Later this month, the city will launch a new public bicycle hire scheme, following the lead of London, Dublin, Paris, Madrid, and Milan, where similar initiatives have proven popular. But already one of the bicycle docking stations has been vandalised just two days after its installation, and some critics are arguing that cycling infrastructure in Belfast is not sufficient to allow users to bike safely. So is the city really ready for the Belfast Bikes scheme, and will it catch on? Belfast City Council, which is behind the scheme, says almost 600 people have already registered their interest ahead of the launch on 26 April. Three hundred bicycles will be available to hire between 06:00 and midnight each day from 30 locations dotted around the city. The council is expecting the bikes to be used by the city's residents, commuters, students and tourists. Anne Madden, of sustainable transport charity Sustrans, says the scheme is proof that Belfast is catching up with cycling-friendly cities across the world. "The bike has come of age in Belfast and about time, too, " she says. "More people are turning to the bike as a way of getting around and for health and fitness. "Cycling Ulster, the governing body for cycling in here, have told us they've seen a seven-fold increase in their membership in the last five years." Belfast businessman Conor Devine says he has been waiting for two years for the scheme launch in the city, having seen the success of the Dublin model. "The scheme works really well in Dublin - people have embraced it, it's very normal and there are bikes everywhere," he says. "So it's about time. It's a great thing and it just shows you where the city has come from in the last 20-odd years. "I imagine there will be good take-up. I think in 12 to 18 months' time it'll be something we will be very used to." Commentator Jude Collins, a cyclist in the past, says he "loves the idea", but has grave concerns about the dangers of biking in Belfast. "It sounds wonderful and it's flourishing in Dublin, Paris and other cities throughout the world," he says. "But it's the safety of it. I'd be afraid to cycle in Belfast. Will there be the secure bike routes for people to use the scheme?" While Anne Madden agrees to some extent, she explains that Sustrans has recently provided cycle training to over 200 people in preparation for the scheme's introduction. "Cycling in Belfast has, until recently, not been properly catered for. Feeling safer comes with better infrastructure - it is slightly chicken-and-egg." Anne Doherty, from Belfast City Council, says Belfast Bikes has created employment, and while it will not be profitable initially, the council hopes that will change by the end of its six-year plan. A sponsorship deal will provide Â£300,000 over three years, while the council will cover the operating costs of Â£400,000 per year. Funding from the Department of Regional Development has allowed for the initial 30 stations. If the scheme proves a success, it could

Summary: The cycling revolution has begun and now Belfast is hoping to join in.


Every day thousands of elderly patients are unable to leave hospitals despite being medically fit to do so, because care is not available in the community. But Respublica said if care homes took them in it would be a "win, win". The think tank said it would free up hospital beds, while bringing in vital investment into the care sector. Currently there are about 4,300 patients stuck in hospital each day because of problems discharging them - taking up over 4% of all general beds in hospital. The report, which received funding from care home providers, said if current trends continued the numbers could increase by about 1,000 in the next five years, costing the NHS Â£3.3bn in total over the period. It said if this money was spent on care homes they could take on all the patients facing delays, while investing in staff and facilities. The patients would be cared for temporarily in the care homes until permanent arrangements could be made. Respublica director Phillip Blond said: "The bed blocking crisis in the NHS is only getting worse - clogging up wards and leaving newly arrived patients on trolleys in hospital corridors." He added the extra money could also help care homes stay afloat. A report last year by the think tank warned 37,000 beds could be lost in the sector in the coming years because of the squeeze on fees paid by councils. The idea - known as step-down care - is already being piloted in a number of areas. And a Department of Health spokesman said attempts to get the health and care sectors to "work better together" would be aided by a new initiative called the Better Care Fund, which was launched last year. The fund involves a Â£5.3bn annual pot which is being used to boost shared projects between the two sectors.

Summary: The NHS in England should pay care homes to look after patients trapped in hospitals because of the delayed discharges problem, a report suggests.


Researchers said seven out of 10 companies had reported an increase in sales - some by more than 50%. The Scottish Technology Industry Survey also found that 82% of businesses were predicting sales to increase in 2017. Predicted employment growth is also on the up, with 78% of firms expecting to employ more people this year. This compares to 66% of firms that were expecting to hire more staff in 2016. The digital technologies trade body, ScotlandIS, produced the annual survey. Polly Purvis, chief executive of ScotlandIS, said: "The results of this year's survey show the confidence and resilience of the digital technologies industry which is continuing to grow and maintain its optimistic outlook despite uncertainties in the political environment. "This is great news not just for our sector, but also for the economy as a whole. The digital technologies industry generates over Â£5bn in GVA [gross value added] for Scotland every year and is becoming more and more important in our increasingly digital world." But ScotlandIS said a "skills shortage" remained an issue for many firms. For the first time since 2013, demand for experienced staff outstripped that for graduates. Ms Purvis added: "Our survey shows that more companies are looking to Scotland to recruit new employees. This is likely to be a sign of Brexit-related concerns and the decreasing attractiveness of the UK for international talent."

Summary: Scotland's digital technology industry enjoyed "sustained growth" in 2016 and is optimistic for the future, a survey has found.


Media playback is not supported on this device Captain Alastair Cook confirmed England would field an unchanged line-up against Australia, with Mark Wood joining Stuart Broad and Steven Finn in the pace attack. "He bowled yesterday but at about 60 to 70%," said Cook. "He's gutted but it's probably about a week too early." England lead the series 3-1 and have already regained the Ashes. Anderson, England's all-time leading wicket-taker, sustained the injury during England's win in the third Test at Edgbaston. "He's made really good progress and the medical staff have been brilliant with him but he's still probably about a week away," Cook added. "The way Mark has come in and bowled in the series - certainly in the first game and the last game - we have options. "He's a brilliant character and a pretty good bowler who has really looked at home in international cricket in his early Test matches. I think we still haven't seen the best of Mark and that's what is really exciting about him." With England's next series a tough away assignment against Pakistan on the turning pitches of the United Arab Emirates, and the series already won, there had been speculation that Yorkshire spinner Adil Rashid could be included at The Oval. But Cook said Rashid would have to wait for his Test debut. "We come into this game trying to win this series 4-1," he said. "That's what we've discussed. "Adil has been with us in every single squad but the pitches haven't quite suited two spinners so Adil's had to wait for his chance. "As a cricketer, he's really improving and he feels a lot more comfortable in the England environment. There's a one-day series to come so he'll probably get his chance in that." Cook said his opening partner Adam Lyth needs a good match at The Oval in order to safeguard his place in the team after a run of low scores. Lyth has scored just 86 runs from seven innings in the series at an average of 12.28. "He hasn't scored the runs he would have liked," Cook said. "It's tough when your first seven games are against the bowlers that we've faced. "He's a very good player who can succeed in international cricket - he scored a very good century against New Zealand where you saw a lot of his talent. But he's got to go out there and score runs." Australia will be forced into at least one change for the final Test, with seamer Josh Hazlewood ruled out with injury and likely to be replaced by Pat Cummins. "Josh has some niggling problems we would like to manage," said Australia coach Darren Lehmann. "As such, he was not considered for selection for the fifth Test." The last two Tests have seen bowler-friendly wickets produce three-day finishes, and Australia captain Michael Clarke believes the pitch at The Oval will be no different. "It's green," he said. "I think again it's going to be a result wicket. Someone is going to win, someone is going to lose."

Summary: England bowler James Anderson will miss the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval after failing to recover from a side strain.


Hill, 78, has run every day since 20 December 1964, clocking up 52 years and 39 days. The athlete, who won marathon gold medals at the European Championships in 1969 and the 1970 Commonwealth Games, has inspired successive generations of runners, whether elite or fun-runners. Here is how the running community from around England have reacted to the news. "Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Ron Hill, a true legend. "He is such a great man and his determination is so inspirational. "Running every day for 52 years and 39 days is such an amazing achievement. "His performances in the marathon are also incredible." "It will be devastating if he has to stop. "The great thing about Ron is that unlike some people who win gold medals and then pack up he has kept running. "He's always ready to stop and talk to people. "For our club his association with us is like Sir Bobby Charlton with Manchester United. "I once tried to run every day for about five years but I gave up after twisting my ankle on a fell, although I still run quite a lot." "Ron Hill is a hero to me. I think he is one of the most important figures in the evolution of running "I only met Ron once and it was in the early 70s before most runners knew anything about streaks. "Most running fans know Ron Hill for his great marathon victories and world records, his pioneering exploits that included carbo-loading, wearing mesh singlets, split running shorts. and creating road racing shoes that are as formidable exhibits of his love for running as his incredible streak. "My streak started May 26,1969 so that's 47 years eight months well behind Ron's 52 years plus. "I'm going to run as long as I can. The last year was rough due to injuries but I have a couple of dogs who remind me I need to get out there each morning." "I have never been able to manage a running streak but he has certainly inspired me. "When times have been tough I have thought about people like Ron. "I remember the story about how he even managed a run with his foot in a plaster cast. "If I could still be running in my 80s I would be very pleased." "Ron Hill is so dedicated and disciplined to his running which shows me what can be achieved and helps me in all aspects of my running. "I met Ron Hill at the start of the Greater Manchester marathon 2016 had a chat with him and shook his hand and said it was brilliant to actually meet him in person. "I almost run everyday but as i am training for various distances from 10K to the marathon quite often there are rest days in the schedule. "He is very much an inspiration - he's been running longer than I have been alive. "Equalling his record is going to be very difficult "It is very good for the body to run every day - the problem comes

Summary: Former Olympian Ron Hill has ended a 52-year streak of running at least one mile every single day after experiencing chest pains.


