow, classical music". Shazia Ramzan added: "In my city [in Pakistan] girls' education is improved because of Malala." The Nobel Peace Prize is one of five awards; the other categories are chemistry, physics, physiology or medicine and literature. Follow @BBCNewsbeat on Twitter and Radio1Newsbeat on YouTube

Summary: Teenager Malala Yousafzai from Pakistan, who was shot in the head by the Taliban, has become the youngest person ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize.


9 July 2017 Last updated at 14:27 BST The How To Train Your Dragon author gave Martin some great writing and reading tips ready for the summer!

Summary: Martin's behind the scenes at CBBC's Summer Social and caught up with author Cressida Cowell.


The FA's investigation into Whelan's comments about Jewish and Chinese people will be treated "as a priority". Whelan, who has denied being racist, made the comments while defending his decision to appoint Malky Mackay. "Should they even suggest I'm guilty I would immediately resign," he said. In an interview with ITV News, Whelan added that he does not expect to be found guilty because "I'm absolutely anti-racist, always have been, always will be". The FA issued a statement on Friday in which it said it was "very concerned" by the situation and had written to Whelan. Media playback is not supported on this device The 77-year-old must respond to the FA by Wednesday. Mackay was recruited by Wigan despite being under investigation by the FA for allegedly sending homophobic, sexist and racist text messages while at Cardiff. Mackay, who took charge of Wigan for the first time against Middlesbrough on Saturday, has also denied being racist. Whelan has apologised for remarks he made in an interview with the Guardian, although he has insisted he was misquoted and did not intend any racial slight. The newspaper reported that Whelan used the word "chink" and also said that "Jewish people chase money more than everybody else". "If I have upset one person, I apologise," said Whelan. Tan, who sacked the 42-year-old Mackay last year in acrimonious circumstances, leading to a legal dispute, thinks the decision to make him Wigan manager is a mistake. "This is a racist chairman hiring a racist manager," Tan told BBC Sport. "I hope that stops at two racists in Wigan, not snowballing to 2,000 or 20,000 racists in Wigan." Both Whelan and Mackay have refused to respond to Tan's comments.

Summary: Dave Whelan says he will resign as Wigan chairman if the Football Association punishes him for the controversy in which Cardiff owner Vincent Tan has labelled him "racist".


"I recovered from anorexia, I became bulimic and struggled with self-harm and depression and I was diagnosed with bipolar after that," says Ruby, who is now 22. The illustrator and author, now known as Ruby etc, found herself in a cycle of hospitalisation from the age of 14, and she found each return to the classroom painfully stressful. "I was too unwell for school a lot of the time and hated formal art classes in particular," she says, and night-school was a non-starter too. Ruby is now building a successful career in art and has landed a publishing deal. At 17 she left education and began to draw every day. At the time, it was one of the only things she could engage with and it became an important coping mechanism. "When I drew it was a relief. It was catharsis," she says. Her sketches started on post-it-sized bits of paper always with the aim of making herself laugh. The "bizarre" nature of the mental health system provided plenty of inspiration - from the therapists to the mood stabilisers, which she thought of as bike stabilisers that required her to "do the peddlin'". "Often when I'm feeling really down I'll draw very silly things to take my mind off it all. Other times I might be feeling okay, but want to focus on something a little deeper or more serious," she says. After encouragement from a friend, Elliot started to post her images online. Over the next three years she amassed 200,000 subscribers to her Tumblr blog, 31,000 fans on Facebook and 28,000 Instagram followers. "I was so unwell and isolated but being able to put stuff on the internet and communicate with other people is something I could do from inside the house when I couldn't leave due to paranoia." Elliot now takes her sketchpad everywhere she goes and regards it as her "safety blanket". She doesn't do draft versions of her work, she just goes straight to it in pen - generally in black ink. Being depressed for me feels like I've been steam-rollered by an external force that renders me a grotty non-human pancake of sadness. I become so saturated and overwhelmed with feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness that the simplest of things become a giant effort - it can take me a week or more to convince myself to crawl into the shower. The subsequent shame and embarrassment about not being able to Do Anything is the icing on the cake really. I become noticeably slower. I sleep more. It's a scary place to be. The other side - mania - or hypomania (mania but without psychotic symptoms) is like a switch flicks within me and I suddenly have masses of energy; I sleep less, I do more. I can seem quite happy and 'well'. But I will have a pretty constant stream of rushing thoughts I'm trying to manage, and although they can be exciting, when I get sleep deprived I get agitated. It can get to a point where I can't 'switch off' and that gets

Summary: For Ruby Elliot her sketchbook was her only sanctuary from a life in "constant crisis mode".


The Guardian reported that the victim had been held up at gunpoint while enjoying a night on the town in the early hours of Tuesday morning. A spokesman for the British Olympic team confirmed an "incident of theft", adding: "All members of our delegation, including the individual concerned, are accounted for, and are safe and well." GB took 366 athletes to Rio. They have since been reminded of security protocols including not to wear official GB kit outside of the Olympic Village and not to take local taxis, according to the Guardian. It said a letter from GB officials stopped short of issuing a curfew on athletes, but warned them not to carry any valuables and to inform team management of any plans to stay in Rio overnight. United States swimmers Ryan Lochte, James Feigen, Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger have claimed they were robbed in a taxi at gunpoint in Rio on Sunday but police have queried their accounts.

Summary: A Team GB athlete has been robbed while returning to their accommodation at the Olympic Games in Rio.


The 22-year-old returns from Scotland duty to the Hibs squad as the league-leaders entertain Morton on Wednesday. "I know it will be a tough game, and the squad do as well," McGinn told Hibs' website. "But we know what the reward is at the end of the season and getting three points will be huge moving forward." McGinn was with the Scotland squad for the 1-1 friendly draw with Canada and the 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Slovenia on Sunday night. The meant he missed Hibs' 2-1 triumph over second-placed Falkirk on Saturday that extended their advantage at the top of the Championship table to 10 points, with seven games to play. Despite being disappointed to miss any match for the Easter Road side, McGinn was delighted to be involved with Scotland and is convinced it will benefit Hibs. "I feel as if it is good for myself and for the club," he said. "I feel as if getting the recognition and going away with Scotland is making me a better player. "I'm thoroughly looking forward to getting back out in a Hibs jersey now and the game against Morton. "I didn't play a lot during my time with Scotland, so I am ready to come back in. It will be a tough tie, Morton have been very good this season, but when we're at our best we can take on anybody and hopefully we can show that on Wednesday." McGinn, who featured as a sub in Scotland's friendly draw with Canada at Easter Road but was not used in the win over Slovenia, hopes to cement his place in Gordon Strachan's plans for the game against England in June and the remaining qualifiers. "I was over the moon that we got a massive result (Hibs' win over Falkirk) and then it was even better when Scotland followed it up and got a result on the Sunday against Slovenia," he said. "The ambition of everyone in the Scotland squad is to qualify for the World Cup and I am privileged to be a part of that. "Looking further down the line it is a huge dream to play at a World Cup. That win against Slovenia keeps us in contention for a play-off spot. There are massive games to come and I hope I'm in contention for those matches and the England game in June."

Summary: Midfielder John McGinn hopes the prospect of securing promotion will ensure Hibernian suffer no slip-ups as they chase the Championship title.


New York start-up Genepeeks will initially focus on donor sperm, simulating before pregnancy how the genetic sequence of a female client might combine with those of different males. Donors that more often produce "digital children" with a higher risk of inherited disorders will be filtered out, leaving those who are better genetic matches. Everything happens in a computer, but experts have raised ethical questions. "We are just in the business right now of giving prospective mothers, who are using donor sperm to conceive, a filtered catalogue of donors based on their own underlying genetic profile," Genepeeks co-founder Anne Morriss told BBC News. "We are filtering out the donor matches with an elevated risk of rare recessive paediatric conditions." Ms Morriss, an entrepreneur, gave a presentation on the company at the Consumer Genetics Conference in Boston last week. She was motivated in part by her own experience of starting a family. Her son was conceived with a sperm donor who happened to share with Morriss the gene for an inherited disorder called MCADD. MCADD (medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency) prevents those affected from converting fats to sugar. It can be fatal if it is not diagnosed early. Luckily, in Ms Morriss's case, the condition was picked up in newborn screening tests. "My son has a pretty normal life," Ms Morriss said, "but about 30% of children with rare genetic diseases don't make it past the age of five." Genepeeks has formalised a partnership with a sperm bank - the Manhattan Cryobank - and has a patent pending on the DNA screening technology. The start-up benefits from the rapid pace of change in genetic technology. Indeed, six months ago, Genepeeks' founders decided it was able to use a superior system for DNA analysis (called "targeted exon sequencing") than the one originally envisaged - a result, says Anne Morriss, of falling costs and increased flexibility. For couples planning babies, other companies already screen one or both partners for genes that could cause disease if combined with a similar variant - so-called "carrier screening". One academic who studies the use of genetic technology commented: "This is like that, but ramped up 100,000 times." Ms Morriss's business partner, Prof Lee Silver, a geneticist and expert on bioethics at Princeton University, New Jersey, told BBC News: "We get the DNA sequence from two prospective parents. We simulate the process of reproduction, forming virtual sperm and virtual eggs. We put them together to form a hypothetical child genome. "Then we can look at that hypothetical genome and - with all the tools of modern genetics - determine the risk that the genome will result in a child with disease. We're looking directly for disease and not carrier status. For each pair of people that we're going to analyse, we make 10,000 hypothetical children." The process will be run for the client and each potential donor one by one, scanning for some 600 known single-gene recessive conditions. In this way, the highest-risk pairings can be filtered out. Anne Morriss added: "At this stage our clients won't be receiving any genetic information

Summary: A service that digitally weaves together the DNA of prospective parents to check for potential disease in thousands of "virtual babies" is set to launch in the US by December.