Steven Van de Velde, 21, admitted three counts of rape against a child he met after travelling from Amsterdam in August 2014. The girl was raped near Furzton Lake and at an address in Milton Keynes. Van de Velde returned to the Netherlands, but was extradited and arrested in January. He appeared at Aylesbury Crown Court via a video link for sentencing after admitting all three offences last month. The court heard he was aware of the girl's age, having had conversations on various social networking sites. He went to the girl's home when her mother was out and had sex with her, taking her virginity. Sentencing him, Judge Francis Sheridan said: "You were a potential Olympian. You had the possibility of a stellar future representing the Netherlands. "She was a child aged 12. You were fully aware of that fact." Van de Velde - of Cornelis De Wittlaan, Den Haag - travelled from Amsterdam on 2 August 2014, having booked a return ticket with EasyJet that day. Prosecutor Sandra Beck said: "She had got very close to him via Facebook and spoke regularly. He made her feel very special. "He is a member of the national volleyball team and she liked what she saw." Mitigating, Linda Strudwick said: "There is genuine remorse. He has lost a stellar sports career and has been branded a rapist. Plainly it is a career end for him. "

Summary: A Dutch international volleyball player who raped a 12-year-old British girl he met on Facebook has been jailed for four years.


Joedyn Luben, 32, had £77,000 in a safe at his home in Penlan, Swansea, he told Cardiff Crown Court. He claims officers from South Wales Police stole £30,000 of this during the raid in April 2011. Det Sgt Stephen Phillips, 47, of Swansea, Det Cons Christopher Evans, 38, of Llangennech, and Michael Stokes, 35, from Glynneath, deny theft. Mr Luben told the court on Tuesday he gave the code to the safe to Det Con Stokes when asked by the officers. He said he had been saving the money since he was 16 and last used the safe the night before the raid, when he deposited £12,000 following the sale of a car. No action was taken against Mr Luben so a cheque was written for him to return his money. However, he said this was £30,000 short of what was seized. The case continues.

Summary: Three detectives stole a man's life savings in a raid on his home, a court has heard.


Mr Farron was one of the few who held onto his seat in last week's election, while the rest of his party lost almost 50 seats. He said he felt a sense of anger the election had been fought "on the politics of fear". He is seen as one of the frontrunners to become the next party leader. The Liberal Democrats have set in motion a two-month contest to succeed Nick Clegg after they said a new leader would be elected in July. Mr Clegg is stepping down after a slew of Lib Dems lost their seats including top figures Vince Cable, Simon Hughes and David Laws. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme Mr Farron added: "You always feel anger when you see dozens of mates basically and colleagues lose their seats having had an outstanding record locally and nationally. "And I guess a sense of anger - if that is the right word - against an election that was fought and indeed sadly won on the basis of the politics of fear. "When one looks back at the election and you realise that the best asset David Cameron has is the SNP and the best asset the SNP has is David Cameron. "This was an election fought basis of people terrified of the other. Fear is hugely motivating factor in elections, I'm sad to report." Mr Farron and his colleague Norman Lamb are seen as the frontrunners to take Mr Clegg's place. Greg Mulholland, one of the party's remaining eight MPs, said a new leader must be chosen quickly. "We must not - and will not - wait till July to have a new leader in place. We need strong leadership now," he said. Several senior party figures, including former Liberal leader Lord Steel, have warned it could take decades for the party to recover from its worst election result in its history. The party has been left with a handful of MPs, including one in Scotland, one in Wales and one in London, following a series of defeats which some activists have blamed on Mr Clegg's decision to take the Lib Dems into coalition with the Conservatives in 2010. Nominations for leader will open on 13 May and close on 3 June. Ballot papers will be sent out on 24 June and must be returned by 15 July. The winner will be declared on 16 July. Neither Mr Farron, a former party president, nor Mr Lamb, a former health minister, have declared themselves as candidates. However, they are regarded as the leading contenders and both are expected to stand. Tom Brake, who served as a minister in the last government, has ruled himself out of the running and said the contest must act as a catalyst for debating the future direction of the party. "What will happen during that contest will be that there will be an opportunity to talk about what went wrong and what sort of strategy do we put in place," he told the BBC's Sunday Politics. He said he was not backing anyone at this

Summary: The Liberal Democrat Tim Farron says his party must "turn our anger into action" and rebuild from the bottom upwards.


They started arriving at Poldhu Cove on Sunday, and National Trust volunteers have been clearing them away as they think it could be dangerous for wildlife. The bottles are sealed closed, but it's thought that some may have leaked. The National Trust said it thinks a container had gone overboard from a ship during stormy weather. Other nearby coves including Gunwalloe, Polurrian and Marazion have also been affected, conservationists said. Members of the public have been told to keep small children and dogs a safe distance away, whilst the clean up continues. Justin Whitehouse, from the National Trust, said: "The main worry is all that detergent going into our beautiful marine environment, but thankfully most are full."

Summary: Thousands of bright pink plastic detergent bottles have washed up on beaches in Cornwall.


Christophe Hillairet expressed concern that food produced outside the European Union could easily cross a "soft" Irish border and enter EU markets. He is the president of the Chamber of Agriculture of Ile de France. However, his comments were criticised as "disappointingly self-centred" by an Irish dairy industry leader. Speaking to the Agra Europe website, [Â£] Mr Hillairet said he was worried that the British government will sign deals to import food from Commonwealth countries post-Brexit and that those products could then be transported across a future EU land border via Northern Ireland. "Ireland is a big problem but for the French farmer, we will need to have a hard border between the north and the Republic, as otherwise we will have a lot of products that will cross from north to south. "That would be very dangerous for our producers." Both the British and Irish governments have repeatedly said they do not want a return to a hard border on the island of Ireland, expressing concerns over the potential impact on the economy and the Northern Ireland peace process. However, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, has said that there will have to be some form of customs controls along the Irish border after Brexit. On a two-day visit to the Republic of Ireland last week, Mr Barnier said: "We want to find solutions without rebuilding any kind of hard border, but we have to find solutions also compatible with the single market." Mr Hillairet has been president of the Chamber of Agriculture of Ile de France since 2006. He told Agra Europe that he believed it was "simply not possible to have a soft Brexit and still maintain the advantage which the EU has a trading bloc". He urged remaining EU member states to "work together to protect Europe". Mr Hillairet's remarks were criticised by the president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), John Comer. He argued that the interests of Irish border communities, who had suffered during Northern Ireland's Trouble, must also be protected. Mr Comer said that "with respect to our French friends, we would prefer them to reflect on the common good and not just on their own particular sectoral anxieties".

Summary: The president of a French farming union has called for the re-introduction of a hard border between Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland after Brexit.


Officers are investigating whether one of the men fell from a 12th floor balcony of the 19-storey Donside Court, in the Tillydrone area of the city. Emergency services were called to the building at about 20:15 on Tuesday evening. A witness has described hearing a woman screaming "help me, help me" before police arrived. Police Scotland said it believed the incident was contained and there was not a threat to the wider community. A blue forensics tent had been erected inside a police cordon at the foot of the building, close to the main entrance. An eyewitness said they saw a man fall from the 12th floor of the building, which police confirmed they were pursuing as a line of inquiry. Another witness, Toni Dey, 19, who lives a short distance away in Gordon's Mills Road, said she heard screaming from the block. The mother of two said: "I heard some girl screaming 'Help me, help me', then about 10 minutes after I heard loads of screaming and shouting. "I didn't call the police as I thought it was kids messing around, then I heard loads of police. "It's very scary to think that something like that had happened. All I kept thinking was 'Why was that poor girl shouting help me?', and about a two-minute walk out my back door. "I just moved in here in May and it's been so quiet. I was shocked to hear anything as I never normally do." Another woman told BBC Scotland that she had known one of the men involved, describing him as a "nice boy". Det Supt Dave McLaren said further information about the incident would be released in due course. "At this time the investigation is in its very early stages," he said. "However, the circumstances as they present at this time would indicate that this is a contained incident and we are not looking for any other person in relation to the deaths." Police dismissed reports on social media that a police officer had been injured and said there was no suggestion the incident was terrorism-related. Neighbour Susan Smith said police initially went up to the flat carrying what looked like a battering ram. "There were loads and loads of police cars. I've never seen so many police cars. Four ambulance vans," she said. "They took a lassie out and they were still trying to give the guy CPR. Then they put a tent up and the next thing forensics arrived. "The police actually went in with a great thing like a battering ram at one point. Then they went in with stretchers and a chair thing - and came out with them empty." Councillor Martin Greig, chairman of Aberdeen Community Safety Partnership, said: "There will be families grieving profoundly at this terrible news. "Our sympathies are with those who have lost loved ones. "The local community and the city will share feelings of shock at this violent incident."

Summary: Police are searching the area around a tower block in Aberdeen where a woman and two men died in a disturbance.


The government operates radio services and a TV channel. Private TV stations freely criticise the government. There were 295,200 internet users by November 2015 (via Internetworldstats).

Summary: Guyanese newspapers are free to criticise the government, although journalists are apt to exercise self-censorship.