The letter was written just six hours before her execution on 8 February 1587. The 430-year-old handwritten letter has not been on display in Edinburgh since 2009. For preservation reasons, the letter was only to be on show for six hours between 10:00 and 16:00. It will now be on show until 19:00. Entry is free. Queues have started forming at the National Library of Scotland where the letter is on display. Mary is one of the most fascinating figures in Scottish history. She became queen of Scotland when she was six days old but spent most of her childhood in France. On her return her brief reign resulted in disastrous marriages, murder and war. She gave up the throne at the age of 24 and was a prisoner in England for most of the next 20 years until she executed on the orders of her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. Her son James became king of Scotland and England. Mary's last letter was written at two o'clock in the morning on Wednesday 8 February 1587 as she prepared to meet her death at Fotheringhay Castle in Northamptonshire. Writing in French to Henri III, King of France - the brother of her first husband - she said: "I am to be executed like a criminal at eight in the morning." In the letter she said her "crime" was her loyalty to her Catholic faith which, together with her claim to the English throne, made her a considerable threat to her cousin, Elizabeth. She also expressed concern for the servants she would leave behind who had served her so loyally during her 19-year imprisonment in England. Towards the end of the letter, she beseeched King Henri to have "prayers offered to God for a queen who has borne the title Most Christian, and who dies a Catholic, stripped of all her possessions".

Summary: The last letter of Mary, Queen of Scots, is to be displayed for an extra three hours due to high public demand.


Jason Matthews, 40, of Wolverhampton, parked his Saab before the Greater Manchester Marathon on 19 April. He said he went back at the weekend and spent the "best part of five or six hours looking around Trafford Park". Mr Matthews said he had now been told the car was found in the Salford Quays area after a man who saw a newspaper story about it went looking for it. The marathon runner said it was only his second time in Manchester and he was following diversions while driving his Saab 93 Sport. He said after the marathon he spent about 90 minutes or longer looking for the car and went to police and registered it as a missing vehicle. Mr Matthews, who works in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, said he was told on Tuesday afternoon that a man had found the car after reading an article in the Manchester Evening News. He said: "I'm very grateful.. It's a big burden off my shoulders. "(But) now I've got the trouble of going up there on the train to retrieve it." He said he would make a donation to a nominated charity and would see if the man who found it "has a charity in mind". Mr Matthews said: "It's something I'm going to do out of courtesy. Someone's taken the time to look for it."

Summary: A marathon runner has been without his car for eight days after forgetting where he parked it before the race.


The chief minister of Punjab province, Shahbaz Sharif, ordered a judicial inquiry into reports that hundreds of children had been abused over a period of several years. Local media say a gang made videos showing the abuse of children, whose parents were then subject to blackmail. The scandal centres on a village near the city of Kasur. Reports say about 280 children, mostly under 14-years-old, were abused and filmed, in the village of Husain Khan Wala. Correspondents say many victims are afraid to report abuse, in a society which allows abusers to brag about their exploits but stigmatises their victims. Police say more arrests are expected. Analysis by the BBC's Ilyas Khan in Islamabad Child sex abuse is widespread in parts of Pakistan, especially in the countryside. According to one estimate, over 3,500 cases of child molestation were reported in 2014, of which 67% were reported from rural areas. Meanwhile, many have noticed that most of the clips being investigated date back to 2009-11, shortly after camera phones first became widely available, with few recent cases being reported. This has led some to suspect that the clips were reported to the police amid a local dispute. One boy told BBC Urdu the abuse began when he was 11, five years ago: "They sexually abused me in front of secret cameras... they came back a week later and showed me the video, and said if I did not do what they wanted, they would show it to my friends and school colleagues." A woman told the BBC her son had been molested and blackmailed for five years, and she had only recently learned about the abuse: "They used to badly treat him wherever they could get hold of him. They would snatch his mobile and money. "They [the perpetrators] are now threatening us." District police officer Rai Babar Saeed told BBC Urdu: "We have around 30 video clips of one incident showing six victims and seven people involved. We have arrested these seven. We are still trying to recover more videos." He added that there was "no political motive" behind the investigations, which he said were being conducted "on merit". Last week, more than 20 people were injured as families of the alleged victims clashed with police in Kasur, accusing the authorities of ignoring their complaints. Saba Sadiq, the head of Punjab's child protection bureau, described the case as "the largest child abuse scandal in Pakistan's history", the AFP news agency reports. The provincial chief in Punjab is the brother of Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Summary: Seven people have been arrested in Pakistan on suspicion of involvement in child sexual abuse and extortion.


Dennis Clift, from Chelmsford, Essex, grabbed two-week-old Charlie O'Sullivan from the wreckage of a BMW on the M6 in Warwickshire in 1999. Ever since he has received a Christmas card from the O'Sullivans and wants to return the gesture. Searches with local authorities and on social media have come to nothing. "I've tried everything, Facebook, Devon County Council, but I can't find them," he said. Mr Clift, who was a breakdown recovery man at the time, was travelling back from Birmingham when he saw Jane O'Sullivan's car in flames on the hard shoulder of the motorway. "Jane had been in the car with her two children and a baby was still on the back seat," he said. "I went and rescued him. "I've received a Christmas card every year since and I'd like to send a card back and they've asked me to come down, but I don't where they live." Mr Clift parked his truck across the carriageway to stop the traffic until police and fire crews arrived. Mrs O'Sullivan was treated in hospital for shock and minor burns. Mr Clift, Charlie and Mrs O'Sullivan's 14-week-old daughter Rosie were uninjured.

Summary: A truck driver who saved a baby from a motorway fireball is trying to find the boy's Devon family so he can send them a Christmas card.


Gordon Ross, 66, said he hoped the judicial review would clarify the legal position regarding assisted suicide. He has called on the Lord Advocate to issue guidance that makes clear whether any person who helps him end his life would be charged with an offence. Judge Lord Doherty reserved his decision in the action and will give a ruling at a later date. The Director of Public Prosecutions has issued guidelines for England but these do not apply to Scotland. Campaigners opposed to assisted suicide argue that changing the law would be a "catastrophe" in terms of how society confronts illness and disability, as well as "devaluing" suicide prevention efforts. But Mr Ross said he believes that the present legal situation "encourages suicide" and discriminated against people with a disability. While he did not attend the hearing in person due to poor health, supporters of the pensioner's case staged a demonstration outside the court in Edinburgh's Parliament Square. Campaigners have previously urged MSPs to pass the Assisted Suicide Bill which was introduced to Holyrood by the late MSP Margo Macdonald, and which is currently being taken forward by Scottish Green MSP Patrick Harvie. A Holyrood committee recently concluded that the bill contained "significant flaws" and opposed its general principles, but said the full parliament should decide whether or not to throw out the proposed legislation. Mr Ross, a former TV producer lives in a care home in Glasgow, suffers from several serious medical conditions including Parkinson's disease and loss of sensation in his arms and legs. He is unable to walk and uses a wheelchair, and cannot feed or dress himself or attend to his personal needs. Explaining his decision to bring the case, Mr Ross said he fears that, should a time come when he has "had enough", he will not be capable of ending his life without help - unlike an able-bodied person. He said: "I believe that, as a disabled person, I am currently being discriminated against. Anyone else, in any circumstances, can choose to end their own lives at any time. Because of my disability that is something I am unable to do. "I do not wish to end my life, I want it to go on as long as I can. However, if my condition deteriorates to the point that I do want to take that action, I want to know what action the law might take were someone to assist me." Gordon Ross is quite clear: he does not want to die. As a committed nationalist, he says he is looking forward to the Holyrood election in 2016 and possibly a further independence referendum. But he knows he may not see that happening. The 66-year-old grandfather lives in a care home on the south side of Glasgow, where his disabilities mean he requires help for all of his personal needs - including feeding and drinking. He suffers from Parkinson's disease, which gives him violent shaking fits, leaving him weak and exhausted. He also has a condition which has damaged his nervous system, meaning he has no

Summary: A severely disabled grandfather has had his case seeking the right to die heard by the Court of Session.