Host Neil Patrick Harris opened the ceremony with a joke about honouring "Hollywood's best and whitest. Sorry, brightest". So why has the repeat situation created such a toxic row, with prominent figures Spike Lee, Jada Pinkett Smith and Michael Moore leading a boycott, and others like George Clooney and Oscar winner Lupita Nyongo speaking out? And what are the possible "dramatic steps" that Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Ampas) president Cheryl Boone Isaacs has promised the organisation will take to review its operations? Film critic Tim Robey believes a festering wound has grown since both the director and star of the Martin Luther King biopic Selma were ignored - despite great critical acclaim - last year. "There was a feeling going round that because they [Academy voters] had given awards to Twelve Years a Slave the year before, for some reason they thought they were 'off the hook'. So Selma got a terrible handling, really." Profile of the average Oscar winner How to win an Oscar How to become an Academy member Oscars 2016: Nominations list David Oyelewo, who didn't get nominated for his lead performance in Selma, revealed on Monday that Isaacs called him in for a meeting after last year's awards "to talk about what went wrong then", though it's not known what specific ideas they discussed. The quickest fix would be to get an approved panel to draw up a longlist of nominations for voters to choose from, as many book prizes do. However, it would open up new arguments about who is on the panel and the controversial issue of affirmative action and so-called "positive discrimination". It also doesn't guarantee who gets on the shortlist. Both Tim Robey and Tim Gray, awards editor of Variety magazine in Hollywood, say making the shortlists longer would help. If this year's Best Picture shortlist had featured the 10 films allowed instead of just eight, it might have included the hotly tipped Creed or Straight Outta Compton. Diversifying the overwhelmingly white, male and over-50 membership has been much discussed and has been attempted in earlier recruitment drives. Bafta in the UK broadened its membership criteria a decade ago to attract younger people from newer digital and online creative industries - though that hasn't really resulted in much more diverse nominations. But Ampas is an honour society in which experienced industry professionals nominate others in categories for membership and awards. Actors nominate the acting shortlists, directors nominate directors and so on, before voting is opened up for the final winners. Trying to stop retirees from voting or at least nominating is one possibility, but it would mean an acrimonious internal fight. However, anyone who gets nominated for an Academy Award is automatically eligible for membership. Tim Robey says: "It would be a much more elegant solution to the problem to nominate the worthy performances. Once you're nominated you become a member of the club." This would still take time to feed through to making a notable difference in voting results though. Tim Gray suggests releasing information on how many votes each

Summary: Last year they were making jokes about the lack of any black or Latino performers in the acting categories at the Academy Awards ceremony.


The 33-year-old batsman, England's all-time leading run-scorer across all formats, was given the news by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). ECB managing director Paul Downton said: "The time is right to rebuild not only the team but also the team ethic." "If England have failed in their attempts to manage him, then so has everyone else." Read more from Jonathan Agnew Pietersen responded: "I will continue to play but deeply regret that it won't be for England." He scored 8,181 runs at an average of 47 in 104 Tests, in addition to 4,440 runs in 136 one-day internationals and 1,176 runs in 37 Twenty20s. "Playing cricket for my country has been an honour," said South Africa-born Pietersen, who made his England debut in 2004. "Every time I pulled on the England shirt was a moment of huge pride for me and that is something that will live with me forever. "Although I am obviously very sad the incredible journey has come to an end, I'm also hugely proud of what we, as a team, have achieved over the past nine years. I believe I have a great deal still to give as a cricketer." Media playback is not supported on this device England were whitewashed 5-0 by Australia in the Ashes Test series and Pietersen, his team's leading run-scorer, was criticised for the manner of some of his dismissals. He said last month he was "determined to help regain the Ashes" in England in 2015 and was included in a provisional 30-man squad for the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh, starting in March, when limited-overs coach Ashley Giles described him as a "million-pound asset". But the ECB have now decided he no longer has a future with England and are due to name their squad for the World Twenty20, plus a limited-overs tour of the West Indies that begins later this month, this week. The ECB said that the England management, which includes Giles, Downton and national selector James Whitaker, agreed "unanimously" that Pietersen would not be part of their plans for those trips or beyond. Downton, who took over from Hugh Morris on 1 February, added: "Clearly this was a tough decision because Kevin has been such an outstanding player for England, as the fact that he is the country's leading run-scorer in international cricket demonstrates. "However, everyone was aware that there was a need to begin the long-term planning after the Australia tour. Therefore we have decided the time is right to look to the future." The ECB's decision, announced via a statement, brings to an end Pietersen's brilliant but controversial career. He is regarded by many as England's best player - his tally of 23 Test centuries is second only to Test captain Alastair Cook in the all-time list - and only six players have played more Tests for England. In his debut Test series in 2005, he helped England win the Ashes for the first time in 18 years, one of four Ashes triumphs in his career. Appointed captain in 2008, he resigned after only five months

Summary: Kevin Pietersen's England career is over after he was told he is no longer part of the national team's plans.


Police appealed for witnesses to the incident which happened in Jackson's Entry at about 22:30 on Thursday. A 19-year-old man had taken his wallet from his pocket as he looked for a cash machine when two men ran towards him from behind. The pair knocked the man to the ground and punched him in the face before stealing his wallet and running off. The first man was white, in his early 20s and about 5ft 8in or 5ft 9in tall, of skinny build, with a very pale complexion. He had small stumpy brown teeth and a receding hairline forming a v-shape on his forehead. He also had blue eyes and black stud earrings in his ears. He was wearing a grey cotton Adidas tracksuit. The second man was white with a tanned complexion, of athletic build and had dark spikey hair and sunken eyes. He was wearing Puma jogging bottoms and a black hooded top with a gold zipper. Det Con Iain Wallace from Police Scotland, said: "This was a very distressing incident for the victim, though, thankfully he did not sustain any serious injuries." He appealed for anyone with information to contact police.

Summary: A man has been punched and robbed in an Edinburgh Street by two men, one of whom had stumpy brown teeth.


Police were called to a house in Manor Farm Close on Wednesday after a woman in her 40s was attacked. North Yorkshire Police said the woman remains in hospital in a stable condition. The teenager was remanded in custody by magistrates in York and is due to appear before a youth court on Tuesday.

Summary: A 16-year-old boy has been charged with wounding with intent in connection with the stabbing of a woman in Carlton, near Goole.


Media playback is not supported on this device After a 2-2 draw at Anfield, Liverpool prevailed 14-13 in a shootout in which six players scored twice, to reach the fourth round. "Our players showed great resilience to keep going," said Rodgers. "And at the end, when it was needed, they showed wonderful composure with some of our young players stepping up." Liverpool took the lead after just 10 minutes through debutant midfielder Jordan Rossiter, 17, but Boro equalised when Adam Reach headed in after the break. Suso drilled home for the Reds in extra time but Patrick Bamford's last-minute spot-kick, after Raheem Sterling gave the ball away and Kolo Toure brought down Bamford, took the tie to penalties. Media playback is not supported on this device The shootout featured 20 successful penalties in a row and equalled the record scoreline in English professional football, set in the Football League Trophy in August 2011, when Dagenham & Redbridge beat Leyton Orient. "It's a relief to get through," added Rodgers. "We are disappointed with the goals we conceded. We are making too many mistakes at the moment. But what this team has is character and we needed that. "We were practising penalties last night. We are humble enough as a group to think we would maybe go to penalties because Middlesbrough are a good side and are doing very well, so everyone practised." The match was a triumph for Liverpool's young players, with Rossiter scoring the opening goal on his debut and 18-year-old Jordan Williams finding the net in the shootout on his first appearance. Suso, a 20-year-old Spanish forward, scored his first Liverpool goal and netted two penalties before Boro winger Albert Adomah pushed his effort wide to finally bring the cup tie to an end. "It was a good night for our young players," added Rodgers. "Young Jordan Rossiter at 17 years of age - he could walk to Anfield - he lives just around the corner, and I was delighted for him. "He got the opportunity and showed wonderful composure to get that finish. "I was also impressed with young Jordan Williams - he came on and showed real good stature and composure in the game. He is a wonderful footballer and a young player who is developing well. "And young Suso hasn't had a lot of game time at all, but he has kept working and I thought he was really bright for us when he came on, and took his goal really well."

Summary: Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers praised his young players' composure as the Reds beat Middlesbrough in the longest League Cup penalty shootout.


Jess Herbst, who became mayor of New Hope last May, made the announcement in an open letter to the town's residents. "As your Mayor I must tell you about something that has been with me since my earliest memories. I am Transgender," she wrote. Ms Herbst was appointed mayor following the death of her predecessor. She had previously been elected to the Town Council as an alderman and road commissioner, according to her statement on the New Hope website. "I know that transgender people are just coming to light in our society, and we have made great strides in the last few years," she said. "My daughters have been adamant supporters of me and are proud to tell people their father is transgender," she added. Ms Herbst has been documenting her experience on her blog, JessHerbst.com. As the mayor of the small Collin County town, she is the first known openly transgender elected official in Texas history, the Texas Observer reports. "I will continue as Mayor and hope to do the very best for the town," she said. Transgender issues have made the headlines in Texas in recent months after Republicans unveiled the so-called "bathroom bill", a proposal that bans transgender people from using public bathrooms of their choice. Such bills have become a flashpoint in the battle over transgender rights in the US.

Summary: The mayor of a small town in Texas has become the first transgender elected official in the state's history, local media report.


The scrapping of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (Hefcw) was announced in January. A white paper has now been published inviting views on the proposed Tertiary Education and Research Commission. It aims to make sure Wales has "the skills needed to succeed in an increasingly competitive economy". The new organisation will manage funding for universities, further education colleges, research and skills. It will also seek to improve links between higher and further education and Welsh business. Publishing the white paper on Tuesday, Education Secretary Kirsty Williams said the aim was to make it "easier for people to learn and acquire skills throughout their careers". "Our lives and economy are undergoing huge technological change," she said, adding: "Our national mission does not stop at the school gates. "We need to ensure that those leaving our schools progress into a post-compulsory system which provides genuine parity of esteem for vocational and academic routes and which equips them with the skills required for sustainable and rewarding careers. "Such a workforce will allow our economy to be more productive and competitive and our people more prosperous and secure."

Summary: Academic and workplace skills will be "equally valued" under plans to replace the university funding body, the Welsh Government has said.


Ali Mahmod, of Newbolt Court, Felling, was found semi-conscious on Sunderland Road at about 15:00 BST on 2 May and later died. Gary Pitt, 22, of Falstone, Leam Lane, is due to appear at Gateshead Magistrates' Court later. A 26-year-old man has been released with no further action, Northumbria Police said.

Summary: A man has been charged with manslaughter following the death of a 42-year-old in Gateshead.


Natalia Doherty was last seen on 15 April 2003 in Eastbourne, where she was living at the time. The house in Icknield Way was searched in September as part of the investigation. Two men were later arrested and bailed in connection with the disappearance. A Luton man, aged 66, and a 71-year-old man from Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, were detained on suspicion of assisting an offender and preventing a lawful burial. Officers said ground survey work was now being carried out on the surface of the garden to see if the ground had been disturbed. Detectives believe that near to the date she was last seen alive, Ms Doherty - who was also known by the surnames Wilkanowska and Logan - was thought to have travelled to Luton to stay with her ex-husband, Gerald Doherty, who has since died - at the Regents Arms in Hastings Street. But there were no confirmed sightings of the mother-of-three in the town. Officers from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire major crime unit launched an investigation in January 2014 into the case, which has led them to believe Ms Doherty was murdered. A police spokesman said: "Inquiries have since failed to show any sign she is alive." Investigators are keen to trace her final movements and has asked anyone who recognises her or Mr Doherty from their time at the now-demolished pub in Hastings Street, or has any information relating to her disappearance, to contact them.

Summary: A garden at a property in Luton is being examined by officers investigating the disappearance of a 50-year-old woman police now believe was murdered.


Christine Lagarde said she had "not seen anything that's positive" about Brexit and warned that it could "lead to a technical recession". She echoed similar comments made on Thursday by Bank of England governor Mark Carney. Vote Leave said the IMF had been wrong in the past and was "wrong now". The IMF said in a report on the UK economy that a leave vote could have a "negative and substantial effect". It has previously said that such an outcome could lead to "severe regional and global damage". The Fund said a Brexit vote would result in a "protracted period of heightened uncertainty" and could result in a sharp rise in interest rates, cause volatility on financial markets and damage London's status as a global financial centre. Ms Lagarde said the IMF had a duty to assess the risks of Brexit. It has a mandate to oversee the international monetary and financial system. The Fund is expected to publish detailed estimates of the economic impact of a vote to leave the EU in the week before the 23 June referendum, the timing of which has been criticised by leave campaigners. It was not just a domestic issue but an international one as well, Ms Lagarde told a briefing at the Treasury attended by the Chancellor, George Osborne. EU referendum issues guide: Explore the arguments The UK's EU vote: All you need to know EU referendum campaign latest "I don't think that in the last six months I have visited a country anywhere in the world where I have not been asked 'what will be the economic consequences of Brexit?" she said. How trade and the UK's economy are affected by membership of the EU. Asked if the Treasury had had any input into the IMF's conclusions, Ms Lagarde responded: "Heck no! If you are suggesting that, you don't know the IMF." Priti Patel MP, who is backing the leave campaign, said the IMF was "wrong then and they are wrong now. It appears the Chancellor is cashing in favours to Ms Lagarde in order to encourage the IMF to bully the British people." Lord Lamont, a former chancellor, said: "This daily avalanche of institutional propaganda is becoming ludicrous and pitiful. Important institutions are being politicised and used to make blood-curdling forecasts. "There are plenty of respected individual economists, plenty of respected professional investors, and plenty of entrepreneurs who take a very different view from Christine Lagarde and who have probably been better at foreseeing the future than the IMF." Britain Stronger in Europe chairman Lord Rose said: "This is yet another economic expert that agrees Britain is stronger in Europe, adding to the comments of the Bank of England." Former Treasury minister Lord Myners, who backs staying in the EU, added: "Every major independent economic institution, from the Bank of England to the IMF, has made it clear that leaving the EU would damage the UK economy. This is yet more evidence that leaving is a risk we cannot afford to take." The Fund said it expected UK growth to fall below

Summary: The International Monetary Fund chief has said a vote by the UK to leave the European Union would have "pretty bad, to very, very bad" consequences.


Mourad Laachraoui, brother of Najim Laachraoui, won the -54kg final in Montreux, Switzerland, on Thursday. He beat 18-year-old Spanish fighter Jesus Tortosa 6-3 to claim the title. The 21-year-old, who will compete at Rio 2016, has said he was "scared and saddened" by his brother's role in the attack on the Belgian capital in March. Speaking at a news conference he arranged in Brussels following the attacks, Mourad Laachraoui also said no-one in his family had heard from his brother since 2013. Najim, 24, was one of two men who carried out devastating bomb attacks in the check-in area of Zaventem airport on 22 March. A third bomb was detonated at Maelbeek metro station shortly after, with a total of 32 people killed. Prosecutors have also linked him to November's attacks in Paris in which 130 people died.

Summary: A Belgian whose older brother was one of the suicide bombers in the terror attacks on Brussels has won gold at the European Taekwondo Championships.


Crafted in the shape of the letter Y for Yorkshire, the trophy will be handed to the winner of the inaugural event, which runs from 1 to 3 May. It has been designed and made by Thomas Fattorini Ltd - a company originally founded in Yorkshire in 1827. Earlier this month, Sir Bradley Wiggins confirmed his intention to ride in the race. The trophy was unveiled at Brudenell Primary School in Leeds earlier. Tom Fattorini, director of sales and marketing, said: "We do business internationally, supplying trophies to the likes of FIFA, and when we were invited to support the production of the Tour de Yorkshire trophy and medals we felt it was a perfect fit given our Yorkshire history." The Tour will begin on 1 May with a stage from Bridlington to Scarborough, followed by Selby to York on 2 May, and Wakefield to Leeds on 3 May. There will be more than 500km (310 miles) of racing through Yorkshire over the three days.

Summary: The trophy to be presented to the winner of the Tour de Yorkshire has been unveiled.


The doubles pair lost Monday's third-round match 6-3 4-6 6-4 3-6 14-12 to Jonny Marray and Adil Shamasdin. The first code violation came after umpire Aurelie Tourte refused Cuevas a toilet break; the Uruguayan then showed his frustration at double-faulting. "You have to take bad calls on the chin at some point," said Britain's Marray. The earlier code violation was handed to Cuevas for unsportsmanlike behaviour when he threatened to wee into a ball can after being told he could not leave the court to visit the bathroom. He then angrily smashed a ball out of the court following a double fault and the 15th seeds were docked a point, resulting in Cuevas and his partner sitting down and refusing to play the final game. A supervisor had to be called. "I went to the bathroom twice during the match and obviously the fifth set was a long one. I think you should be allowed an extra toilet break if it's five sets," said Marray. "You have to respect the officials regardless of whatever happened in the match. You can have a word or two but they're trying to do a job and you have to respect that." Shamasdin added: "I don't think the chair umpire really had the match controlled. She made a few mistakes early on at both ends. We were all on her and she was definitely flustered. I don't think she handled it correctly." You can now add tennis alerts in the BBC Sport app - simply head to the menu and My Alerts section

Summary: Pablo Cuevas and Marcel Granollers held a sit-down protest after receiving warnings for threatening to wee in a can and hitting a ball out of court.


The killings, reminiscent of the brutal days of apartheid, have left many South Africans anxious about the direction of the country, 18 years after it became democratic under the now-retired Nelson Mandela's leadership. The fact that no-one in responsibility has yet resigned - the government minister in charge of the mining industry, the police chief, the CEO of Lonmin, which is listed on the Johannesburg and London stock exchanges, and trade union leaders - shows the lack of accountability in South African society. The strike and subsequent violence at the mine shows that the expectation of many black people that their lives will improve in democratic South Africa has largely been dashed. It is true that the African National Congress (ANC) - the liberation movement now in government - has provided low-cost housing, education, health care and other services to the poor, but it has not done enough of this. In many parts of South Africa, basis services are either non-existent or of a low standard. People who can afford it rely on the private sector for education, health and security by employing armed guards to protect their homes and businesses. 'Despair and frustration' Last year, South Africa replaced Brazil as the most unequal society, with the gap between the poorest and richest individuals the highest in the world. Since apartheid ended, the overall wealth distribution has not changed much. The majority of black South Africans are still impoverished while white citizens are generally better off. South Africa does not have a system based on meritocracy, which rewards hard work and excellence. As a result, a small black elite, from the ranks of the ANC and its trade union ally, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), has become fabulously rich through shares in long-established white companies, winning government contracts and holding top posts in the public sector - all under the guise of black economic empowerment. Source: Statistics South Africa There has been no genuine effort to lift black South Africans out of poverty by giving them quality state education and technical skills, or to help small businesses grow. Neither has economic growth been accompanied by serious moves to diversify the economy - from exporting raw materials to developing industries that would boost employment. The impact of the global economic crisis has made things worse. Economists estimate that between 2007 and 2009 nearly one million jobs were lost, while the chief executives of top companies continued to get huge bonuses. Poor South Africans are caught up in a sense of despair and frustration, which explains the frequent protests over a lack of services in residential areas and now the violence at the Lonmin-owned mine. But South Africa's leaders seem to believe that the country's mineral wealth - gold, platinum and diamonds, among others - will see it through its economic problems. They are being complacent - and risk social upheaval on a scale they will not be able to manage. William Gumede is Honorary Associate Professor, Public and Development Management at the University of the Witwatersrand and author of Restless

Summary: The massacre last week at the Lonmin-owned platinum mine in South Africa's North West province, which left 34 miners dead and 75 injured when police opened fire on striking workers, shows a colossal lack of leadership at almost all levels - the government, trade unions, business and the police.