The clubs agreed a deal for the Bury academy graduate in November and he became a Toffees player when the transfer window reopened on Saturday. Foulds signed his first professional contract with League One Bury in February and made two first-team appearances, both in cup competitions. He has also played on a trial basis for Everton's Under-18 and Under-21 sides.

Summary: Everton have completed the signing of 17-year-old Bury defender Matthew Foulds for an undisclosed fee.


The victims' commissioner, Baroness Newlove, has launched a series of reviews to scrutinise the work of criminal justice agencies. Lady Newlove said she was challenging the government to "take action" to help people cope with the "haunting aftermath" of crime. The government said she was bringing about "positive change". 'Real difference' Baroness Newlove, who campaigned for victims' rights following the murder of her husband Gary in 2007, was made victims' commissioner in 2012. Launching the reviews in her annual report on Tuesday, she said: "Victims deserve the very best possible support to get them through the haunting aftermath of crime. "If they are not getting this - their concerns need to be taken seriously and improvements need to be made as a result." She said she would be looking at good and bad practice across the different services, adding: "With the findings of each review, I will be challenging the government and other agencies to take action and make a real difference to victims and their families." The reviews will assess compliance with the Victims' Code, which was revised in October 2013 and includes the right of victims to personally address offenders in court to explain how a crime has affected them. The first review, conducted by a three-person team, will start in the autumn, also looking at handling of complaints and the use of restorative justice. Adam Pemberton, assistant chief executive at Victim Support, said: "We welcome the victims' commissioner's decision to make monitoring the code a priority because we know from supporting hundreds of thousands of victims and witnesses every year how important it is that they are treated with dignity and respect." The issue was key to maintaining public confidence in the criminal justice system, Mr Pemberton added. Damian Green, the victims' minister, welcomed Baroness Newlove's report. He said: "Her position is instrumental in holding to account the positive change brought about by this government, such as the greatly improved Victims' Code which gives those impacted by crime a much greater voice. "This report shows the value the Victims' Commissioner has already brought and provides an excellent basis for delivering further improvements."

Summary: The way crime victims are treated by the police and courts in England and Wales is to be examined.


The Independent Paralympic Athletes (IPA) Team will appear under the Paralympic flag and will parade first at the opening ceremony on 7 September. The team will stay in the Athletes Village, with travel and other expenses covered by the IPC. A 10-strong refugee team will also compete at the Olympic Games. "This is the moment to shine a light on the people with impairments affected, as well as highlight the broader situation," IPC President Sir Philip Craven said.

Summary: A team of refugee athletes will compete at Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announced.


Michelle Logue said Gerard Mulligan did not see a psychiatrist for weeks after he killed his father, despite being on suicide watch for some of that time. She said Mr Mulligan's solicitor phoned the prison regularly to try to arrange a psychiatric appointment. His first visit with a psychiatrist was on 2 November, Ms Logue said. Mr Mulligan took his own life at the high security jail on Saturday evening. The Prison Service said the PSNI, coroner and prisoner ombudsman have launched investigations into the death. The 44-year-old had been on remand charged with murdering his father, Gerald Mulligan, at his home in Limehurst Way, Lisburn, on 25 September. Ms Logue said in a letter to her from prison, Mr Mulligan said "he had never felt as alone in his entire life". "His solicitor told me he had been ringing... to try and get him an appointment with a psychiatrist, but he only saw the psychiatrist last Wednesday," she told BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback programme. "So he hadn't seen or spoken to anybody about these mental health issues for all those weeks." Prison authorities and staff must show more understanding for inmates, said Ms Logue. "The people in there have done wrong but they have to be treated as human beings," she said. "They have to be more caring and sympathetic. To me they do what they have to do, but no more." Ms Logue said Mr Mulligan had tried to phone her several times on the day he took his life. "I was working on the Saturday morning and he tried to phone me twice," she said. "He tried to phone me four times in two minutes on the Saturday afternoon at 15:30 and I had laid down for a sleep and missed his calls - the same day that he killed himself. "I feel terrible guilt, because I was the love of his life and he told me I was the only thing that was keeping him going. "So I believe maybe if I'd have spoken to him I could have stopped him on that day. But I believe it was inevitable [that he would eventually take his own life]. "I think he thought when he couldn't get through to me that I had fell out with him and that's a very haunting thought for me." Listen again to the interview on Radio Ulster's Talkback programme.

Summary: The partner of a man who took his own life in Maghaberry Prison while on remand for the murder of his father has criticised the care he received.


Most of the churches affected had predominantly African-American congregations. "We believe that this fire-setting activity is meant to send a message," said John Ham of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The most recent fire broke out early on Thursday morning. "It was really disheartening to see what you worked so hard for brought down in a matter of minutes," said Pastor David Triggs of the United Believers in Christ Church, which was heavily damaged on 17 October. The fires have all been set at the front or side doors of buildings, usually without causing serious structural damage. This was not the case for Pastor Triggs, who said his church's building is likely unsalvageable. That leaves his roughly 70 active congregants without a house of worship. He is holding services on the lawn this coming Sunday while trying to determine next steps. "We're kind of at a cross road," he said. "I have no doubt that God is going to provide for us."

Summary: Police in the US state of Missouri are searching for arsonist who set fire to seven churches in the St Louis area in the past two weeks.


The key element is the goal to limit global warming to below 2C by moving to zero carbon emissions by 2050. The UN meeting in December is "the last chance" to avert dangerous climate change, according to the Earth League. Scientific evidence shows this can be achieved, but only with bold action now, says an alliance of climate researchers from 17 institutions. The statement involves eight calls for action: Chair of the Earth League, Johan Rockstrom, of the Stockholm Resilience Centre in Sweden, said the statement set out the scientific stance on what needed to happen at the Paris talks. "Six years after the failure at Copenhagen, the world now has a second chance to agree upon a safe pathway towards a future that does not undermine human well-being in the world." He said the statement summarised what the group of scientists believe has to happen at the Paris talks to avoid the risk of severe climate change linked with sea-level rise, heat waves, droughts and floods. "The window is still open but just barely," he said. "There is still an opportunity to transition into a safe, reasonably stable climate future." He added: "The statement says very clearly that 2 degrees is the absolute upper limit that the world should aim for." The Earth League includes 17 scientific research institutions around the world, including two in the UK. Professor Sir Brian Hoskins of the Grantham Institute - Climate Change and the Environment, Imperial College, London, said to achieve the goal, global carbon emissions would need to peak around 2020 and fall very rapidly to near zero by around 2050. He said rich countries would have to take the lead on this and help the less developed world. "We're all in this together - we share one planet, we share one atmosphere, we share one climate system." The statement was released to coincide with Earth Day, an annual event to demonstrate support for environmental protection. WWF-UK said governments around the world must agree a fair deal at Paris, but should take action beyond this. Head of climate and energy policy, Emma Pinchbeck, said: "The next UK Government must reaffirm our leadership on this key international issue, and commit to decarbonising policy in line with the science. "When it comes to government action on climate change, we will benefit from ambition and will regret inaction."

Summary: Scientists are calling on world leaders to sign up to an eight-point plan of action at landmark talks in Paris.


In the 1960s and 70s, the spirits of scores of convicted Japanese war criminals were "enshrined" there. The most controversial were the 14 "Class A" war criminals, including wartime leader Hideki Tojo, who were "enshrined" in the late 1970s. These men were the ones who ordered and oversaw Japan's brutal war in China and South East Asia. Yasukuni Shrine It was a war in which millions died, in which there were widespread massacres of civilians, in which rape was routinely used as a weapon and where Japan used chemical and biological warfare against civilians. So if the shrine is so offensive to China and South Korea why did Mr Abe go? Firstly, because he wanted to. Close observers of the Japanese prime minister say he is at heart a nationalist and a historical revisionist. He believes the trials that convicted Japan's wartime leaders were "victors' justice". His own grandfather Nobusuke Kishi served in the war cabinet and was arrested by the Americans on suspicion of being a Class A war criminal. He was later released without charge. But the stain of association with Japan's war crimes in China never completely went away. Secondly, Mr Abe's support base comes from the right wing of the Liberal Democratic Party. According to Professor Jeff Kingston of Temple University in Tokyo, Mr Abe is "showing he is a tough guy", that he is not afraid of China. It is something that plays very well to his base. But there is perhaps a bigger goal that Mr Abe has in mind. He wants to radically revise Japan's post-war constitution. This, too, is a long-held dream that started with his grandfather in the 1950s. Mr Abe believes he is the man to complete the historic task of getting rid of the hated "peace constitution". Like many on the right here, Mr Abe believes that constitution was forced on Japan by America and is a humiliation. It imposes not only pacifism, but also Western notions of human rights and civil liberties. It rejects Japan's uniqueness in favour of "universal values". Mr Abe would like to change a lot of this. But it will be very hard. And so he will need some help. "Abe has provoked China, and China has reacted just as Abe wanted it to," says Prof Kingston. "There is a shrewd political calculus at work here." What he means is that having an external threat in the shape of big and frightening China may be just what Mr Abe wants to help push through his controversial nationalist agenda at home.

Summary: Whatever Shinzo Abe says, any visit to the Yasakuni shrine by a Japanese prime minister is deeply political and sure to cause offence.


Nigeria wants mobile phone companies to verify the identity of their customers. The government says it is concerned unregistered Sim cards are being used by criminal gangs. The South African company has been in talks with authorities since October when the original fine was imposed. It said on Thursday it had succeeded in reducing the fine by a third. The original fine amounted to double MTN's annual profits last year. Since it was imposed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), MTN has made a number of senior managerial changes, which included the resignation of the chief executive of its Nigerian unit, Sifiso Dabengwa. "After further engagements with the Nigerian authorities, the NCC has reduced the imposed fine," MTN said in a statement. It added the fine was now $3.4bn. MTN has 231 million subscribers in 22 countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. However, Nigeria is its biggest market. In September, the company was named as most admired brand in Africa in the Brand Africa 100 awards, beating Samsung, while it was also awarded the continent's most valuable brand, worth $4.6bn (Â£3bn). MTN was South Africa's second mobile operator when it was set up in 1994 after the end of apartheid. It began its expansion across Africa four years later with operations in Rwanda, Uganda and Swaziland.

Summary: Africa's largest mobile operator, MTN, has succeeded in its bid to reduce a $5.2bn Â£3.4bn) fine imposed by Nigerian authorities for failing to cut off unregistered users.


Crolla, 28, who also broke his ankle in two places, has had his January WBA world lightweight title bout cancelled. "He was in bits in the hospital," Gallagher told BBC Radio 5 live. "His world title dreams are in tatters. "The more I think about it, he is lucky to be alive. Unbelievable." Promoter Eddie Hearn told BBC Sport the Manchester-based boxer was in a "stable condition" and that he was in talks to try and reschedule the world title fight. Police confirmed that a 28-year-old man was left with a fractured skull after being struck "with a heavy object" when chasing burglars he had spotted leaving his neighbours' home. Detective sergeant Richard Arthern of Greater Manchester Police said: "Thankfully he is recovering well in hospital." Trainer Gallagher added: "The next-door neighbours were being burgled, and the burglars came into his garden. He gave chase and apprehended one of them. "The other one lifted a slab of concrete and hit him with it, and he fell and broke his ankle. "He is in bits and heartbroken." Crolla, who has won 29 of his 35 professional fights, will need to have surgery on his ankle, Gallagher said. Crolla was set for the biggest bout of his eight-year professional career in Manchester on 23 January against WBA champion Richar Abril, 32, from Cuba. Hearn added: "Unfortunately the 23 January fight is off but our concerns right now are with Ant and his family. "I'm devastated for him. He has been training for six weeks for this and has a shot at the world title in his home town. "I have spoken to Richar Abril's team and we are trying to reschedule the fight."

Summary: Anthony Crolla is "lucky to be alive" after suffering a fractured skull when he was hit by what his trainer Joe Gallagher said was a concrete slab as the boxer confronted burglars.


A Freedom of Information request by the Huffington Post UK found the cost of a journey transporting just government documents had often exceeded £100. The total bill could be higher as figures for additional trips using pool cars were not available. The government said there had been a "substantial reduction" in the cost of ministerial cars since 2011. David Cameron announced plans to shrink the bill for ministerial cars shortly after coming to office in 2010, and the number of ministers with access to their own chauffeur-driven car was cut. The practice of carrying ministers' "red boxes" in official cars is used for sensitive documentation. In 2010, journalist Sarah Vine, the wife of the then education secretary Michael Gove, wrote that while her husband could travel home by public transport, his red box would travel separately "in air-conditioned splendour, snug and secure in the back of a locked car". The red boxes travelled alone using the Government Car Service 1,910 times between 2012-13 and 2014-15, with the number of journeys rising over the course of the three years. 2011-12 £110,865 2012-13 £65,447.70 2013-14 £56,581.28 2014-15 £79,426.23 2015-16 £41,520.58 Source: Freedom of Information request to the Department for Transport Since 2012, pool cars have also been used by departments but their use is not recorded by the DfT, the department said. Labour MP Graham Jones told the Huffington Post: "The Tories said they'd clamp down on wasteful spending yet they still allow hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money to be spent ferrying round briefcases in chauffeur-driven cars." But the Department for Transport said the total cost of carrying ministers' paperwork was just 5% of the total spent on the Government Car Service and that it was committed to ensuring the service provided value for money. A spokeswoman added: "That is why, since 2010, the number of cars that make up the service has been reduced from 227 to 78. "We have also been working hard to cut our operating costs in order to further reduce the cost to the public purse. "Before April 2012, all cars were part of a government car pool and could be booked separately by ministers. After April 2012, cars were allocated to departments as departmental pool cars for use by ministers. These cars are managed by each department."

Summary: Chauffeuring ministers' paperwork around Whitehall has cost more than £350,000 since 2011, figures show.


Klaas Haytema, 30, pulled the plug on the late-night broadcast, which was relaying a Buddhist sermon, because it was disturbing his sleep. He told the court that he had been unaware a religious service was taking place near his hotel in Mandalay. Several foreigners have recently fallen foul of strict laws in Myanmar that protect Buddhist ceremonies. Delivering the ruling, a judge said Haytema was "clearly guilty" of insulting religion and was "sentenced to three months imprisonment with hard labour". But he avoided another three months after opting instead to pay a fine of 100,000 kyat ($80) for violating the terms of his visa, which requires tourists to respect local customs. Haytema, who was also accused of insulting Buddhism by not taking off his shoes when he entered the prayer hall, apologised during previous hearings, according to local media. Slights against religion are treated with extreme seriousness by the courts and a pious public in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, previously known as Burma. In July, a Spanish tourist was deported after monks complained about a tattoo of Buddha on his leg, while last year a New Zealand bar manager spent 10 months in jail for "insulting religion" by using a Buddha image to promote a cheap drinks night.

Summary: A Dutch man wept as he was jailed for three months with hard labour in Myanmar for unplugging a loudspeaker.


In November, the Chancellor scrapped planned major cuts in police funding, announcing budgets would be protected in real terms, as long as council tax precepts were raised. Seventy extra officers will now be recruited. Police Commissioner John Dwyer said a public consultation supported the rise. The force had expected £30m of budget cuts over the next four years but - as long as council tax also rises in future years - is now forecasting a funding increase of £1.1m by 2020. Mr Dwyer said the new budget would "ensure the constabulary had the resources necessary to protect the people of Cheshire". The number of police officers in the county will now increase to 2,053. Residents in Band D properties will see taxes rise by £5 from April, meaning the portion of the bill payable to the police will be £161.23. The force's council tax precept has increased in two of the past four years.

Summary: Cheshire Police is to raise its share of council tax by 3.2%, after the government announced a 1.4% cut to police funding.


Clough's 11th minute lob gave Wanderers a perfect start and the visitors were then indebted to Lee Burge for keeping them in the contest. The City keeper saved from Gary Madine, Josh Vela and Clough on a night when former Bolton player and coach Gary Speed was honoured with a minute's applause by fans. But if Burge excelled in the opening period, opposite number Ben Alnwick came to the Trotters' rescue in the second. Having already denied Kyel Reid before the break, Alnwick saved superbly from Lewis Page plus substitutes Jodi Jones and Ruben Lameiras. Bolton's best moment of the second half was Clough's 25-yard free-kick, which was tipped on to the post and away to safety by the outstanding Burge. Coventry poured forward in search of a late equaliser to try to avoid a third straight league defeat, but instead, Phil Parkinson's side held on for their first home win over the Sky Blues in eight attempts since 1965. Report supplied by Press Association. Match ends, Bolton Wanderers 1, Coventry City 0. Second Half ends, Bolton Wanderers 1, Coventry City 0. Attempt missed. Gael Bigirimana (Coventry City) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Foul by James Henry (Bolton Wanderers). Ben Stevenson (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Josh Vela (Bolton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Jordan Turnbull (Coventry City). Substitution, Bolton Wanderers. Jamie Proctor replaces Gary Madine. Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Lawrie Wilson. Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Lawrie Wilson. Attempt blocked. Jack McBean (Coventry City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Attempt missed. Jamie Sterry (Coventry City) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Foul by Gary Madine (Bolton Wanderers). Jordan Willis (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Attempt missed. Ruben Lameiras (Coventry City) left footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Substitution, Coventry City. Jack McBean replaces Kyel Reid. Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Jay Spearing. Attempt missed. James Henry (Bolton Wanderers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Attempt missed. Kyel Reid (Coventry City) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Andrew Taylor. Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Ben Alnwick. Attempt saved. Ben Stevenson (Coventry City) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Lawrie Wilson (Bolton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Kyel Reid (Coventry City). Attempt blocked. Jordan Turnbull (Coventry City) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Josh Vela. Attempt blocked. Ruben Lameiras (Coventry City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Foul by Jay Spearing (Bolton Wanderers). Kyel Reid (Coventry City) wins a free kick on the left wing. Substitution, Bolton Wanderers. Chris Taylor replaces Sammy Ameobi. Substitution, Bolton Wanderers. James Henry replaces Zach

Summary: Zach Clough netted his sixth goal in eight starts, but high-flying Bolton were made to work hard for their League One win over Coventry at the Macron Stadium.