Police in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state, fired tear gas at protesters throwing stones and burning tyres in the streets, witnesses said. Several protesters chanted slogans calling for the government's downfall. Since June, Sudan has seen sporadic protests against government austerity measures, including fuel subsidy cuts. The country's authorities have been trying to cut spending since Sudan lost three-quarters of its oil revenue when South Sudan seceded last year. Demonstrators in Nyala chanted "No to high prices" and "People want to change the regime", according to witnesses. Bothina Mohmed Ahmed, a spokeswoman for the state of South Darfur, said it was not known how the six deaths had happened, and that an investigation had been launched. Opposition activists and media accused the police of using live ammunition. The protests started on Monday when local students "rejected the price of transport announced by the government", Ms Ahmed said, adding that "other groups" had joined the protests and attacked government buildings. "This has been happening on the main roads and in the main market area. There's been some damage to buildings," African Union-UN peacekeeping mission spokesman Christopher Cycmanick told AFP. The anti-austerity protests in Sudan began in June among students in Khartoum, but have since spread to other social groups and areas. They had recently dwindled as a result of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began on 20 July. Until this year, Sudan had escaped the unrest characteristic of recent uprisings in Arab countries such as neighbouring Egypt, but correspondents say economic hardship caused by austerity has led to growing dissatisfaction with President Omar al-Bashir.

Summary: Six people have been killed in violent protests against high transport prices in the Darfur region of western Sudan, local officials say.


The incidents, in which scores of people were killed, took place around the time of Friday prayers - typically the most crowded of the week - during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The first attack took place in France at a gas and chemicals factory in south-eastern France. Explosions rocked the US-owned facility in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier, near Lyon, at 09:35 local time (07:35 GMT) on Friday. A delivery vehicle rammed into the factory entrance and hit gas canisters, triggering an explosion and injuring two people. One of the men from the vehicle was tackled by a firefighter and held at the scene, while a decapitated body with "inscriptions" written on it was found nearby. A head was later found on railings at the site, along with flags featuring Arabic writing. The suspect was later named as Yassin Salhi, a 35-year-old delivery driver from nearby Saint-Priest. The dead man is thought to have been the suspect's manager, but it is not clear when or where he was killed. The BBC's Hugh Schofield says the suspect may have killed his boss before driving to the factory, where he put the head on the fence and left the body in the grounds, before driving further into site in the hope of causing an explosion. Salhi, who is married with three children, was known to the intelligence services. His wife, who was later taken into custody by police for questioning, told Europe 1 radio that he left to go to work as normal at 07:00 but didn't return as expected. Mr Salhi's sister and a fourth individual are also being questioned. French President Francois Hollande said: "The intent was without doubt to cause an explosion. It was a terrorist attack." Air Products, the owner of the factory where the attack took place, is a US chemical company based in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The second attack took place on a Shia mosque in the Kuwaiti capital more than an hour after the incident in France. At least 27 people were killed and almost 300 wounded in the suicide bomb blast. The explosion took place around the time of midday Friday prayers at the Imam Sadiq Mosque in al-Sawaber, a busy area to the east of Kuwait City. A Kuwaiti MP, who saw the attacker, told Reuters news agency that the mosque was packed with 2,000 people when there was a loud explosion. Images from security cameras at the huge mosque appear to show the moments before the blast, with the suicide bomber walking briskly in long white robes into a room where worshippers were kneeling in prayer. The blast created harrowing scenes of carnage in the crowded, stone-built room. An Islamic State-affiliated group called Najd Province claimed it was behind the attack. The group has carried out similar attacks in neighbouring Saudi Arabia and Yemen recently. It named the bomber as Abu Suleiman al-Muwahhid, and accused the mosque of spreading Shia teachings among Sunni Muslims. Sunni-ruled Kuwait has a large Shia minority, which IS considers to be heretical. The third attack took place close to the Hotel Imperial

Summary: Three suspected terror attacks been carried out within the space of three hours in France, Kuwait and Tunisia.


The boy, 16, suffered serious injuries in the attack in Chatham High Street at the junction of Upbury Way between 19:30 GMT and 20:15 GMT on Friday. Two men aged 18 and 19-years-old have been arrested following the incident and are currently in custody. The 16-year-old and the two men in custody are believed to be known to each other, Kent Police said. The force said it was seeking to speak to a further two suspects.

Summary: A teenage boy is in a serious condition after he was allegedly struck by two cars then chased and assaulted.


Molly-Mae Wotherspoon was attacked by an American pit-bull at a house in Daventry, Northamptonshire in 2014. The Independent Police Complaints Commission said the RSPCA had reported concerns about the dog but the officer failed to take appropriate action. Northamptonshire Police said officers have received further training. Live updates on this story and more in Northamptonshire The IPCC said a second officer, who also allegedly failed to act on the intelligence received, was found to have no case to answer. A Northamptonshire Police spokeswoman said: "The officers identified by the Professional Standards investigation have since received the appropriate management words of advice "Within weeks of the tragedy, we instigated new and robust operational procedures around dangerous dogs. "Now, nearly two years on, the public should be reassured that officers have far greater awareness around this issue." Molly-Mae's mother and grandmother were jailed for two years each on Thursday. Claire Riley, 23, admitted owning a dangerously out of control dog and Susan Aucott, 55, admitted being in charge of one. Jailing them, judge Mrs Justice Carr told the pair Molly-Mae was savagely attacked by the pit bull in "a tragic and totally avoidable incident". James House, prosecuting, said the pit bull broke free from his cage in the kitchen and opened the door to the lounge to reach baby Molly-Mae on the floor. The court heard that the baby's cries made it "an object of prey". A vet who treated the American pit bull - a breed banned in the UK - said the dog, named Bruiser, was one of the most dangerous dogs she had seen.

Summary: A police officer has a case to answer for misconduct after a six-month-old girl was killed by a dangerous dog, an investigation has found.


This is revealed in a BBC analysis of recent inspection data collated by the Food Standards Agency. I have compared the hygiene records of some of the UK's most popular restaurant chains. Other brands which also do badly include Pizza Gogo and Little Chef, where about one in five of the restaurants inspected were unsatisfactory. On the other hand brands such as Nando's and Pret a Manger have hundreds of outlets, all of which reach an acceptable level. The ratings reflect how food is prepared, cooked and stored, as well as the cleanliness and condition of buildings and how the business is managed. The Food Standards Agency collects these hygiene inspection ratings from nearly all councils in the UK and lets you search for individual scores for nearly half a million shops or restaurants on its website. You can also look at the food outlets in a particular area. We scraped all this data from the FSA site to compile a national table comparing some leading restaurant brands. This shows what proportion of each chain's inspected outlets were found to be unsatisfactory - and the figures vary widely. Many chains have no or very few establishments which are unsatisfactory, but there are some brands where a higher proportion of outlets failed to meet acceptable standards of food hygiene. An FSA spokesperson said: "Food safety officers from local authorities will follow up with low-rated outlets and will work with them to improve hygiene standards." A restaurant is considered unsatisfactory if it scores 0, 1 or 2 (out of 5) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or as "improvement required" in Scotland. Many chains are franchise operations in which separately owned establishments trade under the same name and serve the same menu in line with the brand's requirements. All the chains were given the chance to check the data, but most did not comment. However, Little Chef says that it recognises it has to make progress and the company is initiating an investment programme to drive its hygiene standards up. Patisserie Valerie says that it acts immediately to remedy unsatisfactory ratings and that "we await our next inspections with confidence". Wimpy also states it takes corrective action when any of its restaurants is found to be below par. TGI Friday's, which scores well, says it is investing a seven-figure sum to achieve maximum five-star ratings in all its establishments. Zizzi, another chain with a good record, says it is pleased that the ratings reflect its operating standards. The ability to compare different restaurants in this way illustrates the opening up of official information over the past few years, as well as some of the continuing obstacles. It might seem hard to believe now, but before the Freedom of Information Act came into force in 2005, this sort of public health information was often kept secret by some local authorities. One early case which helped to establish the principle that the public should have access to such data involved a hotel in Bridgend, in south Wales, which had numerous breaches of good hygiene. Bridgend Council

Summary: Around one in three of the fast food outlets trading under the names of Dixy Chicken and Chicken Cottage failed to meet satisfactory levels for food hygiene when they were last inspected.