The management gender pay gap stands at an average of £3,188 - or 13%. Although this is less than the UK average of 22%, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) said it was still "unacceptable". The findings are in its annual salary survey of more than 72,000 professionals across the UK. How big is the gap? The findings are reflected in the most recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures. These show women in professional occupations in Wales received an average of £678 gross pay a week in 2014 - compared to men on £794 a week. That 15% gap also exists between women and men's pay across all sectors in Wales - and has remained largely unchanged for a decade. It is slightly better than the UK average - 20% and 19% if you exclude London and the south east. The ONS said it was a complex issue and prefers we look at median hourly earnings for those in full-time work, which suggests the pay gap is now the lowest on record. It is now 9.4% between all working men and women - around £100 a week - compared to 17.4% in 1997. Why does the pay gap exist? Cardiff University researchers last year found the working patterns of men and women are very different. "Feminised" jobs attract lower hourly pay rates and have high concentrations of part-time hours, it suggested. In summary: The university research team claimed, with little training or career progression opportunities, women can get "stuck" in these working patterns for life. ANALYSIS by Sarah Dickins, BBC Wales economics correspondent Forty five years after the UK Government passed the Equal Pay Act, working women in Wales are still earning on average more than £3,000 less than men. In effect they are working for 34 days each year for free. In Wales the gap between what men and women earn is less - at 13% - than for the UK as a whole, which is 22%. On the face of it, that may seem to be good news and could be used to suggest that Wales is a more equal society. But it could also be seen as a reflection of the fact that the Welsh economy has relatively fewer high paid jobs across many aspects of the private sector. Today's report highlights the fact that the gap between what men and women are paid is greatest at the senior or director level and greater as women grow older. Q&A: How can we bridge the gender pay gap? Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged to eliminate the gender pay gap "within a generation". New legislation coming into force in 2016 will require organisations with 250 or more staff to report publicly what they pay male and female staff. On Monday, accountancy firm Deloitte revealed it paid women on average 17.8% less than its male workers, but said there was an "ever increasing understanding" of the issues. The CMI wants more companies to publish gender pay details before they have to next year, as well as reviewing starting salaries to ensure

Summary: Women managers in Wales are effectively working for free for nearly an hour every day, a professional body claims.


21 July 2015 Last updated at 07:09 BST They say the habitats of these important insects are being squeezed in both Europe and North America. The study added that humans may have to move bumblebees to cooler areas to help them survive. Ayshah went to meet some young beekeepers to find out more.

Summary: Climate change is threatening the survival of bumblebees, hugely reducing the areas in which they can survive, according to scientists.


The Quakers, currently fifth in the National League North, do not have the 500 covered seats needed across two stands at their Blackwell Meadows home. Clubs were previously able to install temporary seating with conditions, but the rules changed in May 2016. Now, permanent seating must be in place for clubs to meet the criteria. The club said it would liaise with National League South side Poole Town, also fifth in their league, who have similar issues with their ground. "This change in the requirement for permanent covered seating was only brought to the board's attention in the past couple of months," a statement from Darlington said. "By the time the board was fully aware of the requirement, it was not able to act because of the timescales involved and the lack of funds available. "In order to be able to meet the seated stand requirements, an additional round of fundraising through the Community Share route has a lead time of at least six weeks to prepare the offer and then an unknown amount of time to raise the estimated requirement of £150k, plus the actual construction time for the additional seats. "We understand that an absolute minimum of 12 weeks would be needed - time that just wasn't available once the club had finally moved into Blackwell Meadows." The decision comes as a blow to Darlington, particularly given the optimism which followed their return to the town in December after a spell at Bishop Auckland's Heritage Park - the first time since the old Darlington club had been liquidated in 2012. Should the appeal not be successful, the next ambition is to put plans together for redevelopment work that does make the stadium sufficient. "Understandably, our manager, Martin Gray, is very frustrated at this situation, as the incredible efforts of the players and coaching staff will not give us the chance of promotion this year unless the appeal is successful and we are allowed to participate in the play offs," the statement continued. "We are as disappointed as everyone else that our success on the field is not reflected in our ability to move to a higher level at this time. But we would remind everyone that had we thought that we would be playing back in our home town, in the second tier of the non-league pyramid, under our original name, and all within five years of that fateful day in 2012, not many would have had faith in that dream. "The board is now working with the Supporters Group to set a five-year-plan to develop the ground at Blackwell Meadows, in conjunction with Darlington RFC, which we hope will meet the ambitions of the manager and players and playing staff, all of our volunteers, the board, and most importantly of our fans and the people of Darlington and the surrounding area."

Summary: Darlington will appeal the National League's decision to deny the club a play-off place because their ground does not meet seating requirements.


Four other members of the council abstained while the remainder voted in favour. The killing of some 8,000 Muslim men and boys in 1995 by Bosnian Serb troops was the worst massacre in Europe since World War Two. The motion had angered Serbia, which rejects the term. It had been drafted to mark the 20th anniversary of the atrocity, which came amid the bloody break-up of Yugoslavia into independent states. During the Bosnian War, which saw Serbia-backed Bosnian Serb forces fighting the Muslim-led Bosnian government, thousands seeking shelter at what was supposed to be a UN refuge were slaughtered. The resolution said that "acceptance of the tragic events at Srebrenica as genocide is a prerequisite for reconciliation". But Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said adopting it "would be counter-productive, would lead to greater tension in the region". The vote had been put back a day to allow the US and the UK - which drafted the resolution - to try to persuade Russia not to veto it. The Serbian President, Tomislav Nikolic, called it a "great day" for his country, the AFP agency reported. Serbia does not have a seat on the Security Council, and had asked ally Russia to block the resolution, warning it would be divisive. The US ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power, said: "Russia's veto is heart-breaking for those families and it is a further stain on this council's record." A UN tribunal at The Hague has already convicted numerous people of genocide in relation to the Srebrenica killings, but a formal recognition by the UN could compel individual states to pursue prosecutions.

Summary: Russia has vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution that would have described the Srebrenica massacre as "genocide".


16 January 2017 Last updated at 12:32 GMT The ceremony is called the inauguration. At the event, he will make a promise to do the best for the country and will give a speech known as the inaugural address. There are a few traditions passed down, which he must observe on his inauguration day. Leah takes a look at what's going to happen throughout the day...

Summary: On Friday, Donald Trump will officially become the next president of the United States.


Her death certificate said in January that the 60-year-old, best known for her role as Princess Leia, had suffered a cardiac arrest. But in a statement the LA coroner said the exact cause was unknown. Sleep apnoea is a common condition in which a person stops breathing during sleep, either for a few seconds or minutes. As well as listing sleep apnoea as a cause of death, the coroner's statement cited other factors, including heart disease and drug use. In a statement released to People magazine after the coroner's ruling, Fisher's daughter Lourd said: "My mom battled drug addiction and mental illness her entire life. She ultimately died of it. "She was purposefully open in all of her work about the social stigmas surrounding these diseases." Her manner of death would be listed as undetermined, the coroner's statement said. Fisher had been on tour promoting her book The Princess Diarist when she was taken ill on a flight from London to Los Angeles on 23 December. She never regained consciousness and died on 27 December at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Centre. Her mother, actress Debbie Reynolds, died the following day. The daughter of singer Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher made her film debut opposite Warren Beatty in 1975's Shampoo. She also appeared in The Blues Brothers, When Harry Met Sally and Hannah and Her Sisters, and provided the voice of Peter Griffin's boss Angela in the adult animated sitcom Family Guy. But her enduring fame is thanks to her role as Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy. She will appear in the latest Star Wars sequel, The Last Jedi, which is to be released in December.