Over the past few years Mr Trump and other conservatives had roundly decried what they viewed as Barack Obama's unconstitutional unilateral executive action initiated in 2012 to defer deportation proceedings for undocumented immigrants who entered the US as children and family of immigrants with permanent US residency. The programmes, known by their acronyms Daca (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and Dapa (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans), were the Obama administration's response to successful efforts by Republicans in Congress to block comprehensive immigration reform. Although Dapa has been suspended pending resolution of a lawsuit filed by Republican-controlled states, Daca has given temporary normalised residency status to more than 750,000 undocumented immigrants during the Obama presidency. Many anti-immigration activists viewed the policy as ripe for quick reversal under President Trump - a belief candidate Trump actively encouraged. "We're going to be unsigning a lot of executive orders, especially his order that basically lets anybody they want just pour into our country," Mr Trump said at a December 2015 campaign rally when asked by an audience member what he'd do in his first days as president. "That's going to end." The Trump campaign website featured a promise to "immediately terminate President Obama's two illegal executive amnesties" - Daca and Dapa. So far, however, it hasn't turned out that way, and recent indications are that sweeping actions - such as an all-out repeal of Daca - may not be in the cards. On Sunday, when asked about the issue, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus refused to be pinned down. "I think we're going to work with House and Senate leadership as well to get a long-term solution on that issue," he said. In his first two news conferences, press secretary Sean Spicer was also pressed on why Mr Trump hadn't yet taken any action - and he punted the issue into the long grass. "With respect to Daca I think he's considering to make sure that his cabinet-level team starts to organise and create a plan to move forward with respect to that issue," he said on Tuesday. "That's where we are right now." The previous day he had said the Trump administration had more pressing concerns. "I think the president has been clear that he is going to prioritise the areas of dealing with the immigration system, both building the wall and making sure that we address people who are in this country illegally," he said. "First and foremost, the president's been very, very clear that we need to direct agencies to focus on those who are in this country illegally and have a criminal record or pose a threat to the American people." Meanwhile, according to Politico, the Department of Homeland Security, in the absence of any administration directive to the contrary, continues to process deportation deferral and work permit requests as they had under Mr Obama. Taken together, these comments and inaction have some Trump supporters up in arms. "Every president over-promises and under-delivers. That is to be expected," writes the Conservative Review's Daniel Horowitz. "But there is no excuse

Summary: Donald Trump has signed a raft of measures on immigration but one subject the president and his staff have avoided so far is their promise to tackle undocumented migrants who entered the US as children.


The floral tribute of chrysanthemums included a note written by the duke. Prince William is on a week-long trip to China and Japan where he will undertake engagements to promote UK relations with both countries. He concluded his cemetery visit by signing a visitors' book, which had been placed next to a photograph of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. She was pictured laying a wreath at the same cemetery in 1995. The note on the wreath laid by the duke said: "May we never forget all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom." Later the prince met fellow royals Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at the Imperial Palace. He told the emperor, whom he last met in 2012 during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Sovereign Monarchs' lunch: "Your majesty, it's very nice to see you again. Thank you for having me here - fantastic." When Prince William met Emperor Akihito it was an encounter between the representatives of one ancient institution and of another, which is even more ancient. Japan's imperial family is the world's oldest continuous hereditary monarchy. The latest incumbent of the Chrysanthemum throne is just an emperor. Previous Japanese monarchs had the status of living gods - something William's family would probably have found attractive during their difficult times in the 1980s and 1990s. In these more settled times for the House of Windsor, the prince is in Tokyo promoting British government interests. Born to be king, one day - as things stand - William confided in an audience about an alternative career plan if destiny wasn't in play. He said, as a child, he'd dreamt of becoming an astronaut and flirted with the idea of being either a policeman or a fire breather. Read more from Peter on his correspondent's page. The duke began his four-day visit to Japan on Thursday by taking part in a traditional tea ceremony in the capital Tokyo. In what is his first visit to the country, he also took a speedboat ride to Tokyo Bay, which will host much of the 2020 Summer Olympics. The last time a major member of Britain's royal family visited Japan was in 2008 when the duke's father, Prince Charles, came with his wife Camilla. The Duchess of Cambridge is not with her husband as she is due to give birth to their second child in April. On the first day of his tour Prince William visited the Nakajima tea house, built 350 years ago in Japan's Edo period, in the middle of a small lake within the Hama Rikyu gardens. Dr Genshitsu Sen, who is 92 and the 15th generation of his family to hold a senior role in the spiritual art of tea making, performed the traditional ceremony. He also made tea for Prince William's parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, when they visited Kyoto in 1986. During his trip, the duke is also due to be taken to the areas devastated by the 2011 tsunami and meet survivors. In China on Monday, he will launch the three-day Great Festival of Creativity at

Summary: The Duke of Cambridge has laid a wreath to commemorate the Commonwealth war dead at Japan's Yokohama War Cemetery.


Yahye Omar Mohamed, 14, and Waseem Muflahi, 15, both from Birmingham, were on a trip to Barmouth, Gwynedd, on 7 August when they died. A friend said they had been warned before they ventured into deeper water. A conclusion of accidental death was recorded at Wednesday's inquest in Caernarfon. Coroner Dewi Pritchard Jones said: "This is a classic situation of healthy active boys swimming in the sea, but not realising the dangers if they get caught in surf with strong undertow. "I don't believe I can do anything to prevent further fatalities other than to warn people that there is no such thing as a safe beach, though the risks in Barmouth are no greater than anywhere else." Mahdi Farah, a friend of the two boys who was rescued from the water, said the boys had been enjoying the water at a safe depth, but went out further than they should have. "I went to give them a stern telling off," he said. "But the strong waves were crashing down and they dragged us out. I was telling the boys to stay calm and battling to keep them upright. "But every time I tried to swim to shore with them, the current kept dragging us back." Harbourmaster Anthony Glyn told the hearing: "I saw three people in the water, scattered 50-100 metres apart, so I told two of my colleagues, beach wardens, to take a throw line and go into the water a small way to try and rescue the closest of the three. "As soon as they did, another wave came and took my colleagues out too. "They managed to get the throw line to Mahdi Farah and I called for urgent help from the coastguard and lifeboat. "Then I saw one of the boys go under the water. As the lifeboat reached the line of the surf, the second boy disappeared." The bodies of the boys were recovered on beaches north of Barmouth a few days later.

Summary: Two teenage boys who drowned while swimming in the sea disappeared beneath the waves minutes before a lifeboat could reach them, an inquest has heard.


Walter Powley suffered serious burns following a fall at the Western Park View home in Hinckley Road, Leicester, in May 2012. An investigation into his death found the radiator pipes and valves at the home were not covered. It also found the owner was aware that Mr Powley was at risk of falls. During a hearing at Leicester Crown Court, Western Park Leicester, based in Queen Street, Wolverhampton, pleaded guilty to safety breaches. The firm was also ordered to pay £35,000 in costs. In a statement, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said Mr Powley had been admitted to the home four days before being injured. It said he fell in his room and suffered serious burns to his right leg from the radiator pipe and valves, and superficial burns to both legs. He died in hospital eight days later. Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Dr Richenda Dixon said: "This was a foreseeable and preventable fatal incident. "The scalding or burning risks from the pipes were long-standing and could have caused injury to any resident," he said. In a statement on behalf of Mr Powley's family, his son Colin said: "We are still devastated, not only by our dad's death, but also how it came about. "The fact that he died from injuries sustained as a result of, in our view, inadequate care in a place where he was supposedly safer than at home, is heart-breaking."

Summary: A care home has been fined £100,000 after an 85-year-old resident died after becoming trapped between a wardrobe and a radiator.


With more than 3,000 listed places of worship in Wales, the Welsh government said many were under threat. New activities will be encouraged to save the buildings, either as religious centres or with an alternative purpose. Deputy Culture Minister Ken Skates, visiting St Giles parish church in Wrexham, said it was "always a shame" to see "cherished buildings neglected". The Grade I listed church hosts community groups and religious services, and received Welsh government funding to restore its tower.

Summary: An action plan has been launched to save historic religious buildings from neglect as their congregations dwindle.


Harvey Horn, Pat McCormack and Lawrence Okolie each secured wins to complete a 3-2 scoreline in Miami. In an exciting finish to the contest, heavyweight Okolie's fight went to a split decision in the deciding bout. World Series Boxing offers fighters a route to Rio 2016 via an Olympic qualifying event in Bulgaria in May. Team GB topped the boxing medal table at London 2012, with three gold medals, one silver and one bronze. The Lionhearts' next match is away to the Morocco Atlas Lions on 5 February in Casablanca. The team's first home fixture will be against the Mexico Guerreros at York Hall on 18 February.

Summary: The British Lionhearts made a winning start to their latest World Series of Boxing campaign, with an away victory over USA Knockouts.


The prime minister has announced that there will be a public inquiry, but how will that differ from an inquest? More importantly, which will provide the best chance of delivering answers to the critical and haunting questions of what caused the fire, and which organisations or individuals bear responsibility? An inquest is an independent inquiry into a violent or unexplained death, so as a matter of course, there will be inquests into those who lost their lives in Grenfell Tower. Inquests are held in public and conducted by a coroner. The coronial system can be traced back to the 11th century. The inquest is inquisitorial and not adversarial - that is, the process does not seek to determine or apportion responsibility for the death. Its remit is limited: it solely determines who, where and how the deceased died. But inquests can be expanded if Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights - the right to life - is invoked. There is a general duty on the part of the state to protect life, and Article 2 inquests are held where the state or a public body may have played a part in the death of a person, or failed to protect a life when it knew - or ought to have known - of a real and immediate risk to the life of that person. Such inquests will generally be conducted with a jury, and can be greatly expanded to become wider reaching inquiries into not only by what means the deceased died, but also the circumstances surrounding the death. This can cover the involvement of a range of private and public organisations. The recent inquest into the death of 96 football fans at Hillsborough in 1989 was an example of this expanded "Article 2" type of inquest. The coroner can make what are known as Regulation 28 recommendations to prevent future deaths. This involves writing to individuals, bodies or organisations and advising what they need to do to prevent future deaths or guard against danger to the public. However, these recommendations have no legal force. The person, body or organisation in question may face overwhelming moral pressure to comply, but would not be under a legal duty to do so. Sometimes the bodies or organisations concerned will already have reviewed or changed systems or practices in advance of the inquest. If they have not and they do not comply with the recommendations, it is then down to government to legislate to change the law to prevent or guard against further loss of life. The lack of legal force behind coroners' recommendations was seen after the inquests in 2013 into the death of three adults and three children who died in a fire at the Lakanal House flats in Camberwell, south-east London. The coroner, Judge Frances Kirkham, made clear recommendations, which included updating the building regulations and clarification of the "stay put" policy which advises residents to remain in their flats in the event of a fire. Those recommendations were not followed by ministers. What does have legal force is

Summary: Following the tragedy at Grenfell Tower there have been calls for both an inquest and a public inquiry.