Summary: Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher died from sleep apnoea and "other factors", the Los Angeles County coroner says.


South Western Ambulance Service said it did not know how the incident involving the man - thought to be in his 20s - happened. Great Western Air Ambulance flew him to Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham after the ambulance service was called at about 17:10 BST. Wiltshire Air Ambulance had also been called after the man suffered significant burns at the Somerset site. Final preparations are taking place for the 2016 edition of the festival which opens its doors to the public on Wednesday.

Summary: A man has suffered severe burns at the Glastonbury Festival site.


The museum hopes to raise £5m to develop its Maryfield tram depot into a fully-restored national visitor attraction. It has been based at its temporary headquarters in Market Street since April 2014. The grant will fund a new museum director and consultancy post for two years. The museum's chairman Jimmy McDonell said: "We are extremely privileged to have been offered this grant from the Mathew Trust. "It will allow us to carry the project forward by bringing in the expertise we need to make the very best of this opportunity that we have." The museum, which is run by volunteers, attracted more than 10,000 visitors in its first year. VisitScotland regional director Jim Clarkson said: "In Scotland's Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design, the grant will help Dundee Museum of Transport remain an exciting part of the city's tourism offering, boosting the visitor economy in the process."

Summary: Dundee Museum of Transport's fundraising campaign has received an £80,000 grant.


The 55-year-old Australian has agreed a four-year deal with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to replace Stuart Lancaster and will start in December. Jones has confirmed there will be no change to the policy of only selecting home-based players. "I want players who want to play for England," he said. "If you want to play for England you have to be in the Premiership. I am happy with that." Jones says he intends to speak with captain Chris Robshaw but is yet to decide who his captain will be. Jones, who will take his first news conference at 13:00 GMT on Friday, leaves his role as head coach of South African franchise the Stormers - who he only joined in September after leading Japan in the World Cup. His first match will be England's Six Nations opener against Scotland at Murrayfield on 6 February as he looks to resurrect England's fortunes after their failed World Cup campaign. "I hope to build a new team that will reflect the talent that exists within the English game. I believe the future is bright for England," Jones said. "I'm now looking forward to working with the RFU and the players to move beyond the disappointment England suffered at the World Cup." Jones, who has had success with Japan, South Africa and Australia at World Cups, said: "The opportunity to take the reins in, possibly, the world's most high-profile international rugby job doesn't come along every day, and I feel fortunate to be given the opportunity." Jones will be among the best paid coaches in world rugby, with RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie adding: "Eddie is a world-class coach, with extensive experience at the highest level with Australia, South Africa and Japan. "We believe that the appointment, which was unanimously approved by the RFU board, is the right one to bring England success in the short, medium and long term." Jones is expected to bring former England captain Steve Borthwick on to his coaching team, who he worked with at Saracens and Japan. Borthwick is currently under contract as forwards coach at Bristol. Former Australia captain David Campese, who played 101 times for the Wallabies, says opting for a foreign coach like Jones, who he feels is no improvement on Lancaster, shows that England are "desperate". "I don't think they should have stuck with Stuart Lancaster because he's a school teacher. Unfortunately rugby is a professional sport and we don't need school teachers. I think Eddie is one as well," he said. "Don't you want an Englishman to coach an English team and win the World Cup?" But former Australian flanker Phil Waugh, who played 79 times for his country, said England would benefit from Jones' taste for experimenting with selections. "One thing he's very good at is talent identification so he'll pick the best players and work with those guys to get the best out of them," Waugh told BBC Radio 5 live. "England have suffered from probably being a bit too conservative in selections and not necessarily picking the most attacking and most dangerous

Summary: Eddie Jones has been named as England's first foreign head coach.


Lough Swilly lifeboat station is the first in Ireland to get the brand new Shannon Class lifeboat. The 2.4m euros (Â£1.8m) boat was built in England and is the smallest, fastest and lightest in the RNLI fleet. The boat was designed by Peter Eyre from Londonderry who was rescued by a Lough Swilly lifeboat when he was 14. Lough Swilly lifeboat operations manager John McCarter said it was an amazing new addition. "It is probably the most advanced lifeboat that has entered the lifeboat fleet. It is absolutely new and fully up to date oat that has immense capabilities and we're the first station in Ireland to receive one. "Indeed it's the first class of lifeboat to be named after an Irish river so it's a double first. It's an amazing bit of kit, we've had crews on it bringing it home and they are really over the moon on the capabilities the boat has and what an upgrade it will bring to the service here out of Lough Swilly. "Peter cut his teeth sailing in Lough Swilly and got the bug for the water and has done a lot of good work within the RNLI and is pretty much the chief designer of this Shannon class boat and we're delighted that that is also a great connection to Lough Swilly, Derry and the north west." Peter Eyre who is now an RNLI naval architect based in Poole, in England was instrumental in the development of the new lifeboat. Mr Eyre attended Foyle and Londonderry College before studying ship science at the University of Southampton. He began designing the hull form at the age of 24 in his spare time. He said his own experience with the RNLI as a teenager was the inspiration for the boat. "It was quite a stormy day on the Swilly and we were out sailing in our family yacht and lost the mast because of the strong winds and the Swilly crew came out to us and brought us to safety so that was my first foray with the RNLI. "This boat is much quicker than the one it replaces, it does 25 knots. Time is of essence for most of these rescues and it's also much safer for the crews especially in rough weather. "We would share a lot of the same base of suppliers with formula one so it's quite similar in the design approach using all the cutting edge technology available. I'm incredibly proud."

Summary: A new RNLI lifeboat designed by a man who was saved by the service as a teenager has arrived in County Donegal.


The 31-year-old left-armer was released by Sussex in September having been at Hove since 2006. The ex-Leicestershire paceman has taken 34 first-class wickets at an average of 51.05, 79 one-day scalps at 29.22 and 82 T20 wickets at 23.90. "It's great to have Chris on board," said Gloucestershire head coach Richard Dawson. Middlesbrough-born Liddle also played for Dhaka Gladiators in the Bangladesh Premier League in 2013. "He's got a lot of experience in one-day and T20 cricket, having performed strongly for Sussex and he will add excellent competition to our bowling unit," added Dawson. "It's a great opportunity for him to come here and compete in all formats of the game as he has a lot of potential in Championship cricket. We are all looking forward to him joining up with the lads."

Summary: Gloucestershire have signed former Sussex seam bowler Chris Liddle on a two-year contract.


Ali Bunney, 20, was found unconscious at the edge of Gloucestershire Airport last February. He died later. He was an economics and accounting undergraduate at Cardiff University. Gloucestershire coroner Katy Skerrett said Mr Bunney's was "a tragic death and a short-form conclusion will be an alcohol-related death." But speaking after the inquest, Mr Bunney's parents, Nigel and Marissa, questioned the coroner's findings. "There [are] a lot of unanswered questions," Mr Bunney said. His wife added: "I don't believe he walked all that way. It's a mother's instinct. I don't believe he walked four miles in an hour - someone has dumped him there. "I always pray for him and pray for justice for Ali." Ms Skerrett concluded the various medical teams did all they could to save Mr Bunney and there was "no unnecessary delay at any stage" in treating him. "This was a young man who had been out drinking with friends and had a very good, fun evening," she added. "For whatever reason, he chose to depart from the plans of going back to a friend's house and it seems more likely than not that he was trying to make his way home. "Due to the amount of alcohol he had consumed and this was a very cold and wet night - both those two factors got the better of this young man, which led to him being found." The inquest at Gloucestershire Coroners Court was told Mr Bunney could have been more than four times the drink-drive limit when he left a town centre nightclub to walk the nine miles to his home wearing just a short-sleeved shirt and trousers in temperatures as low as 4C (39F). He had been out in Cheltenham on the night of 8 February last year with a group of people celebrating his friend's 21st birthday. He was days away from celebrating his own 21st birthday. The inquest was told the student had eaten a meal and friends described seeing him drinking pints of lager, glasses of cocktails and shots of spirits during the night out, which ended at a nightclub. Friends described him as "staggering" and "swaying from side to side" and when he vanished from the Subtone club they tried to ring him but could not get hold of him. The inquest heard dog walker Keith Wilson found Mr Bunney lying on his back. Mr Wilson alerted a fire crew at the airport, who quickly arrived at the scene, and called for assistance from the ambulance service. Mr Bunney was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital where he was later confirmed dead.

Summary: A drunk student died from hypothermia after walking home from a night out in Cheltenham in shirtsleeves in winter, an inquest has heard.


The UK has a "lamentable" record on FGM, and "someone, somewhere is not doing their job properly," a report by the Home Affairs Committee said. There have been no successful prosecutions of people who perform FGM in the UK in the last 20 years. The government said it was bringing in civil orders to protect at risk girls. The committee described FGM as an "abominable practice" and a "horrendous form of child abuse". Female genital mutilation, often abbreviated to FGM is also known as female circumcision. It involves procedures that include the partial or total removal of the external female genital organs for cultural or other non-medical reasons. It can also include stitching up the genitals. It is practised in 29 countries in Africa and some countries in Asia and the Middle East, but is illegal in the UK. Carrying out female genital mutilation carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. Anatomy of female genital mutilation In one hospital alone - Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham - 1,500 recorded cases of FGM were recorded over the last five years, with doctors seeing six patients who have undergone the procedure each week, the report said. "There seems to be a chasm between the amount of reported cases and the lack of prosecutions. Someone, somewhere is not doing their job effectively," the report concluded. MPs accused the authorities of "passing the buck", with prosecutors saying they needed evidence, police saying they needed doctors to refer cases to them, and doctors saying they were not properly trained. The committee recommended that doctors should be prosecuted if they repeatedly fail to report suspected cases to the police. Committee chairman Keith Vaz said: "While agencies play pass the parcel of responsibility, young girls are being mutilated every hour of every day. "This is deplorable. This barbaric crime which is committed daily on such a huge scale across the UK cannot continue to go unpunished." Source: Home Affairs Select Committee report on Female Genital Mutilation The committee also said police, midwives and campaigners wanted clarification as to whether or not cosmetic female genital surgery was prohibited under the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003. "We cannot tell communities in Sierra Leone and Somalia to stop a practice which is freely permitted in Harley Street," it said. Crime Prevention Minister Lynne Featherstone said the government was introducing a mandatory duty on professionals to report FGM, which would "provide clarity for professionals on their responsibilities and give them the confidence to confront FGM". "The coalition government is bringing in new civil orders to protect girls before they can be subjected to FGM, through the Serious Crime Act, and measures to punish parents who fail to prevent their daughters being cut," she added. "Our cross-government FGM unit is listening carefully to campaigners and those living with the effects of this harmful practice." Last month, NHS doctor Dhanuson Dharmasena was cleared of performing FGM on a young mother after she gave birth. The director of public prosecutions defended the decision to prosecute the case, which was the first of its kind in

Summary: MPs have criticised the "chasm" between the number of reported cases of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the UK and the number of prosecutions.


Rob Davies, 32 from Brecon, and his fellow Welshmen won their first three matches in the round-robin stage. In the final Italy won the doubles 3-2, but Matthews levelled the tie with a 3-1 win against Federico Falco. Rob Davies then secured gold with 3-0 win against Andrea Borgato. Elsewhere in the British Para Table Tennis Team, Aaron McKibbin and Ross Wilson took silver in the men's class 8. Megan Shackleton, 18, and her Russian team partner Aleksandra Vasileva took silver in the women's class 4-5, and there were bronze medals for Paul Karabardak and Martin Perry in the men's class 6. Further bronzes followed for Will Bayley and Billy Shilton in the men's class 8, and Ashley Facey Thompson and his German partner Yannick Ruddenklau in the men's class 9. Find out how to get into table tennis with our special guide.

Summary: Paralympic table tennis gold medallist Rob Davies, Tom Matthews and Paul Davies beat world champions Italy to win gold in the men's class 1 team event at the German Open on Saturday.


The suspended Uefa president, 60, was banned by the world governing body's ethics committee in December, along with its president Sepp Blatter. Both were found guilty of breaches surrounding a £1.3m ($2m) "disloyal payment" to Platini. Blatter's appeal against his own ban is due to be heard on Tuesday. The former France international and the Swiss have both denied any wrongdoing. Platini was also fined £54,000 ($80,000) after being found guilty of breaching Fifa's code of ethics. Both Platini and Blatter said the payment was made following a verbal agreement between the pair when the Frenchman worked for Blatter from 1998 to 2002, though it was not paid until nine years later. The Fifa appeals committee, which is chaired by president of the Bermuda Football Association Larry Mussenden, has the power to reduce, increase or overturn the ban. The ethics committee's investigatory chamber has confirmed it is appealing against the sanctions imposed on Platini and Blatter on the grounds that they are too lenient. Uefa said last month that it will not hold an election for its presidency until Platini's appeals process has been concluded. Platini had at one stage been favourite to succeed Blatter as Fifa president, but the opening of ethics proceedings against him and subsequent ban ended any chance of that happening. Fifa's presidential election is due to take place on 26 February. On Friday, the committee banned the governing body's former secretary general Jerome Valcke for 12 years for multiple breaches of the code of ethics.

Summary: Michel Platini's appeal against his eight-year ban from all football-related activity will be heard by Fifa's appeals committee on Monday.


In a letter, David Bowers wrote that Syrian refugees should not be resettled in his city, citing security concerns. To highlight the point, he compared the concern over the refugees to the 1940s internment of Japanese Americans. The internment camps - now considered illegal - are widely considered to be an embarrassing period in US history. "I'm reminded that President Franklin D Roosevelt felt compelled to sequester Japanese foreign nationals after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and it appears that threat of harm to America from [IS] now is just as real and serious as that from our enemies then," Mr Bowers, a Democrat, wrote. More than 30 US governors have said they do not want Syria refugees resettled in their states after recent attacks in Paris tied to the so-called Islamic State killed more than 100 people. Although the governors do not have the legal authority to do so, they can complicate the resettlement process. US President Barack Obama called their response "hysterical". Virginia Republicans sought to distance themselves from Mr Bowers' remarks. "Comparing the prudent step of pausing to evaluate a vetting processes to the unconstitutional internment of American citizens proves that Democrats simply don't understand national security," John Whitbeck, the chairman of the Virginia Republican Party, said in a statement. The letter drew also ridicule on social media with celebrities condemning Mr Bowers. Actor and Japanese-American George Takei wrote on Facebook: "Mayor Bowers, there are a few key points of history you seem to have missed." "The internment [not a "sequester"] was not of Japanese "foreign nationals," but of Japanese Americans, two-thirds of whom were US citizens," Mr Takei wrote. "I was one of them, and my family and I spent four years in prison camps because we happened to look like the people who bombed Pearl Harbour. It is my life's mission to never let such a thing happen again in America."

Summary: The mayor of Roanoke, Virginia, has come under criticism after he appeared to endorse the internment of Japanese Americans during World War Two.


An explosion was reported at the Cheesecake Factory at about 18:00 local time on Thursday, according to police. Diners were safely evacuated and no one was injured in the reported blast. The man tossed a "homemade pyrotechnic device" containing gunpowder inside the restaurant before fleeing, a police official said. Garrett Gunkle, who was sitting with his wife at the bar, told KNBC-TV there was chaos as customers ran for the exits in the Los Angeles suburb. "People were jumping over one another, fighting to get over bar stools," he said. "It was very chaotic." The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department bomb squad joined Pasadena Police Department at the scene. Police Lt Mark Goodman said the device was not a pipe bomb or a Molotov cocktail, and no shrapnel or projectiles were ejected. Investigators say the suspect was described as Latino or Middle Eastern, about 6ft tall (1.82 metres), with a heavy beard and wearing all-black clothing. No getaway car was seen. A motive for the incident was unclear. "It could be a dissatisfied customer, a disgruntled employee," Lt Goodman added. Federal authorities were alerted to the incident, police told KABC-TV, but local authorities are handling the investigation.

Summary: Authorities are searching for a suspect who hurled a homemade incendiary device into a crowded restaurant in Pasadena, California.


Mark Gourley, from the Castlemara estate in Carrickfergus, was reported missing in March 2009. He was last seen in the Burney's Lane area of Glengormley. In 2013, police investigating the 36-year-old's disappearance said they had begun a murder inquiry. On Monday, two men, aged 45 and 43, were arrested in Carrickfergus. The pair were released on police bail on Monday night pending further enquiries. The body of Mr Gourley, who was described by police as a "vulnerable individual" who had been on medication at the time of his disappearance, has never been found. Det Insp Darren McCartney appealed to anyone who may have information about Mark's disappearance or who may have seen Mark on or after 7 March 2009 to contact police. "Previous appeals for information did generate reports of sightings but the last definite sighting of Mark was at 2.30pm on 7 March 2009 in the Burney's Lane area of Glengormley," he said. "Mark did not have a mobile phone or a significant amount of money with him when he disappeared." Police said although Mr Gourley was last seen in the Glengormley area, he was from the Castlemara area of Carrickfergus and he may have returned to that area on 7 March 2009. "Police are asking for anyone who may have noticed vehicles or individuals acting suspiciously in either the Burney's Lane area of Glengormley or in the Castlemara area of Carrickfergus around 7 March 2009 to contact police on the non-emergency number 101," Det Insp McCartney said. "I believe there are people in these communities who have knowledge of what happened to Mark. "Additionally, people may have heard rumours about what happened to Mark. I would appeal to them to share this information with police. "If anyone has information about him, I would ask them to examine their conscience and come forward to police." Mr Gourley was about 5ft, 9" tall, described as well-built, with fair, cropped hair, and an eyebrow bolt in his right eyebrow. At the time of his disappearance, was wearing a black, zipped jacket with a grey motif on the back of the shoulders, dark Umbro tracksuit bottoms, black trainers and may have been wearing a blue Glasgow Rangers woollen hat.