For Taribo West, the former Auxerre, AC Milan and Inter Milan defender, that 3-2 triumph over Argentina in the final is still fresh in his memory. "The Olympics in 1996 is one of the most fantastic periods in my career," West reminisces to BBC Sport. "We had a team that could match any in the world." West says the build-up to the Games, under the guidance of Dutch coach Jo Bonfrere, was ideal despite being beaten by Togo, in Lagos, in their final pre-Olympic friendly before travelling to the USA. "Before the Olympics, we were well prepared in the USA. We were not distracted by the usual things we encounter back home in Nigeria, where family and friends can come and visit us in camp," he remembers. "We were in a very remote place and we were very focused on the task at hand. Jo Bonfrere's preparation of the team was excellent." After their opening 1-0 win over Hungary and a subsequent 2-0 victory over Japan, the West Africans lost 1-0 to Brazil in their final Group D match in Orlando, Florida. With a 2-0 win over Mexico in the quarter-finals, the "Dream Team", as the Nigerians were nicknamed back home, collided with the Brazilians once again, in what was an epic semi-final. The 31 July encounter is one that West, renowned for his dreadlocks and robust defending, will never forget. After going 3-1 down in the first half, with Brazil's Flavio Conceicao scoring in the game's very first minute, the Nigerians were in a particularly tough spot. "We knew that in the first half of that game, we had played very poorly," West admitted. "But the key to our comeback in the second half was our extraordinary determination. "The voice of the leaders came up in the dressing room. We won that match in the dressing room. "Fortunately, we had Daniel Amokachi, Sunday Oliseh and Uche Okechukwu. It was a big advantage for us." Victor Ikpeba, the AS Monaco striker who was voted as Africa's top player a year later, reduced the tally in the 78th minute. But when Jay-Jay Okocha blew the opportunity to draw level, fluffing a penalty with just minutes left on the clock, the match seemed well and truly over for Nigeria. That feeling, however, was not in the mind of Nwankwo Kanu, the two-time African Footballer of the Year. The former Ajax, Inter and Arsenal striker scored the equaliser in the 90th minute and displayed uncanny presence, agility and finesse to score the winner four minutes into extra-time, sending the Eagles' bench into delirium. After such a dramatic victory against the team of Bebeto, Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo, which had won the World Cup only two years before, West says the Nigerians were certain they had a golden date with destiny, in the final against Argentina, at the Sanford stadium in Athens, Georgia. "There was something in our spirit that made us realise that we going to win, although we didn't know how," West recalls. "As soon as Argentina got the first goal, we were not

Summary: On 3 August 1996, Nigeria made history as the first African nation to become Olympic football champions at the Atlanta Games.


Four men, aged 17, 18, 25 and 27, were injured during the incident, which took place in Whatriggs Road in the early hours of Saturday. They were taken to the town's Crosshouse Hospital for treatment and were later released. Police said four men, aged 17, 18, 19 and 20, had been arrested in connection with the incident. They are expected to appear at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Monday.

Summary: Four men have been arrested after four people were stabbed during a disturbance in a Kilmarnock street.


The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) said the slowdown last month was fuelled in part by uncertainty over the EU referendum. It also cited the higher stamp duty in place on investment property purchases. New buyer inquiries fell significantly across Scotland, with 21% more surveyors reporting a fall in interest. This was the sharpest decline since 2012. There was also a further fall in the supply of properties coming on to the Scottish housing market, and a decline in sales for a second consecutive month. Survey contributors said they expected that trend to continue, with 9% more respondents anticipating a further drop in sales over the next three months. The same trend was projected across the UK, with 12% more contributors expecting transactions to fall over the next 12 months - the weakest reading in four years. Rics chief economist Simon Rubinsohn said: "Big events such as elections typically do unsettle markets so it is no surprise that the EU referendum has been associated with a downturn in activity. "However, even without the build-up to the vote and subsequent decision in favour of Brexit, it is likely that the housing numbers would have slowed during the second quarter of the year following the rush in many parts of the country from buy-to-let investors to secure purchases ahead of the tax changes. "Rics data does suggest that the softer tone to the market will persist over the coming months but the critical influence looking further is how the economy performs in the wake of the uncertainty triggered by the vote to leave. "Respondents to the survey are understandably cautious, but with interest rates heading lower and sterling significantly so, it remains to be seen whether the concerns about a possible stalling in both corporate investment and recruitment are justified."

Summary: House prices across Scotland have continued to rise despite a marked drop in housing market activity, according to a report.


By the end of the day, the Dow Jones index fell 59.44 points or 0.29% to 20,591.86, while the S&P 500 was down 8.85 points or 0.38% at 2,344.93. The tech-focused Nasdaq index dropped 30.61 points or 0.52% to 5,836.16. Financial stocks did particularly badly ahead of results from Wells Fargo, Citigroup and JPMorgan on Thursday. The S&P 500 financials index slipped 0.9%, with Wells and Citi losing 1.92% and 0.88% respectively. JP Morgan gained 0.33%. Shares in United Airlines continued to tumble as boss Oscar Munoz said he would not step down over the forcible removal of a passenger from a flight. The stock ended 1.10% lower after losing 1% yesterday.

Summary: Wall Street shares closed lower on Wednesday amid continuing concern at geopolitical tensions over Syria and North Korea.


Arlene Foster, Martin McGuinness, Mike Nesbitt, Colum Eastwood and David Ford all took part in Election 2016: The Leaders' Debate. They were questioned by a studio audience made up mostly of grassroots supporters and some undecided voters. The debate was simulcast to UK-wide audiences on the BBC News channel. It was hosted by Noel Thompson. An early flashpoint in the debate came between Mike Nesbitt and Arlene Foster over who should be first minister. "I think that Arlene has a five-word plan - do not mention Peter Robinson," said Mr Nesbitt. "I have a one-point plan - the Ulster Unionist one-point plan is make it work. Make Stormont work." Mrs Foster replied: "Unlike Mike Nesbitt, I remember the bad old days of pushover unionism. "I remember what it was like in 1998 when we had a concession a day to the IRA, I remember what happened in relation to prisoners, I remember what happened to the RUC." David Ford said that the argument over who should be first minister was about trying to frighten people. "I think it's rather sad that this is now the third election in a row that the DUP's campaign has been based on the politics of fear. He added: "Not looking forward to the future, not looking about growing our economy, not looking about growing a united community, not looking to meet the needs of our children to stop them emigrating. "Instead of that we're just into who's biggest and who's not biggest." Martin McGuinness and Colum Eastwood also clashed over who would be in government or opposition after the election. Mr McGuinness accused the SDLP leader of not knowing "what he wants to do" over being in government, but Mr Eastwood responded that the election is "not a coronation". "I am going into government. Colum can't say that tonight. I am going into government," said Mr McGuinness. Mr Eastwood replied: "Not like in the south, where they've refused to go into government at every opportunity." During the debate, the leaders also faced questions on health, the past, the economy and the make-up of the government after the election. Following the debate, political discussion continued in The Spin Room, a programme that provided instant analysis and reaction to the leaders' debate. The programme featured senior representatives from the Green Party, TUV and UKIP. An invited audience of commentators, members of the public and private sector, and young people from the BBC Generation 2016 initiative also gave their views on the debate.

Summary: The leaders of Northern Ireland's five main parties have gone head-to-head in a debate before Thursday's assembly election.


Kashket's 49th-minute strike, against his former club, registered his 11th goal of the season and gave Wanderers an eighth win in a row, while Orient are languishing close to the relegation zone. All eyes were on the in-form Kashket, facing Orient for the first time since his summer move, and it was the 20-year-old who opened the scoring just after the break. The ball fell to the winger who guided his left-footed shot beyond the reach of goalkeeper Alex Cisak. However, the visitors had nearly taken the lead on the half-hour mark when Jay Simpson's left-footed strike whistled past Jamal Blackman's post. And Orient again thought they had the lead when Paul McCallum turned Jay Simpson's low cross into the roof of the net. However, the goal was ruled out for offside. The game petered out in the final half hour as neither side went close, handing Wanderers maximum points. Report supplied by the Press Association. Match ends, Wycombe Wanderers 1, Leyton Orient 0. Second Half ends, Wycombe Wanderers 1, Leyton Orient 0. Nigel Atangana (Leyton Orient) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Garry Thompson (Wycombe Wanderers). Corner, Wycombe Wanderers. Conceded by Nicky Hunt. Attempt missed. Sam Wood (Wycombe Wanderers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Attempt missed. Matt Bloomfield (Wycombe Wanderers) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Substitution, Wycombe Wanderers. Myles Weston replaces Paris Cowan-Hall. Substitution, Wycombe Wanderers. Sam Wood replaces Scott Kashket. Nicky Hunt (Leyton Orient) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Anthony Stewart (Wycombe Wanderers). Attempt missed. Aaron Pierre (Wycombe Wanderers) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right following a corner. Corner, Wycombe Wanderers. Conceded by Nigel Atangana. Attempt blocked. Luke O'Nien (Wycombe Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Corner, Wycombe Wanderers. Conceded by Myles Judd. Substitution, Leyton Orient. Sam Dalby replaces Robbie Weir. Paris Cowan-Hall (Wycombe Wanderers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Sandro Semedo (Leyton Orient) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Paris Cowan-Hall (Wycombe Wanderers). Foul by Jay Simpson (Leyton Orient). Joe Jacobson (Wycombe Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Paul McCallum (Leyton Orient) is shown the yellow card. Nicky Hunt (Leyton Orient) is shown the yellow card. Teddy Mezague (Leyton Orient) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Paris Cowan-Hall (Wycombe Wanderers). Substitution, Leyton Orient. Sandro Semedo replaces Jordan Bowery. Corner, Leyton Orient. Conceded by Joe Jacobson. Corner, Leyton Orient. Conceded by Michael Harriman. Teddy Mezague (Leyton Orient) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Paris Cowan-Hall (Wycombe Wanderers). Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match Alex Cisak (Leyton Orient) because of an injury. Foul by Nicky Hunt (Leyton Orient). Scott Kashket (Wycombe Wanderers) wins a free kick on the right wing. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Substitution, Leyton Orient. Teddy Mezague replaces Callum Kennedy because of an

Summary: A Scott Kashket goal was enough for Wycombe Wanderers to see off a well-organised Leyton Orient side at Adams Park.