Summary: Two men, who were arrested in connection with the murder of a missing County Antrim man, have been released.


The BHA aims to halt a decline in the number of horses taking part in races lower down the scale with an increase in prize money and appearance fees. The scheme has the support of the Racecourse Association and Horsemen's Group. The proposals come as the 2018 fixture list is released, with 1,508 meetings next year, 11 more than in 2017. Richard Wayman, chief operating officer for the BHA, said: "Although there has been growth in total prize money in recent years, much of this has been at the top end. The returns to our sport's participants further down the scale are simply not sufficient at present to be sustainable. "Targeting grassroots with extra funding will help racing's participants to maintain their involvement in the sport, keeping more horses in training, as well as helping with the recruitment and retention of staff to care for our horses." The BHA proposes to invest additional levy income in racing from 2018, with the aim of delivering three key objectives for the sport - supporting ownership, delivering more competitive and compelling racing, and increasing customer engagement. A statement by the BHA proposed that, in addition to the increased number on meetings next year, there will also be "customer-friendly slots on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons throughout summer with the aim of increasing attendances". "We need the fixture list and race programme to work in a manner that meets our customer's requirements. As customer and betting habits change it is essential that our sport evolves with them," Wayman added.

Summary: Grassroots racing will receive an extra £9.7m in 2018 under new proposals from the British Horseracing Authority.


Visitors are scouring its pebble beach for fossils and taking photos of the stripes of rock strata embedded in the surrounding cliffs - a visual reminder of millions of years of history. And they are all asking each other the same question: "What time is it?" The clocks on our phones have reset themselves to French time, and for the surprising number who are not wearing watches, the confusion is palpable. Then the phones start beeping. "Welcome to France!" read the incoming text messages. "Your roaming costs are..." Inadvertent roaming, as it is called, is surprisingly common in this part of the country, despite France itself being a fair distance away - there are 74 miles (119km) between Poole and Cherbourg, a popular ferry route. Visitors to the surrounding areas, including Portland near Weymouth, can find themselves suddenly connected to French networks, and, if they're not careful, run up their phone bills with every phone call, text and social network update being charged as if it was made from abroad. It's not only a problem along the south coast of England - residents and visitors along the borders of Northern Ireland face substantial issues with their phones connecting to Irish networks, often without them even realising it. In 2012 research carried out there by industry regulator Ofcom found that on average those affected were spending Â£300 a year each on accidental data roaming, and only 11% of them had thought to switch the service off on the phone itself. The worst affected areas were east and north County Londonderry - notably Portstewart, south County Armagh and south County Down. "The EU Roaming Regulation requires that mobile operators take reasonable steps to protect their customers from paying roaming charges for inadvertently accessed roaming services while situated in their home member state, and to make information available to their customers on how to avoid inadvertent roaming in border regions," said an Ofcom representative. With the EU looking to lower the existing cap on data roaming charges this summer, inadvertent roaming may soon become a less expensive accident - and for local residents it can be something of a mixed blessing. Daff Tambling lives in the popular walkers' haven of Worth Matravers, to the east of Lulworth. The village played a key role in the development of the use of radar during World War Two - but it is no longer a hotspot for communications technology. "On certain windowsills in certain weather conditions I can just about get enough UK signal to receive a text," she said. "The phone has to stay at the same angle." Ms Tambling estimates that most days she will end up with either a French connection - or nothing at all. "It preserves a stillness - there's something nostalgic and romantic about it. I quite like it on many levels," she added. "But when it gets irritating is when companies are increasingly relying on texting you. If you need to verify your PayPal account or change your email password... even with deliveries and doctors' appointments, they want to remind you

Summary: It's a beautiful spring day at Lulworth Cove, a striking part of the Jurassic Coast, which stretches across south Dorset and Devon in the UK.


Irish fell to a 15th defeat of the league season against Sale on Saturday to leave them four points adrift at the bottom with three games left. Back row Narraway dismissed concerns at the spirit of his squad heading into the Premiership run-in. "It's the one thing I think we have in abundance, accuracy and being clinical are things we haven't," he said. "That's why we find ourselves here (at the bottom)," Narraway added. "Not because of the spirit or the want or desire not being there. "It's just that 5-10% in terms of accuracy that probably a little bit of confidence gives us," the 32-year-old former Gloucester, Perpignan and England player said. Irish face Harlequins in the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup at The Stoop on Saturday before their Premiership status will be determined in remaining games against Newcastle, Quins and Wasps. The fixture against fellow strugglers Newcastle at Kingston Park on 17 April has been described as "a Grand Final" by Narraway, who said: "Newcastle is huge, they're one place above us, one win above us."

Summary: London Irish captain Luke Narraway says improving their accuracy is the missing piece to their Premiership survival.


Two separate trials of people accused of intending to supply nitrous oxide at music festivals were stopped after the courts heard the drug is exempt. This now raises questions as to whether the new law will need to be amended. The Psychoactive Substances Act was introduced last year to deal with the problem of new manufactured drugs. Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is taken by hundreds of thousands of people every year as a recreational drug. But the gas is also used by doctors for its pain-relieving properties. A subsection of the Psychoactive Substances Act exempts medical products defined as "restoring, correcting or modifying a physiological function by exerting a pharmacological, immunological or metabolic action". A man was tried at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday for intending to supply nitrous oxide at a music festival in Derbyshire. But prosecuting barrister Adrian Fleming told the court that the Crown's own expert witness, Professor Philip Cowen, "is expressing the firm view that nitrous oxide, as the legislation is currently worded, is an exempt substance". Meanwhile a judge at Taunton Crown Court, where two people were on trial for intending to supply nitrous oxide at Glastonbury Festival, came to the same conclusion. In that second case, Judge Paul Garlick said "nitrous oxide is plainly capable of coming within the definition of an exempted substanceâ€¦ and in my view, on this evidence, it plainly is an exempted substance". The two court cases have prompted a full review of the legislation by the Crown Prosecution Service. The Psychoactive Substances Act was designed to deal with a wave of new manufactured drugs, often called legal highs, by banning any substance which "by stimulating or depressing the person's central nervous system... affects the person's mental functioning or emotional state". The law specifically exempts alcohol, tobacco or nicotine-based products, caffeine, food and drink and medicinal products as defined in the Human Medicines Regulations 2012. It is that last exemption that led the case to collapse. The drug charity, Release, has described the law as "fundamentally flawed". Its executive director, Niamh Eastwood, said: "The CPS must urgently drop all prosecutions under the Psychoactive Substances Act and review cases where defendants have previously pleaded guilty." Mr Fleming told Southwark Crown Court that "Professor Cowen has expressed the clear view that nitrous oxide falls within the definition because of its analgesic effects". "That may not have been the intention of those who framed the act, but the subsection clearly covers nitrous oxide." The judge, David Tomlinson, instructed the jury to find the defendant - who cannot be named for legal reasons - not guilty. Stressing that the hearing was not a "test case" and offered no precedent, Judge Tomlinson said the not guilty verdict could mean that either there was "a very lucky defendant or a number of other defendants will have their convictions quashed". It is understood about 50 people have pleaded guilty to supplying nitrous oxide under the legislation, but this is the first time a defendant has contested the charge. Some lawyers are suggesting other substances may also

Summary: A law banning so-called legal highs in the UK is to be reviewed after the collapse of the first ever contested cases under the new legislation.


Fraserburgh-born Blake Glover arrived in Nagasaki in 1859, helped found Mitsubishi, and contributed to the modernisation of Japan. Aberdeen City Council wants to turn Glover House into an "ideas hub". The proposals will go before the council's finance, policy and resources committee on Tuesday. Council leader Jenny Laing said: "Thomas Blake Glover is regarded as the founder of modern Japan and here in the north east we remain very proud of his achievements. "By transforming his family home in the Bridge of Don area into a research and development facility for future industries and technologies, we are potentially developing ideas which will help us diversify our own economy and attract inward investment. "It will also help us cement partnerships with Japanese companies. "Our aim is to use the home of the Scottish Samurai as a springboard to widen our skills base and to encourage innovation as we look to the years beyond North Sea oil and gas." Mitsubishi gifted Glover House to Grampian Regional Council in 1996. The property is now under the control of Aberdeen City Council.

Summary: The Aberdeen family home of the so-called "Scottish Samurai" Thomas Blake Glover could be turned into a £2m research hub.