Southgate was delighted with aspects of England's display in defeat in the friendly against Germany in Dortmund on Wednesday while the unspectacular win against Lithuania was all about getting three more points towards World Cup qualification. So what will Southgate take away from the last week as England look ahead to their next qualifier in Scotland on 10 June? Southgate set the normal rules about strikers and age aside to bring 34-year-old Jermain Defoe back into the England fold four years after his last goal for his country, scored in a victory against San Marino. Injuries to main striker Harry Kane and all-time record goalscorer Wayne Rooney forced Southgate's hand but he was able to call on the hard evidence provided by Defoe's 14 Premier League goals in a Sunderland side renowned for not making chances and rooted to the bottom of the table. Defoe has always traded in the game's most important currency, goals, throughout his lengthy career. This was a performance designed to demonstrate to doubters and Southgate he has not outlived his usefulness at international level. He was sharp and saw one chance saved before he demonstrated his poacher's instinct in the penalty area to slide in Adam Lallana's pass in the 21st minute before flashing another shot narrowly off target. In many respects he is an old-fashioned attacking operator in that his first thought is always the back of the net and shooting at it. No extra touches or passes are required. Defoe had two shots on target, one off target and one blocked with very limited opportunities - but most significantly made England's breakthrough. He is selfish in just the right way and in a World Cup qualifying group where England will be confronted by the sort of mass defence Lithuania presented here, it is unlikely this will be a temporary return to the colours. Dele Alli was given heavy-handed - or more precisely heavy-footed - treatment from Lithuania as they tried to light the short fuse that has brought Tottenham's 20-year-old some unsavoury headlines in his short career. It meant Alli was nowhere near as influential as he was in Dortmund on Wednesday, where his efforts will have imprinted his importance for both the present and the future in Southgate's mind. With Alli subdued, this was the chance for Liverpool's Adam Lallana to step forward and confirm his progression into a fully-fledged first-choice member of this England side. The 28-year-old is a late developer for England but his rejuvenation under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool is now reaping dividends for Southgate as a very important spin-off. Lallana has been directly involved in four goals in his last five England appearances, three goals and one assist, and was unlucky to strike the post in Germany. He combined natural energy and creation with subtlety at Wembley, the qualities needed to make a difference in an attacking framework with England - with his beautiful, imaginative touch inside a crowded penalty the perfect invitation for Jamie Vardy to make the game safe against Lithuania. If his Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and

Summary: Gareth Southgate will feel a sense of cautious optimism after his first two matches as permanent England manager in succession to Sam Allardyce - but some familiar questions remain.


Britain's and champion teams up with Heather Stanning as she aims to repeat her success in Chengdu in 2013. "It's the first big title I've had to defend," Glover said. "There's a little bit of pressure, but it I think it's important to feel the pressure," she told BBC Radio Cornwall. "If you're going to define the season for us, when we look back at the 2014 season, it'll be 'we did this at the World Championships'," she added. "In non-Olympic years it's the biggest event by far, it's a really big deal to have that to your name." Glover and Stanning have resurrected their partnership from London 2012 after Stanning took a year off in 2013 to concentrate on her military career. Glover and Polly Swann won the world title last year in Stanning's absence and the both women have rowed with Glover this season before Stanning managed to secure the spot alongside the Cornwall rower for the Worlds. "It's going to be Heather's first chance since the Olympics [to win a world title] and I'd love the opportunity to keep my title so it's important and special to both of us. "When we first came back together we realised it had been a long time since the Olympics. We needed to find our feet again and found that actually everything was really natural. "That gave us the confidence over the last month or so away on training camp to not just let it be the same as it was - we've really worked on pushing it on. "I feel we've moved on and made changes, looking to be a better crew than we were in 2012," Glover added.

Summary: Helen Glover says she is feeling the pressure of defending a major title for the first time at next week's World Championships in Amsterdam.


Susan Norman, 68, died when tonnes of mud and rubble engulfed her flat in Looe, Cornwall, in March 2013. An inquest jury concluded Cornwall Council had not listened to "consistent and frustrated complaints" from residents about previous landslips. The authority has apologised to Mrs Norman's family. More on the landslide inquest and other news from Devon and Cornwall The court heard neighbours had warned Cornwall Council about the risk of erosion and questioned the stability of the land years before the fatal accident. Mrs Norman's landlady, Christina Miller, told the inquest as soon as her tenant raised concerns she had called in a structural engineer who warned about the risk of "catastrophic collapse". A post-mortem report read to the jury at Truro Magistrates' Court said Mrs Norman died immediately. The jury said in its findings: "Cornwall Council did not listen to regular consistent and frustrated complaints by the residents. Cornwall Council did not respond to an independent report highlighting risk." It added: "The landslide was caused, or more than normally contributed to, by a failure of Cornwall Council to prevent the surface water moving from St Martin's Road on to the rear of Veronica's (Mrs Norman's house)." After the inquest, Mrs Norman's daughter Helen Hazeltine said: "She was taken away from us and she didn't have to be. "This should never happen again and I don't want anyone else to go through this, at all, ever." Kate Kennally, Cornwall Council's chief executive, said: "I would like to apologise to Mrs Norman's family and friends and express our sincere condolences for their loss." She said it would "not be appropriate to comment in more detail", as court proceedings against the council and its civil engineering arm CORMAC had been lodged.

Summary: A council ought to have known a grandmother faced "a real and immediate risk of death" from landslides, jurors have said.


After an entertaining goalless 90 minutes Jonathan Bolingi scored what he thought was the winner in the first period of extra-time. But Guinea's Ibrahima Sory Sankhon made it 1-1 in the final seconds of the game to send the tie to penalties. In the shootout Congo's Ley Matampi saved from Mohamed Youla to send Florent Ibenge's side to the final. The victory secures DR Congo's place in Sunday's final to decide the winners of CHAN 2016. They will face either Mali or Ivory Coast, who meet in Thursday's semi-final. DR Congo's best chances in the first half fell to Meshack Elia, who sent a freekick wide of the target, and then to Doxa Gikanji, who scored a spectacular goal against Rwanda in the quarter-finals. This time though, his shot from the edge of the area was pushed away by goalkeeper Abdoulaziz Keita. Congolese defender Padou Bompunga will miss the final after he was booked just before half-time giving him a suspension for two yellow cards in successive matches. Bolingi had chances to score in normal time but one of his efforts found the legs of a Guinean defender and then he failed to connect fully with a more acrobatic effort. In between those efforts, Sankhon got his head to a dangerous looking attack from Guinea, but keeper Ley Matampi saved for DR Congo. With just three minutes left on the clock, Guinea were saved by the woodwork when Gikanji unleashed another fierce shot. The first goal of the match eventually came in the 102nd minute as substitute Guy Lusadisu crossed from the byline and Bolingi found the target with a superb diving header. With just seconds before the final whistle, Sankhon found the equaliser with a shot from just inside the box to send the match to penalties, Guinea won their quarter-final against Zambia on penalties with keeper Keita saving and then scoring the crucial spot kicks. But this time around he was upstaged by his opposite number Matampi, who saved two of the post-match penalties including one in sudden death from Youla to earn the victory. DR Congo won the inaugural CHAN tournament, which is only open to players who play in their own local leagues, in 2009 when it was played in Ivory Coast.

Summary: DR Congo qualified for the final of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) by beating Guinea 5-4 on penalties.


The hyperbaric chamber, which treats divers with "the bends", was operated by St John's Ambulance on a donation basis until it broke in April 2014. The health department replaced it in 2015, but says it needs to "balance the books". Diving instructor Steve Bougourd said he was "gobsmacked". "I'm just worried that this kind of cost will put people off of actually going to the [hospital] and notifying them if they suspect a problem," he said. "We may find it's going to be very expensive to get out divers insured." In the UK hyperbaric oxygen treatment is covered by the NHS, but Guernsey has its own health care system. Source: NHS Assistant director at Guernsey's health and social care department (HSC) Ed Freestone said renting the chamber was costing the government £60,000 a year. He said the department would not make a profit from the new charges, which were based on "the average usage that we could identify over the previous few years". In addition to paying for the training of staff and the maintenance of a 24 hour service, the department had to fund plans to buy its own chamber for about £250,000, Mr Freestone said. Commercial divers already pay a £150 notification fee to dive which raises about £10,000 a year, according to HSC. It is a legal requirement to provide a hyperbaric chamber facility for commercial diving activity to take place within Guernsey's 12-mile limit.

Summary: Divers in Guernsey will be hit with a £30,000 charge if they require treatment for decompression sickness, the government has confirmed.